tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23066814124048530032024-03-05T16:14:46.285-06:00Mad JackieBluring the Line Between Genius and InsanityJackiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11643723543188808273noreply@blogger.comBlogger112125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2306681412404853003.post-65065033162288541352014-08-02T14:30:00.001-05:002014-08-02T14:30:09.389-05:00We've been MATCHED with a birth mom!A few days ago <a href="http://madjackie.blogspot.com/2014/07/being-real-my-struggle-with-adoption.html" target="_blank">I posted about how discouraged I was</a> with adoption. I was trying to find the courage to fundraise and to really have hope that we would adopt. <br />
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Well, something miraculous happened on Thursday, July 31st. When I called an adoption agency to get pricing, I was given the opportunity to have our profile shown to a birth mother. Friday I got the call that she loved us and wants to move forward. <br />
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But now, we're forced to fund raise without a lot of time. We have until the end of this month to come up with $6,000 to move forward with her. <br />
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Will you please read our story in the link below? We would love for you to read about us, to share our story, and to donate if you're able. Please pray for us during this time also, as we're still being very cautiously optimistic that this will work out. <br />
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I've prayed that God will fund us. And if He does, it will be through people like you, who feel led to help us out. We simply cannot do this without you. <br />
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Here is the link to our adoption donation site which tells our story. Please give it a look and a share. I'll be updating again soon.<br />
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<a href="http://www.youcaring.com/ouradoptionfund">www.youcaring.com/ouradoptionfund</a></div>
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Jackiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11643723543188808273noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2306681412404853003.post-91180036280747558462014-07-27T16:10:00.000-05:002014-07-27T16:10:27.632-05:00Being Real: My struggle with adoption.I've abandoned this blog. I've made feeble attempts to come back to it, but all were short lived. I've been questioning why that is. And I think I've finally found the answer. <br />
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I need this blog to be more <i>real</i> if I'm going to get excited about writing again. I need to be able to come here, not just with my lighthearted and funny posts, or informative posts, but also the posts that aren't so happy. The ones that reflect the challenges and heartache and struggles we all go through. <br />
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So, as I take a deep breathe, I'm going to talk about something that's extremely hard for me to talk about: the challenges I've faced in wanting another child.<br />
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In 2009, I was a gestational surrogate. (That journey needs an entirely different post all of itself, one I will hopefully write soon, but for now, just bear with me.) It was an amazing journey, but unfortunately the fertility medications I took so that my body would maintain the pregnancy because the children (yes, twins) were not of my genetics, caused serious medical issues. Because of this, I would be extremely high risk were I to attempt another pregnancy. <br />
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For years I've discussed adoption with my husband. We've always been weary of it because the costs of adopting are so astronomical that it's not practical to assume we'd ever reach our goal without the help and generosity of a lot of people. <br />
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Once we even made a half-hearted attempt at raising funds through a crowd funding site, but it didn't pick up steam and I let it slide behind me. I lost hope. Looking back, it was my fault that it didn't pick up steam. After all, if I weren't more passionate and driven to raise money for my cause, why would anyone else be? Then, shortly after our attempt at raising funds, a personal issue arose and adoption went on the back burner yet again, where it's sat since. <br />
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So, here I am again, trying to gain the courage to begin the astronomical and seemingly impossible task of raising the funds to adopt. We're at a good place in our lives and if ever there were such thing as the perfect time, I'm positive this would be it. <br />
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But, how do I do it? Where does that courage come from? How do I ask people for money when my cause and struggle is no greater than anything going on in their lives, I'm certain? I don't know. But I'm trying to find that courage. I want to do this. I want to yell from the rooftops that NOW is the time for us to adopt and that we want this SO badly, but I can't find my voice. <br />
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It's my hope that this blog post will be the beginning of that courage. That maybe if I'm brave enough to post this, then I can build and move forward and that courage will somehow find its way to me if I just let myself be known that I need it. <br />
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So here I am courage, please seek me out and try to find me and hopefully soon I'll have the strength to walk toward you too. <br />
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<br />Jackiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11643723543188808273noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2306681412404853003.post-1361481818436961882013-08-05T16:21:00.001-05:002013-08-05T16:21:23.134-05:00Bloglovin<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/5382283/?claim=et9uuwt7982">Follow my blog with Bloglovin</a></b></div>
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Hello everyone! Since we no longer have Google Reader (I'll pause here for a moment of silence) I'd like to invite you all to follow me using Bloglovin. Just click on the link above. <b>Thank you!</b></div>
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Jackiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03945541273794835059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2306681412404853003.post-86838660636524390502013-07-22T11:02:00.000-05:002013-07-22T11:02:43.876-05:002012 in Pictures<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
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So, now that I've already established that <a href="http://madjackie.blogspot.com/2013/07/has-it-really-been-almost-year.html">it's been too long</a> since I've been a regular blogger, I'd like to share some pictures from 2012 that I haven't posted. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisxrqLOHPACcEwGXpkxRzj54S5yu6Nj9HyZZ0JL0gdnedOhOTJm9DZyhBP1ArlGmu9DvMXezBsGvQobuibH_1kqh8ft-n_fPtLE8CV4lAc9cAXCfBtW3uhbhwl3zcWAInuiDsrRCJtvk42/s1600/483981_728658671226_1831914066_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisxrqLOHPACcEwGXpkxRzj54S5yu6Nj9HyZZ0JL0gdnedOhOTJm9DZyhBP1ArlGmu9DvMXezBsGvQobuibH_1kqh8ft-n_fPtLE8CV4lAc9cAXCfBtW3uhbhwl3zcWAInuiDsrRCJtvk42/s320/483981_728658671226_1831914066_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The morning after I finished the Bar, this was the first thing I saw. :)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm8BhVS6tBtI5asX8hU5BnFazijz9jjKRNBkqZbZ1uUBZCM5ONf_zGS89yB3_CafxBmkyW_t7wwyRwvCQlE9GS-7oT0zdY2in_qoOrA36Qosge5wUlGip4sewFSKNSZUuQLjvE-73MUnd3/s1600/488156_734888396806_592397202_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm8BhVS6tBtI5asX8hU5BnFazijz9jjKRNBkqZbZ1uUBZCM5ONf_zGS89yB3_CafxBmkyW_t7wwyRwvCQlE9GS-7oT0zdY2in_qoOrA36Qosge5wUlGip4sewFSKNSZUuQLjvE-73MUnd3/s320/488156_734888396806_592397202_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I became a brunette for the first time in years!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_V6UKEH7gIahu26RS5B79s-mEDOqxQIwc2fcvgKfOuzv09HogGn6NE7eyJgOr3fCIya_Pw5Zvx5QLlUJcabqrLF6f3uj-04lqZ1FOyAAgiPRn1llGBkhV6nqA4VKO980v2E3AwQ1hmRLw/s1600/418941_735094633506_1728997786_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_V6UKEH7gIahu26RS5B79s-mEDOqxQIwc2fcvgKfOuzv09HogGn6NE7eyJgOr3fCIya_Pw5Zvx5QLlUJcabqrLF6f3uj-04lqZ1FOyAAgiPRn1llGBkhV6nqA4VKO980v2E3AwQ1hmRLw/s320/418941_735094633506_1728997786_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We spent a day wandering around the town where I accepted a job.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLVzzLOC2Lll0OciWJuLw_HkuLhoxU0KIOVzDNNLsGQWntdELTGYAjgLgVX4PH9QRvoSdOzcpuo0RcONT2baFqCj1zJehflYZwM3nJcHMd_kqJmxlNfoCPNwZ9qCS6b5xyAJ7ZA_Y8aoVw/s1600/3440_743911359716_1732196270_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLVzzLOC2Lll0OciWJuLw_HkuLhoxU0KIOVzDNNLsGQWntdELTGYAjgLgVX4PH9QRvoSdOzcpuo0RcONT2baFqCj1zJehflYZwM3nJcHMd_kqJmxlNfoCPNwZ9qCS6b5xyAJ7ZA_Y8aoVw/s320/3440_743911359716_1732196270_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My husband became a superhero.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNbGC5K8pSVL81YN6p_Z-Axwu6J-3QWcBqVK3ffriMEP4r38RCdRNfYyaJK9s96XRKMTOf45zmCQFad14BQ2eKVbvAezK28gli_RGIjTCZZp7NR-RTdf2MmJEHN2-HYvwYnodImmW4FoRZ/s1600/249506_749687199886_2112653166_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNbGC5K8pSVL81YN6p_Z-Axwu6J-3QWcBqVK3ffriMEP4r38RCdRNfYyaJK9s96XRKMTOf45zmCQFad14BQ2eKVbvAezK28gli_RGIjTCZZp7NR-RTdf2MmJEHN2-HYvwYnodImmW4FoRZ/s320/249506_749687199886_2112653166_n.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My uncle died in a motorcycle wreck.<br />ALWAYS WEAR A HELMET!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpvvBr4ri5iOy1tPelqRfNBTb2u_Lxy52gfnVJljlxBsQaLBwg0v7kKSodFoMgXlYD4IXusqT1ntI4Jcq8E-CU7QxmGqVYVgnkDBBFuIaSGV_xvf2PAOAEjkMvPoM4lU6JmOBDdQje24ZQ/s1600/292866_752775969966_731701541_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpvvBr4ri5iOy1tPelqRfNBTb2u_Lxy52gfnVJljlxBsQaLBwg0v7kKSodFoMgXlYD4IXusqT1ntI4Jcq8E-CU7QxmGqVYVgnkDBBFuIaSGV_xvf2PAOAEjkMvPoM4lU6JmOBDdQje24ZQ/s320/292866_752775969966_731701541_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We found our new favorite place to grab a burger.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ5Q8KqkgpHxYD6ujeSVZK04YnvvaYzov-c1Gaz3jifocbEi0khUhoCP1GjPyxEzdkmjkGKXf6iGUsxFluILyfrZtamS7H7Ocbk1WL6ABmv5QF-KQaCLlsXSWzihyphenhyphenVR0C0FjBw2pQsXIDE/s1600/576389_753347634346_1654367856_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ5Q8KqkgpHxYD6ujeSVZK04YnvvaYzov-c1Gaz3jifocbEi0khUhoCP1GjPyxEzdkmjkGKXf6iGUsxFluILyfrZtamS7H7Ocbk1WL6ABmv5QF-KQaCLlsXSWzihyphenhyphenVR0C0FjBw2pQsXIDE/s320/576389_753347634346_1654367856_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My mother helped Maddox carve his pumpkin.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjobbiJ0fYQdeQltBrrrusyC4J2HjhMtwE1ARAdda0KN0Bry9ksIZUso5cEojWDin8a3U0ekKDpI5Yk33F6BzWG-Y289uTXZtJ8idyrgDv6JhOd_j2EQKVPeCJvQI-p3iOMjelNFzmtQse/s1600/603964_756569377946_1180511636_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjobbiJ0fYQdeQltBrrrusyC4J2HjhMtwE1ARAdda0KN0Bry9ksIZUso5cEojWDin8a3U0ekKDpI5Yk33F6BzWG-Y289uTXZtJ8idyrgDv6JhOd_j2EQKVPeCJvQI-p3iOMjelNFzmtQse/s320/603964_756569377946_1180511636_n.jpg" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maddox dressed up as Yoda for Halloween.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsbjYY7iippvfndru2mo_fC7iDeA7fblI37eR1TcAYtCCuVR5x_4GyJbvltlv6UcdpWkGw4ghyphenhyphenGsUw0ZjT94OL9B8pjnOmSsDuBPQjBELviT_ljuXMLTpYVqv1bGo0P5XP_75cm1SaBdHW/s1600/59652_757920769746_2005368337_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsbjYY7iippvfndru2mo_fC7iDeA7fblI37eR1TcAYtCCuVR5x_4GyJbvltlv6UcdpWkGw4ghyphenhyphenGsUw0ZjT94OL9B8pjnOmSsDuBPQjBELviT_ljuXMLTpYVqv1bGo0P5XP_75cm1SaBdHW/s320/59652_757920769746_2005368337_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We found a really cute deer while visiting Shreveport.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHiwkjf5cHTe4aspARZbiYA8Lvxmy7Q9R3Wmf7-ywoFoMteamhrsXRL6PToxHGuzKKGtva3jk748yGKbIIFUUoCQrDF_LRR1ct7w4nGarb2oq4Z-qGMqPEQjOHt86xgXrF5NBVNKAa-d_P/s1600/545305_757926822616_335122343_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHiwkjf5cHTe4aspARZbiYA8Lvxmy7Q9R3Wmf7-ywoFoMteamhrsXRL6PToxHGuzKKGtva3jk748yGKbIIFUUoCQrDF_LRR1ct7w4nGarb2oq4Z-qGMqPEQjOHt86xgXrF5NBVNKAa-d_P/s320/545305_757926822616_335122343_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We also found Elmer Fudd.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgstKf6kgvzfzoxlupVkqGQtZ9tfKjS6THaRKLwPlcYM3Q8lLbejBtKW8i7XYeIQRydj-YqcjIrFUaaz4BUx4mAx8ALugxRQafoKzUKiyvx0rKm_nKgm3LiO0kXAwwOI39zO_P1AeNlEdzs/s1600/184850_760458094926_1443980384_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgstKf6kgvzfzoxlupVkqGQtZ9tfKjS6THaRKLwPlcYM3Q8lLbejBtKW8i7XYeIQRydj-YqcjIrFUaaz4BUx4mAx8ALugxRQafoKzUKiyvx0rKm_nKgm3LiO0kXAwwOI39zO_P1AeNlEdzs/s320/184850_760458094926_1443980384_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maddox shot a gun for the first time.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxmanArfSwp3LHgeXSnMwddIk285VbhPNUCzCV7MmQMmKHmP-QRj1ZIkHypq0H1sqUPhqpkdER3F4lE4oGa4215D6qJcgDGB3HdZf2oBBpl6aiUGODOemYs_QE55idfPvMu7u6CHP4Z5Yw/s1600/382014_766103466556_347090463_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxmanArfSwp3LHgeXSnMwddIk285VbhPNUCzCV7MmQMmKHmP-QRj1ZIkHypq0H1sqUPhqpkdER3F4lE4oGa4215D6qJcgDGB3HdZf2oBBpl6aiUGODOemYs_QE55idfPvMu7u6CHP4Z5Yw/s320/382014_766103466556_347090463_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maddox performed at his Christmas piano recital.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisEcI62c_8yC8ByAIKFdwgTpUzPpX9Mx8adND-01jIQ1gJlF06Pvjoq03pmFCjlIU_EUw_g3uB9dtsAwOwB84TniTsjmNF8E08oq9SFfdp7U47aYGti153OFp8VHDo97uaBxrV3BU7-OMe/s1600/59326_770358878676_758942816_n-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisEcI62c_8yC8ByAIKFdwgTpUzPpX9Mx8adND-01jIQ1gJlF06Pvjoq03pmFCjlIU_EUw_g3uB9dtsAwOwB84TniTsjmNF8E08oq9SFfdp7U47aYGti153OFp8VHDo97uaBxrV3BU7-OMe/s320/59326_770358878676_758942816_n-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maddox discovered his love of modeling sunglasses.</td></tr>
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Jackiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03945541273794835059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2306681412404853003.post-91416195981335189362013-07-22T10:33:00.000-05:002013-07-22T10:33:06.740-05:00Has it really been almost a year?Has it really almost been one year since my last blog post? Seriously? Have I been that busy? Oh, I hate it.<br />
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I guess I'll try to sum up the past year (gulp) without being too boring. <br />
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My blogging really slowed down early last year as I wrapped up my final semester of law school. Of course, almost as soon as I graduated it was time to get busy studying for the Bar Exam. My entire summer was spent either studying for the Bar Exam or curled up in a ball crying over how there was no point in studying because there was simply NO WAY I was going to pass.<br />
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After taking the Bar, my life was quiet for about a month. During this time I wanted to start blogging regularly again but I just didn't have it in me. The thought of attempting to create something that others might want to read seemed overwhelming. My mind was in recovery mode, from three months of 10-18 hour study days 6-7 days a week, from the years of law school that had come before that, and of course, from the years in undergrad that had come even before that. For the first time, there was nothing to study. And my mind went on autopilot.<br />
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Of course, autopilot didn't last long. Two days before I found out I'd passed the Bar Exam (that's right -- I passed!!) I was offered a job. Over the past ten months I've been practicing law. It's honestly taken me so long to become an attorney that sometimes when I sit back and think about the fact that I am one, I giggle. I'm an attorney. Teeheehee. :D <br />
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I've honestly liked practicing a lot more than I thought I would. I went into law school thinking I'd love practicing, but left wondering if I'd like it at all. While in law school I realized that I loved the study of law and being around others who are likeminded and share similar passions. But I began to wonder if I'd like the practice of law as much as law in theory. To my surprise, I've enjoyed it. A lot. I love the people that I work with and most of the time I even love my clients... haha. <br />
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So over the past ten months, we've been a two-parent, working household for the first time. And it's sucked. Our house has STAYED in a constant state of clutter and unfolded laundry. My son started the first grade -- I blinked -- first grade was over. Because my drive to work is (wait for it) 1.5 hours ONE WAY, we had to hire a nanny to pick up Maddox from school and take him to piano practice and swim practice. If we'd have sent him to after-school care he wouldn't have been able to continue his lessons in either. <br />
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It's been so chaotic. And I've hated it. Although I've loved my work, I hated my ridiculous commute. (Yes, it's my fault that I took a job that far away from where I work but I had my reasons.) I also hated the thought of second grade starting next month -- me blinking -- and second grade being over. Not again. And more than anything, I've hated not being able to put my family first.<br />
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So, after about two months of talks and prayer and thought, I turned in my notice. This Friday, July 26th, is my last day. My husband is BEYOND supportive and good <i>grief</i> I'm so thankful for that guy.<br />
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Where do I go from here? <br />
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Well, the plan is to start my own practice so that I can work part time and schedule my case load around what matters most, my family. I hope to have my practice up and running by January. In the meantime (and this is my favorite part) I'll solely be homeschooling Maddox. It's something I've been wanting to do since before he started kindergarten but I couldn't do it because I had to focus on my own education. <br />
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So, next month we start homeschooling. And, soon I'll slowly incorporate my part-time work into my routine as well. I'm beyond thrilled! Maddox is so excited too. He's done great in public school, but (like most children) some subjects come easier to him than others. I'm looking forward to seeing how much he'll excel in math now that he won't have to sit in class and wait on other children to finish their work. And I'm looking forward to seeing how much he'll improve in reading now that we can spend extra time on it. <br />
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To wrap this up: I'm back. I've been gone. But I'm so glad to be back! <br />
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<br />Jackiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03945541273794835059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2306681412404853003.post-79388364731744274362012-08-24T21:59:00.000-05:002012-08-24T21:59:45.344-05:00Time may be free.... but it's priceless.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I love my little man.</div>
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And he'll always be my little man... no matter how big he gets.</div>
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<br />Jackiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11643723543188808273noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2306681412404853003.post-64940695867194860982012-08-24T13:35:00.001-05:002012-08-24T13:49:00.607-05:00Fill-In-The-Blank Friday 08.24.12<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">1. <b>My favorite thing to do on Friday is </b><u>stay up late with my husband and son. We'll either go to the movies, rent a movie, go to Chuck E Cheese's, go out to eat dinner really late, or just build a fort. No matter what, we're doing it together and we're doing it until about 11:00PM. Then, we sleep in on Saturdays, which gets the weekend off to a great start!</u></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">2. <b> This Friday I am </b><u>planning on renting The Lorax. Robert and Maddox went to see it while I was studying (either for finals or the Bar, I can't remember) and I really want to see it. Earlier today Robert and I ate lunch with Maddox at school and agreed that being lazy and watching The Lorax was going to make up our Friday night. I'm perfectly okay with all the snuggles I'm going to get!</u></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">3. <b> The best thing about a weekend is</b><b> </b><u>that I can actually enjoy it now. I've only been out of law school for three months now, but it's been less than a month since I've been finished with the Bar. So really these past three weekends are the first completely FREE weekends I've had in the last four years. It feels AMAZING. Just knowing that I don't have to study is the best part of everday, but especially the weekends.</u></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><u><br /></u></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">4. <b>Now that summer is almost over, I'm feeling </b><u>a lot of things. I'm excited that the weather will be cooling off. We've had a record hot and dry summer this year that was no fun. But, I am sad that I had to spend the entire summer studying for the Bar. I wish I would have had that time to spend with Maddox. But, fall is my favorite season and there's so much to look forward to including Halloween, my son's birthday, and Thanksgiving, that it's impossible not to be excited.</u></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><span style="color: #444444;">5. </span><span style="color: #444444;"><b>The best thing I did this summer was</b></span><span style="color: #444444;"><b> </b><u>manage to live through studying and taking the Bar Exam while keeping my sanity. Granted, my sanity did leave for a while, but it's back now--so that counts as "keeping" it. Taking the Bar was something I've known I was going to have to do for at least 10 years and so to have it behind me (and HOPEFULLY to have passed--no results yet) is a fantastic feeling. Even if I didn't pass (gulp) at least I accomplished something monumental in my life that I've waited a long time for. I just hope I never have to take that dang thing again.</u></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="color: #444444;">6. <b>The thing I'm looking forward to about fall is </b><u>Arkansas football! We love our Razorbacks and I can't wait to watch what our new coach is going to do this year. And of course, I'm looking forward to the weather, THE FAIR (we LOVE the fair!!), being able to spend time outside without feeling like you're going to melt, all of the family time, all of the holiday crafts, the spirit of giving that starts to ignite around this time of year. I'm looking forward to it all!</u></span></span></span><br /><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="color: black; line-height: 17px;"><span style="color: #333333; line-height: 20px;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #444444;"></span><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="color: #444444;">7. </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><b> If I had to be stuck in one season for the rest of my life, I would choose </b><u>fall. My allergies are at their mildest during the season. The weather is fantastic here. And there's always an excuse to get together with friends and family. Yes, definitely fall.</u></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Fill-in-the-Blank Friday is from <a href="http://thelittlethingswedo.blogspot.com/2012/08/fill-in-blank-friday_24.html">the little things we do</a></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Fill in your blanks and stop by there to link up!</span></div>
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Jackiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11643723543188808273noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2306681412404853003.post-53712164317413026462012-08-24T06:00:00.000-05:002012-08-23T22:30:23.936-05:00Fashion Friday: In Between Summer & Fall<div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">
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It has been so hot outside. And I mean, HOT. As in, 111ยบ hot. (No, that's not an exaggeration.) </div>
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But this past week, we've gotten a preview of fall. The weather has finally dropped out of the 100s and into the mid to high 90s. Ah... the 90s. Yes, yes... I know, by no means is that fall weather, but it's just enough to remind me that it's on its way. </div>
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And I think this little outfit is perfect for the weather that will be headed our way over the next month or two. Oh how I wish this were in my closet. </div>
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<a href="http://www.polyvore.com/fashion_friday_08.23.12/set?.embedder=2983982&.svc=blogger&id=57125961" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Fashion Friday 08.23.12" border="0" force="1" height="380" src="http://cfc.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-set/.sig/UpcK5Ec4vN93D92vuPP3w/cid/57125961/id/GxKCj9KLSVSVoXmw00Unaw/size/c600x571.jpg" title="Fashion Friday 08.23.12" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><a href="http://www.polyvore.com/fashion_friday_08.23.12/set?.embedder=2983982&.svc=blogger&id=57125961">Fashion Friday 08.23.12</a> by <a href="http://madjackie.polyvore.com/?.embedder=2983982&.svc=blogger">madjackie</a></span></div>
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Jackiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11643723543188808273noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2306681412404853003.post-19680109812999169522012-08-21T13:39:00.000-05:002012-08-21T13:39:16.400-05:00My First Grader<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGbO4Zx0awwhPuokCdnMqH1goZow8A5cSubglBlXUfhDwPZCTL7nKIdNLXd8UDoRe8f5uyJ0r6mcgEYxLCYxJkBb79sIDpx6N0xwC_eCuxDlLQEHW9EOEiiZ-ss1wQDz6f-s-995eM_mry/s1600/67016014eacd11e1bea81231381a404b_7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGbO4Zx0awwhPuokCdnMqH1goZow8A5cSubglBlXUfhDwPZCTL7nKIdNLXd8UDoRe8f5uyJ0r6mcgEYxLCYxJkBb79sIDpx6N0xwC_eCuxDlLQEHW9EOEiiZ-ss1wQDz6f-s-995eM_mry/s320/67016014eacd11e1bea81231381a404b_7.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
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My sweet, sweet little baby started 1st grade yesterday. Don't ask me how that's possible. I'm just giving you the facts. I can't believe it's been one year since I posted on <a href="http://madjackie.blogspot.com/2011/08/how-can-this-be.html">his first day of kindergarten</a>. <br />
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I'm happy to report that he had a great day yesterday and that we've been blessed with the same teacher that he had in kindergarten thanks to her decision to move up to first grade this year. She has essentially kept her entire class from last year, so for Maddox starting the first grade probably feels more like going back to kindergarten after having a break for the summer. <br />
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I managed not to cry yesterday morning and I'm very proud of that. I try my best not to see him growing up as a "bad thing." Rather, I just try to think of how blessed I am that we're both here, healthy, and happy enough to watch his life unfold. I'm not good at always seeing it this way, but I really try hard to keep those blessings at the front of my mind when I feel myself getting sad about him getting older. <br />
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My baby is growing up more quickly than I'd like, but I'm so thankful to have a front row seat to his life. The things he learned during kindergarten blew my mind and made me so very proud of him. I can't wait to see all of the things he'll do this year that will amaze me even more. <br />
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<br />Jackiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03945541273794835059noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2306681412404853003.post-60251902048923131132012-08-13T05:53:00.000-05:002012-08-21T13:40:32.025-05:00"What's for Dinner?" Just Got Easier To Answer: DIY Menu BoardMy latest project was so simple and cheep that I'd considered not counting it as a project at all. But, since I technically think that it is one, I have now crossed off number 11 of 20 DIY crafts/projects on <a href="http://madjackie.blogspot.com/p/my-30-before-30-list.html">my 30 before 30 list</a>. (Holla!)<br />
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While I was searching for free printables for my Home Management Binder (which I've almost completed--more on that in another post) I came across some amazing menu board ideas. I especially loved the variety of menu boards that <a href="http://www.homelifesimplified.com.au/meal-planning-printables-and-crafts-round-up/">Home Life Simplified has shown here</a> (toward the bottom of the page.) <br />
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Although they're all awesome, many of them looked very time consuming and considering I'm beginning to plan my son's birthday party and the holidays will be coming up soon, I just can't see myself making any of them a reality anytime soon. <br />
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So, I stuck with the simplest (and in my opinion, one of the cutest) ideas I found: putting a weekly menu in a picture frame and writing the weekly menu in dry erase markers so that it can easily be erased when it's time to write on it again. <br />
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Here's the one I found at <a href="http://www.homelifesimplified.com.au/meal-planning-printables-and-crafts-round-up/">Home Life Simplified</a> that gave me the inspiration to create my own:<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.homelifesimplified.com.au/meal-planning-printables-and-crafts-round-up/">Source</a></td></tr>
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I had already found this ADORABLE weekly menu plan free printable at <a href="http://www.thenesteffect.com/p/free-printables.html">The Nest Effect</a>* that I was going to use in my Home Management Binder, but decided it would be perfect for a menu board:<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4v0-e2Abok-0oIOmQYKbGRq_rIdFcx49J6Dr5ny65hyxOj7B3zEPpg3ZHqpoPP8TxD5i1OcLk0KwC9AUN3HPI61ky6QKOxELZuMHEcSVXRy4-DMjYg76AVHTA62KktZxW38O3DNGqHcEv/s1600/weeklydinnermenuplan.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4v0-e2Abok-0oIOmQYKbGRq_rIdFcx49J6Dr5ny65hyxOj7B3zEPpg3ZHqpoPP8TxD5i1OcLk0KwC9AUN3HPI61ky6QKOxELZuMHEcSVXRy4-DMjYg76AVHTA62KktZxW38O3DNGqHcEv/s320/weeklydinnermenuplan.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.thenesteffect.com/p/free-printables.html">Source</a></td></tr>
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So, I grabbed a frame that wasn't being used, made a few trial and error prints before I got the correct size and viola, dinner menu plan in a frame was born: <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi875O2UtL-3NaQyN8vv-QZfvkY30Q8TOJjjmJAxSdK3UfF4pWUJlh3P_CFE7bI0XXhr2jQpG-T0FrjAcat6KXS8OzkdR0JimbyxUSrnjlZQps6OS1-7rc2zrJgPVxtYFFLT7WAf4EW5a3D/s1600/402130_733391351896_1969062025_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi875O2UtL-3NaQyN8vv-QZfvkY30Q8TOJjjmJAxSdK3UfF4pWUJlh3P_CFE7bI0XXhr2jQpG-T0FrjAcat6KXS8OzkdR0JimbyxUSrnjlZQps6OS1-7rc2zrJgPVxtYFFLT7WAf4EW5a3D/s320/402130_733391351896_1969062025_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I must admit, I got a little giddy once I added this week's dinner plans with the dry erase marker. I mean, who doesn't like to write with a dry erase marker? (Am I the only one who never outgrew that phase?)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLqGvImvA8-YWn6z9s7t7Ep9OSuRJLESA581ZqLIOmCqZFKhF_Cqqy4wjyqXbAMppomx9pHjx_IPWld-92Cx9PW8KiSLjoXGVdDLgZJzKZxXme6m2IqE7ayzjQ0fS0TUAfDCiDge94H6_a/s1600/427002_733395368846_1213186608_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLqGvImvA8-YWn6z9s7t7Ep9OSuRJLESA581ZqLIOmCqZFKhF_Cqqy4wjyqXbAMppomx9pHjx_IPWld-92Cx9PW8KiSLjoXGVdDLgZJzKZxXme6m2IqE7ayzjQ0fS0TUAfDCiDge94H6_a/s320/427002_733395368846_1213186608_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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So, <i>tada</i>! Easy as pie! It now sits in our kitchen window sill beside the herbs we're attempting to grow (no luck with the lavender thus far. sad day.) The black frame looks great in the window and it's very functional. No more thinking about what we have in the cabinets and what to make for dinner that night. It's right there on the board. And, if we decide to go out on Tuesday night to eat with friends, no big deal--erase Tacos and add it to Saturday. Done deal.</div>
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Oh yes, I'm loving the functionality of such a simple project. This thing will definitely make our lives easier. </div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">* BTW: The Nest Effect has several other <a href="http://www.thenesteffect.com/p/free-printables.html">awesome free printables</a> on her site <i>and</i> an <a href="http://www.thenesteffect.com/p/free-printables.html">Etsy store</a> with even more printables, so be sure to take a look!</span><br />
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<br />Jackiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11643723543188808273noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2306681412404853003.post-21972542532187678632012-08-05T01:27:00.000-05:002012-08-05T01:27:28.256-05:00Free Aquafresh Toothpaste: Link to Printable CouponOne of my new favorite websites is <a href="http://grocerysmarts.com/national/lists/indexnational.php?anall2">www.grocerysmarts.com</a>. It organizes deals by store and coupon and even has a star rating that lets you know how awesome the deal is at a glance. Seriously, you need to check it out.<br />
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Today I knew I was making a trip to Wal-Mart and after a quick check of this site I was able to grab two travel-sized bottles of Aquafresh toothpaste for free. Well, actually there was a 06ยข overage, so Wal-Mart technically paid me to "buy" them. ;)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxMhha0XIe0WLbCdnlI7z6mp6GrlfHYj9t88-89Ss_4cmZi1A1c0zJuSbggIEcMalQRAabIv8zuetEB5Ay-iha_5EDjL2E2nmIxZSU_uK2ObcF86T9EQZsUQsuixwDW_oWdxoT0120KeUi/s1600/photo-86.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxMhha0XIe0WLbCdnlI7z6mp6GrlfHYj9t88-89Ss_4cmZi1A1c0zJuSbggIEcMalQRAabIv8zuetEB5Ay-iha_5EDjL2E2nmIxZSU_uK2ObcF86T9EQZsUQsuixwDW_oWdxoT0120KeUi/s320/photo-86.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://grocerysmarts.com/national/lists/indexnational.php?anall2">Grocery Smarts</a> gave me all of the information I needed. Wal-Mart has travel-sized Aquafresh Extreme Clean for 97ยข each. And, right now <a href="http://www.aquafresh.com/Savings.aspx">Aquafresh has printable $1 off coupons</a> for any size.</div>
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You're allowed to print the coupon twice, so after you print once, hit the back arrow on your browser and print again. (Be sure to have your printer hooked up first.) If you use your coupons on the travel size you should have an overage of 06ยข before tax.</div>
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Not much to it and a nice way to add to your little stockpile. After all, you can't beat free. </div>
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<br />Jackiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11643723543188808273noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2306681412404853003.post-17155737276000129322012-08-03T21:56:00.000-05:002012-08-03T21:56:16.335-05:00Thrift Stores Make Me Go YAY!!So, I just <a href="http://madjackie.blogspot.com/2012/07/mad-jackie-jd.html">graduated from law school</a> and finished taking the Bar Exam. Now, I find myself with free time <strike>again</strike> for the first time EVER. <br />
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Before I started law school my son was so little that he was a full time job. I started law school when he was two years old. So, it's safe to say that I haven't had time to really discover new hobbies or invest time in them like I'd like to since before I became a mother almost seven years ago. But now, I do. My son is more independent now and I don't have constant homework.<br />
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Free time.... those are two new words for me.<br />
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And, I must admit, having all of this free time all of a sudden is a little crazy. I don't quite know what to do with all of it. But, I'm enjoying it nonetheless. <br />
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Today I went to a thrift store. I forgot how much I love them. I love everything about them. <br />
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I love to waste time in them. I could walk around in a thrift store for hours. There's always so much to see and you never know what you're going to find. <br />
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I love how cheap everything is! You can always find a great deal.<br />
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I love how you can find great projects and let your creativity go crazy in a thrift store. You can just see the finished product of an old chest or bench or frame as soon as you lay eyes on it. <br />
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I love old things. I love old books. I love old phones. I love old record players. I love old furniture. I love it all!<br />
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And also, I love that you never know what you're going to come home with. Each trip is different and you never know when you'll happen upon that perfect item you just can't leave without. ;)<br />
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So, like I said.... today I went to a thrift store. My husband and son went along too. We had a great time just wasting time, walking around and looking at everything and of course, I had to share what we came home with. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8hqga8Pr0GRk2XhhId7vGf13U67D8LoA6LCvQea3oP2noTkDREntQUALuZc2o9fJtbd74r3NpKHCE3DSgN9uTgIuLS5mBdDlvLQvWpWOknNlMTJ7-pVHcjH1ay3gl3DYmqN7fbORjzRlX/s1600/c8ff5d16ddc111e1b31022000a1d03a8_7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8hqga8Pr0GRk2XhhId7vGf13U67D8LoA6LCvQea3oP2noTkDREntQUALuZc2o9fJtbd74r3NpKHCE3DSgN9uTgIuLS5mBdDlvLQvWpWOknNlMTJ7-pVHcjH1ay3gl3DYmqN7fbORjzRlX/s320/c8ff5d16ddc111e1b31022000a1d03a8_7.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">oversized costume jewelry ring $6 (new)</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgegqqgslt91cFd0FZzqxXq1EJA6YHr4YdhcYkoplE3rmNaxT9JvdJb802PLbuMN45hy-cq2IAEF16pLrhaOugEz2paiQkwifb6Z0IcpAzmenHjOaMtLR9C-JouazEXMwF2IL02xcljpCZI/s1600/6efb00e4ddc211e182b422000a1e9572_7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgegqqgslt91cFd0FZzqxXq1EJA6YHr4YdhcYkoplE3rmNaxT9JvdJb802PLbuMN45hy-cq2IAEF16pLrhaOugEz2paiQkwifb6Z0IcpAzmenHjOaMtLR9C-JouazEXMwF2IL02xcljpCZI/s320/6efb00e4ddc211e182b422000a1e9572_7.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">small sized peace earrings $1.75 (new)</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw3hw8FwnT45U8Qkh0JuxvSXSrEosSP-IXw6i9TpgYM2RTYjNIrrUp5bku5quURBMH8FEnu2OVm-0T3mM-hsZDafP3CyrhU4q5jNj5DiSpPERkj4OWWHzrYDMKhyphenhyphen98MMZkrVCp67hQmV5G/s1600/03c914c2ddbe11e1a84922000a1e8bad_7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw3hw8FwnT45U8Qkh0JuxvSXSrEosSP-IXw6i9TpgYM2RTYjNIrrUp5bku5quURBMH8FEnu2OVm-0T3mM-hsZDafP3CyrhU4q5jNj5DiSpPERkj4OWWHzrYDMKhyphenhyphen98MMZkrVCp67hQmV5G/s320/03c914c2ddbe11e1a84922000a1e8bad_7.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Hunger Games (which I now have time to read) $1</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDmivxjG2eDFUspuFaIRcR5o1oBKzFw42VSWL1-8qA7AykUXmMnIwyn6wM3i6o5ZKj7lXcmT3NqMhX9XJEoaUxncr5MgA3V5CLrJFU-gHZwUbbyySwCGCuxdvlxzgk8aEWHxuOWat2zKkp/s1600/4e9c12ecddc311e19797123138048e61_7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDmivxjG2eDFUspuFaIRcR5o1oBKzFw42VSWL1-8qA7AykUXmMnIwyn6wM3i6o5ZKj7lXcmT3NqMhX9XJEoaUxncr5MgA3V5CLrJFU-gHZwUbbyySwCGCuxdvlxzgk8aEWHxuOWat2zKkp/s320/4e9c12ecddc311e19797123138048e61_7.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And my little man found these: two Star Wars figures $9 total</td></tr>
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Needless to say, we came home happy. And, I've rediscovered my love for thrift stores. I can't wait to hit up another one and see what goodies we come home with next. <br />
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<br />Jackiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11643723543188808273noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2306681412404853003.post-71275019830782254412012-07-31T22:46:00.000-05:002012-07-31T22:46:38.989-05:00Mad Jackie, J.D.I've been missing again. And oh, I'm so glad to be back... and to have nothing standing in my way of enjoying my blog anymore! <br />
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Why don't I have anything standing in my way anymore you ask? Well, that's because....<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I graduated from law school!!</span></div>
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See, I even have pictures.</div>
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My mom was a tad excited about my graduation. Here's her car.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpiHipkmzgeKHaUMdB3xh_C4HNWb_tLpVeV5AL_qiHJB-X03jP_PENLV7aJpxvVmKzIzSloCXVLh6EglaA800CwHvV3abFmLQ230HCZUolcKdYr7a_vJ5ko8UGWgE7uskEUsbgGKMA2_5W/s1600/577481_4064227924254_751993451_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpiHipkmzgeKHaUMdB3xh_C4HNWb_tLpVeV5AL_qiHJB-X03jP_PENLV7aJpxvVmKzIzSloCXVLh6EglaA800CwHvV3abFmLQ230HCZUolcKdYr7a_vJ5ko8UGWgE7uskEUsbgGKMA2_5W/s320/577481_4064227924254_751993451_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjkod0lDuJ8ykUkSjhbt3lo82Ii3mIUl4BKF1eH95viDTud3218EKn-SSjg42F2PZuHW2TrR7-sfWSaNicwbULReF8Ka920Rvva2_dUu0y_cOItfo37SvXFwX9ccvbsIiKVOuPwUFmbO1w/s1600/533264_4064227244237_1692019214_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjkod0lDuJ8ykUkSjhbt3lo82Ii3mIUl4BKF1eH95viDTud3218EKn-SSjg42F2PZuHW2TrR7-sfWSaNicwbULReF8Ka920Rvva2_dUu0y_cOItfo37SvXFwX9ccvbsIiKVOuPwUFmbO1w/s320/533264_4064227244237_1692019214_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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My grandma and me before the ceremony.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzhE7dYJzliy0R_EBGFjvEGs71Noi_BD7uBPzgWrNvzPwP052jfMtFG-cWEoxNsgVkZL3szdRwuT1uniM3Pukwu_t6xTYXwpWHc76C1dvE-pcPJk-VI6EJwUO1PZP-xu2E9qZ9OusQlpTz/s1600/392566_4064883700648_1786215585_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzhE7dYJzliy0R_EBGFjvEGs71Noi_BD7uBPzgWrNvzPwP052jfMtFG-cWEoxNsgVkZL3szdRwuT1uniM3Pukwu_t6xTYXwpWHc76C1dvE-pcPJk-VI6EJwUO1PZP-xu2E9qZ9OusQlpTz/s320/392566_4064883700648_1786215585_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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And one with my mom before the ceremony.</div>
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Then that sweet, sweet music started and we began to walk in.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg-sN9FFLVbi_iwpyP9KRD6tt17EYbziM2z_cIQVzjVpNCs8PEemstebFJDQLgDL9JXHrmc0WzTVIzmvuzmaboY2C4qjVVvAtzEXmQTbrnXItPKplkaMatHXWYUagl3ohzE7KqED67zDhQ/s1600/481201_4065230949329_1387539168_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg-sN9FFLVbi_iwpyP9KRD6tt17EYbziM2z_cIQVzjVpNCs8PEemstebFJDQLgDL9JXHrmc0WzTVIzmvuzmaboY2C4qjVVvAtzEXmQTbrnXItPKplkaMatHXWYUagl3ohzE7KqED67zDhQ/s320/481201_4065230949329_1387539168_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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I passed right by my fan club! :)</div>
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But then, the moment I'd been waiting for arrived.</div>
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It was my turn to walk on stage and get hooded.</div>
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I was officially a juris doctor!! YAY!!</div>
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Afterward we took a few pictures before leaving (of course).</div>
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This is my mother and father.</div>
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And, this would be my hubby and little man.</div>
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And one more of us, well... just because we're a good looking family.</div>
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At home, we had a nice little congratulatory party with cake and presents. I'd always joked that I wanted a white lab coat like MDs get once they become doctors because it wasn't fair that JDs didn't get them since we're doctors too. Well, my mother had one embroidered saying Dr. Jacquelin E. [last name], J.D. How awesome is that? And my grandmother had a gavel engraved with my name on it. </div>
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So, for the last picture of my graduation day, I give you Dr. Mad Jackie.</div>
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As always, thanks for sticking with me through the break. Graduation was in mid-May and since then I've been studying non-stop for the Bar Exam, which I took last week. I'll post again soon to let you know the joys of bar prep. I know you can't wait.... ;)</div>
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Jackiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11643723543188808273noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2306681412404853003.post-6213203037021433212012-05-07T19:34:00.000-05:002012-05-07T19:35:45.296-05:00Playing Catch-Up: A Hair Cut & PoliticsSo, obviously I haven't written since February. Honestly, I can't say why. Sure, I've had busy weeks. But I've also had slow weeks. There have been times that I've considered writing and was just eh, about all of it. Then it seems that the longer I'd gone without writing the worse I felt about writing again. But, today I've found the motivation to come back. If any of you have missed my writing, I'm seriously in shock... and also, I'm sorry and thank you.<br />
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To play catch-up. I take my last law school final ever one week from today. It's pretty unbelievable, actually. At times I felt law school was never going to end and now I'm wondering where the time went. Isn't that how life goes though? I graduate in less than two weeks, and I'll be sure to post pictures of me in my beautiful (sarcasm) tam, gown and hood (insert "ooHhhHh").<br />
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I will say that in my absence I have managed to cross two things off <a href="http://madjackie.blogspot.com/p/my-30-before-30-list.html">My 30 Before 30 List</a>, which I'm pretty proud of.<br />
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First, <a href="http://madjackie.blogspot.com/p/my-30-before-30-list.html">#18, get a new hairstyle</a>. That was really hard for me to do. I've had long, straight (read: boring) hair for several years and couldn't quite find it in me to spice it up. The last time I did something drastic was right after my husband and I got married, over 3 years ago, when I chopped it all off before we went to Jamaica so that it'd be cooler. <br />
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Here it is pulled up in little pigtails while in Jamaica.</div>
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(Side Note: I miss Jamaica.)</div>
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Here it is now, with plenty of layers, and lots of pretty color.</div>
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I love it!</div>
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BTW, those pics of the hubs and me were taken outside the Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers concert a few weeks ago. Great show!</div>
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In addition to the new hair style, I also crossed off <a href="http://madjackie.blogspot.com/p/my-30-before-30-list.html">#27, work on a political campaign</a>. I'm a Spring Organizing Fellow for the Obama Campaign. (To learn more about fellowships and how you can apply <a href="https://my.barackobama.com/page/content/obama-organizing-fellowship">click here</a>.) I've really enjoyed my time working for the campaign. I've learned way more than I thought I would and met some incredible people. I can't work for the campaign over the summer due to that pesky Bar Exam I'll be studying for, but I'm hoping to give it a go again in the Fall, closer toward the election. </div>
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The welcoming desk at the Obama Headquarters.</div>
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The hubs and I celebrated our anniversary by attending the</div>
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Grand Opening of our headquarters. It was a great event.</div>
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This is Jim Messina, the National Campaign Director for the Obama Campaign. He came out to our Grand Opening. It was a privilege to meet him.</div>
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So, that's only about 1/20th of the craziness and amazingness that's happened over the past few months that I've been away from my blog. I'm glad to be back, so thanks for sticking with me! :)</div>Jackiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11643723543188808273noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2306681412404853003.post-71245757119665336072012-02-18T23:42:00.000-06:002012-02-18T23:42:32.802-06:00DIY Valentines & My Memory Suite Winner AnnouncedI shared our plans for my son's school valentines last week in my <a href="http://madjackie.blogspot.com/2012/02/my-memories-suite-digital-scrapbooking.html">My Memories Suite giveaway post</a>. Yes, I'm a tad late in posting about how they turned out but it's been a busy week so please forgive me.<br />
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I settled on this idea after seeing this on Pinterest.<br />
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It took me going to <i>four</i> stores to find the heart-shaped pan to use, but of course Wal-Mart ended up having it. Whew. </div>
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We ended up using three of the four 64-count boxes of crayons that we'd purchased to make 20 valentines. </div>
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Friendly tip, if you cut into the wrappers (and into the crayon) with a knife, they're much easier to take off. My genius husband realized this.</div>
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So, after taking the wrappers off, we cut them into a few pieces, and tossed them into the hearts and into the oven for about 12 minutes on 230 degrees. If you leave them in the oven too long or turn the heat up too high, your crayons will look brown or black. Our first batch was a dud so you may have to play around with it a bit. But, it's all part of the fun. ;)</div>
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Ever wondered what 192 crayons looked like in a bowl?</div>
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Well, wonder no more.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguM3NhprtQ12n9WSkLo38L5APAUq5d6rAO8y6rkXG_iSiz2OP-BryFz1c33Feuq168uMIfTB0f88OXzGTFYYUDAFtaGChcEAwob7uLGJ7S4kkqXK_FkTz9EYTJPAv5miTUGfkpBMXCy5Wn/s1600/3da1379c551511e19896123138142014_7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguM3NhprtQ12n9WSkLo38L5APAUq5d6rAO8y6rkXG_iSiz2OP-BryFz1c33Feuq168uMIfTB0f88OXzGTFYYUDAFtaGChcEAwob7uLGJ7S4kkqXK_FkTz9EYTJPAv5miTUGfkpBMXCy5Wn/s320/3da1379c551511e19896123138142014_7.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Notice there's no brown or black crayons.</div>
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The test batch let us know that was a no no.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYaXVegEYSSnw9DHEfP45oRrNwQpnJo8b54YLx0NMFvUNPBCG-SBRRspc5ugDJxpABbEtN4ZCHjURYBEC67ginmAlz-ZrE8snZGsKPtwOYIBggo95DXwT25-tYsg5a1-Mza7XRIbKVdKRX/s1600/548b1be655e511e18bb812313804a181_7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYaXVegEYSSnw9DHEfP45oRrNwQpnJo8b54YLx0NMFvUNPBCG-SBRRspc5ugDJxpABbEtN4ZCHjURYBEC67ginmAlz-ZrE8snZGsKPtwOYIBggo95DXwT25-tYsg5a1-Mza7XRIbKVdKRX/s320/548b1be655e511e18bb812313804a181_7.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG_SXwwQaJ8uDbV6N_SUaY3UyB8kg_LtMCUrGpZgwZ3zLZAkG65jSndS9TpiJgkSRffnP3Qx-gDvFoqPMg6-xvnMiNJhbt9Gh-j12hxPojimKO5u9KLMjDU0vvFrnvjabWKZh2II8sIZyO/s1600/photo-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG_SXwwQaJ8uDbV6N_SUaY3UyB8kg_LtMCUrGpZgwZ3zLZAkG65jSndS9TpiJgkSRffnP3Qx-gDvFoqPMg6-xvnMiNJhbt9Gh-j12hxPojimKO5u9KLMjDU0vvFrnvjabWKZh2II8sIZyO/s320/photo-1.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
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Ta-Da!!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb_WCfq8e78tWOn31MKXPkMvxOxmr3RvXGZ8oyDNdEvl9SdczEtnn8cOXk9ZLv6l0f5XUIUytugsw1drZGb4D-Jgo7-fR3SwAMum9GJp0dToy2Aof1wVBNxPasaBQlP_MQ7LT4EmQlRmAK/s1600/photo-2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb_WCfq8e78tWOn31MKXPkMvxOxmr3RvXGZ8oyDNdEvl9SdczEtnn8cOXk9ZLv6l0f5XUIUytugsw1drZGb4D-Jgo7-fR3SwAMum9GJp0dToy2Aof1wVBNxPasaBQlP_MQ7LT4EmQlRmAK/s320/photo-2.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
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So relieved that they turned out okay!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGK-VGDH_onGNFxpzX-Ht_9ysmXu8o9VnO5itSmmBERQ6-GxxCMO8rUe5q5_BVNgY9NkadmTsr83XC14w69WlPXVVi5NIMYQr-Emy64hXAtcpTMGgaQ_teSbdsSbcau_a2KDiqfdMpnNVb/s1600/c1a1fae655e611e19e4a12313813ffc0_7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGK-VGDH_onGNFxpzX-Ht_9ysmXu8o9VnO5itSmmBERQ6-GxxCMO8rUe5q5_BVNgY9NkadmTsr83XC14w69WlPXVVi5NIMYQr-Emy64hXAtcpTMGgaQ_teSbdsSbcau_a2KDiqfdMpnNVb/s320/c1a1fae655e611e19e4a12313813ffc0_7.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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In my previous post, I'd considered using this "card" similar to the one in the Pinterest picture that I created using the <a href="http://madjackie.blogspot.com/2012/02/my-memories-suite-digital-scrapbooking.html">My Memories Suite</a> software that's my new BFF. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKMUzGEGAGBhP6Yt5NFZnTmLJpWSX6RCJblr8TrdSTbOf0k54jyu35rtQg5C-V-SzKAsFih5kuZDSQi4-kJOjB9pdwgiptJDlef12aqW7YsxR3z_Hk9XZ42b6ST2XWsfwofS9YXLY2isad/s1600/School+Valentines-001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKMUzGEGAGBhP6Yt5NFZnTmLJpWSX6RCJblr8TrdSTbOf0k54jyu35rtQg5C-V-SzKAsFih5kuZDSQi4-kJOjB9pdwgiptJDlef12aqW7YsxR3z_Hk9XZ42b6ST2XWsfwofS9YXLY2isad/s1600/School+Valentines-001.jpg" /></a></div>
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But, I changed my mind. Instead, I decided that I wanted to place the crayons into clear bags, so I created this "card" to staple to the top of the bags. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOXehPUGmys0EM1oarxt1THxfcE5J-zKKLUo77JAn9hRdNqH66zs5D4GBHA3lVj2c5v-lgeJ04_Sj6WyXpXr-TnREZbnuwQUHu7FiXZ_UUBdI69BvsAHtYxh8tk23xnS6WyaDR5Wt3mmzL/s1600/Grade+K+Vday-001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOXehPUGmys0EM1oarxt1THxfcE5J-zKKLUo77JAn9hRdNqH66zs5D4GBHA3lVj2c5v-lgeJ04_Sj6WyXpXr-TnREZbnuwQUHu7FiXZ_UUBdI69BvsAHtYxh8tk23xnS6WyaDR5Wt3mmzL/s400/Grade+K+Vday-001.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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And, here's how they turned out. Yay!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgJMv3j9mHYPFOXeyZRbjX-lX42_kDinc7rAV5A1WjQsI79gfakM1QgIDORjyM2fGF0RqKOKOVHLaMOmBt-sCMb-3IRpmOl2fXbXrf5jrlz_ILjxT8pS189mGe3CZmf53tMuz3p6YL-v8W/s1600/AlpfC5DCIAA9iWE.jpg-large.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgJMv3j9mHYPFOXeyZRbjX-lX42_kDinc7rAV5A1WjQsI79gfakM1QgIDORjyM2fGF0RqKOKOVHLaMOmBt-sCMb-3IRpmOl2fXbXrf5jrlz_ILjxT8pS189mGe3CZmf53tMuz3p6YL-v8W/s320/AlpfC5DCIAA9iWE.jpg-large.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Madd was really excited to pass out his Valentines and I'm glad that we took the time to make our own. It really was fun AND of course, I'm counting it toward my <a href="http://madjackie.blogspot.com/p/my-30-before-30-list.html">DIY projects for My 30 Before 30 List</a>. ;)</div>
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Oh, AND I'm happy to announce that <b>Jessica H</b> is the winner of the <a href="http://madjackie.blogspot.com/2012/02/my-memories-suite-digital-scrapbooking.html">My Memory Suite Digital Software Giveaway</a>. Jessica, I promise that you're going to LOVE this software. </div>
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And remember, if you didn't win and you'd like to <a href="http://www.mymemories.com/digital_scrapbooking_software">purchase the software</a> so you can make digital scrapbooks, cards, calendars, and of course... valentines, you can<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;">use the promo code </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"><b>STMMMS32327 </b>when you checkout and you'll receive <b>$10 OFF</b>!</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"><br /></span></span></div>Jackiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03945541273794835059noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2306681412404853003.post-82567775810281500362012-02-11T21:07:00.000-06:002012-02-11T21:07:51.653-06:00Oh, Whitney<br />
I'm sure you've heard that <a href="http://music.yahoo.com/news/whitney-houston-superstar-records-films-dies-005927033.html">Whitney Houston was found dead</a> today. Now, I'm not usually one to be personally upset about the death of a celebrity, but I'm really, really sad to hear that she's no longer with us.<br />
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I've always loved music. I was in choir in high school, made All Region Choir and All State Choir and even went to college on a choir scholarship (but unfortunately was an idiot and decided not to stick with choir throughout my entire time in college.) In fact, <a href="http://madjackie.blogspot.com/p/my-30-before-30-list.html">#8 on My 30 Before 30 List</a> is to sing in a choir again. (I miss it so much!)<br />
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As soon as I started to realize how much I loved to sing, Whitney Houston immediately became my idol. After all, she had one of those voices that could completely captivate you. I would listen to her daily in awe of her and her talent. I respected her as an artist. And her talent truly touched me, as I'd often turn to her music to escape reality during difficult moments when growing up.<br />
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It's been no secret that she's struggled with addiction for quite a while, but just like other artists who've fallen out of the good graces of the public, I've always hoped she'd make a comeback. Knowing now that it won't happen is devastating.<br />
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In a society where auto-tunes and Kei$ha pass for music, it's sad to lose someone with such raw talent. <br />
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We lost one of the greats today. R.I.P. Whitney.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmG4PYYJHyfgPjvaJ05JtLRk8pZInhMm3HjPVc1Hrf_dCIXfyXKa7ZNHsLdclu3YL3BBoaI2xLXIi7C7DQoGImRrm-vokP9RUYMKPDuuRCJ3yLT7wzH3HpS1nI82xtaJ6bQC6WJGn8HoM-/s1600/Whitney001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmG4PYYJHyfgPjvaJ05JtLRk8pZInhMm3HjPVc1Hrf_dCIXfyXKa7ZNHsLdclu3YL3BBoaI2xLXIi7C7DQoGImRrm-vokP9RUYMKPDuuRCJ3yLT7wzH3HpS1nI82xtaJ6bQC6WJGn8HoM-/s320/Whitney001.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.whitneyhouston.com/us/media/photos/861"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">Picture Source</span></a></div>
<br />Jackiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11643723543188808273noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2306681412404853003.post-24652783799060843162012-02-05T11:54:00.000-06:002012-02-05T11:54:36.388-06:00The Path Not Taken<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">It's <a href="http://madjackie.blogspot.com/2012/01/secret-sunday-inspired-by-postsecretcom.html" style="text-decoration: none;">Secret Sunday</a>! Link up below!</span></u></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvm04m8adGj4CsssPlUOROUFMsR9amPyraGW5Hn8QkbDcXs1QxYIlDtkC-GEdWnjKykPZafyGmkKNCqJrL7pdVfPnmcNjTxBPNb-XcAfbPjGgn44iKJWNxlh3yyGkGdjk4dnSrDapT4wGy/s1600/whatwillbethelifeyoudontlead.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvm04m8adGj4CsssPlUOROUFMsR9amPyraGW5Hn8QkbDcXs1QxYIlDtkC-GEdWnjKykPZafyGmkKNCqJrL7pdVfPnmcNjTxBPNb-XcAfbPjGgn44iKJWNxlh3yyGkGdjk4dnSrDapT4wGy/s320/whatwillbethelifeyoudontlead.jpg" width="223" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.postsecret.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">Picture Source</span></a></div>
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This <a href="http://www.postsecret.com/">Post Secret</a> submission is one that I can really relate to. I always over analyze everything and like to play it safe. After all, I'm a mom and I can't just think about myself. </div>
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As I've briefly mentioned in previous posts, I plan to start my own business this year. Right now I'm trying to get my business plan in order and I swear with every decision I make, I'm forced to ask myself two more questions that I have no clue how to answer.</div>
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It'd be so easy to just go to work for an established firm after I graduate. I'd have a guaranteed pay check. I wouldn't be stressing out right now attempting to define my business's image and the services I'll offer clients. </div>
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It'd be unbelievably easier not to start my own business. The only thing keeping me from throwing in the towel is knowing that I'd always regret not taking this risk. I know I would. </div>
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And I know that if I don't do this now, fresh out of law school, it won't happen. It'd be even more difficult to justify leaving a firm with a guaranteed salary to venture off into my own business than it is to start one fresh out of school. So I know that it's now or never. </div>
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Yes, I'm terrified. But I keep a saying in the back of my mind as I work through all of this that keeps me pushing forward with my dream: <i>I'd rather have a life of 'oh wells' than a life of 'what ifs.'</i></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><b>So, what's your secret?</b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">{New to Secret Sunday? <a href="http://madjackie.blogspot.com/2012/01/secret-sunday-inspired-by-postsecretcom.html">Find out all you need to know here</a>!}</span></div>
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</script>Jackiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11643723543188808273noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2306681412404853003.post-52057040523743249782012-02-01T23:44:00.000-06:002012-02-02T00:40:15.991-06:00My Memories Suite Digital Scrapbooking Software Review & Giveaway!<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.mymemories.com/digital_scrapbooking_software"><img alt="" border="0" height="145" src="http://www.mymemories.com/images/stm/MyMemories-giveaway-550x145.jpg" width="550" /></a></div>
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I was contacted by <a href="https://www.mymemories.com/">My Memories</a> to share a review with my readers and (the best part) to host a giveaway. </div>
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My Memories is a site that is devoted to <a href="https://www.mymemories.com/">digital scrapbooking</a>. But because I've never scrapbooked in my life, I honestly thought I'd download the software and think, "Oh, that'd be neat for a scrapbooker." </div>
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Um no. It's so much more than that! EEK!!</div>
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Look at this Valentine's Day card I'll be mailing out to friends and family! I'm having it printed on card stock. I'll fold it in half, leaving the inside blank to write a sweet little "thinking of you" message. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOMiw7I3TxEStlVoUnOGdTEuSgZCqCKQfNE6CVo4sojZub0IEgUR7hzcpvOmierWqN7i45jX4Cvxd4jLAyyv1vIzDMiakGiOSwvv4znTHpAadIJyGxcesFrucMf4zcLut54oT1RvYpoq6X/s1600/VDay+Card-001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOMiw7I3TxEStlVoUnOGdTEuSgZCqCKQfNE6CVo4sojZub0IEgUR7hzcpvOmierWqN7i45jX4Cvxd4jLAyyv1vIzDMiakGiOSwvv4znTHpAadIJyGxcesFrucMf4zcLut54oT1RvYpoq6X/s400/VDay+Card-001.jpg" width="308" /></a></div>
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This <a href="https://www.mymemories.com/">scrapbook software</a> is so amazing and it's so user friendly. Here's a screenshot of the software right before I saved this card. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLzUVOBxPuwee4IgbNFggp9nSztWsyZZpeIG3CzqerRyWDcWc2CzM-E_O-GgZVYT2nQ7IfpRjnm0DbnC4uGmdGNRvuRUHtQNxa-ZIpxBcfSShrw77UdcukY642DqiP2hytZXwEgyaZ8wsu/s1600/Picture+1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLzUVOBxPuwee4IgbNFggp9nSztWsyZZpeIG3CzqerRyWDcWc2CzM-E_O-GgZVYT2nQ7IfpRjnm0DbnC4uGmdGNRvuRUHtQNxa-ZIpxBcfSShrw77UdcukY642DqiP2hytZXwEgyaZ8wsu/s400/Picture+1.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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On the right side, (if you squint) you'll see <u>the control panel</u>. It contains all the little things you'll need to go crazy. I used two different <u>background papers</u> and then added the cute little pink ribbon & birdy <u>embellishments</u>. Then I added <u>text</u> and a <u>photo</u> of the cutest little boy I've ever seen. Done! </div>
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For my son's school v-day cards, I decided to use this idea that I found on Pinterest. I think it will be a fun project that my little man can help with, and hopefully the kids will actually use the crayons. (Plus, it's ONE less piece of candy they'll eat on that day.)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTbeDJGNLDGiBGJnrUZBZ6ekIyNx1zdn5eMJBlFhtY7OWPJSzDyemAN0YNLtLWVA8qDe_7SvnWk7CKKa4D2_d0eMrgs3Gej-1vnmcLNnA8LVq_iDnDvLiXb7Z3zOUQSRGEsK0dK0CXHwlc/s1600/5672821563_9196ed4cf2_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTbeDJGNLDGiBGJnrUZBZ6ekIyNx1zdn5eMJBlFhtY7OWPJSzDyemAN0YNLtLWVA8qDe_7SvnWk7CKKa4D2_d0eMrgs3Gej-1vnmcLNnA8LVq_iDnDvLiXb7Z3zOUQSRGEsK0dK0CXHwlc/s400/5672821563_9196ed4cf2_b.jpg" width="138" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/61951289@N08/5672821563/sizes/l/in/photostream/">Picture Source</a></span></div>
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Rather than handwriting out the phrase, "Happy Valentine's Day for "crayon" out loud!" like the creator did above, I decided to see if I could whip up something using my <a href="https://www.mymemories.com/">My Memories Suite</a> software. </div>
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Here's how it turned out. Feel free to <a href="http://madjackie.blogspot.com/p/contact.html">email me</a> if you'd like to use this. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNfz99bSufPJvLw_2nTjtGkA6Zdrg_R2cvwSIRWSOjBg7EuNn45rzEFr4yhvc41G-_zF3n6b4L3UoKrn1eljMRxOM-7cbp_ydMWkVhWL2-Ptay6ZYACztrHAQhcucFko85P80P9ZBTRrUw/s1600/School+Valentines-001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNfz99bSufPJvLw_2nTjtGkA6Zdrg_R2cvwSIRWSOjBg7EuNn45rzEFr4yhvc41G-_zF3n6b4L3UoKrn1eljMRxOM-7cbp_ydMWkVhWL2-Ptay6ZYACztrHAQhcucFko85P80P9ZBTRrUw/s320/School+Valentines-001.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Even though it doesn't look like it here, this is actually a 5 x 5 square. (That's another great thing about the software--you can pick the exact size of your pages and/or album.) I think that after I print them on card stock I'll cut around the outside, making it a circle. </div>
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Seriously, the possibilities are endless. And don't worry. If you don't want to start "blank" you don't have to. There are TONS of pre-made albums and pages for you to use too if you'd like. </div>
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And, although this <a href="https://www.mymemories.com/">digital scrapbook software</a> comes with a lot of designs, embellishments and everything else under the sun, there's also a page on their site devoted to <a href="https://www.mymemories.com/store/free_digital_scrapbooking_kits">free digital scrapbooking kits</a> that designers make specifically for their software and there's no limit to how much of the free stuff you can add to your software. Holla! </div>
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Okay, so you get the point. Just know that if you want more information on the software, <a href="http://www.mymemories.com/digital_scrapbooking_software">this page on their site</a> has some great information. </div>
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Now to the super fun part! <a href="https://www.mymemories.com/">My Memories</a> is giving away its scrapbooking software to one of my blog readers! And because the software is downloaded from their site, there's no wait for a disk to come in the mail! YAY! </div>
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If you're not the lucky winner of this giveaway, can't wait, or want to buy this as a gift for someone else, use the promo code <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><b>STMMMS32327 </b>when you checkout and you'll receive <b>$10 OFF </b>your purchase of </span><a href="http://www.mymemories.com/digital_scrapbooking_software">My Memory Suite</a>.</div>
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<noscript>&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;a href="http://rafl.es/enable-js"&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;You need javascript enabled to see this giveaway&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;.</noscript>Jackiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11643723543188808273noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2306681412404853003.post-59846144460517318852012-02-01T14:50:00.003-06:002012-02-01T14:50:58.144-06:00Your Daily Dose [Of Motivation]I'm in a very unique position right now in that I'm about to end my life as a student (the only life I've ever known) and begin my career (by starting my own business.) To be completely blunt and honest, I'm fucking terrified. <br />
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I've always said that all we have in life is time and we're either doing something with it or we're not. And, we all have dreams and goals. It's okay to be scared, but it's not okay to let that fear keep you from achieving something your soul desires. (Easier said than done, right?)<br />
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So if you needed a daily dose of motivation today like I did to get you thinking about your life, where you're at, and where you want to be, here ya go. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirjjHNiHqvwHZ5yuuCEyCy_sEUhDBwjz9EgwBc12-yyijcGZ6FDUjdHzpyjiPzYJWndbE_RdHSB6JYPzhM0i74FXGFtKuRTA8frl0aua4qPsNzvHfCr9wkwqp0YJxN_m7zvwmht30pebYR/s1600/310208_2327696826454_1070685839_2574475_1347964180_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirjjHNiHqvwHZ5yuuCEyCy_sEUhDBwjz9EgwBc12-yyijcGZ6FDUjdHzpyjiPzYJWndbE_RdHSB6JYPzhM0i74FXGFtKuRTA8frl0aua4qPsNzvHfCr9wkwqp0YJxN_m7zvwmht30pebYR/s320/310208_2327696826454_1070685839_2574475_1347964180_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://divine-ripples.blogspot.com/2011/10/if-it-is-important-to-you.html?zx=f4eef8377e821b10">Picture Source</a></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoqYGR77gZok_K9yRCIeUFMuP45v_yGTqD79IL3Tu9Mr1IAb1mIpzy8dIbg0OF8nJfcp5a2dtceFdkDxjlAPFlyaVseaRb_zVPf4luam-rdFstRZj5m1Z93Sq1Jqm3YJ7meGjOKwh2nvYf/s1600/sign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoqYGR77gZok_K9yRCIeUFMuP45v_yGTqD79IL3Tu9Mr1IAb1mIpzy8dIbg0OF8nJfcp5a2dtceFdkDxjlAPFlyaVseaRb_zVPf4luam-rdFstRZj5m1Z93Sq1Jqm3YJ7meGjOKwh2nvYf/s320/sign.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://missrosemarie.wordpress.com/2011/04/22/if-it-is-important-to-you-you-will-find-a-way-if-it-is-not-you-will-find-an-excuse-unknown/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">Picture Source</span></a></div>
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My only question is, what are you waiting for?</div>
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<br />Jackiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11643723543188808273noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2306681412404853003.post-38044894501342281282012-01-30T23:37:00.000-06:002012-01-30T23:37:53.835-06:00HAH... Good Luck With ThatOkay, so Pinterest has spawned a bazillion people (myself included) who suddenly think they're crafty. <br />
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I'm fine with that. In fact, Pinterest is really going to help me knock out <a href="http://madjackie.blogspot.com/p/my-30-before-30-list.html">#5 on my 30 Before 30 list</a>. I'm all about stealing someone else's creativity and passing it along as my own. <br />
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But every once in a while I'll see a pin that makes me angry. Now, if I see it once or twice--okay, mildly irritated. But when it becomes so popular that I see it a dozen times a week, I am angered. <br />
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This is one of those pins.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDExT9jInN_hyphenhyphenKJ5o6sdQkdcyGSYgaEPbMvAOnGi9KMkKfDO3s7jW0OlLrl3yUBKe6SESGATrpdoALJq5tpeMsyZwpRXm0dF-fAk89DDCupe81S6NSv8x58dV63fYLdO4OrZAV_Oq7NA3N/s1600/011212-timeoutstool.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDExT9jInN_hyphenhyphenKJ5o6sdQkdcyGSYgaEPbMvAOnGi9KMkKfDO3s7jW0OlLrl3yUBKe6SESGATrpdoALJq5tpeMsyZwpRXm0dF-fAk89DDCupe81S6NSv8x58dV63fYLdO4OrZAV_Oq7NA3N/s320/011212-timeoutstool.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/make-your-own-sand-filled-time-out-stool-164384">Picture Source</a></span></div>
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AWWW, look. It's a cute little sand-filled time out stool. Isn't that precious? I can make it and then my child will just sit there like the perfect angel that he is. WRONG. </div>
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First of all, the kid's freakin' feet can't even touch the floor. He's going to fall over. And yes, it will be your fault.</div>
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Second of all, and most importantly--do you know of ANY CHILD that would sit on a timeout stool, <i>knowing</i> that once alllll the sand gets to the bottom he'll be able to get up, WITHOUT getting up so that he can actually SEE the sand?! </div>
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Allow me to answer that for you. You don't. Because that child does not exist. </div>
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In real life, your child is going to be ass up, hands on the ground, looking at the sand upside down until he falls over and breaks something. He'll either break his face OR he'll break the stool. </div>
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So would you rather clean up blood or sand or bloody sand? Because you're asking for it if you make your kid sit on this. </div>
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Yes, the stool is adorable. But this is make-believe, people. Quit pinning this 8,000,000 times a day and for the love of God do not make this. </div>
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<br /></div>Jackiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11643723543188808273noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2306681412404853003.post-90607037808543162912012-01-29T09:54:00.000-06:002012-01-29T10:04:57.234-06:00How My Son Saved My Life<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<u>It's <a href="http://madjackie.blogspot.com/2012/01/secret-sunday-inspired-by-postsecretcom.html">Secret Sunday</a>! Link up below!</u></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRbffSwWoMOKU-Y8eUtOcub5c2xvFpgiwcmUVRQXquRnttt_yXsm6PQmWr57Ik4Ms9WM2sdNeE76-J-Nq4AFmadL8-YQxVixmvKXdfhqa_TrlUEba5xo68i6-7yUkCBVaybYb8xq4BULnf/s1600/baby.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRbffSwWoMOKU-Y8eUtOcub5c2xvFpgiwcmUVRQXquRnttt_yXsm6PQmWr57Ik4Ms9WM2sdNeE76-J-Nq4AFmadL8-YQxVixmvKXdfhqa_TrlUEba5xo68i6-7yUkCBVaybYb8xq4BULnf/s320/baby.jpg" width="238" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.postsecret.com/">Picture Source</a></span></div>
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When you become a mother, you're giving life to someone else. But sometimes when you become a mother, your child is also giving life to you. Just like this <a href="http://www.postsecret.com/">Post Secret</a> submission, I honestly feel like my son saved my life. </div>
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I found out I was pregnant when I was 20. Seeing those two lines on that stick changed me forever. So much so, that I can separate the "me" I am into pre-mommy time and post-mommy time.</div>
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Pre-mommy time I knew everything (sarcasm) but was doing nothing. Sure, I was enrolled in college classes but each semester I probably ended up dropping or failing a few classes and then barely passing the others. I was in college because, well... that was just what I felt was the next step. You graduate high school. You go to college. But I had no motivation at all. </div>
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The moment I found out I was pregnant, my life changed. I remember thinking, "Wow, I'm going to be someone's mommy and this little thing growing inside me is going to need me to have my shit together." I never purposely messed up before I had my son, but I never purposely made sure I was on the right track either. </div>
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I always say that having Maddox made me the <i>me</i> I should have been all along. </div>
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Post-mommy time, I decided I wanted to go for my dream: applying to law school. I knew in order to do this I had to pull up my GPA up <i>tremendously</i>. The semester before I found out I was pregnant (Fall 2004) I had a 2.41! </div>
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I graduated with a 3.08, which is nothing to be proud of ordinarily. But in order to do that, I had to re-take several classes. I had six semesters left when I found out I was pregnant, and five of those I either made Dean's List (As and Bs) or Chancellor's List (All As). The other one, I had one C... grr! </div>
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I studied my ass off for my LSAT and ended up snagging a decent score and then I applied to law school. I was terrified. I remember sitting at the computer with all the necessary application documents uploaded, and all I needed to do was hit the "submit" button. But I couldn't do it. I bet I sat there for an hour. </div>
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And then I realized that one day my son would have a moment where he would be scared to go for a dream because the odds were against him. I knew that when that moment comes for him, I wanted to tell him that I at least applied to law school, even if I didn't get in. So I held my breath and hit submit.</div>
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The rest is history, really. I became the first person in my family to graduate from college in 2008. Seeing my son in the audience as I entered the arena is a moment I'll never forget. In many ways, I feel like it was him that should have walked across the stage instead of me. </div>
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I got accepted to law school (although I still have no clue how considering over 1600 people applied and less than 150 were accepted--a 10% admission rate.) And now I'm 111 days from walking across the stage again, this time with a <i>much</i> higher GPA. And I'll be opening my own business soon. </div>
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Not only did he inspire me to do my best academically, he just made me a better person. I know that if I want to raise him to be thoughtful, I have to be thoughtful. I know that if I want to raise him to be kind, I have to be kind. All of this has contributed to the post-mommy me. </div>
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When I think about the <i>me</i> I'd be without my son I either want to laugh, cry, or do both. He inspires me. He continuously motivates me. </div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><i>None </i>of the above would be "my story" if it weren't for my son. He saved me. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">The moment a child is born, the mother is also born. She never existed before. The woman existed, but the mother, never. A mother is something absolutely new. ~Rajneesh</span></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">So, what's your secret?</span></b></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">{New to Secret Sunday? <a href="http://madjackie.blogspot.com/2012/01/secret-sunday-inspired-by-postsecretcom.html">Find out all you need to know here</a>!}</span></div>
<script src="http://www.linkytools.com/basic_linky_include.aspx?id=128281" type="text/javascript">
</script>Jackiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11643723543188808273noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2306681412404853003.post-57459308773692615082012-01-29T00:43:00.000-06:002012-01-29T00:57:46.675-06:00Bathroom Organization: Before And After Pics [Don't Judge Me!]<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
So, <a href="http://madjackie.blogspot.com/2012/01/its-20-freakin-12-yall.html">one of my New Years Resolutions</a> is to get organized. I've tackled a few little projects since the beginning of the year, like getting rid of appliances that we didn't really use, and cleaning out the "junk drawer" in our kitchen. </div>
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But, tonight I (with my husband's help) tackled our bathroom. </div>
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It's amazing how you don't realize how much crap you have shoved onto a counter and under the cabinets of your bathroom until you take pictures of it. </div>
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How did I never notice that our bathroom counter was in complete chaos? I mean, the rest of our house isn't like this. But for some reason, makeup, medicine, lotions, and who knows what else have just accumulated on and in our bathroom over the past 2.5 years we've lived here. Well no more.</div>
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Oh, it's sooooo embarrassing to post these "before" pictures but here they are. Don't judge me. </div>
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counter top:</div>
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left is my side & right is hub's side</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipvae9aJrQV1m14QDpbUlbcLYfEtBY2Vmd2WFlTrWoZdOwDTIS4MiG_lGvpFAGNwNOIej64Ddci-oQyZQZ7wgfyJzDUvXU6YWhbrlv5tqXg_gYEhLQ9SFLWIekiIhUe08GyKveetGNbmOQ/s1600/bathroom1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipvae9aJrQV1m14QDpbUlbcLYfEtBY2Vmd2WFlTrWoZdOwDTIS4MiG_lGvpFAGNwNOIej64Ddci-oQyZQZ7wgfyJzDUvXU6YWhbrlv5tqXg_gYEhLQ9SFLWIekiIhUe08GyKveetGNbmOQ/s320/bathroom1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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my drawer:</div>
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no wonder it takes me so long to get ready</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg7PiSjmL-mahRw-g4wK5rQBpVnjVmCuZ0V1rONurJEGES-yzbkwOK0OCuLo-eLWCY8o1k3GHoCRLPYqS6AZ_d60Tu2BojRkSxRk7ESu2qkYNdr1Z9snUmQQZG2CfxzYm4M8xe-6VM_S5G/s1600/bathroom2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg7PiSjmL-mahRw-g4wK5rQBpVnjVmCuZ0V1rONurJEGES-yzbkwOK0OCuLo-eLWCY8o1k3GHoCRLPYqS6AZ_d60Tu2BojRkSxRk7ESu2qkYNdr1Z9snUmQQZG2CfxzYm4M8xe-6VM_S5G/s320/bathroom2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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hub's drawer</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht_UiarFWmMMR_5gZmEJ-wZeePPOYrizWaeMxT7ZJw0UheCFBZ5aCvpuY-lgNRlFghREpAg54UjWq0V8BL4pACeEthKFdKivDBBp5PxuvPcgSmc24Tk5E7ZT2WQ60U8MC12GftTyxa-rHR/s1600/bathroom3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht_UiarFWmMMR_5gZmEJ-wZeePPOYrizWaeMxT7ZJw0UheCFBZ5aCvpuY-lgNRlFghREpAg54UjWq0V8BL4pACeEthKFdKivDBBp5PxuvPcgSmc24Tk5E7ZT2WQ60U8MC12GftTyxa-rHR/s320/bathroom3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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hub's cabinet</div>
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(I forgot to take a picture of my cabinet but it was just as bad.)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS7JEE4wRaKQuVcTioAZkiEqwX90ManRXlreTNnJf_dh1OBD1z9PRN_Q9F-rvH78UQNrmcH0FEI1vqRGUR9LNNhRc9qog8Fk6MZUpUA_gxS6cvewaAu2u51ivBybhx17X_KnA6twtJHU-e/s1600/bathroom4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS7JEE4wRaKQuVcTioAZkiEqwX90ManRXlreTNnJf_dh1OBD1z9PRN_Q9F-rvH78UQNrmcH0FEI1vqRGUR9LNNhRc9qog8Fk6MZUpUA_gxS6cvewaAu2u51ivBybhx17X_KnA6twtJHU-e/s320/bathroom4.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
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the middle cabinet</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAoRHI5x8rhgN58EV6RPWcIqoBx10LU-_JePuhZUQ76ze_IlOqS5zMENF0Pk-vYFiNGiQTim1SjAk6I9fIC3Ezb7bpeManW0sIzYaiMVMP-NkTXwepRgzfzwNvRsxpen0vIVdJPxxdXtqL/s1600/bathroom5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAoRHI5x8rhgN58EV6RPWcIqoBx10LU-_JePuhZUQ76ze_IlOqS5zMENF0Pk-vYFiNGiQTim1SjAk6I9fIC3Ezb7bpeManW0sIzYaiMVMP-NkTXwepRgzfzwNvRsxpen0vIVdJPxxdXtqL/s320/bathroom5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I went to Wal-Mart and purchased 4 containers (for less than $2 each) so that I could separate our things into them. But, before I could use them, I had to take everything <i>out</i> of the bathroom so I could see what the hell we even had under there. </div>
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It took <u>two boxes</u> to haul everything out of our bathroom and into the living room. I could not believe we had that much stuff in there! Where did it all come from?! AHHH!!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKrE5IGLS-211gbvKdPxg5kPSdMUE7artjIcFiF4UQhlMxynmsy0dhMcMhfuST3NiBBBgBPB1GOR0GRoWRpaHWg71W7uqKru7C_mEzGwCW4uGwkceHpbi8riPSQ-fii9IzjGfTE-os0EKY/s1600/bathroom6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKrE5IGLS-211gbvKdPxg5kPSdMUE7artjIcFiF4UQhlMxynmsy0dhMcMhfuST3NiBBBgBPB1GOR0GRoWRpaHWg71W7uqKru7C_mEzGwCW4uGwkceHpbi8riPSQ-fii9IzjGfTE-os0EKY/s320/bathroom6.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I dug in, making different piles for each of the following: prescription medication, over-the-counter medication, dental care, hair care, nail care, lotions, first-aid, and miscellaneous. </div>
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Then, I started throwing stuff away! Who needs 18 bottles of lotion?! WHO?! And why did I feel the need to keep the stupid single-use shampoos and conditioners you get in hotels? Obviously because I didn't have enough stuff! </div>
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Other stuff, I combined. For example, we had like three boxes of Mucinex. Why? Probably because we thought we were out of Mucinex because we couldn't find any and so we bought some more. I also combined things like bandaids. If they're the same size, there's no need for them to be in two boxes even if one box is Sponge Bob and the other Angry Birds. </div>
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Oh, and I learned something tonight: When organizing: zip-lock bags are your friend. </div>
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We ended up eliminated a TON of stuff (probably 1/3) that we didn't need and organized the rest. Here are the results. </div>
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Look, I have a bathroom counter now!</div>
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(And yes, I really take that much medicine to need that weekly pill box. haha)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbZA-O1Dn6MTjRUw3YS6Sb92AiqIvT46EklhcQXyjg5PKvokwiWRnur3KEm8SS2S40phNmMDPlVqE2vmAEXCg8CN1IchmsACiwN1qgv8JSI5QiVRa9dNLVAVJiDOsvydKRo3Rvyaw4hOpv/s1600/bathroom7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbZA-O1Dn6MTjRUw3YS6Sb92AiqIvT46EklhcQXyjg5PKvokwiWRnur3KEm8SS2S40phNmMDPlVqE2vmAEXCg8CN1IchmsACiwN1qgv8JSI5QiVRa9dNLVAVJiDOsvydKRo3Rvyaw4hOpv/s320/bathroom7.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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And the area under the sink is organized so that we can find everything now!</div>
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Each container is organized with common items placed together.</div>
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No more searching, I now where everything is! </div>
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It's a Christmas miracle!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyAsKsi9Cg5NuJ4ojO2sao1aQm8mxTAK1aziv7MQYvl8fvFEZ13RUGFnJG0Ek9wmgoy9GT_ygovjJ80WjzwL2ILgA9jYWRnll2R2aIspHGrG7MzSV6Z3d-yGYPQWGoCPRj000wayg-V0qM/s1600/bathroom8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyAsKsi9Cg5NuJ4ojO2sao1aQm8mxTAK1aziv7MQYvl8fvFEZ13RUGFnJG0Ek9wmgoy9GT_ygovjJ80WjzwL2ILgA9jYWRnll2R2aIspHGrG7MzSV6Z3d-yGYPQWGoCPRj000wayg-V0qM/s320/bathroom8.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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This is my husband's cabinet. So clean!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwluwXD9VbVP9-Q9ZncuN0kFiIoFIp8s_u0isW0mTgFFco2JWg4WQdiH-3uqWK_50AOsBuaBzqEsT8rASDLrGvhjaakjWt0ZRBeGK10ljoKHSSwbRhkZOcKsVETbe4Ha_-V3EYfrpIzr2a/s1600/bathroom9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwluwXD9VbVP9-Q9ZncuN0kFiIoFIp8s_u0isW0mTgFFco2JWg4WQdiH-3uqWK_50AOsBuaBzqEsT8rASDLrGvhjaakjWt0ZRBeGK10ljoKHSSwbRhkZOcKsVETbe4Ha_-V3EYfrpIzr2a/s320/bathroom9.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
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And my cabinet!</div>
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All of my lotions and hair-care products that I use but not regularly are in the pink bag.</div>
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All of my finger nail polishes are in the yellow bag above it.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuP2ZIYvmvsTKA_6UD-QlR2QDrVxqrWK2GzxBnFqMIBjn7JFy9BFgzVcmQRIQhPAOfPgADTCncyrVLJsI_gR6iS_c_eS3fiOjZU48-1IrdX0C6ufcEMCdhk2mv6fIDB7ea_-ZUlb31DwC7/s1600/bathroom10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuP2ZIYvmvsTKA_6UD-QlR2QDrVxqrWK2GzxBnFqMIBjn7JFy9BFgzVcmQRIQhPAOfPgADTCncyrVLJsI_gR6iS_c_eS3fiOjZU48-1IrdX0C6ufcEMCdhk2mv6fIDB7ea_-ZUlb31DwC7/s320/bathroom10.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
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And here is my drawer:</div>
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Everything in it, I use daily.</div>
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My makeup is in a shallow box lid toward the back so that I can take the box out and then slide it back in when I'm finished. See the ugly blue container? My son had a wart a long time ago and the stuff to freeze it with came in that container. We threw away the medicine (it was expired) but I kept the container.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzZyJl05gX19BiFMRWWlHuRK8p8MBugXy5TS1c72Wse_kk3slHhs4PJJ5ZmWVyG8tQTWYl0FnWvFKBQ2G_4yYQeYn4OFXOdUZMMfV8PVSJMepjh8r2FzoIb-jhv6_spX6rmS_sfoWnypbh/s1600/bathroom11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzZyJl05gX19BiFMRWWlHuRK8p8MBugXy5TS1c72Wse_kk3slHhs4PJJ5ZmWVyG8tQTWYl0FnWvFKBQ2G_4yYQeYn4OFXOdUZMMfV8PVSJMepjh8r2FzoIb-jhv6_spX6rmS_sfoWnypbh/s320/bathroom11.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
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Now it holds all of my hair ties, clips, and pins</div>
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(I'll do something to pretty up the front of it, but for now it works.)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdqmDUMh6Ps8nRgfWIXMlUmalKVZmpZz8G0V0J8yAHsQcNuKy8RdmVsoeF2Ez5Oj89xr8A1EsiZg6MqwoAvsR84bYLOPQsm3Y6DUgHkTrC89KEakLAKMN4KPoa_1XJO1Q9mlFo7_q7nGGV/s1600/bathroom13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdqmDUMh6Ps8nRgfWIXMlUmalKVZmpZz8G0V0J8yAHsQcNuKy8RdmVsoeF2Ez5Oj89xr8A1EsiZg6MqwoAvsR84bYLOPQsm3Y6DUgHkTrC89KEakLAKMN4KPoa_1XJO1Q9mlFo7_q7nGGV/s320/bathroom13.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Oh, and here's the container with all of the first aid supplies.</div>
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I put it in a red box under my son's cabinet,</div>
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so that it'd be easily recognizable and easy to get to.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo0Mc0-GiNvI5QOx8LHG_nObt9uvYDS7Q7lzHZZ2LoyGm5pqoXHXEKhdfVx2Hm9wegRrjNHCMmTTblAdP-bFMFDg6FjwdcQyRTeUDu83eBTCR-zele3SCuibsau1M1GmDipio8wz7piPJP/s1600/bathroom12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo0Mc0-GiNvI5QOx8LHG_nObt9uvYDS7Q7lzHZZ2LoyGm5pqoXHXEKhdfVx2Hm9wegRrjNHCMmTTblAdP-bFMFDg6FjwdcQyRTeUDu83eBTCR-zele3SCuibsau1M1GmDipio8wz7piPJP/s320/bathroom12.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
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Because <a href="http://madjackie.blogspot.com/search/label/Couponing">I coupon</a>, we tend to have more products on hand than the average family. So we bought a small shelf to place in our garage to hold these extra products. This shelf was only $14 and well worth it. </div>
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Right now this shelf is holding 10 boxes of medicine, 8 packages of tissue, 6 sticks of deodorant, and at least 10 bottles of body wash, among other things. A lot of this was just being stuffed under the bathroom cabinet, which is completely ridiculous because it might be months before we need any of it. So why was it under there?! Seriously. Why?!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHt0Gz_G3DwgVmQOr1lanR95MG5wPQ4EGAv3rwEy5QhTpknf_ANN4M4fZwY081t00A_1KZI35nRZCb7bGhc4fy9fnkGA6nWsDss01VoATSFeqnHD3Nh38T13q6nQAARxkdEhWn65CCHidv/s1600/shelf1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHt0Gz_G3DwgVmQOr1lanR95MG5wPQ4EGAv3rwEy5QhTpknf_ANN4M4fZwY081t00A_1KZI35nRZCb7bGhc4fy9fnkGA6nWsDss01VoATSFeqnHD3Nh38T13q6nQAARxkdEhWn65CCHidv/s320/shelf1.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
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I am so, SO happy to have all of that clutter gone. I honestly don't know how I let it get that bad but I am so glad to have it all organized now. </div>
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Next up? Organizing all of my crafts supplies!!</div>
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<br />Jackiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11643723543188808273noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2306681412404853003.post-86015207733170932102012-01-27T09:09:00.003-06:002012-01-27T09:09:29.731-06:00Secret Sunday (inspired by PostSecret.com) 101: What is it & How Can I Link Up?<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px;">I am a huge fan of <a href="http://www.postsecret.com/" style="color: #209eb2; text-decoration: none;">www.postsecret.com</a>. In case you're unaware, Post Secret is a blog that is comprised of anonymous secrets that are mailed to the blog owner's address each week in the form of post cards. New submissions are posted on Sundays. </span></div>
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I started <a href="http://madjackie.blogspot.com/search/label/Secret%20Sunday" style="color: #209eb2; text-decoration: none;">My Secret Sunday Series</a> about six weeks ago, after realizing that I should be writing about how much I'm inspired by the submissions. (Duh!) There's not a single week that I am not inspired or touched in some way. On many occasions, I can also relate to some of the submissions on a personal level. Some secrets can be <i>very</i> moving, and others unforgettable. </div>
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So, each Sunday I visit <a href="http://www.postsecret.com/">Post Secret</a> and then share the secret here that stood out to me the most. I then use it as a writing prompt. Now, you can join me! </div>
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<u>How to Link up:</u></div>
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<li style="margin-bottom: 0.25em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px;">Go to <a href="http://www.postsecret.com/" style="color: #209eb2; text-decoration: none;">http://www.postsecret.com</a> and check out this week's secrets. Remember, new secrets are posted <u>each</u> Sunday, although sometimes the owner will put them up on Saturday evenings. </li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0.25em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px;">Write your <i>amazing</i> blog post. Did that secret make you sad? Can you relate? What advice would you give that person? Did it inspire you? Did it make you think of something else? Anything goes! [Optional: Save the image of the submission you choose to write on, and include it in your post.]</li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0.25em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px;"><b>Please</b> be sure to mention that it's for Secret Sunday and <u>link back</u> to the Secret Sunday post. The more that know about the link-up, the more responses everyone will get to on their post. </li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0.25em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px;">Link up below my Secret Sunday post, <u>which will be posted <b>no later than NOON</b> each Sunday (central time)</u>. My linkys are open from Sunday to Saturday so if you can't post until later on in the week, no worries. </li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0.25em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px;">Visit others' blogs to see what they wrote about and share some bloggy love!</li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0.25em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px;">Come back next Sunday and do it again! :) </li>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5f5f5f; font-family: Copse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">If you'd like to see my past Secret Sunday posts, to get more of an idea of what I post on each Sunday <a href="http://madjackie.blogspot.com/search/label/Secret%20Sunday">click here</a>. </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5f5f5f; font-family: Copse; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">Also, Feel free to <b>follow my blog</b> to be reminded about Secret Sunday, but it's not required to participate. You can also <b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Mad-Jackie/177093535683601">follow me on FB</a> </b>to know exactly when the linky is up!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5f5f5f; font-family: Copse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">I hope to see you this Sunday!!</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5f5f5f; font-family: Copse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><br /></span></span></div>Jackiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11643723543188808273noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2306681412404853003.post-89960495940154553942012-01-25T10:05:00.000-06:002012-01-25T10:05:44.849-06:00The Many Faces of Yoda<div style="text-align: center;">
An {<i>almost}</i> <a href="http://madjackie.blogspot.com/search/label/Wordless%20Wednesday">Wordless Wednesday</a> Post<br />
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Happy Yoda</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlS8sO6tPe4mb_mWH0WbZtLjmAbY4XvA6708cuZnhrAJok44Qqc-fVVi4h11QQjHgmQLx7prf6d2lw1hdqSQ0X6oOB0CMElgvyMJrTRBA2CtKm7UCHxiHuJ9XhDUN0Zz0bdvVUBe72t_AI/s1600/399649_657757517706_120503911_32808454_983024399_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlS8sO6tPe4mb_mWH0WbZtLjmAbY4XvA6708cuZnhrAJok44Qqc-fVVi4h11QQjHgmQLx7prf6d2lw1hdqSQ0X6oOB0CMElgvyMJrTRBA2CtKm7UCHxiHuJ9XhDUN0Zz0bdvVUBe72t_AI/s320/399649_657757517706_120503911_32808454_983024399_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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"You want some of this?" Yoda</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUp6lK6_TnJJgrCVHBXGQUnDe2lAr894uaoFxG1lO7d9MPDLuNB-QpIAAjbdAtMf8X_B02YIIHKLEEokXOJzsgYPglJlkBRZdLsMyL0ofLMYQejE5aq1_1WIHMqBIF4p4rZON8DhBjTZYk/s1600/DSC_0914.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUp6lK6_TnJJgrCVHBXGQUnDe2lAr894uaoFxG1lO7d9MPDLuNB-QpIAAjbdAtMf8X_B02YIIHKLEEokXOJzsgYPglJlkBRZdLsMyL0ofLMYQejE5aq1_1WIHMqBIF4p4rZON8DhBjTZYk/s400/DSC_0914.jpg" width="267" /></a></div>
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Crippled Yoda </div>
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(notice the imaginary cane he's holding)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIANk4kgwlneXiXV-Etnujqgqqx2hZR9bzMAVlJ8k4CC7Ej-B5UeIzBKiybbt0Vd-CMo-Z13SNFLelw6qEo6C55d7wq2qJ9h41o5pJoQD293KKhRolmFqECWFDJMkQpyxl6YlOHyVtS8_F/s1600/DSC_0917.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIANk4kgwlneXiXV-Etnujqgqqx2hZR9bzMAVlJ8k4CC7Ej-B5UeIzBKiybbt0Vd-CMo-Z13SNFLelw6qEo6C55d7wq2qJ9h41o5pJoQD293KKhRolmFqECWFDJMkQpyxl6YlOHyVtS8_F/s400/DSC_0917.jpg" width="267" /></a></div>
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Scary Yoda</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp9yK01d9O580_xobOimAhrhXOWceDE8T73TAwAkxW4YMiregD_jFQc2jqOHvLq5T8YGsaOY0sdNKvwHNbAS9dnoLhd5iI0qk7Wi-CyZhwKxYmvQ2f4a0ialp_IjfGWgE2AvCEGNkiN3So/s1600/DSC_0919.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp9yK01d9O580_xobOimAhrhXOWceDE8T73TAwAkxW4YMiregD_jFQc2jqOHvLq5T8YGsaOY0sdNKvwHNbAS9dnoLhd5iI0qk7Wi-CyZhwKxYmvQ2f4a0ialp_IjfGWgE2AvCEGNkiN3So/s400/DSC_0919.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Bashful Yoda</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj23K-RdPxrFl6IVfrzkjla_Kt62pT9J4Y12ElnsMtjb_S6a2XZ-YxdQkqIV45SDw_RkjJSqXs42NAcOz7ikwAZHGr-2GfV9mnAhj4yHx6ecCCY5Xa2QGgser99Tuh6PhF1hzAVxc8nDR1R/s1600/DSC_0920.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj23K-RdPxrFl6IVfrzkjla_Kt62pT9J4Y12ElnsMtjb_S6a2XZ-YxdQkqIV45SDw_RkjJSqXs42NAcOz7ikwAZHGr-2GfV9mnAhj4yHx6ecCCY5Xa2QGgser99Tuh6PhF1hzAVxc8nDR1R/s400/DSC_0920.jpg" width="267" /></a></div>
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Serious Yoda</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEDu7KogGVim63_ZZK7_b2HIKcVBSmqQ-s5u1wW8zAv490Vgv4RMh8iv_yHR7KzgNeWvMDTk1zkIKUrRiwlZ39x_59aNYQIZF3xgLNO5y9sPsGOZ16Ln6oRAU9kT6426ta5LzsrrtXe-Bg/s1600/DSC_0923.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEDu7KogGVim63_ZZK7_b2HIKcVBSmqQ-s5u1wW8zAv490Vgv4RMh8iv_yHR7KzgNeWvMDTk1zkIKUrRiwlZ39x_59aNYQIZF3xgLNO5y9sPsGOZ16Ln6oRAU9kT6426ta5LzsrrtXe-Bg/s400/DSC_0923.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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And last, but not least... Pancake Yoda</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidfXHDKBON1bpP_RacF4PS1X7eakNz67_A4c8P7v-KYK01ormUK8bD95x0DzAziqaa_kO302RieCP7U23a8aV7qMZJmOpxsZ7jxHoGC87qYaDqlShYqMoVtwnlBGTarLUiXP7GDL1aqGxa/s1600/399948_657738550716_120503911_32808331_286182039_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidfXHDKBON1bpP_RacF4PS1X7eakNz67_A4c8P7v-KYK01ormUK8bD95x0DzAziqaa_kO302RieCP7U23a8aV7qMZJmOpxsZ7jxHoGC87qYaDqlShYqMoVtwnlBGTarLUiXP7GDL1aqGxa/s400/399948_657738550716_120503911_32808331_286182039_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/87951241/star-wars-yoda-robe-sz-small">Yoda Robe</a> purchased from Etsy Seller <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/219eileen">219eileen</a></div>
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Star Wars pancake molds purchased <a href="http://www.williams-sonoma.com/products/star-wars-pancake-mold/?pkey=cbakeware-star-wars-collection">here</a></div>
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{Love to link-up? <a href="http://madjackie.blogspot.com/search/label/Secret%20Sunday">Check out my new Secret Sunday Series</a>.}<br />
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<br /></div>Jackiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11643723543188808273noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2306681412404853003.post-35954969309125530712012-01-23T13:53:00.000-06:002012-01-23T13:55:46.286-06:00Hit My 10,000th page view AND my 100th Google Friend Connect Follower Milestone Today: A Thank You!!When I started this blog on March 22, 2011 with a post entitled <a href="http://madjackie.blogspot.com/2011/03/i-feel-nakie.html">I Feel Nakie</a> it never crossed my mind that almost exactly 10 months later l'd be writing this post. <br />
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Sure, 10,000 page views and 100 GFC Followers isn't crap compared to many (in fact, MOST) of the blogs that I enjoy reading. But to me, it is. To me, it's my first big milestone and I'm genuinely appreciative of it. So I just wanted to take this time to say <b>thank you</b>. <br />
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<b>Thank you</b> for allowing me to express myself on this forum.<br />
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<b>Thank you</b> for being supportive.<br />
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<b>Thank you</b> for commenting.<br />
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<b>Thank you</b> for sharing your thoughts with me. <br />
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<b>Thank you</b> for the friendships and the connections made.<br />
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<b>Thank you</b> for <a href="mailto:itsmadjackie@gmail.com">sending me emails</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Mad-Jackie/177093535683601">"liking" my Facebook page,</a> and for following me <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/Mad_Jackie">on Twitter</a> and <a href="http://pinterest.com/madjackie/">Pinterest</a>.<br />
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And<b> thank you</b> for the inspiration. <br />
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In June of 2011 I discussed how the <a href="http://madjackie.blogspot.com/2011/06/what-i-find-most-challenging-about.html">most difficult part of blogging to me</a> is simply trying to find my voice. While I'm still searching for it, I feel that I find it a little more with each post and with each new follower. The support, the emails, the comments, and even the friendships have helped me realize that I really can just be myself. <br />
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So <b>thank you</b> for helping me find my voice and <b>thank you </b>for helping give me the confidence to speak it. In fact it's that support that lead me to get up the courage to post <a href="http://madjackie.blogspot.com/search/label/Link%20Ups">a weekly Linky</a> for my <a href="http://madjackie.blogspot.com/search/label/Secret%20Sunday">Secret Sunday Series</a>. So <b>thank you</b> for that as well!<br />
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I'm excited to see what the next 10 months of blogging will bring for me (and for you as well.)<br />
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<b>Thank you</b> for making today special. </div>
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<br />Jackiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11643723543188808273noreply@blogger.com0