tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91257972031856213572024-02-20T02:27:03.589-05:00The Most Important Work"The most important work you and I will ever do will be within the walls of our own homes." President Harold B. LeeJenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09990018398935394320noreply@blogger.comBlogger116125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9125797203185621357.post-29599990190874529662010-07-19T21:25:00.004-04:002010-07-19T21:46:36.194-04:00{coming from obscurity for a silly post}<p>I have really been missing this blog since I've been away and thought about how to make a brilliant come-back post. I couldn't decide, so I just haven't posted. Well, it is not going to be perfect, but I thought you might enjoy this story I found on<a href="http://rocksinmydryer.typepad.com/shannon/2010/07/if-you-give-a-thirteenyearold-boy-a-cookie.html"> Rocks in My Dryer. If you like those "If you give a mouse a cookie" books, you'll love this story. </a><br /></p><p>I'll be back soon. I have a lot to say!<br /></p><p> <img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3096/2564566411_e345111de1_t.jpg" /></p>Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09990018398935394320noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9125797203185621357.post-26291074557253683962009-05-12T09:28:00.001-04:002009-05-12T09:28:17.663-04:00{does a wannabe count?}<p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij9BHjmzqtF3DMfWMHvlnj9VckRQc8fTJSidfBBLSaqTTRoUQ7u84eOmCZf9HfAoraGMMp-coqJWaMcdDxqC5U_BjpR0YyF4rjFH0_VPt_6t_VX1tU2KFAAxvSR2BHHjfWF3L5Mzxbx3c/s1600-h/i-am-blissfully-domestic-apron%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="243" alt="i-am-blissfully-domestic-apron" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidj9MTSzWdJBQ7zdeDZJPxo8YxzVSXUdw0DhYvF8Qxvduzz-4HMv_HyFn8v6fv-Coe3-I84duFDmmd0jGIqkQYlPfPbGrgyVGHkWcILlZF23rdhl6AXDYUqdkSbqf75zCTZfCTE4_AAJ4/?imgmax=800" width="384" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>I'm re-reading a book that inspired me years ago called 'Confessions of an Organized Homemaker.'  I borrowed it from the library as a newlywed living in married student housing and was wowed by the suggestions and writing style that the author had.  I even used it as inspiration for a class on household organizing that I taught (seriously?, I know!) for women at our church.</p> <p>In browsing book titles at the Habitat for Humanity ReStore last week, I spotted an aged & yellowed copy of the book for only 50 cents.  I began reading it during a long bath this morning and am totally inspired to make my  home work better.  </p> <p>Right now I feel like every room is out of control.  I've been using our mini remodeling projects as an excuse for things to be messy.  But that is going to change TODAY.  The author of the book reminded me that a plan and a neat, organized house frees you to do other things with your time.  Sometimes it seems like it will tie us down; like we're a 'slave' to a clean house.  I'm glad to be reminded that that is not the case.  What a great day to launch this take-back-control-of-my-house-project.  The sun is shining and I have the whole day off.  AND a girls night out tonight!</p> Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09990018398935394320noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9125797203185621357.post-3984756813900912982009-05-04T15:57:00.001-04:002009-05-04T15:57:20.538-04:00{my house looks cuter}<p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWDW6Ju7X_SEiMzsylD7I6cePyz8h5mjrZCdkbVosRS-Rl4shw5KppH5nyD64tKrw6-e9kBd3tLwXn__wCVgL7JplCySqHv4msabxTzYiZhIUyq3Q5wXh8zWbY6g5hJ8B-JcnNCe_ybZM/s1600-h/Family%20Room,%20phase%201%20006%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="325" alt="Family Room, phase 1 006" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMW0mJ1a6I0-ewHOpbO5MKxsWUV7dEr29lW8RpEy4w-YTzonQ2aWeJnaJJKGhfBesZBvLnfHA9M9Mrm0io7-z_hM7VKzi5i0OcVnPt7U-7CwQeI4Fsx2-Xh8gP5K3sSj-qac9yyGsba0c/?imgmax=800" width="245" border="0" /></a> </p> <p> I know I haven't posted forever, but there are several people who want to see the updates we're making to our house.  And...since inquiring minds want to see, here goes...</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5-yFxBbHikkWAlcsEiSCorRgdTSFz3kGsouGd0l1cy6JgABqvBL4FIxBE3-yA_SAuSyyUKEU8uUI141RDKs5c0-XnE384EBtXN8bLRm5aebFK1R98ILJyL1QlYy7r9r_6NO74w-JJ1ZE/s1600-h/Family%20Room,%20phase%201%20001%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="372" alt="Family Room, phase 1 001" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNIgSGPFl7q9lqaMqQHOcXgKaonSr6uirvwNCiOlyNqZDBSj_52j5Dzc76or6MGjX2FCmM-5RSk9omMq2v8m084E0lbFOxFcl-CrgPHiZWNRf3izqvXsYQ8NDh8-xf9pSZyy8t3ZxBXxQ/?imgmax=800" width="280" border="0" /></a> </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTrUl7ZC5nMY4RwaOsUJ4BRZHNy2dwXqPSyiVjdpYJrRj0Ry3grxdTLH8tiE-3OcE9KcxRVhA3zB0ngpEHElVl6-jLAhuM1jbcc1NSQD8Uh8f0o2x9TxCjWFgSoBfWRUhWQPf6m_uyEqA/s1600-h/Family%20Room,%20phase%201%20002%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="298" alt="Family Room, phase 1 002" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwoWZo1N20jnJeOTRDnoLY7bDsYfVyPc8Ld0XDcFnADK2i14J_AC4DHStabhyTWlO_YZId__IJx2jiPyYDfubVu7fiaiQQAKjWR3egHE8w_rAhg-qqSqJSTO08FmmXHzPvccEhr-Ol1VA/?imgmax=800" width="224" border="0" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo5ttxiicNtK9VdcR88OR08-Xq3EjUctnUwwlYNUDfZnhtBaq9e1qOUlGso2vOBNKqDWyuRoDxD3porQstkAJShjuOwhvKO6wtAAcUawl2t2RuYGRSXyfiHyUdnA5Z3mUyLckPhTQhk4U/s1600-h/Family%20Room,%20phase%201%20005%5B6%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="269" alt="Family Room, phase 1 005" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF1wznL9p7Ql8Lm3ubgFtvpH_pc-H0RAbhSPU4AJpPWccRgr3A3YnBa0TluzOKz9K_odREwliJKfZrODVwSrbeKFAuLnK9ILmb6o6QJs4vdIeaD7rlHGkfDpsURYMbKvHWYQK1sWKmKN0/?imgmax=800" width="357" border="0" /></a> </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAOBOUOEN91dn7R8Z6qPmzEiz_FEKDninLeS8JBU7o2LIlJ4btkNwnC47vSOzJwRB8Z9QOYzpYQr1O3Hl72YczHnKAWjPClvEglsgjmB3AzZmCiuUESdr3IagmS3vEgGEFKgnfuKHSo3w/s1600-h/Family%20Room,%20phase%201%20003%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="260" alt="Family Room, phase 1 003" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHNbrFtmY0xM9w69vhqGaX37xG8lIeX4iGXC_D3BB-37M-nB9qokC9m4qA0KQp-0xujWhrh5KEE9zveRx_u4CYS_Fv9lU9biugaeaE8rhymvC9xsad2rChvXFWDqqXmuJ_GNJZl4C0ilw/?imgmax=800" width="196" border="0" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnlrCZigfPeg_OuRcPyCU3u2vPYEsUoIdHtnIITUVYzMolaIm7dENcCAVe1VBMSmd_crann0lmgCJ_B3dSPeWT_ozoXsPQpD3XFoorp-xe04UbC_Tvok8rhu9jsBHCBPJutCnCH2hCLzE/s1600-h/Family%20Room,%20phase%201%20007%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="272" alt="Family Room, phase 1 007" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipY9N5LMJeJaRyKczWN3FRPsYqyDDBWOdwgs1awxGuMjfTDsHjeMeYhiwGoxY3TlfHt0MtPI8AonM3P0xyLqNcS8T_uB51fk-TkqJlzo7lC71-3drylBqzwbKZ_Tck6IQJGr6J4lqAmdc/?imgmax=800" width="362" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>I painted our family room Palladian Blue from Benjamin Moore, above the chair rail.  It used to be a pale, buttery yellow.  The chocolate brown was done to go with the yellow.  The brown isn't staying for good.  We're going to put in a board and batten-type wainscoting all painted crisp white. All of the trim will be painted that same crisp white.</p> <p>So here are some things on the horizon for this room (besides the <a href="http://chriskauffman.blogspot.com/2009/03/details.html">wainscoting</a>):</p> <p>- <a href="http://theletteredcottage.blogspot.com/2009/05/examinercom.html">Drop cloth drapes</a></p> <p>- <a href="http://www5.jcpenney.com/jcp/X6.aspx?ItemID=1610f16&ItemTyp=G&GrpTyp=STY&ShowMenu=T&ShopBy=0&SearchString=danna+rug&RefPage=SearchDepartment.aspx&s4PageSize=15&CmCatId=EXTERNAL|searchdepartment&Search1Prod=True">Area rug (something like this)</a></p> <p>- Painting the sideboard/tv stand either white or pale gray</p> <p>- Spray painting the goldish color lamps (not sure what color yet...probably white or tan-ish)</p> <p>- B<a href="http://www.thisyounghouse.com/2009/04/easy-breezy-beautiful/">amboo blinds</a></p> <p>I am LOVING how this room is turning out.  If you've seen this room in it's before state, you'll know what a huge transformation has already taken place.  Mike rocked it, installing the laminate floors on Saturday.  I'll keep updating here as we make new changes.</p> <p>Just for some perspective, here are some shots of my family room BEFORE:</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-k5T7tu8rB1rVIOdnjyhazwY79IlZ1KtpFW01coylQKEDJipzwH3ITxwh3_s8AB2KiHIPmvsvv0ixJKidWfugo2kV18dmApv99uJ12T4oLKiWjNthEtyI-UTAxVPWK1EGQRzcWtTJ6bc/s1600-h/IMG_0196%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="247" alt="IMG_0196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN0swykofOrf1hD9p-5icXrImqvRW5Yo0mV9HQMj2oEZEF_7P83khiHWdifbFvH4DqyOI9koJti7qCUBpgfrD7uUFiUCRCBd_yjOqsE9whZy8Ndg_ZQecZfG_trSw8a4UbamvT4bf4BIA/?imgmax=800" width="328" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>The TV is now in front of this pass-through-window-thingy to the kitchen.  It makes the room look sooooo much larger.</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEircIG7chx_f5U7lNA7LN1PZ8m6CvlwV2a28-DxR8RHtTQ73cPZH3JsxDEz3Td3zp1uxkUcxRGJl5j0maVvWMrssB7VygAMzvTUZFMhYqkbCoLbDy5w81iLQEORANHpn4hMRRn3eSLflBQ/s1600-h/P1010043%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="204" alt="P1010043" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgKpCDzE7F13VQEZKH0jxpvDTPbiZoAzWMfz2bgblovXOlJiTvGMRuY0UR5jOawjpmDamyClzUnYvYgFfJ_AmocyGspcgIF9fWdkhh7_3ie-9wbso7NrPgEJNpEMbvDlI1zERI4doxkIQ/?imgmax=800" width="271" border="0" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi31Id0NsH_Pfw3nZDeKQaLUJt6fMK61QPPPbtSRxxfhiTG_v11jYos7WDsZ3ZX2bwoe6Q6fQ2aHEzMMrWFhVrdPwQ82lA6Vw4pW0NaYbKhQeIH018KN5jo3jZR2M8yT_7VZ25DQK4ESA0/s1600-h/IMG_0010%5B6%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="290" alt="IMG_0010" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRDOaOfssFUYL-koqGgLnTfFAOYsqwcHm_UwRe6uHWk5BNTPg24S7tiawXL6HZpHp_1wb5foHnsvQ3BwJZmldszZsktGKpdCEzcJZnzi9qDYGiZWCAtSZZW9UwP1QVEd6t4P1GotQRGjg/?imgmax=800" width="218" border="0" /></a></p> Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09990018398935394320noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9125797203185621357.post-5701152914367163342009-01-31T00:44:00.001-05:002009-01-31T00:44:39.846-05:00{deliberate}<p>So I haven't posted in way too long.  Months, y'all.  And I've missed it.  So, I'm back. </p> <p>I started working a part time job and love it, but during the getting-used-to-my-time-not-being-my-own-anymore adjustment period, I didn't feel like I could spare any brain power on blogging.  I know that sounds lame, but it is what it is.</p> <p>My new goal for my home and life is to be <em><strong>deliberate</strong></em>.  Instead of reacting to life, I want to make it happen the way I want it to.  I'm talking about things I can control here, like my house.  I'm sick of it being in perpetual upheaval.  I can control that if I choose to.  </p> <p>I'll share more about my movement towards 'deliberacy' in the future.  {I know that isn't a word, but I like it}.   For now, here is some inspiration for you and me.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_Emu3UMnxLRA/SYPlQ02HsJI/AAAAAAAABGU/32haXTIFo9o/Simple-storage-pic2%5B4%5D.png"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="243" alt="Simple-storage-pic2" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_Emu3UMnxLRA/SYPlRGr8qNI/AAAAAAAABGY/Y-46Rjr3DLc/Simple-storage-pic2_thumb%5B2%5D.png" width="244" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_Emu3UMnxLRA/SYPlRXHTAaI/AAAAAAAABGc/znvBoHD9Kpo/row%5B2%5D.png"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="244" alt="row" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_Emu3UMnxLRA/SYPlR7lMOWI/AAAAAAAABGg/eCbWeLLWg70/row_thumb.png" width="244" border="0" /></a> </p> <p align="center">How cute are these?  Check out this <a href="http://studiojk.blogspot.com/search/label/organizing%20tips">great blog post</a> for some cuter-than-a-label-maker ways to label your stuff.  She sells decorative vinyl.  I've never purchased any, but have been drooling over it for a while.</p> <p align="center"></p> Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09990018398935394320noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9125797203185621357.post-11131080687412218362008-11-20T16:35:00.001-05:002008-11-20T16:35:21.912-05:00{a few thrifty thursday finds}<p align="center">Today's post is kind of a conglomerate of thrifty goodness.  </p> <p align="center">First, an arrangement on my kitchen island made up of discounted flowers from Kroger.  ($1.25 for each bunch...2 bunches=$2.50)  I love creamy white ironstone dishes.  This is a faux ironstone pitcher, but it looks pretty with the flowers.</p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7kSwszITrSGfX5rYgov4bMytRg5V7oRnjbFl1p_WyQV19OpLeUbMPfecKqHccDMaY5Ao4N28E6KalnI1Aij8I66Tnjq-vzmteDZ_XUj3dUWEsnvR2uFJtr2695xdusyn13NfQrX5eops/s1600-h/IMG_1611%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="333" alt="IMG_1611" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7KbhdOjsYjN0z3J74olNEDAvnrMuppZzPEpCWw_gfLdKUAgNL9VUCLPKPvafahqNRIG3RKQgZlpOW5fSbanvkxoBiJcyc8rf4k62zCtXwm2-wwmFtaMf9VuFV-zBC5KAZ8NHVzDnzw64/?imgmax=800" width="250" border="0" /></a> </p> <p align="center">Next, you have a cute wrought iron piece that I purchased at a yard sale several years ago with it's twin.  I bought them both for $3.  Since we've been in this house (for about 3 years) they've been living on my screened porch.  They're perfect out there.</p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCPGti79_AY7iolImMNcjGAslkEMkBPPlbuHqoS-ZFxtTLZEPrSNg12Unb54mC5XOhIUW1FZUKmu3gwRqo1vSJm19EtNQvuxTcYyOxVrmEYJNF-7rxW_TJNtWqQml1SMr0tBuNdzWJHlU/s1600-h/IMG_1609%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="329" alt="IMG_1609" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguTFIWLkOaeodhaR_g9M21V82bZBCDWSOPSoQMk888K8eyldG-ZkQGq1r1iKlocrNtg0tAPI19Gzkq4UPk-BBMvUOmy6vudpnVDlQjoARMMACELXlC_K_mum-5s8vOCYWscYcJEoutubk/?imgmax=800" width="248" border="0" /></a> </p> <p align="center">Lastly, I'd like to tell you about some deals I scored just yesterday.  I went to the Salvation Army to shop on 1/2 price clothing day and was surprised with a sign on the door that said, "All shoes $1."  Wow.  I walked away with 6 pairs of shoes for my kids for only $6.  That is so awesome.  Here are a few...</p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4sXXZfwRZjBHViIAqRUmFt4TGj5AklzI0-VJoCiN-8jK8tkXIiDIqcaiBB9ZKv9-ZhyphenhyphenPTXAptHmUaNbSByT6EWwwiOnu-kX7486tXVEcOgtXQpun6B1P7vSpzkXL7VQdML0SYNt3fW34/s1600-h/IMG_1618%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="220" alt="IMG_1618" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin3U1xTbv12KayX6sC8dfBO3fp7TwZYqG_yjfWW_nGBBtQs5PzvktLJn09zPuvgmK4pW0JihmOyCi5uoDsqJW4IpmmRiksvSnCenk1NVoGk4wiTGXcxaI2KSvzqEnOfrtUZ6_NLwj8fdE/?imgmax=800" width="292" border="0" /></a> </p> <p align="center">The brown leather shoes on the left are LL Bean...</p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv2gC05Av8DCfxonJc_K9pUxdLw3jJQhDNdJ73nxVr5hbAbK6XkWYc1SzwwmdBXug0jk6Go-f_23PJV31eQ1SYXDaxfSdVAy6PMr8kWqlfvSxrf0wH3mdSTpGo98SzrPTt8b9D2Kdy7dk/s1600-h/IMG_1621%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_1621" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieG-RSG57sjqXYfr98Eo4z_vZdhm-ZvWEObWJeE6ZAWgDRPZeZ7Y3dRcO4dxSKgmV1ngKgfJyEj_sKxqf0TgQyFyQzLNFDNQp4XlZbAAwnunb7Cn8eR1gjST6DQ_X8E_OGm5U8u-rSHBY/?imgmax=800" width="244" border="0" /></a> </p> <p align="center">I also got Zach a pair of Bass nubuck shoes for church, a pair of rain/snow boots, and dress shoes for Taylor.</p> <p align="center"><em><strong><font size="4">What deals have you scored this week?</font></strong></em></p> Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09990018398935394320noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9125797203185621357.post-38647271276157524942008-11-13T10:17:00.001-05:002008-11-13T10:17:10.255-05:00{let there be light on thrifty thursday}<p align="center"><font size="2">I love a good light fixture as much as the next gal, but I'm not going to pay full retail for it.  There is a <a href="http://jenchambers.blogspot.com/2008/04/flea-market-finds.html">can't-be-missed flea market</a> around these parts and I've found some <a href="http://jenchambers.blogspot.com/2008/04/flea-market-finds.html">seriously smokin' deals</a> there.</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="2">Today I wanted to highlight some of the ceiling light fixtures I have in my home.  The people who had this house built chose some hideous fixtures from the 80's even though the house was built in 1998.  I'm not even going to go into the non-options this house has.  Well...just that there was no garbage disposal and no water hookup for the fridge.  1998, y'all.  Let me just say we have a garbage disposal now...yes ma'am.  And...I'm pretty lucky 'cause my dad is an electrician and he only lives about 3 miles away.  So for me, there is no cost for the installations of these babies.</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="2">First...over the kitchen table...</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhaBNJcpfdZd_RHxCaFDJuy5y19RnG1b2WuU7DBlEbwmPgU3T7ZrrCnGwiNjMUZgPmEnq-AKSYgg6KhlzG4Wpx88wNMz8UjeHYzS7Ufj2q5b2Qv656l_mI9XqyxgSnbGNLUS-gNTwBgIQ/s1600-h/Picture%20001%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="337" alt="Picture 001" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgGqvbl_YJ_Mp9WVQ_N6PVKQGb_LqGUqgTwvLgINT0LOQktHdw2luV1AvNQwjrLqI4S3uflVj86Q5xtFDyh0f3NRkaMVKNIJItP6vDakRefReMOTcMDOqj2eLynfU3rCRKSVL8b52U4VE/?imgmax=800" width="253" border="0" /></a> </p> <p align="center"><em><font size="1">(Don't ask me what that black stuff is on the shade to the left...I didn't notice it until I uploaded the picture here.)</font></em></p> <p align="center"><font size="2">I think this is a way cute light fixture and it looks great in my kitchen, if I do say so myself.  And do you know what I paid for it?</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="2">Wait for it...</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="2">$1.</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="2">Yep.  You read that correctly.  I said $1.  It was from my favorite booth at the flea market's dollar table.</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="2">And how about this one?  It is in my <a href="http://jenchambers.blogspot.com/2008/06/frugal-curtain-rod.html">'formal' living room</a>.</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO2RpyF0cO581iFXBlJHR2PynHS9xB5FpSSSyvzcX6nktPXc64E_5n4CGZcuEaQe35C9iXqxrgEv_FOh3ngM7MKLF4A9lPQywlARIgWVZiDycjs7ehjlWizuUZLCqmQCrkMWsRcQL3vTg/s1600-h/Picture%20002%5B6%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="343" alt="Picture 002" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFkKkTJfHdcN35LAt_KkREaREoe4F77vA_xEKmSzPVR0EAUiuFY58lMI3hjz9_zAY7ygJRMmxPX8XhAtRFY64LYaw_V-Godp4xaSce2S_SACWanbjuK_q3wy9Pxr7dMKq78YHk_1WVCdg/?imgmax=800" width="258" border="0" /></a> </p> <p align="center">This little beaut has cute leaves and stuff above the globe on it.  And here she is all lit up, showing off for y'all.</p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1LL_Vf0n0Y2DOPpZ1reb1Tr3pX218YH46kex9N4P-S1f75jnYgpYo4ujJfKMghoPG6D09lYhqbQTWKAcoRJafldCJOWqcUdaDZ-ylXtq9azojCURci4Org_eGp7LJ_UzZ0VVdr2sDqlY/s1600-h/Picture%20003%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="362" alt="Picture 003" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWj3BYH29wEijmUv5R6ccG3RjIeOyL8dm-bUBVbT7vioPWy8Qnkkta1q9tf8fYbQadYEn1bNSF-2CwKtFP3NXUmJUY1PQnq3Rl5NvnuYmM6z8OIapkMfc8Dh-G_C_EcJXqx8yP3RfXwI0/?imgmax=800" width="272" border="0" /></a> </p> <p align="center">I got her at the $1 table too.</p> <p align="center">Don't hate me, y'all.</p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX3AT_xefPihxthtZYpJX5bZLPZsdxZaTsAwVOX0p5GvgyqL5yF0xNByOF3CYIApATdJbyDpjO5olQZb-l7fyr1HPTdheBm08YoHXP84SOdTR0m93OfR8IW95xnM7V6G3839VKMpa0-9U/s1600-h/Jen%20signature%5B1%5D.png"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="64" alt="Jen signature" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTO0ukYuCgcy8mJk6jbLlgTofnc0b-EmsIdv2C2wMUPO5XIiB6pkha_PMIL4fd_vdcCnJrHdXNvsbS7zrENoNSsd4OugVjlmWXpAsYyVUgOL4pY2gGzVq4kcoDCUU-qAKHIk32B8X-DBU/?imgmax=800" width="85" border="0" /></a></p> Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09990018398935394320noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9125797203185621357.post-5180476190344118162008-11-12T14:35:00.001-05:002008-11-12T14:35:46.436-05:00{NKOTB - part 3, the saga continues}<p align="center">You can get caught up with parts I & II of this nonsense here: <a href="http://jenchambers.blogspot.com/2008/11/new-kids-have-still-got-it-right-stuff.html">(part 1)</a> & <a href="http://jenchambers.blogspot.com/2008/11/nkotb-trip-part-2.html">(part 2)</a></p> <p align="center">So you remember how Courtney & I were so excited about our VIP seats at the Wachovia Center?  </p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW7CTCYn3a2Be_tlPeW3SCj-bX7Lj0PDLMecMa_Ma2iELiAsJRK_Ud1LbV7w-wqhYXvuDLbr_c7hpoiGC72FX3OGj-T3YhQgrp8fMv0IvA6lL81A17vwAuWGEqjZn49eBLdKWE2baPSeQ/s1600-h/IMG_1546%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="211" alt="IMG_1546" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE3KQPaKLlnVcksQPw66cQpZEA3zKljj5Z-TGncfys6lC8OhGnCe1yp47O2WwHVIjXKYxUrZAFSgugCo0I6UJMwgt-96k0wG4lmgl31ZorbVRDx_sJK56O6kL2hw9U4vK8BmA8IR_sTnA/?imgmax=800" width="280" border="0" /></a> </p> <p align="center">After we took care of business in the bathroom (yes, that includes taking pictures) and got our Diet Cokes from the bar, we made our way to our seats.  Shortly after we were seated, the first opening act took the stage.  We weren't really sure who it was going to be.  We just knew that we'd never heard of her before.  Yeah.  Her name is Lady Gaga & I'm pretty glad that I'd never heard of her before.  For those of you not "in the know", like me...here's her picture: </p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRDYEckIJTuALXjLb8ZGpA3Wd2yjfVBzuLqBSBgUi8AA8AQvugFqGMZrjllRNn7h-5Ub3EJj80VaeC2qhTCrwIBGK-VvL3RKbd7QeeSefY6oYRxJTkmhkGBQNhFlY5b9cKZCgxxIWdN4c/s1600-h/Lady%20Gaga%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="244" alt="Lady Gaga" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtL2WZILTc7Bc7HSp_sDOHDtq7PBbwubeHhIT_wV1ger-sOTwxSvaGxrmhKchA4ck6Z1Yan8kTfpsLOQ0KGRp6mEk9yHgDOePpXBT8AZIQqtqtvSDU11waIBnZ95VZghrbK7PduzCCCjo/?imgmax=800" width="164" border="0" /></a> </p> <p align="center"><em><font size="1">(image source: Starimpulse.com)</font></em></p> <p align="center"><font size="2">Either I'm getting really old, or some music today is just weird.  Maybe both.  Anyway...in between strutting around in her underwear, waving a lit up staff/stick around, playing dead, and gyrating on the floor, she sang a little.  We were not impressed.  The gals sitting around us probably thought we weren't going to be any fun during the whole concert, because for Lady Gaga's performance, we sat there staring with our mouths hanging open.  And when we did speak, it was mostly to talk about how ridiculous her act was.  Moving right along...</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="2">Next was Natasha Bedingfield.  She was fun.  She did a good job warming us up for the good stuff.  We enjoyed her fun, upbeat music & her performance.  Although we did sing along to some of her songs, we didn't want to waste any serious vocal chords on anybody but the New Kids.</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="2">Speaking of New Kids?  Um - awesome.  Before they came out there was a montage on the big TVs around the stage that showed some of their past history & clips of old performances.  It talked about how it has been so many years since they'd been together.  Then they came out.</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr3pqVm6bkidwkb5Xeyc_VYMFVGplV7RO_rG15QVMr1J13bcC_iT8JUoNedqd_j-CS8QqLzF8zCaqCtD6gXVyWryPVA2BtfSh41I5MLkSNw01Poidtb_sLOKPRlv0WANSYG3GiBPiM5PY/s1600-h/IMG_1549%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="296" alt="IMG_1549" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIpQXqjlCyIEj3xn-VXaQFVXpHOk539xRip-cClIaOFxC3qWToHWYTewj4XDbKfaXOXU4UlquBIFBMqRhF4Unk5UC2A5VSxDgBiKn14jO3jSM3D82mXy-TlNubqrv2xsal1XSSDkgOvpU/?imgmax=800" width="394" border="0" /></a> </p> <p align="center">Don't laugh at me when I tell you I cried a little bit.  Here & several other times throughout the show.  I said don't laugh.</p> <p align="center">They put on a great show.  I was pleased to see that much of the show time was spent performing the old stuff.  That's the stuff I wanted to hear.</p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgehH4g73CJ4IhKrly6_mpTA9A8PG7EARHGy2STOC3aA9XKOFAWFnie7fBzXPi3vGxJ87VUP-q8W5e3ZtpXk-Uj6s5v_fWc-qdzQrEP9-KN1OEHTvu9NrKQ2xT-MRQXDu6y0UfP-W2YdJI/s1600-h/IMG_1550%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="302" alt="IMG_1550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJOnFs73zDpgOYfdWc2JS-xwBrQb-Ipbi0vhnJM-rz9q5bTijqpJ098aBEcRC6a4lGLpZ8qgWdW_7-yhQO4tesyDUIXj0DxP8_h6ZVyt67iYW8LemaMwSD3-Avliy_hr9_rZqFyRZbXFo/?imgmax=800" width="402" border="0" /></a> </p> <p align="center">And they delivered, baby.</p> <p align="center">Joey-Joe has always been my favorite.</p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs8PqHouiZCZcUa_jRvIzLndvHYAhPhPkW9xxMrD7GI0NMqsG8owSxNlWwR_kWHzdzZ1goIvklk2SBKLXdphAKkUw2c-sXucYl-_oPlIdqDx_2n7gV1bAguDYDqt_IUXbLibpBvd_8t88/s1600-h/IMG_1551%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="304" alt="IMG_1551" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1wMctXrM0IAxs03rOP38FGY9iGU2Iy3E9ptfsSIl1vYiaRkOrNMzCTa4Cox1tunNmnDFLvf1O40tu2Tiq0VBb1_AFYw4yAu3-0W8CqGfYI0Tj2eILp5owMu8CTmCLU4RaggIK6r24S80/?imgmax=800" width="404" border="0" /></a> </p> <p align="center">And Courtney has always loved Donnie.</p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjupq-Ja6lxtumAogivL-PFuVSaHC7vRoqu3ouDCS0LVr7IPAgyxxIJB3y0aFz7xBKc74DTEPKdtEaKsdYBAGaZDd84gAa8djEWc7sFbKLIPcwB6XOoCUgoGGWqgRPw2QGecP45yga8kI0/s1600-h/IMG_1552%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="303" alt="IMG_1552" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-jq4QayGz4qLFlNXruIzJtDEOAEN0j_HdX9uVreKBFAqt6xqEbqS5xjhGnk5bOXO4PhZA5nNxzHncZQYU5zhIX_HlIxOpVa8gdEkchKja7YWTR-VSkg1KFeOX-ZW66-yqr5kSYred2X0/?imgmax=800" width="402" border="0" /></a> </p> <p align="center">About halfway through the show, they guys showed up on this small circle stage near the back of the floor.  We had a great view of them there.  The stage had a grand piano on it and it spun in a circle.  I think they did 3 or 4 songs here.  They were casually sitting on the piano during some of the talking parts and seriously interacting with the crowd.  Wow.  I bet those girls were very pleasantly surprised when they found themselves so close.</p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSX9h0-mrhkx4_gvFAtl_1M_whIOiX3YUOOYnO_rdQiPyHzLkSp4w4pCcUxpCoxBnE-WbKhyV1Fg9HeR6DTcI5Fz9e8hRi3jUHij1PLaU-pbovnkzK8DloKYy8MgpvxwTTH2OOJ15RD6E/s1600-h/IMG_1555%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="298" alt="IMG_1555" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGIDVIpSqCIZrp1dMJAbp1f0PMb3kVVFIE7tsBZE4mWTTRTjQO3wQZiBuLcLnOsfevwJvDJ3_EHaXI6nB2lbJ61QWMpptYf6X19-EL_cHmro1CzmcodZwa0KRIIYOLDpBmn1PAhqgtJmM/?imgmax=800" width="396" border="0" /></a> </p> <p align="center">There were several "transition" songs throughout the show, when one guy would take the stage solo while the others changed outfits or something. </p> <p align="center"> Here's Jordan.  With his shirt unbuttoned and a breeze blowing.</p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO3pD8LeUhSUnFYbhy2lVFbQKPJNYwCuhEXQqomkXkpT_cO2e9pQVHS0J9he__GyKgM7n98E0TTiJyO55w_wYO-t8oo4vkXSgXIIE1pPdX-HorSqrZaPpgGpnTPQP-1ZbKurfzBZvjwTU/s1600-h/IMG_1556%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="446" alt="IMG_1556" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYerIGqSl7WNeL0Mi41Kvi7hh-bVG75ZDsVmTZj0ci8b_PlmpQ3TfSKgJbqInoDKWN0orCaYZ-JpRBAUHRfDyUBKnOU_hz7i0ZLYtwEESImGh2cK5If_xWuJ3p98Vb4P3ijjEZdc6kTHQ/?imgmax=800" width="336" border="0" /></a> </p> <p align="center">I loved how the stage looked for this one.  It is a classic.  Cover Girl.</p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoMmTuvsy4q75qGBC_ZXyD7jAhRPDhNOJ2S3LQt1czjFDldRggQUV9PAPSVBdE7NCCdeGD_u-ONd66yhlZrW-XePNN1eDj-5MIL1-dQcn4r-e8MWd0dH_4OGe45WbTbzP0bPYXJ_ULBiw/s1600-h/IMG_1558%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="317" alt="IMG_1558" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj_U4WqkSmQh5yUMpGUc8RbluQDSNoldoOzXOqRfoCmIIdtwqo_LQj850uSbZ9Q0noMozSuzxYry2zf5NLBMFipq7bMwCPbuyrK3JymRfRc3eHgNyVE_cagLshZ2EUkqRW_Bl3EKmv_hs/?imgmax=800" width="421" border="0" /></a> </p> <p align="center">Some more shots of the show...</p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8Yj8mCW1DDzIZQjhOKTtFESBbP6wPGF-fYgVT2FDlhJQl3TZaiXKXbq5yMq6Mmu4fOSDYXkjF27MffmSoI4QkwsnM8Zd61IGGedkOlukb-GlTqg55YzbwNwC524dNKDUwj5K_Ztl_Jhg/s1600-h/IMG_1561%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="312" alt="IMG_1561" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8JUS8HJr6wolEKtpVCQ3QG_DzuciiP1n4SFP63h4H-1ydj8GN1sqwWfu0uKDFGBHc2kZh2Ct4P11D-JjYZRnzp3Mx5OCQxuvcYDp38hW2BkUIGArMl4zo7zkNCGEWA8pLNIjWylWhzWg/?imgmax=800" width="414" border="0" /></a> </p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1vOmQlcBDjQrdptUijRL60tr1K6HFCiVPILF7XB4O2aoQAplHfDzmtSO9YdOP1bktJrdd37mLDV6xmBZuT8dSOt8CiqBbbevfJ9BlT_2-3lh_OUo66QNGcJjQqL8zP4Cmg6Emsam1_XM/s1600-h/IMG_1563%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="302" alt="IMG_1563" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPssC8LgLD5ytzFrYlwv46eKob0HdtnN6prQ1pFLM0Qt7Nyhq4aN7zB03lCpv0u3xhPewxper8yR0PvvreRa-zaPl4K826CFdY7MWuQv4_Wf58ue4hJUWteeY7FzfiaZaGMcA0J4SqcWE/?imgmax=800" width="402" border="0" /></a> </p> <p align="center">And for the encore numbers, they donned cute basketball attire.  It reminded me of High School Musical.  In a good way.</p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrSL6I5Ss7oingBf2DyHAp8sOM4N21rN6NrC2sKJgZTsHHmWn7Nnq255bc2A2cdMQYleFtrALhvjp5m-52PlBt-A_4qBCrz4uRqxsNyIWQxAi5QqYkh2-ep-Ta-WmauUg5mS-RXmYn39g/s1600-h/IMG_1564%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="306" alt="IMG_1564" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSt9QP4drHeOCj6l44llQPF3CIFBBuZWULADas5k_OY0jzSdQ2qVV8g2KjZ8RWw4azXfYBMA9OuTxejfPnvYr9UWsMyfcDS89rGOWAG1BDKs9Xweb2l93Rea7GYqKlVsj-t5RCUUCF50U/?imgmax=800" width="409" border="0" /></a> </p> <p align="center">The concert was good.  Really good.  I can't believe I could talk or hear anything afterwards.  It brought back all of those great feelings of being a kid again.  I had a blast and loved every minute of it.  Except the Lady Gaga part.</p> <p align="center">We were on cloud nine.</p> <p align="center">Until we tried to find the cab who was supposed to take us back to the hotel.</p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWr7TPx3FxZpOplLpbhlxp3gPsadKSg2thxmbKE8MUGnUle4dEtGV4_6k5gVXEG0DDTjvBnhrY9y86Q-nCRoehjzZoL7IRm0DbgmxP4V8gTkh3iUcj3-qE9lnPM9aFhY15yIVsqQEk9aw/s1600-h/Jen%20signature%5B1%5D.png"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="64" alt="Jen signature" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMuw5qnoBZ8ojTCBSpsjlbyl6eSE6A4vrUANh9yDAZvK2GyT-N0T4QN4Hoh2Uz-EAHUlrRwf-YGCNPdv4GZ7ba9dJISDl3uTjFdBqtNdPhBknqm6gz5mGabkpytUH-5He0JYnK-K_nv7M/?imgmax=800" width="85" border="0" /></a></p> Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09990018398935394320noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9125797203185621357.post-84191344758179015502008-11-10T14:03:00.001-05:002008-11-10T14:03:45.108-05:00{NKOTB trip part 2}<p align="center"><em><font size="2">If you are just tuning in for this whopper of a story, you might want to read </font></em><a href="http://jenchambers.blogspot.com/2008/11/new-kids-have-still-got-it-right-stuff.html"><em><font size="2">part 1</font></em></a><em><font size="2"> first.</font></em></p> <p align="center">Since you've been <em>hanging on the edge of your seat</em> over the weekend, dying to know how Courtney & I handled ourselves in the cab ride, I'll cut to the chase.  It wasn't pretty.  We were pretty sure that we'd end up with some crazy cab driver who'd charge us an arm & a leg OR we'd never be seen or heard from again.  Lemmetellya...we had high hopes for this cab ride.  Other than the fact that he was probably under the influence of something and we could hardly understand his slurred, mumbled speech...oh, and the fact that he drifted back and forth through the <font size="3">lanes</font> like he owned the road (on <strong>big honkin'</strong> bridges, no less)...oh yeah, and the fact that his seat had some screws missing and it kept bouncing up and down...other than those things, the cab ride to the concert went pretty smoothly.</p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjqKrdZlGQ645f4iNqeF13BYvNoQhX2Bq6pTpvcYrd05k5flSM4GKAQoGK-4KMgr-PVCeBprHpt0t8db_aYAGIKwrTTyhyiR3G5OD_R-Kix0pKRMI_xROlnMilKT6RQAygGR9_aLN4RFI/s1600-h/IMG_1585%5B9%5D.jpg"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHYICazjpMqxi7WFRLjRul6cy_2GczfSpriPXBuJj31YTM5ag99VvNeG0fYV5NZD5l6iqiFaFCCsbrKr5DIRpE9JpFGQp3nZFk3Lkwbxn9L8jewnQz-AToTMrNXlqFJrZ1kWVCcOXwsN4/s1600-h/IMG_1584%5B7%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="223" alt="IMG_1584" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZGDiEKzqy8Ctw1b_L_W5UZI5c5VcaUkObgtBotsbV76BnkEL-XatqoXX-_pXyMlh_Qh2QW5nYhmI1pp8Fs1h2ZpYCeGnoAzNytrOkwXtzhWVOt2CGsxZNG9yMqkl5VdumWYxXUFdCCQk/?imgmax=800" width="296" border="0" /></a></a>  </p> <p align="center"><em></em><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="223" alt="IMG_1585" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJpWctkI5m14B2j7Y9e7BZteI3ChJP6J5BjHFDsvb4fmyPAi4j2AYDI9mqs0p-EUvBtX6maNwpIJiV5wBtZhvhcnlZs9-VaJRkVstLsX0aj0HzFB4dEf1UtSTWGcYKGp_FKXfVUEWZ9vs/?imgmax=800" width="295" border="0" /></p> <p align="center"><em><font size="1">(By the way, these pictures were taken by Courtney through the windshield while I was driving on a highway.  I think it was 95.  We slowed down to a crawl...there was hardly anyone behind us and we needed to capture the bridges on film!)</font></em></p> <p align="center"><font size="2">So when we got to the Wachovia Center, there was a parking lot people.  Right there in front of the building with a fence around it.  We could have paid $12 and parked 50 feet from the building door.  It would've been nice if the person at the hotel front desk mentioned that when we asked about the parking.  To top it off, it was raining...hard...and the cab "couldn't" get us any closer than - really far away!  So we were soaked when we got into the building and not very happy to be paying $100 for what we could've paid $12 for.</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-MhzgPBHoCh4rzXjCwoJgZXPaWzdvj7_wIpDcrMqOAtK690nfCf7exuF8Rz8wSv7lIjcKulEziLhWkF8mskLXOu-6LNqnsFHZ7c9g390OEXjsJNXTBlrfkP-A_nQj7ra7A7xB-OCdXZs/s1600-h/IMG_1545%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="239" alt="IMG_1545" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1eOdQBZBOb6ohIwWavVLwQH6FVUVKEUjdp7Dd8jpqCPHtQ3a571evyij3c7LLDu9qB4Sp6QvG0G32tE1YrR0wVCeCZJme7xZYxUmBA_dACg2cAUjsBg8_rBCGMkeL1ArZLWgOaLbZ7F0/?imgmax=800" width="318" border="0" /></a> </p> <p align="center"><em><font size="1">(Yes...we took this picture of ourselves and yes...we are pretty wet and no...we're not very happy right then.)</font></em></p> <p align="center"><font size="2">We started looking at signs in the building to see where our seats were.  We were a bit confused and asked an employee on the main level to point us in the right direction.  Meanwhile, we took in all the sights.  The loooong lines for the bathrooms, the loooooong lines for refreshments, the crazy-busyness of it all.  We were directed to go around the corner to the VIP elevator and show him our tickets.  <strong><em>Whaaaat?  </em></strong>We didn't know <em>why</em> we would need to get on <em><strong>that</strong></em> elevator, but off we went.  We were glancing at each other with looks that totally showed how totally clueless we were.</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="2">After proudly showing the elevator guy our special tickets (that had been purchased on plain old ticketmaster, no less) he deposited us at the club box level.  We knew that club boxes were for people who owned big companies and their friends.  Neither of us own a big company, so we still didn't understand what we were doing there.  We walked around about half of the building on that level when we found the room we belonged in.  As we traveled the hallways, we noticed a distinct fewer amount of people, yet it had great amenities.  There were bathrooms with no lines and a refreshment counter as well as a little food cart with gourmet-looking cheesecakes and stuff.  Our eyes continued to get bigger and bigger as we entered the room where our tickets admitted us.  There were two attendants at the door checking tickets.  There were about 8-10 tall, pub-style tables with several chairs each.  There was a big circular bar with about 3 bartenders.  There was a buffet with food set out.  There were also people milling about, looking like they belonged there.  They did<strong><em> not</em></strong> have the expressions of amazement that we did.</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="2">Our plan was to locate our seats, then use the bathroom before the show.  Imagine our utter amazement when we asked the door attendants which direction down the hall would take us to the closest bathroom.  He kind of chuckled and pointed out that there was a bathroom in our club box.  We told him that we were surprised to be there and asked about the food and drinks.  He told us that some people had purchased a package that included alcohol and food.  Onto the bathroom...there was no line.  I mean we were the only ones in there.  We were so excited about it that we had to take a picture.  Inside the semi-private bathroom.  Yes, we are dorks.  It doesn't take much to make us feel special, huh?</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9wB2uBvZhJw6Q8mJLp-e2d4kOsc8U0Ia93fLGKaxzJiQegG3yE7aErwsRpruJNBS-WWaIXRJKLriA5NGUNO_KV-XpWdkpRwXIf4Rl-JK6V2UdKud63U_HPp-z8MeFkbsN_xv0N00-GG0/s1600-h/IMG_1546%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="273" alt="IMG_1546" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj96bqJZRBJuI9vSG5wV7t1sgmlZkZT6hEJn99aHOLLDD-fMol9yi759oEyvs_KpLEYta3JzchlbidyP6Dn1j6m6A9nbg9ZHBRRIWhjuJ2-up75NkeAXfAoDj7hEURP7XniNFrZRyAfmKY/?imgmax=800" width="362" border="0" /></a> </p> <p align="center">I will leave you with the big smiles on our faces as we reveled in our VIP-ness for the evening.  Be sure to tune in for more installments of this breathtaking story! :) </p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja6u0CJ5-EHa75DCnFnLZSXXi5yeTMTXacXWw-uhRcJ9Qd2fUKRr8ewBSs5qLfPNwPR4cHk07vosvZSOldNUvOuIqV8Gm5Cj-KGxWN1hH86Fx8JeOikI8WI5PYNtivoW-kx7dgN5tbRoE/s1600-h/Jen%20signature%5B1%5D.png"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="64" alt="Jen signature" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2pWIa1FgOA6FCqQczJkOfdL9qnqqcMqPwWiCBFwmikittq9r_8F8imkMkg0jGdlHjhgYaxBQJpd905W_wNQsvqjuxD3qqf4W7jz8AlHd510vtDwVtbhJeQMDQmoi5UBMZzCKjJKD41a8/?imgmax=800" width="85" border="0" /></a> Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09990018398935394320noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9125797203185621357.post-56505565560727182422008-11-07T16:01:00.001-05:002008-11-07T16:01:45.282-05:00{New Kids have still got it! (the right stuff, that is)}<p align="center">My memories from 1988 to 1991 include a serious adoration and healthy obsession with the New Kids on the Block.  Courtney was my bestest friend and we ate, drank, breathed, dreamed and lived NKOTB.  During that time, we were privileged to attend 5 concerts.  Yes.  I said FIVE.  See, <a href="http://jenchambers.blogspot.com/2008/09/101st-post-across-universe.html">my mom has had a thing for the Beatles since she was young</a>, and didn't get to see them in person then.  So she wanted her daughters to be able to live their dream, if it was in her power to make it possible.  And it didn't hurt that she loved Jordan Knight.  </p> <p align="center">Now, when the New Kids announced earlier this year that they were reuniting, I tuned in to all of the performances and even captured them on my DVR.  I sat wide-eyed, staring at the TV, and hanging on their every word.  See...you need to know that I never have denounced my love for them nor have I ever been too embarrassed to share my love for them.  </p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmfO-UDeD4Toab7yLlm0RQgPYF_B80W8FfwRwzjTj068XXK6KPPiTyTrz5sZj6_wxk5f98zyIl5wpTOKrLC15ZNtGIPAMJj9NQmgfjHz8B7TRY5xP0Sf5_nOoPmNMVesLALECmwKkpO8I/s1600-h/IMG_1549%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="276" alt="IMG_1549" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOh8ceOxwWzZ4G14ft9PG6L5PGEi4RxVTImp7BQ34xYxrneGi2ucJtG-16YkLKIhBu_hFeCETE2QLyK0iZgyoNv5ZOBMRtaE0Iryn3BLwQ5nixzmqbONh-RaAVBUpFRxSeiLSnpTs-5WU/?imgmax=800" width="367" border="0" /></a> </p> <p align="center">Fast forward to this week...Courtney & I on a road trip to Philly for a New Kids concert.  Yep.  And it was <strong><font size="6">awesome</font></strong>.  </p> <p align="center">Neither one of us had been to Philadelphia before, so we knew nothing about the city, except that the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall were there.  We'd heard that it was a pretty sketchy city and to be aware of our surroundings at all times.  When we got to the hotel, we asked the front desk about the parking situation at the Wachovia Center.  We basically wanted  to know if we should drive and park ourselves or take a cab.  The hotel was about 10 miles from the concert venue.  Most concert places we'd been to recently did not have their own parking lots, so parking was an adventure either in a parking deck with quite a walk, or find a place on the street...good luck!  The people at the front desk said it might be pretty crazy and that we should probably take a cab.  We didn't want to walk very far because we were both recovering from a broken ankle (I know, weird, right?).  </p> <p align="center">The front desk person gave us a number for a cab company.  We even asked her how much she thought the ride would be.  She estimated $50 each way.  We were all about being safe in an unfamiliar city, so we booked the cab.</p> <p align="center">By the way, neither one of us is very cab savvy.  Our combined cab rides equals 4.  Ever.  To say we were pretty nervous is putting it lightly.</p> <p align="center">This is getting pretty long, so I think I'll make this a series.  This little 2 day trip packs in a whole lot of stories, lemme tell ya.  </p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo5uxVZMjrpVYYi20ECIpPAknXBbgYv8AlEm4RPEJD_oMJkW9FyqIgTrkE-JU5FwDNH4LO2Dvl3LVj4LU6Rv-U9WzOUsPXzZQDV8f58IU5uz77i0xvj37xsAW7xarNNevy7EvmfNP5Ank/s1600-h/Jen%20signature%5B1%5D.png"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="64" alt="Jen signature" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDB7EUnSC_JV72M5U6jywTR-PsSRbasukAS_igUiqz8BayGlPkY0jchjlY5SsJEOkNi7C36Xi18UK8kB1DX6ibmvR2H7xd2cLdSJ5Y5F9TLC_fS9K53XsCDtv-xc0Xp7_Q9biRRwG3PIg/?imgmax=800" width="85" border="0" /></a></p> Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09990018398935394320noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9125797203185621357.post-25366457600044443152008-10-24T12:00:00.001-04:002008-10-24T12:00:13.191-04:00{full moon - halloween style}<p align="center">I saw this while driving around this week and had to capture a picture for your viewing pleasure.  Enjoy!</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/mchamjen/SQHxBfcKHpI/AAAAAAAAA0I/xgh_FQAzkLg/s1600-h/IMG_1523%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="353" alt="IMG_1523" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/mchamjen/SQHxB6_AKVI/AAAAAAAAA0M/gSriS2NK150/IMG_1523_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="471" border="0" /></a> </p> <p align="center">If you can't tell by the picture, those are pumpkins standing in for bum cheeks!  <em><strong>Very</strong></em> creative, thought I.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/mchamjen/SQHxCf8JLFI/AAAAAAAAA0Q/p_ypMAVTUIo/s1600-h/Jen%20signature%5B1%5D.png"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="64" alt="Jen signature" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/mchamjen/SQHxCoRknhI/AAAAAAAAA0U/2NKxJH9l0io/Jen%20signature_thumb%5B1%5D.png?imgmax=800" width="85" border="0" /></a></p> Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09990018398935394320noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9125797203185621357.post-29352604933953637062008-10-23T11:09:00.001-04:002008-10-23T11:09:52.132-04:00{introducing thrifty thursday}<p align="center">I am a lover of thrifty finds and love to share my finds with my friends.  That includes you, oh friends that live inside my computer!  So I'm going to start sharing my thrifty finds with you on Thursdays.  Sound good?  Alrighty then, let's get to it...</p> <p align="center">Yesterday was Wednesday, and around these parts that means half price clothing at the Salvation Army.  My cute little hubby was in need of some shirts & sweaters that didn't drown him (he's been dropping pounds like crazy) so off I went.</p> <p align="center">Keep in mind that I only paid half of the ticketed price.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/mchamjen/SQCTosE3BTI/AAAAAAAAAyw/r3ENClcYID0/s1600-h/IMG_1505%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_1505" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/mchamjen/SQCTo63MQeI/AAAAAAAAAy0/Ro8qFSBaVog/IMG_1505_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/mchamjen/SQCTpDXG3LI/AAAAAAAAAy4/BaNkSUdl2wM/s1600-h/IMG_1506%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="244" alt="IMG_1506" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/mchamjen/SQCTpmBFcgI/AAAAAAAAAy8/qCqbm9d5Iik/IMG_1506_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" border="0" /></a> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/mchamjen/SQCTpjBKRFI/AAAAAAAAAzA/2YuX5U5MZro/s1600-h/IMG_1509%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_1509" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/mchamjen/SQCTqAhjttI/AAAAAAAAAzE/MVqdUgeKw5U/IMG_1509_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/mchamjen/SQCTqsCbL_I/AAAAAAAAAzI/MyiSEFFkZMY/s1600-h/IMG_1508%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="244" alt="IMG_1508" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/mchamjen/SQCTq4G8SYI/AAAAAAAAAzM/KdCGWWncqUc/IMG_1508_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" border="0" /></a> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/mchamjen/SQCTrBhvXuI/AAAAAAAAAzQ/bCifLRqEsTk/s1600-h/IMG_1513%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_1513" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/mchamjen/SQCTrWejn8I/AAAAAAAAAzU/npkQInU_sdI/IMG_1513_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/mchamjen/SQCTr_2H3mI/AAAAAAAAAzY/nXvOLF1he28/s1600-h/IMG_1514%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="244" alt="IMG_1514" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/mchamjen/SQCTsR38PDI/AAAAAAAAAzc/LoQqGwDWzbk/IMG_1514_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" border="0" /></a> </p> <p align="center">All in GREAT condition.  A GAP sweater in bone ($2.50), an Old Navy long sleeved polo shirt in a cute stripe ($2.50), and a Tommy Hilfiger button down in a navy & white check ($2.00).  Not bad, huh?  I know!</p> <p align="center">I also found this darling skirt for my daughter for next Spring & Summer...only $1.50.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/mchamjen/SQCTspp_LvI/AAAAAAAAAzg/MsDkope5ggo/s1600-h/IMG_1517%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_1517" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/mchamjen/SQCTswEYj9I/AAAAAAAAAzk/kbt2khip0-E/IMG_1517_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/mchamjen/SQCTtKCOdeI/AAAAAAAAAzo/JJV8w1OYIrs/s1600-h/IMG_1518%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="244" alt="IMG_1518" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/mchamjen/SQCTtUCcdFI/AAAAAAAAAzs/4mBuPM6NCTs/IMG_1518_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" border="0" /></a> </p> <p align="center">To finish up the clothing circuit, I got myself a wardrobe basic, long length Old Navy T-shirt in salmon...great for layering.  Only $.50.</p> <p align="center">And here are my most fabulous finds for the day:</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/mchamjen/SQCTterzJ0I/AAAAAAAAAzw/CFtnRO1SOVE/s1600-h/IMG_1520%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="244" alt="IMG_1520" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/mchamjen/SQCTthJcXCI/AAAAAAAAAz0/FHRLu0dqnTQ/IMG_1520_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/mchamjen/SQCTt5wENcI/AAAAAAAAAz4/CucnDVq_Tfc/s1600-h/IMG_1521%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="244" alt="IMG_1521" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/mchamjen/SQCTuJbPysI/AAAAAAAAAz8/5rTnn6dxx-4/IMG_1521_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" border="0" /></a> </p> <p align="center"><em><font size="1">(remember...you can click on the pictures to enlarge them if you so desire)</font></em></p> <p align="center">Three large red, glittery, beady, beautiful cone tree things.  Perfect for the upcoming holiday season.  They look like they are brand new.  The smallest one was $3, the middle $4, and the largest $5.  That means I only spent $12 for this large piece altogether.  I put the paper towel holder in that 2nd pic so you could see the large scale of these babies.  Way cool, huh?  Love 'em.  I might dress the large one up with a ribbon bow when they come out for good after Thanksgiving.  <em><strong>What do you think?</strong></em></p> <p align="center"><strong><em>Have you found any thrifty deals lately?  I'd love to hear about them in the comments!</em></strong></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/mchamjen/SQCTuX4BYtI/AAAAAAAAA0A/WzJrfd92wGM/s1600-h/Jen%20signature%5B1%5D.png"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="64" alt="Jen signature" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/mchamjen/SQCTurbrpYI/AAAAAAAAA0E/mxpJijXW-cs/Jen%20signature_thumb%5B1%5D.png?imgmax=800" width="85" border="0" /></a></p> Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09990018398935394320noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9125797203185621357.post-37126737434790723002008-10-22T15:49:00.001-04:002008-10-22T15:49:24.496-04:00{mt. laundry - wfmw}<p align="center">So it seems like laundry multiplies like bunnies.  Just when you think you are caught up (yeah right), Mount Laundry rears it's evil head and cackles a monstrous laugh.  "Muuah...haah...haah."</p> <p align="center">OK - so maybe that's just me. </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/mchamjen/SP-Dqs2mpXI/AAAAAAAAAx8/3Z4NxALsQo8/s1600-h/untitledlaundry%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="287" alt="untitledlaundry" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/mchamjen/SP-DsD6FbMI/AAAAAAAAAyA/jbJmHcQ3OdI/untitledlaundry_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="253" border="0" /></a> </p> <p align="center">I like to do a chore and be done with it.  None of this never-ending stuff.  I have come up with a system that helps me to feel a little bit better about laundry.  </p> <p align="center">Monday - Parent's darks</p> <p align="center">Tuesday - Parent's lights</p> <p align="center">Wednesday - Towels & sheets</p> <p align="center">Thursday - Taylor's clothes</p> <p align="center">Friday - Zach's clothes</p> <p align="center">This way, after I'm done with the laundry for the day, I am done with laundry for the day.  Check.</p> <p align="center">What a weight off of my shoulders when I can say that laundry is <em><strong>done</strong></em> for the day.  </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://rocksinmydryer.typepad.com/shannon/2008/10/works-for-me-ch.html">It works for me.</a></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center">I've gathered some laundry room inspiration for y'all to drool over:</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/mchamjen/SP-Dsm56nQI/AAAAAAAAAyE/Yxz_Rl4cETE/s1600-h/laundry%20country%20living%5B6%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="264" alt="laundry country living" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/mchamjen/SP-Ds6wGNxI/AAAAAAAAAyI/HiA8UgnCj9w/laundry%20country%20living_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="336" border="0" /></a> </p> <p align="center"><em><font size="1">(photo source: <a href="http://www.countryliving.com/cm/countryliving/images/Green-Red-Laundry-Room-GTL0207-de.jpg">Country Living</a>) </font></em></p> <p align="center"> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/mchamjen/SP-DtCcmOfI/AAAAAAAAAyg/q9eyhDu7Q_0/s1600-h/laundry%20rate%20my%20space%5B3%5D.jpg"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/mchamjen/SP-DugAThZI/AAAAAAAAAyQ/DckdtPRB8Uw/s1600-h/laundry%20room%20womens%20day%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="334" alt="laundry room womens day" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/mchamjen/SP-DvPui07I/AAAAAAAAAyU/2-CfdKLbPMc/laundry%20room%20womens%20day_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="258" border="0" /></a></a> </p> <p align="center"><em><font size="1"> </font></em><em><font size="1">(photo source: <a href="http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://blogs.hgtv.com/hgtv/design/rms-onlythebest-laundry2.jpg&imgrefurl=http://blogs.hgtv.com/hgtv/design/archives/2008/05/air_your_dirty_laundry_in_style.html&h=400&w=300&sz=83&hl=en&start=340&sig2=znhTVpjROBeAO_gikww8AA&um=1&usg=__vPtrrO2Yq0vvgJwP6NsHvKy-U8U=&tbnid=-5tjEYPYQ7ZZ5M:&tbnh=124&tbnw=93&ei=WHf_SOS1NaaUeNCYpOkC&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dlaundry%26start%3D324%26ndsp%3D18%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26rlz%3D1T4ADBS_enUS297US297%26sa%3DN">Women's Day</a>)</font></em></p> <p align="center"><em><font size="1"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/mchamjen/SP-Dvsj1xDI/AAAAAAAAAyY/wRVjVS36-wI/s1600-h/laundry%20this%20old%20house%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="327" alt="laundry this old house" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/mchamjen/SP-Dv6NvLEI/AAAAAAAAAyc/g_gbALu7M9k/laundry%20this%20old%20house_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="327" border="0" /></a>  </font></em></p> <p align="center"><em><font size="1">(photo source: <a href="http://img2.timeinc.net/toh/i/a/design/laundry-rooms-2-05.jpg">This Old House</a>)</font></em></p> <p align="center"> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/mchamjen/SP-DtCcmOfI/AAAAAAAAAyg/q9eyhDu7Q_0/s1600-h/laundry%20rate%20my%20space%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="251" alt="laundry rate my space" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/mchamjen/SP-DwXHTMbI/AAAAAAAAAyk/98TB1fk5Kpk/laundry%20rate%20my%20space_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" border="0" /></a></p> <p align="center"><em><font size="1">(photo source: <a href="http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://blogs.hgtv.com/hgtv/design/rms-onlythebest-laundry2.jpg&imgrefurl=http://blogs.hgtv.com/hgtv/design/archives/2008/05/air_your_dirty_laundry_in_style.html&h=400&w=300&sz=83&hl=en&start=340&sig2=znhTVpjROBeAO_gikww8AA&um=1&usg=__vPtrrO2Yq0vvgJwP6NsHvKy-U8U=&tbnid=-5tjEYPYQ7ZZ5M:&tbnh=124&tbnw=93&ei=WHf_SOS1NaaUeNCYpOkC&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dlaundry%26start%3D324%26ndsp%3D18%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26rlz%3D1T4ADBS_enUS297US297%26sa%3DN">Rate My Space</a>)</font></em></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/mchamjen/SP-DwmJmzMI/AAAAAAAAAyo/yzH16PFjW7w/s1600-h/Jen%20signature%5B1%5D.png"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="64" alt="Jen signature" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/mchamjen/SP-Dw0wuCPI/AAAAAAAAAys/atli28aaMu0/Jen%20signature_thumb%5B1%5D.png?imgmax=800" width="85" border="0" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><a title="http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://blogs.hgtv.com/hgtv/design/rms-onlythebest-laundry2.jpg&imgrefurl=http://blogs.hgtv.com/hgtv/design/archives/2008/05/air_your_dirty_laundry_in_style.html&h=400&w=300&sz=83&hl=en&start=340&sig2=znhTVpjROBeAO_gikww8AA&um=1&usg=__vPtrrO2Yq0vvgJwP6NsHvKy-U8U=&tbnid=-5tjEYPYQ7ZZ5M:&tbnh=124&tbnw=93&ei=WHf_SOS1NaaUeNCYpOkC&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dlaundry%26start%3D324%26ndsp%3D18%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26rlz%3D1T4ADBS_enUS297US297%26sa%3DN" href="http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://blogs.hgtv.com/hgtv/design/rms-onlythebest-laundry2.jpg&imgrefurl=http://blogs.hgtv.com/hgtv/design/archives/2008/05/air_your_dirty_laundry_in_style.html&h=400&w=300&sz=83&hl=en&start=340&sig2=znhTVpjROBeAO_gikww8AA&um=1&usg=__vPtrrO2Yq0vvgJwP6NsHvKy-U8U=&tbnid=-5tjEYPYQ7ZZ5M:&tbnh=124&tbnw=93&ei=WHf_SOS1NaaUeNCYpOkC&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dlaundry%26start%3D324%26ndsp%3D18%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26rlz%3D1T4ADBS_enUS297US297%26sa%3DN"> </a></p> Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09990018398935394320noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9125797203185621357.post-36980604070070581732008-10-21T12:33:00.001-04:002008-10-21T12:33:25.255-04:00{finally some fall decorations}<p align="center">After seeing so many adorable Fall and Halloween decorations on my favorite blogs, I finally found some energy to do something in my own home.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/mchamjen/SP4ESj2HCcI/AAAAAAAAAxc/x_BmlU0Vo7c/s1600-h/IMG_1491%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="358" alt="IMG_1491" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/mchamjen/SP4ETH_036I/AAAAAAAAAxg/FeSNlyEyDUM/IMG_1491_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="270" border="0" /></a> </p> <p align="center"><font size="3">I should have taken a before picture of the sorry looking floral foam stabbed with cute fall flowers and greenery that I purchased from the Goodwill for about $2.  I re-discovered it in my garage this morning.  It had been there a while.  I knew it had some potential.  This is what it looks like now in my cute Southern Living cake stand/chip and dip/flower arrangement piece.  I am a lover of versatility.</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="3"> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/mchamjen/SP4ETlPpgWI/AAAAAAAAAxk/NMIKiLtZrK4/s1600-h/IMG_1492%5B7%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="360" alt="IMG_1492" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/mchamjen/SP4EUCdOVCI/AAAAAAAAAxo/wDqOnUONhug/IMG_1492_thumb%5B5%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="271" border="0" /></a></font></p> <p align="center"><font size="3">I  like to use this piece in the center of the kitchen table to hold useful things like salt and pepper and napkins.  But look how pretty it looks <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/mchamjen/SP4EUhTnjgI/AAAAAAAAAxs/2EJ9NmYwFRo/s1600-h/IMG_1501%5B3%5D.jpg"><font size="3"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="244" alt="IMG_1501" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/mchamjen/SP4EU1cedVI/AAAAAAAAAxw/WKF73gQozFo/IMG_1501_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" align="left" border="0" /></font></a>all dressed up for fall.</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/mchamjen/SP4EUhTnjgI/AAAAAAAAAxs/2EJ9NmYwFRo/s1600-h/IMG_1501%5B3%5D.jpg"><font size="3"></font></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="3"></font></p> <p align="center"><font size="3"></font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4"> I also placed some gourds and mini pumpkins in a hurricane.</font>  </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><font size="5">I know I haven't gone all out for my fall decorations this year, but something is better than nothing.  <em>And maybe I'm not done yet.</em></font></p> <p align="center"><em><font size="5"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/mchamjen/SP4EVF68kxI/AAAAAAAAAx0/-fjoEcRrBiA/s1600-h/Jen%20signature%5B1%5D.png"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="64" alt="Jen signature" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/mchamjen/SP4EVNopBKI/AAAAAAAAAx4/fBHfktRUasc/Jen%20signature_thumb%5B1%5D.png?imgmax=800" width="85" border="0" /></a> </font></em></p> <p align="center"><em><font size="3">For more things people are finally getting around to doing, visit <a href="http://www.5minutesformom.com/4568/tackle-it-tuesday-126/">Tackle it Tuesday at 5 Minutes for Mom</a>.</font></em></p> Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09990018398935394320noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9125797203185621357.post-53754968309730736832008-10-20T15:04:00.001-04:002008-10-20T15:07:21.126-04:00{using ideas from favorite blogs}<p align="center">If you've been here a while, you may know that <a href="http://jenchambers.blogspot.com/2008/06/if-you-like-decorating-magazines-good.html">I'm a big fan of Google Reader</a>.  If you'd like to know more about why I love it, see the bottom of this post.  I save a lot of great ideas from blogs that I read, but only get around to doing a small portion of the things I'd like to.  </p> <p align="center"><strong>My brilliant, yet unoriginal suggestion to you is to utilize this wonderful information to the betterment of your family and home.</strong></p> <p align="center">Here are some things that I've done recently that I learned about from favorite blogs:</p> <p align="center">I made these <a href="http://gourmetmomonthego.blogspot.com/2008/10/ghostly-pancakes.html#comments">cute ghost pancakes</a> for our family to eat for dinner one night.  Around here we love eating breakfast for dinner...maybe even once a week!  Along with the pancakes, I tried <a href="http://happytobeathome.net/day-2-in-carries-kitchen-bubbling-blueberries-and-baked-bacon/">cooking our bacon in the oven</a>.  Way less mess and it didn't shrink!  We loved it.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/mchamjen/SPzWTGpMNYI/AAAAAAAAAxM/tAPYLnc2mrQ/s1600-h/IMG_1489%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-top-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="244" alt="IMG_1489" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/mchamjen/SPzWTZzLGOI/AAAAAAAAAxQ/lr-182qsP9c/IMG_1489_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" border="0" /></a> </p> <p align="center">(didn't my ghosts turn out cute?)</p> <p align="center">Yesterday, we made <a href="http://crockpot365.blogspot.com/2008/08/crockpot-pizza-soup-recipe.html">CrockPot Pizza Soup</a>.  It was the perfect chilly fall day and it was so yummy!  My 9 year old daughter made the whole thing.  The only thing I did was cut the pepperoni.  She loved it so much that she wanted me to pack it in her thermos for lunch today.  It is definitely a keeper recipe!  By the way...if you haven't been to that wonderful CrockPot recipe blog, you need to go.  Now.  It is amazing.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/mchamjen/SPzWTyILCxI/AAAAAAAAAxU/ej9-3w_5d0Y/s1600-h/crockpot%20pizza%20soup.png"><img style="border-top-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="164" alt="crockpot pizza soup" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/mchamjen/SPzWUMQpKNI/AAAAAAAAAxY/wrKq7PO3iMA/crockpot%20pizza%20soup_thumb.png?imgmax=800" width="244" border="0" /></a> </p> <p align="center">(this picture is from <a href="http://crockpot365.blogspot.com/2008/08/crockpot-pizza-soup-recipe.html">A Year of Crockpotting</a>)</p> <p align="center">For more kitchen tips, <a href="http://www.tammysrecipes.com/node/3066">go see Tammy</a>.</p> <p align="center"><em>More about <strong>Google Reader</strong>: I love that it virtually delivers new posts directly to me from all of my favorite blogs.  P.S. - I have a lot of favorite blogs.  Sometimes I get overwhelmed by the vast amount of wonderful ideas flooding into my reader.  I liberally use the star function in reader to flag posts that I'll want to refer to later.  I also love the fact that I can search by keywords from all of the blogs that I subscribe to.  That way, if I've forgotten where that brilliant idea is to be found, I simply search for it.  Another great thing is that I can view the posts (either in regular delivery or search mode) by the expanded view or the list view.  The list view makes it easy to scan through posts to find the specific one I'm looking for.</em></p> <p align="center"></p> Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09990018398935394320noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9125797203185621357.post-87481786456788852512008-10-20T09:39:00.001-04:002008-10-20T09:39:15.130-04:00{simple woman's daybook - journal entry}<p align="center"><em><strong><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/mchamjen/SPyJ_xuJheI/AAAAAAAAAw8/jXrTp-K9ywA/s1600-h/simple-woman-daybook-small%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="214" alt="simple-woman-daybook-small" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/mchamjen/SPyKAKY-LxI/AAAAAAAAAxA/LXi4HaNH30Q/simple-woman-daybook-small_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="152" border="0" /></a> </strong></em></p> <p align="center"><em><strong>FOR TODAY</strong></em> October 20, 2008</p> <p align="center"><strong><em>Outside my window</em></strong>...it is getting sunny, but still cold.  I had to send the kids to school in their thick winter coats this morning.  It is definitely fall here!</p> <p align="center"><em><strong>I am thankful for</strong>...</em>my mobility.  I am finally able to move around like a fairly normal person.  I'm still moving slow and awkward, but I can get things done that I want to get done and that makes me happy!</p> <p align="center"><strong><em>From the kitchen...</em></strong>I hope to do some baking today.  My kids are loving muffins in their lunches and I found a neat <a href="http://bentolunch.blogspot.com/2008/09/corndog-muffins.html">corndog muffin recipe</a> I'd like to try.</p> <p align="center"><strong><em>I am wearing...</em></strong>comfy cleaning clothes.  I hope to get some cleaning done this morning before I get cleaned up and dressed for the day.</p> <p align="center"><strong><em>I am creating...</em></strong>cute Halloween decorations.  I think we'll make some cute decorations as part of Family Home Evening tonight, along with a short lesson.</p> <p align="center"><strong><em>I am going...</em></strong>nowhere today.  Last week included a bunch of outings, fun and necessary and boring.  This week I will try to be purposeful in planning my days and errands.</p> <p align="center"><strong><em>I am reading...</em></strong>Emma.  I'm still working on the Jane Austen compilation book that I started back in August.  I've read Pride & Prejudice, Sense & Sensibility, and now am reading Emma.  I really do love her style of writing and think that she is so ahead of her time in her wit and ideas for women.  Very refreshing!</p> <p align="center"><strong><em>I am hoping...</em></strong>to bless my family by cleaning the house today.</p> <p align="center"><strong><em>I am hearing...</em></strong>the heater kick on.  We finally turned the heater on this past weekend.  Almost the end of October...not too bad.  </p> <p align="center"><strong><em>A picture thought I'd like to share...</em></strong>these is my cute boys!  Spring 2007 we took this fun train ride through the mountains.  So fun!<strong><em> </em></strong></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/mchamjen/SPyKAUd9QQI/AAAAAAAAAxE/HAYxw2FgbMY/s1600-h/P1010037%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="244" alt="P1010037" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/mchamjen/SPyKAtMTPWI/AAAAAAAAAxI/otzAHEGub4E/P1010037_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" border="0" /></a></p> <p align="center">For more of <a href="http://thesimplewoman.blogspot.com/2008/10/simple-womans-daybook_20.html">A Simple Woman's Daybook, click here</a>.</p> Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09990018398935394320noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9125797203185621357.post-19673988209879803822008-10-14T17:45:00.001-04:002008-10-14T17:45:12.368-04:00{stuff on the walls - tackle it tuesday}<p align="center">So my friends and family know me as a bit of a procrastinator.  But I tell you what...not being able to do stuff sure makes you want to do stuff.  What I'm trying to say, is...when I <strong><em>couldn't</em></strong> <a href="http://jenchambers.blogspot.com/2008/08/its-my-party-ill-cry-if-i-want-to.html"> do anything but sit</a>, I couldn't wait until I was better so I could do all the things I couldn't do before.  Clear as mud?</p> <p align="center">I'll quit mumbling and get to the pictures, k?</p> <p align="center">This is what the wall on my staircase landing looked like before I broke my ankle.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/mchamjen/SPUS3iXjMOI/AAAAAAAAAwI/CvKXI2X7FrE/s1600-h/IMG_0849%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="244" alt="IMG_0849" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/mchamjen/SPUS3lXYceI/AAAAAAAAAwM/U_dq3qd5VJY/IMG_0849_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/mchamjen/SPUS31e2-QI/AAAAAAAAAwQ/p9GrAiWM3iU/s1600-h/IMG_0850%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="244" alt="IMG_0850" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/mchamjen/SPUS4HklYtI/AAAAAAAAAwU/Y5T2EJzzVyI/IMG_0850_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" border="0" /></a> </p> <p align="center">I bought that brand new, never before been used stretched canvas picture from the Salvation Army Thrift Store for $5.  For what it is worth, I also bought the other 4 of her buddies that looked exactly like her (apparently there was a boutique of some sort that went out of business and donated it's goods).  It sat in my garage for <strike>months</strike> a while and then leaned here in it's future home for <strike>weeks</strike> some time.</p> <p align="center">  <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/mchamjen/SPUS4rpJYvI/AAAAAAAAAwY/_azNN5t-3-o/s1600-h/IMG_1486%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="304" alt="IMG_1486" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/mchamjen/SPUS41edDNI/AAAAAAAAAwc/uoTXV3IMO6I/IMG_1486_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" border="0" /></a> </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/mchamjen/SPUS5A_uunI/AAAAAAAAAwg/YEuet9KAq44/s1600-h/IMG_1484%5B2%5D.jpg"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/mchamjen/SPUS5UVD3OI/AAAAAAAAAwk/Z_SlJQ9o5ds/s1600-h/IMG_1483%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="244" alt="IMG_1483" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/mchamjen/SPUS5ZWgFiI/AAAAAAAAAwo/fzBmIfgAXQI/IMG_1483_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" border="0" /><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/mchamjen/SPUS5A_uunI/AAAAAAAAAwg/YEuet9KAq44/s1600-h/IMG_1484%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="244" alt="IMG_1484" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/mchamjen/SPUS5qFg87I/AAAAAAAAAww/w5QVbV_Pg7c/IMG_1484_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" border="0" /></a></a></a></p> <p align="center">Now doesn't that look better?</p> <p align="center">I also need to tell you about that lovely black shelf.  When I found her at a flea market, she wasn't nearly as charming as she is now.  Believe it or not, she is plastic.  And hollow.  Yep.  I only paid $3 for her, y'all.  She was also a not-so-cute semi metallic gold color.  She is sporting a new hammered black finish thanks to spray paint.She feels much better now that she's had a bit of a makeover.</p> <p align="center">Now, this is a good start for the wall at the staircase landing, but she's not finished.  I have some plastic plates that I bought at the Goodwill for $.85 each and plan to spray paint red.  There are 3 of them and they'll hang above the picture.</p> <p align="center">I need some advice from y'all.  The beige color on my wall makes the canvas picture blend in since there's no frame.  I need some way to outline the picture in black to make it pop.  What do you think?  Please share your advice in the comments.  I'll keep you "post"ed (ha ha) on this project, k?</p> <p align="center">For other projects being tackled, hop over to <a href="http://www.5minutesformom.com/4496/tackle-it-tuesday-125/">5 minutes for mom</a>.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/mchamjen/SPUS59SUIoI/AAAAAAAAAw0/JdSlU5QsPH0/s1600-h/Jen%20signature%5B2%5D.png"><img height="64" alt="Jen signature" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/mchamjen/SPUS5zTVR-I/AAAAAAAAAw4/X0i01jOi2yY/Jen%20signature_thumb%5B2%5D.png?imgmax=800" width="85" border="0" /></a></p> Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09990018398935394320noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9125797203185621357.post-15918690032363171932008-10-13T13:50:00.001-04:002008-10-13T13:50:17.543-04:00{carnival birthday party}<p align="center">How embarassing that it has almost been a month since I've posted.  I promise I'm back from my unplanned, unannounced blogging break.  Well - this post should fix your cravings for creativity and fun.  </p> <p align="center">My daughter's birthday party was this past Saturday, and she chose a carnival party.  I did a ton of Internet research and came up with some really fun ideas.</p> <p align="center"><img style="border-top-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_1414" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/mchamjen/SPOKK0DVmwI/AAAAAAAAAtE/eSKno8Vdyr8/IMG_1414%5B8%5D.jpg" width="244" border="0" /></p> <p align="center">When the guests first arrived, they were greeted by me at the ticket table.  They received their goody bags with tickets in them.  They were directed to the "decorate your goody bag" tables.  There were stickers, foam shapes, glitter, glue, buttons, and markers there.  This is my Zach decorating his bag.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/mchamjen/SPOKLFCrobI/AAAAAAAAAtI/HI-EukVvpKY/IMG_1436%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-top-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="244" alt="IMG_1436" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/mchamjen/SPOKLSRP0FI/AAAAAAAAAtM/t3AhXez0iqw/IMG_1436_thumb.jpg" width="184" border="0" /></a> </p> <p align="center">After everyone decorated their bag, they enjoyed a magic show by my magician hubby dressed for the occasion.  I found his lovely necktie and facial embellishments at the lovely Dollar Tree.  We used the clothesline, sheets, and balloons to create a festive backdrop for the show.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/mchamjen/SPOKLXHDx2I/AAAAAAAAAtQ/p0IOYB6TT6w/IMG_1438%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="244" alt="IMG_1438" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/mchamjen/SPOKLnSsqvI/AAAAAAAAAtU/SHlUmSwW884/IMG_1438_thumb.jpg" width="184" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/mchamjen/SPOKLyM9VGI/AAAAAAAAAtY/3X7LHrbe-Qk/IMG_1437%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_1437" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/mchamjen/SPOKMG3DWdI/AAAAAAAAAtc/01mUTgfe-E0/IMG_1437_thumb.jpg" width="244" border="0" /></a> </p> <p align="center">There were 7 activity booths.  The kids rotated so they had a chance to do each one.  We were kind of short on grown ups, so there was a grown up for every 2-3 booths.  It was ok, though, as there were only 9 kids.</p> <p align="center">First we have "<strong>Lucky Pitch</strong>."  The kids pitched ping-pong type balls (found packaged  with a ball shooter-type gun thingie at the Dollar Tree (DT)).  I purchased a piece of foam core from and a package of Styrofoam cups from the DT.  We glued the cups down to the foam core with school glue and lightly spray painted the insides of some of the cups.  This game was played on the flat driveway.  We drew a line with sidewalk chalk where the kids had to stand and they tossed the balls into the cups.  The color of cup it landed in determined the prize they received.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/mchamjen/SPOKMdWQ47I/AAAAAAAAAtg/Sh0B8RqiHFY/IMG_1415%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="244" alt="IMG_1415" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/mchamjen/SPOKMrSErgI/AAAAAAAAAtk/v6csf-PXxHs/IMG_1415_thumb.jpg" width="184" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/mchamjen/SPOKMnr33DI/AAAAAAAAAto/vK-vllkMMLM/IMG_1416%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="244" alt="IMG_1416" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/mchamjen/SPOKNjbSAyI/AAAAAAAAAts/RdKjOtylmG8/IMG_1416_thumb.jpg" width="184" border="0" /></a> </p> <p align="center">Next up there's "<strong>Bowl-a-Rama.</strong>"  We had a squishy foam bowling set that Zach got for Christmas last year.  We drew lines on the driveway and little stars so the kids knew where to reset the pins after knocking them down.  Very simple.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/mchamjen/SPOKN0LoFCI/AAAAAAAAAtw/aYH07rSnMA8/IMG_1417%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="244" alt="IMG_1417" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/mchamjen/SPOKOM0EolI/AAAAAAAAAt0/fjrap9zLLIM/IMG_1417_thumb.jpg" width="184" border="0" /></a> </p> <p align="center">Then we've got the good 'ol "<strong>Ring Toss</strong>" game.  We recruited our family to save plastic bottles for a couple of weeks and refilled them to use for the game.  For rings, I cut out the middle from a sturdy paper plate and used the outside for the rings.  Talk about easy.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/mchamjen/SPOKOay4fsI/AAAAAAAAAt4/ADXuQKBL0wg/IMG_1419%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_1419" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/mchamjen/SPOKOfg2C4I/AAAAAAAAAt8/VGimVdtsQeY/IMG_1419_thumb.jpg" width="244" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/mchamjen/SPOKOvxeNPI/AAAAAAAAAuA/r0GvHmQDseA/IMG_1418%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="244" alt="IMG_1418" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/mchamjen/SPOKPN8--lI/AAAAAAAAAuE/3W7zaBjyTb8/IMG_1418_thumb.jpg" width="184" border="0" /></a> </p> <p align="center">"<strong>Gumball Guess</strong>" was cute.  I used an old glass salsa jar and filled it with 2 ($1) bags of gum balls.  Of course I had to count the gum balls and make the table cute.  My mom helped with the making it cute thing.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/mchamjen/SPOKPSF50DI/AAAAAAAAAuI/2MB8PJa_4T4/IMG_1420%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_1420" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/mchamjen/SPOKPbePDTI/AAAAAAAAAuM/Hw39OHfmFpE/IMG_1420_thumb.jpg" width="244" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/mchamjen/SPOKP-d4OGI/AAAAAAAAAuQ/EJcGaikubrg/IMG_1422%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_1422" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/mchamjen/SPOKP1hEAjI/AAAAAAAAAuU/F2rnxdbVFYk/IMG_1422_thumb.jpg" width="244" border="0" /></a> </p> <p align="center">We had a "<strong>Tattoo Booth</strong>" as well.  I had a hard time finding tatoos to purchase locally, but I did find some really small Sponge Bob ones at Party City.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/mchamjen/SPOKQXBl7EI/AAAAAAAAAuY/v7Li_SV2lds/IMG_1423%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_1423" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/mchamjen/SPOKQg6HVfI/AAAAAAAAAuc/VP6cY6DH_mU/IMG_1423_thumb.jpg" width="244" border="0" /></a> </p> <p align="center">I liked the "<strong>Sucker Pull</strong>" too.  I used a 99 cent Styrofoam cone-type thing from Wal-mart to stick the suckers in.  I colored the ends of the sticks with markers.  The color they pulled determined their prize.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/mchamjen/SPOKQyOotzI/AAAAAAAAAug/IYebIZCHxG8/IMG_1425%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_1425" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/mchamjen/SPOKRPG5RJI/AAAAAAAAAuk/P9RaAeX5svs/IMG_1425_thumb.jpg" width="244" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/mchamjen/SPOKRRt7MPI/AAAAAAAAAuw/ps668cFrY3E/IMG_1424%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="244" alt="IMG_1424" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/mchamjen/SPOKRyRyAQI/AAAAAAAAAu0/2lPjPvCM3bs/IMG_1424_thumb.jpg" width="184" border="0" /></a> </p> <p align="center">The final game was the "<strong>Football Toss</strong>."  We used a shepherd's hook plant hanger and a hula hoop for the goal.  A DT nerf football completed the setup.  I don't know why I didn't get a picture of that one.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/mchamjen/SPOKSOXXFFI/AAAAAAAAAu4/ev6XhpvO5QU/IMG_1426%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_1426" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/mchamjen/SPOKSGw081I/AAAAAAAAAu8/BQvsMi7_d-8/IMG_1426_thumb.jpg" width="244" border="0" /></a> </p> <p align="center">Lunchtime was fun with a trip down the "<strong>Food Fairway</strong>."  We enjoyed corn dogs, pickles, kettle corn, & nachos.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/mchamjen/SPOKSd0UzPI/AAAAAAAAAvA/rqkAxBlFFTI/IMG_1428%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="244" alt="IMG_1428" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/mchamjen/SPOKSsRjQPI/AAAAAAAAAvE/LsS7P84pGu8/IMG_1428_thumb.jpg" width="184" border="0" /></a> </p> <p align="center">Instead of a cake, Taylor & I made cupcakes and made them to look like a bunch of balloons tied together.  I used half a piece of DT foam core with scrapbook paper to put the cupcakes on.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/mchamjen/SPOKS6Uyn3I/AAAAAAAAAvI/agNOdBn23xQ/IMG_1466%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="244" alt="IMG_1466" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/mchamjen/SPOKSyCfK6I/AAAAAAAAAvM/GYaMrFnh73o/IMG_1466_thumb.jpg" width="184" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/mchamjen/SPOKTPWk_4I/AAAAAAAAAvY/TYbtSLc_TRQ/IMG_1467%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="244" alt="IMG_1467" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/mchamjen/SPOKTTur2gI/AAAAAAAAAvc/vMk3uNlUmWo/IMG_1467_thumb.jpg" width="184" border="0" /></a> </p> <p align="center">Here are some general overall pictures.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/mchamjen/SPOKUTpfl5I/AAAAAAAAAvg/n_FYdK47m44/IMG_1429%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_1429" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/mchamjen/SPOKUi-mGBI/AAAAAAAAAvs/FCTKOb7xaoQ/IMG_1429_thumb.jpg" width="244" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/mchamjen/SPOKVAwKMpI/AAAAAAAAAvw/2PQXlmQowNw/IMG_1430%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_1430" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/mchamjen/SPOKVWneJyI/AAAAAAAAAv0/XuTxfUH0vCY/IMG_1430_thumb.jpg" width="244" border="0" /></a> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/mchamjen/SPOKVl4I7sI/AAAAAAAAAv4/JSf4fyEvAhQ/IMG_1442%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_1442" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/mchamjen/SPOKVq2x_LI/AAAAAAAAAv8/9brUp9t64Fs/IMG_1442_thumb.jpg" width="244" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/mchamjen/SPOKWH1vkwI/AAAAAAAAAwA/By-bJwMaUWc/IMG_1465%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_1465" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/mchamjen/SPOKWalsyHI/AAAAAAAAAwE/Y-nHIaD2cI8/IMG_1465_thumb.jpg" width="244" border="0" /></a> </p> <p align="center">Overall the party was really fun and things went pretty smoothly.  I am glad it is over, though.  For anyone who is interested, I used the Cricut cutting machine to make all the signs.  I think they looked pretty good.  We used streamers and garden stakes to section off the booths that were located in the grass.  For the booths on the driveway, we just drew lines with sidewalk chalk to separate them.  I find that for themed parties, music really sets the mood, so I researched carnival and circus music and made a cd.  I was surprised to find that most polkas are circus-friendly music. </p> <p align="center">Let me know if you have any questions about the party that I didn't already answer.  I got a lot of my ideas from <a href="http://www.birthdaypartyideas.com/html/carnival_party.html">this site</a>.</p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"></p> Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09990018398935394320noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9125797203185621357.post-9157487940419433262008-09-19T18:11:00.015-04:002008-09-19T19:46:19.906-04:00{weekly weigh in}<p>Remember that I'm wanting to be hot for the holidays? Well - I'm planning on posting my loss each week when I weigh myself on Fridays. I forgot to post last week. </p><p>Last week, I had a huge loss of 6.5 pounds. I hadn't weighed myself since before I broke my ankle, so it had probably been all in the month since then that the weight was lost.</p><p>And this week, I had a 1.5 pound loss. Yay!</p><p>So 8 pounds down so far!!!!!</p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Be sure to scroll down to see my wonderful, phenomenal 101st post extolling my love of all things Across the Universe.</span></p><p><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3096/2564566411_e345111de1_t.jpg" /></p>Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09990018398935394320noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9125797203185621357.post-12776451653865798242008-09-19T18:11:00.012-04:002008-09-19T19:10:54.868-04:00{101st post - across the universe}<p>101 Things About My New Obsession: Across the Universe</p><br /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqBrr2sFtPTbVyBjjy_Yy_FAp_QYgP5aZhO7-FVKGqcM47PbQ4ZXMOa6Wyj_lo0cOwzQIBQ8G-bjUaawMgeBFBd436zFubQkNhbz6SdJia2WDQdMYuNC0ahBkYmDxm5vBg154CA8odNPM/s320/across-the-universe.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247861742156723538" /><p>FYI - this is my 101st post on this here blog and was <del><a href="http://jenchambers.blogspot.com/2008/09/my-100th-post.html">bullied</a></del><a href="http://jenchambers.blogspot.com/2008/09/my-100th-post.html"> encouraged to write a better post</a> to commemorate this monumentous event! I've already done the <a href="http://jenchambers.blogspot.com/2008/03/100-things-about-me-ive-been-tagged.html">meme listing 100 things about me</a>. So here's this unique 101st post for ya. I had to be a bit different.<br /></p><ol><li>When the movie was released in October of 2007 I had no desire to see this movie.</li><li>I thought it looked way too weird/strange/generally acid-tripping from the previews.<br /></li><li>Actually, I had to look up the release date on <a href="http://www.imdb.com/">imdb.com</a> because I didn't even remember exactly when it was new.<br /></li><li>You want some background on me for a minute?...</li><li>OK - I had a Beatles phase in college.<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6U1ICttHL9ApoDyM3r821OxvOerI-EM3nkO-49-NVktUP_EF1fRhvBGA2h2m83GlMAe96dlZhEFeDMoCjcyQYwFcMzYXCjXYGADgTZd7FUgO2-yXP7fcmz93gu4IT5Kk-1b39pbxTHG0/s320/beatles.jpg" style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247871130391386082" /></li><li>It was after a trip to Vegas and spending some time in a cool memorobelia shop in Caesar's Palace.</li><li>A guy friend that I worked with was really into The Beatles so it kind of just happened.<br /></li><li>It is such timeless music that it is sort of inevitable, really.<br /></li><li>Another reason it was inevitable is that my mom loves them.<br /></li><li> I mean, really loves them!<br /></li><li> Like, she's loved them ever since she was a kid and would cry at night because she loved Paul so much and didn't think she'd ever get to see him in person.</li><li>Back then, she promised herself that if her kids ever had a music love, crush, obsession that she would try to indulge them in that love.</li><li>That is why I saw <a href="http://nkotb.com/">NKOTB</a> in concert 5 times. <br /></li><li>Yes. I said FIVE times.<br /></li><li>I know. I'm lucky, right?</li><li>Fast forward to several years ago when my mom got to see a PAUL concert. Seriously. All of her dreams came true. </li><li>To this day, when she hears Paul singing on the radio or in a public place she stops...and reflects on the fact that she was actually in the same room as he was...breathing the same air as Paul McCartney!<br /></li><li>My sister, <a href="http://reluctanttri.blogspot.com/">Emily</a>, who is a few years younger than I am has an <del>unhealthy</del> tremendous love for The Beatles as well.<br /></li><li>That is another reason why, when the movie came out, we just didn't see it.<br /></li><li>I mean, it was like sacrilidge...all these young people singing Beatles songs...who did they think they were?<br /></li><li>Even though we are lovers of all things musical, especially show choir, plays and movies that include music.<br /></li><li>Seriously...we are there on opening day when wonderful musical plays are made into movies. We love them.<br /></li><li>But we just weren't going to go there with ATU. (That's what real lovers of this movie call it - Across the Universe).<br /></li><li>Then <a href="http://jenchambers.blogspot.com/2008/08/its-my-party-ill-cry-if-i-want-to.html">I broke my ankle</a> this past August and had a ton of time on my hands.<br /></li><li>ATU was available to watch on our On Demand cable movie channel.</li><li>I thought...what the heck? I'll just watch it for a minute and see what all the buzz was<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ3EI2bPpxzdA566q-cyZuunDP4N2xOi-QBrpwQYjAXmM-MtmlvhyATbApM8uqGuUieyV4tk722QYeWA3lNqBIy_nnZVTB6elTkviQyjyXW7t1w1HE-2Xf8pQR6jzpI5TNxC3OzFAoolQ/s320/9884253_tml.jpg" style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247867045911754098" /> about.<br /></li><li>After all...I have a ton of time on my hands. <br /></li><li>Jim Sturgess immediately caught my attention with the opening song set on the beach. <br /></li><li>He sang "Girl"...on the beach...with a Brittish accent...looking straight at the camera...and spoke right directly to my heart.<br /></li><li>I couldn't turn it off.</li><li>I didn't want to, either.<br /></li><li>Ok - I admit there are some strange acid-tripping parts in this movie depicting the late 60's, but seriously...doesn't that seem to fit in with that time period?</li><li>Then...there was this scene in the bowling alley where he sang "I've Just Seen A Face" and I fell even deeper in love with every nuance of his movement. <img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd0PNx_MBsjbSHaRih9LD3dPfn19CvFEQZ6ePEDhvlY_8S72vENhO2-O3HHS3QisOlvpHWNfCRhmvZ0Otc-0f3BJTr6pDP2jJWNrZ3pNp1ySYw3n-G8-zshQXQRShRNgbXJjd86MPBS_4/s320/JimSturgess43.jpg" style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247870737879600450" /></li><li>Yes...you're right...I am happily married (today is actually our 11th anniversary...yay!)<br /></li><li>I was born in 1976, so did not live to experience any part of the 60's. But I appreciate the insight this movie gives me into that time.</li><li>I know...it is just a musical...but I can't help it...strong emotions are evoked by certain parts of the movie.<br /></li><li>Lots of historical events are touched on and covered in the movie.<br /></li><li>Like the Vietnam war.<br /></li><li>And the protests that went along with it.</li><li>Also the feelings of the families and friends who had loved ones fighting there.<br /></li><li>And the fact that some of them didn't make it home.<br /></li><li>Racial contention was also touched on in the movie.<br /></li><li>In a touching scene set to "Let It Be."</li><li>On a much happier note, this movie introduced me to the scrumpteousness that is Jim Sturgess. His character's name is Jude.<br /></li><li>And Joe Anderson. Joe plays Jim's friend, Max.<br /></li><li>And since I've recently devoured the imdb's archives on this movie, I think I'll share with you some of the things that I found interesting.<br /></li><li>If you're not as crazy about this movie as I am, you might think these morsels of information are ridiculously boring. Not me...<br /></li><li>Joe Anderson originally tried out for the part of Jude, but once he read the script, he decided that he was more of a "Max."<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP1DUKFg308Ev4_5L2S8vR6nORN1ERYYgxsUmxUEjVRdby9cxFHO7aToOleIhNWsScmg0KOSbD1bmw071tuXmh-i23KZRMMvMlC6W5evH46gIvh-bzeqmHKi11Z3GE5aAHBREG5dv1Pc8/s200/21.jpg" style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247868207974624930" /></li><li>Max is American & Joe does a knock-out job on his American accent.<br /></li><li>So much of the details in this movie correspond or were inspired by actual events in the life of The Beatles, even though the movie's storyline isn't about them.<br /></li><li>All the names of the main characters come from Beatles songs.<br /></li><li>Jude is from "Hey Jude."<br /></li><li>Max is from "Maxwell's Silver Hammer."</li><li>Lucy is from "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds."<br /></li><li>Prudence is from "Dear Prudence."<br /></li><li>Jo Jo is mentioned in the song "Get Back."<br /></li><li>Sadie is the main event in "Sexy Sadie."<br /></li><li>Back to the other intersting tidbits...</li><li>A club where Jude is seen near the beginning of the movie is called The Cavern, in Liverpool, where the Beatles played in the 60's.<br /></li><li>There's a scene where Sadie's band plays on the rooftop of their recording label's building. This is a clear reference to The Beatles' last public performance that took place on the rooftop of the building of their record label.<br /></li><li>Sadie's record company is named "Strawberry Jamz." This is a reference to the Beatles record company - "Apple Corps."<br /></li><li>There are several parts in the movie that I almost always rewind and play a few times in a row. <br /></li><li>One is the bowling alley scene...YUM!</li><li>Depending on my mood, I might watch the opening scene on the beach again, or the part on the streets of Liverpool with Jude and his Brit girlfriend where he sings "All My Lovin'."<br /></li><li>One of my favorite things I learned while I <del>casually</del> fervently watched Jim Sturgess interviews on YouTube is that...<br /></li><li>THEY SANG ALL THE SONGS LIVE ON THE SET...AT THE TIME OF THE SCENE. <br /></li><li>Sorry that I yelled for a minute, but seriously...the movie versions of the song are the way they sang them right then and there acting the scene.<br /></li><li>Can you believe that?<br /></li><li>I am in awe.<br /></li><li>There is a crazy Beatles song called "For the Benefit of Mr. Kite" that is inserted into the psychodelic part of the film. <br /></li><li>My kid's saw that part and thought that I must be crazy for watching such a weird movie.<br /></li><li>Maybe I am.<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhHdtdNGafnHehNOrL6zGL7IgeH-PtZsemIy6x0_jovX7EdBNvlAsCbf9SnDkYECExTQdIYtRINjgjt3TEcTOK6U2tSXAAIJPhJWFlH9K1JLhWHyhJ9_3J3TqmY5Y-JNf7BVM7K_OIZoI/s200/evan_rachel_wood_200.jpg" style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247869716364426354" /></li><li>If I am, then I don't want to be not crazy.<br /></li><li>By the way, Lucy reminds me a lot of pictures I've seen of my mom during her high school years.<br /></li><li>She graduated in 1971.<br /></li><li>Lucy starts out as kind of a goody-two-shoes preppy girl...<br /></li><li>And ends up in Grenwich Villiage...kind of not so goody-two-shoes.<br /></li><li>My mom was more like the first Lucy.<br /></li><li>There are lots of cameos throughout the movie.<br /></li><li>You've got Selma Hayek.<br /></li><li>Joe Cocker.<br /></li><li>Bono.<br /></li><li>A movie commenter on imdb thought the movie was the love child of Moulin Rogue and Hairspray.<br /></li><li>I guess I can see that.<br /></li><li>Sadie's character is supposed to "parallel" Janis Joplin.<br /></li><li>Jo Jo is "like unto" Jimi Hendrix.<br /></li><li>Jude is thought of as a compilation of John Lennon and Paul McCartney.<br /></li><li>I see it.<br /></li><li>Did I mention I adore him?<br /></li><li>Also, that I have some new Jim wallpaper on my laptop?<br /></li><li>Evan Rachel Woods plays Lucy in the film. <br /></li><li>She also dates Marilyn Manson in real life.<br /></li><li>Yuck!<br /></li><li>Please don't hold that against this film.<br /></li><li>Have I convinced you to see it yet?<br /></li><li>I'll be seein' ya later.<br /></li><li>I have to go watch ATU again.<br /></li><li>Wanna join me?<br /></li><li>We'll pop some popcorn and make a night of it!<br /></li><li>Will you come back for my 102nd post?<br /></li><li>I promise it won't be as long as this! :)<br /></li></ol><p></p><div><br /></div><p></p><p><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3096/2564566411_e345111de1_t.jpg" /></p>Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09990018398935394320noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9125797203185621357.post-16438859967438164472008-09-17T23:32:00.003-04:002008-09-17T23:38:50.489-04:00{my 100th post!}<p>OK - so here's the deal. I've been stewing over what kind of phenomenal 100th post I could write for almost a week. You know...creative, witty, entertaining, and all-around wonderful. Therefore...I've been avoiding posting on this blog until I came up with the perfect post. The problem is this: I got nothin'.</p><p>So I would like to commemorate my 100th post with a big 'ol WOO-HOO! Would you like to join me? Come on now...everyone together..."WOO-HOO!"</p><p>I'll be back real soon with somethin' good. I promise. :)</p><br /><p><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3096/2564566411_e345111de1_t.jpg" /> </p><p>P.S. My pantry got cleaned out yesterday. Yay! I'll get some pictures up here soon. My cute daughter and her friend helped me. </p>Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09990018398935394320noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9125797203185621357.post-46713298098376149762008-09-09T23:21:00.002-04:002008-09-09T23:35:40.540-04:00{out & about}<p>Whew! I've had quite a day. I was a bit grumpy this morning after the kids left for school. I was grumpy to my hubby and my mom over the phone. I didn't want to be, but I was. Sorry guys. Anyway, my mom decided to come kidnap me in order to change my surroundings. That was a great idea. Since I was actually leaving the house, I begged her to take me to the Goodwill. My dad ended up coming along as well. I love a good outing with my parents. </p><p>I got my husband some clothes since he's dropping pounds like crazy. I also found some plates to spray paint. Don't worry...I'll post before and afters once I get it done...hopefully this week. </p><p>After Goodwill, my mom needed to go home for a while, so Dad took me to lunch. It was so good to be out and I love going to lunch with my Daddy. I guess I'm still a kid at heart. In a grown-up's body. With a broken ankle.</p><p>My hubby worked from home the second half of the day so I didn't even have to be home in time for the school bus. Mom, Dad & I watched my new movie obsession, Across the Universe. Then my friend Amy came to pick me up.</p><p>Amy is the only friend from high school that I still keep in touch with. I love me some Amy, that's for sure. No matter how long it has been since we've talked, it is always exactly the same. Just like we've talked everyday. We had a yummy take out dinner and she showed me her cute new rental house. We did a lot of catch-up talking and watched a little DVR'ed Oprah. What a great night.</p><p>All in all, I had a wonderful day! I'm so glad I am not grumpy anymore. I'm too tired to be grumpy anyway. I've done more moving and shaking today than I've done since I broke that darn ankle.</p><p>Thanks everyone for helping me have a great, fun day! Especially hubby for coming home so I could go out. That guy really rocks and I love him tons!</p><p><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3096/2564566411_e345111de1_t.jpg" /></p>Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09990018398935394320noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9125797203185621357.post-55475179982414624472008-09-08T16:53:00.000-04:002008-09-09T22:50:41.330-04:00{a simple woman's daybook ~ journal entry}<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkxe5yme9Sh1rrsbYOettA4tei6DnsLwZ3kUoyCVYNcprkDzSk9DJXG1eoXjXRYBSeC9CAbxH-8_FZzR1GLFkVv9hngPpSWCbJdf9Dl64yepbqnOPpXsBUUbBZ3xVvSe182Po_JNML4iA/s1600-h/simple-woman-daybook-small.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243440249732143298" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkxe5yme9Sh1rrsbYOettA4tei6DnsLwZ3kUoyCVYNcprkDzSk9DJXG1eoXjXRYBSeC9CAbxH-8_FZzR1GLFkVv9hngPpSWCbJdf9Dl64yepbqnOPpXsBUUbBZ3xVvSe182Po_JNML4iA/s200/simple-woman-daybook-small.jpg" border="0" /></a> <em><strong>FOR TODAY</strong></em> August 4, 2008<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><strong><em>Outside my window</em></strong>...is the cool evening air that I am so thankfully taking in. I'm actually writing this on Sunday evening. For no reason other than that I am so thoroughly enjoying sitting on the screened in porch that I thought it would be a perfect time to reflect by writing this post.</p><br /><br /><em><strong>I am thankful for...</strong></em>this laptop. That seems like such a material thing to be thankful for, but this beloved machine coupled with wireless internet has provided hours upon hours upon days of entertainment and enjoyment for me while <a href="http://jenchambers.blogspot.com/2008/08/its-my-party-ill-cry-if-i-want-to.html">moving around very much isn't quite easy</a>.<br /><br /><br /><br /><em><strong>From the kitchen...</strong></em>I've been enjoying hamburgers cooked on the grill by my cutie-pie husband. This week, we've nibbled on inhaled dinners lovingly prepared for our family by my mom, my grandma, and my friend Christina. Thanks so much everyone!<br /><br /><br /><br /><em><strong>I am wearing...</strong></em>my usual wardrobe of late. If I'm not in jammies, I've got on a comfy T-shirt and a pair of knit/yoga-type pants. Tonight it is the latter choice. Jeans or fitted shorts are out of the question due to the cast.<br /><br /><br /><br /><strong><em>I am creating...</em></strong>nothing right now. But I've spied with my little eyes a darling fall project in the blogosphere that I plan on making this week. Check out my picture thought at the bottom of this post for a pic and a link! :)<br /><br /><br /><br /><em><strong>I am going...</strong></em>to be staying at home, mostly. But any outing I am priveliged to enjoy is surely a time of celebration!<br /><br /><br /><br /><strong><em>I am reading...</em></strong>Pride & Prejudice. Halelujah! I shared in a <a href="http://jenchambers.blogspot.com/2008/07/simple-womans-daybook-journal-entry_21.html">previous daybook entry </a>that despite majoring in English in college, I never did read any of Jane Austen's masterpieces. I have since begun to remedy that malady. (Wow...that sentence was a little much). I started with Northanger Abbey and was not disappointed. My <a href="http://reluctanttri.blogspot.com/">sister</a>, found a compilation of 3 of Ms. Austen's works whilst she was cleaning her room the other day. This same sister made persuaded me to watch the long PBS version of the movie several years ago. Be still my heart. I still love Colin Firth to this day thanks to his role as Mr. Darcy. Thanks babe (sister of mine & Mr. Darcy)! I sure do appreciate it!<br /><br /><br /><br /><strong><em>I am hoping...</em></strong>to get some things checked off of my list. Things I <em>CAN</em> do, like organize the pantry (with a little help), and write some thank you notes.<br /><br /><br /><br /><strong><em>I am hearing...</em></strong>the wonderful noises that happen outside in the evening while sitting on my back porch in the summer. Around here it still feels like summer during the day. But it is about 8:30pm, so it is nice and cool out here now. Did I mention how much I am enjoying myself on my screened porch?!!<br /><br /><br /><br /><em><strong>A picture thought I'd like to share...</strong></em><br /><br /><br /><br /><p></p><br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243438994011534834" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBmR3iYagH6F9WQhwrJAWevg0h8T-ql-qVdo4qUdvhz9oBxCC-mYtT7YnkQVfdNCDFf_Q_E3olhQze5RGV6IYCgVgPCYfGDeh9Z887-pi6hKM86ByOJCdj18ovehfpc33m2brnRwGE62A/s400/boo+banner.jpg" border="0" /><span style="font-size:78%;">(Go <a href="http://cherrysjubileehome.blogspot.com/2008/09/some-wonderful-awards-project-and-old.html">here to visit Cherry's Jubilee</a>, whom I've shamlessly borrowed this picture from.)</span><br /></p><br /><br />For more, go <a href="http://thesimplewoman.blogspot.com/">here</a>.<br /><p><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3096/2564566411_e345111de1_t.jpg" /></p></div>Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09990018398935394320noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9125797203185621357.post-81564129910684604142008-09-07T17:00:00.004-04:002008-09-07T17:09:45.693-04:00{you wanna be hot for the holidays? me too!}<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKGwklOrRn-lHz5x9WLrqQ3WffHOU6iMGQs-Xr5MCOIUJX_nwAFjT0vMKaVPyLBsE7Q4n2wk9uWbs0eD59x7OYsVvF6H60bPn6uTb7oubDnbWtRbFiEyEMvMiX7nWnfhlc0rLAZr_ZqPg/s1600-h/HOTFORTHEHOLIDAYS1a.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243388385824538002" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKGwklOrRn-lHz5x9WLrqQ3WffHOU6iMGQs-Xr5MCOIUJX_nwAFjT0vMKaVPyLBsE7Q4n2wk9uWbs0eD59x7OYsVvF6H60bPn6uTb7oubDnbWtRbFiEyEMvMiX7nWnfhlc0rLAZr_ZqPg/s320/HOTFORTHEHOLIDAYS1a.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><p>I am joining in on a <a href="http://babytealeaves.blogspot.com/2008/08/hot-for-holidays.html">great challenge </a>I discovered over at <a href="http://www.5minutesformom.com/">5 minutes for mom </a>today that I'm pretty excited about.<br /></p><p>My hubby has dropped major pounds this summer by cutting his carbs way down. He's been trying to get me motivated to change my eating habits, but I just wasn't mentally there yet. My <a href="http://jenchambers.blogspot.com/2008/08/its-my-party-ill-cry-if-i-want-to.html">broken ankle</a> is going to make this challenge extra challenging, since I can't really exercise, but I'm up for it. I can definitely change the way I eat, broken bones or not.</p><br /><p>So I'm in...how about you? You wanna be <a href="http://babytealeaves.blogspot.com/2008/08/hot-for-holidays.html">hot for the holidays too</a>?</p><br /><p><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3096/2564566411_e345111de1_t.jpg" /></p>Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09990018398935394320noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9125797203185621357.post-70705131060152542452008-09-02T12:19:00.004-04:002008-09-02T12:54:14.558-04:00{kid's school lunches}<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTMFUVrBABYubmLKgP3N0dSCq0BoRMDbx2Cyh8MA8yR2P-jJVfPxQziLcZ3lDOh_isnqdbAHc7wkt4DlandNR6DnCiZY7HQS9-tKDQmkCl1kkEGyqygXiDz-5_hrO0LakXDkjilruTCSU/s1600-h/bento+lunch.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5241467183714490658" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTMFUVrBABYubmLKgP3N0dSCq0BoRMDbx2Cyh8MA8yR2P-jJVfPxQziLcZ3lDOh_isnqdbAHc7wkt4DlandNR6DnCiZY7HQS9-tKDQmkCl1kkEGyqygXiDz-5_hrO0LakXDkjilruTCSU/s320/bento+lunch.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><p>So today is the <strong>first day of school</strong> in our neck of the woods. It involves a ton of preparation so the mornings run smoothly around here. The 7:30am school bus comes awfully early! So the more things I can get done before the morning, the better.<br /></p><p>I've been enjoying posts like <a href="http://everydayfoodstorage.blogspot.com/2008/08/back-to-school-lunch-organization.html">this</a> and <a href="http://frugalupstate.blogspot.com/2008/08/lunchbox-planning-for-school.html">this</a> that have really got me thinking about what I can do ahead of time. The kids and I spent some time creating a <strong>master list for school lunches</strong> broken into 3 categories: <em>main dishes, fruits/veggies, and snacks</em>. The list is <a href="http://jenchambers.blogspot.com/2008/08/blogging-break-birthday-party-broken.html">upstairs and I'm down</a>, so I'll give you a sample list from my brain <span style="font-size:78%;">(<em>its scary in there, I know</em>).</span></p><br /><p align="center"><strong>Main Dishes</strong><br /></p><ul><li><div align="center">spaghetti-o's</div></li><li><div align="center">chicken salad sandwich or crackers (will be referred to as s/c)</div></li><li><div align="center">tuna salad s/c</div></li><li><div align="center">egg salad s/c</div></li><li><div align="center">pb & j sandwich</div></li><li><div align="center">turkey, ham, or bologna sandwich</div></li><li><div align="center">homemade lunchable</div></li><li><div align="center">leftovers</div></li><li><div align="center">bagel & cream cheese</div></li></ul><br /><p align="center"><strong>Fruit/Veggie</strong></p><ul><li><div align="center">apple</div></li><li><div align="center">applesauce</div></li><li><div align="center">oranges</div></li><li><div align="center">mandarin oranges</div></li><li><div align="center">banana</div></li><li><div align="center">cold veggies & ranch (carrots, celery)</div></li><li><div align="center">fruit salad</div></li></ul><br /><p align="center"><strong>Snack (salty treat or dessert-type treat)</strong></p><ul><li><div align="center">crackers</div></li><li><div align="center">nabs crackers</div></li><li><div align="center">chex mix</div></li><li><div align="center">homemade quick breads (banana, zuccini, pumpkin)</div></li><li><div align="center">cookies</div></li><li><div align="center">homemade muffins</div></li><li><div align="center">chips<br /></div></li></ul><p align="center">Remember, this is just a <em>sample list</em> of some of the things I remember from our custom list. I have been a menu/meal planner for quite a while now...really since I've been married (our 11 year anniversary is this month!). But for some reason, I've only pre-planned and written out our dinners. Never breakfasts or lunches. But I am going to add that into the planning session from now on. It is going to be so freeing not to have to "dream up" what to pack in the kids' lunches each morning. It will already be decided...AAAND...I'll have everything in the house, because those ingredients will have been added to my grocery list during that planning session. Some of those items might already be pre-prepared, packaged up, and frozen. Seriously...such a simple solution, but something I hadn't done, nonetheless.</p><br /><p align="center">For more kitchen tips, head over to <a href="http://www.tammysrecipes.com/node/2956">Tammy's Recipes</a>.</p><br /><p><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3096/2564566411_e345111de1_t.jpg" /></p><p>Blog notes: the cute picture is a <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/firepile/446589739/">bento lunch </a>. I'm going to be learning more about that type of packing method soon!</p>Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09990018398935394320noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9125797203185621357.post-12055435304412650602008-08-28T21:51:00.003-04:002008-08-28T22:59:04.633-04:00{its my party & i'll cry if i want to}Ugggghhh...I usually try to keep most of my posts on here <a href="http://jenchambers.blogspot.com/2008/04/singin-in-mall-just-singin-in-mall.html">cheerful</a>,<a href="http://jenchambers.blogspot.com/2008/06/painting-easy-way.html"> informative</a>, and/or<a href="http://jenchambers.blogspot.com/2008/06/chick-fil-grand-opening-first-100.html"> fun</a>. But I guess since this is my place, I can do what I want, huh?<br /><br /><br /><p>What I'm trying to say is that I am feeling a little sorry for myself tonight. In the almost 2 weeks since I <a href="http://jenchambers.blogspot.com/2008/08/blogging-break-birthday-party-broken.html">broke my ankle</a>, I have tried to have a <strong>grrrreat</strong> attitude. And I'm pretty darn sure that I accomplished that goal. Like 24/7. The kids staying with my SIL played a big part in my being able to keep it going. Now that they're home, it is all feeling a bit more real. I cannot get up and help my kids do anything. I can't easily go to the room they are in to intervene in ww3. I can't pick up a pile of junk on the floor and put it away. I can't even shower completely solo.</p>Everyone around me is very willing to help. Really. They are. My mom has really gone above and beyond. I mean, she cleaned my house just about from head to toe, caught up on all the laundry from our trip, and has spent countless hours keeping me company. She is the bomb...seriously. My husband has been very thoughtful. He bought a shower stool so I can keep clean without having to sponge bath. It feels heavenly. He calls several times a day to check on me. He's a cutie pie. <em>I'm so glad I picked him</em>. <strong>I really am</strong>!<br /><br /><br /><p>The thing that is bothering me right now, is that I don't want to ask for stuff and bug people. I don't mind asking for a bit of help with the kids or for a few dinners, but I am realizing that I am going to have to gloss over things that are bothering me for a while. Aforementioned piles of stuff on the floor that may belong to me, and are usually my responsibility since it is my stuff...but I just can't do it. Ugggghhh. </p>And with so <a href="http://blog.cjanerun.com/2008/08/small-update.html">many</a> <a href="http://audreycaroline.blogspot.com/2008/01/beginning-of-story.html">others</a> going through things that are soooo much tougher, I feel silly and guilty even feeling this way, much less posting this on my blog.<br /><br /><br /><p>Let's see if this little exercise helps at all...here are some things that I can appreciate about my current position: (just go with me here...kind of like a situation gratitude list)</p><ul><li>I get to read a <strong>ton of blogs</strong> cause I can't do much else.<br /></li><li>I am not currently expected to <em>maintain my house</em> in any way.<br /></li><li>I get to spend tons of time with my<strong> mum</strong> (we're great buddies, y'all...love that woman)<br /></li><li>I get to endulge in Bravo marathons of Project Runway, Shear Genius, and discover new shows that I now love, like <a href="http://www.bravotv.com/Tabathas_Salon_Takeover/season/1/index.php">Tabitha's Salon Takeover</a>.<br /></li><li>Did I mention that I love reading and<a href="http://abeachcottage.typepad.com/my_weblog/"> discovering new blogs</a>?</li><br /><li>I'm sure there is so much more...this is just what I can think of for now.</li></ul><p><strong><em>I think it will also help if I pretend that this is my bedroom where I get to hang out:</em></strong></p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5239767182837937282" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5BlKN9lNJOfcRbMZPFWkw4TiTpLWwrlTXd9k5sHAXBfHpjfSHTQcUIyAa4JvUo6ePFiupBax0Io94cAtXO7FY6UDMPPRtPlHrjodYcopNCArSDW0KuTeDt2vT1y6ZJRB_SHUwhpt6C1w/s320/bedroom.jpg" border="0" /><br /><p>I am sure that I will feel better tomorrow. I am just having a minute (<em>or 60</em>) of a pity party. I feel better now. Thanks for listening.</p><br /><p><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3096/2564566411_e345111de1_t.jpg" /></p><p>P.S. <a href="http://www.tippytoes76.blogspot.com/">Kelli </a>-Thanks for dinner. It was so yummy & I pretty much inhaled it. Kind of embarassing, really. But don't go feeling like you need to run over here and do anything. I'm just venting, really. I promise. Put your keys away. Go sit down. I mean it. And thanks again for tonight.</p>Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09990018398935394320noreply@blogger.com8