tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-52581595291637958022024-03-12T22:26:31.514-04:00A Chocolate BouquetChristian living and homemaking, along with a few tutorials.A Chocolate Bouquethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06643462248254946785noreply@blogger.comBlogger205125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5258159529163795802.post-88976718454734837432016-12-29T19:23:00.001-05:002016-12-29T19:23:40.626-05:00One Word 2017<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yXvF8rxIO2o/WGWo4ftoeDI/AAAAAAAABI0/a0Sm-W6GqaoEP3zs82pzx4r38wM8LLFjQCLcB/s1600/bevel-1746907_640.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yXvF8rxIO2o/WGWo4ftoeDI/AAAAAAAABI0/a0Sm-W6GqaoEP3zs82pzx4r38wM8LLFjQCLcB/s320/bevel-1746907_640.png" width="253" /></a></div>
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<br />
Are you joining in with the many others who will be choosing one word for 2017? <br />
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Haven't heard of this before? Basically, you choose one word for the year, to use as your life focus. It's the popular replacement for New Year's resolutions.<br />
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What will yours be?<br />
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Even though it wasn't for the purpose of choosing one word for the year, not too long ago I decided that I'd like to focus on being an encouragement to others. We can certainly use much of this in the day and age we live in. <br />
<br />It doesn't take much to pass on some encouragement to others:<br /><br /><i>A quick text to say you are thinking about someone</i><br /><br /><i>A card with a prayer or a few words of affirmation or appreciation</i><br /><br /><i>A small bouquet of flowers, or a small stuffed animal</i><br /><br /><i>Simple words of lifting someone up with a nice compliment or observation you have about them</i><br /><br /><i>A short visit to someone who you know is going through a difficult time</i><br />
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If I were to leave the world anytime soon, it would be a-okay with me to be remembered as one who lifted the spirits of another.<br />
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What word will, or would you choose, and how would you go about putting your word into action?<br />
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<br />A Chocolate Bouquethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06643462248254946785noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5258159529163795802.post-52421505989544047702016-01-15T08:43:00.001-05:002016-01-15T08:45:41.724-05:007 Great Marriage Tips<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QV61lfF0CLE/Vpj3XpxRIZI/AAAAAAAABHI/me7y4lSwlCU/s1600/abstract_love_tree_vector_graphic_148026.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QV61lfF0CLE/Vpj3XpxRIZI/AAAAAAAABHI/me7y4lSwlCU/s320/abstract_love_tree_vector_graphic_148026.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; line-height: 18.48px;">I just thought I'd share a few great tips with you on marriage! And I happen to know these work! Enjoy!</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; line-height: 18.48px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; line-height: 18.48px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; line-height: 18.48px;">1. Don't join in with other women on husband-bashing. Talk about yours like he's a king! Not only do you portray yourself as a lady when speaking well of the man you love, it also makes other women jealous and should make them feel a little stupid for being ungrateful!</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; line-height: 18.48px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; line-height: 18.48px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; line-height: 18.48px;">2. I "just HAVE" to get this off my chest! What is the BIG DEAL about the toilet seat being left up? You know, this is one of the most common complaints among women-almost a staple in conversation when male-bashing. It got me to thinking, and I cannot remember a time I have ever been bothered by a toilet seat-I couldn't even tell you if ours regularly get left up or put back down!</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; line-height: 18.48px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; line-height: 18.48px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; line-height: 18.48px;">3. Say Please, and mean it!</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; line-height: 18.48px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; line-height: 18.48px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; line-height: 18.48px;">4. Say Thank you, and mean it!</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; line-height: 18.48px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; line-height: 18.48px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; line-height: 18.48px;">5. It's okay to give in. Things don't always have to be my way. What's more important-winning my way, or having a winning marriage?</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; line-height: 18.48px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; line-height: 18.48px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; line-height: 18.48px;">6. You are not married to a control freak if he likes you to wear certain colors or grow your hair long. It doesn't mean you've lost your independence, no matter how our culture tries to convince women that it does. It just shows your hubby that you like to please him! And what's wrong with that?</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; line-height: 18.48px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; line-height: 18.48px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; line-height: 18.48px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; line-height: 18.48px;">And my final tip is coming up. I'd just like to share a few things first. Hopefully you've noticed in any of my other posts about my husband that when I "complain" about him, it is all in good fun. Dan is one of the best people I've ever met, and he's a good, kind husband. He is rarely ever ruffled, and has a great sense of humor. We respect each other, and neither of us are into spouse bashing that is intentionally hurtful. My blog posts about Dan are humorous to him as well.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; line-height: 18.48px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; line-height: 18.48px;">I am blessed with a good marriage, and a home that is peaceful and a comfortable place to be. There is very little (almost none actually) fighting between us.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; line-height: 18.48px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; line-height: 18.48px;">But when there IS a disagreement, we still respect each other, even if we don't see eye to eye. We speak the same volume that I would speak to any other person. We don't feel the need to yell louder than the other to be the winner!</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; line-height: 18.48px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; line-height: 18.48px;">So anyway! On the rare occasion that we have an argument, and we're feeling a little chilled to each other, this is my final piece of advice:</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; line-height: 18.48px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; line-height: 18.48px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; line-height: 18.48px;">7. A good ice-breaker after an argument is for you to make a nice warm cup of coffee or tea for your beloved, just the way he likes it. Take the drink to him wherever he is sitting, and set it next to him, or hand it to him. He'll be a little surprised, since you both are feeling a bit awkward. Hopefully he thanks you. But even if he doesn't, as you walk away, tell him, "I poisoned it." (yes, I've said this-it really does lighten things up!)(And NO--don't really poison the drink!)</span>A Chocolate Bouquethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06643462248254946785noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5258159529163795802.post-12792169208061310332016-01-13T11:00:00.004-05:002016-01-13T11:00:54.700-05:00Is Blogging A Fading Trend?<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I've left my blog sit for quite some time-I really felt that I should, with other things in life I needed to focus on.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I've given some thought to starting back up, and don't know if I should.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Is blogging dead? Is blogging a fading trend, or will people read what I'd like to share?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">What blogs are most popular, as far as subject matter? What direction should I take my blog?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Share your thoughts with me, if you'd like. You may help me know which direction to go. =)</span>A Chocolate Bouquethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06643462248254946785noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5258159529163795802.post-76184099521249289012013-01-21T23:30:00.000-05:002013-01-21T23:30:02.725-05:00Time Management-Five Ways To Make More Time In Your Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b>Time.</b><br />
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Most of us feel like we don't have enough of it, and wish there were ways to make more time in our days.<br />
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Great news! You can!<br />
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With a little upfront effort and determination, you can not only have more time, but you can eliminate stress and save money as well! Time management is not impossible, and does not have to be a thing of the past!<br />
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Here are five ways:<br />
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<ol>
<li><b><i>Be honest with yourself and do a truthful evaluation. How much time do you waste on the internet?</i></b> There are so many social networks and sites that beg for our attention, it can become a real trap. My main problem was Facebook. Notice I said <b><i>was</i></b>. Getting my son off to school, it became very easy to sit with my cup of coffee, and catch up on what everyone was up to before "starting my day". The hard part was getting away once I started commenting on everyone's posts. Have you been there? Fortunately, I began to wean from it for various reasons, <a href="http://achocolatebouquet.blogspot.com/2013/01/five-reasons-facebook-is-no-longer-my.html" target="_blank">which you can read about here.</a> I gained back a<i> lot</i> of time because of this one area! <i> I am now controlling what was once controlling me!</i></li>
<li><b><i>Get enough sleep each night, and go to bed at a decent hour.</i></b> Another trap for sucking away time! <i>How? </i> Some of us are night owls, being forced to live in an early bird world! I'm almost 43 years old, and even when I'm dragging at 9:00 p.m., I still fight going to bed at 11 or 12! But getting to bed by 11 or midnight will help your tomorrows run better. Not enough sleep equals less energy and less mental focus, which causes your daily tasks to take longer, <i>if</i> they get done at all. </li>
<li><b style="font-style: italic;">Take care of the little things </b>while <b style="font-style: italic;">they are little. </b>Load the dishwasher right after dinner (or wash by hand, if you don't have a dishwasher), put away each load of laundry, put books back where you got them from. Sort through the mail regularly to throw out junk mail. Do laundry everyday/every other day. Freshly dirtied dishes take less time than dishes that we have to leave soak because of letting food harden on them for an extra day. Put-away laundry saves piles from being knocked over, or baskets that are clean from having other family members mistake the basket for dirty clothes, which then results in a basket that you forget what is clean in it. You save money when you aren't rewashing what has already been washed. And what about the kiddos rummaging through for their favorite shirts? You also end up with clothes that probably need thrown back in the dryer for a fresh folding, so that nobody looks like a wrinkled mess. Ever been there? Can you say "aggravating"? A book here, and a small pile of junk mail over there will build up to a messy house very quickly. And once it does, our brains hit overwhelmed mode, which makes the task seem too big, which saps our energy, and takes us longer to clean it up. It makes us want to take a Facebook break! Can I get an AMEN?</li>
<li><i><b>Ironing more than one item per session.</b></i> If you are like me, you have ironing that needs done on a regular basis. I iron my husband's and son's church clothes regularly, along with my own wrinkled things. Doing a week's worth of ironing at one time saves you time in having to get out the ironing board, heating up the iron, and putting the board away when finished, every single time you need an item ironed! It may not seem like much, but if you've never tried it, trust me! Once you go to the closet and are able to just grab your ironed item and go, you'll see how nice it is! If you run late regularly, this will save you a few minutes (especially if you have more to iron than just your own things!), and it will also reduce your stress level! I hate feeling rushed, don't you?</li>
<li><b><i>Freezer cooking.</i></b> This is a biggie! If you aren't a super organized person (which may be why you are reading this list!), it may take two or three days of a messy kitchen with tin foil pans and canned foods all over the counter tops, but this one is totally worth it! Buying everything at once saves additional trips to the store, which for me, always, <b><i>ALWAYS</i></b> results in my spending more on things I didn't even go to the store for! <i>(Who is with me on this one?)</i> It also lets you make the kitchen a total mess of dirty pots, pans, measuring cups and extra trash <i>for a few days</i>, as opposed to a daily thing! Once all meals are prepared and waiting in the freezer, all you have to do is remember to thaw them, and pop them in the oven in time for dinner! Sure, you will still have plates and cups to wash, but it will take much less time because of no pots and pans, etc. that need washed as well. Extra free time after dinner! Yay! Note: Freezer cooking seems like a daunting task if you've never done it. Start small-make a huge pot of spaghetti sauce, some chili, and one or two soups, and then divide each batch into family sized servings and freeze. Once you've accomplished that, search the internet for blogs and websites that give freezer cooking recipes. <i><span style="color: red;">Or, you can find books on Amazon. Check out <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0966446747/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0966446747&linkCode=as2&tag=delightfdomes-20">The Freezer Cooking Manual from 30 Day Gourmet: A Month of Meals Made Easy</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=delightfdomes-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0966446747" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
!</span></i> Find a few you like and add them to your stash. You will be glad you did this! (Not to mention less drive-thru visits at McDonald's!)</li>
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I know that doing these few things will make a world of difference in your own time management, as it is mine! Although I haven't reached perfection myself, I'm getting better and better, and focusing on things that are really important to me-my goals for the coming year!<br />
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What about you? Have you done any of these in your own life? And were the results worth it?<br />
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A Chocolate Bouquethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06643462248254946785noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5258159529163795802.post-27848037348641515032013-01-18T18:06:00.001-05:002013-01-25T12:13:02.474-05:00Baked Cabbage Wedges With Bacon-Hubby LOVES This Stuff!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Oya1Bm8JDg0/UPnSaxjZWEI/AAAAAAAAA_s/TAhQ4iVD4Ps/s1600/ebayamber+035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Oya1Bm8JDg0/UPnSaxjZWEI/AAAAAAAAA_s/TAhQ4iVD4Ps/s640/ebayamber+035.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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I found something like this on Pinterest, but since I didn't have all of the ingredients it asked for, it is a bit different than what the original recipe calls for. Someone commented on adding the bacon, so I did that too, and here we have a HIT! It's a nice lunchy type snack. Dan feels like he could eat it everyday-at this point anyway! We aren't going to find out for sure!<br />
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<b><i>You need: </i></b></div>
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<b><i>Cabbage</i></b></div>
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<b><i>Mrs. Dash</i></b></div>
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<b><i>Bacon</i></b></div>
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<b><i>Salt</i></b></div>
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<b><i>Olive oil</i></b></div>
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Heat oven to 350 degrees. </div>
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Slice cabbage head in half, then half again. Then cut into about 1 inch thick wedges. </div>
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Lay pieces on baking sheet (I put parchment paper under mine, but isn't necessary if you don't want to.) Also, the entire head won't fit on a single cookie sheet. I just made up one sheet at a time, enough for the day.</div>
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Drizzle each wedge with olive oil.</div>
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Cut bacon into bite sized pieces and add to top of wedges.</div>
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Add a little salt and some Mrs. Dash over all of it.</div>
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Bake for about 45-50 minutes.</div>
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And.....</div>
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TaDa!!!!</div>
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Have you made something similar to these? What did you think? What did your family think?<br />
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<a href="http://www.serenitynowblog.com/">Linking up at the Serenity Now link party.</a></div>
A Chocolate Bouquethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06643462248254946785noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5258159529163795802.post-71484795807693607632013-01-18T08:10:00.000-05:002013-01-18T08:46:05.317-05:00He's Still Lord<br />
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My daughter sang this beautiful song in church the other night, and one line stood out to me:</div>
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<i>You're Still Lord</i></div>
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<i>VERSE 1<br />When I was just a child I heard a beautiful story<br />How You loved me so You died on Calvary<br />And though I claimed You way back then as Lord Almighty<br />Things haven't changed<br />My love is still the same<br />You're still Lord to me</i></div>
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<i>CHORUS<br />You're still Lord, You're still my Father<br />In little or much, I still feel Your touch<br />You're still Lord<br />You're still Lord, You're still my Father<br />You'll always be mine for all time<br />You're still Lord</i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #0e2233;">VERSE 2 </span><br /><span style="color: #0e2233;">Some have called you Lord but now they serve another </span><br /><span style="color: #0e2233;">To worldly things their heart has pledged it's loyalty </span><br /><span style="color: red;"><b>But as for me when I made my choice it was forever </b></span><br /><span style="color: #0e2233;">And now as before but now even more </span><br /><span style="color: #0e2233;">You're still Lord</span></i></div>
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<i>CHORUS<br />You're still Lord, You're still my Father<br />In little or much, I feel Your touch<br />You're still Lord<br />You're still Lord, You're still my Father<br />You'll always be mine for all time<br />You're still Lord</i></div>
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<i>TAG<br />You'll always be mine for all time<br />You're still Lord to me</i></div>
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<i style="color: black;"><span style="color: red;"><b>But as for me when I made my choice it was forever.....</b></span></i></div>
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As I was listening to the words, I thought about the Lord's side of this relationship with me. I began to serve the Lord as a 15 year old girl-one who was heading in the wrong direction in life, yet who was spared much heartache because of His mercies to me.</div>
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<span style="font-family: Open Sans, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px;">When I was so unworthy of His love, He still chose to robe Himself in flesh and die for </span></span><i style="font-family: 'Open Sans', arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px;"><b>me</b></i><span style="font-family: Open Sans, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px;">. When I have stumbled in my walk with Him, He still has never </span></span><span style="line-height: 22.99715805053711px;">wavered</span><span style="font-family: Open Sans, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px;"> in His love for me. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Open Sans, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px;"><i><b>His love for me-He made His choice forever.</b></i></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Open Sans, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 22.99715805053711px;">Because of His love for me, I've never had to walk alone. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Open Sans, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 22.99715805053711px;">He's still Lord.</span></span><br />
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A Chocolate Bouquethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06643462248254946785noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5258159529163795802.post-83441558254922507742013-01-17T02:00:00.000-05:002013-01-17T02:00:05.557-05:00Is This Where I Want To Be In Five Years?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I've been doing a lot of reading lately--have I told you how much I LOVE having a kindle on my phone?!?! I read while I walk and do the elliptical at the gym several days a week!<br />
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A lot of the reading I have been doing are books about reaching goals. <br />
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One idea is to write down where you want to be in 5 years, and in 10 years. And then, of course, the book gave ways to reach those goals.<br />
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It's a great idea to write down where you want to be, and then evaluate where you are and what you are doing, to see if your current activities are getting you any closer.<br />
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Although I haven't thought so far in the future with my weight, I <i>do</i> want to lose 20 more pounds (down a little over 30 so far!) this year, which will be where I hope to be in 5 and 10 years as well. <br />
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Am I doing anything right now to get me there?<br />
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Yes I am!<br />
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My daughter and I go to the gym a few days a week, and I exercise an hour each time! I'm also drinking more water.<br />
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If I keep it up, I should reach my goal! <br />
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I have greater things I want to do, but just used this one as an example. <br />
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What about you? Do you have any long term goals? Have you written them down to keep your goals in front of you, so you can see them frequently? <br />
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This is a great year to start!A Chocolate Bouquethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06643462248254946785noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5258159529163795802.post-64003508348330269582013-01-13T22:59:00.000-05:002013-01-13T23:02:48.643-05:00Make An Adorable Little Chocolate Hearts Bouquet!<a class="pin-it-button" count-layout="horizontal" href="http://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fachocolatebouquet.blogspot.com%2F2013%2F01%2Fmake-adorable-little-chocolate-hearts.html&media=http%3A%2F%2F3.bp.blogspot.com%2F-C-SzqxCrNak%2FUPNsTT0rNBI%2FAAAAAAAAA9Q%2F9lW5Fot_VO8%2Fs1600%2Flittle%2Bhearts%2Bbouquet%2B100.JPG&description=A%20chocolate%20hearts%20candy%20bouquet."><img border="0" src="//assets.pinterest.com/images/PinExt.png" title="Pin It" /></a>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>Make An Adorable Little Chocolate Hearts Bouquet!</b></i></span></div>
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For this cute and simple little hearts chocolate bouquet, you will need the above items:</div>
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*<span style="color: red;"> One piece of tissue paper</span><br />
*<span style="color: red;"> Hershey's heart shaped chocolate candies</span><br />
*<span style="color: red;"> Hot glue gun and glue</span><br />
*<span style="color: red;"> About three green silk leaves </span>(smaller rather than larger, to be in proportion with the heart "flowers"<br />
*<span style="color: red;"> Your choice of ribbon</span> (I chose think ribbon)<span style="color: red;">-about 1' of it</span><br />
* <span style="color: red;">Small glass votive holder </span>(Walmart)<br />
*<span style="color: red;"> Skinny sticks craft sticks</span> (Walmart)<br />
*<span style="color: red;"> A block of floral foam </span>(the harder kind-not the softer kind that absorbs water-only $1 at the Dollar Tree, with enough to make several of these, if you like.)</div>
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<b style="text-align: center;">Directions:</b></div>
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1. Cut a small piece of the floral foam to fit in the votive holder (I <b><i>carefully</i></b> used a knife). </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Mo2sjFoVtHs/UPNsLDYXnsI/AAAAAAAAA7c/FWT4NBu9e5Y/s1600/little+hearts+bouquet+071.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Mo2sjFoVtHs/UPNsLDYXnsI/AAAAAAAAA7c/FWT4NBu9e5Y/s320/little+hearts+bouquet+071.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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2. Fold your tissue paper in quarters, and cut 4 squares approximately 5" x 5". Stagger the four pieces of tissue paper.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5BMHMAwQP_I/UPNsLS0kPSI/AAAAAAAAA7o/V4a_gRW0ULw/s1600/little+hearts+bouquet+074.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5BMHMAwQP_I/UPNsLS0kPSI/AAAAAAAAA7o/V4a_gRW0ULw/s320/little+hearts+bouquet+074.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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3. Put staggered paper over votive holder, then put green foam over top of it, and push tightly into the holder.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jtIDUHWojz4/UPNsMYF73uI/AAAAAAAAA74/7W1frJFFnw0/s1600/little+hearts+bouquet+075.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jtIDUHWojz4/UPNsMYF73uI/AAAAAAAAA74/7W1frJFFnw0/s320/little+hearts+bouquet+075.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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4. You can pull the tissue upwards a little bit-it will look like this:</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_hufCCDUiQA/UPNsM64h8kI/AAAAAAAAA8A/d1ctyCggYYU/s1600/little+hearts+bouquet+078.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_hufCCDUiQA/UPNsM64h8kI/AAAAAAAAA8A/d1ctyCggYYU/s320/little+hearts+bouquet+078.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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5. Take two of your green leaves, and cut them at the base of the leaf (no stem).</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kbn54fsaj5w/UPNsN6nqP9I/AAAAAAAAA8M/VP0wYVWEDuo/s1600/little+hearts+bouquet+080.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kbn54fsaj5w/UPNsN6nqP9I/AAAAAAAAA8M/VP0wYVWEDuo/s320/little+hearts+bouquet+080.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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About half way down the stick, put a dab of glue, and add two leaves to the front of the stick. Then break off about an inch of the stick at the bottom.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-B0ZVxDrRYDg/UPNsO_byFpI/AAAAAAAAA8g/RN0IROgSodA/s1600/little+hearts+bouquet+081.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-B0ZVxDrRYDg/UPNsO_byFpI/AAAAAAAAA8g/RN0IROgSodA/s320/little+hearts+bouquet+081.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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At the top, add a dab of hot glue to the stick, and attach a chocolate heart. Let the glue dry for a few seconds, and then do the other side, so that the hearts are glued to the stem, back to back. </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EueXMG-rr3A/UPNsPGj9w_I/AAAAAAAAA8U/yk6BMVxZJz0/s1600/little+hearts+bouquet+090.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EueXMG-rr3A/UPNsPGj9w_I/AAAAAAAAA8U/yk6BMVxZJz0/s320/little+hearts+bouquet+090.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Push the stick down into the middle of the foam until it touched the bottom.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fPYVdVjOTes/UPNsPVKQADI/AAAAAAAAA8c/3GwgFHU4PXE/s1600/little+hearts+bouquet+091.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fPYVdVjOTes/UPNsPVKQADI/AAAAAAAAA8c/3GwgFHU4PXE/s320/little+hearts+bouquet+091.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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This is how it will look:</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sMV5h5-R_V0/UPNsQ7e6B3I/AAAAAAAAA8w/wze2R2fHFqM/s1600/little+hearts+bouquet+094.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sMV5h5-R_V0/UPNsQ7e6B3I/AAAAAAAAA8w/wze2R2fHFqM/s320/little+hearts+bouquet+094.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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Now make a little ribbon bow around a pencil, pull it off, and pull the bow tight (to make the pencil hole loop smaller). </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nokYU80HPQ0/UPNsRdagAWI/AAAAAAAAA9A/oVTrP4QNKX8/s1600/little+hearts+bouquet+095.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nokYU80HPQ0/UPNsRdagAWI/AAAAAAAAA9A/oVTrP4QNKX8/s320/little+hearts+bouquet+095.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Glue below your chocolate heart. Ta Da!!! A simple little bouquet!</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SGgy7mOF6Bg/UPNsSPNqMvI/AAAAAAAAA9E/6msafVMMbg4/s1600/little+hearts+bouquet+096.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SGgy7mOF6Bg/UPNsSPNqMvI/AAAAAAAAA9E/6msafVMMbg4/s400/little+hearts+bouquet+096.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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Want a little more? Make a couple more sticks with hearts on them, and then add them <i><b>at a slant</b></i>, behind the main heart.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H__6qHR9g0U/UPNsSed9rnI/AAAAAAAAA9I/e7v1EbRVTdc/s1600/little+hearts+bouquet+099.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H__6qHR9g0U/UPNsSed9rnI/AAAAAAAAA9I/e7v1EbRVTdc/s400/little+hearts+bouquet+099.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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And then, of course, is the bouquet with a couple more candy sticks:</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-C-SzqxCrNak/UPNsTT0rNBI/AAAAAAAAA9Q/9lW5Fot_VO8/s1600/little+hearts+bouquet+100.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-C-SzqxCrNak/UPNsTT0rNBI/AAAAAAAAA9Q/9lW5Fot_VO8/s400/little+hearts+bouquet+100.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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You can add an extra leaf to the back of the arrangement as well. </div>
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<i>If you use the fuller bouquet, you may want to add a few coins or stones inside at the base to even out the weight a little bit, as this is top heavy. </i> </div>
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<i><b>This stands just a fuzz over 6 1/2" tall. Perfect for a Valentine's party (make several as table decorations!), or to set on your desk, or for another small area that could use a cute, cheery touch!</b></i></div>
<script type="text/javascript" src="//assets.pinterest.com/js/pinit.js"></script>A Chocolate Bouquethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06643462248254946785noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5258159529163795802.post-84769705120061288232013-01-12T22:50:00.000-05:002013-01-12T22:50:53.610-05:00Part Of My Christmas GiftThis is what my children did for me for Christmas-had a wonderful photo shoot for me! Here is one picture-I love all the beautiful shots they got!<div>
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My loves-my world! ♥</div>
A Chocolate Bouquethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06643462248254946785noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5258159529163795802.post-81925226327392041472013-01-08T12:21:00.002-05:002013-01-11T12:42:59.757-05:00Not Reaching Your Goals-A Reason, Or An Excuse?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3HUJLYXKWzg/UOxT4IBb0WI/AAAAAAAAA4g/f7qHEehbOzE/s1600/notebook.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="293" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3HUJLYXKWzg/UOxT4IBb0WI/AAAAAAAAA4g/f7qHEehbOzE/s320/notebook.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;"><i><b>January 1st-the time of year when all of us are motivated and pumped up about reaching our goals!</b></i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><i><b>January 14th-where the excitement starts to dwindle, and we lose steam.</b></i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span>
<span style="color: blue;"><i><b>February-where we start giving up on those well intended goals and ideas.</b></i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-size: x-small;"><i><b>March-Goals? What goals?</b></i></span><br />
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Why does this happen?<br />
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More oft than not, we have a reason.<br />
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<b><i><span style="color: red;">Or do we?</span></i></b><br />
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Were you wanting to save money? Lose weight? Blog more?<br />
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If someone asked you how it's going, you might say something like:<br />
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<i>"I wanted to save money, but times are tough, and I just couldn't spare the extra $10 a week to put in savings."</i><br />
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<i>"I wanted to lose 5 pounds this month, but I haven't had time to go to the gym."</i><br />
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<i>"I wanted to write three blog posts a week, but I just haven't had time."</i><br />
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The list could go on and on.<br />
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We've all heard, "Where there's a will, there's a way." This applies to reaching our goals as well. So, how does this apply to you, when you aren't reaching your goals? Because...<br />
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<b><i><span style="color: red;">Most of our reasons are not reasons at all. They are excuses.</span></i></b><br />
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The truth of the matter is, goals are hard work! They take discipline. We have to change some of our habits, some of our thought patterns, and do some sacrificing! It looks great on paper, but is a whole new ball game when it comes down to actually doing it!<br />
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I like the quote by G.K. Nielson:<br />
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<i><span style="color: red;">Successful people are not gifted; they just work hard, then succeed on purpose.</span></i><br />
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If you truly want to succeed with your goals, you will find ways to start reaching.<br />
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If you don't care so much about the reason, at least be honest with yourself, instead of using an excuse why you can't. When you finally decide that your goals are something you really want to reach, you will not begin with defeat because you will realize there are few reasons, but many excuses. And excuses can be overcome.<br />
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<i><span style="color: red;"><b>Are you ready to be an overcomer? </b></span></i><br />
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<a href=" http://www.serenitynowblog.com/ " target="_blank"><img src="http://i985.photobucket.com/albums/ae332/Amanda_SerenityNow/Blog%20Party%20Buttons/WeekendBloggyReading.png" border="0" alt="Weekend Bloggy Reading"></a>
A Chocolate Bouquethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06643462248254946785noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5258159529163795802.post-83026114001622298712013-01-06T11:41:00.000-05:002013-01-07T14:31:18.529-05:00Five Reasons Facebook Is No Longer My Close Friend<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-l_PCr7Hk_co/UMirpP_U3iI/AAAAAAAAAwM/8HDhas3fagA/s1600/thumbs-down-banner-612x300.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="157" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-l_PCr7Hk_co/UMirpP_U3iI/AAAAAAAAAwM/8HDhas3fagA/s320/thumbs-down-banner-612x300.png" width="320" /></a></div>
My three year affair with Facebook is just about over. It was thrilling at first! Staying in the know with family and friends, finding old high school friends I lost touch with, the cute pictures and quotes that are shared, the games, and more. Can you relate?<br />
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After a short time (1-2 years isn't a long period of time in my almost 43 years of living), I was hooked. Several times a day, I found myself checking in when I had a spare moment. In the mornings, I would sit down with my first cup of coffee to see what everyone was up to, only to find myself pulling away <i>a couple of hours</i> later. In the evenings, I would wind down my day by visiting with everyone in the Facebook virtual living room. <br />
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Does this sound familiar? Did you know there is even a book out about this? Check out <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0979748038/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0979748038&linkCode=as2&tag=delightfdomes-20">Facebook Addiction: The Life & Times of Social Networking Addicts</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=delightfdomes-20&l=am2&o=1&a=0979748038" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />.<br />
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Well, after being sidetracked for a while, I've escaped this close friendship that was unhealthy for me. Maybe you can relate to my five reasons:<br />
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<li><b>The time vacuum.</b> Facebook was sucking away too many hours in my day, when I could be doing so much more! </li>
<li><b>The boldness, rudeness, and confrontational spirit.</b> I cannot believe how people "attack" each other, and even worse than that, on <i>a user's own page</i>! So often someone will put up a thought, and regularly, there will be someone else who purposely puts up a contradictory response. No longer can you share your opinion without being turned into a bad guy. No longer can you say anything without someone accusing you of being judgmental. </li>
<li><b>The vulgarity.</b> Pictures, jokes and regular talk has become so perverted and profane. I cannot believe the language and sense of humor that is so common among people in my own age bracket. Just because we're considered to be a legal age to do and say anything we want <i>doesn't</i> mean we should. My belief with almost anything in life is that, if a young person shouldn't do it, most likely an adult shouldn't either. There are few exceptions. Dirty jokes are tasteless whether you are 10 or 75.</li>
<li><b>The accusations.</b> This is one of the first things that made me back away from Facebook. When I had one good friend accusing another good friend of doing something horrible that I know beyond a shadow of a doubt is not true, I had a very bad taste in my mouth. The venom that was spewed toward an innocent victim just made my stomach turn. And this doesn't just happen publicly, it happens in private messages. To the extreme. </li>
<li><b>The depressing reality of the negative direction so many are going.</b> I can't help it. Between seeing innocent young teens turning into provocative young women by the pictures they post, the lifestyles of some who have changed so drastically, and the comments sharing personal problems that should never be shared publicly, I often pull myself away from Facebook, feeling saddened. Something I enjoyed so much because of the fun times it offered in the beginning, has turned into something so different.</li>
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Am I trying to strike against Facebook? Not at all. There are responsible users out there who keep things under control on their page. I am not angry at Facebook. I am aggravated at what my page has become, and my tendency to spend too much time on there. I just don't need the extra stress of seeing so much I consider garbage, or the guilt of wasting my day clicking a mouse.</div>
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Will I still visit? Occasionally. My blog has a share button for Facebook and Twitter, and I have seen great things from others that have been shared. Those will be the things I'll hope to see when I do visit. <br />
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I hope you will do a self evaluation and see if you found yourself in this post.<br />
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Are you addicted? <b><a href="http://www.techaddiction.ca/facebook-addiction-disorder.html" target="_blank">Here is an article that may help you to break away.</a></b><br />
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Please share your thoughts! Is Facebook a turn-off to you? Did you overcome spending too much time on the site? Please share how!<br />
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A Chocolate Bouquethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06643462248254946785noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5258159529163795802.post-259203369979104312013-01-04T06:27:00.001-05:002013-01-04T09:28:33.484-05:005QF!Good Morning! <br />
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I started a blog hop yesterday, and would love to have you add your motivational posts-so far it's just me and my lonesome! =) <a href="http://achocolatebouquet.blogspot.com/2013/01/blog-hop-1-all-things-motivational.html" target="_blank">If you have something to add, please click here!</a><br />
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On to the 5QF!<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium; line-height: 20.78333282470703px;"><span style="color: #0e1029;">1. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><span style="color: #0e1029;">Have you set any goals/resolutions for 2013? </span><span style="color: red;">Yes! I do every year! I actually posted on this the other day. Losing weight and buying a new house are two things on my list-both of which should happen. I'm down 30 pounds with 20 more to go! <a href="http://achocolatebouquet.blogspot.com/2013/01/what-are-you-doing-in-2013.html" target="_blank">If you would like to see a picture, click here!</a> </span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #0e1029; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #0e1029; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.78333282470703px;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium; line-height: 20.78333282470703px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0e1029; line-height: 18px;">2. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><span style="color: #0e1029;">Have you made any travel/vacation plans for 2013? </span><span style="color: red;">No, although I talked to my daughter about going to a ladies' retreat in Texas this spring. Not sure if that will happen after all. Not sure.</span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #0e1029; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #0e1029; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.78333282470703px;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium; line-height: 20.78333282470703px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0e1029; line-height: 18px;">3. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><span style="color: #0e1029;">What room is never cleaned in your house? </span><span style="color: red;">Since we moved to a house that's about 1,000 square feet smaller than my last home, my bedroom ends up the room for storage, which makes the room hard to keep cleaned up consistently. No laundry room to store my clothes, and no office to store my ebay stuff!</span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #0e1029; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #0e1029; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.78333282470703px;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium; line-height: 20.78333282470703px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0e1029; line-height: 18px;">4. W</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><span style="color: #0e1029;">hat food must be in your house at all times? </span><span style="color: red;">Coffee creamer and milk! lol</span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #0e1029; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #0e1029; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.78333282470703px;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium; line-height: 20.78333282470703px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0e1029; line-height: 18px;">5. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><span style="color: #0e1029;">Are you a hugger or more of a hands off person? </span><span style="color: red;">I hug regularly, but get claustrophobic if I'm in tight quarters for too long.</span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium; line-height: 20.78333282470703px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium; line-height: 20.78333282470703px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium; line-height: 20.78333282470703px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">Happy New Year! And have a great weekend! =)</span></span>
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A Chocolate Bouquethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06643462248254946785noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5258159529163795802.post-35131736257639419682013-01-02T22:06:00.000-05:002013-01-02T22:06:33.399-05:00I've Got Plenty Of Time<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KiAU6lzKBGQ/UOT1NqUucoI/AAAAAAAAA34/sooZCesyk7E/s1600/1944_wpm_hires.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KiAU6lzKBGQ/UOT1NqUucoI/AAAAAAAAA34/sooZCesyk7E/s640/1944_wpm_hires.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I'm looking with anticipation into 2013, and am excited about the things I am working on, the goals I am reaching for, and the results I expect to see!<br />
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A lot of goals seem to fall short because we feel we lack the time to work on them.<br />
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But do we really?<br />
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<span style="color: red;">In 2013, we will have 8,760 hours to work on whatever things we are hoping to accomplish. </span><br />
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When it comes to time, if most of us were honest, it isn't time that we lack-it's motivation. There are some people who do run a very tight, busy schedule, but then there are many of us who give in to the feelings of the moment. Instead of pushing ourselves a little bit, we comfort ourselves with many evenings of just vegging out because it was a hard day at work, or a busy day at home, and we're tired. Yep! I'm guilty! <br />
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But maybe we have convinced ourselves that we don't have time. Just take a closer look to make sure.<br />
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Just for an example:<br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<i><span style="color: red;">A full time job with a 30 minute drive to work each way would equal 2250 hours a year-less a two week vacation.</span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></i>
<i><span style="color: red;">Eight hours of sleep each night equals 2920 hours a year.</span></i><br />
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<i><b><span style="color: red;">That still leaves us with 3590 hours left in the year.</span></b></i><br />
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Is there much we can do in 3590 hours? <i>Absolutely! </i> Because this is just a general estimate, you may have a bit more or a bit less, but you will still have many hours to work towards some of the things you want to do in life.<br />
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If you calculate your own "free" hours in the year, but are still feeling left with very little, even tho the numbers prove you wrong, you may just need some help with organizing your time in a better way. Learning to do errands all on the same day, become more efficient in your household skills and habit, or even getting your sleeping hours on a better time schedule can make a huge difference. I'm learning this myself, as I venture in to doing freezer cooking, so I have a freezer full of meals while cutting down cleanup time each day because of less pots and pans from preparation. More to come on this!<br />
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So, at the beginning of 2013, look at your schedule and realize you do have time to reach goals you've set out to accomplish! <br />
<br />A Chocolate Bouquethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06643462248254946785noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5258159529163795802.post-54424195120752929912013-01-02T13:03:00.001-05:002013-01-02T13:03:30.219-05:00Leftover Candy Canes? A Yummy Treat!Leftover candy canes from the holidays? I found this Pinterest (<a href="http://pinterest.com/josannea/" target="_blank">follow me!</a>), and made these for our church family-pretzels dipped in melted vanilla chips, with crushed candy canes sprinkled over them!<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-K__FlHOQAwE/UORwMPXb2sI/AAAAAAAAA3I/k6dRJ8lyQjY/s1600/peppermintpretzels+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-K__FlHOQAwE/UORwMPXb2sI/AAAAAAAAA3I/k6dRJ8lyQjY/s640/peppermintpretzels+001.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-14Ev4uJIXfA/UORwN2q9MUI/AAAAAAAAA3Q/Cnp8eCUYgDk/s1600/peppermintpretzels+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-14Ev4uJIXfA/UORwN2q9MUI/AAAAAAAAA3Q/Cnp8eCUYgDk/s640/peppermintpretzels+002.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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I am going to give the link where I found these-I didn't take pics of each step, so I'll give the link where I found this delicious dessert!<br />
<a href="http://www.shutterbean.com/2011/white-chocolate-peppermint-dipped-pretzels/" target="_blank">CLICK HERE FOR INSTRUCTIONS!</a><br />
* The original link used a block of white chocolate, grated. I used Wilton's Vanilla Candy Melts instead of a white chocolate block shown in her link. These were at Walmart with the candy for the holidays, but may be in a different location since the season is heading for Valentine's Day.<br />
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Speaking of Valentine's Day, I will be sharing a chocolate bouquet or two, so be sure to stop back! It's been a while since I've added any new ones! My bad!<br />
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And one more thing! <a href="http://www.achocolatebouquet.blogspot.com/2012/12/new-blog-hop-january-3-2013-get-ready.html" target="_blank">Are you joining my blog hop tomorrow?</a> If you have a motivational post to share, please stop by and share it here! Each month will have a new theme, so please come back regularly to see what we're up to!<br />
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Snack on! =)A Chocolate Bouquethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06643462248254946785noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5258159529163795802.post-30514982261933351312013-01-01T06:00:00.000-05:002013-01-01T06:00:02.168-05:00What Are You Doing In 2013?Happy New Year!!!<br />
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What are you doing in 2013? Are you like me-making a goal list and seeing what you can accomplish? I do it pretty much every year. I can't say I always do great, but I like making the list anyway. =)<br />
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This year I am going to try harder to reach my goals! I have some big ones, and I've already gotten started on one or two of them, so I didn't wait until January 1st to try to get started.<br />
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Just a few are:<br />
<b>1. To buy a new house in our new town.</b> We own a house that we need to sell first, and then, it's house shopping for us! I've found a few I want to look at, so we'll see what happens! Here are a few pictures from one of the ones I really want to see:<br />
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<i>Nice, open space!</i></div>
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<i>Lots of elbow room!</i></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-L-9KP6WJY-w/UODFvfys7MI/AAAAAAAAA18/Loo0AsXPMug/s1600/mckeansthouse3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-L-9KP6WJY-w/UODFvfys7MI/AAAAAAAAA18/Loo0AsXPMug/s320/mckeansthouse3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i> Master bedroom!</i></div>
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<i>Master bath! Wow!</i></div>
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<b>2. Hit my goal weight.</b> I'm not going to say exactly what that is, and I'm good with it fluctuating a few pounds, but I will say that I have about 20 pounds to go. I've already lost a little over 30. Go me! And to keep moving in the right direction, the family joined a gym, and I can proudly say that I've had several one-hour workouts already! Over the holidays, we've neglected the gym, but with such a strong start, I'm confident we'll be back on track real soon!</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k9CY_WpXpPk/UODIFDjh9cI/AAAAAAAAA2Y/NCWR42nVhCU/s1600/josanne+030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k9CY_WpXpPk/UODIFDjh9cI/AAAAAAAAA2Y/NCWR42nVhCU/s320/josanne+030.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qme31PVzn8E/UODIiu-ckMI/AAAAAAAAA2g/RBEUSe4pPhs/s1600/dannme+135.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qme31PVzn8E/UODIiu-ckMI/AAAAAAAAA2g/RBEUSe4pPhs/s320/dannme+135.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
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<b>3. See if I can't get this blogging thing down pat!</b> I took a looooong break from blogging, but really, I enjoy it, have already put a few years into my blog, and don't want to quite give up yet. I want to focus more this year! Less surfing, more purpose online!</div>
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Changing my theme from mostly light-hearted stories, into a blog that covers more areas of family life, and a little bit of pastoring life, and some of this and that. So we will see! I have 38 followers thru Google right now-I'd love to make a short goal of climbing to 100! Care to help me out? =)</div>
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What about you? What are one or two of your biggest goals for 2013? Leave me a comment and let me know! Then stop back on January 3rd and join my <a href="http://www.achocolatebouquet.blogspot.com/2012/12/new-blog-hop-january-3-2013-get-ready.html" target="_blank">Motivational Blog Hop</a>, or read the entries!</div>
A Chocolate Bouquethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06643462248254946785noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5258159529163795802.post-2865842923847378572012-12-30T09:30:00.000-05:002013-01-01T16:31:20.061-05:00A Prisoner In Your Own MindBeing a pastor's wife has some very rewarding moments. Many Christians partake in the joy of seeing a life change-the heavy burdens lifted, the feelings of hope restored, and new, never before experienced joy happening in the lives of people we've prayed for, spoken with, and encouraged.<br />
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Sometimes, though, the pastor and his wife see much more than the casual observer will see. Sometimes we are blessed to see deliverance from fears that no one ever knew about. Or to see the battle won over something that threatened to destroy a child of God.<br />
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But sometimes we also bear the heavy burdens of the heart that are hidden. <br />
Sometimes we see the hidden scars that have never been healed, and the deep secrets that have never been shared publicly. We're often reminded how cruel the devil really is.<br />
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Recently we had a woman call who is a prisoner in her own home. An elderly woman living in fear. Desperately needing hope, and desperately needing someone to care. She shared that she is ashamed to leave her house because she is so ashamed of her looks-because she feels she is so ugly.<br />
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Can you imagine the sadness that we felt, hearing this? Needless to say, we are not going to let the story end this way. <br />
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We're living in such a day and age that youth is worshiped, and if you are in your 70's, and you don't look like you are only 50, you feel shame.<br />
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Ladies (and gents!), this OUGHT. NOT. TO. BE!!!<br />
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I'm in my 40's, heading for 43, and guess what! I'm not crazy about getting wrinkles, but it's part of the aging process! I have not worn make-up in over 25 years-since I was a teenager. This is my every day face:<br />
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Yes, I'm getting wrinkles. Yes, I have a scar or two that I wish would disappear. No, I don't look 20.<br />
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But should I be ashamed of how I look? <br />
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No.<br />
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And neither should you.<br />
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A big part of our problem is that we allow Hollywood to define beauty to us. Don't forget that many of these women look just like we do, when they have no make-up on, or have not been surgically altered.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3fLIYn6tyGw/UNOqAUYC-TI/AAAAAAAAA0Y/SQu_lzL9Wns/s1600/kathy-griffin-no-makeup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="251" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3fLIYn6tyGw/UNOqAUYC-TI/AAAAAAAAA0Y/SQu_lzL9Wns/s320/kathy-griffin-no-makeup.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Just like those of us who are not famous, there are those who age well, and have barely changed since they were 20, and then there are those like me, who look my age.<br />
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But if my face looked 20, and I was stunning in my appearance, what would that be worth if it was all I had to say for myself?<br />
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Cleanliness, proper grooming, clean, ironed/non wrinkled clothes-these are all things I consider important, and speak to others how I feel about me.. And these are things I think all of us should care for. But staying 20 forever is not.<br />
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The real achievements of beauty we should strive for are the things that are pleasing to God--a pure heart, a meek and gentle spirit, compassion, love for mankind, being His faithful child, and many other things that eyes alone cannot see.<br />
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Don't ever become a prisoner of your own home because you feel like your appearance is a burden to society. If you have more to offer than your face, please come out and be a part of society! We need folks that are willing to give a word of encouragement to the discouraged, to lend their skills to a friend in need, to show the younger generations how it is done.<br />
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Don't let glamour magazines and movie stars set the standard. I would rather be an Abraham Lincoln, who changed the lives of MANY, than the most glamorous women on television who has had 2 bad marriages and has nothing to offer to society, except a bad example of how to live everyday life.<br />
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Won't you join the rest of us?<br />
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A Chocolate Bouquethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06643462248254946785noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5258159529163795802.post-52243138483712670612012-12-26T16:59:00.000-05:002012-12-26T16:59:19.982-05:00Hoping that.......you all had a wonderful Christmas, and wishing everyone a wonderful upcoming 2013! <br />
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<br />A Chocolate Bouquethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06643462248254946785noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5258159529163795802.post-45827750686301020302012-12-17T13:27:00.001-05:002012-12-31T19:26:52.760-05:00Make Money Online: Use Fiverr to Make $1000+ A Month: Kindle Book Review<br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009XJXWZE/ref=as_li_tf_il?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B009XJXWZE&linkCode=as2&tag=delightfdomes-20"><img border="0" src="http://ws.assoc-amazon.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B009XJXWZE&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=delightfdomes-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=delightfdomes-20&l=am2&o=1&a=B009XJXWZE" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
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<i><b>*This is available in Kindle form only.</b></i><br />
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<i><b><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html?ie=UTF8&docId=1000493771" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">*But good news! Click HERE to download a free reader app to your computer for Kindle!</span></a></b></i></div>
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Have you ever heard of Fiverr?<br />
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This is my book review of "Make Money Online-Use Fiverr To Make $1000+ Per Month" by Stacey Davidson. </div>
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This is a website that they call the "ebay of services". Most people are not selling items. They are selling services, which the website calls "gigs", and each service is sold for $5, no more, no less. The seller keeps $4 of it, and Fiverr keeps $1.</div>
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Some of the gigs are unusual, and are not highly sought after, but if you are computer savvy, you may find yourself able to make a nice little bit of extra money from Fiverr.</div>
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It sounds like you can't make much money at only $4 earnings a crack, but after reading the Kindle book, and researching the website, I found that there are people who really are doing quite well selling their services. </div>
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This was an easy to understand Kindle book, and it has some very good information to help a Fiverr seller to do well.</div>
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I will say that it seems most of the best gigs have to do with writing, SEO, and other computer related skills. If that is you, this book may be just what you have been looking for to make some extra money! Voice actors seem to be pretty popular also, as do those who can share the buyer's websites to large Facebook and Twitter followings.<br />
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The book lays out quite well how to find which gigs are making money, and the author shares with you how to get your gigs to gain in popularity. I learned several things from this book, and would recommend it to those who want to make some extra money, along with having the skills mentioned in the above paragraph.</div>
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You can click on the picture of the book if you'd like to check it out! Or click here:</div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009XJXWZE/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B009XJXWZE&linkCode=as2&tag=delightfdomes-20">Make Money Online: Use Fiverr to Make $1000+ A Month</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=delightfdomes-20&l=am2&o=1&a=B009XJXWZE" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
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Have you tried Fiverr? What do you think?A Chocolate Bouquethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06643462248254946785noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5258159529163795802.post-54996209284746102902012-12-14T23:57:00.000-05:002012-12-14T23:57:21.145-05:00When My Heart Is OverwhelmedTonight, a nation sits around with heavy hearts, asking why.<br />
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Those of us on the outside cannot even begin to fathom the grief that has struck a small town in Connecticut.<br />
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<i>Young parents who have presents waiting under the tree for their precious babies-gifts that they will never see them open. </i><br />
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<i>Mothers who have lost not only their child, but who have also seen their best friend just lose her child. </i><br />
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<i>Fathers who can come up with solutions for any family problem, except this one.</i><br />
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<i>Brothers and sisters who just lost their favorite little buddy.</i><br />
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When this world turns up another horrific tragedy, I am so thankful that I am not the biggest thing in my universe, because my heart cannot handle these things on my own. So often I think of "When my heart is overwhelmed". Psalms 61:1-4 says (Amplified):<br />
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<span class="text Ps-61-1"><span style="color: red; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><sup class="versenum" style="font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;">1 </sup>Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer.</i></span></span></div>
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<span class="text Ps-61-2" id="en-AMP-14822"><span style="color: red; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><sup class="versenum" style="font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;">2 </sup>From the end of the earth will I cry to You, when my heart is overwhelmed and fainting; lead me to the rock that is higher than I [yes, a rock that is too high for me].</i></span></span></div>
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<span class="text Ps-61-3" id="en-AMP-14823"><span style="color: red; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><sup class="versenum" style="font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;">3 </sup>For You have been a shelter and a refuge for me, a strong tower against the adversary.</i></span></span></div>
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<span class="text Ps-61-4" id="en-AMP-14824"><span style="color: red; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><sup class="versenum" style="font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;">4 </sup>I will dwell in Your tabernacle forever; let me find refuge and trust in the shelter of Your wings.<span class="selah" style="margin-left: 2em;">Selah</span> [pause, and calmly think of that]!</i></span></span></div>
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<span class="text Ps-61-4"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I don't have all the answers. I have no great words of wisdom to make everything a little better. But I can go to the Lord when my heart is hurting, and the heaviness of this world weighs down on me.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">This song is one my heart feels.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">When you hug your babies, your teenagers, your nieces, nephew, grand-babies and your best friend's children, say a prayer for the families that have lost some of the greatest gifts they've ever had in this life-their babies. For the little community in Connecticut, and for all families who have had to face the horrible tragedy of losing a child.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">And be thankful. Extra thankful. Grateful that you got to hug your family today. That your holidays have not been shattered. That tomorrow is another day to show your loved ones how much they mean to you.</span>A Chocolate Bouquethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06643462248254946785noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5258159529163795802.post-56111410774895294492012-12-14T11:40:00.000-05:002012-12-14T21:54:02.899-05:00A Question And 5QF!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Here we are, coming up on the end of another year! I'm the type who almost always sets goals for the next year, how about you?<br />
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If you've read my blog in the past, you've seen that I have written mostly about humorous things that have happened in my life, such as the time <a href="http://www.achocolatebouquet.blogspot.com/2009/01/shopping-cart-story.html" target="_blank">I accidentally stole some elderly man's shopping cart.</a> Or the time <a href="http://www.achocolatebouquet.blogspot.com/2010/09/twelve-year-olds-carrying-machine-guns.html" target="_blank">my daughter's friend asked if Pennsylvanians hunt with machine guns.</a> Ah, the good times!<br />
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Over time, I ran low on stories, and there was a time I hit major brain block, and felt no inspiration.<br />
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And then, life took on some great changes, and my hubby and I and our children (the two who still live at home) moved to a new city and started a Pentecostal church. I decided to change the theme of my blog, and share more things that are relevant to real life, every day living. I have a few posts in draft that I plan to start posting in January.<br />
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I've found that one of my greatest desires in life is to write. I've thoroughly enjoyed it.<br />
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I'm hoping my fellow bloggers can help me out here because I do have a question:<br />
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<b><i><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">How do you continue to have fresh ideas? </span></i></b><br />
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This is the fear I face-that I'll begin to blog again, but will quickly run out of ideas. I started this blog just about four years ago. At one point, I decided to quit blogging, and took about a year off. A few months back, I decided to blog again. Have you had any similar experiences? <br />
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I would really love to have some input, and I thank you in advance.<br />
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;">5QF!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-size: medium; line-height: 20.78333282470703px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0e1029; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: bold; line-height: 20px;">1. I</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><b style="color: #0e1029; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">f you bake during the holidays, what is your favorite thing to make? </b><span style="color: red; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I don't normally do any special baking for the holidays, but this year, Amber and I are getting together with friends (a lady and her daughter) to make cookies! </span></span></span><span style="color: red; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.78333282470703px;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #0e1029; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #0e1029; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.78333282470703px;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-size: medium; line-height: 20.78333282470703px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0e1029; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: bold; line-height: 18px;">2. Present giving: </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><b style="color: #0e1029; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Gift bag vs wrapped box? </b><span style="color: red; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> I usually wrap things.</span><b style="color: #0e1029; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </b><span style="color: red; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Gift bags are great for those odd shaped things tho! </span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #0e1029; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #0e1029; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.78333282470703px;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-size: medium; line-height: 20.78333282470703px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0e1029; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: bold; line-height: 18px;">3. W</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><span style="color: #0e1029; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: bold;">hat do you keep your thermostat on during the winter/summer in your house? </span><span style="color: red; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> In the winter, 72 to 73 is good in this house. I know that seems just a touch high, but it is most comfortable there, and Dan feels the same, which is unusual. It's probably has something to do with this house that we are currently renting. It's an older home, and maybe just doesn't hold the heat in as well. For summer? The thermostat is off, and the air conditioners are on. Not sure what temperature is most comfortable tho.</span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #0e1029; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #0e1029; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.78333282470703px;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #0e1029; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: bold;">4. When thinking of your "Christmas to-do list" what percentage "done" are you? </span><span style="color: red; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Oh.....I'd say I'm about 30% done. Dan and I will probably go out together someday soon to get our children their gifts. I do have a few things, but need to finish up. I'll admit-I'm having a hard time figuring out just what to get for my 14 year old son. He's not much into video games (thankfully!), and it seems the choices are limited for his age group! Any ideas for me?</span><span style="color: #0e1029; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: bold;"> </span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #0e1029; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #0e1029; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.78333282470703px;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><b style="color: #0e1029; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">5. Do you do the "Elf on a Shelf"? If so, is your Elf naughty and what shenanigans has he gotten into? </b><span style="color: red; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> I am not sure if I had even heard of Elf on a Shelf until this year! So no, can't say that I do it. I have seen a few pictures of other people's Elves tho. Some have been cute. =)</span></span></span><br />
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Well, my friends, thank you for stopping by! I do appreciate comments, and am really hoping you all will leave some for me with your helpful ideas. Have a wonderful weekend!A Chocolate Bouquethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06643462248254946785noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5258159529163795802.post-23695800459468005602012-08-09T23:45:00.000-04:002012-08-10T11:02:56.815-04:00What's YOUR Band Name? and 5QFThis crossed my fb page, and wanted to share with you all!
(Skirts count too, y'all!)<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ol9irXIxA8E/UCRhtUHCeNI/AAAAAAAAAt4/eofyQlSznzU/s1600/bandname.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="259" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ol9irXIxA8E/UCRhtUHCeNI/AAAAAAAAAt4/eofyQlSznzU/s400/bandname.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<em>Wellll</em>.....my band name is currently Blue Pretzels!!! If pronounced just right, it can sound like a French Blues band! If pronounded with no accent, it sounds more like a Teen Pop group! </div>
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<em><strong>What is yours? Please put it in the comments!</strong></em></div>
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We should be moved to our new place next week. I've been sorting, decluttering, breathing exasperating sighs in my brain over all this STUFF I've accumulated in 3 short years! When our house burned, I started from nearly SCRATCH! <a href="http://www.achocolatebouquet.blogspot.com/2011/03/our-house-fire-3409-and-5qf-did-we.html" target="_blank"> (Click here to see what I mean! The pictures show you I'm not exaggerating!)</a> Pinterest and my addiction to thrift stores have been absolutely no help in keeping my home clutter free!</div>
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<em><strong>On to 5QF!</strong></em></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;">1. T</span></span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">hunder storms- love them or hate them? <span style="color: red;">The truth be known, they kind of scare me. Especially when I'm in a car. And the lightning is fierce. I do okay if it's a small storm. Severe storms are my problem. </span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">2. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">Do your kids get back to school clothes? <span style="color: red;">Well, this year they are! My daughter is looking to dress up her wardrobe a bit, and my son is just growing so much, he <em>needs</em> them! Exciting for us is that we are moving super close to Target, Ross, the mall, TJ Maxx, and much, much more! It will be much easier to finish our shopping, instead of living 30-60 minutes from almost all clothing stores, and coming home disappointed because we only had so much time, and barely anything that was tried on fit right! I can't wait! =)</span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">3. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">Do you golf? Do you watch it? <span style="color: red;">I don't watch golf, and I only putt putt every blue moon. </span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">4. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">Showers or baths?</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"> <span style="color: red;">Showers. </span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">5. W</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">hat's the strangest meal you ever ate? <span style="color: red;">Hmm....I don't know! I'm pretty basic, and if it's out of the ordinary, I tend to pass. I'm thinking I may try chocolate covered bacon someday, even tho that isn't a meal. =)</span></span></span></div>
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Thanks for stopping by, and may you all have a great weekend! Don't forget to share your band name in the comments section! </div>
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<script src="http://www.linkytools.com/basic_linky_include.aspx?id=158160" type="text/javascript" ></script>A Chocolate Bouquethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06643462248254946785noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5258159529163795802.post-87108485154355357392011-10-27T02:03:00.000-04:002011-10-27T02:03:32.768-04:00What Happens When You're Sick and OverloadedIt's Fall in beautiful Pennsylvania, but unfortunately, something usually goes along with it for LOTS of us. Getting sick.<br />
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It's incredible how the common cold with a touch of sore throat can make you SOOOOOOO miserable!!! Not to mention, I am a horrible baby when I get sick! But I am proud of myself this time. Why? Because I didn't tell everyone on my Facebook page! =)<br />
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So!<br />
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What has transpired since I've been trying to un-clutter my online commitments? As I'm working on updating my website, posting on my other blog, and helping my daughter decorate her apartment by making some homemade decorations, I still haven't gotten any new bouquets made to show all of you! I have a tote full of the things I need to make some cute bouquets, including lots of chocolate. I'm good at keeping out of it. If I buy it for my bouquets, it gets used for my bouquets.<br />
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Being sick and dieting actually caused me to cave! I got out my little fun size candy bars and ate them! Some of them were eaten to just help my throat feel coated, instead of scratchy!<br />
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So anyway! That being said, I will share a chocolate website with you that has a TON of chocolates, and if you are on overload like me, and are looking for a gift for a friend, you will enjoy the selection they have to offer! <br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><a href="http://www.serenatachocolates.com/christmas-chocolate-gifts">http://www.serenatachocolates.com/christmas-chocolate-gifts</a></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">Christmas will be here soon!</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><a href="http://www.serenatachocolates.com/Chocolate-hampers">http://www.serenatachocolates.com/Chocolate-hampers</a></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">These are high quality!</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">Want to check out some info on chocolate too?</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.chocolate.org/">http://www.chocolate.org/</a></div>
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Don't forget! Most women agree that her best friend's name is Chocolate. She LOVES to see her best friend during the holidays, and pretty much any other day of the year!</div>
</span></span>A Chocolate Bouquethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06643462248254946785noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5258159529163795802.post-63892446276962324272011-10-13T22:31:00.000-04:002012-12-11T22:41:56.776-05:00Pinterest And 5QF!If you follow my other blog at all, you'll know I have a new addiction-Pinterest!<br />
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Have you checked it out yet?<br />
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If not, let me just show you a little of what you'll find!<br />
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Bascially, it's a group of all your own little bulletin boards, where you post whatever "pins" are out there, which are pictures you find all over the web-some of just beautiful things, some of recipes, some of tutorials, and SO MUCH MORE!<br />
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What's great is that you can "pin" things to your boards, and go back to them later. The pin has the link to where your picture came from, so that you can go to it to get the recipes, tutorials, craft ideas, wedding ideas, organizing tips, and more. You choose what you want to save, and you follow others who have interests similar to yours, so that you can see their pins (they come to your page in a feed), and repin things to your own boards.<br />
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I'm horrible at explaining, but if you check it out, you'll see what I mean! And if you don't like facebook, you will LOVE Pinterest because it's drama free, and not a place to carry on conversations.<br />
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Here are a few finds I've enjoyed:<br />
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<strong>Perfect Cuteness!!!</strong></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--V66YBKWnIA/TpeWj-JDl1I/AAAAAAAAApY/DYyivmJ4W6g/s1600/babyteddy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--V66YBKWnIA/TpeWj-JDl1I/AAAAAAAAApY/DYyivmJ4W6g/s320/babyteddy.jpg" width="133" /></a></div>
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<strong>More Perfect Cuteness!!!</strong></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cbdyoLFxBuw/TpeYSg1Ah_I/AAAAAAAAAp4/BqU781S-Vzw/s1600/babypink.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cbdyoLFxBuw/TpeYSg1Ah_I/AAAAAAAAAp4/BqU781S-Vzw/s1600/babypink.jpg" /></a></div>
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<strong>And Perfect Adorableness!!!</strong></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rvKEvnoQ8cw/TpeWhysOWSI/AAAAAAAAApQ/ilb0hDwrPqE/s1600/babyoctopus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rvKEvnoQ8cw/TpeWhysOWSI/AAAAAAAAApQ/ilb0hDwrPqE/s1600/babyoctopus.jpg" /></a></div>
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<strong>Amazing Wonders of The World!</strong></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VPSwJWArX9Y/TpeW6yQzq7I/AAAAAAAAApw/E7bMbDTFwQc/s1600/hairup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VPSwJWArX9Y/TpeW6yQzq7I/AAAAAAAAApw/E7bMbDTFwQc/s320/hairup.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<strong>Lots of Hairstyles!</strong></div>
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<strong>And some of my favorites, even though I'm already married---wedding pictures!!!</strong></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OI3fNBVnq3g/TpeWughAJVI/AAAAAAAAApg/mDTE4OYqi9U/s1600/cryinggroom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OI3fNBVnq3g/TpeWughAJVI/AAAAAAAAApg/mDTE4OYqi9U/s320/cryinggroom.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<strong>A Crying Groom!</strong></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mjTbFBL_lTg/TpeW35OQDGI/AAAAAAAAApo/FFDPhmVTins/s1600/groomcrying.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mjTbFBL_lTg/TpeW35OQDGI/AAAAAAAAApo/FFDPhmVTins/s320/groomcrying.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<strong>And Another! Can it get any sweeter than that???</strong></div>
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If you haven't already, head on over to Pinterest, and <a href="http://pinterest.com/josannea/">be sure to follow me!!!</a></div>
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Okay! Now onto the 5QF!</div>
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<span style="color: red;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">1. D</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">o you prefer your ice cream in a bowl or in a
cone?</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: black;">For real? You're gonna make me choose? Well, if I have to choose, I will say in a bowl because the truth be known, I cannot eat an ice cream cone any better than a 2 year old. Probably because I always get a soft serve vanilla cone dipped in chocolate. That right there is enough reason-they've given it a head start in the melting department! Plus, when I eat them, I'm usually driving. It's a bad combination, really.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span><span style="color: red;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">2. </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">What three things do you love the smell
of?</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Bounce fabric softener sheets, Creme Brule scented oil for the home, and...I think I'll say my next door neighbor's wood burning stove, once they start lighting it in the Fall. The warm smell works its way to my home, without all the work! And I would know about all the work--we heated with one-our main source of heat-for 10 years! I'm SO grateful for a home with a furnace now!</span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span><span style="color: red;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">3. G</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">iftcards</span> or no? (In regards to gift
giving...)</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">I think gift cards are fine, and gifts are fine. Gift cards are nice if you aren't sure what to get, but as someone pointed out to me, an actual gift brings you to mind whenever the receiver used the item you gave them, unlike a gift card.</span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span><span style="color: red;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">4. W</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">hat
sports did you play in high school if any and do you still play
them?</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">I only played sports in gym class, and I really liked playing volleyball!</span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: red;">5. Were you in band in high school? What instrument did
you play?</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">I wasn't in band, but in junior high, I was in Orchestra!!! I played the violin! I wish I hadn't given it up. Did anyone else play in Orchestra?</span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: small;">Well that's it for my answers this week! Here's hoping everyone has a nice weekend! And don't forget to<a href="http://pinterest.com/josannea/"> join me on Pinterest!</a></span> </span></span></span></div>
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<script src="http://www.linkytools.com/basic_linky_include.aspx?id=111964" type="text/javascript"></script>A Chocolate Bouquethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06643462248254946785noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5258159529163795802.post-22981286536668702192011-09-27T08:58:00.000-04:002011-09-27T09:00:59.933-04:00Need A Good Chuckle?Need a good chuckle for your day?
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Well, have I got the thing for you....
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Enjoy!
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<strong><em><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">Tips for new parents:</span></em></strong></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cob_0bd51tA/ToHHBTNOFRI/AAAAAAAAAoo/TWxN40W2BXU/s1600/bonding-with-baby.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cob_0bd51tA/ToHHBTNOFRI/AAAAAAAAAoo/TWxN40W2BXU/s320/bonding-with-baby.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hGkxSCVhymw/ToHHTurkiHI/AAAAAAAAAos/F8iYgrvk1g8/s1600/feeding-baby.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hGkxSCVhymw/ToHHTurkiHI/AAAAAAAAAos/F8iYgrvk1g8/s320/feeding-baby.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zo8OVzWflNI/ToHHfHUfy_I/AAAAAAAAAo0/rGkePeERx6I/s1600/fun-games-for-baby.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zo8OVzWflNI/ToHHfHUfy_I/AAAAAAAAAo0/rGkePeERx6I/s320/fun-games-for-baby.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iTyEqB148Fo/ToHHxDwJtwI/AAAAAAAAApA/TR2TFDLSr_0/s1600/shopping-with-baby.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iTyEqB148Fo/ToHHxDwJtwI/AAAAAAAAApA/TR2TFDLSr_0/s320/shopping-with-baby.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hVvNWvbnH9U/ToHH1by_uPI/AAAAAAAAApE/NtjKzM02zXs/s1600/testing-baby-bottle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hVvNWvbnH9U/ToHH1by_uPI/AAAAAAAAApE/NtjKzM02zXs/s320/testing-baby-bottle.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /><em><strong><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">And then.....</span></strong></em></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--WJgluXTtCQ/ToHHZUxWCTI/AAAAAAAAAow/NPKUKUuya0o/s1600/fineline.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--WJgluXTtCQ/ToHHZUxWCTI/AAAAAAAAAow/NPKUKUuya0o/s1600/fineline.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FNToPSpgJNU/ToHHpJWSntI/AAAAAAAAAo4/3BckWxpUdtU/s1600/notclumsy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FNToPSpgJNU/ToHHpJWSntI/AAAAAAAAAo4/3BckWxpUdtU/s1600/notclumsy.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><em><strong>And this one is probably my favorite! Can anyone relate???</strong></em></span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gwYFGRXoDXg/ToHHt_8hyeI/AAAAAAAAAo8/rRAGgbKt2ZA/s1600/running.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gwYFGRXoDXg/ToHHt_8hyeI/AAAAAAAAAo8/rRAGgbKt2ZA/s1600/running.jpg" /></a></div>
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Have a great day!!!</div>
A Chocolate Bouquethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06643462248254946785noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5258159529163795802.post-91826620563194311732011-09-22T23:14:00.000-04:002012-12-14T21:57:35.482-05:00Randomness and 5QF!Something is going on.<br />
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In my life.<br />
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Or my mind....<br />
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You see, either I am losing my memory altogether....<br />
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Or actually, not much of <em>anything</em> is going on!<br />
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In my life.<br />
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I feel like I've hit SUCH a dry spell in posting my mishaps, my lighthearted stuff, my comical life events! It's not because I'm so heavy hearted! Maybe I'm just....<br />
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Boring!<br />
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I mean, I don't think you care all that much that I apparently have a bees' nest in my fireplace, and that Chloe is the best flyswatter I've ever had.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7LSD-WHKchM/Tnvx3mR6_WI/AAAAAAAAAoU/XdlkJETYog4/s1600/justjosanneblog+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7LSD-WHKchM/Tnvx3mR6_WI/AAAAAAAAAoU/XdlkJETYog4/s320/justjosanneblog+002.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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Thankfully Erlich is coming tomorrow to take care of the problem! Until then, Chloe is great for keeping us updated, and she's on the case when one escapes!<br />
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You might not want to know about the Steelers wreaths I've been making, along with a few others...<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-C-gLrYSYrh8/TnvyVuHLtaI/AAAAAAAAAoY/ro2OS1UR9Og/s1600/wreaths+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-C-gLrYSYrh8/TnvyVuHLtaI/AAAAAAAAAoY/ro2OS1UR9Og/s320/wreaths+002.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<em>Or do you???</em></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-30F9aLvBu18/TnvyYauzknI/AAAAAAAAAoc/LIs5xGZsGOc/s1600/wreaths+013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-30F9aLvBu18/TnvyYauzknI/AAAAAAAAAoc/LIs5xGZsGOc/s320/wreaths+013.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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Trying to sell these babies, to no avail! How exciting is THAT? </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YffD9jVlzzs/Tnvya_FCtaI/AAAAAAAAAog/e5y25r_mjxI/s1600/wreaths+023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YffD9jVlzzs/Tnvya_FCtaI/AAAAAAAAAog/e5y25r_mjxI/s320/wreaths+023.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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If you want one, let me know! </div>
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You're probably not real interested that I've wasted several hours lately playing Majong, or that my website still needs updated, along with my bouquets. Like, <em>real bad!</em></div>
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Well, maybe I'll just have some good answers to the Five Question Friday to share, and you will all be impressed!</div>
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Or maybe not.</div>
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But thanks for coming by! I do appreciate your visit, and hope to have more to offer real soon!</div>
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On to the 5QF!</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: red; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><strong>1.</strong> Dream job...realistic and
completely unrealistic.</span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hmm....I think my dream job fits <em>both spots!</em></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
I want to be a popular, even famous-amongst-bloggers blogger, where my blog is all the rage, and I get a magazine spot, and possibly mentioned on Yahoo news!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I've been working more at my serious blog, </span><a href="http://www.justjosanne.com/"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">www.justjosanne.com</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> lately, and have narrowed it down to a niche! </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So!</span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Realistic? Sure! If I put in many, many, many (and did I say many?) hours of hard work! </span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Unrealistic? Yeah, that too, since I'll need to put in many, many, many (and did I say many?) hours of hard work!</span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's not that I'm not willing, but with my family, and along with my low energy level on a regular basis, it's a bit more challenging. Those who are successful and have fabulous blogs, I am envious (in a non-sinful sort of way, of course!)! I want to learn all the secrets!</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
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<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Question #2 has been deleted from my list of questions because I think that is a downright, tacky question, and is very unladylike to talk about! </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That being said, I will just say respect and manners are important no matter <em>how many years</em> you have been married. Just because you are married doesn't mean you have to be a hog.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: red;"><strong>3. </strong></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: red;"><strong>What's the furthest you've ever traveled from home? How
far and where was it?</strong></span> The furthest I've traveled from home was to San Antonio, Texas, which is nearly 1,600 miles from home. Hubby and I visited a church there, and hubby preached the services.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: red;"><strong>4. </strong></span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: red;"><strong>How
do you celebrate birthday for your kids? Family only or friends? ... Alternate
for those without kiddos: How did you celebrate birthdays as a
kid?</strong></span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span">It's different each year, but we try to do something special. No chores for the kiddos that day, a cake, and a relaxing day. I did have a surprise 16th birthday for Amber last year. Lots of friends came! As a kid, my mom was always generous in giving to us children, but we didn't have birthday parties.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><strong><span style="color: red;">5. </span></strong></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><strong><span style="color: red;">Fave thing about fall?</span></strong> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span">The smell! It's just something in the air! The fireplaces and woodstoves being started! The small of hot chocolate and candles! It's just all so inviting!</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Well, that is all for this week's 5QF! I hope you all have a great weekend, and hope to see you all again!</span></span></span></span></div>
<script src="http://www.linkytools.com/basic_linky_include.aspx?id=108468" type="text/javascript"></script>A Chocolate Bouquethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06643462248254946785noreply@blogger.com1