tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-47297601960198718182024-03-05T23:23:16.551-06:00Random ThoughtsLINDA BAREShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02329310197560305542noreply@blogger.comBlogger64125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4729760196019871818.post-86330982038360589672009-06-22T21:52:00.005-05:002009-06-22T22:01:05.030-05:00It's the final countdown<div align="center">3 days until my due date! Pictures were taken right at 39 weeks. I think that I felt a few contractions on Saturday night, started getting a little nervous, rolled over to my left side and they went away. Whew! :) Craig asked me on Sunday why I got nervous! Sure, I know what has to happen, but I'm not sure knowing makes it any easier!<br />My first guess was that I'd deliver early, on June 9th, which is our anniversary. I've since changed my guess to a week overdue, which is July 2nd. Only time will tell. </div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfuShV44IOqzMt75c7OgbAKdrn0MMIB98M3vU-T35fkAphSW0NPBeKeHR8Ze96lShivnoxAx4LiPSRXBCeJP_NEBNGeIqfMxtFAPbrddTaiPEcdPytHc2JH4lgdkiOAd4o2bAmyue5lRmW/s1600-h/39w-belly-(2)--w.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350350922958546818" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfuShV44IOqzMt75c7OgbAKdrn0MMIB98M3vU-T35fkAphSW0NPBeKeHR8Ze96lShivnoxAx4LiPSRXBCeJP_NEBNGeIqfMxtFAPbrddTaiPEcdPytHc2JH4lgdkiOAd4o2bAmyue5lRmW/s320/39w-belly-(2)--w.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />My belly looks so much larger when it's bare. <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggfGkOxXG8B4FHc0Dx8HFX9xaD1jNp8ljE1_fubc5xC10oQjmTrfZ8yG0Lbq2X3_HEyDPuYi9KHwXJtf6Za_6Q1Pzj_PzzwVFSLeRFGS1vklc73KsH5B6rRuQNUrz_L_a9pP_et4Iuvlfl/s1600-h/39w-belly--w.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350350612248746530" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggfGkOxXG8B4FHc0Dx8HFX9xaD1jNp8ljE1_fubc5xC10oQjmTrfZ8yG0Lbq2X3_HEyDPuYi9KHwXJtf6Za_6Q1Pzj_PzzwVFSLeRFGS1vklc73KsH5B6rRuQNUrz_L_a9pP_et4Iuvlfl/s320/39w-belly--w.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div></div><br /></div>LINDA BAREShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02329310197560305542noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4729760196019871818.post-77631285152116184812009-06-12T21:30:00.003-05:002009-06-12T21:40:53.560-05:0037 week photo shootMy friend, Jill, offered to take maternity photos of me when I was at 37 weeks and she did a great job! We had fun, but I don't exactly consider myself to be too photogenic. That's why I really like all of the belly shots. I'll have to post more photos, but here's only one for now. I need to have Craig take some more this weekend as I passed the 38 week mark on Thursday. 13 days to go...crazy.<br /><br />Update on turning the baby - she ended up turning on her own the day of the external version (Friday the 5th). The nurses are pretty sure that she was still transverse before they gave me a relaxant so I didn't have any contractions. (I was actually having contractions, but they weren't strong enough to feel.) The doctor came in 45 minutes after I was given the relaxant, he did a quick ultrasound and we saw that she was head down. Little stinker! I'm glad I didn't have to actually go through with the version though. I was supposed to have another doctor appointment today, but my doctor was delivering a baby, so it's now rescheduled for Tuesday.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYaUjhAwshUsbDMY1dkh6lIc13F7fmperYuMYGwWO6dkWE7_4Pwj3m2aU4_VRqVArPdsP9mLyLMVvImf-u77W8ukJjfTqLYL-5MIqIrRr1ivqmlTOAurzd31WgXnDbOkqHuKXTMc76McWZ/s1600-h/Linda-deck-belly-b&w--w.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346636147235847042" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYaUjhAwshUsbDMY1dkh6lIc13F7fmperYuMYGwWO6dkWE7_4Pwj3m2aU4_VRqVArPdsP9mLyLMVvImf-u77W8ukJjfTqLYL-5MIqIrRr1ivqmlTOAurzd31WgXnDbOkqHuKXTMc76McWZ/s320/Linda-deck-belly-b&w--w.jpg" border="0" /></a> <div> </div>LINDA BAREShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02329310197560305542noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4729760196019871818.post-13033613358358150712009-05-29T22:35:00.003-05:002009-05-29T22:39:54.309-05:00Turn baby, turnPictures were taken on Thursday, May 28th, when I was exactly 36 weeks pregnant. I found out at my doctor appointment this week that the baby is breech and somewhat horizontal. Her head is in the upper right side of my tummy. (You can't tell in the pictures.) If she doesn't turn by late next week, doctors are going to perform an external version and try and turn her physically. I want to avoid a c-section, but I'm not looking forward to an external version either, so we're sure hoping that she turns and heads south by next week. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3hKubelKiSkKQOu3OOZCsvy2F26LkN_XtIiVnXqYJ0qv5K1Lt_RX7I0VLwotBHZ0Ck9T154giXcyv2vrYBwmduf0pxYM1EN-8OIK2_3zITbsOOPlS3z-AL5PXlr8BP0BMLsjTxD-OClDg/s1600-h/36w-belly-side.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341455703577585826" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3hKubelKiSkKQOu3OOZCsvy2F26LkN_XtIiVnXqYJ0qv5K1Lt_RX7I0VLwotBHZ0Ck9T154giXcyv2vrYBwmduf0pxYM1EN-8OIK2_3zITbsOOPlS3z-AL5PXlr8BP0BMLsjTxD-OClDg/s320/36w-belly-side.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjsSvcwVsuJMEH4sBvApd0c0401ZvXc8f97N942xFC6mGY3xIGB81qHypnBFFNwKIRUrnSPq8VpMVuUnYFp66fm356Te1pdn8I0y6lw4G4m_LSCcSTPlyb3knhnEHuY4RmYXUiUk1cvuco/s1600-h/36w-belly-front.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341455702751926610" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjsSvcwVsuJMEH4sBvApd0c0401ZvXc8f97N942xFC6mGY3xIGB81qHypnBFFNwKIRUrnSPq8VpMVuUnYFp66fm356Te1pdn8I0y6lw4G4m_LSCcSTPlyb3knhnEHuY4RmYXUiUk1cvuco/s320/36w-belly-front.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuzqBdqEp8DoOzcSTkR9AE96J3RmpxHp-6qNSnXjGTpM8fezFFA7Z9ZacjMje4Sx6YBVnUuSp-7YUktVpZv2YDo9UGes31Kv4rTiit1Z2VwdQCk5tXGo4gS46N8xqn29g6oxlLG2yTDQ6x/s1600-h/36w-belly.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341455700726589058" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuzqBdqEp8DoOzcSTkR9AE96J3RmpxHp-6qNSnXjGTpM8fezFFA7Z9ZacjMje4Sx6YBVnUuSp-7YUktVpZv2YDo9UGes31Kv4rTiit1Z2VwdQCk5tXGo4gS46N8xqn29g6oxlLG2yTDQ6x/s320/36w-belly.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div>LINDA BAREShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02329310197560305542noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4729760196019871818.post-68115785482778006842009-05-20T20:46:00.003-05:002009-05-20T20:47:42.601-05:0034 weeks, 3 days<div align="center">Getting closer...</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh6CVKrlN1Rv1jD48T3mGa-RcVhcCm__XtKG8xuVqb9d8hugiJ0H6miLuwyk-cipIPAU9wvB5GKVyBM8bMGgqgqF58wqc0Krum1XNT8fJqmWzO3MTU1YQZUj3m0GxN9MSnQSpGAsibsntB/s1600-h/34w-3d-belly--w.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338087817945461746" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh6CVKrlN1Rv1jD48T3mGa-RcVhcCm__XtKG8xuVqb9d8hugiJ0H6miLuwyk-cipIPAU9wvB5GKVyBM8bMGgqgqF58wqc0Krum1XNT8fJqmWzO3MTU1YQZUj3m0GxN9MSnQSpGAsibsntB/s320/34w-3d-belly--w.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div>LINDA BAREShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02329310197560305542noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4729760196019871818.post-62493370887247315162009-05-07T21:31:00.004-05:002009-05-07T21:38:38.508-05:00Before/After SwingMy sister loaned me the baby swing that she used for my nephew, Devin, who is now 12. Being frugral, I'm all about borrowing baby items or purchasing used items, but sometimes, the items could use a little cleaning and/or updating. I had to chuckle after seeing the dinosaur fabric that was used on the swing cushion. It would have worked perfectly fine, but I dug through my fabric stash and found something a little more modern/me, made my own pattern from the dinosaur one and whipped a new one up. The white nylon strap was also "not so white", so it spent a night soaking in vinegar and then a trip through the wash and it now appears brand new.<br /><br /><div align="center">After </div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnLOlk5UsMrBCRKDBSVKc5fN9WllkasxXuuR3oN8Z-64PsRNKfZJVdZxm_AC2GT64DZ33S0u2C98qzm6lZg0pMQoWw-TClFqCq0rvP6TC8uxjOhUABEnxCL1Nxg1wMpBKrRtJJl2IMb4Xw/s1600-h/swing-after--w.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333276270200346242" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnLOlk5UsMrBCRKDBSVKc5fN9WllkasxXuuR3oN8Z-64PsRNKfZJVdZxm_AC2GT64DZ33S0u2C98qzm6lZg0pMQoWw-TClFqCq0rvP6TC8uxjOhUABEnxCL1Nxg1wMpBKrRtJJl2IMb4Xw/s320/swing-after--w.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div align="center">Before<br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6pvKFPvYg9YEfs5sIM9erlzQt5znTDPyrFUo7BE-cZCO1_Th2NIBumiiMi8EBUnVHL5IgRi9KVE4ANS0KiOBAnFsW5sByyYfw3yn1ySDYDdsCWkOSdO7ZqKhaKpK-NIbsC81y-G9f8S-1/s1600-h/swing-before.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333276267667280978" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6pvKFPvYg9YEfs5sIM9erlzQt5znTDPyrFUo7BE-cZCO1_Th2NIBumiiMi8EBUnVHL5IgRi9KVE4ANS0KiOBAnFsW5sByyYfw3yn1ySDYDdsCWkOSdO7ZqKhaKpK-NIbsC81y-G9f8S-1/s320/swing-before.jpg" border="0" /></a> <div></div><div> </div>LINDA BAREShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02329310197560305542noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4729760196019871818.post-46707112304163647902009-04-30T21:22:00.003-05:002009-04-30T21:34:46.577-05:0032 weeks down, 8 to goAs you can see, my belly has grown larger over the last few weeks, but I'm still able to do pretty much everything yet, including painting my toenails! The baby is around 15-17 inches long and weighs around 4 pounds. She'll continue to gain about a 1/2 pound/week until I deliver. She hasn't been as active as she was as she's running out of room. I wish I could figure out what's poking me on my right side at least 10 times a day! I've noticed my hip joints have felt a little sore this week, so my body must be starting to loosen up for the big day. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLzQMZJJ15uv2aFpLfT75SWe4PjsGriJMPaJxIOwYYx-0KppW_JhSezAj6_BUnDGgzeQd0U2_R-TeoIMRNmiVE8-X729vZB_c8RFohjCgIMHuJnrICb-ek_lA3hU8ClsqQqKwCR8vAglnO/s1600-h/32w+bellly+-w.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330675217578761154" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLzQMZJJ15uv2aFpLfT75SWe4PjsGriJMPaJxIOwYYx-0KppW_JhSezAj6_BUnDGgzeQd0U2_R-TeoIMRNmiVE8-X729vZB_c8RFohjCgIMHuJnrICb-ek_lA3hU8ClsqQqKwCR8vAglnO/s320/32w+bellly+-w.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div>LINDA BAREShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02329310197560305542noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4729760196019871818.post-57295819901414418372009-04-30T21:20:00.002-05:002009-04-30T21:20:49.912-05:0030 weeks, 3 days<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGqKB-wufQo-oRLb9Tw7artBUHskZ8uGWqY_g4HWEeN_PJ_T-kFy1tUlui-qp8ai2Ac62w0uZHqXm1ZxacXJtRHS-sl0sOWqvddm5ILeHulIcvw_6rcmaBevSpmhoDwjJDKgm5CXY7BVpw/s1600-h/30w-3d-belly--w.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330674791995917538" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGqKB-wufQo-oRLb9Tw7artBUHskZ8uGWqY_g4HWEeN_PJ_T-kFy1tUlui-qp8ai2Ac62w0uZHqXm1ZxacXJtRHS-sl0sOWqvddm5ILeHulIcvw_6rcmaBevSpmhoDwjJDKgm5CXY7BVpw/s320/30w-3d-belly--w.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div>LINDA BAREShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02329310197560305542noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4729760196019871818.post-10202787764663257872009-04-02T19:19:00.002-05:002009-04-02T19:33:01.322-05:0028 week baby bellyI think it's official. I have a baby belly. The naked belly in the second picture looks so much larger to me. I thought the baby had turned over the weekend as she's been breach since the ultrasound, but she either turned back or else never turned as I still feel her kicks on my bottom, left side. My pregnancy continues to go well and my energy levels are still high, so no complaints besides the buring in my upper ab muscles. <br /><br />I had a dream last night that I had the baby 10 weeks early. We drove to the hospital (about 15-20 minutes away), had the baby and were back home, all within one hour. It was amazing how simple labor was!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLXP9pTmH9VpQ4NyDW-iVBOOjEdazB9kwXOaBf7xtVlP-_ztrsSpx7KU5P2cstNgHfwU37mwWsA8R904LCF4Bel-KC3N6T9VElbnjN741q8TaTzASZU-A3WQGaHYAOEdlwBefi2GHbJKtg/s1600-h/28-w-belly--w.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320253495719082898" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLXP9pTmH9VpQ4NyDW-iVBOOjEdazB9kwXOaBf7xtVlP-_ztrsSpx7KU5P2cstNgHfwU37mwWsA8R904LCF4Bel-KC3N6T9VElbnjN741q8TaTzASZU-A3WQGaHYAOEdlwBefi2GHbJKtg/s320/28-w-belly--w.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6mfdXkOHZAzkG8rqHk9vCk5AbcgcuLRibvRq050Kcwpn2yk5WqNcL79ssDyUA-oMPWJSaPjHHptcNr88-PbkB4Y57kmSielW4a1bQ_BERUqpQveXMqQaWZubF3CulcdtwgYygLqcba-7_/s1600-h/28-w--w.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320253490086467666" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6mfdXkOHZAzkG8rqHk9vCk5AbcgcuLRibvRq050Kcwpn2yk5WqNcL79ssDyUA-oMPWJSaPjHHptcNr88-PbkB4Y57kmSielW4a1bQ_BERUqpQveXMqQaWZubF3CulcdtwgYygLqcba-7_/s320/28-w--w.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div></div></div>LINDA BAREShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02329310197560305542noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4729760196019871818.post-5066737504500198262009-03-09T20:49:00.007-05:002009-03-09T21:08:39.271-05:00Nusery decorI fell in love with this antique hutch on Saturday while visiting a new little shop downtown Lakeville called Pink Door Boutique. I've been looking for a similar piece to match my dresser that I received on freecyle.com (see last picture in this post). Being frugal, I highly contemplated making the purchase. I oohed and aahed over it for at least 30 minutes, wandering around the store and always coming back to this piece. I finally pulled myself away and went home and told Craig about it and he said, "When should I pick it up?" I told him I didn't buy it and he asked, "Why not? I'll be ready in 5 minutes and we can go back and get it." Yay! It was priced at $195, but other hutches in the store were priced at $450, so right there, I felt like I was getting a good deal. It was even on sale for 15% off, so the new total was $165. It was a little more than I wanted to spend, but I loved the idea that it was refinished, we're supporting a new local shop in town (which has MANY adorable things) and it'll go perfect in the baby's room. The owner's father refinished all of the furniture in the boutique and happened to be there when we went back. I visited with him about possibly refinishing the free dresser too, so they match. I was going to try it myself, but depending on what he charges, I'll have him do it. He told me what brand of paint and color he used on the hutch, so it'd at least be the same color. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs2psGdr24u1vD6ejARAGrIs3V2yHlXIqV42dvLEJizlCvxqFEOx1RPiBVBWm-k_BZ0I1S2eght35-CGUGYbeJ3pC4aQMQPBCGGr9qFeTNZFqczSh_R3-T5_TDp6R2tAIELrMN0wG1cwc3/s1600-h/001-W.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311371737457357442" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs2psGdr24u1vD6ejARAGrIs3V2yHlXIqV42dvLEJizlCvxqFEOx1RPiBVBWm-k_BZ0I1S2eght35-CGUGYbeJ3pC4aQMQPBCGGr9qFeTNZFqczSh_R3-T5_TDp6R2tAIELrMN0wG1cwc3/s320/001-W.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBxWF3_f96RJ__wAm9WcvveMdkLfOc5B35fTxgMK6mqVnB2hddLek79S8FYJONUnR6mgFEe2mF7wg0FXJX2s4lF1sLMMrf7rp68D23MS95I6CCtmHjPanUG6DzkUJkenHCRUv8WtesY6iT/s1600-h/002-W.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311371733872456978" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBxWF3_f96RJ__wAm9WcvveMdkLfOc5B35fTxgMK6mqVnB2hddLek79S8FYJONUnR6mgFEe2mF7wg0FXJX2s4lF1sLMMrf7rp68D23MS95I6CCtmHjPanUG6DzkUJkenHCRUv8WtesY6iT/s320/002-W.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibhnjbIVGdP-Pbzrga6ftzzShJNgo3KN0-zGj6ABtUN2TdMs9EXg6IBhvFBauduDzYbpCs2NZ6ghvYnZEltMYVMh3gG7OMDghVg7IVPBeTLKy5h3G2SeRjx6V0VStaG5atv0w93aborcyA/s1600-h/003-W.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311371731550457570" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibhnjbIVGdP-Pbzrga6ftzzShJNgo3KN0-zGj6ABtUN2TdMs9EXg6IBhvFBauduDzYbpCs2NZ6ghvYnZEltMYVMh3gG7OMDghVg7IVPBeTLKy5h3G2SeRjx6V0VStaG5atv0w93aborcyA/s320/003-W.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />For those who haven't already figured it out or already know, it's a girl! This is the color scheme I'm going for, somewhat of a shabby chic/vintage theme, with the motto "less is more" in mind. The walls will remain tan and the main color will probably be the light pink.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikFVGwQHpWEj9tPwCJ974DeBbpczGUxacDRmN2NG_cEbUC8RzkWop8_rma5HHWegnPnIFjrqLUXXSfyGlfQg2z1ayeMtAKs-j8E2X9ezI2zLNufKZE4fFpK-88WCDHBZZG9C9aw7Iq04qC/s1600-h/004-W.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311371730218710226" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikFVGwQHpWEj9tPwCJ974DeBbpczGUxacDRmN2NG_cEbUC8RzkWop8_rma5HHWegnPnIFjrqLUXXSfyGlfQg2z1ayeMtAKs-j8E2X9ezI2zLNufKZE4fFpK-88WCDHBZZG9C9aw7Iq04qC/s320/004-W.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Free dresser that matches the hutch above pretty darn close.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitFq-3B1v7vFUEOLcebA7_lNC_IQc9zxW1wnpmweZFVDhaiDCOQRTeqju-rzLuaBqVrXlo239OFI5MfEmyrMrW0Ri0b3x0QZHyWN4E3IBlG2HjoU0TeAprL69CjI1BHZWPwg8l6FZR818_/s1600-h/005-W.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311371725598442834" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitFq-3B1v7vFUEOLcebA7_lNC_IQc9zxW1wnpmweZFVDhaiDCOQRTeqju-rzLuaBqVrXlo239OFI5MfEmyrMrW0Ri0b3x0QZHyWN4E3IBlG2HjoU0TeAprL69CjI1BHZWPwg8l6FZR818_/s320/005-W.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div>LINDA BAREShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02329310197560305542noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4729760196019871818.post-39907835381449096922009-03-08T19:57:00.003-05:002009-03-08T21:17:45.502-05:0024 weeks, 3 daysThings continue to go well, besides the few night cramps I've had in my left calf. Ouch! I didn't know if I should bend my foot up or down, or rub my calf or what. So I simply clutched it and hoped the pain would quickly go away on its own! Is this just another thing my body is doing to prepare itself for the pain of labor?!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgyjbLtYEYnk8R6MRGokxrgBs0nVJsttKuLEY7QFIokPy7ffB7nLQcw-JBZyghH5RaAB1UAKqGz854wv_SeOgVsWk0N8Tdk7usX63h7yjKPw4i5J3WD_SymsNo1rRV8_0U04NhaYyrNZEN/s1600-h/007-W.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5310985979818902658" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgyjbLtYEYnk8R6MRGokxrgBs0nVJsttKuLEY7QFIokPy7ffB7nLQcw-JBZyghH5RaAB1UAKqGz854wv_SeOgVsWk0N8Tdk7usX63h7yjKPw4i5J3WD_SymsNo1rRV8_0U04NhaYyrNZEN/s320/007-W.jpg" border="0" /></a>LINDA BAREShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02329310197560305542noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4729760196019871818.post-65245829861092356452009-02-23T19:27:00.005-06:002009-02-23T19:43:10.045-06:00ultrasoundWe had our ultrasound on the 16th and the baby was very active! It was fun to see the baby moving around, but strange at the same time because I couldn't feel it moving. However, a couple days later, I felt the first real kicks! And have felt them several times every day since. Craig even got to feel a couple "good ones". Everything looked good to the sonographer and the baby is measuring ahead of schedule, weighing in at 1pound and 2ounces (1 week ago).<br /><br /><div align="center">The baby's arm and hand is in front of its face and the little bubble in front of its mouth is the umbilical cord.</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ3T5N3Qeh7Qfw0WSQtEiHy_DHOuAfoIBvyzZxj8q71Ul_kRIRscZNmJqvjeD0Mn1v5u5j-8ob4ucUizi-xrx3ZVRqcVa4bBAzvvzK5I6tDfd6x_mSXNH5jo403jPyffPkvP0T9oXnoCf3/s1600-h/ultrasound2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306172363796619986" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 243px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ3T5N3Qeh7Qfw0WSQtEiHy_DHOuAfoIBvyzZxj8q71Ul_kRIRscZNmJqvjeD0Mn1v5u5j-8ob4ucUizi-xrx3ZVRqcVa4bBAzvvzK5I6tDfd6x_mSXNH5jo403jPyffPkvP0T9oXnoCf3/s320/ultrasound2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div align="center">This little foot must be what I've been feeling the last several days. :)</div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7OJz2EY86QaPUZUnfVSV0nW1iQGp3puHX4KWJcnW5hB1Y-yC-Z8KZA8udzUrTzPlQC6E7lbg1D9DgWnCDlTFN2SkZsIFPNj7iyTjzyQqWNp8vSea-Vk0YRkLiMRV1Vxf04rTmxo6wzh-k/s1600-h/ultrasound6.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306172359782869666" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 243px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7OJz2EY86QaPUZUnfVSV0nW1iQGp3puHX4KWJcnW5hB1Y-yC-Z8KZA8udzUrTzPlQC6E7lbg1D9DgWnCDlTFN2SkZsIFPNj7iyTjzyQqWNp8vSea-Vk0YRkLiMRV1Vxf04rTmxo6wzh-k/s320/ultrasound6.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />22 weeks, 3 days belly<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1cBH5jb80WXqlZgEqtRk895hOw9vN13i1RIesFhi4pFl58aFAV8Kxxy4qAHHNCpgoPEcVLBRaW-ZyS5cmSgcgEmpNN1VmliFD28dQ4t9tV-uBC8p7QvUbdcEaJG-yJcbWE0C7XFoVAq8w/s1600-h/22w-3d--w.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306170214849238738" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1cBH5jb80WXqlZgEqtRk895hOw9vN13i1RIesFhi4pFl58aFAV8Kxxy4qAHHNCpgoPEcVLBRaW-ZyS5cmSgcgEmpNN1VmliFD28dQ4t9tV-uBC8p7QvUbdcEaJG-yJcbWE0C7XFoVAq8w/s320/22w-3d--w.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div><div> </div><br /></div>LINDA BAREShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02329310197560305542noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4729760196019871818.post-49688684884756503602009-02-08T16:41:00.002-06:002009-02-08T16:54:44.157-06:00Halfway there...<div align="left"> The first half of my pregnancy sure went fast. I hope the second half doesn't go quite as fast, as my to do list of things I want to complete before the baby gets here is quite lengthy. </div><div align="left"> Our ultrasound is scheduled for February 16th, so we should know the sex then! I've been good so far about only purchasing diapers and wipes (we're well stocked already), but this past week, I did purchase a few barely used items on Craigslist - a car seat with a couple bases and a boppy pillow with a cover. I also picked up a bouncer chair through Freecyle.org. They're all cleaned up and ready for the baby. My sister lent me her baby swing, which I may sew a more modern print cover for, and the head football coach in Jordan gave us their glider rocker that they were going to throw out, even though there's nothing wrong with it. So we're slowly starting to accumulate baby items. I started the list of things we'll need, so we'll be all ready to register in a month or so. </div><div align="center">20 wks and 3 days belly</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYd_TxguTvzNiVD0uvuKo4NPzSf_pj_LFzciLiYMp8ird9NjU_NuLuSrkQ8otAv5K6YdBr7kvdV8lLggrhqw_K6PV1M3OPN6MduOxbMlMILE-HVVjl6S8WMuahxwgnuWoQ_X0BdFTKc5Ub/s1600-h/20-wks-3-days--w.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5300560692572875314" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 229px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYd_TxguTvzNiVD0uvuKo4NPzSf_pj_LFzciLiYMp8ird9NjU_NuLuSrkQ8otAv5K6YdBr7kvdV8lLggrhqw_K6PV1M3OPN6MduOxbMlMILE-HVVjl6S8WMuahxwgnuWoQ_X0BdFTKc5Ub/s320/20-wks-3-days--w.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div>LINDA BAREShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02329310197560305542noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4729760196019871818.post-31161235680292733562009-01-24T14:29:00.006-06:002009-01-24T14:38:44.578-06:0017 weeks, 3 days baby bump<div align="left">I'm down to about 3-4 pair of pants that are still wearable alone, but am able to wear several others with the assistance of a <a href="http://www.ingridandisabel.com/">bella band</a>. I've been feeling really good for the past 4-5 weeks and can't really even tell that I'm pregnant (besides the small belly). There were several weeks where all I wanted to do was lay on the couch and not move. Definitely not me! </div><div align="left">We're anxiously awaiting our ultrasound appointment where we hope to find out the sex of the baby, which should happen in February.</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">Picture was taken on January 18th.</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfXsQXfbeen3Ec4rH1yWtQ3yEcLGZL3ITfzzhjXCPiTaqGowNLJ1DskAKsDQwM92Gb5ZA6j_va4t2afmNClwo4oycw6WOSS3Y-qOTnIH2wE2ztFjQAAWrnWjNuiXOeO6t4K_EkHBXppXuq/s1600-h/005-W.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5294960344167734322" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfXsQXfbeen3Ec4rH1yWtQ3yEcLGZL3ITfzzhjXCPiTaqGowNLJ1DskAKsDQwM92Gb5ZA6j_va4t2afmNClwo4oycw6WOSS3Y-qOTnIH2wE2ztFjQAAWrnWjNuiXOeO6t4K_EkHBXppXuq/s320/005-W.jpg" border="0" /></a>LINDA BAREShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02329310197560305542noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4729760196019871818.post-74282648261074951542008-11-15T16:13:00.002-06:002008-11-15T16:19:22.849-06:00Need a laugh?If I ever need a chuckle, all I have to do is run through a couple of my favorite Deep Thoughts by Jack Handey. I'm chuckling already...<br /> 1. Always carry two sacks, one in each hand. That way, if someone asks you to lend them a hand, you can say, "Sorry, got these sacks." <br /> 2. If you drop your keys in a river of molten lava, leave 'em, because man, they're gone.LINDA BAREShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02329310197560305542noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4729760196019871818.post-28764990071558175202008-11-15T15:42:00.005-06:002008-11-15T16:00:23.577-06:00Craig's new hatCraig's been in search of a dressier hat to wear so he can keep his bald head warm this winter. He hasn't had much luck, so he asked me if I could make him a one. I found a free pattern online for a fleece skull cap and gave it a shot. I wouldn't consider it dressy exactly, but it's doing the job.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_XZ1PkWa73CTams2-xEPjNqIxjwz0IM4CNs5FfqEJqJpc_5HTfPtrLZebvRFyivFvwG2oAHhuW_HqbcYw8Wz5EgGeWSWFE9aPlXwbLKgp9w2qiyKGHNdNK0ejLV_WiTyzclLVWx7ESPBr/s1600-h/IMG_2933-w.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5269006209607787570" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_XZ1PkWa73CTams2-xEPjNqIxjwz0IM4CNs5FfqEJqJpc_5HTfPtrLZebvRFyivFvwG2oAHhuW_HqbcYw8Wz5EgGeWSWFE9aPlXwbLKgp9w2qiyKGHNdNK0ejLV_WiTyzclLVWx7ESPBr/s320/IMG_2933-w.jpg" border="0" /></a>LINDA BAREShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02329310197560305542noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4729760196019871818.post-65887518704883447712008-10-29T21:38:00.006-05:002008-10-29T21:44:07.891-05:00Time keeps tickingI'm really not that busy of a person, but for some reason, the days/weeks/months just seem to fly by. I'm trying to spend more time on some sewing projects, so I can get rid of some of the fabric I've accumulated, so I can then buy more! Here's a scarf that I made over the weekend to list in my <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5449807">etsy</a> store. I'd like to make some fleece hats and scarves too, along with some Christmas stockings. Too many projets with too little time. At least I still have a little over 8 days of vacation to use. I might have to take a "sewing day".<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8l59xl7TQ_IyTPA5sEs52Pzhsrx8rdxvwiFBUK2We354voZiMDIVvC3sCn9yC8MTVPugOTmU-IQrNskC7R-jpLmlPvxZ9n3pLmhfrl7iMnvNjdzokWb6JPAyjfOw0M9FZlPEBJkCVc3JL/s1600-h/IMG_2914-w.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262771313611106498" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8l59xl7TQ_IyTPA5sEs52Pzhsrx8rdxvwiFBUK2We354voZiMDIVvC3sCn9yC8MTVPugOTmU-IQrNskC7R-jpLmlPvxZ9n3pLmhfrl7iMnvNjdzokWb6JPAyjfOw0M9FZlPEBJkCVc3JL/s320/IMG_2914-w.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div><br /><div></div>LINDA BAREShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02329310197560305542noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4729760196019871818.post-22585985885017543932008-08-15T20:48:00.008-05:002008-08-15T20:57:18.016-05:00Minneapolis Institute of ArtsI thought I was doing great there for a while with this blog thing, but fell off the wagon a bit this summer. <br /><br />I took last Friday off and Craig and I spent the afternoon at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts. Some of it was interesting, other parts not so much, but it was worth seeing. And you can't beat free admission, compliments of the library. I froze my butt off though, so I went through a little quicker than Craig. Here are a few photos I took along the way.<br /><br /><div align="center">: a couple oil on canvas prints</div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEtaXAaTW3ZinfFwwFKFfyhrKhIKNspNGe4RSGcO0uPs43T5UEI9M1WxK9E5znAcjdbu1Gdg46KHwvZ8wsBaDshgwXotsiqFG_0X7J4jB86y7gP-LVjtCVEXKTr5QkhkBeymeSQ6r07R7U/s1600-h/IMG_2714-w.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5234927799915881810" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEtaXAaTW3ZinfFwwFKFfyhrKhIKNspNGe4RSGcO0uPs43T5UEI9M1WxK9E5znAcjdbu1Gdg46KHwvZ8wsBaDshgwXotsiqFG_0X7J4jB86y7gP-LVjtCVEXKTr5QkhkBeymeSQ6r07R7U/s320/IMG_2714-w.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUEdIqwonKdEH7zTqKwiKqZsYhF7oIP304Hi7b249bnt5LW_YJ2IX3SZEsVPadAF3Bxc4Kc91zAnSPM4jzZPtgexmlUOCL6ESuxlwfgTYcgk0i6q9sUJeW3a9LrHCRkFIx7oQVOXMBD-wy/s1600-h/IMG_2715-w.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5234927799796552098" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUEdIqwonKdEH7zTqKwiKqZsYhF7oIP304Hi7b249bnt5LW_YJ2IX3SZEsVPadAF3Bxc4Kc91zAnSPM4jzZPtgexmlUOCL6ESuxlwfgTYcgk0i6q9sUJeW3a9LrHCRkFIx7oQVOXMBD-wy/s320/IMG_2715-w.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />: fiberglass panda bear<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkd96Z7azcOxbo9lQ9usdHQJTKEco2GrJj3FKJM3AremILOGbdo8wH7xhMQ2a_em8sk53QOvvWCgBOgVLOrYFNEUKUUZt95TL4ONJVxWOLHVr1k9P3uwWeq6AfS6xGoncX0lmILTvEiP6n/s1600-h/IMG_2711-w.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5234927308451795090" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkd96Z7azcOxbo9lQ9usdHQJTKEco2GrJj3FKJM3AremILOGbdo8wH7xhMQ2a_em8sk53QOvvWCgBOgVLOrYFNEUKUUZt95TL4ONJVxWOLHVr1k9P3uwWeq6AfS6xGoncX0lmILTvEiP6n/s320/IMG_2711-w.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /> : very smooth limestone statue<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiQ3ul-SwWCn7W6K-B9Rm4lLkqwdMdH7p-Ok1yWf-klAKZuFJBBx-x-Trr8G_B4x05Xh_pMeXu1BwYDCPJP3EO1nerm8PxAZf6Ktjri75XQByzxAZcRhCOF8eBnMwf-T5UR86AkjBH5KLc/s1600-h/IMG_2709-w.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5234927312919700306" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiQ3ul-SwWCn7W6K-B9Rm4lLkqwdMdH7p-Ok1yWf-klAKZuFJBBx-x-Trr8G_B4x05Xh_pMeXu1BwYDCPJP3EO1nerm8PxAZf6Ktjri75XQByzxAZcRhCOF8eBnMwf-T5UR86AkjBH5KLc/s320/IMG_2709-w.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><div align="center">: a 12th century jewelry box<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMkNMxMKHENNjWOG2s9bV6YwYtONVf4R9WM-2oLE7E3koEx81Bf12dlrsVui_FQxzh2oP2f8TKcLJBFIO7X-JmK_yOUkmsaXu57zx1md2YUopcgMoY3cWXmUSRRg38w9poqP1350lh2GuG/s1600-h/IMG_2707-w.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5234927313563869874" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMkNMxMKHENNjWOG2s9bV6YwYtONVf4R9WM-2oLE7E3koEx81Bf12dlrsVui_FQxzh2oP2f8TKcLJBFIO7X-JmK_yOUkmsaXu57zx1md2YUopcgMoY3cWXmUSRRg38w9poqP1350lh2GuG/s320/IMG_2707-w.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><p align="center">: Greek statue with his man parts missing (I wonder where they are or who has them...)<br /></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBkDRy0MlycvLDw2ou3ShwX_-Gz4myAoj-VnmdYJHzZuj_zXtoGSbV2xBlvmY-u2dJwjxfsWJG1o1KoTE34C-8Dsuf5XnJAF-up5SeRLzK36W5TxQP_Ch9v5mVWUwQ1dmBlC_P1Qizff3P/s1600-h/IMG_2704-w.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5234927317611232674" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBkDRy0MlycvLDw2ou3ShwX_-Gz4myAoj-VnmdYJHzZuj_zXtoGSbV2xBlvmY-u2dJwjxfsWJG1o1KoTE34C-8Dsuf5XnJAF-up5SeRLzK36W5TxQP_Ch9v5mVWUwQ1dmBlC_P1Qizff3P/s320/IMG_2704-w.jpg" border="0" /></a>LINDA BAREShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02329310197560305542noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4729760196019871818.post-66149138883546159802008-06-10T20:50:00.004-05:002008-06-10T20:52:58.810-05:00Reupholstery project<div align="center">Here's one of the 5 wooden chairs that I bought a few weeks ago when we were garage saling. I love the ivory paired with light blue. </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">Before...</div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAH06sEwjroVwxVF07SL8MpI2Y6bwQSrshYcu6kHpToNt7Fscj2ngxi4IkYBYfW3zbjl3GTuyCZWUBQTwi-HyZIRjWjTxZer3oiDLpb4Pg3_1jmXOlwNQwtWSlXQm8MGlCgPUzU_bmWaFZ/s1600-h/before-chair--w.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5210435702664924034" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAH06sEwjroVwxVF07SL8MpI2Y6bwQSrshYcu6kHpToNt7Fscj2ngxi4IkYBYfW3zbjl3GTuyCZWUBQTwi-HyZIRjWjTxZer3oiDLpb4Pg3_1jmXOlwNQwtWSlXQm8MGlCgPUzU_bmWaFZ/s320/before-chair--w.jpg" border="0" /></a> And after...<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDS7lOwgykyK-xU_TeSF7__IwWQ9jyVmf8EWDR54_J49FQnJyF-RUQAEwiOaNMb_72XEIp9XUJVEXMYIaaxX8aTMupJb6DDp1UWLYOdXqQrzzCjxQ8Lc0p0m7-U68tX8Iv52En87kZDFff/s1600-h/after-chair--w.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5210435724193412786" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDS7lOwgykyK-xU_TeSF7__IwWQ9jyVmf8EWDR54_J49FQnJyF-RUQAEwiOaNMb_72XEIp9XUJVEXMYIaaxX8aTMupJb6DDp1UWLYOdXqQrzzCjxQ8Lc0p0m7-U68tX8Iv52En87kZDFff/s320/after-chair--w.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnwDllOvhy-XwRSxeQ20fzlxl-caQP8PIeB2HnWwYCkgd3sHTDmxHsMWtLvBSZAopS6ymVJ481zVmLJ6ecrYMYQIZtoBIB74bbvkh5-dGy55mvDxpJoDpqVSUhmsVrOK6DcMhiVxOyalHX/s1600-h/after-chair--w.jpg"></a><br /><br /></div>LINDA BAREShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02329310197560305542noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4729760196019871818.post-79752764632634013272008-06-07T20:25:00.003-05:002008-06-07T20:43:02.386-05:00CVS = frugal funWho knew shopping at CVS could be so much fun?! I stumbled across a blog that explained the whole process of shopping at CVS for mere cents. It took me a couple weeks to actually give it a try, but I've been "CVSing" now for a few weeks and have gotten tons of stuff for around $6 out of pocket and have $14 worth of credit still to spend. Each month, you can earn Extra Care Bucks (ecbs) on certain items. A lot of times the purchase price and ecbs are the same, so the item is essentially free. These ecbs expire after 30 days, so you have to shop there at least once a month to keep rolling your ecbs. Here's my purchase from the other day:<br />2 Listerine Smart Rinse mouthwash $3.49 each ($6.98 ecbs)<br />4 bottles Dawn dish soap $2/2 ($2 ecbs)<br />2 CVS boxes of band-aids $1.99 ($3.98 ecbs)<br />1 can BB tuna $.66<br />Total: $15.62<br />- 2/$1 Listerine coupons (printed online)<br />- $3/$15 CVS coupon from the newspaper<br />- around $10 in ecbs from previous purchases<br />Total out of pocket: $.35, and I earned $12.96 in ecbs, so I actually made "money" in ecbs for next time. You can keep rolling your ecbs from purchase to purchase. If you have a CVS near you, I urge you to give it a try.LINDA BAREShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02329310197560305542noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4729760196019871818.post-92194157443147210702008-05-21T07:56:00.002-05:002008-05-21T08:02:48.935-05:00Funky find<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Ras61XKCEscHO8TTAaUTXtutMH-ti5oqHsq0FF4BNMMlrtaFQzjnzUfN85FoF3J2GW2FiycxZ7S5-obRbavxIEZ5e8Wf5Ri265ZNUwRH2BDhjXIOF-ihf6RaJNq3Y3UAugHlCPaSMtGC/s1600-h/chair--w.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5202815656036835106" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Ras61XKCEscHO8TTAaUTXtutMH-ti5oqHsq0FF4BNMMlrtaFQzjnzUfN85FoF3J2GW2FiycxZ7S5-obRbavxIEZ5e8Wf5Ri265ZNUwRH2BDhjXIOF-ihf6RaJNq3Y3UAugHlCPaSMtGC/s320/chair--w.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>I've recently been in search of a vintage, chartreuse, high wingback chair. And by golly, I found one this past Saturday when Craig and I were out garage saling. It was marked with "Make an Offer", so we picked it up for $10. It doesn't necessarily go with our furniture, but maybe we can make it work. If not, I'll simply resell it. We also came home with 5 other wooden table chairs, one shabby chic and the other a set of 4. I thought it'd be a good idea to have a couple extra chairs for our dining room table if we ever need to use the extra leaf. They're a bit shorter, but hopefully they'll work. They do need a little bit of work though, but $15 for 4, you can't go wrong.</div><div></div><div> </div>LINDA BAREShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02329310197560305542noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4729760196019871818.post-36519786277709458312008-05-08T19:20:00.004-05:002008-05-08T19:24:03.155-05:00The deck is completeIt only took two guys 3 days to finish the deck. The flooring is Timbertech, the spindles are black aluminum and the railings are cedar. Our plans are to seal coat the railings this weekend, weather permitting. Then we need to finish up some landscaping and possibly plant a garden. Mom suggested planting the garden in the empty lot next door, but I'm not so sure that the builder would appreciate that.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTxFvLckLvphnvF3jXTVaWOz7eXzjL06DJR8QG-WWM9ddArgLXSe56J3bSlAHl4b7gPwJzA1P66vTV6KE-hUshyphenhyphennQjIYVj3gLi02tbinoaQU-up3wE7E_UdCx8JC4VbJq5cbkSM3VLJeBx/s1600-h/deck--w.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5198166902227599554" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTxFvLckLvphnvF3jXTVaWOz7eXzjL06DJR8QG-WWM9ddArgLXSe56J3bSlAHl4b7gPwJzA1P66vTV6KE-hUshyphenhyphennQjIYVj3gLi02tbinoaQU-up3wE7E_UdCx8JC4VbJq5cbkSM3VLJeBx/s320/deck--w.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj7N3zK2tzGAp0aQQjBOu7aLffR1Vr1WOZag5UndL10T7tUPuV-X54AkJzMPEHAYagXfysEn16M-0bHpLXyQpgM1d3V6peo2cM5Be4nrzUdde62UkadMDiy8GDvHOOMfczLkGVmYA9Fda6/s1600-h/deck2--w.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5198166906522566866" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj7N3zK2tzGAp0aQQjBOu7aLffR1Vr1WOZag5UndL10T7tUPuV-X54AkJzMPEHAYagXfysEn16M-0bHpLXyQpgM1d3V6peo2cM5Be4nrzUdde62UkadMDiy8GDvHOOMfczLkGVmYA9Fda6/s320/deck2--w.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF8EGkBOaj8BmTskKflIY9Kfjtrr0MMpQHjbmhL0YGp0O7sQOPEZfq8KHd71RloeydL37QPgxVxVlcH27BIPBli3sYlBfLlVJfygo3z2qFFW58Y-7M4k6gGRwzFbJxSzhGepOgAIe8sCyC/s1600-h/deck3--w.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5198166906522566882" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF8EGkBOaj8BmTskKflIY9Kfjtrr0MMpQHjbmhL0YGp0O7sQOPEZfq8KHd71RloeydL37QPgxVxVlcH27BIPBli3sYlBfLlVJfygo3z2qFFW58Y-7M4k6gGRwzFbJxSzhGepOgAIe8sCyC/s320/deck3--w.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyKEaj4CER6KSY36JdV-fuYiGuiXRT3OA1qj7g1ZCgibev6Qfywvlo8ZCmT9W3nxAHJ8ep-4vih4w2_lvEJv3qPKmFeUwLZ0CSUhOUD0d2SVLbYobtlYz-7BHEmG19H1BM7qHOZORfu28O/s1600-h/deck4--w.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5198166910817534194" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyKEaj4CER6KSY36JdV-fuYiGuiXRT3OA1qj7g1ZCgibev6Qfywvlo8ZCmT9W3nxAHJ8ep-4vih4w2_lvEJv3qPKmFeUwLZ0CSUhOUD0d2SVLbYobtlYz-7BHEmG19H1BM7qHOZORfu28O/s320/deck4--w.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div><br /><div></div>LINDA BAREShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02329310197560305542noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4729760196019871818.post-51591013349475141412008-05-07T20:46:00.002-05:002008-05-07T21:01:40.463-05:00How safe are your cosmetics?Reading/learning about all of these chemicals in pretty much everything I use, from moisturizer to shampoo, is extremely overwhelming. Most cosmetics and other personal care products sold in the U.S. contain chemicals that have never been assessed for safety. Studies to understand the potential health impacts from low-dose lifelong exposures to chemical mixtures like those in personal care products have yet to be done, but it's a good idea to be conscious now. Click <a href="http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/">here</a> to learn how "safe" your cosmetics are and to help choose products that pose fewer potential risks. <br /><br />I don't use alot of products, but the ones I do use are around the 4-6 range. Does that mean that I'm going to throw everything out and purchase only safe products? Probably not, but when I do need to replace one, I'll definitely be more conscious of the label.LINDA BAREShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02329310197560305542noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4729760196019871818.post-28955927560466386342008-04-30T19:50:00.002-05:002008-04-30T20:00:46.720-05:00Angel's GateThe Angel's Gate organization recently aired on Oprah and has also been hosted on Martha Stewart. It's a hospice and rehabilitation center where they take in and provide care for animals with special needs. I was particularly moved by the video on their website (angelsgate.org) of several disabled dogs. How sad. I know there are many, many wonderful charities out there, and it's hard to make a commitment to all that touch you, but every little bit helps.LINDA BAREShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02329310197560305542noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4729760196019871818.post-9847449955262614362008-04-28T20:40:00.003-05:002008-04-28T20:49:14.542-05:00Corn PalaceEach year, my college girlfriends and I get together to reminisce about college days and catch up on what's going on in each others' busy lives. This year, we met at Colette's in Mitchell, South Dakota, which just so happens to be the home of the world's only Corn Palace.<br /><br />Each year the exterior panels of the Corn Palace are decorated with locally grown corn. The complete process of changing the rye, dock, corn and milo starts in June when the rye and dock are torn off and replaced. Each ear of corn is cut in half lengthwise and nailed in place. It costs $130,000 to decorate the Corn Palace each year. The corn murals are replaced beginning in late August with an anticipated completion date at the end of September. A different theme is chosen each year. Everyday Heroes is the theme for 2008. <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTqPfOTpoSoGDDbwBtzRQqhL8yIlsCIavLHTiOSTuqkYNfnOohNPgNcpzNwkKJvqhB3y59fbwmILTNc-EpCrjXFDOlm4RSt2RvJ96yuU8ky5ReX_3CebzgPoaKPmcPLoix1D8DTNuyWde8/s1600-h/Corn-Palace-front--w.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5194476600585308706" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTqPfOTpoSoGDDbwBtzRQqhL8yIlsCIavLHTiOSTuqkYNfnOohNPgNcpzNwkKJvqhB3y59fbwmILTNc-EpCrjXFDOlm4RSt2RvJ96yuU8ky5ReX_3CebzgPoaKPmcPLoix1D8DTNuyWde8/s320/Corn-Palace-front--w.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMv8YDitK2lKZbY1VacoN8SPXptla-HjshQt-v17UtVAyikvx0nUmVa2aIyNhgqWsCxcmKow5bEAeDDGmX3c9HRL6E7Ac_OlWM-c64Ja8BLrg5JC84jduqFCTmxbMQnTgEwvCs9d2cV4Lu/s1600-h/Corn-Palace-2--w.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5194476609175243314" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMv8YDitK2lKZbY1VacoN8SPXptla-HjshQt-v17UtVAyikvx0nUmVa2aIyNhgqWsCxcmKow5bEAeDDGmX3c9HRL6E7Ac_OlWM-c64Ja8BLrg5JC84jduqFCTmxbMQnTgEwvCs9d2cV4Lu/s320/Corn-Palace-2--w.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmlAaYlrcF7t9WJItRYjkaEAKhILgMxG79RZLKrvSjPIMvW02EGyDAVFKG0IsdlmQHZkMp2jLc98uZi3mNnIVibiokTPYXO7WXFvneCcNMyqxAvZwTjany12CZMtBI939tSygIF1Zp5fVD/s1600-h/Corn-Palace-3--w.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5194476617765177922" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmlAaYlrcF7t9WJItRYjkaEAKhILgMxG79RZLKrvSjPIMvW02EGyDAVFKG0IsdlmQHZkMp2jLc98uZi3mNnIVibiokTPYXO7WXFvneCcNMyqxAvZwTjany12CZMtBI939tSygIF1Zp5fVD/s320/Corn-Palace-3--w.jpg" border="0" /></a> <div><div> </div></div>LINDA BAREShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02329310197560305542noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4729760196019871818.post-9564249012746248592008-04-16T19:27:00.004-05:002008-04-16T20:12:00.790-05:00Deck plan<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg33CGwVK5w1vQXmg18rOhu-GrP3YHsrOagnPuJMsJq_OcYHR3Ujmv8ZZ_JwBqW1ytx9BrwSPiGXrUiOjQ00QOWj5bSVr0gjP6FTkcyJDJkFeF0PhI9j901jGVMX7FoYSnSgnp-saOg427K/s1600-h/deck.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5190015126728115138" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 415px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 232px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" height="232" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg33CGwVK5w1vQXmg18rOhu-GrP3YHsrOagnPuJMsJq_OcYHR3Ujmv8ZZ_JwBqW1ytx9BrwSPiGXrUiOjQ00QOWj5bSVr0gjP6FTkcyJDJkFeF0PhI9j901jGVMX7FoYSnSgnp-saOg427K/s320/deck.JPG" width="358" border="0" /></a> <div><div><div></div><div>The picture is a bit distorted and not very clear because we had to change the format from its original PDF format. It's a basic deck, but we may spruce it up with some post caps, lights, benches, etc. We'll see how it looks once the main part of it is built.<br /><br />We're almost finished with hiring contractors. We had gutters installed a couple weeks ago and </div><div>in a few weeks, we should have our deck complete. Hopefully, the deck will be the last large project that we'll have, for a while anyway. We'll still have some landscaping to do under the deck and on the west side of the house, but it shouldn't be too bad. I'd also like to have our whole house audio hooked up this year and possibly a ceramic tile backsplash installed in the kitchen. The backsplash may wait until the fall or next year even. I'm horrible at making decisions on picking colors/patterns. One day, I'll see something I "love" and the next day, see something I love even more! The internet is helpful in many ways, but at the same time, I feel that it gives me too many choices, which makes it even harder for a non-decision-maker to make a decision!<br /></div><br /><div>Our deck will be a maintenance free Timbertech flooring (reddish-brown color), black aluminum spindles and then natural cedar railings. At first, we thought the deck looked sort of mix 'n matchy, but after seeing pictures of them, we really like it. And it's cheaper too, which is a plus for a frugal gal like myself.</div></div></div>LINDA BAREShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02329310197560305542noreply@blogger.com0