tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26893682651546306242024-03-14T10:24:38.570-04:00Rosey EyesRain Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02096189812084868090noreply@blogger.comBlogger38125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2689368265154630624.post-66628640285521934052016-02-26T16:44:00.004-05:002016-02-26T16:44:55.985-05:00How to Get to Art @ The Mill<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This is a video for how to get to </div>
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Art @ The Mill</div>
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from Hwy 140, where Waze gets wonky.</div>
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TO get to this point, take I-575 north.</div>
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Take exit 16</div>
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Stay to the right when the exit splits</div>
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Turn left onto 140 at the bottom of the exit ramp</div>
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Turn right at the dead end (by the gas station)</div>
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That's where this video takes over.</div>
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<br />Rain Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02096189812084868090noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2689368265154630624.post-87802231131736326982014-08-07T13:27:00.000-04:002014-08-07T13:27:47.370-04:00What I Learned From YarnThere's something really, truly relaxing to me about yarn. <br />
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I'm not certain if it's the feeling of the yarn gliding through my fingers, or the fact that it takes only a tiny amount of time to make something really cute with yarn, or if it's some more transcendental connection I have to sheep - but whatever it is - I really dig yarn. <br />
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Occasionally I will knit or crochet something. Usually something small. I tend to grip needles and hooks way too tightly and my hands end up going to sleep, so, usually I stick to other yarn-using activities. <br />
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Like pom poms.<br />
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Or wreaths.<br />
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I first started my yarn adoration in 1985 when a college friend (and fellow fraternity little sister), Michelle, taught me to knit. We had been cast as jury members in the school's production of Inherit the Wind. The production was done in the round, so most of us weren't able to leave our places at all during the show. The two of us were elderly women who sat in seats and knitted, commenting from time-to-time on the happenings of the trial which was the play. So, you can imagine, after many weeks of practice and several weeks of performances, I had quite a number of knitting hours under my belt.<br />
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I share my somewhat-lengthy yarn adoration period with you so that you might better feel the idiocy in what I did today. <br />
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After nearly 30 years of loving yarn, I still took a skein of yarn, rooted around in the center of it for the loose end and decided not to ball the yarn. Again - as thousands of times before - I somehow thought that the outcome would be different. That I'd somehow mange to use the entire skein, pulling from the inside without getting it all knotted. <br />
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Of course - as usual - I was wrong. About 30 minutes into my pom pom making frenzy, I was faced with an ugly, knotted, tangled, twisted mess. <br />
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Without hesitation, frustration or even a sigh, I slowly began un-knotting, un-tangling and un-twisting as I wind the remaining yarn into a ball. <br />
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This is more than an hour into the balling.<br />
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<br />Rain Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02096189812084868090noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2689368265154630624.post-80553019928474026942013-11-26T17:24:00.002-05:002013-11-26T17:24:55.025-05:00Necklaces for Christmas!I mentioned in a previous post that I participated in the <a href="http://www.itsjustemmy.com/p/a-handmade-christmas-exchange.html" target="_blank">It's Just Emmy Christmas Exchange</a> recently. The ice was to make something that the recipient would be able to replicate and give out as Christmas gifts. <br />
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One of the items I made is what I'll probably be giving a lot of this year: Necklaces! <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsXiuLu9IVzK6EsrlTxfuaYh-7uL8dme-SWo4E5iTh5jeeXC-rr9pSpUlabRU-5aypxGvnRCiFPXOFSwxsXeY9eQjj2EkP6GviHWk9UzOBbxbHrCg6RFx76AcDlgCg95IsqU5eqnwRKkE/s1600/IMG_5397.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsXiuLu9IVzK6EsrlTxfuaYh-7uL8dme-SWo4E5iTh5jeeXC-rr9pSpUlabRU-5aypxGvnRCiFPXOFSwxsXeY9eQjj2EkP6GviHWk9UzOBbxbHrCg6RFx76AcDlgCg95IsqU5eqnwRKkE/s320/IMG_5397.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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This one contains a lyric from my very favorite Christmas carol.<br />
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It's pretty easy to make. Here's the step-by-step:<br />
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1. Select a Pendant Tray at your local craft store. I chose these 1" round ones by <a href="http://www.bottlecapco.com/1-Inch-Hammered-Silver-Bezel-Set-Pendant_p_426.html" target="_blank">Bottle Cap Company</a> that I purchased at <a href="http://www.archiversonline.com/" target="_blank">Archiver's</a> (full disclosure, I work at Archiver's). I particularly liked that I could get the matching <a href="http://www.bottlecapco.com/1-Acrylic-Cabochon_p_407.html" target="_blank">cabochons</a> or photo seals, which makes it much easier than having to use <a href="http://rangerink.com/?product=melt-art%C2%AE-ultra-thick-embossing-enamel%E2%84%A2" target="_blank">UTEE</a> or <a href="http://rangerink.com/?product=inkssentials%E2%84%A2-glossy-accents%E2%84%A2" target="_blank">Glossy Accents</a> to seal the image.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk8YjMzIbztifNmcsK_jJmBlXSdnfpLS9KZAkGfrYi9i_5p5fYoLy6BiNoPvuO2BUhtTFaCEALQFcIkCX8fLmRxaMmDjGelQT7y_Fvyj_44_LMx0RyCrVAq1bgJBKkOjJYtXgzjwhywbw/s1600/IMG_5398.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk8YjMzIbztifNmcsK_jJmBlXSdnfpLS9KZAkGfrYi9i_5p5fYoLy6BiNoPvuO2BUhtTFaCEALQFcIkCX8fLmRxaMmDjGelQT7y_Fvyj_44_LMx0RyCrVAq1bgJBKkOjJYtXgzjwhywbw/s320/IMG_5398.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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2. Find, create or purchase an image you want to use. I created this one. Print it at the appropriate size. In this case, it was 1" circular, which was available as a "Collage" option at the <a href="http://archiversmemorylab.com/" target="_blank">Archiver's Memory Lab</a>. So, I got 15 of these on a 4x6" print for less than 30 cents. <br />
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3. Punch or cut out the image to the appropriate size. I used my 1" circular punch. Although, the picture above is misleading, I actually use my punches upside down, so I can easily center the image. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Y_FPHHQL9P9s7DFnke9fwOaALx5yIF9IoJPbO3-8TalKgbJDrlg6W7q_tjCSDknGLgXf9qQ9b5isSGgyDtaVKcOtMPublLTcAijgHOfko9M7g0s1jlPsXhNi6vU_fjx6cH2dVntuuVo/s1600/IMG_5412.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Y_FPHHQL9P9s7DFnke9fwOaALx5yIF9IoJPbO3-8TalKgbJDrlg6W7q_tjCSDknGLgXf9qQ9b5isSGgyDtaVKcOtMPublLTcAijgHOfko9M7g0s1jlPsXhNi6vU_fjx6cH2dVntuuVo/s320/IMG_5412.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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4. I used Ranger Glossy Accents to secure the image to the pendant tray and then again on top of the image to secure the cabochon. Glossy Accents dries completely clear very quickly. I usually make sure to press down really, really hard on the cabochon to make sure that there are no air bubbles caught underneath. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQqSaX0l03y7c3KY_1-qEh3ElmDtiHJ3k7rVe3Qa2n4fjWBt5jw7AAOqWLz0_qN0bFLsSO7SDIAUycI-remNo8kig-wJe12LXJVM0SAgZuUu6AOMgr0_-xb5_K5BgMNT_CrBesRSDMSXE/s1600/IMG_5399.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQqSaX0l03y7c3KY_1-qEh3ElmDtiHJ3k7rVe3Qa2n4fjWBt5jw7AAOqWLz0_qN0bFLsSO7SDIAUycI-remNo8kig-wJe12LXJVM0SAgZuUu6AOMgr0_-xb5_K5BgMNT_CrBesRSDMSXE/s320/IMG_5399.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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5. I secured a chain for the necklace. I prefer to wear mine long. So, I purchased these <a href="http://rangerink.com/?product=tim-holtz%C2%AE-idea-ology%E2%84%A2-findingsball-chain" target="_blank">Tim Holtz Idea-ology ball chains</a> that are 36" long. I trimmed it to 25" and added a closure. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiez_15qnK2vXfQfq9crls9hHEX3rg7Gu_G1AoZQBbRRtKxUGN7t_91JTvj7sUJvX6AUQ2vL-c1L2nJbkeShEL4w2qvsTc8krqVhGl2NL5KT9SgFl34MgRMxUxHfFrYn_qkwvio_UQ_W0E/s1600/IMG_5401.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiez_15qnK2vXfQfq9crls9hHEX3rg7Gu_G1AoZQBbRRtKxUGN7t_91JTvj7sUJvX6AUQ2vL-c1L2nJbkeShEL4w2qvsTc8krqVhGl2NL5KT9SgFl34MgRMxUxHfFrYn_qkwvio_UQ_W0E/s320/IMG_5401.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br />Rain Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02096189812084868090noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2689368265154630624.post-2013165201676127142013-11-22T22:52:00.001-05:002013-11-22T22:52:27.678-05:00Another Awesome ExchangeI did it again. <br />
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I signed up for another "swap."<br />
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I'm obsessed. It's possibly an illness. But it's all for a good cause.<br />
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This one was the <a href="http://www.itsjustemmy.com/p/a-handmade-christmas-exchange.html" target="_blank">It's Just Emmy Christmas Exchange</a>, aka #ijechristmasexchange. It cost $5 to participate and all of that money goes to help a family adopt a child. You can read all about it on her blog. She hasn't announced another exchange yet, possibly because she just brought home her sweet new baby girl, Georgia. <br />
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The idea for this exchange was to make something that your buddy could replicate and give out as Christmas gifts. <br />
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I was indecisive.<br />
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I like to make things - all kinds of things. So, I made as many as I could in the time I had.<br />
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In the end, I included 3 homemade items, plus handmade pom pons (just for fun) and a little something extra, a <a href="http://blog.basicgrey.com/?p=10568" target="_blank">Basic Grey 25th & Pine Capture book</a> with embellies so my buddy could have a December Daily. <br />
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<a href="http://blog.basicgrey.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/35.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="332" src="http://blog.basicgrey.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/35.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I'll detail how I created each of the other gifts in separate posts, so I can be detailed. And include pictures. And have a little more time. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbqMXGOi27ZywOIFC30MVwd8ONGIAmuwtDfStF8l6wmJQET5LwT1EJthzSDexDoJOHPUFJ1q2U16iQ8n1Ep75jF3F7Hcxjk-bZJUQAYStF7Jkaog1ZteWJoegtriVCJPhWqyQ8UnqUnqo/s1600/Snowman+candy+bar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbqMXGOi27ZywOIFC30MVwd8ONGIAmuwtDfStF8l6wmJQET5LwT1EJthzSDexDoJOHPUFJ1q2U16iQ8n1Ep75jF3F7Hcxjk-bZJUQAYStF7Jkaog1ZteWJoegtriVCJPhWqyQ8UnqUnqo/s320/Snowman+candy+bar.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Gift 1. Snowman Candy Bar. </blockquote>
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This isn't a picture of the one I sent. I forgot to take a picture of it. This is another (slightly different) version. </blockquote>
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Gift 2. Christmas Necklace. </blockquote>
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This is just the beginnings of the necklace. I mailed off the exchange before taking a picture of the finished product. I'll be recreating this necklace again tomorrow and I'll post pictures along with a tutorial. </blockquote>
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<br />A sneak peek of the graphic I used in the necklace. I created this using Rhonna Designs app. </blockquote>
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Gift 3. Wall Art. </blockquote>
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I created the chalk art print using the Rhonna Designs app and printed it at 8x8" where I work, Archiver's. The wooden plaque is stained with Pewter Distress Stain. Below it you can see a little corner of the wall art I created using a photo of my sweet grand baby. </blockquote>
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<br />Rain Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02096189812084868090noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2689368265154630624.post-79287287489294394782013-09-05T14:15:00.001-04:002013-09-05T14:15:43.189-04:00Mugswap2013<div style="text-align: center;">
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I did something really fun.</h3>
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Really, it's kind of ridiculous how much fun it was.<br />
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I was part of #Mugswap2013 hosted by <a href="http://www.acuppakim.com/" target="_blank">A Cuppa Kim</a>. <br />
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The way this works, in case you don't know, is that we all pretty much throw our names in a virtual hat and each of us is given the name of someone that we should send a mug. Folks were asked to provide a little basic info about themselves, their Instagram name, blog address, etc. Until your mug arrives, you have no idea who is your sender! You only know who you are sending to!<br />
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The person I was assigned to send a mug only said that she was a pretty happy person and would love anything. Her Instagram account had 0 posted pictures and her blog was mainly posts about running times and workouts.<br />
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I initially set out to find a great Runner's Mug! But, despite hours and hours of online shopping, I really couldn't find anything that seemed special.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyPLKfX_MNoD9ZmcDv-Qz-w5mPx1JwLzqREZHjxhgLApqBIKuseDVOdFUUpf3Hanr5HqawrMrvaAkIIjIOYbPDKhv_VZVgOQ2AW11z3BJnHNXTCVr0JjLV4JNjqqN3MwZmOoPOeFsmue8/s1600/run+mug.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyPLKfX_MNoD9ZmcDv-Qz-w5mPx1JwLzqREZHjxhgLApqBIKuseDVOdFUUpf3Hanr5HqawrMrvaAkIIjIOYbPDKhv_VZVgOQ2AW11z3BJnHNXTCVr0JjLV4JNjqqN3MwZmOoPOeFsmue8/s320/run+mug.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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See, not special.</div>
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So, I hit the streets!<br />
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I tried Anthropologie, World Market, TJ Max, Marshall's, Specialty Gift Shops, Art Galleries... The hunt was a blast! I found a whole bunch of lovely mugs... but not THE mug.<br />
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See... lovely.</div>
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In the last moments before I had to pick up Baby Girl from school, I drove to the Square in Marietta to see if there was a quaint gift shop that might have a great mug. I noticed Dupree's, the antique shop. There is never parking on the Square in Marietta. Never. But, just as I rolled around, the spot directly in front on Dupree's opened up. Not only that, but I was actually able to successfully parallel park my gargantuan "mini" van in the spot with only one smooth move. I don't really believe in "signs" - as in signs from "fate" that something was meant to be... but if I did, I'd say this was a sign!<br />
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See, there's a shot from inside the front door of Dupree's </div>
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looking upon my van. Could NOT have been closer!</div>
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I had a great time looking through all of the cool stuff the shop had to offer -- it's a big shop! But I knew I'd found the mug when I stumbled upon this beauty. <br />
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I know, I know, some folks think she's creepy, but I think she's lovely! And, to top it all off, I fell in love with a vintage tin that I snagged to pack her in. <br />
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So, I wrapped her in tissue and nestled her amongst hand-made pompoms and tucked her into the tin.<br />
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I put the tin in a large box that was mostly-filled with halfway blown up balloons and added a few Kind Bars, a gourmet chocolate bar and some other goodies. <br />
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I couldn't bear to leave the box unadorned... Then, off she went on her journey to Florida. <br />
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I started stalking the mail carrier. Waiting for my mug. I had so much fun on my journey to find the perfect mug for my partner I had forgotten to wonder what I'd be receiving... until the giving was over! <br />
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Days and days and days passed and still no mug. And then, one day, a sweet e-mail from a stranger who hadn't heard from me that I'd received my mug. She'd shipped it a while back and received confirmation of delivery. I searched the house - interrogated the kids and hubby. No one had seen a box come to the door. Until.... my hubby checked the mail box. There, shoved inside, was a box. It had been there for several days as the postal carrier shoved mail in around it. I'd never considered that the carrier would shove it in my mail box... I'd expected it to come to the door! Not to mention, I didn't realize that no one was checking mail.<br />
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I CANNOT TELL YOU HOW EXCITED I WAS!!!<br />
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I anxiously opened the box and the perfect mug was nestled in a blanket of bubble wrap. <br />
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Isn't she perfect? </div>
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A sweet note by e-mail from her sender said that she hoped it represented my love of comics and being a mom. I don't know if she spent as much time pouring over my blog, Instagram, Pinterest, etc. as I did over my partner's, but she nailed me. And, each day I've enjoyed a special cup of coffee and remember that somewhere out there is someone I've never met who - at least for a moment - totally got me. It was a pretty cool day!<br />
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As of yet, I haven't heard back from my mug's intended recipient. I hope both she and the mug are safe and so happy together there hasn't been time for a note in return! But probably she's just busy training for her next marathon and being a mom to a cute bunch of kiddos and that's okay!<br />
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<a href="http://www.acuppakim.com/" title="Mug Swap!"><img alt="Mug Swap!" src="http://i1087.photobucket.com/albums/j472/CuppaKim/4c850227-5bb0-4159-ba5c-0200ea9fe64e.jpg" style="border: none;" /></a></div>
Rain Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02096189812084868090noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2689368265154630624.post-19075431514908929612013-07-24T21:15:00.003-04:002013-07-24T21:15:52.720-04:00Plate LickingTonight I made a meal I found on Pinterest: BBQ Pot Roast with Cheddar Grits. <br />
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It was a HUGE success. <br />
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At least for me and the hubby. Baby Girl did not care for it, but, then again, it wasn't chicken nuggets and pizza. What does she know. She's 11.<br />
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Here is the <a href="http://www.plainchicken.com/2012/05/bbq-pot-roast-over-cheddar-ranch-grits.html" target="_blank">original recipe from Plain Chicken </a> I changed a few things and omitted a couple things to make it a little more "clean" and Gluten Free. So, below is the recipe as I prepared it. Next time I'll take pictures and update this post.<br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>BBQ Pot Roast over Cheddar Grits</b></span></h4>
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<u>The Roast</u><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">2 tsp Goya Adobo (I use Goya brand because it doesn't have MSG)</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">1/2 tsp pepper</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">1 (3-4 lb.) boneless beef roast (mine was a grass-fed bottom round)</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">1 (12 oz) can coke</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">1 (12 oz) bottle chili sauce</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">2 Tbsp worcestershire sauce</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">2 tsp Sriracha</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Coat the roast with a good sprinkling of Adobo and black pepper. Place roast in slow cooker. Combine coke, chili sauce, worcestershire and Sriracha; pour over roast. Cover and cook on high 5-6 hours or on low 8-9 hours.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Remove roast from slow cooker, reserving juices; keep roast warm. Pour Juices into a pan and reduce until it thickens a bit. Pour thickened juices into a gravy separator (if you don't have one, just skim any fat off the top of the juices and use those - it's just adding a little moisture and flavor)</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px; text-decoration: underline;"><b>The Grits</b></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">1 cup quick cook grits (not instant)</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">2 cups chicken broth </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><i></i></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">1 cup water</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">1/2 - 2/3 c Half and Half or Heavy Cream</span></div>
<span style="color: #232323; font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 0px;">1 1/2 - 2 cup shredded cheddar cheese (buy good cheese and shred it yourself, the pre-shredded </span><span style="font-size: 14px;">cheese</span><span style="font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 0px;"> is just nasty!)</span></span><br />
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Bring Broth, water and salt to a rolling boil, add grits and stir. Cover and cook on medium for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. (at this point I also stirred in cream, then added the cheese) and continued to cook for about 4 more minutes on med.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #232323; font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 0px;">Place grits in the bottom of a shallow bowl, top with beef and pour reserved juices over top. Serve hot!</span></span><br />
Rain Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02096189812084868090noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2689368265154630624.post-50933096035479393032013-05-13T21:12:00.003-04:002013-05-13T21:27:36.157-04:00Very Quick and Easy Hydrangea Wreath Tutorial<span style="font-family: inherit;">The hydrangea wreath I mentioned in my last post was so super east to make, that I went out today, bought the supplies and made an additional one to give to my mother-in-law. It took me 41 minutes from the very start to completion (yes, I actually timed it!). The total cost was around $31, because the hydrangea "bushes" were on sale 60% off at Joann's and I was able to use a 50% off coupon for both the ribbon and the wreath form.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I have to give credit to <a href="http://www.vanessachristenson.com/2011/08/v-and-co-how-to-hydrangea-wreath.html" target="_blank">V & Co. Blog</a> for the original idea and general </span>instructions that I followed on my first wreath. I tweaked them just a little for the second wreath, so here's the instructions for that. <br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Here's the finished product, so you know what we're aiming for!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJwW2Lp28jcggp2WnhPH0FDmz3FnJp4u-MQGx-d_IA_1pH0cmrsdCDsJlkAnW1NerysBWDqJzK7Z4zLQYUpN27tepEyIEdzVbf51h2zw9SM8EtoGvOo1JWiE323-1xXtf0T0S1NfiaKjc/s1600/IMG_4013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJwW2Lp28jcggp2WnhPH0FDmz3FnJp4u-MQGx-d_IA_1pH0cmrsdCDsJlkAnW1NerysBWDqJzK7Z4zLQYUpN27tepEyIEdzVbf51h2zw9SM8EtoGvOo1JWiE323-1xXtf0T0S1NfiaKjc/s400/IMG_4013.JPG" title="hydrangea wreath close up" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGbEc8iKOJeYRfJIHL6eGfpBFZtVFIwUfl1-JpyvzoMHsp4ExDldELxdAbubP0kbvMyKkLETR-a3r_dxyimSbZ7W7wbUN_ujO0kqNJHzBae0sd18Udga41NuZnOijxvzRj05AJBBomsGs/s1600/IMG_4009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGbEc8iKOJeYRfJIHL6eGfpBFZtVFIwUfl1-JpyvzoMHsp4ExDldELxdAbubP0kbvMyKkLETR-a3r_dxyimSbZ7W7wbUN_ujO0kqNJHzBae0sd18Udga41NuZnOijxvzRj05AJBBomsGs/s400/IMG_4009.JPG" title="hydrangea wreath on front door" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Supplies:</span></h3>
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<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">5-6 hydrangea "bushes" from the silk flower section of your local craft store</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">14" grapevine wreath</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">2 yd satin ribbon</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">wire cutters</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">scissors</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">hot glue gun and about 4 glue sticks</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">These are the "bushes" I bought. They were originally $9.99, each. I used 5 on the first wreath and 6 on the second one. I have no idea why I needed more for the second one!</span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8FyNATpH1_sVihHhyoW8_WdhqLBWk-aKink0LbkL1KH8VZgDcCRypepfzVXmlpYTH9Vy17XxBcswANQheWjBCBssxlr5k7wOuvZEXShUBtWhAi_hjUUwD0E0qs0PynX9SVEqDuIIfqAg/s1600/IMG_4047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8FyNATpH1_sVihHhyoW8_WdhqLBWk-aKink0LbkL1KH8VZgDcCRypepfzVXmlpYTH9Vy17XxBcswANQheWjBCBssxlr5k7wOuvZEXShUBtWhAi_hjUUwD0E0qs0PynX9SVEqDuIIfqAg/s400/IMG_4047.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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Here's the grapevine wreath. I had a difficult time finding a 14" wreath. But the 12 looked too small and the 18 too big, so I hunted until I found one. If you like a bigger wreath, get a bigger one and a couple more bushes!</blockquote>
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The supplies. You'll notice I use a "low temp" hot glue gun. I am far too clumsy to use a hot melt one! I only needed to burn myself once to realize that I shouldn't be allowed to wield a hot melt gun. I've never had any problems with the glue not holding or anything like that!</blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv_COJ-JOAuVj1diWfE0NHiTZ6GC-9Au_ps_kjNjFw9TB7Gxysh8kfM5jKGy2nT5EEbUHUNssAf596274f_4i_Yw6o2gQNj1OgEcJrRuIPpXP6FYOJUAbBArxRlbN3MdB6morcNzS5BAk/s1600/IMG_4049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv_COJ-JOAuVj1diWfE0NHiTZ6GC-9Au_ps_kjNjFw9TB7Gxysh8kfM5jKGy2nT5EEbUHUNssAf596274f_4i_Yw6o2gQNj1OgEcJrRuIPpXP6FYOJUAbBArxRlbN3MdB6morcNzS5BAk/s400/IMG_4049.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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Using wire cutters, snip each bloom leaving about 2" of stem. You need enough to get it to stick into the wreath, but not so much that it protrudes too far out the back. </blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6rRMmQMxya1j9X3sj1WKFz0ugFV179Y-rmsjrW1-A7kMSjzBeyuVG2M1tTRaidfxtJuD4UejcF21rdNH4bP0wq0yg1C38hJLUcf0o9-vQ_i3bh_8FvW9yYUEj236ELCUuZeTkR1zSfrc/s1600/IMG_4051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6rRMmQMxya1j9X3sj1WKFz0ugFV179Y-rmsjrW1-A7kMSjzBeyuVG2M1tTRaidfxtJuD4UejcF21rdNH4bP0wq0yg1C38hJLUcf0o9-vQ_i3bh_8FvW9yYUEj236ELCUuZeTkR1zSfrc/s400/IMG_4051.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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Begin arranging the blooms in the wreath, poking them in through the woven grapevine. Don't glue them in yet. I found that I needed to do some rearranging after I got the blooms all in. Pay special attention to the inner and outer edges. The wreath won't look lush and full if you don't cover all of the visible grapevine. <br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbfnejhOo6zadWNdcLI3u-VPbx4p_d7DqdKiTkaZ1ZR-OcnDLaLp076k8swX-3GWiRHWdOklTeOQ6hyAjV6ifePZrZFaBksV8uPZP6TMwNZkSywfhYPoqKvEiJp9vVcB1GfpuiXQzkoHM/s1600/IMG_4052.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbfnejhOo6zadWNdcLI3u-VPbx4p_d7DqdKiTkaZ1ZR-OcnDLaLp076k8swX-3GWiRHWdOklTeOQ6hyAjV6ifePZrZFaBksV8uPZP6TMwNZkSywfhYPoqKvEiJp9vVcB1GfpuiXQzkoHM/s400/IMG_4052.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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Once you have everything as you like it, flip the wreath over and begin glueing from the back. I use a LOT of glue. I mean a LOT. It's an issue I'm addressing and trying to overcome. You may not need as much!</blockquote>
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See all of that glue?</blockquote>
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After you glue all of the stems that you can see (and you probably won't be able to see them all from the back, that's okay) flip the wreath back over and give each bloom a gentle tug. If the bloom moves, dig down under the petals and find where the stem meets the wreath and glue it. </blockquote>
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Once all the blooms are secure, loop a ribbon through it. I simply glued the edges together and pushed the seam to the back. Then tie a bow and you're ready to hang it!</blockquote>
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Please let me see your creations!</div>
<br />Rain Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02096189812084868090noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2689368265154630624.post-40699221873197742492013-05-08T22:18:00.000-04:002013-05-13T21:14:40.970-04:00I. Am. Not. A. Crafter.<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I like to create things. Not like in the science lab - although, truth be know, I was a Chem major... but that's not what I'm talking about here. I'm talking about that kind of creation that some might call "Crafting."</span><br />
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Blech.</span><br />
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I don't like that word. crafting. Crayons, Elmer's Glue, Macaroni and tempera paint... that's the stuff of crafting. Oh - and that weird plastic "canvas" that you can weave yarn through to make tissue covers... those are crafts.</span><br />
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My creations are of wool roving, comic book pages, discarded wood, yarn, flowers (fake and real), beautiful papers, and a whole lot of hot glue. But, whether you call it craft, art, or simply creation - I like to make stuff. Weird stuff, cool stuff, pretty stuff... just about any stuff.</span><br />
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You see, that's my difficulty. I like to make just about ANYTHING. I've discovered that I tend to pick up a new medium, play around with it for a while, make a few things and then move on to something else. This means that I end up with a of of random pieces of stuff: hand-made pompoms, needle-felted flowers, skeins of yarn half-used in knitting, loads of gorgeous papers, metal keys, jump rings.... you get the picture. </span><br />
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I've finally found something to do with all those weird little left-over bits.</span><br />
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Wreaths!</span><br />
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This one is a straw form wrapped with black and white yarn. I added the beautiful woll pompoms that I made in my pompom-making frenzy in mid-2012. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj17sQesFIQQxRAmZMOZqFwsQj3LYGGrG9ntI9E6k9Sd5mcOMB-wu3Z8-Le79486f80mKE2fSW0c1fh85BYqpM7Qh6UZdNelITMfCXtf62KcRx6Knp2IesDZz_0RkFjbTRCBJL29PezuIU/s1600/IMG_3745.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj17sQesFIQQxRAmZMOZqFwsQj3LYGGrG9ntI9E6k9Sd5mcOMB-wu3Z8-Le79486f80mKE2fSW0c1fh85BYqpM7Qh6UZdNelITMfCXtf62KcRx6Knp2IesDZz_0RkFjbTRCBJL29PezuIU/s320/IMG_3745.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The close-up is not only a little blurry (sorry) but it's also a little pollen-covered. I'd just pulled it in after having on the front door throughout pollen season. If you haven't lived through Spring in Georgia, then you may not realize that it "pollens" here like it snows in Minnesota. We get a nice, thick, even covering of yellow dust on everything.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Here's the newest wreath. The only "left-over" thing about this wreath, however, is the grapevine wreath form. I've had it for years. The flowers, however, were just Hydrangea "bushes" from JoAnn's. 60% off this week. I just wanted some hydrangeas - and every attempt I've made to plant them has failed miserably! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">In case you want to make one like this - it's super simple. Really. I might not even mind if you called it just a "craft!" It was so easy, in fact, that I ended up making a second one for my Mother-in-law. I followed some of the ideas at the <a href="http://www.vanessachristenson.com/2011/08/v-and-co-how-to-hydrangea-wreath.html" target="_blank">V. and Co</a> blog, but if you want to know exactly how I did it, check out <a href="http://roseroserainrose.blogspot.com/2013/05/very-quick-and-easy-hydrangea-wreath.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">my tutorial here</span></a>. I got the flowers on sale at 60% off and used a coupon for 50% off one item for the ribbon at Joann's then purchased the grapevine wreath from Michael's using a 50% off coupon. So, all told I spent $31 for this beautiful wreath!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I like it!</span></div>
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<br />Rain Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02096189812084868090noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2689368265154630624.post-20983291325434869362012-12-09T23:02:00.001-05:002012-12-09T23:02:30.158-05:00It's Not Just About My Kid Singing... Really... It's NotFor World Church Day, on November 11, Baby Girl sang with the Young Musicians at FBCW. There's also a pretty moving message from an Egyptian pastor on the Persecuted Church which is definitely worth listening to. But seriously, isn't she so super cute?!?<br />
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<a href="http://mediasuite.multicastmedia.com/player.php?v=i97jj63g&video_uuid=i97jj63g" target="_blank">Click Here to see</a>.Rain Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02096189812084868090noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2689368265154630624.post-9295729851700201212012-10-14T21:39:00.002-04:002012-10-14T21:39:40.365-04:00Fall Festival BasketEach year our school hosts a Fall Festival. Each class is asked to donate a basket for a raffle - and this year our classroom parents were so super generous in their donations, that , coupled with some great coupons that I found, netted a HUGE basket valued at more than $220!<br />
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and... here's a close up!<br />
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It's difficult to get a concept of just how large this basket is -- but for reference, it's sitting in a large Rubbermaid storage tub and, while sitting on my table, the top nearly reaches the lighting fixture on my ceiling.<br /><br />If you're interested, it'll be available at the Fall Festival at Carmel Elementary on October 20 from 1-5 p.m.<br />
<br />Rain Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02096189812084868090noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2689368265154630624.post-27778388192889153302012-03-19T15:50:00.000-04:002012-03-19T15:50:25.623-04:00Hopefully, The Force *IS* With Him - and Brings Him Home!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOHsznZKrHHmnJ5cfzBcynpmnxUb1y0JD9TxlzYsQWQdNvb81IZGurUixv4bv9uldndvLRZsBneAiQ_gm7l20FQms8CK02baqSerOLYjc3gi-0rlkksKPtck-xQZle0ZMFLobIB9XoHy8/s1600/Obi+low+res.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="309" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOHsznZKrHHmnJ5cfzBcynpmnxUb1y0JD9TxlzYsQWQdNvb81IZGurUixv4bv9uldndvLRZsBneAiQ_gm7l20FQms8CK02baqSerOLYjc3gi-0rlkksKPtck-xQZle0ZMFLobIB9XoHy8/s320/Obi+low+res.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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I realize that this is a most unlikely way to find a lost dog, but I thought, what the heck - I have space and a little time - I'll let the world - or at least the small portion of the world who reads my blog - know about my dear, sweet dog Obi, who is currently missing. <br />
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Our sweet, slightly hyper, 3-year-old yellow lab mix dog got lost on Sunday evening 3/18/12 at Rope Mill Park in Woodstock, GA. He's very friendly, up-to-date on shots, and micro-chipped. Please don't be afraid to approach him. He answers to the name "Obi" and is very sweet and friendly. If anyone sees him, please call Lorraine at (404) 580-3800, Jimmy at (404) 580-9663, Michael at (404) 863-3811 or Joey at (404) 863-5611.<br />
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You can also take him to any local vet or Animal Shelter. They will scan him and be able to retrieve our contact information from that. Please spread the word. <span class="messageBody"> </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6vnRU9O5wpclYS0edU4r_elsRRkoNxgkSF0PM4YlHdr-CwR-4TtgEGxPIWEmAEy4H7QwMSX3wemafT5zVTgVq6ybU1dPjJrX_Wlr-MrQQsSDBWr0kmCm3lO9btly78RcdQtIWS9oihVQ/s1600/Obi+Closeup+Low+Res.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="303" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6vnRU9O5wpclYS0edU4r_elsRRkoNxgkSF0PM4YlHdr-CwR-4TtgEGxPIWEmAEy4H7QwMSX3wemafT5zVTgVq6ybU1dPjJrX_Wlr-MrQQsSDBWr0kmCm3lO9btly78RcdQtIWS9oihVQ/s320/Obi+Closeup+Low+Res.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span class="messageBody">He's a very strong and physically-fit dog, so he could have traveled miles and miles by now. Our fear at this point is that someone has found him and doesn't think he has a home, so we're trying to spread the word.</span>Rain Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02096189812084868090noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2689368265154630624.post-67517799869831099042012-03-08T16:20:00.003-05:002012-03-08T16:43:41.739-05:00In Defense of STOP KONY 2012<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Y4MnpzG5Sqc" width="560"></iframe><br />
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Recently I've become a part of a global movement called STOP KONY 2012. I'd love you to learn about it, watch the video and join the movement. But, today's blog post is a response to the criticism of the movement. <br />
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While the Invisible Children organization has made and official response, which I link to below, here’s my not-so-humble response:<br />
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While I can appreciate what <a href="http://thedailywh.at/2012/03/07/on-kony-2012-2/" target="_blank">this blogger</a> has to say, the truth, when you really get down to the bare facts are, that we - and other countries - have stood by while horrific regimes of rebels and governments have enslaved, mutilated and murdered their people. Like the Kony 2012 documentarians and the Invisible Children organization, I have become fed-up with the inaction of our government and other well-meaning humanitarian groups. While we sit back and wait for someone to come up with a perfect plan - a “clean” way to rid this world of such atrocious evil - the same evil we all agree needs to stop - continues to steal, rape and mutilate innocent children and kill their parents. This is not an issue new to me just in the past three days since the launch of the KONY 2012 campaign. This is not a sudden occurrence, it's just a campaign that has recently launched. We've waited around long enough for the non-existent "perfect plan" while thousands of men, women and children have been brutally victimized. <br />
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I absolutely agree that it is critical to investigate a group or a cause before jumping both feet onto a bandwagon. But while it is irresponsible to blindly forward campaign propaganda (like from the KONY 2012 folks), it is also ill-advised to simply Google the cause and forward the negative opinion of the first few bloggers that come up. Every cause will have its opponents - and it’s critical that they do. It’s important to call into question the motives and actions of any groups seeking support. I have seen this link (above) and links to other blogs where the same verbiage - almost exactly verbatim - has been posted. There are a few people out there who have basically sought to undermine this cause - and they are gaining momentum. <br />
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The Invisible Children organization may not be perfect and may not have the perfect plan, but they are motivating an entire world and putting the face of evil in front of the people of the world in a way that no one has before. Yes, they spend a large portion of their money on travel and film costs - they are documentary filmmaker - that's what they do and they don't hide that. They do not claim to be a relief organization. <br />
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What is a reasonable marketing budget for a campaign that has reached millions of people across diverse geographic, political, age and economic lines? For instance, their entire budget is dwarfed by the political budgets of any presidential candidate, who consider a campaigns successful if they manage to motivate a mere 20% of the US registered to voters. <br />
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The Invisible Children organization revenue from 2011 was just under half of what Mitt Romney and the Super Pacs supporting him have already spent on his campaign. Both of these are marketing campaigns, and <b>one</b> has had a mammoth impact globally in just three days. I can't see how that's an unreasonable expenditure.<br />
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An additional criticism has been that their tactics are to work with the Ugandan Military, which is, itself, wrought with accusations of gross human rights violations. It was not the Invisible Children organization, but rather, President Barack Obama who deployed combat-equipped team of U.S. military personnel to Uganda with the express purpose to, “act as advisors to partner forces that have the goal of removing from the battlefield Joseph Kony and other senior leadership of the LRA.” according to the October 14, 2011 letter he issued to the Speaker of the House of Representatives. <br />
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I think it’s important to continue to look at the KONY 2012 campaign and make certain that they are not found to be acting in unethical and illegal manners. I think it’s important to continue to dialog about this movement. But I’m not willing to throw out the whole campaign because some professor wrote a blog post and says that they spend a lot of money doing exactly what they say they do, rather than what he wishes they did. The KONY 2012 goal, as stated on in their official response to criticism is: <br />
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Invisible Children, in its statement, clarifies that the groups has a three-pronged mission:<br />
1. Document and make the world aware of the LRA. This includes making documentary films and touring these films around the world so that they are seen for free by millions of people.<br />
2. Channeling the energy and awareness from informed viewers of IC films into large scale advocacy campaigns that have mobilized the international community to stop the LRA and protect civilians.<br />
3. Operate programs on the ground in the LRA-affected areas to provide protection, rehabilitation and development assistance.<br />
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So, after my thorough and ongoing research, I have personally decided that unless evidence changes, I fully support the Invisible Children organization in its efforts to STOP KONY 2012, because I think that the time for politics and bickering is over and it’s time for the people of the world to call for the end to this atrocity... and then move right on to the next atrocity, until the children of the world can sleep safely without the constant terror of abduction and enslavement. <br />
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<a href="http://s3.amazonaws.com/www.invisiblechildren.com/critiques.html" target="_blank">Click Here</a> to read the Invisible Children Official Response to Criticism<br />
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<a href="http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2011/10/14/letter-president-speaker-house-representatives-and-president-pro-tempore" target="_blank">Click Here</a> for the Letter from President Barack Obama to the House of RepresentativesRain Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02096189812084868090noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2689368265154630624.post-22212116128994241562011-09-04T19:58:00.000-04:002011-09-04T19:58:44.005-04:00Verb - It's What's Happening<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ5rIgv6NB0aBf3lO2UuPEUobqcDcC2DQ8xm_uWjUAg7d-tUvWFDieOSY6zr_01peumr12spvtjL0y1Alcte0lZkRhZHeNgF2O6zUQAqh-sUnGHz1OSaWp3vMncqJ6_L_91hPk25CIJC8/s1600/Love+is+a+Verb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ5rIgv6NB0aBf3lO2UuPEUobqcDcC2DQ8xm_uWjUAg7d-tUvWFDieOSY6zr_01peumr12spvtjL0y1Alcte0lZkRhZHeNgF2O6zUQAqh-sUnGHz1OSaWp3vMncqJ6_L_91hPk25CIJC8/s400/Love+is+a+Verb.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Rain Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02096189812084868090noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2689368265154630624.post-53493476204405868752011-06-12T02:04:00.001-04:002011-06-12T02:16:13.484-04:00Ridiculous Fun for a Great ReasonSo, I've decided to drag my family - kicking and screaming, if necessary - into an era of whimsy and happiness. <br />
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In an effort to expedite the fun and whimsy, we've re-painted my drab walls a fluffy light yellow color known as "Winter Wheat," we've purchased a light blue sofa so enormous nearly everyone we know can sit on it simultaneously. <br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;">See how enormous that sofa is? Tonight's fun had Jimmy and I plus three teens sprawled out watching Dr. Who and iCarly... <br />
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We've also rediscovered some of our favorite "Outsider Art" that we'd collected early in our married life but for some reason tucked away for years. I think we subconsciously knew we'd need a season of un-fun in order to appreciate this new season of whimsy and happiness. <br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;">See. Whimsical. We got this awesome rooster at an antique and oddities store in Chattanooga. He's cool.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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I just love this little guy. He makes me smile!<br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;">Ok, admittedly, these guys tend to disturb some folks, but they make *me* happy. I know, I embrace my strangeness. These are by an artist named Todd Marone. He does some really interesting stuff. We were lucky enough to find these paintings on eBay pretty early in his career, so they were affordable. <br />
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Another part of our formerly fun and soon-to-be-newly-whimsical-and-happical life is that we're doing a show! Yes, you heard correctly! A show, as in theater! As in doing something that is actual real-life fun! Huzzah!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.foreverfed.org/DeathByChocolate"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUU5oBZpXNCQCfkFtJjCBmRHADknk2D7Vc6Y0QiKzju_4NtV2tR_OG10COMrpLQAE9VDe0-DVF_TpLc2hhWK0F1Nqn76Qe13R4qFO6h0GF1raw_FXVdwSOxYJO8s6Rh8WHAxuNAIWZdgw/s640/Death+By+Chocolate+Graphic.jpg" width="494" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">On Friday and Saturday, July 22 and 23, Jimmy and I, along with a bunch of our goofy friends will be producing Death By Chocolate, a murder-mystery dinner show. AND - not only will it be ridiculously funny, it's a fundraiser for an amazing ministry we're a part of: Forever Fed, Inc. which is a mobile food ministry dedicated to feeding the hungry in North Georgia. </div><br />
Forever Fed isn't just a soup kitchen where folks line up hours in advance for an opportunity to have some stuff plopped on a plate as they pass by (not to dog on those ministries - people need food...). But, Forever Fed takes the food TO THE HUNGRY - in places where there are concentrations of hungry folks. And, the meals are GOOD! Yum-O! Last week alone Forever Fed provided 1045 meals. That's amazing! And it's all done by these awesome volunteers who have a huge heart to share the love of our amazing God though feeding folks who otherwise wouldn't have a healthy meal.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj59uMvYoxxO6tqZWbhmHEA1y0ghZslx3RW1p1anxuBBdtZwpb5N1CaGkM6I3qhx0AFm1UxR-9UVPWMXlfEiZ7khJjHB1GqIcwTTyZXvdoINs5Mt4AqsBPmZu_Q30Ua_eYS87vemHX_zv0/s1600/183040_1869026487837_1306342796_32211469_7153000_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj59uMvYoxxO6tqZWbhmHEA1y0ghZslx3RW1p1anxuBBdtZwpb5N1CaGkM6I3qhx0AFm1UxR-9UVPWMXlfEiZ7khJjHB1GqIcwTTyZXvdoINs5Mt4AqsBPmZu_Q30Ua_eYS87vemHX_zv0/s320/183040_1869026487837_1306342796_32211469_7153000_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Here we are standing in front of the truck during one of the school breaks, making healthy lunches for the kids in a local apartment complex where they often don't have enough to eat. On this day we probably provided close to 100 lunches (each of which had enough food for 2 days).<br />
<br />
So, head on over to <a href="http://www.foreverfed.org/DeathByChocolate">this page</a> to buy your tickets to see our show! Not only will you have a ridiculously fun time and a great meal, but you can take a stab (pun intended) at making me break character -- now it's worth the $35 just for that, right???Rain Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02096189812084868090noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2689368265154630624.post-41172874941981678742011-04-02T00:30:00.002-04:002011-04-02T21:46:18.880-04:00MY Method of Keeping 100% Up-To-Date on Scrapbooking<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq4tyamkbWkoddZAhEsWqvoPUPjDO94LAo2CMgQ5gfcyLtGwtbTWMpPhzYWsSdz3pPqarxH58nDKhSJZPvQ76RS3UnCQwJSpjNt50JagdLdqrKv46R5lcXGQGyYhOkrufRrvqCgfs966Y/s1600/IMG_1138.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq4tyamkbWkoddZAhEsWqvoPUPjDO94LAo2CMgQ5gfcyLtGwtbTWMpPhzYWsSdz3pPqarxH58nDKhSJZPvQ76RS3UnCQwJSpjNt50JagdLdqrKv46R5lcXGQGyYhOkrufRrvqCgfs966Y/s320/IMG_1138.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I enjoy scrapbooking. I love taking the time to make beautiful layouts of pictures of my adorable kids, my dogs, our house, etc. It's my way of wallowing in the memories and clinging to those tiny little toes and wet noses and the long-ago moments before kids when my house was clean. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtvJMQzhbHjvg1o8_Me2gTE40NvOaqz0JEaFevtWDh3g3iyJD6xgdHzms2LjvCMN-vJh-pSt1Htxa9yMgwUkBC1Mh91zDO_3ETyjwAqGapqaXTk2kl1b6cQTcCwJFRP9loikqYLiZHikk/s1600/IMG_1148.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtvJMQzhbHjvg1o8_Me2gTE40NvOaqz0JEaFevtWDh3g3iyJD6xgdHzms2LjvCMN-vJh-pSt1Htxa9yMgwUkBC1Mh91zDO_3ETyjwAqGapqaXTk2kl1b6cQTcCwJFRP9loikqYLiZHikk/s400/IMG_1148.JPG" width="400" /></a> </div><br />
See How beautiful she is? The background paper is hand inked and colored by me. This takes time. Lots of time. <br />
<br />
Here's the problem: If I make beautiful layouts of each of the photos I take, I end up approximately 9 1/2 years behind. This is NOT an exaggeration. It's a fact. And it makes finding photos for school projects quite difficult.<br />
<br />
So, now I have found a solution!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfp1-0zQPgDaYb1-G-O68xQYK7rHLKlJb3ffvVxMUjEyb-xg_EP0F2VrLW33S_2pc7WPj2I44k-AJu74jaWX2uOmR5Xu7Cp3E53Yrjrm3z6d2cDvu_bRBRqPD13mG_ocAi5DA1eJHAcPo/s1600/IMG_1141.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfp1-0zQPgDaYb1-G-O68xQYK7rHLKlJb3ffvVxMUjEyb-xg_EP0F2VrLW33S_2pc7WPj2I44k-AJu74jaWX2uOmR5Xu7Cp3E53Yrjrm3z6d2cDvu_bRBRqPD13mG_ocAi5DA1eJHAcPo/s400/IMG_1141.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
And yes, I'll share it with you. <br />
<br />
<br />
<u>Here are my raw materials: </u><br />
<ul><li>iPhoto (or photo organization software of choice)</li>
<li>Shutterfly (an online photo printing source, that has cool tools) </li>
<li>We R Memory Keepers Binders</li>
<li> We R Memory Keepers Photo Sleeves in different configurations </li>
<li>Traditional Scrapbooking Supplies (paper, scissors, adhesive, embellishments, etc.)</li>
</ul><u>And here's what I do:</u><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX9dYbv2fl5NTtf0R_2cnwWkAFDNuBipzWo_UGltkSPhMNFSf39ecw1ms2Q__apDgjJD2Dr0YCoKQFW3SJOsZyFHQZiQX1q7qoQj8BBCwueRXCtYdswzJ98kDtDZn6sxs69bsfzNn0O9k/s1600/IMG_1150.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div><ol><li> Import all photos into iPhoto (or whatever you use for photo organization). I like iPhoto because it automatically creates "Events" out of any photos taken at the same time, so that's helpful. It keeps stuff together so I don't have to wonder if the picture of Annie eating a Popsicle is from the 4th of July 2010 or her brother's birthday. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX9dYbv2fl5NTtf0R_2cnwWkAFDNuBipzWo_UGltkSPhMNFSf39ecw1ms2Q__apDgjJD2Dr0YCoKQFW3SJOsZyFHQZiQX1q7qoQj8BBCwueRXCtYdswzJ98kDtDZn6sxs69bsfzNn0O9k/s1600/IMG_1150.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX9dYbv2fl5NTtf0R_2cnwWkAFDNuBipzWo_UGltkSPhMNFSf39ecw1ms2Q__apDgjJD2Dr0YCoKQFW3SJOsZyFHQZiQX1q7qoQj8BBCwueRXCtYdswzJ98kDtDZn6sxs69bsfzNn0O9k/s320/IMG_1150.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div></li>
<li>I go through and delete any unnecessary photos (eg accidental photos of the inside of my purse or unnecessary duplicates.)<br />
</li>
<li>I upload all remaining photos to <a href="http://www.shutterfly.com/">Shutterfly</a>, keeping them organized by event, which Shutterfly would call keeping them in separate "Albums." Each major event or season gets its own "Album." In this case, the word "Album" is basically a folder, not an actual "album" that you print. For instance, "Annie's Birthday" or "Fall 2010". <br />
</li>
<li>When Shutterfly has a sale - and they regularly do - I buy a 500 print "card" so tha I can get my prints for a little as like 9 cents or so. You don't have to use all of those prints at one time, use them as you need them. <br />
</li>
<li>When I have some prints to use, I print whatever photos I can. They are shipped to my house. Shutterfly prints the date of the photo on the back, so if it gets out of order, it's easy to put back in place. <br />
</li>
<li>As soon as the photos arrive I immediately slip them into <a href="http://weronthenet.com/sleeves">We R Memory Keepers Photo Sleeves</a>. These are basically page protectors that will fit into the <a href="http://weronthenet.com/albums">We R Memory Keepers 3 Ring Binders</a>. The page protectors are available in a lot of different configurations - because photos come in a lot of different shapes and sizes. So, some sleeves will have slips for six 4x6" landscape photos, or have slips for 2 portrait and 3 landscape pix... they have many different sized slips for photos. So, the photos just slide in. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3KFD_tbQ5flcwh8-wLWxmgK0CO2EoXYxMt5DWT_LIbRMh1Jg5u3emphUyXL55QEoYRbEHd4FGSY-6JS3ekbTqP6jQgd8k1pRwlaVSevSDNcuCBCReCU2FPLhkkEdTicDPGUa4vatsMek/s1600/IMG_1139.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3KFD_tbQ5flcwh8-wLWxmgK0CO2EoXYxMt5DWT_LIbRMh1Jg5u3emphUyXL55QEoYRbEHd4FGSY-6JS3ekbTqP6jQgd8k1pRwlaVSevSDNcuCBCReCU2FPLhkkEdTicDPGUa4vatsMek/s320/IMG_1139.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">But, Rain, these Photo Sleeves sound just like the old photo albums we used to use. So why is this so special???</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
I'll tell you why it's special. It's special because the sleeves come in many combinations, and you can choose what order to use them in your album. AND, you can combine them with full-page Sleeves, which accommodate a 12x12" layout. <br />
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Brilliant!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgalni2uYDs91oHTdQwlm1J-bRC8SzoC8RbKCvnh62PxhGLHYAnqjJAnddsG-1Ym_PwcfvG5loKtI9i2f4avJxZIL4ge7Qt-JrgJ8KYygt1bvBjlvNidAneSQfsephLiWmXWs2WqZyS-g4/s1600/IMG_1147.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgalni2uYDs91oHTdQwlm1J-bRC8SzoC8RbKCvnh62PxhGLHYAnqjJAnddsG-1Ym_PwcfvG5loKtI9i2f4avJxZIL4ge7Qt-JrgJ8KYygt1bvBjlvNidAneSQfsephLiWmXWs2WqZyS-g4/s400/IMG_1147.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfp1-0zQPgDaYb1-G-O68xQYK7rHLKlJb3ffvVxMUjEyb-xg_EP0F2VrLW33S_2pc7WPj2I44k-AJu74jaWX2uOmR5Xu7Cp3E53Yrjrm3z6d2cDvu_bRBRqPD13mG_ocAi5DA1eJHAcPo/s1600/IMG_1141.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div></div></div></li>
<li>This gets the photos into an album right off the bat. So I'm technically never behind and can always look at my photos. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg69lQQ1GKyxtmBOOF0UUDoPW734gxAxKcyV-ZLNJpTIJaGwHUgOxseCzaIbO5JgtHOQuiFDeLYc3jN6PFYxdSunNHpkcm-55w5fmMe19r_0EnD5Uvq4desQwnWJGnyvxdo88JR9BJ7ig/s1600/IMG_1149.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg69lQQ1GKyxtmBOOF0UUDoPW734gxAxKcyV-ZLNJpTIJaGwHUgOxseCzaIbO5JgtHOQuiFDeLYc3jN6PFYxdSunNHpkcm-55w5fmMe19r_0EnD5Uvq4desQwnWJGnyvxdo88JR9BJ7ig/s400/IMG_1149.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfp1-0zQPgDaYb1-G-O68xQYK7rHLKlJb3ffvVxMUjEyb-xg_EP0F2VrLW33S_2pc7WPj2I44k-AJu74jaWX2uOmR5Xu7Cp3E53Yrjrm3z6d2cDvu_bRBRqPD13mG_ocAi5DA1eJHAcPo/s1600/IMG_1141.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsimwjzzkBocyYvYCi9ddEqIXmmEqJ-PSn3Hi_KAFJo-eTSycNALdUi1xG77m0nHjNRetN95IaqeFhyphenhyphenfESyvF5Mymv3oL7uxja_oGCT_8nJMxldcykVg5ERnHwH2gELpa_nqMYZRc9FXA/s1600/IMG_1142.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYKBVL2fPPsyVx7JvjgUHBaxSEs8voj-943Mf9U_Tzlzcd-upZKTv0q3rD1Eat_P9_XI56RuaMzm0U9OzaDLCRzqsbvZXFYzHl6Iu_Fiz0oK-yfwLsaH2UINjJMdvIwLrBHaUFDeVHLPQ/s1600/IMG_1143.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>As I'm slipping the photos in, I can refer back to iPhoto or Shutterfly if necessary to know what event the photos were from. I make sure to use one of the 4x6 slots to put a card in that says what the event and date was for each event.<br />
</li>
<li>When I get a chance to scrapbook, I take my album and flip through and see what I'm in the mood to scrapbook. I pull those photos out and do a traditional 12 x 12 layout (or six) and then put 12 x 12 page protector right into the album where I pulled the photos out. So, as you flip through my books, you can see some pages pages where I've just prettied up the 4x6 slips, and some beautifully scrapbooked pages and some pages where I've only managed to slide photos in.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKA07skYE8YNttHBLy3B_V81aub-JCpCHfRCTSUS6SXHhLLp6XwNsNSwXRWULwjr05_j6jLsgiMxIKFjodjzaxVEPFgW8ZUk3JMswVRX9LVfkaFNzQ7vvp9XGClROvECUjw9K-ZgOx678/s1600/IMG_1158.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiThfoE5f6h3YsFppN4mCFM635VOyVoTrWnKugbQMeqXhb69c1WV0FzvHQ7AAd6uKswZ_29wTMqYvCxTEHKvGaCp3JK0z_YB40z4NR55Wqe6g5EwJyBIMp_x1wgNymPSViq3DBUuPrOFkA/s1600/IMG_1154.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiThfoE5f6h3YsFppN4mCFM635VOyVoTrWnKugbQMeqXhb69c1WV0FzvHQ7AAd6uKswZ_29wTMqYvCxTEHKvGaCp3JK0z_YB40z4NR55Wqe6g5EwJyBIMp_x1wgNymPSViq3DBUuPrOFkA/s640/IMG_1154.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiulHZ8bbVpsYEaKd5U92Cq2nxeydccSOUv8dkp5Q_tpZQirtk0qdDL3BZpppBLyM1yQwgPtW2bIfYV3SL-RPBQ6WnyZgslXYfKsUFuSmeGk9nzz67MWyMjDrI2NiR5IAyqOsJoclUMLrY/s1600/IMG_1159.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div>Here's the best part: ALL of my photos are in there. They're all in order. I can find them and look at them and wallow in those tiny toes.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijn4Vm4sjMfjnrtZDkMcd4rdyLI017Zq3WFR0pXHZMzdmxOdvFfrqsZo3z0VjvPI6aQzPsreYyf82RLzI3Zcb1mXNYuLNIILsoR3hRWDb2BcCr04SCPqL3rMWGQsQa3Tb0S-nGDenSTBA/s1600/IMG_1145.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyvphJ6K8dH8BoSzPgc9HpgjMEHBSVmZLJlU3RtDf3KxT-izwDTtf75hp3i0P0fJcdINYxCoU4I1LAVyqnSB5aK68ai7nD6J7vKv4n7AYiHpQeqkUcmuYMZ_DbHNxBKS8XN_9-bA2skuY/s400/IMG_1146.JPG" width="400" /></div><br />
And totem poles.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijn4Vm4sjMfjnrtZDkMcd4rdyLI017Zq3WFR0pXHZMzdmxOdvFfrqsZo3z0VjvPI6aQzPsreYyf82RLzI3Zcb1mXNYuLNIILsoR3hRWDb2BcCr04SCPqL3rMWGQsQa3Tb0S-nGDenSTBA/s1600/IMG_1145.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijn4Vm4sjMfjnrtZDkMcd4rdyLI017Zq3WFR0pXHZMzdmxOdvFfrqsZo3z0VjvPI6aQzPsreYyf82RLzI3Zcb1mXNYuLNIILsoR3hRWDb2BcCr04SCPqL3rMWGQsQa3Tb0S-nGDenSTBA/s400/IMG_1145.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">And Little Sisters with Big Brothers.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb8PugxvDs79X9QtZzLTAAEPfCjyZilSttQFZrHcVqBwmjRb8ZTXN6zk7ErBJq88greP98InvgE88Y8reNnQWZPipqurC9v8uolsBf-di3clzeJ_h6mvRgVPXegBnvy-ag2q2AzZyiCRc/s1600/IMG_1151.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb8PugxvDs79X9QtZzLTAAEPfCjyZilSttQFZrHcVqBwmjRb8ZTXN6zk7ErBJq88greP98InvgE88Y8reNnQWZPipqurC9v8uolsBf-di3clzeJ_h6mvRgVPXegBnvy-ag2q2AzZyiCRc/s400/IMG_1151.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzW0R6W87-uB9HHbeaYZvPA2pf19Xas_yBfyZqJKbUlsvHXsMSR5rCPBywnm0vOF5_2Qhiv6NwxYSNwwIHVMU-Ks3Yn64wAip3xkkTzkJnirYzdpahbVzgv-2xjD4t737OuHo3fUKhLOQ/s1600/IMG_1151.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp1xoIBKWLvsYEYphI_qRcGrMp45oZUMhe9UBntSShD4UAh24CiFCQNEry2O1fiMQ4xfpfRehF15MduAjVTkeZ6cxmiMxkrvUKSY9ceu2NYMnXuT90y9ytOQqOhphxdlId_0Q6Ztoa-ok/s1600/IMG_1153.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp1xoIBKWLvsYEYphI_qRcGrMp45oZUMhe9UBntSShD4UAh24CiFCQNEry2O1fiMQ4xfpfRehF15MduAjVTkeZ6cxmiMxkrvUKSY9ceu2NYMnXuT90y9ytOQqOhphxdlId_0Q6Ztoa-ok/s400/IMG_1153.JPG" width="400" /></div><span style="color: black;"><br />
And New Houses...<br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhy3msqAnuK7F-4MRqh4WYUw4dF7XbOewss4PpuFH0XA_bF8pMDOICFxgLvraG0h5elGI7J5XUnBvdRimqTEisUWHjAIoOc0O9wNGgME51hVKSDTlQV1zadFHO_mwqqqhaoZNrgPVMskQ/s1600/IMG_1155.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhy3msqAnuK7F-4MRqh4WYUw4dF7XbOewss4PpuFH0XA_bF8pMDOICFxgLvraG0h5elGI7J5XUnBvdRimqTEisUWHjAIoOc0O9wNGgME51hVKSDTlQV1zadFHO_mwqqqhaoZNrgPVMskQ/s400/IMG_1155.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIGgeA_AHopaw1AWxTeXarZeyw8qL-Sb5FzAp_sliJzukU8b00TdosnuWT5bzdj1qm91LazN5pNOyjXtxel1C-XJFHr3lhh8-oTbbX-7dc-zy20KUXzwr0PiIg9ULxtDWofjRw4kF4Xug/s1600/IMG_1156.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIGgeA_AHopaw1AWxTeXarZeyw8qL-Sb5FzAp_sliJzukU8b00TdosnuWT5bzdj1qm91LazN5pNOyjXtxel1C-XJFHr3lhh8-oTbbX-7dc-zy20KUXzwr0PiIg9ULxtDWofjRw4kF4Xug/s400/IMG_1156.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKA07skYE8YNttHBLy3B_V81aub-JCpCHfRCTSUS6SXHhLLp6XwNsNSwXRWULwjr05_j6jLsgiMxIKFjodjzaxVEPFgW8ZUk3JMswVRX9LVfkaFNzQ7vvp9XGClROvECUjw9K-ZgOx678/s1600/IMG_1158.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKA07skYE8YNttHBLy3B_V81aub-JCpCHfRCTSUS6SXHhLLp6XwNsNSwXRWULwjr05_j6jLsgiMxIKFjodjzaxVEPFgW8ZUk3JMswVRX9LVfkaFNzQ7vvp9XGClROvECUjw9K-ZgOx678/s400/IMG_1158.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiulHZ8bbVpsYEaKd5U92Cq2nxeydccSOUv8dkp5Q_tpZQirtk0qdDL3BZpppBLyM1yQwgPtW2bIfYV3SL-RPBQ6WnyZgslXYfKsUFuSmeGk9nzz67MWyMjDrI2NiR5IAyqOsJoclUMLrY/s1600/IMG_1159.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiulHZ8bbVpsYEaKd5U92Cq2nxeydccSOUv8dkp5Q_tpZQirtk0qdDL3BZpppBLyM1yQwgPtW2bIfYV3SL-RPBQ6WnyZgslXYfKsUFuSmeGk9nzz67MWyMjDrI2NiR5IAyqOsJoclUMLrY/s640/IMG_1159.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">And Easter Sundays.<br />
<br />
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</div><br />
<br />
<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div></li>
</ol>Rain Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02096189812084868090noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2689368265154630624.post-26590258019204889192011-03-11T15:27:00.000-05:002011-03-11T15:27:06.852-05:00So, Here's the First TestRemember a little while ago when I ranted about "Slacktivist" mentality and asked you to pause before you roll your eyes at me when I ask for help - pause and actually consider what you might be able to do? <br />
<br />
Ok, so, here's the first test.<br />
<br />
We're about to bring some kiddos - orphans, mostly, and others living in orphanages - here to live with families for the summer. Two of those families are trying to raise the nearly $7,500 it will cost them just to bring the kids here. They're SO clever, though. They're doing a fundraiser give-away. <br />
<br />
So, to be clear, you could win an iPad2, or other great prize just for helping them bring some kids here for the summer. How cool is that?<br />
<br />
Please take just a moment and look at their blog and consider helping them out.<br />
<br />
Of course, if you want, if you feel called, YOU could host a kid. Really, you could. Shoot me a message and I'll get you the info. Some of my favorite kiddos don't have host families yet.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://thehelffamily.wordpress.com/2011/03/11/a-future-and-a-hope-giveaway/">Helf Family Blog and Give-Away Details</a>Rain Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02096189812084868090noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2689368265154630624.post-67085209919900723462011-01-02T01:54:00.000-05:002011-01-02T01:54:52.444-05:00Before The Eye RollI'm 'bout tired of a few things.<br />
<br />
Seriously.<br />
<br />
Sick and tired, if you must know.<br />
<br />
As in had it up to here, totally over it, done-diddy-done with it.<br />
<br />
I'm tired of being upset. I think I spent the majority of 2010 being just ill about things -- my kids, other people, other people's opinions of me, the government, the people upset with the government, my hair, the price of gas.... I have just been up-set. <br />
<br />
And I'm 'bout tired of it. So, I'm not going to be upset any more. Well, that's my goal, at least.<br />
<br />
But. See. There's a difference between being upset and being indignant. I'm upset when someone gives me that look like I must be a terrible parent because my kid isn't sitting still. I'm upset when the price of gas goes up 30 cents overnight. And, I'm upset when I simply can't get my kid out of bed in the morning. This is the kind of stuff I'm not going to let get to me any more.<br />
<br />
Seriously. Hold me to it. <br />
<br />
However, there's this whole other level of upset that I call being indignant. That is to say that it's being upset because something is unjust -- on a larger level. I am indignant when I look around me and see so much wealth and starving kids living right next to each other. I am indignant when there are so many children with no parents and yet it takes $40,000 and a literal act of congress to adopt one. I am indignant that in our community where we literally throw away pounds and pounds of food daily, the shelves of the local food banks are bare. I am indignant when I get an e-mail or FaceBook message asking me to "sign" and online petition about something and I see how many people have slapped their name down there.<br />
<br />
Wait.<br />
<br />
Why am I indignant about that?<br />
<br />
Well, I'm indignant about that because this insane slacktivist mentality has so permeated our way of life that it's nearly impossible to get actual, useful support for important causes because we all feel like we've done our share by signing the petition, or dropping a few coins in a fireman's boot or changing our Facebook status for a day. <br />
<br />
Ugh.<br />
<br />
This kind of stuff just gets me riled up. Seriously. How is it that the most powerful nation in the world - the country know across the planet for it's compassion and dedication to helping those in need -- has been reduced to such complacency? I realize that there are still a lot of people who actually do step up and help. I saw our church deliver Christmas gifts to 250 families, a friend's ministry that feeds the hungry several times a week, a team of folks who headed over to Africa to help in an orphanage that means the difference between life and death for orphans. Another team headed to Eastern Europe to give hope to orphans. There are still people who help. But, not as many as could.<br />
<br />
I can't tell you how difficult it was to find enough people in our extremely affluent community who would step up and fill a 2-gallon zip-lock bag with a few Christmas gifts and write a letter to an orphan in Latvia. Seriously. I live in a neighborhood with 10,000 homes all valued over $200,000 and we couldn't get 150 people to do this. Yes, I know, it's a hard year - people are struggling to make ends meet... But there was no shortage of people in line at Target for the $400 flat-screen TVs on Black Friday. <br />
<br />
I don't begrudge people the fruits of their labor. I think if you study hard, get a good education, work hard at your job and bring home a fat pay check that you should be able to buy a big tv... and a Lazy Boy to watch it from. But, if you can afford that, surely you can afford to help someone else. Surely you can give hope to a child across the globe by letting him or her know that someone cares. Surely you can buy a few dozen mosquito nets for kids in Africa. Certainly you can get up early one Saturday or skip dinner one weekday and help hand out food to people who otherwise wouldn't have any. Shoot, you probably can afford to pare down your grocery list for a week and buy double of everything so that you can give the second set of groceries to a family in need -- either because you know them or by giving them to a food bank.<br />
<br />
We have it so amazingly good in this country. Seriously. Even most of those who are the worst off here have it better than many of the people in the world. And, despite how busy, difficult or crazy your life is, I can pretty much guarantee you someone else could use your assistance and YOU HAVE THE MEANS TO GIVE IT TO THEM!<br />
<br />
Really.<br />
<br />
You do.<br />
<br />
You might not know it.<br />
<br />
You might not believe it.<br />
<br />
You might not even want to, but, you *could* make a life-changing difference in someone else's existence. <br />
<br />
And, you want to know a secret?<br />
<br />
It's fun to help someone out. It's better than a roller coaster. Better than double chocolate brownie chunk ice cream. Nearly addictive.<br />
<br />
Want to know another secret?<br />
<br />
A lot of times, it's pretty easy, too. Just, not as easy as slapping your name on the online petition, though. You'll actually have to *do* something.<br />
<br />
Now, I realize that I harangue you all about helping out. I'm constantly asking for folks to step up and sponsor an orphan in Latvia or buy Christmas gifts for a kid in the community or provide book bags for needy kids, or help pack boxes of stuff to head overseas, or paint a house for someone in need, or make a card for a soldier. And, maybe you don't have the money to sponsor a kid, but I bet you *can* make a card. I also bet you can hammer a nail or make a meal for someone who's just out of the hospital, or help stuff pencils and crayons into book bags... <br />
<br />
So, I hope you'll consider actually coming through when I ask for help some time. Or, when someone else asks for help. Catch yourself right before you huff, roll your eyes and think that you don't have time/money/skills to help. Right before the eye roll, stop for a second and say to yourself, "Self, how can I make this work? How can I fit this into my schedule?" And, I bet you are clever enough to figure it out!<br />
<br />
But, if you don't, I won't get upset. I gave that up. <br />
<br />
So, here's a way you can help RIGHT NOW! Something that has to be finished by the morning of Friday, January 7, 2011. You can make a handmade Valentine's Day card that we'll send off to Operation Write Home and they will send to a soldier who will then have an beautiful card to send home to his or her sweetheart. You have the ability to do this. It only takes a few minutes and it doesn't cost much money at all and it's actually kind of fun. It won't change the world immediately. It's not going to even directly save someone's life. But, it does make a real difference because it lets a soldier know that someone cares enough about what our troops are doing for us that this person (you) took the time to make this card and get it to them. Then it also lets the soldier's sweetie know that their sacrifice of being away from their loved one is appreciated. And that they are loved. <br />
<br />
Like this one I made: <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRhh9wvQaCTXnEy3lb6ItGepDV-w2pjmtMhdFiGwRs7IXRU7kNWgaP7eUEkneRc61Kvlg0eiS8G_myjyeJlAqz2jeh8NRjraA8_j68TP2kOPry4Y0c1b2IXpKrO2V-oS4Eq1XLiaNtMjQ/s1600/IMG_5076.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRhh9wvQaCTXnEy3lb6ItGepDV-w2pjmtMhdFiGwRs7IXRU7kNWgaP7eUEkneRc61Kvlg0eiS8G_myjyeJlAqz2jeh8NRjraA8_j68TP2kOPry4Y0c1b2IXpKrO2V-oS4Eq1XLiaNtMjQ/s320/IMG_5076.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
Here's also a few other ways you can *do* something the really make a difference in this world:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.latvianangelproject.org/">The Latvian Angel Project Web Site </a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/vYD6ZBkudwQ?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br />
<a href="http://www.papaspantry.org/">Papa's Pantry Website</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.foreverfed.org/">Forever Fed Website</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.operationwritehome.org/">Operation Write Home Website</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.giveakidachance.org/">Give a Kid a Chance Website</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.mustministries.org/index.aspx">MUST Ministries Website</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.simpleobedience.org/">Simple Obedience Ministries Website</a>Rain Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02096189812084868090noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2689368265154630624.post-22936194269452885962010-10-20T01:00:00.001-04:002010-10-20T01:02:25.816-04:00Can I Tell You a Secret?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmjHAkRWQIfJNbfMwKrUOQgUAjmHmj_17tLxLqK0p7vw85DpDU3WBuIMnTn0O8VajZnaiSsZpnICP1q_rUFbDlrlM_P_jUxKhiL4uX132IGwQiSUaQyMY9kxsQjsSLVlJF3CaMDk-hHL4/s1600/IMG_0612.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmjHAkRWQIfJNbfMwKrUOQgUAjmHmj_17tLxLqK0p7vw85DpDU3WBuIMnTn0O8VajZnaiSsZpnICP1q_rUFbDlrlM_P_jUxKhiL4uX132IGwQiSUaQyMY9kxsQjsSLVlJF3CaMDk-hHL4/s320/IMG_0612.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
Time has sped up.<br />
<br />
Seriously.<br />
<br />
It's faster than before.<br />
<br />
Or I'm slower.<br />
<br />
I've not written in ages and I feel it... my fingers aren't quite certain what letters to hit and my thoughts are stuttering.<br />
<br />
But, tonight I made a card.<br />
<br />
A pretty card.<br />
<br />
For Baby Girl's teacher.<br />
<br />
Because Baby Girl did NOT behave today.<br />
<br />
School has been trotting along smoothly for Baby Girl -- good behavior reports, good grades, good, good, good. And then today. Today she got not one, but TWO frowny faces in her agenda. And the following accompanying notes from the teacher:<br />
<blockquote>"Not following along when reading."</blockquote>AND<br />
<blockquote>"...was VERY distracted today - playing with tiny pieces of paper in desk - Just doing nothing - She has work to finish."</blockquote><br />
Can I tell you a secret?<br />
<br />
It made me a tiny bit happy. Don't get me wrong. I scolded her. We talked about appropriate behavior. We did ALL of the work she was supposed to have done in class and all of her normal homework. She didn't get to play with her best friend and had no TV tonight.<br />
<br />
But inside, I was just the tiniest bit happy.<br />
<br />
I don't want my baby to misbehave. I hope she never does this again. But, since she did, I got a the tiniest bit of satisfaction. Maybe it's not a proud moment, but at least now I know someone else understands the frustration of dealing with Baby Girl when she's in her own world... and finding tiny pieces of paper more interesting than her Reading, Writing and 'Rithmatic. And I know I'm not totally alone.<br />
<br />
So, in the morning, Baby Girl will write a note of apology in the pretty card I made for her awesome teacher. And I won't feel so guilty for feeling happy. Cause it's a really pretty card.Rain Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02096189812084868090noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2689368265154630624.post-18497721171206464722010-07-15T14:19:00.000-04:002010-07-15T14:19:48.954-04:00A Card for A HeroLately I've been creating some cards for <a href="http://www.operationwritehome.org/">Operation Write Home</a>, which sends homemade cards to the soldiers overseas so that they can, in turn, send them back home to their families. You should try it.<br />
<br />
Anyway, today they issued a challenge to make cards for our heroes to send home to their kids. Here's my first efforts. I made a few for me to use as well as a few to send to them. The ones for my use have a button on it, but that thickness can be problematic for their uses, so I eliminated it for the ones to send to them.<br />
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It's A2 size (4.25 x 5.5 folded) using Kraft colored cardstock, half an A2 scalloped note in Mango and some scrap strips of K & Co Citronella paper. The image is a Basic Grey stamp stamped with Versafine in black. Colored using Copic markers. Can't recall where the ribbon came from. The sentiment inside is, 'You Are Precious."<br />
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Let me know what you're making!Rain Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02096189812084868090noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2689368265154630624.post-72002739203927654122010-07-01T10:12:00.000-04:002010-07-01T10:12:52.258-04:00quiet<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuaIjK1K_z4_-J85RSUTgP-LxP4HoQLBJsv9jfkcN27E2m7wKs-K4UrZGzQA9zrUxjH6bZcki6y7UBEImFbNWgfSm0HmCdjGGUKNwNxUwYzAChgcHTt53H7jOQNn_Lf_wO9pKDZ3tCB5g/s1600/Photo+21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuaIjK1K_z4_-J85RSUTgP-LxP4HoQLBJsv9jfkcN27E2m7wKs-K4UrZGzQA9zrUxjH6bZcki6y7UBEImFbNWgfSm0HmCdjGGUKNwNxUwYzAChgcHTt53H7jOQNn_Lf_wO9pKDZ3tCB5g/s200/Photo+21.jpg" width="172" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><blockquote><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-size: small;">hound dog red droopy eyes<br />
worn from life distracted<br />
peer over eyeglass rim and monitor haze<br />
to witness life in the quiet morning</span></blockquote><br />
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</div>Rain Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02096189812084868090noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2689368265154630624.post-17293838394034659742010-03-03T23:37:00.003-05:002010-03-04T01:01:12.025-05:00So, How is Annie Doing in Traditional School?“So, how is Annie doing in traditional school?”<br />
<br />
I’ve gotten this question a lot lately, and that’s one of the things that’s pretty stinking cool about Facebook! <br />
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The short answer is “great!” but there’s so much more to it than just that she’s doing great. It has changed a lot about my relationship with her -- in a positive direction -- and is helping me see what a cool kid she really is. <br />
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Mired in the struggles of educating the poster child for ADHD (emphasis on the “H”), it was very difficult for me to realize her utter coolness. I knew, intellectually, that she was awesome -- I mean, she’s a Rose, and therefore by definition is cool -- just ask the twins. I’d hear others tell me how sweet she is, or what a great heart she has, or that she’s clever -- so, I *knew* it, but I didn’t experience it myself. I was too caught up in the screaming matches: <br />
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<blockquote>“Here are your spelling words, please copy them three times each.”<br />
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“If I get this one right, I get to watch one iCarly”<br />
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“No, you simply need to do this whole sheet.”<br />
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“When Sam eats ribs she cracks me up. She’s always hitting Freddy... that Sam, she’s so funny!”<br />
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“Annie, we’re doing spelling right now, not iCarly.” </blockquote><blockquote>[child turns upside down, feet in the air, head hanging off the chair] </blockquote><blockquote>“You will NOT leave this room, eat one bite, watch one iota of TV or play one video game until you write these words 3 times each.” <br />
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“See, if I take Barnabas’ tail and I tie it to Obi’s leash and then they go outside, and then can I see Sarah today, or is she not at home, cause sometimes she’s at her Mimi’s house and they have a big backyard, so, yeah, we need to just sell this house and I think that we can get one near her Mimi’s house for, yeah, about $100.”<br />
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“Write the words”<br />
<br />
“No, I think you can do it.”<br />
<br />
“YOU WILL WRITE THE WORDS”<br />
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silence - [child stares at the ceiling] </blockquote><blockquote>“WRITE THE WORDS” [mother slams the pencil onto the paper for emphasis] </blockquote><blockquote>“When Elmo dies, can I get a dog that stays little forever, cause Alex, she has a dog and Shay Shay is tiny and she’s never going to get big, ever, and she’s so cute and when Elmo dies I want a dog like that,”<br />
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“The words, Annie, please write the words” [mother gives herself a time out in attempts to diffuse the situation] </blockquote><blockquote>“I got my hands up, they’re playin my song, and now I’m gonna be okay! It’s a party in the USA...”<br />
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“Seriously. Really. I mean I leave for, what, 30 seconds and you find your iPod? Really? THERE WILL BE NO MUSIC EVER AGAIN IF YOU DON’T WRITE YOUR WORDS”</blockquote><br />
You get the picture... it’s difficult to see the awesomeness through the irritation. <br />
<br />
So, today we had a very different word experience. I came home after work and she had done her assigned three sentences about today’s story -- an amazing feat for a child who only one month ago held an anarchist view about creative writing, in that sentences should contain only words she liked and should NOT have to have BOTH a noun AND a verb! So, I pulled out the flash cards I made for her with her sight words and spelling words on them and with minimal struggle managed to bribe my way through them with her and SHE ACTUALLY KNEW SOME OF THEM -- MANY OF THEM, in fact!!! <br />
<br />
So, after dolling out the promised candy prize (yes, I know, bad Mommy, but, hey, I’m conquering one thing at a time here) we snuggled on the sofa and chatted. ACTUALLY CHATTED about her day -- about her classmates, about how Jesus wants us to love EVERYBODY, even when they cough really gross all the time -- about how compromises actually work cause when two little girls want the same one piece of paper and there is only one left and both of them really want it, it is just a fact of reality that they can’t both get what they want and since Jesus wants us to love others, and care for others, we can’t actually be happy if we get that piece of paper cause the other person will be so sad, so a compromise can help everyone not feel so sad, so maybe they can split the paper, or color on it together, or one get it this time and agree that the other gets it the next time... you get the picture... We actually conversed. REAL conversation. For the first time, probably ever. Because I wasn’t trying to get her to write something, or finish some math or glue something into her timeline book (which I STILL think is way cool and WILL be having her glue things into) and she had gotten her opportunity to express herself and all her interesting thoughts with her friends at school.<br />
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Now, I’m not saying that having her in traditional school isn’t without difficulties and won’t have it’s own set of obstacles -- it will -- but for right now, even if she doesn’t learn to read or write or add (although, baby girl GETS the whole Math thing) I’m FINALLY getting to build into her those far more important things like love, honesty, compassion... that I not only wasn’t getting to build into her while homeschooling her, but was probably modeling the exact opposite for her because of my frustration.<br />
<br />
Homeschooling is AWESOME. I loved so much about it. I believe in it. I hope to get to homeschool her again. I hope that LOTS of others will consider it. It has SO much merit. But, for right now, I know without a doubt, that we’ve made the right choice for her. Even if it’s only for a few weeks... even if it’s for the rest of her school career... I thank God -- literally -- for every one of you who have helped mold Annie into the way cool kid that she is. And for those of you who may not have had the opportunity to experience her, but have prayed for her and for us! <br />
<br />
Today was a pretty flippin awesome day.Rain Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02096189812084868090noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2689368265154630624.post-61753555570924589442009-09-15T20:09:00.005-04:002014-08-07T12:17:32.326-04:00Coin Carpet Stalemate<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Simple Assignment -- sort coins. Easy, right? Well, unless you’re Baby Girl.<br />
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We have a young puppy who occasionally pees in the house or tears something up. Not a huge deal. See how cute he is?<br />
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We have a very old dog who has started peeing in the house... not sure why -- seems like spite, but I'm a bit of a conspiracy theorist. Notice the missing tooth? He's old, but cute.<br />
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As a math assignment, Baby Girl was to sort coins into bowls. Easy, peasy for most kids. Four bowls, four basic coins -- penny, nickel, dime, quarter. We already had a pail full of coins to use. I got her set up and she was carefully sorting the coins appropriately into the bowls. It was going well. Much better than I expected.<br />
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Wow -- that'll buy some Starbucks! <br />
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Then the old dog peed. He peed on the rug, he peed on the carpet, and then he peed on the linoleum. No problem. I know what to do. Get the mop and have a boy get the steam cleaner. <br />
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Problem. To accomplish this I walked away from Baby Girl... <br />
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she dumped ALL of the coins -- all 1000+ of them onto the floor and then, because she LOVES to “be a dog,” she started digging through them al la Clifford digging to bury a bone. Coins flying everywhere. <br />
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What you can’t see in this picture are the coins under the chair, the coins under the piano, on the sofa, in the kitchen... down her shirt...<br />
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I stop mopping to get her to stop digging. While I stand in awe of the mess before me, she quietly slithers away. I pick my jaw up off the floor and begin calling for her. She quietly reappears, seeming contrite (I assume for the coinage) and I ask her to please pick up the coins. She digs through them -- I tell her she’s not allowed to be a dog -- as soon as the crocodile tears and cries that “No one lets me be a dog! I LOVE to be a dog” subside, I inform her that she is not allowed to leave the area until all of the coins are picked up. <br />
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This is the end of hour one of the confinement.<br />
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At the end of the first hour I risk a brief trip to the restroom. Now I know why she was contrite. It wasn’t the coinage.<br />
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She’d locked the old dog in the bathroom with food and water. Leash, stuffed duck and towel an added bonus. <br />
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Hour 1.5.<br />
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This is how well that “consequence” worked. <br />
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Consequences never work with Baby Girl.<br />
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Hour 1.75: Daddy arrives. He’s calm, cool, collected, logical. He looks at the mess and demands that Annie hand over her light saber -- favorite toy -- he walks to the trash can and she frantically begins cleaning up, crying, “Don’t throw it away. When F. and M. come over with theirs I’ll just be a loser with my saber in the trash!” <br />
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ahhh.... the right currency, a calm demeanor.... that’s all it took....<br />
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Hour 1.9: saber no longer in sight -- forgotten. Coins that had been cleaned up now re-dumped on floor. Cries that she needs help. Daddy hands her a dust pan -- great tool. She begins to pick up the coins with the dust pan. Yeah! Maybe the tool will help. She discovers that the dust pan makes a marvelous coin toss scoop. Coins flying everywhere.<br />
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Daddy walks into the garage and deposits saber into trash bin. <br />
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Wild hysterics. Crying. Screaming at the top of her lungs. Neighbors must think we’re killing her. Hitting herself in the head with fists of coins... Coins still on the floor.<br />
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She notices the motion detector for the alarm system. The little light blinks on when she moves It’s done this since before she was born. She suddenly stops crying and asks calmly, “why is that blinking?”<br />
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Really? Really?? <br />
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Daddy calmly explains the motion detector. He’s only been home 20 minutes. He’s still calm. <br />
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Satisfied with the explanation she returns to the coin carpet and empties onto the floor the few coins that had miraculously made it back into the bucket.<br />
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Maybe I can live with a coin carpet... I might have to. Cause right now I can’t see a future where she picks them up.<br />
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A day in the life.Rain Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02096189812084868090noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2689368265154630624.post-20000603819180932982009-08-27T21:15:00.001-04:002009-08-27T21:17:32.517-04:00Not So Surprising...<div class="container bottom-flourish"> <p class="test-title">At a friend's recommendation, I took a little online quiz. The questions were interesting and the results... well... you tell me? take the test yourself <a href="http://www.helloquizzy.com/tests/howard-gardners-eight-types-of-intelligence-test">here</a>.<br /></p><p class="test-title"><br /></p><p class="test-title">Your result for <strong>Howard Gardner's Eight Types of Intelligence Test</strong> ...</p> <h1><span class="left-hand"><span class="right-hand">Naturalistic</span></span></h1> <p class="raw-score">8% Logical, 45% Spatial, 47% Linguistic, 27% Intrapersonal, 18% Interpersonal, 27% Musical, 20% Bodily-Kinesthetic and 51% Naturalistic!</p> <div class="description"> <p style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://cdn.okcimg.com/php/load_okc_image.php/images/0x0/0x0/0/7175754039803509925.jpeg___1_500_1_500_cb94de6a_.png" alt="Naturalistic" /></p> <p>"This area has to do with nature, nurturing and relating information to one's natural surroundings. Those with it are said to have greater sensitivity to nature and their place within it, the ability to nurture and grow things, and greater ease in caring for, taming and interacting with animals. They may also be able to discern changes in weather or similar fluctuations in their natural surroundings. They are also good at recognizing and classifying different species.</p> <p>'Naturalists' learn best when the subject involves collecting and analyzing, or is closely related to something prominent in nature; they also don't enjoy learning unfamiliar or seemingly useless subjects with little or no connections to nature. It is advised that naturalistic learners would learn more through being outside or in a kinesthetic way.</p> <p>Careers which suit those with this intelligence include scientists, naturalists, conservationists, gardeners and farmers." (Wikipedia)</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p> </div></div>Rain Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02096189812084868090noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2689368265154630624.post-34481632736370526892009-03-27T14:36:00.002-04:002009-03-27T14:40:23.944-04:00My Dumb Dogs Get It<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUTNKIbPgLacgEqQsEOnWYXcsK6yKJSrJFP7fBcdyRdEQo2m42H-TS-BTjKDQIJd97NSqW-IccK5xTKE3ut3yqfwDXjKqktk0-Fa5rXgXPgs2sZhK18qHJ37VzMYkjoMG6n5FD3SIizF0/s1600-h/IMG_1790.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUTNKIbPgLacgEqQsEOnWYXcsK6yKJSrJFP7fBcdyRdEQo2m42H-TS-BTjKDQIJd97NSqW-IccK5xTKE3ut3yqfwDXjKqktk0-Fa5rXgXPgs2sZhK18qHJ37VzMYkjoMG6n5FD3SIizF0/s320/IMG_1790.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5317939219740781090" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:arial;" ><br /><br />* This is an article I wrote several years ago for a christian women's magazine or maybe for a women's group I was leading.... I was reviewing some of my previous articles and thought this one was at least worth sticking out there to remind ME what I need reminding most!</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Deuteronomy 5:32-33 </span><br />So be careful to do what the LORD your God has commanded you; do not turn aside to the right or to the left. Walk in all the way that the LORD your God has commanded you, so that you may live and prosper and prolong your days in the land that you will possess.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">2 Chronicles 34, also 2 Kings 22 – 23</span> (read the whole chapters for extra insight)<br />Josiah was eight years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem thirty-one years. He did what was right in the eyes of the LORD and walked in the ways of his father David, not turning aside to the right or to the left.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Proverbs 4:25 – 27 </span><br />Let your eyes look straight ahead, fix your gaze directly before you.<br />Make level paths for your feet and take only ways that are firm.<br />Do not swerve to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil.<br /><br /><br /><br />Today my dogs inspired me. They didn’t stand up and speak or read from the newspaper or even save a baby from a burning house – they just did what they’re supposed to do – what God intended.<br /><br />I was busily reading an online devotion – trying to make the most of the words in the quickest amount of time so that I can move on to the next task. My dumb dogs began scratching at the back door demanding to be let out, and then even whining. This annoyed me – I thought about responding, just to get them to shut up, but then I reminded myself that God’s Word is far more important than the leanings and desires of my dumb dogs. After all, they really are pretty dumb. Elmo loves to stand directly under my feet and then, when I step on him, he shrieks and looks at me with such pitiful eyes. Barnabas is the big doofus. He runs into things. He barks at the wind. He’s so afraid of people walking that when he see you moving towards him (because he always decides to lay down across the only entrance to a room) he gets so afraid that the can’t decide which way to move and usually ends up getting stepped on.<br /><br />Well, these dumb dogs really wanted out today – they just couldn’t be swayed to wait until I finished my devotion, so I got up and walked over to the door. Together, these dogs who often will run in circles for no good reason, made a straight B-line for the back corner of the fence. They were completely intent on catching whatever it was that had invaded their yard. They weren’t distracted by the birds (usually the prey of choice) nor by the dog next door (their choir partner). They had a job to do. It’s not one that they chose – they don’t need the food that critter would have provided, they’re already over-fed. They’re just programmed to respond – God made them that way. A critter invades, they go after it – no questions, no distractions, you just can’t stop them.<br /><br />I believe that if I approached life this way, I’d be a lot closer to the person God intended me to be. I know that, like Barnabas and Elmo, He has programmed me for a purpose. If I just waited for God to speak and then moved like lightening – unswerving – toward the goal He has set for me, I can’t imagine what I could accomplish for the Kingdom. It’s not that I don’t know what God wants from me. Once I stop thinking and over-analyzing everything (like my dumb dogs) I usually hear loud and clear. But, all too often, I get distracted by the birds and choir partners of life…Rain Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02096189812084868090noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2689368265154630624.post-37841006564126979182009-03-07T13:45:00.006-05:002009-03-07T19:23:01.636-05:00Poor Sick Baby<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDAHT31mZ5n_BzXrpVsvpUS2Gs6OV8oSPBjYGIY2GuX0BuPfG5CPaxOeHZthGtiss8F5GI9SQXc5HO1n9jaQN94fHbEX-mQJMA_jNAO6So9jwBYJZ-EmwyEM61H1aleQZ44bsiI4dvDaM/s1600-h/IMG_2233.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDAHT31mZ5n_BzXrpVsvpUS2Gs6OV8oSPBjYGIY2GuX0BuPfG5CPaxOeHZthGtiss8F5GI9SQXc5HO1n9jaQN94fHbEX-mQJMA_jNAO6So9jwBYJZ-EmwyEM61H1aleQZ44bsiI4dvDaM/s320/IMG_2233.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5310547778480580466" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />I've got a sick baby. Ok, so she's not ACTUALLY a baby, but she's MY baby and even at almost seven years of age, the things she wants most when sick are the very some things most of us want: for Mommy to held her, to have someone bring all the right foods, to have the dog curl up with her, to watch bad tv, to be left alone, for the water to taste better, for raisins not to roll off the plate, for bread -- RIGHT NOW and then not, to have ALL of the covers, but hate them all... She's sick and nothing will be right until she's not.<br /><br />We're a pretty healthy lot, so dealing with sick kids doesn't happen very often and I'm not really sure what to do. But, here I sit on the sofa at the foot of the bed reading everyone elses blogs and typing on my own, listening to her alternately whimper and then aggravate the dog. She's currently curled up on the floor at my feet, arms lovingly choking the dog and annoying him to no end. Even in sickness she's impossible to keep still.<br /><br />Perhaps it's the paint fumes from dh and son #1 painting my soon-to-be-scrapbooking room a lovely blue or maybe it's that my only nutrition today has come in the form of Thin Mints, but this is actually kinda nice. I mean, what with the sick kid and all, I don't feel the least bit guilty looking at the insanely disgusting carpet or the pile of crap on virtually every horizontal surface or even the plastic bags full of junk I recently purchased but have yet to put away that are hanging from the knobs on my dresser drawers. Nope, I have a sick baby and she needs her mommy... so, until she's well, I'll just sit here and wait, and eat Thin Mints and occasionally fetch her the food that she swears will make her all well, that she'll take one look at and let sit... and, because she needs me to be here, I'll just let those plates of uneaten raisins, unopened applesauce cups and undrunk water bottles sit. It just wouldn't do for me to leave her, afterall -- she's sick!<br /><br />So, what blogs am I following? Thanks to the recent addition of Vienna RSS Reader, I'm following too many and adding more daily. So, here are the top:<br /><br /><a href="http://thepioneerwoman.com/">The Pioneer Woman</a> -- This lady just cracks me up and offers some advice in several areas of shared interet: farming, decorating, homeschooling, cooking.<br /><a href="http://thebigmamablog.com/"><br />Big Mama</a> -- just plain funny.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.cardoftheweek.com/">Card of the Week</a> -- Scrapbooking, stamping and papercrafting ideas and links to other blogs, cause clearly I don't have enought already.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />"The only thing that interferes with my education is my schooling" -- Albert EinsteinRain Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02096189812084868090noreply@blogger.com0