tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-61902893318523223062024-03-13T23:25:55.849-04:00In A Perfect World...Modern day etiquette for charm and graceIn A Perfect Worldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02947470850916852543noreply@blogger.comBlogger63125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6190289331852322306.post-77362056499486524952014-03-08T12:41:00.002-05:002014-03-08T13:33:46.278-05:00Liberated LaundryI have been playing with the idea to make my own laundry soap for a while now. After collecting several pins on <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/inmyutopia/interesting-idea-s/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a>, I decided it was time to do some serious research, and make a commitment to do it! There are many different ideas and methods, but I knew I wanted a liquid laundry soap, and I wanted it to be a "green" recipe. Ultimately I settled on trying "<a href="http://www.budget101.com/myo-household-items/whipped-cream-super-laundry-soap-3993.html" target="_blank">Mom's Super Laundry Sauce</a>".<br />
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This recipe is very simple, and only requires 4 ingredients:<br />
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1 bar of Fels Naptha<br />
1 cup of 20 Mule Team Borax<br />
1 cup of Arm & Hammer Washing Soda (NOT Baking Soda)<br />
4 cups of water<br />
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All the ingredients can be found in the laundry aisle of your local grocery store, and I can not even begin to express my joy at the extremely low price of each item!<br />
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Since I am not a fan of microwave ovens (or radiation for that matter), I stuck with the traditional stove top method. It is slightly more time consuming, but well worth it to me.<br />
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The Fels Naptha bar must be shredded, but it's decently soft and shredded easily.<br />
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Fels Naptha has a pleasant scent, but I found that once I shredded it and added it to the boiling water the aroma was a bit too strong for me and I opened my front door (good thing we were having a Michigan heat wave and it was in the 40's!) and turned on my ceiling fan to help ventilate the air. The directions state the shredded Fels Naptha bar should be fully dissolved within 10-15 minutes, but I found that it took 20-25 minutes with constant stirring.<br />
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Once it's fully dissolved you add in the Borax and Washing Soda combo, and stir until you can no longer feel any grainy texture on the bottom. This took me about 10 minutes, but I wanted to make sure it was fully dissolved so the finished product wouldn't have any grainy texture to worry about leaving residue.<br />
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Once it's all fully dissolved, pour the mixture into two 1 quart mason jars equally. This will fill them each about halfway, then you add enough water to reach the "shoulders" of the mason jar leaving about an inch or so at the top. Then flip them upside down, the ingredients begin to separate, and you let them sit for 4 hours and go about your day.<br />
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My mother-in-law graciously loaned me two 1-quart mason jars for this project. One was a regular mouth mason jar and one was a wide mouth mason jar. This distinction is important for how you handle the next step... the blending. Most standard blenders will work with a regular mouth mason jar. You just screw the blender blade right on to the top of the regular mouth mason jar, put it on the blender, and hit puree... Voila! Easy and relatively mess free!<br />
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However, the large mouth mason jar doesn't fit on the blade, so I scraped out all the ingredients into my blender pitcher, whipped it up, and it did the trick just fine... just a tad bit more messy, but the same results.<br />
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Upon my research I found that this method cleans your laundry, but I still needed to soften my laundry. A <a href="http://greenlooksgoodoneveryone.wordpress.com/2013/10/11/got-laundry/" target="_blank">friend of mine</a> recommended using white vinegar in a downy ball in place of fabric softener during the rinse cycle. White vinegar not only helps soften your laundry, it also helps whiten, brighten, and eliminate any possibility of residue build up on clothes and in your washing machine.<br />
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So, now the big test... a load of dirty towels! I have a HE front load washing machine, so I loaded up the towels, plopped in a tablespoon of laundry sauce on top of my towels (Yes, that's right! Just <b>ONE tablespoon</b> per load!), threw in the downy ball with white vinegar in it, and set it to wash as normal. Once I got the towels out of the dryer I was very pleased with the results! The towels are very clean, and no scent other than just a clean smell. The towels aren't as soft as I am used to, but they aren't coarse either. I may play around with the amount of white vinegar I use in my next few loads of laundry, but since I'm not totally dissatisfied with the level of softness I will continue to use the white vinegar either way.<br />
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So, now my laundry is liberated from chemicals, and liberated from costly store brand laundry detergent! The method is slightly time consuming, but considering that one batch will last me about 6 months, I think it's well worth my time and effort. All in all it will cost me approximately $2.00 for about 128 loads of laundry!<br />
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You can find the link to the main article at the top, or you click on the link <a href="http://www.budget101.com/myo-household-items/whipped-cream-super-laundry-soap-3993.html" target="_blank">here</a>. I cannot stress enough the importance to follow the instructions on the link 100%! The instructions are very simple, it's more about having the patience to fully dissolve the ingredients during the cooking phase. But, considering the cooking phase is only a half an hour of your time, it's not that big of a deal to stress about it!<br />
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Next project on my list: <a href="http://www.onegoodthingbyjillee.com/2012/09/save-time-money-and-energy-make-your-own-wool-dryer-balls.html" target="_blank">Wool dryer balls</a>! Stay tuned!<br />
<br />In A Perfect Worldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02947470850916852543noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6190289331852322306.post-56294207363643804742014-03-05T14:48:00.000-05:002014-03-05T15:51:38.327-05:00A Lenten ChallengeI woke up today with a rumbling and a slight ache in my stomach. Nothing unusual, just normal hunger pangs. As I pondered what I wanted to eat for breakfast I was struck with the realization that I would not be satisfying my breakfast cravings today, because today is Ash Wednesday... A day of fasting and abstinence... no meat, and little food.<br />
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Most Catholics go through this day as an obligatory chore. I know plenty who stay up until midnight just so they can eat a full meal before bed. Some may wear their ashes proudly, but most go home and wash them off before they go out in public. Others may take the time to say extra prayers or do spiritual exercises, but most move through the day grudgingly, contemplating the food they are missing, taking out their bad mood on others around them. Most will not realize their complaints and minor hunger pains are perfect examples of first world problems.<br />
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Catholics love to discuss what they have voluntarily given up for Lent. Most people give up some tempting treat such sweets, or snacks, or even alcoholic beverages. Some people chose to add something to their daily lives like reading scripture, praying the rosary, or even physical exercise. Some Catholics take the penitential time of Lent very seriously and find things to give up, or things to add that will really challenge them. However, most won't go too far outside their comfort zone. Most will say, "I gave up chocolate, and it will be very hard, but I can still have it on Sunday."<br />
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The Lenten season is for 40 days and 40 nights, but each Sunday is considered a "mini Easter" and allows Catholics to have a break from their Lenten sacrifices. But, I have to ask the question, is it truly a sacrifice of penance when you look forward to having your treat all week until Sunday arrives and you can indulge?<br />
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I would like to offer my readers a Lenten challenge. When your tummy is grumbling, and your mood has turned sour from the pains of fasting, offer your suffering up for a child who has no food at all. When your cravings kick in and you want to give in and eat a burger on Friday, offer up your cravings for a family who is suffering from a great loss. When Sunday arrives and you want to indulge, offer up your Sunday indulgence for a child suffering from an incurable illness.<br />
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This is not to suggest one person's sacrifice is greater than another's, each sacrifice depends on the will of the individual. It is to suggest that you make each sacrifice count. To make your sacrifice give meaning to something beyond your own suffering. There are lots of needs in this world to offer our sacrifices for. Turn your Lenten sacrifices into deeds for a greater need, and maybe by Easter it will become a daily habit!<br />
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What have you given up for Lent?<br />
<br />In A Perfect Worldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02947470850916852543noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6190289331852322306.post-39619531239038154902014-02-04T13:15:00.001-05:002014-02-04T13:17:49.496-05:00Fighting The Dirty C!<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Today is World Cancer Day. It's the dirty C-word that everyone thinks about, but doesn't really want to talk about. I don't think there is a single family I know who hasn't been affected by it. So what can you do about it? Plenty!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Support is the best thing one person can do for another. Supporting a cause that has a personal effect on so many people everyday... what more could anyone ask for?! There are many different organizations that fund and support research for cures of all types of cancers. Pick one, or pick them all, just be supportive. Most organizations have several huge fundraising events that are fun and rewarding to get involved in. The one nearest and dearest to my heart is <a href="http://www.stjude.org/stjude/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=f87d4c2a71fca210VgnVCM1000001e0215acRCRD" target="_blank">St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital</a>. Here are just a few "did you know?" facts about St. Jude's from their <a href="http://www.stjude.org/stjude/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=434d1976d1e70110VgnVCM1000001e0215acRCRD&vgnextchannel=ee58ebc7a7319210VgnVCM1000001e0215acRCRD" target="_blank">website</a>:</span><br />
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6190289331852322306" id="noplace" name="noplace" style="color: #830e17; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline;">No Place Like St. Jude</a></h3>
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<li style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing and food – because all a family should worry about is helping their child live.</li>
<li style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Treatments invented at St. Jude have helped push the overall childhood cancer survival rate from 20 percent to more than 80 percent since it opened in 1962.</li>
<li style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">St. Jude is working to drive the overall survival rate for childhood cancer to 90 percent in the next decade. We won’t stop until no child dies from cancer.</li>
<li style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">St. Jude freely shares the breakthroughs we make, and every child saved at St. Jude means doctors and scientists worldwide can use that knowledge to save thousands more children.</li>
<li style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Because the majority of St. Jude funding comes from individual contributors, St. Jude has the freedom to focus on what matters most – saving kids regardless of their financial situation.</li>
<li style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">St. Jude was <a href="http://www.stjude.org/stjude/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=576bfa2454e70110VgnVCM1000001e0215acRCRD&cpsextcurrchannel=1" style="color: #830e17; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">founded</a> by the late entertainer Danny Thomas, who believed that “No child should die in the dawn of life.”</li>
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<span style="color: #2d2d2d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 19.200000762939453px;">St. Jude's was there for my family, and continues to help many others while always maintaining the positive atmosphere of HOPE! There are so many ways throughout the year to help support St. Jude's. There is the <a href="http://fundraising.stjude.org/site/PageServer?pagename=walk_home" target="_blank">St. Jude Give Thanks. Walk</a>.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dPKGtQrs_jI/UvEnGE7KhNI/AAAAAAAAA-Y/en7JeelVF1Q/s1600/Team+Dominator.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dPKGtQrs_jI/UvEnGE7KhNI/AAAAAAAAA-Y/en7JeelVF1Q/s1600/Team+Dominator.jpg" height="191" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our Team DOMinator at the St. Jude's Give Thanks Walk 2011</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #2d2d2d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The walk kicks off the St. Jude's Thanks and Giving fundraising campaign during the holiday season, so shoppers can make a donation at local stores while purchasing gifts. Every September Chili's Grill & Bar Restaurants picks a day of <a href="http://morehope.chilis.com/" target="_blank">"More Hope"</a> and donates 100% of their net profits to St. Jude's. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #2d2d2d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Each summer people from all over the country participate in the <a href="http://warriordash.com/" target="_blank">Warrior Dash</a> for St. Jude's. And many people make personal contributions for someone they know.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #2d2d2d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Showing your support for cancer research is so much bigger than I can ever articulate in writing. It's not about one more organization begging for money. It's not about seeing who can raise the most. It's about each and every dollar giving HOPE! It's about giving a child one more day filled with love and laughter. It's about giving your friend, co-worker, or family member a fighting chance. It's about showing support for LIFE! </span><br />
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<span style="color: #2d2d2d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">What is your favorite cause? How do you support your favorite cause?</span><br />
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In A Perfect Worldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02947470850916852543noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6190289331852322306.post-29515736610558456382014-01-28T16:20:00.002-05:002014-01-28T16:30:56.526-05:00To Choose or Not to Choose...I often get asked questions about proper etiquette. With the wedding season coming up, I have been getting a steady stream of questions regarding wedding etiquette. Recently, I was asked a wedding etiquette question that I didn't know the proper answer to, but it was because it was a regarding a topic that I don't see Bride's putting too much energy into in our current social norms. Should the Mother of the Bride (MOB) choose her dress before the Mother of the Groom (MOG), and should the MOB and MOG dresses compliment the colors of the wedding party?<br />
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The tradition answer to the first question is yes, the Mother of the Bride does choose her dress first, and the Mother of the Groom should choose a dress that complements (but does not match) the MOB's dress. Typically I tend to lean towards traditional etiquette, but in this instance, I can honestly say I really didn't put much stipulation on what either mother should wear at my wedding. Our wedding invitations specified a dress code of "Semi-Formal" (I did NOT want anyone coming to my wedding in cargo pants, or jeans!), and I assumed that both mothers would follow that dress code... and they did! All on their own!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-p6ZDFQ7Gyc4/UugbtJhz5xI/AAAAAAAAA98/ZyLdeq3j5bQ/s1600/MOB.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-p6ZDFQ7Gyc4/UugbtJhz5xI/AAAAAAAAA98/ZyLdeq3j5bQ/s1600/MOB.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My mother in a beautiful dusty aqua gown.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OoUdOtST8J8/Uugbvg8Ba6I/AAAAAAAAA-E/7OT3M_teQ2I/s1600/MOG.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OoUdOtST8J8/Uugbvg8Ba6I/AAAAAAAAA-E/7OT3M_teQ2I/s1600/MOG.JPG" height="320" width="256" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ken's mother in a lovely black dress.</td></tr>
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I, personally, think that a bride has enough planning and stress on her to have to worry about such a minor thing. By allowing each mother to choose her own dress, it free's the bride for other matters that need her attention, and also avoids any potential conflict that may result in trying to choose a dress for the MOB and MOG. That's not to say the bride shouldn't have any input on the final decision, and some MOB's and MOG's may want the brides help in choosing a dress.<br />
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Some brides may have a specific style, color, and length she wishes the MOB and MOG dresses to be. Some bride's may want the MOB and MOG dresses to match or compliment the bridal party, while others may not care at all. I have recently noticed a rising trend of brides in the "I don't care, as long as it's nice" category. It is because of this trend that I wasn't even aware that there is a specific order in which the mothers get their dresses.<br />
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Whichever category each bride finds herself, in regards to MOB and MOG dresses, making sure both mothers know your expectations from the start will help this wedding detail go much more smoothly, and hopefully stress/conflict free!<br />
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Did you choose your MOB/MOG dresses? Were there any conflicts/concerns about MOB/MOG dresses?<br />
<br />In A Perfect Worldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02947470850916852543noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6190289331852322306.post-39209450855507875662014-01-10T15:10:00.003-05:002014-01-10T15:10:59.769-05:00The Frustrating and Confusing Misuse of ...I know that my grammar isn't perfect. I'm sure readers find grammatical errors in my writing quite frequently. I'm a frequent abuser of run-on sentences, hence my love of ellipses. However, I have noticed a growing trend in a major grammatical error that is, quite frankly, driving me crazy! The misuse/abuse of the ellipsis...<br />
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In formal writing, an ellipsis is used to signify an omission within a quote. Informally an ellipsis is meant to convey a pause, or a break in a train of thought. I won't go into too much detail, but if you want to know more I found a great article <a href="http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/education/grammar/ellipses" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
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My pet peeve is with the growing trend of using an ellipsis in place of an exclamation point, or period. Here are some examples I see on a regular basis.<br />
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<b>"Happy Birthday..."</b></div>
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When I see this, my first reaction is, "Do they not want to wish that person a happy birthday?". Using an ellipsis in this example makes the birthday greeting seem as though it is written reluctantly rather than with joy. </div>
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<b>"It was great seeing you..."</b></div>
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Was it really? Because written like this make me think it really wasn't so great after all.</div>
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<b>"Thanks for all your help today..."</b></div>
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Well, if you aren't grateful for my help, then next time I won't offer. I hope you are starting to see my point. An ellipsis is a pause... an emotional straight faced contemplation. There isn't any excitement, joy, or positive emotion when using an ellipsis. Now, change all three sentences by ending them with an exclamation point, and you will see what I mean.</div>
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<b>"Happy Birthday!"</b></div>
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<b>"It was great seeing you!"</b></div>
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<b>"Thanks for all your help today!"</b></div>
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Using an exclamation point shows the intent of your feelings, and doesn't leave the reader confused, frustrated, or offended. Not that an exclamation point can't be used offensively, but at least you are well aware that you are choosing to use it in an offending manner. Until next time ... please use your punctuation responsibly! </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EzrYOYsfkvk/UtBSagZ3H6I/AAAAAAAAA7M/zchjKXGP5MY/s1600/tumblr_m5j8slv0M71qk59nco1_500.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EzrYOYsfkvk/UtBSagZ3H6I/AAAAAAAAA7M/zchjKXGP5MY/s1600/tumblr_m5j8slv0M71qk59nco1_500.png" height="320" width="316" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Charles Schulz always captured the melancholy emotions of Peanuts with ellipses.<br /></td></tr>
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In A Perfect Worldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02947470850916852543noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6190289331852322306.post-1879316230080611052013-12-30T15:25:00.001-05:002013-12-30T15:25:14.506-05:002013: My Year of ChangesUpon review of my life over the past year, I have found it to be a year filled with lots of firsts, lasts, hellos, goodbyes, and forevers. This is my 2013... My year of changes:<br />
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Started 2013 visiting Chicago for the first time.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aEVSWmvoR48/UsG6NQYlU-I/AAAAAAAAA1c/QlXkKzcSWVk/s1600/538010_10152374313840244_1533448620_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="261" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aEVSWmvoR48/UsG6NQYlU-I/AAAAAAAAA1c/QlXkKzcSWVk/s320/538010_10152374313840244_1533448620_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Celebrated my 5th Wedding Anniversary.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UQmF7Ths9Hw/UsG7CqvBbnI/AAAAAAAAA1w/sZYavunfDBc/s1600/740094_10152439379390244_1434010572_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UQmF7Ths9Hw/UsG7CqvBbnI/AAAAAAAAA1w/sZYavunfDBc/s320/740094_10152439379390244_1434010572_o.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the photo's I had done for my husband's anniversary gift.</td></tr>
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Celebrated the high school graduation of the eldest son of one of my oldest and bestest with all of my oldest and bestest.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RMHMqgwWpHw/UsG8E-Gu53I/AAAAAAAAA2A/i1s2c3OucMo/s1600/970493_364910266943645_151393200_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RMHMqgwWpHw/UsG8E-Gu53I/AAAAAAAAA2A/i1s2c3OucMo/s320/970493_364910266943645_151393200_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Spent my summer preparing to open my very first Etsy shop.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6pA7Nqk_M9c/UsG8iHoW87I/AAAAAAAAA2I/OoaGaQsY9fE/s1600/Etsy+Logo6.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="118" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6pA7Nqk_M9c/UsG8iHoW87I/AAAAAAAAA2I/OoaGaQsY9fE/s320/Etsy+Logo6.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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My first 4th of July at Greenfield Village for a patriotic concert by the Detroit Symphony Orchestra that included live cannon fire and an amazing fireworks show.</div>
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My first trip to Mackinaw City, and the UP.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-U7RMLt21wyo/UsG_OquOVZI/AAAAAAAAA2o/pXtD4yu2fnE/s1600/156_zps0439402a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-U7RMLt21wyo/UsG_OquOVZI/AAAAAAAAA2o/pXtD4yu2fnE/s200/156_zps0439402a.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--NGG3u8GTqo/UsG_JSepL_I/AAAAAAAAA2g/0OY3GnUWo58/s1600/996567_10153090262010244_1173812718_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--NGG3u8GTqo/UsG_JSepL_I/AAAAAAAAA2g/0OY3GnUWo58/s200/996567_10153090262010244_1173812718_n.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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Planned my first themed baby shower.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lpeewCGHUyo/UsHAPiXcXCI/AAAAAAAAA20/Qth1fXWWzpU/s1600/IMG_0300_zps4b313c24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="252" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lpeewCGHUyo/UsHAPiXcXCI/AAAAAAAAA20/Qth1fXWWzpU/s320/IMG_0300_zps4b313c24.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Joyfully welcomed a new member to the family.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8GTSI3kr_GM/UsHEhySf0SI/AAAAAAAAA3A/KvVd-NdYiHk/s1600/Luke+and+Deidre.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="288" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8GTSI3kr_GM/UsHEhySf0SI/AAAAAAAAA3A/KvVd-NdYiHk/s320/Luke+and+Deidre.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Finally got to say "Hello" to my first Niece/Goddaughter.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OOSWAgXZzrw/UsHHcy1CGKI/AAAAAAAAA3Y/_0eg6LOc64c/s1600/1424509_10153518696280244_1739965689_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OOSWAgXZzrw/UsHHcy1CGKI/AAAAAAAAA3Y/_0eg6LOc64c/s320/1424509_10153518696280244_1739965689_n.jpg" width="273" /></a></div>
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Delighted to see the first picture of my first nephew.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nH0e4AjrT-0/UsHJi0n-v0I/AAAAAAAAA3g/dzHgnnDOTfc/s1600/IMG_1156.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="237" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nH0e4AjrT-0/UsHJi0n-v0I/AAAAAAAAA3g/dzHgnnDOTfc/s320/IMG_1156.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I said goodbye to my job of 3 1/2 years, and I had my first table at a craft show.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SW9Iq0U6xxw/UsHK_wLVSmI/AAAAAAAAA3w/lUPDC8YEGQ8/s1600/013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SW9Iq0U6xxw/UsHK_wLVSmI/AAAAAAAAA3w/lUPDC8YEGQ8/s200/013.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
.<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mS76Bv7QI9c/UsHKpXMy6YI/AAAAAAAAA3o/7xGa9ljLA5w/s1600/009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mS76Bv7QI9c/UsHKpXMy6YI/AAAAAAAAA3o/7xGa9ljLA5w/s200/009.JPG" width="200" /></a><br />
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In a year that was filled with ups and downs, lots of firsts, many celebrations, laughs and great memories shared with family and friends, it is also a year that will never be forgotten. It is with very heavy hearts, we had to say a painful goodbye to our loving, funny, smiley, amazing "Dominator".<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0HioIG-t55A/UsHOzddLgWI/AAAAAAAAA4o/WD5oDZT5VVM/s1600/461422_10151397682625244_1131299109_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0HioIG-t55A/UsHOzddLgWI/AAAAAAAAA4o/WD5oDZT5VVM/s200/461422_10151397682625244_1131299109_o.jpg" width="200" /> </a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-scyT_CmeKFM/UsHNnTWFcsI/AAAAAAAAA38/pGs9c421mjk/s1600/1469934_10202689755423211_919903247_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-scyT_CmeKFM/UsHNnTWFcsI/AAAAAAAAA38/pGs9c421mjk/s200/1469934_10202689755423211_919903247_n.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mYZYezG1rcw/UsHNsOwXv0I/AAAAAAAAA4E/joN-NYGoIio/s1600/1391993_684724281552735_519409134_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mYZYezG1rcw/UsHNsOwXv0I/AAAAAAAAA4E/joN-NYGoIio/s320/1391993_684724281552735_519409134_n.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-j66KPqqBcIA/UsHNyA2RA5I/AAAAAAAAA4M/ZZfCZQyQlJc/s1600/198633_494083653950133_2023809853_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-j66KPqqBcIA/UsHNyA2RA5I/AAAAAAAAA4M/ZZfCZQyQlJc/s320/198633_494083653950133_2023809853_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-a8KYVhen80Q/UsHOQsGpeZI/AAAAAAAAA4U/v6Val1putoM/s1600/1475969_778750532151656_2109396283_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-a8KYVhen80Q/UsHOQsGpeZI/AAAAAAAAA4U/v6Val1putoM/s320/1475969_778750532151656_2109396283_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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It is with tears in our eyes, and love in our hearts that you are greatly missed. </div>
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You will be in our hearts forever! </div>
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Dominick Paul Curley-Keck</div>
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September 28th, 2005 - December 18th, 2013</div>
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In A Perfect Worldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02947470850916852543noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6190289331852322306.post-1320957637109277712013-12-05T12:54:00.001-05:002013-12-05T12:57:11.123-05:00Craft Show Crafting Part 2Last night my mother-in-law asked me if I'm reading any good books for Advent. Hmmm... Considering that I have been spending 12-14 hours a day making bows and flowers<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-h3bKgMggxSs/UqC6RLmtPTI/AAAAAAAAA0A/UYDDa195vPM/s1600/004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="305" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-h3bKgMggxSs/UqC6RLmtPTI/AAAAAAAAA0A/UYDDa195vPM/s320/004.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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In all different styles</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-y6L6gqr3Inw/UqC6f-H1gWI/AAAAAAAAA0E/lSKhaRblsMk/s1600/007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="291" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-y6L6gqr3Inw/UqC6f-H1gWI/AAAAAAAAA0E/lSKhaRblsMk/s320/007.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Brainstorming and designing creative ways to display all my product</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_GA07v06ELI/UqC69821GzI/AAAAAAAAA0M/KqGQx83RR_E/s1600/008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="260" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_GA07v06ELI/UqC69821GzI/AAAAAAAAA0M/KqGQx83RR_E/s320/008.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
For the <a href="http://inmyutopia.blogspot.com/2013/11/craft-show-crafting.html#.UqC8fNJDuSo" target="_blank">Craft Show that is this Saturday</a><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nmFl0v4SJuo/UqC7AL5d3tI/AAAAAAAAA0U/EhgA5PjgSr0/s1600/015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IeJFvGMY3o0/UqC7BhE0GjI/AAAAAAAAA0Y/dMk4_jWaq4w/s1600/017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IeJFvGMY3o0/UqC7BhE0GjI/AAAAAAAAA0Y/dMk4_jWaq4w/s320/017.JPG" width="267" /></a> <img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nmFl0v4SJuo/UqC7AL5d3tI/AAAAAAAAA0U/EhgA5PjgSr0/s320/015.JPG" width="252" /> </div>
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And I haven't even taken down my Thanksgiving decorations, or put up my Christmas decorations... As lovely as it sounds to sit down and read a good book, I just haven't been able to fit it in. ;) </div>
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As the big day gets closer, I am getting more excited! If you are in the area, stop by and see us!</div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">St. Mary's Christmas Bazaar</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">December 7th</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">10am until 4pm</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">At</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">St. Mary Catholic Church</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">10601 Dexter-Pinckney Rd.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">Pinckney, MI 48169</span></div>
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In A Perfect Worldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02947470850916852543noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6190289331852322306.post-24699186876062432792013-11-20T15:12:00.001-05:002013-11-20T15:13:17.454-05:00Craft Show Crafting!A good friend of mine and I have decided to work together on our very first Craft Show. We are sharing a table, and we have both been busy making new product to sell at the Craft Show and help build promotion for both of our etsy shops, <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/CinderleyDesigns" target="_blank">Cinderley Designs</a> and <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/SheepandCompany?ref=l2-shopheader-name" target="_blank">Sheep & Company</a> <---click on the links to view each etsy shop.<br />
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I've been making lots of bows of all shapes, sizes, and colors.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4v3Azj4Zlnc/Uo0T4Q5da_I/AAAAAAAAAzM/7f3LWaxtj2M/s1600/002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4v3Azj4Zlnc/Uo0T4Q5da_I/AAAAAAAAAzM/7f3LWaxtj2M/s320/002.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Here is a sneak peak of some foundation bows waiting for finishing touches!</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KilHSQJoc1I/Uo0UHCRzqYI/AAAAAAAAAzU/hILtd-KBlfw/s1600/006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KilHSQJoc1I/Uo0UHCRzqYI/AAAAAAAAAzU/hILtd-KBlfw/s320/006.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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And a few bows that have been completed.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Emf3wSInjVU/Uo0UQZ4gPzI/AAAAAAAAAzY/UNQW1V8LSu4/s1600/007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Emf3wSInjVU/Uo0UQZ4gPzI/AAAAAAAAAzY/UNQW1V8LSu4/s320/007.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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I designed my business cards, and finally got them in the mail this week!</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-euSOyMXvjQk/Uo0UhNmPHuI/AAAAAAAAAzk/owzTKD-wA44/s1600/010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-euSOyMXvjQk/Uo0UhNmPHuI/AAAAAAAAAzk/owzTKD-wA44/s320/010.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Next week I will be working on more fabric flowers and headbands. And, if I have enough time, I have a few more surprise projects I would like to have done in time for the Craft Show. My partner and I have great idea's for our display table, and I'm very excited to see how it turns out! </div>
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For those of you who are local, the Craft Show we are participating in is:</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">St. Mary's Christmas Bazaar</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">December 7th</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">10am until 4pm</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">At</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">St. Mary Catholic Church</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">10601 Dexter-Pinckney Rd.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Pinckney, MI 48169</span></div>
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I hope to see you there! </div>
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In A Perfect Worldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02947470850916852543noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6190289331852322306.post-62974387593338005562013-10-31T13:13:00.002-04:002013-10-31T13:14:06.406-04:00Where In The Devil Is Halloween?!!!Throughout the years I have come across people who wince at the thought of celebrating Halloween. They wouldn't dare allow their children to go out trick-or-treating because doing so would be participating in the Devil's holiday celebration, or even celebrating the Devil himself! Quite taken aback by these beliefs, I began researching the History of Halloween (before the convenience of google searches), and wrote a paper on this topic for one of my early college courses. Is Halloween truly the Devil's holiday? Quite the contrary!<br />
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Nowadays, it doesn't take much to find a plethora of online sources giving the history of Halloween to the masses. Speaking of "masses," October 31st begins the Triduum of Hallowmas. As most may know, November 1st is All Saints Day, and November 2nd is All Souls Day, so how does Halloween fit into this? The word "hallow" literally means "saint"! Therefore, All Hallows Eve (Halloween) literally means "the Eve of All Saints" which is a <i>Christian</i> celebration. No devil so far, but what about the tradition of trick-or-treating?<br />
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Trick-or-treating has a vast and rich history in many cultures throughout the world. Does it have some pagan roots in the Celtic culture? Yes it does, but so does Christmas and Easter. Do modern day pagans, and druids celebrate the Gaelic holiday of Samhain on Halloween? Yes they do, but unless you are participating directly in their celebrations with them, it has no direct correlation to our children who dress up in costumes and knock on doors for candy. In fact, some European trick-or-treating traditions began with adult peasants going to the homes of richer noblemen, and offering to pray for the souls of their dead relatives in exchange for a sweet cake known as a "soul cake". Once again we see the recurring theme of Christian practices. So, where is the devil in the Halloween tradition?<br />
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Because of the origins of praying for the dead, some cultures believed the dead walked freely on All Hallows Eve. People began dressing up in scary costumes hoping to scare the spirits away and leave them alone. This is also a tradition you will find with people carving scary faces on gourds, and pumpkins, thus creating the Jack-O-Lantern. Over the years costumes have evolved to become scarier and more gruesome. The stories of Edgar Allan Poe and Bram Stoker gave foundation to the creation horror movies. Instead of sitting around the family hearth telling ghost stories of old, people now wait in line to be frightened in haunted houses. Does our American Halloween obsession with scary and evil looking things mean we worship the devil? Does the devil play a part in any of the modern Halloween traditions? Only if you choose to bring him into it! Most people spend their Halloween getting dressed in costumes, having parties, trick-or-treating for candy, or watching a good scary movie with friends without even a single thought spent on the devil. Halloween is time for fun rooted in Christian traditions of praying for the dead... there is no devil in that!<br />
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Besides, those of us who grew up in the Detroit Metro Area already know... <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Devil's_Night" target="_blank">Devil's Night</a> is the night <i>before</i> Halloween!<br />
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HAPPY ALL HALLOWS EVE!<br />
<br />In A Perfect Worldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02947470850916852543noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6190289331852322306.post-28755155068313606592013-10-06T14:56:00.001-04:002013-10-31T13:29:16.104-04:00Something Wicked This Way Came...For those of you who know me, you already know how much I love to decorate for Holidays, and how much<a href="http://inmyutopia.blogspot.com/2012/10/the-most-spooktacular-time-of-year.html#.UlGrjtKsiSo" target="_blank"> I really love Halloween!</a> It shouldn't come as too much of a surprise that my latest crafting project has been all about decorating for Halloween! I have spent the past two weeks putting<a href="http://inmyutopia.blogspot.com/2013/08/ready-to-pop.html#.UlGrdNKsiSo" target="_blank"> my Cricut</a> to work once again, and am very delighted with all the new Halloween decorations I have created!<br />
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I started out with smaller projects, by making pictures to hang on the walls.<br />
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And found the perfect way to decorate the guest bathroom mirror<br />
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Then it was time to stretch my crafting "sea legs". I spent a whole week creating two different spooktacular scenes for my dining room walls!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love the Trick-or-Treaters!</td></tr>
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This graveyard took me about 8 hours to make!<br />
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Having taken over the living room and dining room with all my crafting supplies, my husband decided to take pictures of my "craft room"... The scary part is, these pictures were taken on a more "clean and organized" crafting day! </div>
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After my wall scenes were completed, I put together a few more smaller projects</div>
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I have a couple more projects to get up on the walls before this years Halloween party, but I am very pleased that everywhere you look in my house says it's time for HALLOWEEN!<br />
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Do you have a favorite Halloween decoration you look forward to bringing out each year?<br />
<br />In A Perfect Worldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02947470850916852543noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6190289331852322306.post-82467971308731283892013-10-02T14:13:00.000-04:002013-10-02T14:41:00.005-04:00The Etiquette of GriefI am not a grief counselor, nor am I an expert in emotional management. However, when it comes to most delicate situations it's always best to use basic manners, and be respectful.<br />
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There is no right or wrong way to grieve the loss of a loved one. There is no timetable for grieving, as the healing process takes nothing less than time. The grieving process is unique to each person, and each situation. So how should you act when you encounter a person in mourning or still grieving a great loss? That answer is unique to each person and situation as well.<br />
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Some people internalize their feelings. They don't talk about their grief, and they don't want to be forced to talk about it either. They just want to get on with their normal routine, and deal with the loss within the privacy of their own minds. Others may not internalize their pain so completely, but still wish to grieve privately. They may shed a tear or two in public, but still don't want to talk to anyone. They may take their grief into the privacy of their home and only share their emotions with a close family member or friend.<br />
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There are also those who constantly need people around them. They need the comfort of warm hugs, loving embraces, and consoling conversations. They may make public posts to share their pain with anyone who will listen, just to help find a way to calm the pain of loss they are feeling. They need to be engaged in a lot of social activities, for fear of being alone and falling into a despair so deep they may never recover.<br />
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Some people need only a day or two to mourn, others it may take a lifetime.<br />
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The best thing you can do for someone who is grieving is to simply pay attention to the signs and signals they are giving. If someone is a private griever, simply send a note of condolence, be mindful to not draw any attention to the situation, and respect their privacy. These people want to left alone, and everyone should respect that. If they are an open griever, reach out to them as much and as often as you can, for as long as it takes.<br />
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Some helpful things you can do that are standard etiquette are:<br />
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<li>Send a card, flowers, or fruit basket to show your support. This should be done at the time of the funeral, and the weeks following. </li>
<li>Offer to make a dish for the grieving family, or offer to help clean, do laundry, or help with the children and/or pets. Some people may need basic help in area's of life that are routine, and may get overlooked during a difficult time.</li>
<li>Offer to help with "Thank You" notes. </li>
<li>If you don't know what to say, "I'm sorry for your loss" is usually best. Sometimes it's best not to say anything at all and just sit with them as a comforting presence. </li>
<li>If you don't know how someone is dealing with their grief, ask a close family member or friend. They will give you the best insight into what is needed. </li>
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It is always important to remember to respect the family's wishes, even if you don't agree with them. Every person, family, and culture has their own way they experience grief. Do not put your expectations on someone else, and do your best to show your support in a manner that is appropriate to each individual.<br />
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In A Perfect Worldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02947470850916852543noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6190289331852322306.post-14403729313933354192013-09-10T17:44:00.000-04:002013-09-10T17:44:56.981-04:00RSVP... PLEASE!Four little letters that mean so much: RSVP. "Respondez s'il vous plait" in English means "Please Reply". These four letters mean the difference between a successfully planned event, and possible disaster. However, with ever increasing demands for the average persons attention, the actual responses received for event attendance are becoming increasingly less. Let's look at what happens when someone ignores these four little letters.<br />
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Think of all the work that goes into planning an event: Renting a venue, setting up tables and chairs, ordering/preparing food and beverages, and these are just some of the basics! While planning and preparing for an event, an accurate head count of guests enables the host to gauge the correct amount of time and space for an event. How big the venue must be, how many tables and chairs, how many place settings (that typically have to be rented or purchased), the amount of food and beverages that will be needed, and the list goes on and on depending on what type of event is being planned.<br />
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Failing to properly RSVP within a timely manner means the host has to assume either you are coming (this is typically what happens if the RSVP states "Regrets Only" and you failed to deliver your regret) and proceeds to order the things needed to account for your presence, or assume you are not coming thereby eliminating your spot at the event. It is NOT okay to show up to an event that you failed to RSVP to and expect to be included.<br />
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Understandably, things do happen that cause us to forget, and it happens. BUT, this should be a rare exception and not a habit! Here are some suggestions that will help ensure to get your RSVP in on time:<br />
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<li>When you receive an invitation in the mail that includes an RSVP card, fill it out as soon as you open it and put it in a spot for outgoing mail that will be sent out the following day. It will only take you a minute or two to fill it out, and by doing it immediately you ensure it gets done. Consequently, you won't have to worry about it later. </li>
<li>Make sure you pay attention to the "Respond By" date. Be mindful to get your response in on time, and your host will be very appreciative. </li>
<li>Put the event invitation in a place that you will see on a daily basis (i.e. on the refrigerator door, on your vanity mirror, on your home office cork board, etc.). Out of sight = out of mind. Keeping the invite visible will help you remember to get your RSVP in on time. </li>
<li>If you have a last minute change of plans, be sure to contact the host ahead of time. Even if this means that they have already paid for your attendance, they will appreciate you letting them know, rather than not showing up at all. </li>
<li>If you are hosting an event, be sure to include an email for guests to RSVP to. People are much more likely to send an email response then find time in their busy schedules to make a phone call. </li>
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Forgetting to RSVP to an event is something that happens to all of us. Making sure it doesn't happen <i>every</i> time you receive an invite is something that should be a priority in your social life. Hosting an event has enough stresses on it's own... Please make sure your RSVP isn't one of them the next time you are invited to a special occasion!<br />
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Do you always RSVP to an event? <br />
<br />In A Perfect Worldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02947470850916852543noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6190289331852322306.post-61718679088131120422013-08-29T19:40:00.001-04:002013-10-31T13:29:40.169-04:005 Tips For An Enjoyable Weekend! <div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://s1249.photobucket.com/user/cinleannana/media/Mackinaw%20City%20-%20August%202013/b67f339d-4c97-4568-a66e-ace20132d8ed_zpsd1a3fc81.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo b67f339d-4c97-4568-a66e-ace20132d8ed_zpsd1a3fc81.jpg" border="0" src="http://i1249.photobucket.com/albums/hh511/cinleannana/Mackinaw%20City%20-%20August%202013/b67f339d-4c97-4568-a66e-ace20132d8ed_zpsd1a3fc81.jpg" /></a>
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It's hard to believe that the final summer holiday is already here! This is the weekend Americans are taking one last advantage of hanging out at the pool, having cookouts with family and friends, and hitting the big Labor Day Weekend sales for "Back To School" bargains. Here are a few quick tips to help everyone have a more enjoyable holiday weekend:<br />
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1. Let go of the stress! Whether you trying to hurry up and finish making a dish, hit a particular sale early, or trying to pack up the car to go camping, things will go alot smoother and even faster if you just relax, remember to breathe, and don't sweat the small stuff. Your dish will turn out fine, and if it doesn't then start over or stop at the store and pick something else up instead. That sale will be going on all weekend, and you will enjoy your shopping experience a lot more if you go shopping for fun! Packing up the car is always a tedious chore, but remember you are going on a mini vacation so why not sing a song while packing to help put you in the holiday spirit!<br />
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2. If you are going shopping, remember everyone at the store is there for the exact same reason... Trying to find a bargain. Remember shopping should be enjoyable since you are buying something new that you didn't have before! Try to take a deep breath or count to 10 when you encounter a rude or forceful shopper who just took the last hoodie you had your eye on. It's not worth ruining your mood or raising your blood pressure! And remember to smile and thank the store employees. They are the ones who have to work long hours and deal with crazy customers on a holiday weekend they would rather have off!<br />
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3. Just expect that you will forget to pack at least one thing. It happens... to everyone... all the time! If you prepare yourself ahead of time with the knowledge that it will happen, then you won't be so freaked out when you realize it actually did! And if it didn't, then you can give yourself kudos for being an efficient packer... <i>This</i> time!<br />
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4. Cookouts, barbecues, and picnics are always fun! While you are enjoying your time with family and friend, remember to be mindful of your surroundings. Try not to be too loud too late if you know there are neighbors nearby who do have to work in the morning. Remember to clean up your mess! Picking up empty cans and bottles, the rouge paper plate that blew off the table, and anything that wasn't there when you came and shouldn't be there when you leave. Your hosts, and/or the park/beach visitors will thank you for your courtesy!<br />
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5. Don't Drink & Drive! That should be a given on any day, but it's a good reminder that bad things can and do happen when you drink too much and get behind the wheel of a car, or boat, or jetski! Just don't do it!<br />
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I hope everyone has a pleasant, and enjoyable Labor Day Weekend!<br />
<br />In A Perfect Worldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02947470850916852543noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6190289331852322306.post-45534322681882115832013-08-27T14:00:00.002-04:002013-08-29T15:49:39.455-04:00Ready To POP!It amazes me that I have a 20 year old daughter, yet I have never been an Aunt... Well, not until now that is! I was absolutely delighted when I found out my sister-in-law was pregnant, and immediately offered to help host her Baby Shower. This, of course, is the second large project (that I mentioned in <a href="http://inmyutopia.blogspot.com/2013/08/not-enough-hours-in-day.html#.UhzFINIw1Fw" target="_blank">last week's post</a>) that I have been working on all summer.<br />
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Having a slight addiction to <a href="http://pinterest.com/inmyutopia/boards/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a> does occasionally pay off, especially when looking for party/event planning idea's. After teaming up with my sister-in-law Regina, the theme we chose for this Baby Shower was "Ready To POP!"<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photos are courtesy of my dear friend <a href="http://journeynarrative.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Jacqueline</a>! </td></tr>
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I eagerly put my new <a href="http://www.cricut.com/home/expression2/" target="_blank">Cricut Expression 2</a> to work and, with <a href="http://greenlooksgoodoneveryone.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">my friend Megan</a> graciously loaning me 2 of her Cricut Cartridges, made all the Baby Shower decorations myself. </div>
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I designed each table centerpiece to be decorative, and ultimately become the prize of the main game.</div>
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We kept the guests entertained with our "Conversational Diapers" table:</div>
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Ken quizzing his sister with answers pre-given by her husband. Really fun!</div>
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And wish cards for the baby:</div>
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Continuing with "Ready To POP!" we made sure all of our food fit the theme too! We served "POPable Meatballs", "Caprese POPS", "Fruit POPS", "Cake POPS", "POPcorn", "POPular Cheeseballs", and "POP & Water". </div>
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The guests loved the theme, and everyone had a wonderful time! It was definitely worth every minute of planning, and a lot of fun to see it all come together! </div>
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Me with all 3 of my sisters-in-law, and my new niece!</div>
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Have you ever hosted a theme party? What is your favorite Baby Shower memory?</div>
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<br />In A Perfect Worldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02947470850916852543noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6190289331852322306.post-32384674618559043552013-08-20T20:02:00.002-04:002013-08-29T15:19:14.575-04:00Not Enough Hours In A Day!Many of you may have been wondering why my blog posts have been a bit more sporadic this past few months. The simple answer is: There just isn't enough hours in a day!<br />
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Two huge projects have been occupying every free minute of every day. One I will talk about today, and the other you will have to wait to hear about next week. So, what is the first big project that has consumed my life? Preparing to open my very own Etsy Shop! Welcome to <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/CinderleyDesigns" target="_blank">Cinderley Designs & Boutique</a>!<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uQ1ebtwyVC8/UhP-GMovD9I/AAAAAAAAAho/VhZ_jhejh3Q/s1600/Etsy+Logo6.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="118" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uQ1ebtwyVC8/UhP-GMovD9I/AAAAAAAAAho/VhZ_jhejh3Q/s320/Etsy+Logo6.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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I came up with the name combining three elements: My first name, Cindy, my favorite princess, Cinderella, and my maternal family name, Curley. Cindy + Cinderella + Curley = Cinderley! Plus, I think it sounds pretty fantastic too! My whimsical logo/banner was designed by my <a href="http://inmyutopia.blogspot.com/2013/03/so-not-normal.html" target="_blank">very talented daughter</a>, Corinne!</div>
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I decided to put my love of making pretty things out of ribbon to good use, and began avidly designing, sewing, gluing, and crafting my supply of ribbons into lovely hair bows.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KukUTQyBMK4/UhQAPjUktkI/AAAAAAAAAh0/R288Pq9ihXo/s1600/059.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" height="158" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KukUTQyBMK4/UhQAPjUktkI/AAAAAAAAAh0/R288Pq9ihXo/s200/059.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
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I then began to play around with some simple fabric flower idea's, officially called "French Poufs"<br />
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I love the adorable simplicity of the french poufs, but I wanted to try my hand with a more elegant style of fabric flower hair clip. After two days (with the help of my sister-in-law Regina) I had enough fabric petals cut out to make several large and small "Shabby Chic" fabric flowers that I absolutely love!<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-l86cStPuJUA/UhQCTDSuz-I/AAAAAAAAAi0/iTAgo7nO_Lw/s1600/117.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" height="164" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-l86cStPuJUA/UhQCTDSuz-I/AAAAAAAAAi0/iTAgo7nO_Lw/s200/117.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
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I have also made lots of little bows for babies/toddlers, but I haven't had enough hours in my day to list them on my Etsy shop just yet. But, very soon they will be there!<br />
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I love craft making, and decorating, and event planning. It makes me so happy that I can do what I love and find a way to share it with the world! I would love to hear what you think, or let me know if you have any special requests! I still have one more big project underway, but after this coming weekend I will have much more "hours in my day" to make custom orders or requests! And just in case you missed the link at the top you can check out Cinderley Designs & Boutique <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/CinderleyDesigns" target="_blank">here</a>!<br />
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What is your favorite thing to do in your free time?<br />
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<br />In A Perfect Worldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02947470850916852543noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6190289331852322306.post-26510072568039391552013-08-14T19:47:00.003-04:002013-08-29T15:20:52.588-04:00Dating 101: From a Woman's Point of View<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
When it comes to dating, I'm afraid I'm
not exactly an expert. In fact, I can honestly say I have never been
on a casual date. I'm the type of person who skips the dating process
and goes right into a relationship. Most women have very specific
expectations of what should happen on a date... especially a first
date. While opinions may vary on the topic of dating etiquette, my
friend Mary (a more seasoned dater than I) and I have compiled a list
of dating expectations for those who wish to be treated like a lady,
by a perfect gentleman. As a caveat, these suggestions are coming
from the perspective of what we deem to be the average expectations
of women who prefer the man to initiate dating relationships. Even if
this is not the case with your date, the suggestions below represent
common courtesy and thoughtfulness. Take what you like, and leave the
rest!</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OyPlAnWZFlo/UgqQzgJOoQI/AAAAAAAAAhY/BJP-yuLeOBw/s320/Dating+101.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OyPlAnWZFlo/UgqQzgJOoQI/AAAAAAAAAhY/BJP-yuLeOBw/s320/Dating+101.jpg" /></a></div>
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Dear Gentlemen:</div>
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<ol>
<li>Pay for everything. This practice has
been contested in recent years with some women wishing to contribute
on dates, or “go dutch.” Our suggestion is to err on the side of
paying because you may risk not getting a second date if her
expectations differ from what you've heard. She may offer to pay out
of courtesy, but you should not let her unless she absolutely
insists. A compromise may be that she offers to pay for ice cream or
coffee after dinner as a sign of appreciation, but only if it’s her
idea. You paying also signals that this is a date, and not just
“hanging out.” This brings us to our next point.</li>
<li>Call a date a date, you're both
grown-ups and it won't scare her away. As one former date corrected
me, “We're not hanging out, this is a date. Hanging out would be us
sitting on the couch watching football and drinking beer.”</li>
<li>Never ask a girl out and then say "let
me know when you're free." YOU should initiate the scheduling of
a date.</li>
<li>Ask her real questions and listen for
the answers.</li>
<li>Don't brag, this is not a job
interview.</li>
<li>Make a decision (about anything!),
giving options is appreciated but reenacting the conversation between
buzzards from The Jungle Book "So, what you want to do?" "I
dunno, what you want to do?" is a buzz kill. Decisiveness is
attractive.</li>
<li>When choosing a restaurant, ask her if
she has any strong likes/dislikes or food allergies and then choose
something that you think works with one place as a backup. A simple,
"I thought we'd go to Olive Garden, how does that sound?"
gives her an opportunity to voice her opinion but still shows you
taking the lead.</li>
<li>When you ask her out, call, don't text.</li>
<li>Ex drama is left at the door, if you
get serious that conversation will happen at the right time.</li>
<li>Not all of us girls think about
marriage on a first date, but it's okay if we do.</li>
<li>We know that first dates are just first
dates (even the first 3 for that matter) so don't worry about being
pegged as a couple or creating unrealistic expectations. Just have
fun!</li>
<li>Ask for her number, don't give her
yours.</li>
<li>Like it or not it is your job to call
after first date. If we don't hear from you within a week we may
begin to think you're not interested. If, after several dates, you're
not interested then tell her. Don't take the cowards way out by just
"forgetting" to call until she gets the hint.</li>
<li>Telling stories is great, reciting
entire books is not. Keep your best and oh-so-entertaining stories
brief and to the point.</li>
<li>Just as with exes, do not bring up
family drama, we all have some and will hear about it in due time but
we're there to enjoy our time with you, not to be a therapist. Saying
“My parents divorced when I was fifteen and so I lived in two
different cities in high school.” is fine. “I have major issues
with my mom/dad/sister and it has been hard to develop healthy
relationships.” is TMI!</li>
<li>Assume she's dating other people at the
same time unless it has been stated otherwise and you are exclusive.
This means you are free to do the same.</li>
<li>Ask her out spontaneously or at the
last minute once in awhile, but make that the <i>exception</i>, not the
rule.</li>
<li>Try to go beyond dinner and a movie.
Try walks, museums, Putt Putt, the zoo, an art class, etc.</li>
<li>Give reasonable compliments, we can
smell flattery a mile away.</li>
<li>Compliment her character as well as her
looks, it means more.</li>
<li>First date: To kiss or not to kiss?
Unless the conditions are just right, a first date kiss may create
unnecessary pressure or awkwardness where it doesn't need to be. Pay
attention to her body language, if it's comfortable and she seems
relaxed and is orienting herself close to you, offer your arm as you
walk from one place to the next. Then go from there, if the feeling
seems mutual, consider it! If not, remember anticipation is a good
thing and there is no harm in waiting until you're sure the time is
right.</li>
<li>Surprise locations and activities are
exciting and thoughtful! Just be sure she knows how to dress for the
activity.</li>
<li>Texting is fun and flirty in
moderation, but use your phone as a phone and call her!</li>
<li>Offering to pick a lady up from her
home for a date is a traditional and courteous gesture if you know
each other well enough for this to be comfortable. If it is a blind
date, you met online, or do not know each other well, meeting in
public is best. When meeting in public, try to find a place that is
at least halfway between where both of you live, if not closer to her
for the first few dates. If you offer to pick her up at her home and
she prefers to meet in public , don't be offended, she is just doing
what makes her most comfortable which will make the date more fun for
everyone.
</li>
<li>Open ALL doors, for <i>EVERY </i>woman <i>EVERY
</i>time, date or not.</li>
<li>HAVE FUN! The point of dating is to get
to know each other and have a good time!</li>
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Obviously, some women have higher
expectations, and some less. The point is, be attentive, be generous,
and show her a good time without any pressure. Tastes may vary from
loving a man in a suit and tie, to wanting to be the girl on the back
of that man's motorcycle, but it is always the gentleman inside that
wins a girl's heart.</div>
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Do you have any dating rules or pet
peeves? What is the best/worst dating experience you've ever had?</div>
In A Perfect Worldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02947470850916852543noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6190289331852322306.post-29325095298923245552013-08-12T18:44:00.001-04:002013-08-29T15:21:49.725-04:00City Girl Goes CampingI think I may have <a href="http://inmyutopia.blogspot.com/2013/02/spring-is-comingright.html#.UglZFNKsiSo" target="_blank">mentioned</a> before that I really <strike>don't like</strike> hate camping. I hate getting dirty, I don't like getting wet, and I really hate bugs! However, this past weekend I went camping in Mackinaw City!<br />
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My husband and I decided to take our time on the drive up, and made a quick stop in Frankenmuth. We arrived at the Bavarian Inn just in time to watch the famous Glockenspiel tell the story of the Pied Piper of Hameln. Finding an empty bench under a nice shady tree, we enjoyed the summer breeze and watched the story unfold.</div>
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The drive up north was long, but the weather was perfect so we mostly drove with the windows down. I was getting anxious as we neared our destination, however all the doubts running through my head about our campground and cabin were quickly relieved when I saw the lovely cabin that would be our home for the next 2 nights.<br />
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And the views were nothing less than breathtaking! </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view right behind our cabin!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Mackinac Bridge from a lookout point at our campgrounds<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mackinac Island and the Grand Hotel visible from the beach</td></tr>
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The following day I had my very first trip across the Mackinac Bridge and into the Upper Peninsula! I know it might not sound like much, but having been born and raised in Michigan and never getting up this far north, it was a big deal!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NKlhP2_vbWs/UglfNzJh1aI/AAAAAAAAAfk/JORZtXuK0pM/s1600/100.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NKlhP2_vbWs/UglfNzJh1aI/AAAAAAAAAfk/JORZtXuK0pM/s320/100.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view from the center of the Mackinac Bridge</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My first time here! </td></tr>
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We stopped and ate lunch at a pizzeria that allowed us to eat on a patio overlooking the beautiful Great Lakes of Michigan (the Mackinac Straits is the connecting point of Lake Huron and Lake Michigan). We then decided to do something fun and different, and went to the world famous <a href="http://www.mysteryspotstignace.com/" target="_blank">Mystery Spot in St. Ignace</a>.<br />
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And being the "Doubting Thomas" that he is, my husband volunteered for all the spectacles to debunk the mystery as just optical illusions.<br />
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Even if it really is just one big optical illusion, it was a lot of fun that created memories we will share for a lifetime!<br />
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On the morning of our departure we decided to drive down to the Michilimackinac State Park, and walk along the sandy/pebble stone beach enjoying the wondrous views one last time.<br />
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And because it is a tradition my Grandmother taught me long ago, we took our shoes off and put our feet in the water to enjoy the feel of two Great Lakes at once!<br />
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The cabin was cute and extremely clean, the views were more lovely than I even dreamed, and it was a trip that was long overdue in my life. It may not have been technically camping in the traditional sense, but to this city girl it was as close to camping as I like to get!<br />
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Have you taken any trips this summer? What is your favorite vacation spot?<br />
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In A Perfect Worldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02947470850916852543noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6190289331852322306.post-86810774446837541462013-07-25T14:47:00.005-04:002014-03-16T14:25:57.117-04:00Beauty Is Only Skin DeepI wouldn't consider myself an avid health and fitness person, but the one "beauty" tip my mother told me over and over again was "take care of your skin". This is something I have always tried to do my entire adult life. I have always been a water drinker (80-100 ounces as day), I have always moisturized daily, I have always taken a daily multivitamin, and have taken a magnesium supplement regularly for the past 5 years. Most recently I have also added an Omega 3 supplement (I'm not a big fish eater) and <a href="http://www.ehow.com/facts_5593002_bioplasma-cell-salts_.html" target="_blank">Bioplasma Cell Salts</a>. So you can imagine my <strike>confusion</strike> frustration when I constantly have dry, flaky facial skin.<br />
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I think I have run the gamut of facial moisturizers on today's market. From a cheap bottle of Pond's Cold Cream to very expensive department store brands, yet nothing has completely cured my dry skin. I decided to take matters into my own hands and do some research on cures for extremely dry skin, and found a few home remedies I decided to try. My first project was making <a href="http://www.onegoodthingbyjillee.com/2012/04/homemade-cold-cream.html" target="_blank">Homemade Cold Cream.</a><br />
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I decided to use <a href="http://thehealthbits.com/2012/10/07/almond-oil-for-skin-and-hair/" target="_blank">Sweet Almond Oil</a> (that I bought in a bulk size and was actually cheaper than smaller name brand bottles!) because it's full of vitamins A, D, and E, does not clog pores, absorbs in your skin with minimal greasy residue, and is great for dry skin, anti-aging, and reduces dark circles and puffy eyes (the latter is not an issue for me but why not be proactive!). I deviated slightly from the original recipe by buying organic beeswax bars instead of pellets, and found that they melt so fast it really isn't an issue, and I made mine the old fashioned way by using a pot on the stove (I'm not a big fan of microwave ovens, and the thought of making something I was going to put on my face in a radiation machine really freaked me out!). A quick 10 minutes later I had a light and fluffy cold cream that felt wonderful on my skin. Unfortunately it ended up being a bit too heavy for my face, but I think it makes a fantastic body butter that keeps my legs silky smooth!<br />
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After a bit more research I found a very interesting facial regimen that sounded a bit weird at first, but I decided to try it anyway. <a href="http://www.theoilcleansingmethod.com/" target="_blank">The Oil Cleansing Method</a>.<br />
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Who knew you could wash your face with oil?! I decided to use my Sweet Almond Oil as the base (since I have so much I need to use up!) and I was pleasantly surprised that my face actually felt really clean after I finished my first wash! I did have a few breakouts, but I thinks it's due to the Oil Cleansing deep cleaning my pores and opening up pores that have been clogged. It didn't 100% cure my dry skin, but it was definitely an improvement, so I decided to stick to for a month and really commit to it. So, here I am a month later with my skin much less dry, and less blackheads too! I have to say, I am completely sold on the Oil Cleansing Method and will never use facial cleansers or "soap" on my face ever again! </div>
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What is your favorite facial cleansing/moisturizing routine?</div>
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In A Perfect Worldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02947470850916852543noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6190289331852322306.post-54845348543889696922013-06-10T18:45:00.001-04:002013-08-29T15:23:00.308-04:00Manic Monday and a Few Good BooksAfter a crazy, stressful, whirlwind week I found myself less than thrilled to get out of bed on Monday morning to start it all over again. Halfway through the day it occurred to me that what I desperately needed was to get lost in a really good book! After a quick text to a book loving friend for some suggestions I anxiously headed to the library after work.<br />
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The library. Any place that is filled with books is on the top of my list of most magical places on earth. I love walking into a room lined with overstuffed bookshelves, the smell of dusty old books, and the sound of mothers whispering "shhhhh" to their children who are excited to pick out their next great adventure sitting on a nearby shelf. In a room full of books the opportunities are endless, and nothing soothes my stressful mind like delving into a good fantasy, taking a trip through time in a historical fiction, or being immersed into the hopes and fears of someone's life story.<br />
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Today I picked out two books I can't wait to get lost in.<br />
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And as much as I would love to continue sharing my love of books with you, I'm afraid I have a lovely chair by an open window eagerly awaiting my company. This manic Monday has now given me time to relax with a few good books. </div>
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I am always looking for suggestions, so what are your favorite books? Any good books on your summer reading list?<br />
<br />In A Perfect Worldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02947470850916852543noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6190289331852322306.post-81609678681815738812013-05-29T19:25:00.001-04:002013-08-29T15:23:18.778-04:00You Get More Flies With Honey: Dealing with Bad Business EtiquetteI'm pretty sure that most adults can recount at least one childhood memory of being bullied by another child. In today's culture there is a huge movement to work against childhood bullying, but what happens when the bully is an adult? Yesterday I read a story posted <a href="https://www.facebook.com/vanessa.hunt.526/posts/10103414475700144" target="_blank">on Facebook that was by a woman who was a witness to an adult bully.</a> This post has gone viral, and has even gotten the attention of the mainstream media.<br />
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Vanessa Hunt was visiting M Spa in Portage, Michigan over the weekend, and watched a mother of a 2 1/2 year old boy try to hold her son in her lap for a haircut that he was not thrilled to be getting. As a mother, Vanessa sympathized with the woman holding her crying son, because she remembers having the same experience with her own son. Unfortunately, what should have been a brief haircut quickly turned into a public confrontation that literally makes my stomach turn! The owner of M Spa, Michelle Mott, decided to publicly berate and humiliate the mother for her sons crying, causing the mother to tearfully apologize over and over for her son's behavior, and trying to unsuccessfully explain that her son has autism.<br />
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Having several children with special needs in my family, and in the families of close friends, this story hits close to home.<a href="http://inmyutopia.blogspot.com/2013/03/so-not-normal.html" target="_blank"> I am an advocate for children with special needs</a>, but I am also an advocate for teaching children manners and how to behave appropriately in public. However, this is harder to teach to children with special needs, and even harder with toddlers. It is up to adults to learn how to appropriately handle toddlers and children with special needs. And if you own/manage a business that does business with children, special needs or not, you must find a way to work with them that is best for the child, their parents, other customers, and staff members. Michelle Mott chose to ignore this basic rule of business etiquette, forcing the mother to have her son's haircut finished out on the front lawn, and making other customers extremely uncomfortable with her rant.<br />
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Currently, Michelle Mott is neither taking accountability for her unethical behavior nor offering a public apology. Instead she has sent <a href="http://www.mlive.com/news/kalamazoo/index.ssf/2013/05/m_spa_statement_autism_boy.html" target="_blank">her attorney to make a public statement claiming Ms. Mott's actions were appropriate because this was a "safety issue".</a> Regardless of the reasons for her actions, the way she handled the situation was anything but "appropriate" and has led to a <a href="https://www.facebook.com/MSpaSalonBoycott?fref=ts" target="_blank">public boycott of M Spa that currently has just under 10,000 supporters on Facebook. </a> There you will read many stories from past M Spa customers that have had similar experiences, and this past weekend isn't the first time she has brought a customer to tears!<br />
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Furthermore, a recent "roundtable" discussion of this story on HLN has brought up another related issue.<br />
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One of the hosts states this is a "private matter" and whatever happened to "mind your own business". This could very easily have been, and should have been, handled privately, but it became a matter of public opinion when Michelle Mott conducted her rant in front of other patrons and staff. Furthermore, it is the mindset of "mind your own business" that encourages inappropriate behavior and bullying. Well done HLN host! Not only have you have showed the world that you are an uninformed participate of the discussion, but your "mind your own business" statement has shown you to be an advocate for bullying!<br />
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The concept of "children should be seen and not heard" is not only archaic, but unreasonable. As a society we should be supportive of parents with small children. Children should be raised to be respectful, and well-mannered, but sometimes they may need a bit more consideration, especially with special needs. Adults should lead by example by being respectful, and well mannered, especially when working in a field that involves customer service. Practicing good business etiquette will also help your business flourish and grow. A good quote to remember is: "You get more flies with honey than vinegar".<br />
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What are your thoughts on this situation?<br />
<br />In A Perfect Worldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02947470850916852543noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6190289331852322306.post-44027821930409056132013-05-24T11:30:00.000-04:002013-08-29T15:23:40.199-04:00Oldies But Besties!Holiday weekends are always a fun time to spend with friends and family. Some people will have a barbecue, some have a pot luck, and some take the time to just relax. My favorite holiday weekends are the ones I get to spend with "My Girls" where the only rules of etiquette are "Just Have Fun!"<br />
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These are the girls that have been in my life for more years than not. They are the ones that were there through first childhood crushes and high school drama, fun weddings and devastating funerals, having babies and family feuds, breakups and breakouts, late night gossip sessions and late night phone calls. They're the ones who have shared a lifetime of memories with me and will always be there. Truer friends you will never find than these! These are "My Girls" and they are my family.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sPz_yQ_hqsk/UZ-Awi4P5dI/AAAAAAAAAbc/GzQdFH_F3Jo/s1600/Me+Jodie+Dawn+2012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sPz_yQ_hqsk/UZ-Awi4P5dI/AAAAAAAAAbc/GzQdFH_F3Jo/s320/Me+Jodie+Dawn+2012.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Dawn, Me, and Jodie. BFF's from the old neighborhood, and besties 'till the end!</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7O0OqqonByU/UZ-BO33-xLI/AAAAAAAAAbk/Pj2nf0zVIEY/s1600/Dawns+22nd+birthday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="209" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7O0OqqonByU/UZ-BO33-xLI/AAAAAAAAAbk/Pj2nf0zVIEY/s320/Dawns+22nd+birthday.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Jodie, Connie, Dawn, and Me. Celebrating Dawn's 22nd Birthday</div>
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Crystal, Michele, and Me hanging out at a family birthday party</div>
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Crystal, Me, Jodie, and Patty. Just having fun like we always do when we are together!</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MxW93k7Rzyw/UZ-B8bnNNMI/AAAAAAAAAb8/A0oZvVN3DS8/s1600/Me+and+Michele+with+box.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MxW93k7Rzyw/UZ-B8bnNNMI/AAAAAAAAAb8/A0oZvVN3DS8/s320/Me+and+Michele+with+box.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Michele helping me move last summer. Because that's what friends are for. :) </div>
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Dawn and I started a yearly tradition of meeting at 4 am on the first day of school every year. My bedroom window was about 12 feet away from her back door, and we would wake up super early just to chat away "Back to School" jitters.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8yOK6UzuEXo/UZ-EG-dMwrI/AAAAAAAAAcU/vkoP3v3WvtM/s1600/No+Floozies+better.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8yOK6UzuEXo/UZ-EG-dMwrI/AAAAAAAAAcU/vkoP3v3WvtM/s320/No+Floozies+better.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
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Some inside jokes are meant to last forever... Even to the point of finding funny signs to help us remember a good time and a great laugh!</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-J0gPHu7mcos/UZ-EkwroDmI/AAAAAAAAAcc/xW469dnRYaY/s1600/Michele+and+Jodie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-J0gPHu7mcos/UZ-EkwroDmI/AAAAAAAAAcc/xW469dnRYaY/s320/Michele+and+Jodie.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
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Michele and Jodie. I love this picture of them!</div>
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Me and Jodie having fun celebrating her husband's 40th birthday in April</div>
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Best friends are hard to find, but lifelong best friends are treasure so few people can say they have. I am one of the lucky ones! I love each and every memory we share, and look forward to the many memories we will make in the years to come!</div>
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What is your favorite thing to do on Holiday Weekends?</div>
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In A Perfect Worldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02947470850916852543noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6190289331852322306.post-75539157836514341482013-05-14T18:47:00.002-04:002013-08-29T15:23:59.191-04:00Double Dip or Finger Lick!I recently ran across this funny little infographic.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9psHvpr_p04/UZK2ncDpdoI/AAAAAAAAAbM/C_UGfFYgnQM/s1600/Double+Dipping.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9psHvpr_p04/UZK2ncDpdoI/AAAAAAAAAbM/C_UGfFYgnQM/s640/Double+Dipping.jpg" width="294" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Image Source From: <a href="http://www.loveinfographics.com/categories/social-media-infographics/what-people-really-think-about-double-dipping-infographic" target="_blank">Loveinfographics.com</a></span></div>
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The most interesting thing to me about this survey is that it is focused on an etiquette taboo like double dipping, yet it was conducted by the restaurant known for it's "finger licking good" food. It's a bit of an etiquette oxymoron, but brings up an equally grotesque habit... licking your fingers, or utensils, and then touching food others may eat.<br />
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It's very easy to get distracting preparing, cooking, or setting up food, get a little on your fingers, lick them, then continue without washing your hands. It's also a bad habit to taste test a dish and then continue to use the same utensil after it leaves your mouth. Let's not even start on the topic of hand feeding food to a pet then return to your cooking without washing! I suppose if your immediate family is accustomed to these practices then no one will complain, but please reserve these practices to the privacy of your immediate family, and spare your invited guests!<br />
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Aside from the "YUCK" factor of double dipping and finger licking, proper cooking and "eating etiquette" (which I'm defining as something different than<a href="http://inmyutopia.blogspot.com/2012/10/several-years-ago-i-was-dining-out-with.html#.UZK-hKKsiSo" target="_blank"> dining etiquette</a>) prevents the spread of germs. No one wants to go home from a dinner party and wake up with a bad cold, or food poisoning. Please remember to wash your hands, use separate utensils, and set out small plates and ramekins to allow guests their own portions of dipping sauce.<br />
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What is your biggest eating etiquette complaint?<br />
<br />In A Perfect Worldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02947470850916852543noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6190289331852322306.post-24676156879557363502013-05-02T14:37:00.001-04:002013-08-29T15:24:16.171-04:00Domestic Accomplishment!Last week my mother flew in to Michigan for a quick visit. Upon hearing of her upcoming visit I instantly thought now is my opportunity to have her teach me how to accomplish the most dreaded and elusive domestic chore that continues to plague women in every generation... How to fold a fitted sheet!<br />
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I know, there are instructional videos on youtube, and I even read<a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/269141/how-to-fold-a-fitted-sheet" target="_blank"> Martha Stewarts step by step instructions</a> on how to fold a fitted sheet, but I always end up confused, frustrated, and still left with a lumpy, ill folded, fitted sheet in my neatly folded linen closet. I guess I learn best when taught in person. </div>
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Well, I washed a load of sheets today and was once again faced with the daunting challenge of folding a fitted sheet. I reached into my brain, and pulled up the image of my mother patiently and slowly showing me how to fold each corner into the other and guess what happened next?!</div>
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I DID IT!!!!</div>
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I even think the top fitted sheet folded nicer than the bottom flat sheet. All thanks go to my wonderful mother for teaching me how!</div>
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We never think to ask how to do things when we are younger. It isn't until we are well into adulthood, and realize the importance of a certain domestic skill, art, craft, or even family recipe, that we begin to realize we really wish we would have asked a long time ago. Too many precious things are lost if we wait too long. My advice for today, dear readers, is set aside a day, or even a few hours, to visit with a parent, grandparent, aunt or uncle, and ask them to teach something only they know how to do. Not only will you acquire a new skill but you will have fond memories of the learning process as well. </div>
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What skill do you wish to learn from a friend or family member? Do you currently have a skill that has been passed down to you?</div>
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In A Perfect Worldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02947470850916852543noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6190289331852322306.post-18723930970693740302013-04-21T15:49:00.002-04:002013-08-29T15:24:42.683-04:00April Showers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Although Bridal and Baby Showers are not exclusively held in the Springtime, statistically there are more "Spring Showers" then any other time of the year. I often get asked questions regarding etiquette do's and don'ts, and lately I've had quite a few regarding Shower etiquette. As Bridal and Baby Showers differ in many ways I will address them separately, but there are some aspects that remain the same for both. Let's start in traditional order... with the Bride.<br />
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Bridal Showers are traditionally hosted by the Maid of Honor in coordination with the Bridesmaids. It is taboo for immediate family members to host the Bridal Shower (unless they are in the Bridal Party) as it is seen as "gift mongering".<br />
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Depending on how much you put into hosting a Shower, the event itself is considered the gift from the host. However, if you are a Bridesmaid and your contribution is a plate of cookies, you should include a small gift off the registry as well. If you are in the Bridal party and are unable to help plan, or to attend the Shower you are still obligated to send a gift.<br />
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Bridal Shower's are generally held 1 to 2 months before the wedding, but can be held up to 6 months before the wedding for special circumstances. Invitations should be sent out 4 to 6 weeks before the Shower.<br />
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Every person invited to a Bridal Shower should also be invited to the Wedding. The only exception is a Shower that is thrown by co-workers at your place of employment. Co-workers may wish to help you celebrate your happy event, but it is not expected that you invite every person you work with to the Wedding.<br />
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Traditionally a Bride has <b><u>ONE</u></b> Bridal Shower. The only exceptions to this rule are work related Showers with co-workers, and out of state Showers thrown by out of state family and friends who cannot make it to the main Shower. Having multiple Showers (one for the Bride's side, one for the Groom's side, one for friends, etc.) is very rude and seen as a selfish way to accumulate gifts. A Bridal Shower is the first of many events to bring both sides of the family together to get to know each other and celebrate a major life event.<br />
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Baby Showers have a few different rules of etiquette. A Baby Shower can be hosted by anyone, and generally the future Grandmothers should be included in some small way. <br />
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Baby Showers should be held anywhere from 1 to 3 months before the baby is due. Guests will want to see the mom-to-be in her big belly glory, but you don't want it too close in case the baby decides to make an early entrance. It is also acceptable to have a Baby Shower after the baby is born, especially when there are medical reasons, or it's an adoption. Baby Showers for mothers who have adopted their new precious family member should avoid games that relate to pregnancy.<br />
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The host of a Baby Shower should be considerate of the mom-to-be's comfort level, food choices (some women will have food issues all through their pregnancy), and games. Never choose games that would embarrass the guest of honor!<br />
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Once again, a Baby Shower is a one time event. The few exceptions to this rule are the 2 mentioned above, and if there has been a significant amount of time between children (like 10 years!). However, it is perfectly acceptable to have a "Baby Sprinkle". This is something that has recently gained popularity, and is an event that is smaller than a Shower, and only for a few small gifts (blankets, onesies, pajamas, etc.) the parents may need for their newest addition. A Baby Sprinkle is a great way to celebrate a new life with friends and family without them feeling like they are being manipulated into buying another expensive gift.<br />
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Although it's not mandatory, it is a nice gesture to bring a small gift for any older siblings that may be feeling left out with all the attention going to the new baby.<br />
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Bridal and Baby Showers should include a few quick games, unwrapping the gifts, and food and beverages. The amount of food you should have depends on the time of day you plan the Shower. If it's planned around lunch or dinner, then plan on having food that serves as a meal. If it's an early morning brunch style Shower, or mid-afternoon, then finger foods and tea cakes are all you need.<br />
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Any Shower should last 2 to 3 hours. Any longer than that and guests will get annoyed and restless.<br />
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If you are an invited guest to a Bridal or Baby Shower and are unable to attend you are not obligated to send a gift. However, if the guest of honor is a close friend or relative, it would be nice to send a gift to show your love and support.<br />
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If you have questions or concerns about gift buying you can refer to a previous post I made on the topic <a href="http://inmyutopia.blogspot.com/2013/01/the-art-of-giving-gifts.html#.UXQseqKsiSo" target="_blank">here</a>, and my post on general Hosting Etiquette can be found <a href="http://inmyutopia.blogspot.com/2012/12/hostess-with-mostess.html#.UXQsj6KsiSo" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
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At the end of the day, a Bridal and Baby Shower should be a fun, and joyous gathering of friends and family to celebrate a new event in a loved one's life.<br />
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What was your favorite thing about a Bridal or Baby Shower that you have attended or given? What is the worst part of a Shower you have attended?<br />
<br />In A Perfect Worldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02947470850916852543noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6190289331852322306.post-54874301646621443942013-04-11T15:36:00.003-04:002013-08-29T15:25:03.534-04:00Will You Be My Partner?<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">What thoughts and images does the word "Partner" bring to mind? As children we are given study partners in class. Perhaps you hit the courts with a tennis partner, or have deadline to meet at work with your project partner. Maybe you want to start a company with your business partner, or dance a waltz with your dance partner. And let's not forget all those infamous partners in crime! According to the<a href="http://oxforddictionaries.com/us/definition/american_english/partner?q=partner" target="_blank"> Oxford Dictionary</a>, the primary definition of the word partner is:</span> "<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.390625px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">a person who takes part in an undertaking with another or others, especially in a business or company with shared risks and profits".</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.390625px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">In recent years we have seen a broadening of the definition of "partner" to refer to one's spouse, boyfriend/girlfriend, and/or significant other. In a recent conversation with a friend regarding this topic it seems that with the growing popularity of this particular use of the word partner is also an increase of people who are confused, and even slightly offended by it. </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 20.390625px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Is a marriage or dating relationship a partnership? Yes, of course it is, but that is not all that it is. Drawing from the Oxford definition above, being in a long term committed relationship is definitely a huge undertaking that offers shared "risks" and "profits", but that is just the tip of the iceberg! Being in a relationship is about sharing your whole life with someone on much deeper level than what is expected in a partnership. Relationships are filled with emotions, intimacy, and a security that is much more personal than that of a partnership. Being in a committed relationship with a significant other, or spouse is definitely more profound than having just a partner. Why then are we seeing a growth in the use of the word partner to refer to significant others?</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 20.390625px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I think the answer is in the question itself. Our society doesn't see our significant others as being very significant. In fact, our culture has such low expectations for personal relationships that the word "partner" is now more appropriate than "spouse". It is the degradation of our society that has removed the high importance of a life long marriage to one person, a relationship that comes with comes with risks, profits, intimacy, and commitment, and replaced it with a business like partnership that can be terminated at any time either partner see's fit. It has removed the covenant of marriage and replaced it with the legal contract. It has reduced expectations of relationships to the point that one simply looks to find a person to who makes them happy in the moment but can be released when the moment is gone, instead of looking for that person who will bring them a lifetime of joy amongst the sorrows and struggles that are inevitable in life. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 20.390625px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">My husband is my partner in that we are in this life to work together in all things. More importantly he is my spouse, significant other, best friend, confidant, lover, and the man who brings me joy, comfort, and security on a level no other person can. To introduce my husband as my "Partner" would be an insult to the man he is, and to our marriage. Why would anyone want to use this word to describe someone so important to them? </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 20.390625px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">What are your thoughts on this topic? Do you introduce your spouse or significant other as your partner?</span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 20.390625px;"><br /></span></span></span>In A Perfect Worldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02947470850916852543noreply@blogger.com3