tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-237313366542281622024-03-14T06:16:34.362-05:00Bloom Where You're PlantedLaurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13548258176500952731noreply@blogger.comBlogger117125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23731336654228162.post-36852441246906718362014-06-06T15:44:00.001-05:002014-06-06T15:44:35.349-05:00It's Showtime!! My new blog has gone live! Here's the link: <a href="http://laurabaggett.com/">http://laurabaggett.com</a>. Hope to see you over there!<a href="http://proverbs14verse1.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"></a>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13548258176500952731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23731336654228162.post-6484047182818601452014-06-05T18:53:00.000-05:002014-06-05T18:53:46.863-05:00A New BeginningHi friends and faithful readers!<br />
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Sometimes a person just needs to make a change. It might be a new hair color, a new paint color, or even a new address. It's awesome to Bloom Where You're Planted, but sometimes you need a new pot or garden in which to grow. </div>
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To that end, I'm starting a new blog. It's something I've been mulling over for a while now, and I'm finally ready to take the plunge. While I strongly considered just sprucing up this one and adding to it, I felt like it was just time for a change. While some of the topics will be the same, I want to go in a new direction.</div>
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I expect it will go live in the next few days - maybe even tomorrow - when I finally hit "publish" on my first post. It's oddly nerve-wracking!</div>
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I appreciate your loyalty over the past few years in reading my (sometime sporadic) posts. Thank you! I hope you'll join me at my new place: <a href="http://www.laurabaggett.com/">http://www.laurabaggett.com</a>. Snazzy, huh? :) If you go there now, you won't see much of anything, but I wanted to let you know it was coming. I will plan to put links to the first few posts here.</div>
Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13548258176500952731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23731336654228162.post-52676813075344381102014-04-28T07:50:00.000-05:002014-04-28T08:37:58.536-05:00Worth ItToday is my son's 8th birthday. This makes today also my 8th birthday since I got a new identity that day: Mama.<div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj67lFxU2SQLOMkuq_bVR8xJS-j9xffx4eAo6aBv9MAYAdNej8elNjz1m2Ksb0ZI9bxhkdE7BUJHBpB7kjp3yISCXpvUla446YZzor0_OH4-4AyLIMkKCNlTjJslbks4ZHRQvC7ZlEKHw/s640/blogger-image--1974369753.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj67lFxU2SQLOMkuq_bVR8xJS-j9xffx4eAo6aBv9MAYAdNej8elNjz1m2Ksb0ZI9bxhkdE7BUJHBpB7kjp3yISCXpvUla446YZzor0_OH4-4AyLIMkKCNlTjJslbks4ZHRQvC7ZlEKHw/s640/blogger-image--1974369753.jpg"></a></div><br>
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Over the past few days, I've been thinking about those events surrounding his birth and the emotions surrounding them - fear, anticipation, uncertainty, joy. This morning, a new thought occurred to me.<br>
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During Nathan's birth, I was injured pretty badly. I will spare you the details (and myself the embarrassment), but let's put it this way: while new Moms are usually out of bed (either by choice or by insistence of the nurse) not long after the birth, I was still in the bed, hooked up to most everything, two days later. What happened wasn't anyone's fault, and thankfully Nathan wasn't hurt in any way. It was just one of those things.<br>
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The recovery wasn't fun, and while I have long-since healed, I still deal with some consequences from time to time. But you know what? He was worth it. Absolutely worth it. If I had it to do all over again, I'd - well, I'd have a C-section. :-) If that wasn't possible, though, I'd go through it all again without question.<br>
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Every now and then, most often when I'm thinking about my children, it's as though God clears His throat to say, "I've been trying to tell you this!" It happened again this morning. I understood more clearly than I have in a long time that Jesus, if given the choice, would do it all over again for me, without question. Yes, the pain He endured on Good Friday was indescribable (not even in the same universe as labor pain), but He has no regrets. He thinks I was worth it. Absolutely worth it. Ungrateful, wretched sinner me.<br>
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He feels that way about you, too.<br>
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"But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." ~Romans 5:8 (NASB)</blockquote>
<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8QPD1jq8Lj7Db4xeS1CUW3Id8cMOygDbbDPZJBaefJU9k_UpiJ-xLV3X-1fWmhWZ-b-OzdCsQF2B5Pcr_SIFxQMBuQxSYxy9u19Ya4i7tzGaX948T_rR-j2QKFZ-GzQLa0gTbGrh03w/s640/blogger-image--1499934980.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8QPD1jq8Lj7Db4xeS1CUW3Id8cMOygDbbDPZJBaefJU9k_UpiJ-xLV3X-1fWmhWZ-b-OzdCsQF2B5Pcr_SIFxQMBuQxSYxy9u19Ya4i7tzGaX948T_rR-j2QKFZ-GzQLa0gTbGrh03w/s640/blogger-image--1499934980.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>I love you, too, Nathan. Thank You, Jesus, for the unspeakable gifts of salvation and motherhood. </div><br>
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<br></div>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13548258176500952731noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23731336654228162.post-25996986111483305932014-01-10T07:52:00.000-06:002014-01-10T07:52:53.279-06:00When God Spoke ... and I MisunderstoodTwenty years ago today, I was a 20-year-old co-ed at Auburn University. I had a small group of close friends including the two pictured with me below, was active in my church, and was just generally progressing through my courses. The guy I thought was going to follow me to Auburn didn't. A couple of crushes from my freshman year had come to nothing. And while the Summer after my freshman year turned out to be the unexpected Summer of Two Boyfriends, neither one had proven to be long-term.<br />
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This was during the time when Evangelism Explosion was all the rage in Baptist churches, and Lakeview Baptist in Auburn was no different. I had attended the orientation meeting for EE a few months prior but felt that the Lord was not leading me in that direction (which was pretty surprising at the time). However, in January the classes started up again and, with a lot less on my plate for that term, I sensed the All Clear to go ahead with the training.</div>
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I showed up to the meeting all alone. While there, I learned that everyone would be assigned to a team of three people. My name was called out by the leader. "Laura, you'll be with Russ and David." I had no idea who he was talking about, so I went around the room asking, "Are you Russ? Are you David?" Eventually, I found them. (David is on the left, Russ is on the right.)</div>
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After some brief introductions, the three of us headed out to Russ's car. He had already been trained as a leader in EE, so David and I were about to get some on-the-job training in visiting some students who had recently attended a service at Lakeview. Before heading out, Russ prayed.</div>
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Now, I have to tell you that I am not one of those people who go around saying "God told me this" or "God told me that." Gentle Spirit nudges, yes. But an actual voice, no. This was different. While Russ was praying, I heard - as clear as a bell - "Laura, I'd like you to meet your One" (because, like all good church girls, I was looking for The One, and God, being omniscient, knew the terminology that I used). I actually opened my eyes to see if anyone else had heard what I heard. Nope, just me.</div>
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Now, there were two guys in the car with me, but it didn't occur to me to ask God which One He was talking about. I naturally assumed that He must mean the one praying. (To date, Russ is the most awesome pray-er I know.) So when I got back to my dorm room, I told my roommate, the girls pictured above, and my mother (on the phone), that I had met my One. "What's his name?" they asked. "Russ Lynch!" I answered.</div>
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Note: my married name is Laura Baggett, not Laura Lynch.<i> (I've always thought the double L thing would be fun. Also, I once had a crush on someone almost exclusively because of his last name. Seriously, don't you love the sound of Laura Heatherly?? But I digress....)</i></div>
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I've written more about The Rest of the Story <a href="http://bloomingbaggetts.blogspot.com/2012/02/dear-20-year-old-me.html" target="_blank">here</a> and <a href="http://bloomingbaggetts.blogspot.com/2012/04/dear-22-year-old-me.html" target="_blank">here</a>, if you're interested. Also, I never did complete that story, but I'll do that if anyone seems to care. It's really a pretty unique love story involving tragedy, triumph, and a little black dress. </div>
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So, as my 7-year-old son put it last night, today is the 20th Anniversary of us Being Met. I've been reminded by my husband on several occasions that I said, more than once, "Please don't let me marry that boring David Baggett!" But these past 20 years - including 15 years of marriage - have been anything but boring. I love you, David, and I'm so grateful that God assigned me to your team, both then and now.</div>
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Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13548258176500952731noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23731336654228162.post-42275837945112149902013-10-31T15:54:00.001-05:002013-10-31T15:54:09.018-05:0040 Things in 40 Years<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<img alt="Happy Birthday Baloons" height="166" src="http://www.1happybirthday.com/images/gifs/bday18.gif" width="320" /></div>
So tomorrow's the big day - I will be 40 years old. Wow. Typing that kind of reminds me of the first time I said out loud, "I'm pregnant," to the appointment-maker at the obstetrician's office. She asked me if I was sure. I told her I had 4 positive pregnancy tests. She chuckled and said, "Bless your heart."<br />
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There was no denying the truth of those pregnancy tests (which were joyful, by the way), and there's no denying that a person born on November 1, 1973, will turn 40 years old on November 1, 2013.<br />
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In honor of this momentous occasion, I'm totally stealing an idea from my sister who wrote 35 things she had learned before her 35th birthday. Here are 40 things I have learned in my first 40 years:<br />
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1. Very few people - including myself - look best in light pastel colors. Or mustard yellow.<br />
2. Hair color and wall paint are the two best kinds of therapy.<br />
3. Homestead Resort Tea Room Cream (at Lowe's) is the most awesome paint color. It's one of those rare yellows that is cheery without being obnoxious. (See #1 and #2).<br />
4. Weight Watchers. "Because it works." It's not fast or flashy, but it works - when I stick to it.<br />
5. Although I wish I could speed up my decision-making, I can't think of a single deliberated choice that I now regret.<br />
6. Proverbs 31 doesn't mean what we think it means. <a href="http://jenhatmaker.com/blog/2012/12/21/women-of-valor-pinterest-aside" target="_blank">This post</a> has been revolutionary for me.<br />
7. Most adults who hate math developed that feeling at some point in elementary school. I shudder to project the future effects of Common Core.<br />
8. I don't really <i>love</i> math. It's just something that has always come easily for me - well, until graduate school, but that's a whole other post.<br />
9. I have decided to stop reading student evaluations. It's always lots and lots of "She's awesome!" followed by that one disgruntled "She's the worst teacher I've ever had!" Guess which one sticks with me....<br />
10. Online learning is not for people who "don't have time" for regular classes.<br />
11. When in doubt, buy the one with the middle price. The cheap one will fall apart. The expensive one usually isn't worth the extra money. One exception to this: toilet paper. Never skimp on toilet paper.<br />
12. My bottle-fed babies were/are healthy and highly intelligent. This is solely by the grace of God, not by the particular protein they consumed. If you don't believe the Mommy Wars really exist, try mixing up a bottle of formula in a Moms Group.<br />
13. Garnier Age-Defying BB cream is great stuff.<br />
14. I love my crockpot. In fact, I have two of them.<br />
15. My best crockpot tip: Cook up a bunch of chicken breasts all day or overnight, shred it up, and freeze in 1 cup portions. Then you're ready for all sorts of other recipes.<br />
16. Jane Austen is awesome. I have no idea how I failed to discover her writing until I was 33 years old.<br />
17. Sometimes it takes a Mr. Wickham to open our eyes to a Mr. Darcy. (See #16.) This certainly proved true in my life.<br />
18. I'm comfortable teaching a large group of people, and I'm comfortable being a wallflower. Small groups are extremely challenging for me.<br />
19. Sleepovers are never fun after midnight. Anyone who has ever attended a Lock-In or watched <i>Gremlins</i> knows this to be true.<br />
20. I much prefer to shop alone - or, on rare occasions, with my mother. The same goes for cooking.<br />
21. The Bible really is living and active. I'm still learning new things. This is because the Author attends all of the readings.<br />
22. Only marry someone who is your best friend. Romantic feelings will ebb and flow. Marry someone whose company you prefer above all others'.<br />
23. I don't understand people who marry their opposites.<br />
24. I'm still trying to figure out what Biblical submission really looks like. Neither extreme has worked out very well. It's probably like Andy Stanley said about something else entirely (not a direct quote), "It's not a problem to be solved but a tension to be maintained."<br />
25. I still don't really feel like a grown woman. However, I did come close one time. It wasn't after I got married or after the births of my children. It was the first time I put a garage door opener in my car after we bought our first house. For some reason, in my mind, garage door opener = grown-up.<br />
26. One of the biggest challenges in homeschooling: pencils. Mechanical leads constantly break. Good sharpeners must be hiding out with the Loch Ness Monster and Big Foot.<br />
27. The best parts of homeschooling: reading aloud to my children, hugs, individualized pacing, and field trips.<br />
28. Your identity - how others view you and you view yourself - will change multiple times. Case in point: my childhood friends might be very surprised to know that the vast majority of my friends of the past few years don't even know that I can play the piano. <br />
29. All people are basically the same, wherever you go.<br />
30. Wherever you go, there you are. You can never expect a new location to fix all of your problems.<br />
31. Moving is ALWAYS a big ol' pain.<br />
32. It takes about a year to feel at home in a new town. A new house takes about a month - at least.<br />
33. While others' opinions should often be considered, they're not as important as I used to think.<br />
34. Going contrary to your Mama's opinion does not get easier with age.<br />
35. Everyone should keep a gratitude journal.<br />
36. Football atmosphere is always better at an SEC school - even Vanderbilt. I expected Georgia Tech games to feel like Auburn games. I was wrong. And the University of Washington is not even in the same league when it comes to fan enthusiasm.<br />
37. Facebook and texting are the best things ever for introverts.<br />
38. I'm so glad I was alive and cognizant during the 1980s. Music, hairstyles, the President - all awesome.<br />
39. You will become like the people with whom you spend the most time.<br />
40. Never start a sentence to your husband with, "My mother thinks...."<br />
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So, what have you learned in your x years? Agree or disagree with any of mine? Anybody else got a "momentous" birthday coming up?<br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/290/9D42E77DA267E2BA913844D2D5F280F1.png" style="background-attachment: scroll; background-color: transparent; background-image: none; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat repeat; border: 0pt none !important;" /></a><br />
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This post may be linked up to one or more of the following blog parties. Check them out!
Monday: <a href="http://orgjunkie.com/category/menu-plan-monday" target="_blank">Menu Plan Monday on I'm an Organizing Junkie</a>
Wednesday: <a href="http://wearethatfamily.com/category/wfmw/" target="_blank">Works for Me Wednesday at We are THAT Family</a>
Friday: <a href="http://thegypsymama.com/category/five-minute-friday/" target="_blank">5 Minute Friday at The Gypsy Mama</a>, <a href="http://www.homesanctuary.com/rachelanne/coffees-on/" target="_blank">Company Girl Coffee at Home Sanctuary</a>, <a href="http://piecesofamy.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Pieces of Amy</a>
Other days: <a href="http://proverbs14verse1.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">A Wise Woman Builds Her Home</a>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13548258176500952731noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23731336654228162.post-60347722714684371422013-08-02T13:13:00.000-05:002013-08-02T13:13:00.601-05:00Teaching the Bible at home - no seminary degree required!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Week 1 of the 2013-2014 school year has come and gone, and we are off to a great start. I'm very pleased with our curriculum choices so far (most are a continuation of what we used last year), but I just ordered some additional things for my Kindergartner. I think she'll enjoy some extra challenge. :)</div>
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If you have read this blog or followed me on Facebook for any length of time, you've probably heard about one of my favorite things: <a href="http://www.grapevinestudies.com/?AffId=68" target="_blank">Grapevine Bible Studies</a>. This is our second year to use them, and I'm still very happy. In the picture above, you see yesterday's lesson on Jesus Calming the Storm (from the Beginner Level of New Testament Overview). The children each have a page on which they draw the same pictures (using colored pencils, crayons, or just pencil).</div>
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Here are some of the things I love about it:</div>
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1. <b>Simple to prepare, and simple to teach</b>. I didn't make up those drawings. They are shown in the teacher's book along with instructions on how to teach the lesson.</div>
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2. <b>Scripture references for everything.</b> With the exception of stories that cover a really long passage, I start by reading straight out of the Bible. Then I can explain and answer questions.</div>
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3. <b>It's strictly Bible - no doctrinal "issues."</b> I think this would be equally suitable for Baptists, Methodists, Catholics, Church of Christ, etc. You, the parent, can add in additional information and context as you see fit.</div>
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4. <b>It's fast.</b> Although I usually try to get some sort of discussion going, the lesson could be taught in about 10 minutes in a pinch.</div>
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5. <b>Works well for multiple ages.</b> As I mentioned, we are finishing up the <a href="http://www.grapevinestudies.com/Beginner-Books_c_7.html?AffId=68" target="_blank">Beginner Level</a>. (We did the Old Testament Overview last year and part of the New Testament Overview.) After that, we're going to start on the <a href="http://www.grapevinestudies.com/Old-Testament_c_28.html?AffId=68" target="_blank">Level 1 Old Testament Overview</a> (for my 2nd grader) along with the Traceables version of the same (for the Kindergartner). I anticipate that we will spread those lessons over two days each.</div>
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Obviously, we use these as part of our homeschool day, but they could be used at home by any parent as a devotional time. I believe they would also work well in a classroom setting (at church or a private school). There is also a Spanish version available! While we may switch to something else when the children are several years older, I love that they are getting a strong background in basic Bible passages.</div>
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The <a href="http://www.grapevinestudies.com/Special_c_59.html?AffId=68" target="_blank">New Testament studies</a> have recently gone through a revision, and there's a 30% off sale on all of the NT books and e-books. (I recommend the e-books if you have more than one child. You can choose a family license or a classroom license. Then you can print the pages as needed.)</div>
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Additionally, I have a special code for my blog readers! Use the code AUGBLOG to get 20% off of any item not already on sale. Still not convinced? You can check out a free e-lesson <a href="http://www.grapevinestudies.com/Sharing-the-Gospel-eLesson_p_155.html?AffId=68" target="_blank">here</a>.</div>
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Laura</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Note: I have not been compensated for my review of Grapevine Studies, but this post does contain affiliate links. If you're going to buy anyway, I'd be delighted if you entered through this blog. :) </span></div>
Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13548258176500952731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23731336654228162.post-41883943996142781572013-08-01T15:59:00.001-05:002013-08-02T13:25:19.190-05:00Real Men Drive Kias<div>
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Today is my 15th anniversary. It's hard to believe it's been that long, and yet, I can still remember each year distinctly - the newlywed years, the student years, the residency and test-taking years, the baby-birth years, and now the homeschooling years. Each era has had lots of ups and plenty of downs.<br />
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I could spend many blog posts writing all about my husband, but I can sum it up in one sentence: he drives a Kia.<br />
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We sold one of our two cars before moving from Washington to Florida, and we bought the Kia from my father-in-law while passing through Alabama. It wasn't the car that we had intended to buy, but after discovering some mechanical problems with the planned purchase, it was the one we ended up with. It was supposed to be mine after I learned to drive a stick, but one brief lesson involving lots of yelling (by me) made it quickly apparent that wasn't going to happen. So I kept driving my paid-for-and-dearly-loved Mustang, and David started driving the Kia.<br />
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Then after the Mustang was totaled when I (pregnant with Nathan) got rear-ended, I drove an Altima, and he drove the Kia.<br />
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Now I drive an Explorer, and he still drives the Kia. Ten years later.<br />
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He hates that car. Loathes it, actually. And I don't blame him a bit. It's beat-up, makes strange sounds when it moves, and seems to be held together by some sort of invisible duct-tape.<br />
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But he keeps driving it.<br />
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Because his family is more important than a car. Because he wants his wife and children to be in the safer vehicle. Because he's not willing to put us in an unnecessary financial bind. (All vehicles purchased since we've been married have been used and bought with cash.) Because he loves me dearly.<br />
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Because David is the kind of man who puts others first. Fiercely loyal. A servant-leader. A husband worthy of great respect.<br />
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He hates the sight of that thing. I think it's beautiful.<br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/290/9D42E77DA267E2BA913844D2D5F280F1.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a><br />
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This post may be linked up to one or more of the following blog parties. Check them out!
Monday: <a href="http://orgjunkie.com/category/menu-plan-monday" target="_blank">Menu Plan Monday on I'm an Organizing Junkie</a>
Wednesday: <a href="http://wearethatfamily.com/category/wfmw/" target="_blank">Works for Me Wednesday at We are THAT Family</a>
Friday: <a href="http://thegypsymama.com/category/five-minute-friday/" target="_blank">5 Minute Friday at The Gypsy Mama</a>, <a href="http://www.homesanctuary.com/rachelanne/coffees-on/" target="_blank">Company Girl Coffee at Home Sanctuary</a>, <a href="http://piecesofamy.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Pieces of Amy</a>
Other days: <a href="http://proverbs14verse1.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">A Wise Woman Builds Her Home</a>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13548258176500952731noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23731336654228162.post-69824602400967675612013-07-12T06:00:00.000-05:002013-07-12T06:00:19.975-05:00Old and New<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Today's a pretty big day for me. First of all, we are closing on the sale of our house in Fort Smith. It's very bittersweet. Financially, I am SO grateful to have sold it so fast and without having to pay a hefty commission. But my heart is still sad. That was our longest-lasting address since getting married almost 15 years ago, so a lot of our hearts, souls, and memories are tied up with that house.<br />
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Sigh.<br />
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The other big news is that I'm guest posting over at <a href="http://www.hiphomeschoolmoms.com/2013/07/12896/" target="_blank">Hip Homeschool Moms</a> again. Hooray! (If you are stopping by from HHM, Welcome! I promise I'm not usually this melancholy. :) )<br />
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I think it's no accident that my guest post coincides with closing on our house. I wrote the post a few weeks ago without a posting date, but it's all about the sometimes-disappointing expectations surrounding things that are "new." God knew that I would need to be reminded of some truths today, and I hope that He will also use it somehow in someone else's life.<br />
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I would be honored if you clicked <i><a href="http://www.hiphomeschoolmoms.com/2013/07/12896/" target="_blank">HERE</a></i> to go over and read my post. Thanks for stopping by!<br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/290/9D42E77DA267E2BA913844D2D5F280F1.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a><br />
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This post may be linked up to one or more of the following blog parties. Check them out!
Monday: <a href="http://orgjunkie.com/category/menu-plan-monday" target="_blank">Menu Plan Monday on I'm an Organizing Junkie</a>
Wednesday: <a href="http://wearethatfamily.com/category/wfmw/" target="_blank">Works for Me Wednesday at We are THAT Family</a>
Friday: <a href="http://thegypsymama.com/category/five-minute-friday/" target="_blank">5 Minute Friday at The Gypsy Mama</a>, <a href="http://www.homesanctuary.com/rachelanne/coffees-on/" target="_blank">Company Girl Coffee at Home Sanctuary</a>, <a href="http://piecesofamy.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Pieces of Amy</a>
Other days: <a href="http://proverbs14verse1.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">A Wise Woman Builds Her Home</a>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13548258176500952731noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23731336654228162.post-77491112495002563762013-07-05T07:38:00.001-05:002013-07-05T07:38:39.536-05:00Before and After<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Hi, faithful readers! I really appreciate those of you who take the time to stop by my Home On the Web. It's so gratifying (and a bit surreal, and very humbling) to know that people actually read my words.</div>
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I'm hesitant to post these pictures because they might come across as a bit "braggy." However, several people have asked for updates on our new house. Personally, I love seeing before and after pictures of real houses, but if you don't, then feel free to stop reading now. I'll never know. :)</div>
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Our house is still very much a work in progress, but we have mostly completed the living area (it's all one big open space for the kitchen/dining/living, as you'll see) and the office/homeschool room. Some of the pictures aren't the greatest. I'm still trying to master taking good pics on my phone.</div>
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Kitchen before:</div>
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Kitchen after: </div>
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(I'm still wanting to replace that rather hideous fluorescent light.)</div>
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Dining area before:<br />
(The turquoise was along half of that wall, to the right of the fireplace. I actually liked the color, but it didn't coordinate with anything else that we have.)<br />
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Dining area after:</div>
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Living area before (complete with TV on the floor):</div>
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Living area after:</div>
(Remind me to do a post sometime about the cabinet under the TV. David is particularly proud of that DIY project, and I'm very pleased with how it turned out.)<br />
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The verse above the window means a lot to me because of all our moving around. It's very hard to see in this picture, but the pictures along the window are maps of the cities/areas where we have lived, roughly in chronological order. (Sometimes we backtracked - for example, we lived in Knoxville, TN two separate times with two other places in between.)</div>
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Now on to the office/schoolroom. Some of you may recall this picture that I posted on Facebook when I was choosing the paint color:</div>
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While the majority voted for either the third from the left or the large square, I confess that I stuck with my original opinion and went with the fourth one. I love it! I was afraid it might be too dark, but the color makes me happy, happy, happy! (And since I spend A LOT of time in this room, that's a good thing. :) )</div>
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The cabinet to the left of the piano came from our last house and will likely be hung (horizontally) above the piano.</div>
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Pictures via Pinterest and Etsy.</div>
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So there you have it! The bedrooms and bathrooms are all still "builder beige," and the backyard jungle seems to grow visibly each day, but I am enjoying the process. I'm certainly no Martha Stewart or Erica Bartels (Hi, Erica!), but I really do enjoy decorating (once I stop constantly second-guessing myself!).<br />
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So what projects are you working on? Got any before and after pics to share?<br />
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Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13548258176500952731noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23731336654228162.post-90597973152901600982013-07-02T07:57:00.000-05:002013-07-02T07:57:20.467-05:00Feeds and Followers and Friends, Oh My!If you follow very many blogs at all, you have probably heard that Google Reader has gone away. Why? Because it kept people from seeing advertisements in the sidebars of blogs.<br />
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Sigh.<br />
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If you are reading these words right now, then obviously you get blog content through some other means: Facebook, going to individual blogs, or another feed reader. If you are happy with your current choice, that is awesome! But if you've been visiting individual blogs because you didn't know there was another option, I'd like to suggest three alternatives:<br />
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1. Social Media<br />
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Most blogs these days post links to their content directly through Facebook or Twitter. If you are already on one of those pretty frequently, this can be a very convenient way to access lots of different blogs. (Have you "liked" my Facebook page yet? You can do that by simply clicking the "Like" button up at the top of the right-hand column of this page or by going to <a href="http://www.facebook.com/BloomingLaura">http://www.facebook.com/BloomingLaura</a>.) </blockquote>
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2. E-mail<br />
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Many blogs also give you the option of having posts delivered directly to your inbox. If you like that option, you can go again to the right-hand side of my blog and enter your e-mail address where it says "Follow By E-mail." This is a great option if you only follow a few blogs, or if there are a few that you particularly don't want to miss, but it could quickly fill your inbox if you follow lots of blogs this way. Of course, another option is to set up a second e-mail address just for receiving blog posts.</blockquote>
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3. Feed Reader<br />
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A feed is a means of distributing blog content to the masses (or in my case, the hundred or so). A feed reader is how that content is accessed. Up until yesterday, Google Reader was one of the most popular ones. But as I mentioned earlier, if that's what you've been using, you'll have to do something else now.</blockquote>
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My personal favorite is <a href="http://www.pulse.me/" target="_blank">Pulse</a>. I use it for reading blogs on my iPhone and iPad, but I believe it is also available for Android devices and for desktops. If you have been using Google Reader, this is a great option because you can painlessly import your feeds from Google right into Pulse without missing a beat (pun intended).</blockquote>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmW4T4WAz0cFLsOYCHNcqUFJVD335lSmMFOHMwlGZ4_Gqk-aO0SENqiuc1qoWic_Pxba_fipx14-NhfP9Afenik-zBKS-rRHLv9Ccjrx-XW4ou7ZP14ELDM4SVgDRAh4VcBoJ99sMnrQ/s640/blogger-image-946630656.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmW4T4WAz0cFLsOYCHNcqUFJVD335lSmMFOHMwlGZ4_Gqk-aO0SENqiuc1qoWic_Pxba_fipx14-NhfP9Afenik-zBKS-rRHLv9Ccjrx-XW4ou7ZP14ELDM4SVgDRAh4VcBoJ99sMnrQ/s640/blogger-image-946630656.jpg" /></a></div>
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One of my favorite features of Pulse is the ability to categorize blogs that I follow. This is helpful if I'm looking for content from a particular blog or type of blog. I also created a "Time Crunch Blogs" category of ones that I want to be sure and check if I only have a small amount of time.</blockquote>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS9vpTMXsrEN4oD7ga5pivV3IhzIuFu50CCwkGUonWfgZj1Qf4QFgEKSG-1o99bVAmKJP-imhGrQgWkJ2JrHUnafWDiHb2XJmp00PZeVuFljYxKihzMzQapRegSNv_qolMBI0G_cPn1g/s640/blogger-image-725026993.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS9vpTMXsrEN4oD7ga5pivV3IhzIuFu50CCwkGUonWfgZj1Qf4QFgEKSG-1o99bVAmKJP-imhGrQgWkJ2JrHUnafWDiHb2XJmp00PZeVuFljYxKihzMzQapRegSNv_qolMBI0G_cPn1g/s640/blogger-image-725026993.jpg" /></a></div>
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Another reader that I have seen recommended many times now is Feedly. I have very limited experience with it personally, but you can read all about it (along with a better explanation of feeds) at <a href="http://simplemom.net/feedly/">http://simplemom.net/feedly/</a>.</blockquote>
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So how do you access blog content? Have I left out any methods that you would recommend?</div>
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Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13548258176500952731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23731336654228162.post-44363338589394885122013-06-06T13:24:00.001-05:002013-06-06T13:24:18.248-05:00Blindly BloomingTwo weeks ago today, we bought a house here in Rome, Georgia. The first time we ever walked into the house, our names were on the mortgage.<br />
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That's right. We bought it sight-unseen. What on earth were we thinking?<br />
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<i>Let me start by saying that I do NOT recommend doing things this way, <b>especially</b> if you are buying a house for the first time. But if you've been around me or this blog for any length of time, you know this is not our first rodeo when it comes to moving. This was our fifth home purchase.</i><br />
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We made two trips to Rome before moving here. The first time we looked at houses within a certain price range. The second time - with an actual job offer and specific salary - we looked at houses in a lower price range. One goal we had was to buy this house on a 15-year mortgage, and thankfully we did accomplish that.<br />
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In a certain neighborhood that we really liked, there were three houses in a row for sale. Let's call them A, B, and C for simplicity. (They are actually about the same distance apart. It was hard to get a good picture of all three without causing a bit too much curiosity among the neighbors.)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbW-zqn_ca6fX4WSAeiosh3KK8BTbwQsILaHZRDZNXXAIgVNoxY7NvjlRvNG5Zqlore4FuJcd4-X1_vWyP826jTrjXjzwd-Cd1-Q941SiKDv2xlOlrXyJy98KyC8eGEeEp9NPdYfRNoA/s640/blogger-image-743612975.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbW-zqn_ca6fX4WSAeiosh3KK8BTbwQsILaHZRDZNXXAIgVNoxY7NvjlRvNG5Zqlore4FuJcd4-X1_vWyP826jTrjXjzwd-Cd1-Q941SiKDv2xlOlrXyJy98KyC8eGEeEp9NPdYfRNoA/s400/blogger-image-743612975.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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During the first trip, only House A was for sale, and it was one of the ones we saw. We loved it! It was impeccable inside and out, and it had a wonderful play set in a big back yard.<br />
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But it went under contract by the time David got a firm job offer.<br />
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By the second trip, Houses B and C were listed. In addition to several other houses in Rome and another in the same neighborhood, we toured House C. We tried to see House B, but the renters living there were very inflexible when it came to scheduling showings. Never mind. House C was a foreclosure and needed some work, but we felt we could get it at a price that would still work with those added expenses, so we put in an offer and headed back home.<br />
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We soon found out that there was a second offer on House C, so we put in our best offer. We "won" the bidding battle, but the bank still countered at a price we felt was too high considering the money we would have to put in. (We later learned that a previous home inspection had revealed water leaking into one of the interior garage walls. That, along with other needed things like appliances, blinds on all the windows, and hardware in all of the closets, would have put it out of our price range anyway. Thank You, Lord, for Your protection!)<br />
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While this was going on (after we were back in Fort Smith), our agent finally got in to see House B, and he called me as he was walking through it to tell me how it compared to A and C. It all sounded good to us, so with an agent sort of trembling with fear (and at first refusing to do it), we wrote an offer on House B, which we had never been inside.<br />
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A couple of hours later, the negotiations with the owners began. The final price was settled within about an hour via text between David, me, and our agent, while I was grocery shopping with the kids in Wal-Mart. Of course, we had a home inspection done, but it was the most pleasantly boring one I've ever seen. (The most serious "issue?" The gutters need to be cleaned out.)<br />
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So now we're here living in good ol' House B. Do I have any regrets? Nope. The house definitely has some "quirks" that I'll point out when we get settled enough for me to post pictures, but nothing that would have been a deal-breaker. We love this neighborhood, and we're happy with our decision.<br />
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Now, I must say this wasn't truly a blind decision. Thanks to sites like Realtor.com and Google Earth (and LOTS of practice studying listings), I had a pretty good idea of the layout of the house. I spent many hours with those pictures prior to us moving in, but seeing pictures and walking around inside are two different things. However, with the exception of the living room (which is bigger than expected) and one of the bedrooms (which is smaller than expected), it's pretty much what I thought it would be. Houses A and C had almost identical floor plans. While House B looks very similar from the outside, the floor plan is different. While I did prefer the upstairs in A and C, the downstairs in our house is far superior for our needs. All 3 have very large bonus rooms downstairs, but ours is the only bonus room with a window, and that makes it a perfect, sunny room for homeschooling and for my online teaching. (If you're studying the picture above, the downstairs window in the other houses is in the laundry room.)<br />
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<i>Also, I happen to know that the people who bought House A paid $14,500 more than we did for the very same square footage.</i><br />
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I believe we are in the house that God had for us. Maybe He used the difficult renters to save the house for us. We have talked to several people (including the ones who ended up buying House A) who said they tried to look at our house but couldn't ever schedule a showing!<br />
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At the end of the day, a house is a house is a house. There are definitely things to watch for (and I hope to post about those soon), but almost anywhere can be made into a true Home with the right people inside, the determination to love it, and some cans of paint. :)<br />
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Is it perfect? No.<br />
Is it my favorite house in all of Rome, Georgia? Nope.<br />
Is it HOME? Yes!<br />
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So have you ever done anything like this? If so, how did it turn out? Would you do it again?<br />
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{By the way, this is totally off topic, but have you "liked" my Bloom Where You're Planted Facebook page yet? I'd love it if you would! The link is at the top of this page on the right-hand side.}<br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/290/9D42E77DA267E2BA913844D2D5F280F1.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a><br />
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This post may be linked up to one or more of the following blog parties. Check them out!
Monday: <a href="http://orgjunkie.com/category/menu-plan-monday" target="_blank">Menu Plan Monday on I'm an Organizing Junkie</a>
Wednesday: <a href="http://wearethatfamily.com/category/wfmw/" target="_blank">Works for Me Wednesday at We are THAT Family</a>
Friday: <a href="http://thegypsymama.com/category/five-minute-friday/" target="_blank">5 Minute Friday at The Gypsy Mama</a>, <a href="http://www.homesanctuary.com/rachelanne/coffees-on/" target="_blank">Company Girl Coffee at Home Sanctuary</a>, <a href="http://piecesofamy.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Pieces of Amy</a>
Other days: <a href="http://proverbs14verse1.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">A Wise Woman Builds Her Home</a></div>
Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13548258176500952731noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23731336654228162.post-91646395269031675342013-05-30T07:35:00.000-05:002013-05-30T07:35:20.512-05:00Home<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image courtesy of <a href="http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/images/Emotions_g96-Sad_Man_Sitting_p85161.html">FreeDigitalPhotos.net</a></td></tr>
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I should have known this was coming. It has certainly happened before. I wrote all about it <a href="http://bloomingbaggetts.blogspot.com/2012/02/bloomin-monday-way-we-were.html">here</a>.<div>
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Homesickness.</div>
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Yesterday, the kids and I met some new friends at a local park for a play date. We had a lovely time. This fellow homeschool Mama seems like someone I will really enjoy getting to know, and we're planning to get together again in a couple of weeks.</div>
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But on the way home it sort of hit me like a ton of bricks: I miss my friends in Fort Smith. Today was a reminder of the tremendous time and effort that it takes to develop friendships, especially for an introvert like me. In my natural state, I'm a loner, but I have experienced the powerful negative effects of staying isolated, and I don't want to go back into that hole again.</div>
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I also miss my old house. We have a couple who are trying desperately to sell their house so that they can buy ours, and financially, we *really* need for that to happen soon. But meanwhile, my house here still has lots of boxes. It also still has "builder beige" walls and bare windows, and I am overwhelmed with trying to make choices about paint colors and curtain fabric and furniture placement. </div>
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I will keep moving forward. I will continue to get out of the house and make new friends. I will make these decisions, and it will all be fine. But last night I cried. And I grieved. And I got a muscle ache all down the side of my neck from stress.</div>
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Am I glad we're here? Yes.</div>
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Do I believe this was the right thing for our whole family? Yes.</div>
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Will Rome, Georgia, eventually be "home" for me? Yes.</div>
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Would I rather be in Fort Smith, Arkansas, right now? Yes.</div>
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Today is a new day. I've taken some Claritin (since I'm allergic to Georgia in May) and some Advil, and I'm determined to unpack more boxes here in my office/school room today. I might even choose a paint color or two. And tonight, Rome will be a bit closer to "home." Tomorrow it will be a bit closer again. And so forth. I've done this dance a few times before, and I know the steps. Maybe I just need to crank up the music. I'm thinking my Summer Hits of the 80s <a href="http://www.pandora.com/">Pandora</a> station may be just the ticket. :)<br /><br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/290/9D42E77DA267E2BA913844D2D5F280F1.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a><br />
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This post may be linked up to one or more of the following blog parties. Check them out!
Monday: <a href="http://orgjunkie.com/category/menu-plan-monday" target="_blank">Menu Plan Monday on I'm an Organizing Junkie</a>
Wednesday: <a href="http://wearethatfamily.com/category/wfmw/" target="_blank">Works for Me Wednesday at We are THAT Family</a>
Friday: <a href="http://thegypsymama.com/category/five-minute-friday/" target="_blank">5 Minute Friday at The Gypsy Mama</a>, <a href="http://www.homesanctuary.com/rachelanne/coffees-on/" target="_blank">Company Girl Coffee at Home Sanctuary</a>, <a href="http://piecesofamy.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Pieces of Amy</a>
Other days: <a href="http://proverbs14verse1.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">A Wise Woman Builds Her Home</a></div>
Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13548258176500952731noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23731336654228162.post-58715211097388340912013-05-27T11:19:00.000-05:002013-05-27T11:38:12.781-05:00My Family: What an Odd Bunch!<div style="text-align: center;">
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Last weekend I had the privilege of attending the visitation and funeral of my great-uncle. Why privilege? Because it was a wonderful reminder of the importance of family.<br />
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My great-uncle, Griggs Rose (my family was giving children last names as first names long before it was trendy!), was 72 years old and had lived in the same area his whole life. He was one of six children. (One of his older sisters was my maternal grandmother.) He had been married to his wife, Joyce, for 45 years; had one daughter, Page; and was a Granddaddy to August Pearl. He was the kind of man people call "salt of the earth." Everyone knew they could count on Griggs to do what he said he would do, to be where he said he would be, and then some. The visitation at the funeral home was packed for almost four hours, and his funeral was standing room only.</div>
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When my grandmother died at the age of 55 back in 1986, there were two jam-packed visitations and standing-room-only funerals for her - one at each end of the state of Alabama. She loved people, and - like Uncle Griggs - she loved the Lord. She could always be counted on for a joke (although she usually forgot part of it), and somehow she managed to know all of the latest news without even the slightest hint of malicious gossip. She loved going to the grocery store and always dressed for the occasion, hoping to run into lots of friends and getting caught up right there in the canned goods aisle. When it came to my Granddaddy, she was the epitome of Proverbs 31:12, "She does him good and not evil all the days of her life."</div>
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I could tell similar stories about their brother and sisters, George, Margie, Gloria, and June.</div>
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All of my extended family that was within driving distance came to Uncle Griggs' funeral. There were representatives from each of the families of the six Rose siblings, including the two remaining sisters themselves. We all hugged, laughed, cried, and talked just like we do every year on Christmas night. No one refused to sit by someone else. No group of cousins was mad at another group of cousins. Nobody was comparing the size of flowers they had sent to those of anyone else. We were a cohesive unit. Even though I see most of them very seldom, there is not a doubt in my mind that each of them would "have my back" in a time of crisis.</div>
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I take it for granted that all families are like this. But I know it's not true. The Roses are an odd bunch!</div>
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So what makes Roses different?</div>
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1. <i>They know and love the Lord.</i> There really is nothing else on earth that can bind a group together like this. It's having a common purpose on earth, and a common destiny after death. It also means extending that same love to those in the family who may not know or follow Him.</div>
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2. <i>Divorce is very rare. </i>We are not a perfect family with perfect marriages. Divorce has touched our family just as it has everyone else's, but it is the exception rather than the rule. When we say, "'til death do us part," we really mean it. Also, family members build up marriages rather than chip away at them. My grandmother famously took my Daddy's side whenever my parents had an argument. She thought Steve Pearson hung the moon, and I'm sure that helped my Mom to feel that same way.</div>
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3. <i>Getting together is a priority</i>. Much of the extended family lives in the same town and sees each other from time to time during the year. But we all come together on Christmas night. This has been a tradition since long before I was born, and I've only missed a few of these since marrying David. There's also usually a pool party at Uncle Milton's house sometime during the Summer. It's really not about the quantity of time spent together. It's more because we enjoy each other's company so much when we <i>are</i> together.</div>
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Can I guarantee that all of this will continue once my mother's generation is unable to host get-togethers? No, I can't. But I hope that it will. My siblings and I are among the most "far-flung," geographically, so honestly it will depend a lot on the cousins who are still in central north Alabama. </div>
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Like a true Rose garden, the original bush may eventually wither away. But hopefully by then it will have been propagated into similar family trees in different areas. I look forward to spending time with my siblings, and my children look forward to Pearson Cousins' Camp all year long! I want my children to enjoy being with each other long after David and I are gone. I would love to know that - someday, somewhere - there will be Baggett get-togethers that are just as beloved. (Tip for future family members: it helps when there are a plethora of casseroles and desserts from which to choose at these events!)</div>
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If your family is nothing like mine, can I encourage you in this way? It's not too late to create your own. I've written about my "blood kin" today, but families don't have to actually be related. I just left a group of people in Fort Smith that I would also consider Family. We loved each other, enjoyed spending time together, and supported one another. Psalm 68:6 says that God "sets the lonely in families." This doesn't always have to do with bloodlines. God is The Expert at creating something out of nothing. I know He would love nothing more than for you to become part of His family if you are not already. And as the creator of the family back in Genesis, He is still able to create one for you here on earth.</div>
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Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13548258176500952731noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23731336654228162.post-67423715614898127012013-05-13T09:02:00.001-05:002013-05-13T09:02:21.595-05:00Following My Own Advice: Part 1<br />
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A couple of years ago, I wrote a little series called <a href="http://bloomingbaggetts.blogspot.com/p/moving.html" target="_blank">Bloomin' Monday: Making the Most of Moving to a New Town</a>. (If you're interested, you can either click that link or where it says Moving at the top of this page.) Well, since we're <a href="http://bloomingbaggetts.blogspot.com/2013/04/the-big-reveal-part-8.html" target="_blank">moving again</a> in less than a week, I am getting the chance to once again put those ideas into practice. Want to know how it's going so far?<br />
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<a href="http://bloomingbaggetts.blogspot.com/2012/01/bloomin-monday-before-you-move.html" target="_blank">Step One</a> is about things that can be done before the move even takes place. And I'm not talking about packing, forwarding the mail, getting services set up, etc. - although those things are certainly important. I'm talking about social things. Believe it or not, it is possible to begin making friends while you are still several states away.<br />
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I am thrilled to tell you that my kids and I have already been invited on a play date in our new town. How did that happen? I joined a Facebook group. Since we're homeschoolers, I was particularly interested in meeting other homeschoolers in the area, so I joined a group, introduced myself, posted a question, and the responses began to come in. One person (Hi, Amy!) took it a step further to reach out to me, and I instantly felt more comfortable and excited about our new hometown.<br />
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God also has a way of orchestrating things if you ask Him and are open to seeing His hand in things. The first time we went to Rome (Georgia, that is), back in March, we had looked at some houses. Before heading back out of town, we returned to a neighborhood we were considering (and where we are now moving) to check out another house that was For Sale By Owner. It turned out that the house was already under contract and the price was too high for us, but for some reason (God!) the people invited us in, anyway. We met a wonderful, homeschooling family who were moving to start a church plant in Maine. She told me all about the local homeschool groups (one of which she helped to start), gave us some great info on local churches, and told us things about the neighborhood that our Realtor didn't know. And under the "It's a Small World" category, her parents own the Denny's here in Fort Smith!<br />
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So, if you're planning an upcoming move, what can you do to meet people before you even move? And if you've already moved in (whether 3 days or 3 years ago), what can you do today to become more connected to your community? How can you Bloom Where You're Planted?<br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/290/9D42E77DA267E2BA913844D2D5F280F1.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a><br />
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This post may be linked up to one or more of the following blog parties. Check them out!
Monday: <a href="http://orgjunkie.com/category/menu-plan-monday" target="_blank">Menu Plan Monday on I'm an Organizing Junkie</a>
Wednesday: <a href="http://wearethatfamily.com/category/wfmw/" target="_blank">Works for Me Wednesday at We are THAT Family</a>
Friday: <a href="http://thegypsymama.com/category/five-minute-friday/" target="_blank">5 Minute Friday at The Gypsy Mama</a>, <a href="http://www.homesanctuary.com/rachelanne/coffees-on/" target="_blank">Company Girl Coffee at Home Sanctuary</a>, <a href="http://piecesofamy.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Pieces of Amy</a>
Other days: <a href="http://proverbs14verse1.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">A Wise Woman Builds Her Home</a>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13548258176500952731noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23731336654228162.post-1860422318689555702013-05-04T21:18:00.000-05:002013-05-04T21:18:54.155-05:00Preparing for the ChaosSo you've probably heard by now that <a href="http://bloomingbaggetts.blogspot.com/2013/04/the-big-reveal-part-8.html" target="_blank">we're moving again</a>. While this is definitely "not my first rodeo," it's my first time to move with children old enough to know what's going on and to have an opinion. (Number one request: they wanted upstairs rooms. <i>Check!</i> Of course, they also wanted their parents' room to be downstairs, but that didn't happen.)<br />
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For the most part, I expect this move will proceed as usual, with all of the inevitable chaos and general feelings of bewilderment. But I'm doing something this time that I hope will help. For the past couple of weeks, I've been trying to double up on recipes whenever possible to stock my freezer for the last 10 days or so before we move. I'm hoping this will help my sanity along with our stomachs and checkbooks.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRPN4IUVDPcMYG4o3KgTWpJnoSrq9dXJANbS08ZrKkZkLwD3S1B2ynq9kArgoH8noQOCE1xcNl8TQk1n5iX6bjS70T0gR1ioJQM9cFsyMmcp3yXnmGkv85nuxtMjULpC2asg1BxFXR-w/s1600/DSC02229.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRPN4IUVDPcMYG4o3KgTWpJnoSrq9dXJANbS08ZrKkZkLwD3S1B2ynq9kArgoH8noQOCE1xcNl8TQk1n5iX6bjS70T0gR1ioJQM9cFsyMmcp3yXnmGkv85nuxtMjULpC2asg1BxFXR-w/s320/DSC02229.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Moving into a previous house.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">I know you all envy me for this craziness... Ha!</span></div>
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Here are a few things I've got so far:<br />
Tortilla Soup (crock pot - no link, but I can post the recipe if anyone is interested)<br />
<a href="http://rita-may-recipes.blogspot.com/2011/11/crock-pot-cream-cheese-chicken-chile.html" target="_blank">Cream Cheese Chicken Chili</a> (crock pot)<br />
<a href="http://smithlive.blogspot.com/2011/12/monthly-meal-planning.html" target="_blank">Brown Sugar Chicken</a> (crock pot) - scroll down and look under Favorites in this link<br />
<a href="http://smithlive.blogspot.com/2011/12/monthly-meal-planning.html" target="_blank">Pizza Soup</a> (crock pot) - same link as above, recipe also under Favorites<br />
<a href="http://www.overthebigmoon.com/super-fast-chicken-freezer-meals/" target="_blank">French Chicken</a> (crock pot)<br />
<a href="http://onceamonthmom.com/chicken-macaroni-bake/" target="_blank">Chicken Macaroni Bake</a> - I would suggest adding some frozen veggies<br />
<a href="http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2007/06/chicken_spaghet/" target="_blank">Chicken Spaghetti</a><br />
<a href="http://www.skinnytaste.com/2010/02/spinach-lasagna-rolls.html" target="_blank">Spinach Lasagna Roll Ups</a><br />
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In case you haven't guessed, I love my crock pot. It is especially wonderful during very hectic times. Here are a few more crock pot recipes I'll probably add to the menus for the next few weeks (not currently in my freezer, but super-easy to put together in the morning):<br />
<a href="http://www.sixsistersstuff.com/2011/06/slow-cooker-sweet-and-tangy-meatballs.html" target="_blank">Sweet and Tangy Meatballs</a> (serve with rice and a veggie or salad)<br />
<a href="http://team-t-adventures.blogspot.com/2010/01/easy-crockpot-chicken-stuffing.html" target="_blank">Crockpot Chicken & Stuffing</a> (David isn't a huge fan of Stove Top Stuffing, but he likes this.)<br />
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What are your go-to meals during crazy times?<br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/290/9D42E77DA267E2BA913844D2D5F280F1.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a><br />
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This post may be linked up to one or more of the following blog parties. Check them out!
Monday: <a href="http://orgjunkie.com/category/menu-plan-monday" target="_blank">Menu Plan Monday on I'm an Organizing Junkie</a>
Wednesday: <a href="http://wearethatfamily.com/category/wfmw/" target="_blank">Works for Me Wednesday at We are THAT Family</a>
Friday: <a href="http://thegypsymama.com/category/five-minute-friday/" target="_blank">5 Minute Friday at The Gypsy Mama</a>, <a href="http://www.homesanctuary.com/rachelanne/coffees-on/" target="_blank">Company Girl Coffee at Home Sanctuary</a>, <a href="http://piecesofamy.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Pieces of Amy</a>
Other days: <a href="http://proverbs14verse1.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">A Wise Woman Builds Her Home</a>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13548258176500952731noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23731336654228162.post-34962832397592216182013-04-30T17:20:00.000-05:002013-04-30T17:20:18.261-05:00The Big Reveal: Part 8So, we're moving again.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">But no, I'm not pregnant like I was in the picture above.</span></div>
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For those of you keeping score, this will be Move #13 - in just under 15 years of marriage.<br />
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Some of you are thinking, "What? But I thought y'all were staying in Fort Smith after all that business last year!" Others of you are thinking, smugly, "I already knew. I'm obviously in the Cool Group." :) Others of you are thinking, "Ho hum. Big deal. Who cares?"<br />
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We did think we were staying. But then God began opening some doors. David finally passed his final certification test in orthotics (increasing his job possibilities immensely), and a job came open in a great location. He applied in January, and the process began.<br />
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The very slow process.<br />
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We have been determined not to force our way into any job situation, and I can honestly say we haven't done that this time. We've waited patiently (mostly), prayed fervently, and determined that we wouldn't budge if it wasn't God's leading and clearly better for our family. In fact, David turned down the job after the first offer. Thinking that was the end of things, we were just going to stay here. But then they called again with a better offer. Still we thought and prayed and discussed.<br />
<br />
[One thing you should know about David and me - we can talk ourselves out of just about anything, given enough time. We don't do well with a lot of "pondering time."]<br />
<br />
After a second visit last weekend, we both knew it was the right thing to do.<br />
<br />
So we bought a house... that we've never stepped foot inside. (Another post for another time.)<br />
<br />
Where are we going? <a href="http://www.romegeorgia.com/" target="_blank">Rome, Georgia!</a> This will cut our time to get back to our parents (and more importantly, the kids' grandparents) from 8 1/2 hours to 3 hours. And let's not forget we can now get to <a href="http://www.auburntigers.com/" target="_blank">Auburn's</a> Jordan-Hare stadium in 3 1/2 hours. War Eagle! Now, if they would just win some football games....<br />
<br />
Remember all of these tips I gave for <a href="http://bloomingbaggetts.blogspot.com/p/moving.html" target="_blank">Making the Most of Moving to a New Town</a>? Well, I get to put them into practice again, and I'll let you know how it goes. A friend of mine, <a href="http://www.piecesofamy.net/" target="_blank">Amy</a> (who has an awesome <a href="http://www.piecesofamy.net/" target="_blank">blog</a>, by the way), is also moving from Fort Smith, but in the opposite direction. :( Amy, I hereby challenge you to also go through those steps, and let me know if they work for you. (I have another one to add, too, that I will hopefully post about soon.)<br />
<br />
Here we go! Time to Bloom Where We're Planted in Georgia!<br />
<br />
P.S. Anybody want to buy a great house in Fort Smith, Arkansas? I'm serious. Click <a href="http://6914blackjack.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">here</a> for details.<br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/290/9D42E77DA267E2BA913844D2D5F280F1.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a><br />
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This post may be linked up to one or more of the following blog parties. Check them out!
Monday: <a href="http://orgjunkie.com/category/menu-plan-monday" target="_blank">Menu Plan Monday on I'm an Organizing Junkie</a>
Wednesday: <a href="http://wearethatfamily.com/category/wfmw/" target="_blank">Works for Me Wednesday at We are THAT Family</a>
Friday: <a href="http://thegypsymama.com/category/five-minute-friday/" target="_blank">5 Minute Friday at The Gypsy Mama</a>, <a href="http://www.homesanctuary.com/rachelanne/coffees-on/" target="_blank">Company Girl Coffee at Home Sanctuary</a>, <a href="http://piecesofamy.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Pieces of Amy</a>
Other days: <a href="http://proverbs14verse1.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">A Wise Woman Builds Her Home</a>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13548258176500952731noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23731336654228162.post-29826273015377143892013-04-29T08:02:00.000-05:002013-04-29T08:15:15.901-05:00It's here! It's here!Hooray! The e-book sale is here!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhin46V5VOpp5ZsevQj-yQmjWwPHHKAbU7HDH01PsESYhirHlva502N3iH1WKs0haM6Khv-qon1RVd2R6PZmeqyzvTnTlYQf27waqBeV6WUbJNgFHq5zde6BE7fQU7BGmjNvbDUNgGnXQ/s1600/UHeB-443x443.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhin46V5VOpp5ZsevQj-yQmjWwPHHKAbU7HDH01PsESYhirHlva502N3iH1WKs0haM6Khv-qon1RVd2R6PZmeqyzvTnTlYQf27waqBeV6WUbJNgFHq5zde6BE7fQU7BGmjNvbDUNgGnXQ/s320/UHeB-443x443.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br />
Here's lots of information from the blogger making this all available:<br />
<br />
"For 6 days only, more than 75 widely-known bloggers and authors in the homemaking sphere have joined together to offer 97 of their most popular eBooks and eCourses, valued at just over $600, for the <strong>incredibly low price of $29.97!</strong> More than anything, our goal for this sale was for it to be, well… ultimate! We firmly believe that <strong>you will not find a more comprehensive collection of homemaking resources anywhere on the web,</strong> and particularly not in this price range. <br />
<br />
For this low price, you gain access to every single one of these resources, so that you can customize your own collection to contain exactly the ones you want and know you'll use. This library of homemaking helps include topics such as mothering, organization and cleaning, recipes and kitchen helps, home education, spiritual growth for both moms and kids, home décor and DIY, pregnancy and baby care, frugal living, health and fitness, and even work-from-home and financial tools. To sweeten the pot, <strong>we’ve also teamed up with 10 companies to bring you over $140 in bonus offers</strong>, giving you an affordable opportunity to get products you’ll use and love for only the cost of shipping, or in some cases, entirely for free!<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong></strong><a href="https://www.e-junkie.com/ecom/gb.php?ii=1225456&c=cart&aff=200027&ejc=2&cl=229192" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-22950" height="103" src="http://www.keeperofthehome.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Buy-Now-Paper-Clip-Button.png" title="Buy Now Paper Clip Button" width="300" /></a></div>
<h3>
What's Included in the Sale?</h3>
When you purchase <a href="https://www.e-junkie.com/ecom/gb.php?ii=1225456&c=cart&aff=200027&ejc=2&cl=229192" target="_blank">The Ultimate Homemaking eBook collection</a>, you will get instant access to any of the 97 eBooks and eCourses listed below.
<br />
<h4>
<em>PLUS</em> over $140 of FREE Bonuses</h4>
Each The Ultimate Homemaking eBook collection comes with more than $140 of FREE Bonuses from 10 companies that we know you'll love. <em>More on these bonuses below. </em><em><strong></strong></em>
<br />
<blockquote>
Please note: <strong>This collection is only available from 9 a.m. EST on April 29th to 11:59 p.m. EST on May 4th.</strong> There will be no late sales offered.</blockquote>
<h3>
Home & Property {Cleaning, Organizing, Decor}</h3>
<a href="http://31daystoclean.com/buy-the-book/" target="_blank">31 Days to Clean</a> by Sarah Mae @ <a href="http://sarahmae.com/" target="_blank">SarahMae.com</a> ($4.99)<br />
<a href="http://kaysepratt.com/getting-it-together-the-ebook" target="_blank">Getting it Together: Your Guide to Setting Up a Home Management System that Works</a> by Kayse @ <a href="http://kaysepratt.com/" target="_blank">kayse pratt</a> ($3.99)<br />
<a href="http://www.cleanmama.net/2012/12/posts-2.html" target="_blank">Pulling Yourself Together: Implementing a Cleaning Routine that Sticks</a> by Becky @ <a href="http://www.cleanmama.net/" target="_blank">Clean Mama</a> ($10.00)
<a href="http://simple30.com/" target="_blank">Simple Living</a> by Lorilee @ <a href="http://lovingsimpleliving.com/" target="_blank">Loving Simple Living</a> ($2.99)<br />
<a href="http://theinspiredroom.net/2011/10/25/not-a-diy-diva-how-to-create-an-authentically-inspired-life-in-a-pinterest-world/" target="_blank">NOT a DIY Diva</a> by Melissa @ <a href="http://theinspiredroom.net/" target="_blank">The Inspired Room</a> ($3.99)<br />
<a href="http://simplemom.net/one-bite-at-a-time/">One Bite at a Time: 52 Projects for Making Life Simpler</a> by Tsh @ <a href="http://simplemom.net/" target="_blank">Simple Mom</a> ($5.00)<br />
<a href="http://www.aslobcomesclean.com/28-days-to-hope-for-your-home/" target="_blank">28 Days to Hope for your Home</a> by Dana @ <a href="http://www.aslobcomesclean.com/" target="_blank">A Slob Comes Clean</a> ($5.00)<br />
<a href="http://lifeasmom.com/organizing-life-as-mom-redesigned-and-updated-ebook" target="_blank">Organizing Life as Mom</a> by Jessica @ <a href="http://lifeasmom.com/" target="_blank">Life as Mom</a> ($9.00)<br />
<a href="http://www.jennimullinix.com/clean-enough-ebook/" target="_blank">Clean Enough: Simple Solutions for the Overwhelmed</a> by Jenni @ <a href="http://blog.jennimullinix.com/" target="_blank">Live Called</a> ($4.99)<br />
<a href="http://lisawoodruff.net/10-steps-to-org-paper/" target="_blank">10 Steps to Organized Paper</a> by Lisa @ <a href="http://lisawoodruff.net/" target="_blank">Lisa Woodruff.net</a>($5.00)<br />
<a href="http://www.thehandmadehome.net/handmadewalls/">Handmade Walls</a> by Jamin and Ashley @ <a href="http://www.thehandmadehome.net/">the handmade home</a> ($9.95)<br />
<a href="http://www.goodolddaysfarm.com/easychorechart/" target="_blank">Easy Peasy Chores: An Easy-to-Use Chore System That Brings JOY Back Into Family Chores</a> by Alina Joy @ <a href="http://www.goodolddaysfarm.com/">The Good Old Days Farm</a> ($17.99)
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<h3>
Educational Children's Resources</h3>
<a href="http://www.underthegoldenappletree.com/p/little-apples-school.html">Princess Training</a> by Richele @ <a href="http://www.underthegoldenappletree.com/">Under the Golden Apple Tree</a> ($3.99)<br />
<a href="http://www.underthegoldenappletree.com/p/little-apples-school.html">The Armor of God</a> by Richele @ <a href="http://www.underthegoldenappletree.com/">Under the Golden Apple Tree</a> ($2.50)<br />
<a href="http://www.underthegoldenappletree.com/p/little-apples-school.html">My Bedtime Learning Book</a> by Richele @ <a href="http://www.underthegoldenappletree.com/">Under the Golden Apple Tree</a> ($1.00)<br />
<a href="http://www.generationcedar.com/main/our-products/ebooks">Think Outside the Classroom</a> by Kelly @ <a href="http://www.generationcedar.com/">Generation Cedar</a> ($6.97)<br />
<a href="http://www.1plus1plus1equals1.com/store.html">Raising Rock Stars — Kindergarten Bundle</a> by Carissa @ <a href="http://www.1plus1plus1equals1.net/">1plus1plus1equals1</a> ($10.00)<br />
<a href="http://roadto31.blogspot.com/p/godly-girls-curriculum.html">The ABC's For Godly Boys Curriculum</a> by Lindsey @ <a href="http://roadto31.blogspot.com/">Road to 31</a> ($8.00)<br />
<a href="http://roadto31.blogspot.com/p/godly-girls-curriculum.html">The ABC's For Godly Girls Curriculum</a> by Lindsey @ <a href="http://roadto31.blogspot.com/">Road to 31</a> ($8.00)<br />
<a href="http://store.confessionsofahomeschooler.com/">K4 Curriculum</a> by Erica @ <a href="http://www.confessionsofahomeschooler.com/">Confessions of a Homeschooler</a> ($15.00)<br />
<a href="http://intoxicatedonlife.com/copywork-printables-write-through-the-bible/">Write Through the Bible (print)</a> by Trisha @ <a href="http://intoxicatedonlife.com/">Intoxicated on Life</a> ($5.00)<br />
<a href="http://intoxicatedonlife.com/copywork-printables-write-through-the-bible/">Write Through the Bible (cursive)</a> by Trisha @ <a href="http://intoxicatedonlife.com/">Intoxicated on Life</a> ($5.00)<br />
<a href="http://reluctantentertainer.com/balcony-girls-e-book/" target="_blank">Balcony Girls (books 1 & 2)</a> by Sandy @ <a href="http://reluctantentertainer.com/">Reluctant Entertainer</a> ($19.90)<br />
<a href="http://thedigforkids.com/">The Dig for Kids: Luke (Volumes 1 and 2)</a> by Patrick, husband of Ruth @ <a href="http://www.thebettermom.com/">The Better Mom</a> ($5.98)<br />
<a href="http://www.resoundschool.com/music-an-essential-ingredient-for-life" target="_blank">Music: An Essential Ingredient for Life</a> by Ryan @ <a href="http://www.resoundschool.com/">Resound School of Music</a> ($6.99)
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<h3>
Budgeting {Finance & Time}</h3>
<a href="http://www.debtortobetter.com/the-book/">From Debtor to Better</a> by Barry @ <a href="http://www.debtortobetter.com/">From Debtor to Better</a> ($10.00)<br />
<a href="http://amylynnandrews.com/tell-your-time/">Tell Your Time</a> by Amy @ <a href="http://amylynnandrews.com/">Blogging with Amy</a> ($2.99)<br />
<a href="http://www.raisingarrows.net/the-homemakers-guide-to-creating-the-perfect-schedule/">The Homemakers Guide to Creating the Perfect Schedule</a> by <a href="http://www.raisingarrows.net/">Amy @ Raising Arrows</a> ($4.99)<br />
<a href="http://authenticsimplicity.net/yourgrocerybudgettoolbox/">Your Grocery Budget Toolbox</a> by Anne @ <a href="http://authenticsimplicity.net/">Authentic Simplicity</a> ($7.99)<br />
<a href="http://www.generationcedar.com/main/our-products/ebooks">Finding Financial Freedom</a> by Kelly @ <a href="http://www.generationcedar.com/">Generation Cedar</a> ($5.97)<br />
<a href="http://www.theconfidentmom.com/services/classes-products/frugalita-ebook/">Become a Frugalista in 30 Days</a> by Susan @ <a href="http://www.theconfidentmom.com/">The Confident Mom</a> ($3.99)
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<h3>
In the Kitchen {Recipes and Cooking}</h3>
<a href="http://www.stacymakescents.com/crockon">Crock On</a> by Stacy @ <a href="http://www.stacymakescents.com/">Stacy Makes Cents</a> ($5.00)<br />
<a href="http://thehumbledhomemaker.com/my-ebooks">Real Food, Real Easy</a> by various bloggers @ <a href="http://thehumbledhomemaker.com/">The Humbled Homemaker</a> ($9.95)<br />
<a href="http://www.littlenaturalcottage.com/cottage-mama-ebooks-shoppe/wholesome-mixes/">Wholesome Mixes</a> by Kristy @ <a href="http://www.littlenaturalcottage.com/">Little Natural Cottage</a> ($4.00)<br />
<a href="http://intentionalbygrace.com/20-minute-meals-giving-weary-chefs-grace-while-keeping-families-healthy/">20-Minute Meals by</a> Leigh Ann @ <a href="http://intentionalbygrace.com/">Intentional by Grace</a> ($4.99)<br />
<a href="http://www.nourishingjoy.com/restocking-the-pantry/">Restocking the Pantry</a> by Kresha @ <a href="http://www.nourishingjoy.com/">Nourishing Joy</a> ($9.99)<br />
<a href="http://moneysavingmom.com/13857891478923475-2">Money Saving Mom's Guide to Freezer Cooking</a> by Crystal @ <a href="http://moneysavingmom.com/">Money Saving Mom</a> ($3.99)<br />
<a href="http://www.modernalternativemama.com/store/simply-summer/#.UV4-8pOTiSp">Simply Summer</a> by Kate @ <a href="http://www.modernalternativemama.com/">Modern Alternative Mama</a> ($7.95)<br />
<a href="http://heavenlyhomemakers.com/do-the-funky-kitchen-ebook-2">Do the Funky Kitchen</a> by Laura @ <a href="http://heavenlyhomemakers.com/">Heavenly Homemakers</a> ($4.95)<br />
<a href="http://gnowfglins.com/ecourse/realfoodkidsebook">Real Food Kids: In the Kitchen</a> plus 1 month access to select Real Food Kids eCourse videos by Wardeh @ <a href="http://gnowfglins.com/">GNOWFGLINS</a> and Jami @ <a href="http://eatnourishing.com/" target="_blank">Eat Nourishing</a> ($20.00)<br />
<a href="http://www.spain-in-iowa.com/">Seasonal Menu Plans on a Budget: A Month of Meals from My Humble Kitchen to Yours</a> by Diana @ <a href="http://www.spain-in-iowa.com/">My Humble Kitchen</a> ($4.99)<br />
<a href="http://just-making-noise.blogspot.com/p/just-making-ebooks.html" target="_blank">Just Making Ice Cream</a> by Marillyn @ <a href="http://just-making-noise.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Just Making Noise</a> ($12.00)<br />
<a href="http://www.handypantry.com/freebook" target="_blank">The Curative Kitchen</a> by Susan @ <a href="http://www.handypantry.com/" target="_blank">Handy Pantry</a> ($20.00)
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<h3>
Pregnancy & Baby Care</h3>
<a href="http://firstbitesbook.com/">First Bites</a> by Hilary @ <a href="http://www.accidentallygreen.com/">Accidentally Green</a> ($9.99)<br />
<a href="http://thehumbledhomemaker.com/cloth-diaper-convert" target="_blank">Confessions of a Cloth Diaper Convert</a> by Erin @ <a href="http://thehumbledhomemaker.com/" target="_blank">The Humbled Homemaker</a> ($9.95)<br />
<a href="http://www.yourthrivingfamily.com/2013/03/your-guide-to-stress-free-baby-shower.html" target="_blank">Stress-Free Baby Shower</a> by Sara @ <a href="http://www.yourthrivingfamily.com/" target="_blank">Your Thriving Family</a> ($4.00)<br />
<a href="http://unboundbirth.com/store/" target="_blank">Unbound Birth</a> by Jenny @ <a href="http://thesoutherninstitute.com/" target="_blank">The Southern Institute</a> ($2.99)<br />
<a href="http://simplydesigns.org/products/my-pregnancy-journey-a-printable-journal-and-planner/" target="_blank">My Pregnancy Journey</a> by Mindy @ <a href="http://simplydesigns.org/" target="_blank">Simply Designs</a> ($9.99)<br />
<a href="http://www.hardlotion.com/ebook/" target="_blank">My Buttered Life Baby Edition</a> by Renee @ <a href="http://www.hardlotion.com/" target="_blank">Made On Hard Lotion</a> ($5.00)<br />
<a href="http://www.theminimalistmom.com/book/" target="_blank">The Minimalist Mom’s Guide to Baby’s First Year</a> by Rachel @ <a href="http://www.theminimalistmom.com/" target="_blank">The Minimalist Mom</a> ($5.00)<br />
<a href="http://redeemingchildbirth.com/free-downloads/reader-only/" target="_blank">Redeeming Childbirth: Growth & Study Guide</a> by Angie @ <a href="http://redeemingchildbirth.com/" target="_blank">Redeeming Childbirth</a> ($3.99)
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<h3>
Holidays & Special Events</h3>
<a href="http://www.modernalternativemama.com/festive-traditions/?ap_id=jillmarks#.UWxTkbWTiSp" target="_blank">Festive Traditions</a> by Jill @ <a href="http://www.modernalternativemama.com/" target="_blank">Modern Alternative Kitchen</a> ($7.95)<br />
<a href="http://www.littlenaturalcottage.com/cottage-mama-ebooks-shoppe/holiday-mixes-gifts-in-a-jar/" target="_blank">Holiday Mixes: Gifts in a Jar</a> by Kristy @ <a href="http://www.littlenaturalcottage.com/" target="_blank">Little Natural Cottage</a> ($4.00)<br />
<a href="http://frugalgranola.com/books/flourishing-spring/" target="_blank">Flourishing Spring</a> by Michele @ <a href="http://frugalgranola.com/" target="_blank">Frugal Granola</a> ($5.95)<br />
<a href="http://www.kitchenstewardship.com/ebooks-at-kitchen-stewardship/" target="_blank">Family Camping Handbook</a> by Katie @ <a href="http://www.kitchenstewardship.com/" target="_blank">Kitchen Stewardship</a> ($6.95)<br />
<a href="http://truthinthetinsel.com/buy-the-book/" target="_blank">Truth in the Tinsel</a> by Amanda @ <a href="http://ohamanda.com/" target="_blank">Oh, Amanda!</a> ($7.99)<br />
<a href="http://www.givinguponperfect.com/plan-a-fabulous-party/" target="_blank">Plan a Fabulous Party</a> by Mary @ <a href="http://www.givinguponperfect.com/" target="_blank">Giving Up on Perfect</a> ($4.99)<br />
<a href="http://store.alliworthington.com/iphone-photography-the-visual-guide/" target="_blank">iPhone Photography: The Visual Guide</a> by Alli @ <a href="http://about.alliworthington.com/" target="_blank">Alli Worthington</a>($9.97)
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<h3>
Spiritual Growth</h3>
<a href="http://amybayliss.com/pursuit-of-proverbs-31-bible-study-and-inspiration/" target="_blank">Pursuit of the Proverbs 31</a> by Amy @ <a href="http://amybayliss.com/" target="_blank">Amy Bayliss</a> ($3.99)<br />
<a href="http://www.visionarywomanhood.com/the-best-of-visionary-womanhood-volume-one/" target="_blank">The Best of Visionary Womanhood</a> by Natalie @ <a href="http://www.visionarywomanhood.com/" target="_blank">Visionary Womanhood</a> ($5.00)<br />
<a href="http://www.thepurposefulmom.com/p/gods-word-in-my-heart.html" target="_blank">God’s Word in my Heart: A Scripture Memory Learning Guide with Verses {all 4 versions}</a> by Jenn @ <a href="http://www.thepurposefulmom.com/" target="_blank">The Purposeful Mom</a> ($3.99)<br />
<a href="http://quenchbible.com/bible-studies/kept/" target="_blank">Kept: a 13-Week Inductive Study on 1 Peter</a> by Lara and Katie @ <a href="http://quenchbible.com/" target="_blank">Quench Bible</a> ($4.99)<br />
<a href="http://quenchbible.com/bible-studies/love-like-him/" target="_blank">Love Like Him: an 8 week Inductive Bible study on 1 Corinthians 13</a><strong></strong> by Lara and Katie @ <a href="http://quenchbible.com/" target="_blank">Quench Bible</a> ($2.99)
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<h3>
Marriage & Romance</h3>
<a href="http://youngwifesguide.com/rekindling-romance-ebooklet-printables-kit/" target="_blank">Rekindling Romance</a> by Jason & Jami @ <a href="http://abiblicalmarriage.com/" target="_blank">A Biblical Marriage</a> ($4.99)<br />
<a href="http://time-warp-wife.blogspot.com/2012/03/good-wifes-guide.html" target="_blank">Good Wife’s Guide</a> by Darlene @ <a href="http://time-warp-wife.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Time-Warp Wife</a> ($2.99)<br />
<a href="http://31daystopray.com/buy-the-book/" target="_blank">31 Days to Build a Better Spouse</a> by Ashley @ <a href="http://ashleypichea.com/" target="_blank">Ashley Pichea</a> ($4.99)<br />
<a href="http://tolovehonorandvacuum.com/2012/11/31-days-to-great-sex-is-here/" target="_blank">31 Days to Great Sex</a> by Sheila @ <a href="http://tolovehonorandvacuum.com/" target="_blank">To Love, Honor and Vacuum</a> ($4.99)<br />
<a href="http://entangledbook.com/" target="_blank">Entangled: Recognize Your Emotional Affair</a> by Amy @ <a href="http://www.amyjbennett.com/" target="_blank">Amy J. Bennett</a> ($4.99)
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<h3>
Motherhood</h3>
<a href="http://www.theheartofsimplicity.com/purchase/" target="_blank">The Heart of Simplicity</a> by various authors @ <a href="http://www.theheartofsimplicity.com/" target="_blank">The Heart of Simplicity</a> ($9.99)<br />
<a href="http://www.truechristianmotherhood.com/p/buy-book.html" target="_blank">True Christian Motherhood</a> by June @ <a href="http://www.awisewomanbuildsherhome.com/" target="_blank">A Wise Woman Builds Her Home</a> ($7.00)<br />
<a href="http://www.hulahoopgirl.net/" target="_blank">Hula Hoop Girl</a> by September @ <a href="http://www.septembermccarthy.com/" target="_blank">One September Day</a> ($4.99)<br />
<a href="http://www.generationcedar.com/main/our-products/ebooks" target="_blank">When Motherhood Feels Too Hard</a> by Kelly @ <a href="http://www.generationcedar.com/" target="_blank">Generation Cedar</a> ($4.97)<br />
<a href="http://mindsetformoms.com/buy-the-book/" target="_blank">Mindset for Moms</a> by Jamie @ <a href="http://www.steadymom.com/" target="_blank">Steady Days</a> ($4.99)<br />
<a href="http://www.cube2farm.com/ebook/" target="_blank">From Cube to Farm</a> by Heather @ <a href="http://www.cube2farm.com/" target="_blank">From Cube to Farm</a> ($2.99)<br />
<a href="http://4moms35kids.com/4-moms-of-35-kids-answer-your-parenting-questions-ebook-sale/" target="_blank">4 Moms of 35+ Kids Answer Your Parenting Questions</a> by various authors @ <a href="http://4moms35kids.com/" target="_blank">4 Moms, 35+ Kids Parenting E-book</a> ($7.99)<br />
<a href="http://thatworksfor.me/buy/" target="_blank">That Works for Me!</a> by Kristen @ <a href="http://wearethatfamily.com/" target="_blank">We are THAT Family</a> ($8.00)
<br />
<h3>
Health & Fitness</h3>
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/100-Pound-Loser-Control-ebook/dp/B009UKX7HY/" target="_blank">100-pound Loser</a> by Jessica @ <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Jessica.M.Heights">Muthering Heights</a> ($4.99)<br />
<a href="http://www.domesticserenity.org/honoring-the-rhythm-of-rest/" target="_blank">Honoring the Rhythm of Rest</a> by Danielle @ <a href="http://www.domesticserenity.org/" target="_blank">Domestic Serenity</a> ($2.99)<br />
<a href="http://42daystofit.com/books/" target="_blank">42 Days to Fit</a> by Brandy @ <a href="http://themarathonmom.com/" target="_blank">The Marathon Mom</a>, Emma @ <a href="http://realfitmoms.com/" target="_blank">Real Fit Moms</a> and Stacy @ <a href="http://adelightfulhome.com/" target="_blank">A Delightful Home</a> ($4.99)<br />
<a href="http://www.keeperofthehome.org/my-books/my-ebook-healthy-homemaking" target="_blank">Healthy Homemaking</a> by Stephanie @ <a href="http://www.keeperofthehome.org/" target="_blank">Keeper of the Home</a> ($12.95)<br />
<a href="http://www.listplanit.com/store/eplanners/personal-eplanner/" target="_blank">Personal ePlanner</a> by Jennifer @ <a href="https://www.listplanit.com/" target="_blank">ListPlanIt</a> ($5.00)
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<h3>
Beauty</h3>
<a href="http://frumpstopumps.com/buy-the-book-or-get-it-for-free/" target="_blank">Frumps to Pumps</a> by Sarah Mae @ <a href="http://sarahmae.com/" target="_blank">SaraMae.com</a> ($4.99)<br />
<a href="http://www.littlenaturalcottage.com/cottage-mama-ebooks-shoppe/the-cottage-mamas-diy-guide/" target="_blank">The Cottage Mama’s DIY Guide</a> by Kristy @ <a href="http://www.littlenaturalcottage.com/" target="_blank">Little Natural Cottage</a> ($4.00)<br />
<a href="http://adelightfulhome.com/simplescrubs/" target="_blank">Simple Scrubs to Make and Give</a> by Stacy @ <a href="http://adelightfulhome.com/" target="_blank">A Delightful Home</a> ($3.99)<br />
<a href="http://www.thenobrainerwardrobe.com/about-the-book/" target="_blank">The No Brainer Wardrobe by Hayley</a> @ <a href="http://www.thenobrainerwardrobe.com/" target="_blank">The No Brainer Wardrobe</a> ($7.99)<br />
<a href="http://trinaholden.com/embracing-beauty/" target="_blank">Embracing Beauty</a> by Trina @ <a href="http://trinaholden.com/" target="_blank">Trina Holden</a> ($9.00)<br />
<a href="http://www.thefrugalgirl.com/reuse-refresh-repurpose/" target="_blank">Reuse, Refresh, Repurpose</a> by Kristen @ <a href="http://www.thefrugalgirl.com/" target="_blank">The Frugal Girl</a> ($3.99)
<br />
<h3>
Working from Home & Blogging</h3>
<a href="http://christianmommyblogger.com/your-blogging-business-tax-talk-and-tips/" target="_blank">Your Blogging Business: Tax, Talk and Tips</a> by Nikki @ <a href="http://christianmommyblogger.com/" target="_blank">Christian Mommy Blogger</a> ($4.99)<br />
<a href="http://www.thebootstrapva.com/" target="_blank">The Bootstrap VA</a> by Lisa @ <a href="http://www.thehomelifeand.me/" target="_blank">The Home Life {and Me}</a> ($12.99)<br />
<a href="http://www.growinghomeblog.com/p/how-to-grow-your-blog.html" target="_blank">How to Grow Your Blog and Manage Your Home</a> by Jacinda @ <a href="http://www.growinghomeblog.com/" target="_blank">Growing Home</a> ($4.99)<br />
<a href="http://life.yourway.net/how-to-have-your-cake-and-eat-it-too/" target="_blank">How to Have Your Cake and Eat It, Too</a> by Mandi @ <a href="http://life.yourway.net/" target="_blank">Life Your Way</a> ($12.00)<br />
<a href="http://simpleblogging.net/" target="_blank">Simple Blogging: Less Computer Time, Better Blogging</a> by Rachel @ <a href="http://smallnotebook.org/" target="_blank">Small Notebook</a> ($8.00)
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<h3>
Ecourses</h3>
<a href="http://cafe.tougas.net/products/learning-love-preschool-years" target="_blank">Learning in Love: The Preschool Years</a> by Renee @ <a href="http://fimby.tougas.net/" target="_blank">FIMBY</a> ($7.99)<br />
<a href="http://cafe.tougas.net/products/homeschooling-heart-ages-5-8" target="_blank">Homeschooling from the Heart</a> by Renee @ <a href="http://fimby.tougas.net/" target="_blank">FIMBY</a> ($7.99)<br />
<a href="http://groceryuniversity.com/grocery-university/" target="_blank">Grocery University</a> by Carrie @ <a href="http://coloradobargains.com/" target="_blank">Colorado Bargains</a> ($24.95)<br />
<a href="http://www.wellgroundedsite.com/work-with-lisa/courses/" target="_blank">Vibrant Living Strategies for Moms</a> by Lisa @ <a href="http://www.wellgroundedsite.com/" target="_blank">Well-Grounded Life</a> ($59)<br />
<a href="http://heavenlyhomemakers.com/ecourses/welcome-to-heavenly-homemakers-ecourses/" target="_blank">You Can Do This! The First Five Steps to a Real Food Kitchen</a> by Laura @ <a href="http://heavenlyhomemakers.com/" target="_blank">Heavenly Homemakers</a> ($5.00)
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<h3>
PLUS, You will receive FREE Bonuses from these companies...</h3>
<a href="http://fit2b.us/" target="_blank" title="Fit 2 Be Studio - Wholesome Workouts for the Whole Family"><img alt="" class="alignleft" height="75" src="http://www.keeperofthehome.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Fit2B_Logo.png" title="Fit2B_Logo" width="75" /></a>A FREE Two-Month Membership to <a href="http://fit2b.us/" target="_blank">Fit2B Studio</a>, where their wholesome workouts for the whole family are <a href="http://fit2b.us/" target="_blank">tummy safe</a> and particularly target Diastasis Recti (split abs). (<strong>$19.98 value.</strong> <em>No shipping restrictions.</em>)<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.trukid.com/" target="_blank" title="Tru Kid Natural Body Care for Kids"><img alt="" class="alignleft" height="75" src="http://www.keeperofthehome.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/TK_Logo-square.png" title="TK_Logo square" width="75" /></a>A $15 store credit to <a href="http://shop.trukid.com/" target="_blank">TruKid</a>. With products like their aware-winning sun care, they are dedicated to providing all natural skin and hair care for kids, babies, and now pets. (<strong>$15.00 value.</strong> <em>Standard shipping applies. International shipping available.</em>)<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.redmondtrading.com/" target="_blank" title="Redmond Trading - Real Products for Real People"><img alt="" class="alignleft" height="53" src="http://www.keeperofthehome.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/RedmondIncBlack1-300x210.jpg" title="Redmond Trading Inc." width="75" /></a>Your choice of incredible natural products like sea salt and clay for FREE. Choose from the <a href="http://www.redmondtrading.com/" target="_blank">Redmond Trading</a> Earthpaste Bundle (<strong>$24.90 value</strong>) or the Facial Mud Bundle (<strong>$26.90 value)</strong>. (<em>Standard shipping applies. Continental US only.</em>)<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.culturesforhealth.com/" target="_blank" title="Cultures for Health - Where Health Food Starts"><img alt="" class="alignleft" height="75" src="http://www.keeperofthehome.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/CFH_MainLogoBig-500px-150x150.jpg" title="Cultures for Health" width="75" /></a>Your choice of a <a href="http://www.culturesforhealth.com/starter-cultures/sourdough-starter.html" target="_blank" title="Sourdough Starter"><em>FREE heirloom</em> sourdough starter</a> or <a href="http://www.culturesforhealth.com/starter-cultures/yogurt-starter.html" target="_blank" title="Traditional Buttermilk Starter"><em>FREE</em> yogurt starter</a> from <a href="https://www.culturesforhealth.com/" target="_blank">Cultures for Health</a>, the leading supplier of starter cultures and supplies for making cultured and fermented foods (<strong>$12.95 value</strong><em>. US & CAN addresses only. Standard shipping applies</em>.)<br />
<div>
<br />
<a href="http://www.keeperofthehome.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/PlanToEat-150x150.gif"><img alt="" class=" wp-image-23024 alignleft" height="75" src="http://www.keeperofthehome.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/PlanToEat-150x150.gif" title="PlanToEat-150x150" width="75" /></a>Your choice of: a <strong><em>FREE</em></strong> 3-Month Subscription (for new accounts) or 30% off a One Year Subscription. <a href="http://www.plantoeat.com/" target="_blank">Plan to Eat</a> is an online menu planner that uses your recipes, scheduled for the days you want them. (<strong>$15.00 value</strong>. <em>No shipping restrictions.</em>)<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.wheatgrasskits.com" target="_blank" title="Wheatgrass Kits - A living whole foods company"><img alt="" class="wp-image-22891 alignleft" height="75" src="http://www.keeperofthehome.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/WheatGrassKits.com-square.png" title="WheatGrassKits.com square" width="75" /></a>A FREE Culinary Herbs Assorted Seed Pack Check just in time for spring planting from <a href="http://www.wheatgrasskits.com/" target="_blank">www.wheatgrasskits.com</a>, a living whole foods company. (<strong>$11.95 value.</strong> <em>Standard shipping applies to all US states and territories- no international shipping for seeds.</em>)<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.union28.net/" target="_blank" title="Union 28 - Marriage Apparel"><img alt="" class="alignleft" height="75" src="http://www.keeperofthehome.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/union-28-square-logo.png" title="union 28 square logo" width="75" /></a> Get $10 off <a href="http://www.union28.net/" target="_blank">Union28's</a> original "my husband rocks" tee. Their marriage apparel lets you celebrate your spouse in style. (<strong>$10.00 value</strong>. <em>Standard shipping rates apply. International shipping available, but free shipping only available within USA.</em>)<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.beeallnatural.com/" target="_blank" title="Bee All Natural - Organic Skincare for Everyone"><img alt="" class="wp-image-22892 alignleft" height="75" src="http://www.keeperofthehome.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Bee-all-natural-square.jpg" title="Bee all natural square" width="75" /></a>A $10 store credit plus 1 FREE lip balm from <a href="http://www.beeallnatural.com/" target="_blank">Bee All Natural</a>. Their whole body products nourish and heal, and are made using only the highest quality, food grade, organic ingredients. (<strong>$13.49 value.</strong><em> Standard shipping applies. International shipping available.</em>)<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.trilighthealth.com/" target="_blank" title="Trilight Health - Fast Acting, Great Tasting - Liquid Health Formulas"><img alt="" class="wp-image-22896 alignleft" height="75" src="http://www.keeperofthehome.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/TLH_LOGO_square.png" title="TLH_LOGO_square" width="75" /></a>A FREE 2 oz. bottle of your choice of liquid herbal formula from <a href="https://www.trilighthealth.com/" target="_blank">TriLight Health</a>. They specialize in fast acting, great tasting natural herbal remedies. (<strong>$12.95 value or more</strong>. <em>Standard shipping applies, within the USA only.</em>)
<br />
<div>
<br />
<a href="https://www.listplanit.com/" target="_blank" title="List PlanIt - Lists to put your world in order"><img alt="" class="alignleft" height="75" src="http://www.keeperofthehome.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/square-logo-150x150.jpg" title="square logo" width="75" /></a>Your choice of 3 FREE ePlanners OR a 3-Month FREE Membership to <a href="https://www.listplanit.com/" target="_blank">ListPlanIt</a>, whose mobile lists will help to organize your life. (<strong>$15.00 value</strong>. <em>No shipping restrictions.)</em></div>
<h4>
The fine print:</h4>
<strong>Bonus Offers</strong>
<br />
<ul>
<li>Each bonus offer can be redeemed once only per eBook Bundle purchase.</li>
<li>For each bonus offer, transaction numbers or proof of purchase may be required at the time of redemption.</li>
<li>All bonus offers are free gifts from the bonus sponsors, are their sole responsibility to provide, and are subject to availability.</li>
<li>All bonus offers expire at midnight on May 19th, 2013 (2 weeks from the last day of this sale).</li>
</ul>
<strong>General</strong>
<br />
<ul>
<li>It is your responsibility to download and back-up your purchase within the 1-month download time-frame. With proof of purchase, we can renew download links up until August 1st, 2013. After this date we will no longer have access to the books and will not be able to provide any new links to download.</li>
<li>Due to the nature of this sale, <strong>there will be no refunds available.</strong> However, <strong>we would invite you to read <a href="http://www.keeperofthehome.org/ultimate-homemaking-ebook-bundle-faq" target="_blank">our Frequently Asked Questions page</a></strong> to learn more about the file types, the download process, how the bonus offers work, etc.</li>
</ul>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.e-junkie.com/ecom/gb.php?ii=1225456&c=cart&aff=200027&ejc=2&cl=229192" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-22951" height="89" src="http://www.keeperofthehome.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Buy-Now-Pink-and-Green.png" title="Buy Now Pink and Green" width="300" /></a></div>
</div>
<br />
<blockquote>
Please note: <strong>This collection is only available from 9 a.m. EST on April 29th to 11:59 p.m. EST on May 4th.</strong> There will be no late sales offered, so make sure that you get your bundle right away!</blockquote>
Particularly for those wanting to read these ebooks on their mobile devices (iPhones or iPads, Android, Kindle, etc.) you will want to <a href="http://www.keeperofthehome.org/ultimate-homemaking-ebook-bundle-faq" target="_blank">learn more about the file types, how to download them correctly, and how to transfer them to your device</a>.
<br />
<h6>
This post includes affiliate links, and I make a portion of the sale of each ebook bundle. Thanks for your support of this site!"</h6>
<br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/290/9D42E77DA267E2BA913844D2D5F280F1.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a><br />
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<br />Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13548258176500952731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23731336654228162.post-18865242388938480392013-04-26T14:59:00.001-05:002013-04-26T14:59:43.070-05:00On the horizon....I've got a lot of stuff brewing under the surface of this blog, but I can't reveal it all until next week. Big announcements, lots of recipes, etc. Here's a heads-up on something HUGE that will arrive on Monday:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhin46V5VOpp5ZsevQj-yQmjWwPHHKAbU7HDH01PsESYhirHlva502N3iH1WKs0haM6Khv-qon1RVd2R6PZmeqyzvTnTlYQf27waqBeV6WUbJNgFHq5zde6BE7fQU7BGmjNvbDUNgGnXQ/s1600/UHeB-443x443.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhin46V5VOpp5ZsevQj-yQmjWwPHHKAbU7HDH01PsESYhirHlva502N3iH1WKs0haM6Khv-qon1RVd2R6PZmeqyzvTnTlYQf27waqBeV6WUbJNgFHq5zde6BE7fQU7BGmjNvbDUNgGnXQ/s320/UHeB-443x443.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
97 e-books!!!!<br />
<br />
I have a few of the books already and enjoy them. Here are a few of the ones I am looking forward to most:<br />
<br />
Easy Peasy Chores: An Easy-to-Use Chore System that Brings JOY Back into Family Chores<br />
<br />
The Homemaker's Guide to Creating the Perfect Schedule<br />
<br />
Become a Frugalista in 30 Days<br />
<br />
Crock On<br />
<br />
20-Minute Meals<br />
<br />
iPhone Photography: The Visual Guide<br />
<br />
Kept: An Inductive 13-Week Study on 1 Peter<br />
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31 Days to Great Sex (Mom, pretend you didn't see that!)<br />
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True Christian Motherhood<br />
<br />
The No Brainer Wardrobe<br />
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If I bought each of these separately, I would spend $71.90. But there are 87 more books included for only $29.97 - plus some great freebies! I plan to buy mine on Monday morning, and I hope you will, too.<br />
<br />
Disclaimer: I am an affiliate, which means I will get a percentage of each sale that comes via the links you will see in my post on Monday. There are TONS of bloggers who will be promoting this sale. If you're going to buy it anyway, pretty please buy it through me. :)<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/290/9D42E77DA267E2BA913844D2D5F280F1.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a><br />
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<br />
This post may be linked up to one or more of the following blog parties. Check them out!
Monday: <a href="http://orgjunkie.com/category/menu-plan-monday" target="_blank">Menu Plan Monday on I'm an Organizing Junkie</a>
Wednesday: <a href="http://wearethatfamily.com/category/wfmw/" target="_blank">Works for Me Wednesday at We are THAT Family</a>
Friday: <a href="http://thegypsymama.com/category/five-minute-friday/" target="_blank">5 Minute Friday at The Gypsy Mama</a>, <a href="http://www.homesanctuary.com/rachelanne/coffees-on/" target="_blank">Company Girl Coffee at Home Sanctuary</a>, <a href="http://piecesofamy.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Pieces of Amy</a>
Other days: <a href="http://proverbs14verse1.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">A Wise Woman Builds Her Home</a>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13548258176500952731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23731336654228162.post-16339328642041231022013-03-23T11:40:00.001-05:002013-03-23T11:40:24.798-05:00Posts Worth Reading<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XYsI9v_20n8/TyMMwxJLJQI/AAAAAAAAATs/ujyCA9m2mZg/s1600/Weekend+Links.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="175" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XYsI9v_20n8/TyMMwxJLJQI/AAAAAAAAATs/ujyCA9m2mZg/s200/Weekend+Links.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
This past week, I have read 3 blog posts that have just been particularly amazing. The first two have been making the rounds on Facebook, so you may have already seen them, but just in case:<br />
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<a href="http://www.aholyexperience.com/2013/03/after-steubenville-what-our-sons-needs-to-know-about-manhood/" target="_blank">25 Things Our Sons Need to Know About Manhood</a><br />
Really, you can just never go wrong with reading something by Ann Voskamp, but I thought this was particularly good.<br />
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<a href="http://wearethatfamily.com/2013/03/raising-daughters-in-a-world-that-devalues-them-7-things-we-must-tell-them/" target="_blank">Raising Daughters in a World that Devalues Them: 7 Things We Must Tell Them</a><br />
If you have a daughter, know a daughter, are a daughter ... read this.<br />
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This one hasn't made the rounds, but I don't know why. I think it's awesome. It expressed how I feel (and how I want to feel) in my soon-to-be-the-big-4-0 body.<br />
<a href="http://lisajobaker.com/2013/03/on-showing-your-waist-grace/" target="_blank">On Showing Your Waist Grace</a><br />
I wanted to jump and shout ... and buy clothes that actually fit instead of waiting for the ones in my closet to fit again. It doesn't mean I'm giving up. It just means I want to feel better about myself TODAY.<br />
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And this... I read it a couple of months ago, and it has stuck with me.<br />
<a href="http://www.jenhatmaker.com/blog/2012/12/21/women-of-valor-pinterest-aside" target="_blank">Women of Valor ... Pinterest Aside</a><br />
I really should read this at least once a week. This gave me a whole new, freeing, perspective on that woman with whom I have a love/hate relationship - the Proverbs 31 woman.<br />
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Happy Reading!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/290/9D42E77DA267E2BA913844D2D5F280F1.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
This post may be linked up to one or more of the following blog parties. Check them out!
Monday: <a href="http://orgjunkie.com/category/menu-plan-monday" target="_blank">Menu Plan Monday on I'm an Organizing Junkie</a>
Wednesday: <a href="http://wearethatfamily.com/category/wfmw/" target="_blank">Works for Me Wednesday at We are THAT Family</a>
Friday: <a href="http://thegypsymama.com/category/five-minute-friday/" target="_blank">5 Minute Friday at The Gypsy Mama</a>, <a href="http://www.homesanctuary.com/rachelanne/coffees-on/" target="_blank">Company Girl Coffee at Home Sanctuary</a>, <a href="http://piecesofamy.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Pieces of Amy</a>
Other days: <a href="http://proverbs14verse1.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">A Wise Woman Builds Her Home</a>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13548258176500952731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23731336654228162.post-66315917414408180632013-03-22T10:43:00.001-05:002013-03-22T10:43:50.751-05:00Matt's Sister<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-otucxlW9LCY/UUxlaKy4MpI/AAAAAAAAAew/KNchd0Geieo/s1600/Laura+Matt+Julie+1991+-+Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-otucxlW9LCY/UUxlaKy4MpI/AAAAAAAAAew/KNchd0Geieo/s320/Laura+Matt+Julie+1991+-+Copy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Matt, Julie, and me, circa 1990.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;"> My brother titled this picture, "Bangs, Braces, and a Turtleneck." Ha!</span></i></div>
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Back in the Fall of 2000, David and I had just moved to Bremerton, Washington (just across Puget Sound from Seattle). Having withdrawals from SEC football (it's just NOT the same in other parts of the country), we discovered there was an Auburn Club that met to watch games in Seattle, so we made the early-morning (because of the time difference) ferry ride over to join in the fun. <br />
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It was enjoyable meeting other members of the Auburn Family and sharing that inexplicable bond. We didn't seem to have too much else in common ... until one of them asked me, "Aren't you Matt's sister?" And there it was. Literally 2500 miles away from where I grew up, I didn't have my own identity. I was Matt's sister.<br />
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I shouldn't have been surprised by this. Although I'm the eldest and "paved the way" through Hartselle City Schools and Auburn University, Matt (and Julie, for that matter) most certainly made the larger impact. Voted Mr. HJHS in 8th grade, his popularity continued unabated through high school. Believe it or not, Matt was terrified of starting school at Auburn, but it wasn't long before we were bombarded with "Hey, Matt!," "What's up, Matt?," and "How's it going, Matt?" as we walked along the Concourse together. The boy had made more friends in his first term at Auburn than I had made in almost 4 years.<br />
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[Funny story: Matt and I lived together for two terms during his first year at Auburn and my last year. Before moving down that Fall, Matt told all of his friends that he was "shacking up" with his sister. I had to quickly set him straight that "shacking up" didn't mean what he thought it meant. :)]<br />
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We got along fabulously during those 6 months or so of sharing an apartment, and I'm so glad we had that experience. However, it demonstrated our differences in living color. I was content to work alone for hours on end. Matt had to have some sort of contact with me or some other person at least once during every waking hour. When I was just turning in for the night, Matt was just heading out. I didn't date much at Auburn, Matt ... did. But we invented a terrific game called Wall Ball that I still miss playing. (Sorry, downstairs neighbors!!) Also, ask him sometime about the AbFlex and our version of the Slim Fast plan. :)<br />
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Matt has always been extremely generous - especially when it involved spending my parents' money. Salespeople quickly figured out the best time to knock on the door of our apartment because Matt always bought whatever they were selling. He was also quick to buy appetizers for everyone at the table whenever he went out to eat. (This may or may not have contributed to the number of friends he managed to make.) It took Dad a while to figure out why I had been able to make the money last a lot longer than Matt.... I have a feeling, though, that's he's still generous even with his own money.</div>
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Today is Matt's 36th birthday, and I couldn't be prouder of the man he has become. God has certainly used his love for people and ease at making friends for His glory. A couple of years ago, Matt earned his PhD in Practical Theology from Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary. I like to take a tiny bit of credit for this since I taught him to read using the book <i>Morris the Moose Goes to School</i>. However, prior to college, I'm pretty sure the only other book he had read was <i>Bo Knows Bo</i>, so "Matt Pearson, PhD" came as a surprise to all of us. :)<br />
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He is currently serving the Lord as the pastor of First Baptist Church in El Dorado, Arkansas, and as a Trustee for the International Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention. He has a heart for missions, and his churches quickly become known nationally for their giving and participation in mission work. He has taught and preached all over the world. And being the most prolific writer of the Five Blogging Pearsons, you can follow him <a href="http://matthewspearson.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">here</a>. <br />
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I'm sure if I visited most parts of Arkansas, anywhere in Alabama, certain regions of Africa, and apparently lots of other unexpected places, I would still be known as Matt's Sister. That's OK with me. It's one of my favorite titles.<br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/290/9D42E77DA267E2BA913844D2D5F280F1.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a><br />
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This post may be linked up to one or more of the following blog parties. Check them out!
Monday: <a href="http://orgjunkie.com/category/menu-plan-monday" target="_blank">Menu Plan Monday on I'm an Organizing Junkie</a>
Wednesday: <a href="http://wearethatfamily.com/category/wfmw/" target="_blank">Works for Me Wednesday at We are THAT Family</a>
Friday: <a href="http://thegypsymama.com/category/five-minute-friday/" target="_blank">5 Minute Friday at The Gypsy Mama</a>, <a href="http://www.homesanctuary.com/rachelanne/coffees-on/" target="_blank">Company Girl Coffee at Home Sanctuary</a>, <a href="http://piecesofamy.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Pieces of Amy</a>
Other days: <a href="http://proverbs14verse1.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">A Wise Woman Builds Her Home</a>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13548258176500952731noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23731336654228162.post-83904251723392865902013-02-08T18:42:00.001-06:002013-02-10T15:30:17.929-06:00The Holy Grail of BarbecueThere's Memphis barbecue, East Tennessee barbecue, and Texas brisket. There's red sauce, white sauce, and no sauce. There's pork, beef, turkey, and chicken. Everyone seems to have a version that is "the best."<br />
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But for those of us privileged to have lived in North Alabama, there are only three kids of barbecue - <a href="http://www.bigbobgibson.com/" target="_blank">Big Bob Gibson's</a>, <a href="http://www.whitts3.com/ordereze/default.aspx" target="_blank">Whitt's</a>, and sad imitations.<br />
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My personal favorite is Whitt's. I could probably count on one hand the number of foods <b>in the world</b> that I would prefer over a Whitt's barbecue sandwich. My mouth is watering just thinking about it. Although you can add either a mayonnaise-based sauce or a vinegar-based sauce to Whitt's BBQ, it's not necessary at all. The flavor is cooked right into the meat. Every single bite is delicious, not just the outside skin or the part doused in sauce (like some other places I've been...). Most people (apart from my husband) like to also put vinegar slaw on their Whitt's sandwich. (I know that doesn't sound good at all. Just trust me. It's amazing.)<br />
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This week, we added US geography back into our homeschool world. The reasons why it left and the reasons it returned are for another post, but suffice it to say, I needed to bring a little fun back. Instead of following a format that had gotten us bogged down before, I decided we would go in alphabetical order. (Mostly to help us learn this song. <i>Sing with me now, HJHS chorus students of the mid-80s.</i>)<br />
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Up first: Alabama!<br />
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One of the parts we enjoyed most when we studied world geography last year was trying foods from the different countries we studied. So I decided to bring that back, too. The curriculum we are loosely following has recipes for many of the states, and the ones for Alabama were Pulled Pork BBQ Sandwiches and Peach Cobbler. (There was no reference given for either recipe, but they both came from the curriculum that can be found at <a href="http://www.confessionsofahomeschooler.com/u-s-geography" target="_blank">this link</a>.) The peach cobbler was OK, but the texture wasn't quite right somehow. I should have just stuck with the <i>Southern Living</i> recipe for that one.</div>
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Not knowing what to expect, I made the BBQ recipe, and to my great surprise, it tasted a lot like Whitt's!! (Note to self: next time add vinegar slaw to the finished sandwich. That was definitely a missing ingredient.) I think I added a bit too much brown sugar (a little more than the recipe called for). Next time, I'll use a bit less sugar and perhaps a bit more vinegar. But even as it was, I thought it was pretty close.</div>
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Pulled Pork BBQ Sandwiches</div>
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1.5 lbs pork tenderloin</div>
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1/2 cup apple cider vinegar</div>
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1/4 cup water</div>
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3 T brown sugar</div>
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2 t kosher salt</div>
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3/4 t ground black pepper</div>
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1/2 t ground red pepper</div>
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1/2 t chili powder</div>
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1/4 t garlic powder</div>
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Hamburger buns</div>
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Combine all ingredients (except pork loin - and buns, of course) in saucepan and bring to a boil. Add pork to pan. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer about 1 hour or until tender. Remove pork from cooking liquid and shred using 2 forks. Place pork in serving dish and pour remaining sauce over pork. </div>
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Note: I combined all ingredients except for the pork in a bowl, placed pork loin in a crock pot, and then poured the sauce over the pork. Then I cooked it on low for about 7-8 hours. Delicious, and super easy!</div>
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Now, if you're expecting a dead ringer for Whitt's, you're going to be disappointed. But it's the closest thing I've tasted outside of Morgan and Limestone counties. Let me know what you think!</div>
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/290/9D42E77DA267E2BA913844D2D5F280F1.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a><br />
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This post may be linked up to one or more of the following blog parties. Check them out!
Monday: <a href="http://orgjunkie.com/category/menu-plan-monday" target="_blank">Menu Plan Monday on I'm an Organizing Junkie</a>
Wednesday: <a href="http://wearethatfamily.com/category/wfmw/" target="_blank">Works for Me Wednesday at We are THAT Family</a>
Friday: <a href="http://thegypsymama.com/category/five-minute-friday/" target="_blank">5 Minute Friday at The Gypsy Mama</a>, <a href="http://www.homesanctuary.com/rachelanne/coffees-on/" target="_blank">Company Girl Coffee at Home Sanctuary</a>, <a href="http://piecesofamy.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Pieces of Amy</a>
Other days: <a href="http://proverbs14verse1.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">A Wise Woman Builds Her Home</a>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13548258176500952731noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23731336654228162.post-84739277801053520372013-02-08T10:58:00.001-06:002013-02-08T10:58:09.389-06:00Grapevine Studies: 20% off everything!<div style="text-align: center;">
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OK, so you may be sick of hearing about <a href="http://www.grapevinestudies.com/?AffId=68" target="_blank">Grapevine Studies</a> by now, but I need to let you know about another sale. You may have missed the 50% off sale on all student books, but don't dismay. I have a special discount code to offer you, my illustrious readers. For the remainder of February, you can get 20% off of EVERYTHING when you use the code BlogFeb.<br />
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Yesterday, I bought our student books for next year. Now, I can also save some money on the teacher book!<br />
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Click <a href="http://www.grapevinestudies.com/?AffId=68" target="_blank">here</a> to go directly to Grapevine Studies. <br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">(Yes, that's an affiliate link. Please help to feed my addiction to these Bible studies. :) )</span><br />
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This post may be linked up to one or more of the following blog parties. Check them out!
Monday: <a href="http://orgjunkie.com/category/menu-plan-monday" target="_blank">Menu Plan Monday on I'm an Organizing Junkie</a>
Wednesday: <a href="http://wearethatfamily.com/category/wfmw/" target="_blank">Works for Me Wednesday at We are THAT Family</a>
Friday: <a href="http://thegypsymama.com/category/five-minute-friday/" target="_blank">5 Minute Friday at The Gypsy Mama</a>, <a href="http://www.homesanctuary.com/rachelanne/coffees-on/" target="_blank">Company Girl Coffee at Home Sanctuary</a>, <a href="http://piecesofamy.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Pieces of Amy</a>
Other days: <a href="http://proverbs14verse1.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">A Wise Woman Builds Her Home</a>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13548258176500952731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23731336654228162.post-4188160151173684962013-02-06T09:00:00.002-06:002013-02-06T09:00:34.171-06:00Trial and Error<i>Today, I'm guest posting for a friend of mine. She's hilarious, honest, a fellow homeschool Mama, and the object of my Hair Envy. (Seriously. Just take a look at her picture and tell me you don't also wish for long, flowing locks.)</i><br />
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Like me, you may have made some New Year's Resolutions about losing
weight, getting more organized, staying on a budget, and so forth. And
by now, also like me, you may have discovered that making resolutions is
much easier than keeping them. After all, there are sometimes "hidden
costs" in trying to cut back - whether it's calories, clutter, or cash.<br />
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I
learned this lesson the hard way a few years ago when we were really
under some financial strain. In an attempt to cut out a "luxury item"
from the budget, I decided to color my own hair. I had done it before
successfully, so this should have been an easy change to make. Taking
it a step further, I decided I would color my hair back to my original
color (to the best of my memory) so I could avoid coloring altogether
for a while.<br />
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Want to read the rest of the story and learn a lesson in what NOT to do? Click <a href="http://www.piecesofamy.net/2013/02/trial-and-error.html" target="_blank">here</a>. And then be sure to follow her blog, too. I promise you won't regret it!<br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/290/9D42E77DA267E2BA913844D2D5F280F1.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a><br />
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This post may be linked up to one or more of the following blog parties. Check them out!
Monday: <a href="http://orgjunkie.com/category/menu-plan-monday" target="_blank">Menu Plan Monday on I'm an Organizing Junkie</a>
Wednesday: <a href="http://wearethatfamily.com/category/wfmw/" target="_blank">Works for Me Wednesday at We are THAT Family</a>
Friday: <a href="http://thegypsymama.com/category/five-minute-friday/" target="_blank">5 Minute Friday at The Gypsy Mama</a>, <a href="http://www.homesanctuary.com/rachelanne/coffees-on/" target="_blank">Company Girl Coffee at Home Sanctuary</a>, <a href="http://piecesofamy.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Pieces of Amy</a>
Other days: <a href="http://proverbs14verse1.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">A Wise Woman Builds Her Home</a>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13548258176500952731noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23731336654228162.post-51651602876020125342013-02-01T18:50:00.003-06:002013-02-01T18:50:56.305-06:00Grapevine Bible Studies<div style="text-align: center;">
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As any new (or even not-so-new) homeschooler can tell you, choosing a curriculum can be one of the most daunting parts of the whole process! There are so many choices for each subject. And if you research for any length of time, you will undoubtedly come across subjects that you never even considered teaching before!<br />
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One of my favorite go-to sites for homeschool inspiration during my first year was <a href="http://www.confessionsofahomeschooler.com/" target="_blank">Confessions of a Homeschooler</a>. She has an amazing amount of information on her site and even some curricula of her own. (We love her Expedition Earth and Road Trip USA geography stuff.) Posts that were most beneficial to me were the ones where she discussed what curriculum she was using with her own children. That's how I first learned about <a href="http://www.grapevinestudies.com/?AffID=68" target="_blank">Grapevine Studies</a>.<br />
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We have been using this for over a year now and love it. My kids literally cheer when I tell them it's Bible time. I like that everything is very clearly laid out for me. My children like that they get to participate in the lessons. It's a win-win.<br />
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Their catch phrase is "Stick Figuring Through the Bible," and that's literally what we are doing. Here's my white board for a recent lesson on King Solomon:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEcrjo15UiCUPo9UaKA5Pcp81XwEPDc7fwojGsYwn_uaixYTmKo7WrUuHnyavIXrPYUdCaeHwaQz57NeQg8Gb4Fc83rAdANHnTueaxMEzYbrYHv6x2gAsDqGqCmbKuERbssT3YXY6u-g/s1600/blogger-image-901048467.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEcrjo15UiCUPo9UaKA5Pcp81XwEPDc7fwojGsYwn_uaixYTmKo7WrUuHnyavIXrPYUdCaeHwaQz57NeQg8Gb4Fc83rAdANHnTueaxMEzYbrYHv6x2gAsDqGqCmbKuERbssT3YXY6u-g/s320/blogger-image-901048467.jpg" width="320" /></a> </div>
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We're doing the Beginner level Old Testament Overview, and it's just what it sounds like. It's very basic and age-appropriate. Each of the squares on my board corresponds to a place in their workbook (or printed out pages, in our case). The drawings are there in my teacher book for me to copy, along with a basic "script" that I can use or (usually) add to as I see fit.<br />
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Here's the teacher book from this same lesson:<br />
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Both of my children love to participate by drawing along with me. Obviously, my 6-year-old is quite a bit better at this than my 4-year-old, but she still enjoys being a part of everything. Here's the 6-year-old's work:<br />
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They have recently come out with <a href="http://www.grapevinestudies.com/Traceables_c_92.html?AffId=68" target="_blank">Traceables</a> for 3-5 year olds, which I think is a great idea! It's the same stick figures but printed in a way that those younger children can trace over them instead of trying to recreate them on their own.<br />
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Grapevine Studies are not just for younger students or homeschoolers. I think this would be great in a Sunday school class or other type of Bible study. There are seven levels, ranging from 3-year-olds through adult. There are also multi-level books for ages 7 and up if you will be teaching different ages at once.<br />
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If you think you might want to explore this a bit further, I have great news. First, you can download a free e-lesson to check it out for yourself. This is from the Multi-Level book on Esther and contains both the teacher and student material. Click <a href="http://www.grapevinestudies.com/Queen-Vashti-Free-eLesson-_p_371.html?AffId=68" target="_blank">here</a> to access it. <br />
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Second, February 1st - 7th, all student books and student e-books are <a href="http://www.grapevinestudies.com/Specials_c_59.html?AffId=68" target="_blank">50% off</a>! No special coupon code needed. The prices are already cut in half for the applicable products.<br />
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Check it out and let me know what you think!<br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/290/9D42E77DA267E2BA913844D2D5F280F1.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">This post contains affiliate links, but yes, we really do use and enjoy Grapevine Studies! </span><br />
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This post may be linked up to one or more of the following blog parties. Check them out!
Monday: <a href="http://orgjunkie.com/category/menu-plan-monday" target="_blank">Menu Plan Monday on I'm an Organizing Junkie</a>
Wednesday: <a href="http://wearethatfamily.com/category/wfmw/" target="_blank">Works for Me Wednesday at We are THAT Family</a>
Friday: <a href="http://thegypsymama.com/category/five-minute-friday/" target="_blank">5 Minute Friday at The Gypsy Mama</a>, <a href="http://www.homesanctuary.com/rachelanne/coffees-on/" target="_blank">Company Girl Coffee at Home Sanctuary</a>, <a href="http://piecesofamy.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Pieces of Amy</a>
Other days: <a href="http://proverbs14verse1.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">A Wise Woman Builds Her Home</a>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13548258176500952731noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23731336654228162.post-92220193543324713062013-01-28T12:49:00.001-06:002013-01-28T12:49:16.025-06:00I Married Mr. Darcy<br />
I read many wonderful books growing up - the Little House series, the Chronicles of Narnia, others by Madeleine L'Engle, and so forth. Yet somehow two books (or groups of books) escaped my attention until later in life: Anne of Green Gables and the novels of Jane Austen. I plan to ensure that my own daughter does not suffer such a fate of missing out on these.<br />
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My college roommate introduced me to Anne, and - although I still haven't actually read the books - after watching all of the movies with her, our true purpose in being at Auburn was clear: to find our Gilberts. She met hers early on and recognized him as The One almost right away. They married while students at Auburn and now have three beautiful daughters.<br />
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Although I also met my husband at Auburn, it took much longer for me to recognize him as being The One. That's because he's not Gilbert. He's Mr. Darcy.<br />
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I finally began reading Jane Austen about 6 years ago and was instantly hooked. Although my favorite remains <i>Persuasion</i>, I cannot help but return to <i>Pride and Prejudice</i> on a regular basis. If you are a woman who has not read these books, please rectify that right away. Until then, allow me to introduce you to Mr. Darcy and my wonderful husband.<br />
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<i>Mr. Darcy is dark and brooding.</i><br />
<i><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/LHv4eHp_gUM?rel=0" width="560"></iframe></i><br />
<i><br /></i>My Mr. Darcy is not exactly a ray of sunshine. I've been known to call him Eyore and tease him about the dark cloud that seems to follow him around. He says that he loved the weather when we lived in Seattle because it "suited his sunny disposition."<br />
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<i>Mr. Darcy is chronically misunderstood.</i><br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/dBgaO9Va5cA?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<i><br /></i>Just like Elizabeth Bennett's Darcy, mine tends to be uncomfortable in social situations, and this is often misunderstood as him being aloof or full of pride. However, in both cases, they wished they were more comfortable interacting with people. Although generally respected, neither is very well understood.<br />
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<i>Elizabeth initially dislikes Mr. Darcy a great deal.</i><br />
<i><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/JF3ueHjUc3k?rel=0" width="420"></iframe></i><br />
<i><br /></i>While I can't say that I disliked my Darcy initially - we became friends pretty easily - I did think he was dreadfully dull. At the time, I had recently had my heart broken by someone who was determined to see the world, always in search of the next adventure, and I was determined to find another like him - more like Wickham. In comparison, my Darcy seemed far too limited in his aspirations and dreams. (Comparing the twists and turns our lives have taken to what I know of that particular heart breaker - the irony of my feelings is astounding.)<br />
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<i>Mr. Darcy was quietly generous to Elizabeth's family, behind the scenes.</i><br />
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I began to see what a generous and giving heart my Darcy possessed. He never hesitated to help someone in need, even if he did not understand the request - giving money to a then-troubled sister, traveling hours to deliver a TV to my mother, and many other examples. He had, and still has, a deep desire to give to others.<br />
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<i>Elizabeth finally realizes how wrong she has been about him.</i><br />
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Not unlike Elizabeth, for me it took a stark comparison of seeing someone I thought I wanted in a new light of reality to see my Darcy for who he truly is. He was not aloof, arrogant, and dull. He was just shy, but with an inner confidence and drive to succeed.<br />
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Sadly, I could not embed this last scene from the American version (controversial among purists, though it is), so you'll have to click this link.<br />
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<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZkQP19Ebzhw" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZkQP19Ebzhw</a><br />
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Sigh.<br />
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Happy Publication Day, Miss Austen!<br />
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Love,<br />
Mrs. Baggett<br />
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Note: All links taken from YouTube.<br />
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This post may be linked up to one or more of the following blog parties. Check them out!
Monday: <a href="http://orgjunkie.com/category/menu-plan-monday" target="_blank">Menu Plan Monday on I'm an Organizing Junkie</a>
Wednesday: <a href="http://wearethatfamily.com/category/wfmw/" target="_blank">Works for Me Wednesday at We are THAT Family</a>
Friday: <a href="http://thegypsymama.com/category/five-minute-friday/" target="_blank">5 Minute Friday at The Gypsy Mama</a>, <a href="http://www.homesanctuary.com/rachelanne/coffees-on/" target="_blank">Company Girl Coffee at Home Sanctuary</a>, <a href="http://piecesofamy.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Pieces of Amy</a>
Other days: <a href="http://proverbs14verse1.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">A Wise Woman Builds Her Home</a>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13548258176500952731noreply@blogger.com4