tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-70582711250334900562024-03-05T10:07:23.590-05:00Simply 14Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13444438688396548401noreply@blogger.comBlogger334125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7058271125033490056.post-3655984015822160552013-07-30T18:43:00.001-04:002013-07-30T18:43:16.503-04:00Tracy's Train TravelWhen you live 700+ miles away from a good chunk of your family, long distance traveling becomes an art. My parents know the route practically by heart down here, they know which rest stops they like, where their favorite restaurants en route are, and have on several occasion tried to beat their all-time driving record down here. (Mom is in the lead by almost an hour.)<br />
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I don't drive (yeah, I'm a wuss.) and airplanes are expensive, difficult to do with youngster and with check-on luggage fees, means you're stuck trying to pack for a week in a tiny bag. I've done it with Charlie a few times, but it was never a "fun" experience. I was stressed, she was stressed. Not worth the extra $500 per person to save a few hours travel time. I thought that meant all I would have left would be the bus. I did the bus for my Freshman year at college. It was AWFUL with just me, I don't see it being possible with a toddler. Then when we moved to Big City, we realized we were very close to an Amtrak Train station. So for just under $300, both Chucky Sue and I will travel in style up to Boston.<br />
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The trip itself will take about 12 hours, which to some seems impossibly long. I like to think of it as a car trip, without having to drive or worry about gas, bathroom stops or traffic. It takes a bit, but the rails go through some gorgeous areas up the east coast. The trains themselves are very comfortable. each seat has two outlets. The seats have tray tables just like an airplane. Every car has two bathrooms, trash cans, and a water fountain. There is an (overpriced) snack car as well as a quiet car for those not traveling with loud three year olds. Some rails, including ours, have limited wifi. It won't stream Netflix or download files but you can browse facebook, email, and whatnot. I also LOVE the train's baggage policies. Every person is allowed 2 bags up to 50lb EACH*- at no additional charge. They also let you bring a baby item for under two travelers, on top of your normal bags. Add the fact that Customer Service is amazing, fast and incredibly helpful when your bank is being a big pain in the butt? I like Amtrak- check them out!<br />
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Since we've made this trip several times, I like to think I am a Toddler Train Travel expert. But really I just lucked out with my kid. She doesn't mind sitting still for long periods of time. A single activity can keep her entertained for a long time and she can sleep anywhere. If her legs do ever need a stretch, there is a short layover in DC (same train, they just switch the engines from diesel to electric) and she can run like a wild woman up and down the cars. When she is older, we can even venture inside the station for the layover, but I don't like having to chase her all over with hundreds of strangers milling around. (Seriously, The DC train station is always PACKED. No matter what time of day we go through.)<br />
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This year is the first year I will be making Chucky Sue carry any of her own things. Last year I wore a sling and carried her onto the train, as well as carrying all the bags- she hasn't gained much in a year but enough to make the thought of strapping her to my back unpleasant. She has been practicing wearing her tiny backpack that I filled with her toys and loveys. This year there will be NO toys in my "carry on" bag. That is a huge development! The only "Chucky Sue" things in my bag are a change of clothes, her pull-ups and a coloring book that was too tall to fit in her bag. (though on second though I will probably end up carrying the all important Butterfly Blanket; for if we lose that, there is no hope for this trip to be a success.)<br />
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Chucky Sue wakes up each morning asking if the Train has "opened" so she can visit her Nonie. I am excited to be able have some summer fun with my kid and parents. The memories my parents made with me during my childhood summers are some of my favorite and most clear- I hope to be able to give Chucky Sue the same thing!<br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">*problem is, Charlie can barely carry more than a 1lb before complaining that it's too "hebby" for her. lightweight!</span><br />
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<br />Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13444438688396548401noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7058271125033490056.post-42591087458630803112013-07-05T15:55:00.000-04:002013-07-05T15:55:01.596-04:00Begging for Blocks.I was asked to help design our magazine's entry in a local christmas tree decoration contest. I mulled over a couple of dozen ideas. Did I want to do something old-school holiday style or completely out there and wacky? Do I make the magazine the theme, or stick with general childhood themes? AH! So many ideas! And these trees are SERIOUS every year. It's one of my favorite traditions! Then the idea hit me, an idea that while crazy, is so dang cool. If we can pull it off, it would rock the socks off everyone who sees it!<br />
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100% (well 95%, gotta count the lights) Lego Decorations. My boss loved it. It's child friendly, so it fits with our magazine, but it's so interesting and different that it should stand out. So I got down to business. I found a lego designer software that let me build with any kind of lego possible. I found free christmas designs from a very nice artist. Everything was going smoothly!<br />
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Only problem is, the ornament designs we've found would cost well over $10 PER ornament. And that is the simple ball ornament, not the fancy santa or reindeer ornaments that need speciality pieces. With 250+ ornaments (not to mention the several yards of 2x2 block garland we want) to fill up the large tree, we'd be looking at a pretty pricey contest.<br />
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So that's why I'm begging. I'm begging for lego blocks. If you're local, and you have some blocks that are just taking up space or don't match any of your children's sets (I know we all have a few floating pieces!) Please send them my way. We'll have a list of donators next to our tree, so you'll get a HUGE city-wide thank you from us!Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13444438688396548401noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7058271125033490056.post-47664696369503011442013-07-01T15:23:00.002-04:002013-07-01T15:23:56.640-04:00Instagram Addiction Anonymous.Admitting a problem is the first step to solving it.<br />
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Hello, my name is Tracy and I am an Instagram Addict.<br />
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It started so simply. It seemed so innocent. I'd post a photo about once a week- checking my feed about the same. But slowly I started checking my feed each night as I followed more users. The sepia tones, oh the sepia tones! It was like wanna-be-hipster crack.<br />
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then I found the supporting apps. Apps to make my already adorable toddler even more so. Sigh.<br />
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Apps like Frametastic, LabelBox, Afterlight and A Beautiful Mess. I add doodles, borders, stamps and filters unabashedly. #shame<br />
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All of a sudden I'm posting 5-6 photos a day. Checking my feed during any down time. Commenting. Favoriting. Abusing hash tags like no one's business. And the photos are no longer just of my child. Somehow any meal that actually makes it on to a plate (instead of the packaging it originated) is instagram-worthy. Every craft, every project has several photos dedicated to it. Heck- even screen captures of mobile games and apps aren't safe.<br />
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and now? NOW? The pushers at Instagram have rolled out a new feature. Videos. SEPIA TONED VIDEOS. Suddenly my feed is flooded with 15 second long morsels of beauty and humor. How am I supposed to resist THAT!?<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">So, yeah, follow me on Instagram?</span></div>
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Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13444438688396548401noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7058271125033490056.post-51947968733115622772013-06-24T12:49:00.003-04:002013-06-24T12:49:18.528-04:00Interview with a Three Year Old<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Normally these interviews are connected with birthdays, or the first day of school. I just felt like recording this interview with Chucky Sue on a regular day, a slice of real life for posterity if you like.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Age: 3 Years 4 Months 10 Days</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Favorite Color: Pink</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Favorite Number: 1</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Favorite Book: Another Monster at the End of this Book</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Favorite TV Show: Jake and the Neverland Pirates</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Favorite Movie: "Bell and the lost island" (Chucky Sue speak for Tinkerbell and the Lost Treasure)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Favorite Food: Popcorn (close second is White Ice Cream)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Favorite Drink: Strawberry juice or the Juice in her Tinkerbell Bottle</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Favorite Toy: Car and paper roads</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Favorite Song: Twinkle Twinkle Little Star</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">What she wants to be when she grows up: "A big girl."</span></div>
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Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13444438688396548401noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7058271125033490056.post-1816339265272012332013-06-04T22:35:00.000-04:002013-06-04T22:35:16.487-04:00Heavenly PreparationsNormally, I try not to get to religious or preachy on the internet. I believe that social media, especially public media like Facebook and Twitter, aren't the best forums for religious discussion. However, there are times when a blessing from Heavenly Father smacks me so hard in the face, I can't help but share it.<br />
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I was talking to Jake about the changes we're starting with the magazine, the careers goals I have, new responsbilities I've been taking on at work- all that jazz when he just said very simply- "So it's the same as your Relief Society calling?"<br />
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That really stopped me in my tracks. The only calling I ever considered declining was for Relief Society Activity Committee- (in layman's terms, the party planning committee for the women's organization.) I was newly married- only 20 and really REALLY didn't want to go to Relief Society. I had even signed up as a Primary (Children's Sunday school) substitute so I wouldn't have to go to the "Old Lady Class". Though I was good, accepted the calling and truly it wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be. I had that calling up until we moved to Big City, nearly 4 years.<br />
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That calling is fairly simple- a committee plans, prepares and executes monthly meetings and activities for the women in the church. This taught me how to plan large meals, how to decorate on a tight budget, how to spark interest in activities, promote events, design invitations and flyers, speak in public, and how to work as a committee to pull it all together. <br />
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Add in a little creative writing, more online networking and change the focus to families and you have my job. I help out at local events to promote the magazine, I plan meetings, issues, and contests. I have to talk to strangers all the time and convince them to pick up an issue. I was not born with any of those talents- they were all taught to me through my service to the church.<br />
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So while thinking about this and wanting to share the "DUH" moment about how Heavenly Father prepared me for this job, I re-read my patriarchal blessing. My blessing, at the time, felt generic. I was a little let down in the moment. Reading it a year+ later, it's not generic- it is full of promises, blessings and direction for my future. (at the time I wanted more about Angelina and how that experience was supposed to influecne me etc, that's worth it's own post.) My blessing has entire paragraphs about my work in the community- about my being an example to others in my neighborhood- That I would be active and involved with a lot of people. Of course at the time I had lived in the area maybe three months and my social anxiety and fears were hard at work keeping me from making friends, I thought that part was just words, just filler.<br />
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There are so many more things that have proved to me that this job is what I'm meant to do- from BossMan putting off and putting off the idea to create the magazine, to the fact that I didn't want to apply in the first place because his Craigslist ad was so sketchy and scammy sounding. I was so so lucky to just fall into my "I didn't know this was my dream!" job.<br />
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So there's my preachy-lovey dovey happy mormon post for today. Stick with whatever you're doing now because it's very possible that it's training for you for something down the road!<br />
<small>also go grab a copy of the latest issue if you can, we're running low but a few krogers may have some! </small>Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13444438688396548401noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7058271125033490056.post-29620705226050165922013-05-22T22:05:00.000-04:002013-05-22T22:05:19.811-04:00A House of LearningThis spring's theme in our house has most definitely been Learning.<br />
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Jake has started his second semester of Grad School. It is a lot of work and eats up what little family time we do have but he loves it. You can really tell he loves what he's doing by seeing how excited he is to talk about new research, studies or whatever psychology news comes up in class. If we stay on track he should be graduating and job-searching by the time Chucky Sue enters Kindergarten. <br />
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Speaking of, little miss has been doing a lot of learning herself! Like I posted in the recap she's beginning to understand simple school workbooks and she loves showing everyone who comes over her school books. She recently had her 3 year check up and the doctor was impressed with her smarts. She's right on track with letters and numbers and advanced in fine motor skills, shapes and colors. (not too much of a shocker when you think she's being taught by an artist.) She's still a tiny pipsqueak- 29lbs and 3'1" but she's well out of the "danger" zone of 3% on the growth charts. But that's not all she has been learning. Lately Jake and I have noticed that her social skills have improved by leaps and bounds in a short span- maybe a month or so. She no longer fights us tooth and nail about going to church, and actually begs to go on Wednesdays on the off-chance one of her nursery friends will be there to play with her! She is still shy and apprehensive in public but warms up faster than ever before and has even shocked me by being the first to introduce herself at the playground. Hopefully all this continues so preschool come this fall (WHAT?) won't be such a hard transition.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBzGobMvkrTEUTv3-b2i6Y4NondSqR4EBhyuu-Z7o9RATfwPeyr4ns0JezfJ4kfOLWEXPC-uqnrzQnldcBrD9YwgJcl_vEKwqYNlcvh82-EZdE3bQWlMNr_1hgO9izr6E_F3cj4EcTMbT3/s1600/illustratorbeggins.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBzGobMvkrTEUTv3-b2i6Y4NondSqR4EBhyuu-Z7o9RATfwPeyr4ns0JezfJ4kfOLWEXPC-uqnrzQnldcBrD9YwgJcl_vEKwqYNlcvh82-EZdE3bQWlMNr_1hgO9izr6E_F3cj4EcTMbT3/s640/illustratorbeggins.png" width="441" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of my first illustrator works. Eh.</td></tr>
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As for me I'm not taking any "official" courses but I am doing a lot of self-teaching with the help of Youtube tutorials and Google searches. I also signed up for a few classes on Coursera.org this summer. Mostly design and marketing related, but a few business ones as well. My library card has also been hard at work, I've checked out dozens of how-to books in the past few months to help with work and even more biographies/history books just for the heck of it. My current goal is to learn the entire Adobe Creative suite at least to a basic proficiency so I can use all the programs for work. I've started with Illustrator and InDesign. I can scraping by with online guides and program manuals but I think I'm going to look into local college courses to get some hands-on training.<br />
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So even though for most people the school year is winding down, looks like we're in for a summer of essays, textbooks and tests!Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13444438688396548401noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7058271125033490056.post-38742743037832888122013-05-16T11:00:00.001-04:002013-05-16T11:00:53.253-04:00Worst Blogger of 2013<div style="text-align: center;">
and that award goes to ME!</div>
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I really did start out 2013 with intentions of keeping up with blogging. But between grad school, the magazine taking off like a rocket and raising a THREE year old the blog got pushed to the wayside. Here's a giant recap post and hopefully I can cross off the "But I'm already so behind" excuse for not blogging!</div>
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1.Learned how to Crochet for Christmas- been making toy food for Chucky Sue<br />
2. Decorated Eggs for Easter (during the Family Flu Fun)<br />
3. Sharpie decorated my walls. All of my walls.<br />
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4. Started Potty training shortly after Chucky's 3rd birthday- she caught on quick!<br />
5. Got some updated Cousin Photos for Grandma F.<br />
6. Had a birthday party at Bloop Frozen Yogurt! <br />
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7. More crocheting- I do sell these if you're interested. *WINK*<br />
8. We spent most of March without a fridge- I was so happy to get our new one I Instagrammed it!<br />
9. Late Spring Snowman- taken down with our sword collection<br />
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10. Lots of silly time with me and the little girl.<br />
11. My job is awesome- Chucky got to spend the day at a festival with me!<br />
12. Chucky has really started to enjoy doing school work.<br />
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13. Mother's Day was low-key but awesome. I got to relax with a Carol Burnett Show DVD!<br />
14. Silly time with Daddy!<br />
15. My. Job. Is. Awesome. Some photos from our last event!<br />
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Okay there we go, mostly caught up! Now cross your fingers and wish on a star that I can stay on top of blogging for the rest of 2013- it's shaping up to be a BIG year for us!Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13444438688396548401noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7058271125033490056.post-11254433453214707202013-01-18T14:34:00.000-05:002013-01-18T14:34:05.485-05:00SNOW GLORIOUS SNOW<div style="text-align: center;">
After begging and begging- FINALLY we've gotten a decent snowstorm in SWVA! Because we didn't know how long it was going to last so we did everything we could think of this morning!!</div>
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We painted the snow with food coloring</div>
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we built a snowman (really late at night!)</div>
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she requested a snow castle with a bridge. We carved it out from a pile of snow on a bench in our yard.</div>
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A spoon and bowl provided hours of fun, I had to bribe her back in with cookies and a snowball in her bubble bath!</div>
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sorry about the lack of blogging, I'm trying to keep it up again!</div>
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Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13444438688396548401noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7058271125033490056.post-38575571522308261032012-10-14T19:10:00.002-04:002012-10-14T19:10:49.641-04:00In My Head--- ExcusesI wish you could see into my head- I have so many half-baked blog posts. Let's just catch up.<br />
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1. We went camping over Labor Day weekend with Dorita and family. It was amazingly fun, though cut short due to the hurricane that passed through.<br />
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2. Chucky Sue broke her finger Thursday. A Gymboree clothes display fell on it. She was very brave at the ER and has been great with her splint and recovery.<br />
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3.We started watching Doctor Who. Jake and I watch an episode or two for our "date" nights. I absolutely LOVE it.<br />
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4. The magazine is going swimmingly! I'm learning a lot and loving every single second. I write three articles and work with my boss on advertising and marketing<br />
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5. Jake is in the midst of applying to grad schools. Cross your fingers that he gets in and in a few years, gets a job in a school as a counselor.<br />
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6. Jake got called as Young Men's 2nd Counselor in church- he now spends Sundays and Wednesdays with the 12-18 year old boys. He brings in fun object lessons so they really like him.<br />
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7. I had a pizza party for my primary class (4 and 5 year olds) They earned it by behaving during class all summer long. It was really cute to spend some time with the kids outside of church!<br />
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8. Visiting NH! Hopefully we can save up the money and with some help from Nonie make it up to NH for Thanksgiving! It'd be a train ride, but I think with enough snacks, toys and Dora episodes, we can make it through.<br />
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See, I really do think about blogging, but I hardly ever get it done! If you need a weekly dose of Tracy check out Growingupinthevalley.com/blog!Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13444438688396548401noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7058271125033490056.post-31379135718552357612012-08-30T14:04:00.001-04:002012-08-30T14:04:20.203-04:00The Top Five Cutest Things Chucky Sue is Doing Right NowLately Chucky Sue has really grown into her personality- she is so adorable!<br />
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1. Her words. her vocabulary has grown leaps and bounds. I used to write posts listing all the words she knows, but it's well into the hundreds now. She knows her colors, numbers and letters- though the letters are mostly C, H, A, and R. She loves pointing to objects and naming them with a huge proud smile on her face.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bonus cute thing: Getting better at doing projects with mommy!</td></tr>
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2. Singing. She's always squeaked, hummed and babbled out musical sounds, but she has started to sing nursery rhymes and primary songs by herself! I recently sent my mom a video of her rendition of Twinkle Twinkle Little Star. If it hadn't occurred during bath time I'd share it here (but I think 14 year old Chucky Sue doesn't want that floating around the internet!)<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Random photo of ME! Proving to the internet that I don't live in sweat pants and pigtails.</td></tr>
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3. Demon Voice. I've tried again and again to get this on video, but it hasn't worked out. You'll have to rely on my words. When Chucky Sue is mad or angry, she gets this VERY low, grumbly voice. for example, while at the park a few days ago, Chucky Sue didn't want to leave. So in a very LOUD demon voice she stated "MOMMY. I stay at park FOREVER." and then went right back into her very high little girl voice while prancing about the playground. We're working on using a "nice" voice and asking mommy or daddy instead of demanding- but it's still cute!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mommy and Chucky making faces at Daddy!</td></tr>
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4. Her girly tendencies. I don't fancy myself a girly girl, but I do like make up and making sure I look presentable. Chucky Sue has taken this to a whole new level. She has a few favorite ULTRA poofy pink dresses that she wants to wear everyday. And the shoes. OH THE SHOES. Not only does she want to wear shoes all the time, she likes the colors or designs to match. (bow dress should have bow shoes, flower shoes with flower dress etc. etc. etc.) She even has her own box of "makeup" which consists of clear chapstick and empty eyeshadow pots filled with dried nail polish.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chucky Sue and Dorita playing in the pool. They are getting better at playing WITH each other.</td></tr>
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5. Reading. Chucky Sue has loved books since birth, but lately she's been REALLY into them. She'll pile up a few dozen of her favorite books and sit on her bed and just "read" for an hour or so. It's how she goes to sleep each night- surrounded by her books and stuffed animals. I love that she can entertain herself so well!Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13444438688396548401noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7058271125033490056.post-78598120989762404792012-08-24T19:19:00.000-04:002012-08-24T19:19:28.101-04:00Pinned & Done!I am almost at 3000 pins on Pinterest- to celebrate here are some of my reviews from Pins I've Actually Done (PIADs, if you will)<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.chef-in-training.com/2012/08/cookies-and-cream-popcorn/" target="_blank">Oreo Popcorn-</a></span></div>
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I loved this the minute I saw it! Chucky Sue's two favorite treats combined?! I didn't actually read the recipe, because it looked a lot like puppy chow. I melted white chocolate with a touch of butter in the mircowave, spread it all over the popcorn and then shook crushed oreos all over it. After about an hour in the fridge the chocolate hardened and we munched on it for FHE. Next time I make it, I'll be more careful about picking out all the un-popped kernels. Those were no fun to bite into! Or maybe I'll just buy those pre-popped popcorn bags!<br />
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<a href="http://mommywisdom.blogspot.com/2010/11/lunch-box-treat.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">Rolo Pencils</span></a></div>
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This is one craft that we're doing for the magazine, A round candy with a Hershey kiss glued to the top to make an adorable pencil! I even made a video tutorial that isn't available YET but will be soon! (Yeah, there's a youtube channel for the magazine too!)<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Beachy Waves</span></div>
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This one I did forever ago, and since I've chopped off all my hair! But it was my go-to "fancy" hair when I had no time or Chucky Sue was being a demanding toddler. The picture doesn't lead to a tutorial (at least the pin I saw- anyone know the source?) You plait your hair into two large fairly loose braids, then twist them tightly away from your face and use the straighter along the "grain" of your hair- meaning you twist it instead of pulling straight down. Then you let your hair cool, or put some curl hold spray stuff (I am such a good beauty blogger.) and voila! beachy waves without the beach or too much product.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Salt Dough Ornaments</span></div>
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Just ask Jake- there's no flour or salt left in this house. Testing a small batch for the magazine ended up as a week long process and it was SO MUCH FUN. I made pre-baked ornaments that will end up in the magazine, plus a bunch of family ones that Chucky Sue helped me color. (Nonie's has a frog, Angelina a butterfly and Chucky Sue chose a moon and stars!) I love that this craft can be adapted for a lot of different age levels. Chucky Sue loved just playing with the dough and squishing it. Older kids will actually be able to design and bake their ornaments or knick-knacks.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://lemontwiggsanewjourney.blogspot.com/2011/07/no-more-naked-barbies.html" target="_blank">Nail Polish Barbie Suits</a></span></div>
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Chucky Sue has two or three Barbie dolls. One has a molded leotard on, but Chucky Sue being the ultimate american kid, strips her dolls down and plays with them naked. Not so much a problem at home, but at church it can be kind of embarrassing to be discussing modesty and chastity with a naked Barbie being tossed about under the pews. I used some left over bon-bon (remember bon-bon nail polish? These were easily from the 8th grade!) and made the other dolls permanent swim suits.<br />
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A lot of articles on the blogosphere are talking about Pinterest's decline, and whether or not the site will stick around and be successful. I think it won't ever regain it's crazy popularity it had a year ago, but it's here to stay if I have anything to say about it!Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13444438688396548401noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7058271125033490056.post-80594600038718386182012-08-18T21:49:00.001-04:002012-08-18T21:49:30.857-04:00Primary Class Treats!My class, like every children's sunday school class, begs for treats every week. I try my hardest to limit it to lesson related goodies or special occasions but sometimes I just have to give into those big begging eyes!<br />
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I do however, rarely bring in food. The manual is against it, it makes a mess and really more trouble than it's worth. For Valentine's day I gave them crazy straws, for Easter they got play dough eggs. So what if "Back to School" isn't a real holiday- most of my kids are starting kindergarten and are VERY excited about it. So with a little photoshop card, I made these cute goodie bags for my kids!<br />
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What kid doesn't like balloons? I made sure to give them several so they can share with their families. The packaging is multipurpose, it's CUTE and it keeps them from blowing up the balloons until they are HOME. I wrote "Congrats!" on the balloons in sharpie and let those dry for a bit before I made all the baggies.<br />
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What are some of the more memorable treats you got as a kid? I know my mom still has the popsicle stick frames we made her for mother's day once!Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13444438688396548401noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7058271125033490056.post-35510452402793570162012-08-09T18:30:00.000-04:002012-08-09T18:30:06.687-04:00New Year Resolutions: A ReviewBack in January I posted a listed of things I wanted to get done this year, both personally and professionally. Now, 8 months into the year, how have I done so far?<br />
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<i>These photos are completely unrelated to the post- but they are cute! </i></div>
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Personally I've tried to be a better mom- scheduling Chucky Sue's day better and spending more one on one time with her while being 100% focused on our activity. She's slowly starting to enjoy craft projects, and of course loves it when I play along with her toys. We've decided to wait another 6 months or so before attempting to potty train again. Chucky Sue's communication skills need to develop a bit more; She still spends some days just grunting and pointing instead of using the words we know she knows.<br />
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I've also started walking just about everyday (though I will admit that has stopped entirely during this crazy oppressive heat!) and being more aware of what I'm eating. I've almost entirely cut out caffeine and soda, I save it as a treat for when we go out to eat. With all those habit changes, I have lost about 15lbs since February. It's slow going but I'm happy with any loss!<br />
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Professionally I had set out to *someday* finish my college education in hopes to find a job with social media advertising. By complete lucky and random chance I found a job I qualified for on Craigslist and am now a freelance writer and graphic designer for <a href="https://www.facebook.com/growingupinthevalley" target="_blank"><b>Growing Up in The Valley</b></a>- a new family magazine for all of Southwest Virginia! Our first issue is due out at the end of the this month and I am so excited to share it with all of you! I wrote three articles (about 4ish pages depending on the layout) and so far I've designed 3 ads for our sponsors. I will also be in the online video on the website! I would have never thought I could find a job like this and still be able to stay at home with Chucky Sue. Sometimes blessings are hard to see, sometimes they just smack you in the face. This is definitely a face-smacking blessing.<br />
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<a href="http://distilleryimage3.s3.amazonaws.com/abb979fad9af11e18a2e22000a1e8b88_7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://distilleryimage3.s3.amazonaws.com/abb979fad9af11e18a2e22000a1e8b88_7.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="http://distilleryimage6.s3.amazonaws.com/275a3b02dda811e1b57822000a1cbf02_7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://distilleryimage6.s3.amazonaws.com/275a3b02dda811e1b57822000a1cbf02_7.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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If you asked me a year ago where I thought I'd be, I would have never guessed that I'd have this much success and happiness. I was predicting that I'd be in a stalemate professionally- stuck between working out of the house and paying for daycare or staying home and not having a career at all. I've never held much stock in making resolutions for the New Year, but I think I'm changing my tune!Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13444438688396548401noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7058271125033490056.post-7477632945276839282012-07-27T12:56:00.000-04:002012-07-27T12:56:12.549-04:00Friday Favorites<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Here are My <u>First</u> Five Friday Favorites!</b></span></div>
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1.</div>
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Freebies.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All these freebies came on the same day</td></tr>
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I love getting freebies in the mail! Freestufftimes.com is a great collection of freebies and giveaways.</div>
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2.</div>
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<a href="http://www.ilovelittlebella.com/">I Close My Eyes</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiEz5HskcuKaVOLQWglXP-LN4lKJCNddqpzYdroyleanwRhoEZg3fwv3AmMPh6sbQWxL1mIY9y2aYXwwAwpxHD5e__hFBDHEUYPqGz47JQbSBybP-fWujy6OO185BIlTSym0kgIVAw0Z1j/s1600/Picture+5.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiEz5HskcuKaVOLQWglXP-LN4lKJCNddqpzYdroyleanwRhoEZg3fwv3AmMPh6sbQWxL1mIY9y2aYXwwAwpxHD5e__hFBDHEUYPqGz47JQbSBybP-fWujy6OO185BIlTSym0kgIVAw0Z1j/s400/Picture+5.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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This is a book app I bought for Chucky Sue on my phone- it is beautiful! The art work is fun and different than any other book app I've seen.</div>
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3.</div>
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Late Night Ice Cream</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLIfTEcNgnpwtp53w7ha5yy_SpWHItlMtIc4V_n-tNHkC8bGGDiuz4vYK7L0THQ6rt_rLiX-QdWDrePXz83tuLPL4aapinAberAQtiBau3iyLelyue_xgxKVZ-UOcoOXCceKJj2fHsjelv/s1600/Picture+6.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLIfTEcNgnpwtp53w7ha5yy_SpWHItlMtIc4V_n-tNHkC8bGGDiuz4vYK7L0THQ6rt_rLiX-QdWDrePXz83tuLPL4aapinAberAQtiBau3iyLelyue_xgxKVZ-UOcoOXCceKJj2fHsjelv/s1600/Picture+6.png" /></a></div>
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Jake surprised us last night and took us out on a late night family date for some cheap frozen yogurt at Sweet Frogz!</div>
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<a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_103818365">4.</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h6sLHWZnhk4">Sesame Street Does Glee</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi50slvXmgsjf-TAvoxN1KRSgBkTXR_Rgkc9DAswOSzvge0fU48T3-MsdCJ572qHVVIcGu1UZve8S_Z-46RmdZeDHSeUhGQpKA2mNNg6bi__C2Z1vDfQ31kx5pICXrfW-eYtpxWDJSXa3Ni/s1600/Picture+8.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi50slvXmgsjf-TAvoxN1KRSgBkTXR_Rgkc9DAswOSzvge0fU48T3-MsdCJ572qHVVIcGu1UZve8S_Z-46RmdZeDHSeUhGQpKA2mNNg6bi__C2Z1vDfQ31kx5pICXrfW-eYtpxWDJSXa3Ni/s400/Picture+8.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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I love when Sesame Street puts in some jokes that only the adults will get. Their High School Musical spoofs were just as funny!</div>
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5.</div>
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<a href="http://momcentral.com/">MomCentral.com</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ-JgfWP76jaQoaAdvybdMyqsqeUeAHHHHRyVTs6mB_lJD47cSWFmpOzDIIJbVaQnPvUbhxvAFkFi8NuchQF4WbPmxHEWDVsU0IY6cYqhxRPnNv7nE7WsbFzSiOIP3vKStR6JOfRC5vPmN/s1600/Picture+9.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="140" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ-JgfWP76jaQoaAdvybdMyqsqeUeAHHHHRyVTs6mB_lJD47cSWFmpOzDIIJbVaQnPvUbhxvAFkFi8NuchQF4WbPmxHEWDVsU0IY6cYqhxRPnNv7nE7WsbFzSiOIP3vKStR6JOfRC5vPmN/s320/Picture+9.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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This is an awesome site. It is a group of mommy (and a few daddy) bloggers! Thanks to their blogger program I will be posting about the awesome Hoover TwinTank Steam Mop they sent me! They have a fun twitter chat on Tuesdays too.</div>Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13444438688396548401noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7058271125033490056.post-34390271952538891082012-07-26T20:03:00.001-04:002012-07-26T20:03:36.339-04:00Little Girls and their...Trains?Chucky Sue had a play date with her youngest cousin, Dorita, a little bit ago. She, her mom and dad, and her visiting aunt all joined us at our awesome perfectly toddler sized zoo to spend a fun Saturday together.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHAAk8Jm_ADU9mC_sSb4Cnd365vh3GGtHuKn8jX9ruclNaWa_7ACXKtXvTFL3-tYSx6oIV5ScKWjM8rJJ-g20rAYX9nTtjnDKJOGxTtz1Nfgbqfz2wsxcXV75KhFRH-ZOH1zh0l7ssofqi/s1600/BlogSized002.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHAAk8Jm_ADU9mC_sSb4Cnd365vh3GGtHuKn8jX9ruclNaWa_7ACXKtXvTFL3-tYSx6oIV5ScKWjM8rJJ-g20rAYX9nTtjnDKJOGxTtz1Nfgbqfz2wsxcXV75KhFRH-ZOH1zh0l7ssofqi/s400/BlogSized002.png" width="300" /></a></div>
Dorita is a climbing expert, and has no fear about falling or animals gobbling her up in one bite. After visiting the big city zoo out in Oregon she was a pro at this.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhQ7cXqz36rQ9Va7nMfJ4AcHu1lnW3ETTpX2EfS3fOLJ6Lgk4m3HZykrm2iwCZ75Jr4rS0__PTugH4vcY8LbZuvsgrYMZdnIzhWS0BMGopDu3LYOnX20XB7OYK8GAOE_4inMinFAwwPv5N/s1600/BlogSized003.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhQ7cXqz36rQ9Va7nMfJ4AcHu1lnW3ETTpX2EfS3fOLJ6Lgk4m3HZykrm2iwCZ75Jr4rS0__PTugH4vcY8LbZuvsgrYMZdnIzhWS0BMGopDu3LYOnX20XB7OYK8GAOE_4inMinFAwwPv5N/s320/BlogSized003.png" width="240" /></a></div>
And even though Chucky Sue is 10 months older, she prefers following instead of leading.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ0ETmwFnDdBSEvi7BM1tpbEfAasmE7fxkt7l5xjHQwOP4MKxObWAYYb1xVPlENVFoqybgBjjUIJl6dpWPI_IVNGf8ZqDSJ56zXU3aqsazm0KXr_kLOQhvNMeicLS5C7_N6P7izImTPQaO/s1600/BlogSized004.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ0ETmwFnDdBSEvi7BM1tpbEfAasmE7fxkt7l5xjHQwOP4MKxObWAYYb1xVPlENVFoqybgBjjUIJl6dpWPI_IVNGf8ZqDSJ56zXU3aqsazm0KXr_kLOQhvNMeicLS5C7_N6P7izImTPQaO/s400/BlogSized004.png" width="400" /></a></div>
I love that the zoo is small enough that we can let the two toddlers drag us around and not have to worry at all about getting lost. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1PaXtmnWsk4kYFuPz0aM5pKmUHy6mrNErsTxgKbEC4B1Q5djsiLtKQBowPTa8yO2Ea0j-bDWby1sijlz3iPwm1ANIF-rFvayMiHjajMslB48_yoU8Aj-FfwcogdF3Wsdm_-7TZzn7ucpN/s1600/BlogSized005.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1PaXtmnWsk4kYFuPz0aM5pKmUHy6mrNErsTxgKbEC4B1Q5djsiLtKQBowPTa8yO2Ea0j-bDWby1sijlz3iPwm1ANIF-rFvayMiHjajMslB48_yoU8Aj-FfwcogdF3Wsdm_-7TZzn7ucpN/s320/BlogSized005.png" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chucky looks very grown up in this picture, I think it's her sassy attitude!</td></tr>
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I love these pictures of Jake and Chucky Sue together, but to tell the truth I was taking photos more to prove to Jake how dangerous it was to have her up on that ledge!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVHZI8-jUhJbJr5q3I6ObTxIOpWt4AwcSdaMIB_cKqzH8gvkYdTAVEFjTdufwe6GxG5rg5lP4t1VpFZ_4fiM2Tg2sNBb6ecTCIMtHUzhFKDZEBcFl5ov0p_yQ5c4ozo7br2vbSvOaKPGn3/s1600/BlogSized006.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVHZI8-jUhJbJr5q3I6ObTxIOpWt4AwcSdaMIB_cKqzH8gvkYdTAVEFjTdufwe6GxG5rg5lP4t1VpFZ_4fiM2Tg2sNBb6ecTCIMtHUzhFKDZEBcFl5ov0p_yQ5c4ozo7br2vbSvOaKPGn3/s200/BlogSized006.png" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga9KX3QvEaBT1kqUAVv8y46zabaNd3CXSrJFFyE-wAUWQ3PKD-NhCI8Jpjt7xGjOXqkYkVp51J_fkR8ILFaaBuUa-cAjfX_G-Db-HSwF1PJgzJGnh3Ttb8wO8HG0kJPM6OxfRQ07hXMMtE/s1600/IMG_1986.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga9KX3QvEaBT1kqUAVv8y46zabaNd3CXSrJFFyE-wAUWQ3PKD-NhCI8Jpjt7xGjOXqkYkVp51J_fkR8ILFaaBuUa-cAjfX_G-Db-HSwF1PJgzJGnh3Ttb8wO8HG0kJPM6OxfRQ07hXMMtE/s200/IMG_1986.png" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwZvyS_dFR7Y8LwbxNWexinRrmK_jVZbGOjOSNsTEQRV5lU2ZouZOjbs_4ockgB4sthoH1Ckt2td9uiWCJMlwtwu0lPI9n9YgSUDWAD7lsYn6QoYj4cf-Zg51um4c3ZalHAkQExh7TR5Hc/s1600/IMG_1988.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwZvyS_dFR7Y8LwbxNWexinRrmK_jVZbGOjOSNsTEQRV5lU2ZouZOjbs_4ockgB4sthoH1Ckt2td9uiWCJMlwtwu0lPI9n9YgSUDWAD7lsYn6QoYj4cf-Zg51um4c3ZalHAkQExh7TR5Hc/s200/IMG_1988.png" width="150" /> </a></div>
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The zoo has this cellphone text campaign, where you can win free rides on their dinky train (normally $2 a person so we've never ridden it!) Thankfully our large family got all the texting done for us and Chucky Sue and I got to ride for free! Chucky loved the ride once it started, but was a little sad that Jake had to stay with the strollers and diaper bags.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I had left the camera (D'oh!) in the stroller, so you can't quite see the anger and sadness she was expressing in the iphone photo.</td></tr>
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I absoultely love watching Chucky Sue and Dorita play and interact with each other. They are going to keep us on our toes their whole lives the little scamps!<br /><br />
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<br />Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13444438688396548401noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7058271125033490056.post-91654305632254834872012-07-25T22:50:00.001-04:002012-07-25T22:50:28.652-04:00Angelina's Marker<br />
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My parents are simply amazing, you all should know that.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBuYAEuNf-GaxcTgUAaHeN-yyt-edqoyHeKiVu-xPgemYOkv-4JR3vkYMRPmlfctiIxYD2VctcIByWVBNVXpGgYFpZFS29SY7OyodR1SqEtCKJvmskmL9u_JZmgoVh1vK_zq451nuYD7ZZ/s1600/angelsmarker2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBuYAEuNf-GaxcTgUAaHeN-yyt-edqoyHeKiVu-xPgemYOkv-4JR3vkYMRPmlfctiIxYD2VctcIByWVBNVXpGgYFpZFS29SY7OyodR1SqEtCKJvmskmL9u_JZmgoVh1vK_zq451nuYD7ZZ/s200/angelsmarker2.png" width="200" /></a></div>
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They saved up and purchased a site marker for Angelina's grave. We had been using the small plastic placeholder that the funeral home gave us two years ago and it was starting to look grungy. My parents were incredibly selfless and gave up a summer visit from Chucky Sue and me to pay for the marker. We went with butterflies for the design Really, that shouldn't be a shocker to regular readers. Angelina basically equals butterflies in this house. Even Chucky Sue points to them and says her name.<br />
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Every time I visit Angelina I have a strange whirlwind of emotions- sadness, love, confusion, and usually after a prayer, peace.<br />
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Chucky Sue loved tracing the butterflies with her fingers and smelling the flowers Jake brought.<br />
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I never thought my family's life would include regular visits to a cemetery. It's important to both Jake and me that Chucky Sue know Angelina as much as she can, and visiting her grave is a big part of that.<br />
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So thank you Mom & Dad, you have no idea how much your generosity means to us.<br />
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<br />Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13444438688396548401noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7058271125033490056.post-88291912761564190132012-07-18T19:18:00.002-04:002012-07-18T19:18:36.501-04:00The Original Dish Drying MatI haaaate doing dishes. I have ever since I was a kid. The scummy water, the gross half eaten food- icky sticky plates and bowls!? EW EW EW.<br />
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So since being married Jake has gratefully taken over that role. But I still clean the kitchen and those plastic dish drainers can get just as nasty as the dirty dishes! Every one I've had develops this nasty slick film all over it. Water collects beneath it and gets moldy, icky and just plain gross.<br />
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So when Influenster sent me their Mom VoxBox full of products to test out, I was super crazy excited over <a href="http://www.the-original-co.com/v3/item.aspx?category1id=KITCHEN#.UAdDq3Cgk3g">The Original Dish Drying Mat </a>included inside. I immediately threw out my plastic drainer and put this underneath. It fits my counter perfectly, even though our kitchen is cramped and tiny. It is a good couple of inches wider than the drying rack we use too, so we can place items around it for a even bigger dish "load". It holds enough water without bleeding through, so water doesn't EVER touch the counter! It also uses some freaky science magic to dry faster than any dish towel I used. If and when juice or food gets on it, it washes easily. I think you would have to work hard to get this mat to mold or get grody.<br />
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Also, it's crazy cheap- about $5 at Walmart, Target or Bed Bath and Beyond! I'm thinking of buying a few for a couple of baby showers coming up, these would be perfect under a bottle washing rack!<br />
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Come back later this week for more posts about all the other products from my VoxBox, Birchbox and samples from online! <br />
<br />Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13444438688396548401noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7058271125033490056.post-75550197126334005672012-07-12T17:24:00.002-04:002012-07-12T17:24:31.010-04:00Doctor DoctorMy summer is just shaping up *great*.<br />
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Sadly you can't hear the sarcasm dripping from my voice as I wrote that. While the blackout ended up being a blessing in disguise (thanks again Mamaw!) as soon as the blasted heatwave ended, I got a nasty fever. I thought I was just coming down with a horrible summer cold. I dutifully took dayquil and sanitized everything so Chucky Sue wouldn't catch it. Turns out that dayquil won't get rid of a nasty case of tonsillitis so we got to use our new urgent care office, Dr. Express.<br />
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I know we do have one of, if not THE best healthcare in the world. The fact that I took a total of 15 minutes to see a doctor, get a script and fill it is amazing. I am very grateful for that fact. Modern medicine is such a great blessing, truly. I am slightly LESS grateful that it cost as much as my car payment to spend 15 minutes in a doctor's office. I do think doctors should be paid well for their services. They sacrifice a lot for the general public and worked hard to get where they are- but even factoring overhead and business costs, my very nice doctor was being paid at a rate of <b> $400</b> an hour. And let's not forget to mention that I was paying the "low" price because my problem didn't require much doctoring. You go to them with something that require lots of lab work or time? I'm sure the price skyrockets. There is being paid well and fairly for your services, and then<i> </i>there is <i>gouging</i> the sick because they don't want to suffer anymore.<br />
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Not saying I know where to even begin to fix this problem, but pointing out that is clearly needs to be fixed. Being sick shouldn't wipe out someone's savings or force someone to choose between getting healthy or paying their bills. Getting the script for pills that cost $4 shouldn't have cost over $100.<br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">(also Karma, why are you kicking the one family member without insurance?)</span><br />
<br />Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13444438688396548401noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7058271125033490056.post-19243211709387982662012-07-01T16:02:00.003-04:002012-07-01T16:02:45.293-04:00Charity Never FailethAs you may have heard, my side of the country has been powerless for a few days now thanks to a mean spirited wind storm. It's been blowing through the states wreaking havoc everywhere it goes!<br />
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Our apartment, while rustic and charming, is also very old. It is on the second floor of a converted house and we roast in the heat even with a window A/C unit and a few fans. (or windows as Chucky Sue calls them!) After spending the first night boiling in our bedroom, we fled down to our old hometown and have stayed with family since then.<br />
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This whole ordeal made me very glad that we had family near by willing to take us in and cool us down. I didn't have to worry about Big City's emergency plans (or their entire LACK of) I didn't have to worry about my food going bad, if my toddler was going to have a heat stroke, I was taken care of. I know my family would have taken us in no matter what, but I'm 100% sure, that if they couldn't or wouldn't- our home ward would have found us a place to stay. They called us fairly early in the morning to make sure that we had survived the storm and that we would be safe while the power was being restored.<br />
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While down here, we went to our old ward and visited with friends. Our Relief Society lesson was on Charity, and how we implement charity, versus worldly organizations. A a church we are taught to take care of ourselves to the best of our ability, then slowly move outward. Once we are safe and taken care of we can focus on our neighbors, and then our community, and then our state up until everyone is cared for. the whole church also works using the "teach a man to fish" method of charity.<br />
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We have plenty of fish to hand out, but if we just hand it out willy-nilly, soon there will be no fish. In class we learned how a lot of the church's past and present efforts have to do with education and training people in ways that will better not only their lives, but their communities. I know personally when I've needed help from the church in any fashion they are willing to give it, and truly ask for nothing in return, but they'd rather make sure we've done all we can to help ourselves before turning to the church. To some that may seem cold or cruel, but when you examine the process thoroughly, you can see the divine inspiration. The church WILL help, but it does not want you to become dependent on "hand outs" or look for the easy way out of a bad situation. The church is teaching us all how to be better and take care of ourselves, all the while being a safety net for when life truly does get out of hand.<br />
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So through this mini "disaster" I have learned things I need to change in my life (stock up on more non-refrigerated food!) problems that will arise in similar occasions and how to deal with them as they come. I've also learned a lot about charity and how I can better serve my family and community.Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13444438688396548401noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7058271125033490056.post-62523061891629956522012-06-22T21:34:00.000-04:002012-06-22T21:34:14.833-04:00Life: Getting in the Way<div style="text-align: center;">
I am so upset with myself. I had a tiny inkling of an idea to blog every weekday this summer. As you can see, we're almost done with June and I've posted about 9 times. Way to go Tracy!</div>
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Life just jumps out and blocks every creative and/or leisure plan I've made. Everything I have going on right now is fun and worthwhile. It's not like I'm stuck doing something boring, but I was hoping it'd be a bit more balanced.</div>
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My articles for the first edition of Growing Up in the Valley are due soon, that is what has been eating up my time. I've been up late writing and editing the past week or so. I want to make sure that everything is as perfect as it can be for the first printing. Speaking of- make sure you go like <a href="https://www.facebook.com/growingupinthevalley">our Facebook page </a>for news about where to find our magazine and interesting links as well. If you like us before the first issue is out, you'll be entered into a drawing for an <b>iPod Touch</b> (unless you're related to me. Sorry guys!).</div>
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Thankfully I keep my phone around and have been able to snap some shots of our busy busy lives:</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(1: An apple print for my first craft article 2. Working hard at the library</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>3. Fancy Dinner for missionaries 4. Getting pretty with toddler makeup)</i></span></div>
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<a href="http://followgram.me/tracyfisher/">Follow me on Instagram</a></div>Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13444438688396548401noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7058271125033490056.post-73210916140160818442012-06-09T18:31:00.001-04:002012-06-09T18:31:47.068-04:00More Signs Chucky Sue is a BIG GirlEvery once in a while it just hits me, Chucky Sue is growing up so darn fast! Sometimes too fast for my liking. I've always thought the "blink and you'll miss it" saying about children must have been an exaggeration, but I'm here to tell you- it's not! It seems like every time I turn around she's learning and doing new things.<br />
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The most recent big girl moment was at our local playground. The playground is divided into two main sections, the babies and preschoolers on one end, the older kids on the other. We've always let her go on her own in the younger section by herself, but have hovered close by while she explored the older one. This past week she's mastered everything on the ENTIRE playground. All the slides, steps, bridges and twists. She's so good at everything that she sat me and Jake down on a bench and told us off for trying to help her! She follows all the rules we've taught her- taking turns, no pushing, holding on to railings, even waiting for a grown up to use the fire pole.<br />
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but then again, there are times when she cuddles up next to me during a movie or falls asleep in the car where I can still see glimpses of that little baby from two years ago.Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13444438688396548401noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7058271125033490056.post-30439527205282240132012-06-06T08:00:00.000-04:002012-06-06T08:00:15.999-04:00Instagram: Pretend BeautySometimes I pretend that I actually know how to be a girl. I even have a subscription to Birchbox, a monthly beauty sample box. I stink at putting on face make up, but I love doing my nails! Here is some of my recent creations:<br />
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<br />Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13444438688396548401noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7058271125033490056.post-81296181788230526692012-06-04T10:42:00.002-04:002012-06-04T10:42:17.382-04:00Family Summer To-Do<div style="text-align: center;">
In and effort to keep from melting into nothing this summer in our un-air-conditioned house, Jake and I wrote up a list of fun summer-y activities to do with Chucky Sue this year, here is just a sampling of our ideas:</div>
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Go Camping*Visit Natural Bridge*Walk the Greenway*Blow Glow-in-the-Dark Bubbles*Roast Marshmallows*Make Ice Cream*Play at Smith Park with Cousins*Go Swimming at Splash Park</div>
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Look at Stars*Have a Sleepover*Pick Flowers*Take New Family Photos*Go Shopping</div>
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Find a Farmer's Market*Go To Mill Mountain Zoo*Visit Mamaw</div>
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Call Nonie and Papaw*Make a Blanket Fort*Give lots of kisses</div>
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Watch a sunset*Ride Bikes*Bake Cookies*Go to Story time*Fly Kites*Stay up late</div>
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I think we're well on our way to a fun summer!</div>
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<br /></div>Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13444438688396548401noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7058271125033490056.post-14722635443786180942012-06-03T14:15:00.000-04:002012-06-03T14:15:00.143-04:00Geek Gadget: Iphone CoversI am slightly obsessed with iphone covers. Jake rolls his eyes everytime we got go to a department store or to the mall because he knows I will be browsing the iphone cover aisle for a good long while. (Don't worry, I limit myself for the sake of my budget, no new cover until the old one breaks!) But it just amazes me how creative people can get with such a simple shape!<br />
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Like this one, that looks like a sandwich! This one was<a href="http://phonecovercases.com/2011/10/checkout-the-cool-unique-burger-bun-shaped-iphone-case-sold-in-korea/"> spotted in Asia</a> though, so I'm not sure it's available state side.<br />
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This one proves that homemade can be a great option too! This <a href="http://www.geeky-gadgets.com/diy-star-trek-iphone-case/">fellow Trekkie </a>super glued an old broken pin to his plain black case and geeks around the world were jealous!</div>
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This one <a href="http://blogs.babble.com/family-style/2011/01/20/an-iphone-case-both-you-the-kids-can-snap-into/">featured on Babble i</a>s a contender for my next case, a lego one! I can see the awe on a kid's face if you whip this out in a waiting room and a few blocks to play with!</div>
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Besides just gorgeous patterns or colors, I love that iPhone case artists call back to old technology like in <a href="http://rawrgg.com/3-must-have-iphone-4g-geek-covers/">this GameBoy case.</a> I definitely remember caring around that brick of a handheld to play Dr. Mario!</div>
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Then of course there has to be <a href="http://dsc.discovery.com/gear-gadgets/frozen-han-solo-iphone-case-is-a-geeks-wet-dream.html">something Star Wars themed</a>! I think this case almost got Jake interested in an iPhone.</div>
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believe me, there are some crazy talented artists out there using apple's dimensions as a canvas!</div>
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<br />Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13444438688396548401noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7058271125033490056.post-64515783294063827542012-06-02T14:06:00.002-04:002012-06-02T14:06:52.750-04:00Recycled Art: Jewelry on the Cheap!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I've written about this craft before-</div>
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<a href="http://simply14.blogspot.com/2009/05/what-to-do-with-your-junk-mail-and.html"><span style="font-size: large;">Paper Beads!</span></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was 1.5 pages of magazines worth of beads.</td></tr>
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Normally I try to not write duplicate posts but the last post was back in 2009, so I hope you excuse me! I made the beads myself, but Chucky Sue helped me string them into some beautiful necklaces. It was great for her fine motor skills. She is really turning into a girly girl, so she loves anything with jewelry or makeup lately.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKvXru0QhS6F8_ggWIKJRK-nJ8AhPUVkN8WAv_yJtyZjjQP1CFQ-pdLGvhwE7AsUrw0NUpffY9-va2MUJj_E_Xy08LdNEJeGXoCCVj3CbKyhfdUYJdMCvPBMZboFwiMpBntwPKowsN1UAc/s1600/IMG_1679.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKvXru0QhS6F8_ggWIKJRK-nJ8AhPUVkN8WAv_yJtyZjjQP1CFQ-pdLGvhwE7AsUrw0NUpffY9-va2MUJj_E_Xy08LdNEJeGXoCCVj3CbKyhfdUYJdMCvPBMZboFwiMpBntwPKowsN1UAc/s400/IMG_1679.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Don't let her serious face trick you, she was having a blast- it's just hard work to concentrate! (also the bad editing is for Jake, he didn't want to show up in his PJs on my blog!)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj88U7WeAD-U7hkIy8umBGOxM5Nf2n3yGojAs9bXjWzcKi9UEthE_tUB_KZFEfLYZX9oJIqldsZKmDbnh3jicCIwcQdCoUCFXsGCCXJPcHVYLAK17uaiWqu1VxZIHeBwIbloG8Oh38aWzmu/s1600/IMG_1673.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj88U7WeAD-U7hkIy8umBGOxM5Nf2n3yGojAs9bXjWzcKi9UEthE_tUB_KZFEfLYZX9oJIqldsZKmDbnh3jicCIwcQdCoUCFXsGCCXJPcHVYLAK17uaiWqu1VxZIHeBwIbloG8Oh38aWzmu/s400/IMG_1673.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our first completed masterpiece.</td></tr>
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They are a perfect rainy day craft, all you need is paper, scissors, glue and string. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB7HmFdHHOSyCREfCIIW1jUEWyFaizRzK-9lGOMD7GO54gW911kUrF_wvuCcdlvAYEJAdpeUVCCx1frOW9gOKsd8trCQjIF8dNJzzBz5QBszCQI_Cx8iD7u7KpbkE2w5-iWBDXhpP9ET4L/s1600/IMG_1671.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB7HmFdHHOSyCREfCIIW1jUEWyFaizRzK-9lGOMD7GO54gW911kUrF_wvuCcdlvAYEJAdpeUVCCx1frOW9gOKsd8trCQjIF8dNJzzBz5QBszCQI_Cx8iD7u7KpbkE2w5-iWBDXhpP9ET4L/s400/IMG_1671.JPG" width="321" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1: a dowel or skewer to roll the paper on 2: glue to hold it all together 3: long skinny triangles of magazine paper works best! 4: any string you have laying around will work 5: Scissors to keep the edges neat, I've tried tearing it before and it never turned out well!</td></tr>
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I really love that I can make fun old necklaces and bracelets and if Chucky Sue crushes it, or it gets ruined all it cost me was a few cents and an hour or two. Quite different from when she rips my chain necklaces to pieces and I'm out at least $10!</div>
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<tr><td><a href="http://distilleryimage9.instagram.com/50c78b12ac2411e1ab011231381052c0_7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://distilleryimage9.instagram.com/50c78b12ac2411e1ab011231381052c0_7.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 16px;">Fun, easy, and earth friendly jewelry!<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13444438688396548401noreply@blogger.com0