tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60601111306936237702024-03-05T02:19:34.331-08:00Life, the University, and EverythingLiz McCarthyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16880204809996215179noreply@blogger.comBlogger48125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6060111130693623770.post-91044786150508073302013-05-30T17:40:00.001-07:002013-05-30T17:40:54.754-07:00Fitness update!Hey all, it's been forever since I posted anything because life has been crazy. I am going to try to post a lot more regularly because I miss writing and because I feel like I have more of a handle on my life as far as time management goes. I am going to start back in with a quick end update of how Insanity went as a reintroduction to the blogging world.<br />
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So you all knew I was starting the Insanity program to try to lose weight and get in shape. And boy did I ever! I lost 25 lbs and went from looking like this:<br />
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To this:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPlPj_0P-QwsvdwW1vVZ3ig33g3W6-x3tviNiU1cp2LI-f8HgxJneUF0VSGYn_J0LzjrSEEcYwsU5OFiujU5mdWxHoZ-HdLW3Lkab3EpSwuBWhlVNKFDW5hLnMlvdIjk9-S49yApI_-tq-/s1600/001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPlPj_0P-QwsvdwW1vVZ3ig33g3W6-x3tviNiU1cp2LI-f8HgxJneUF0VSGYn_J0LzjrSEEcYwsU5OFiujU5mdWxHoZ-HdLW3Lkab3EpSwuBWhlVNKFDW5hLnMlvdIjk9-S49yApI_-tq-/s320/001.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbaubOUpDTYtuUZ5H4W5_SGObjAutDSf_csrKCtuZuea9c9vPgC5z1GW8fbpv-Y7gHNBy6YmYoDdVMqqoPu1Eoiiv4Oe2vtg8j-U1PlMMHoasse8894R6ghXyfMVaxlpoylH2SlhHx41LJ/s1600/004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbaubOUpDTYtuUZ5H4W5_SGObjAutDSf_csrKCtuZuea9c9vPgC5z1GW8fbpv-Y7gHNBy6YmYoDdVMqqoPu1Eoiiv4Oe2vtg8j-U1PlMMHoasse8894R6ghXyfMVaxlpoylH2SlhHx41LJ/s320/004.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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I will call this a super success :) I feel great and stronger. Next stop will be to tone up more, but I am pretty happy with maintaining this weight, though if I gain some in muscle mass I would not be upset :)<br />
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Here are some related pics I also love:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIphqHMmeVhQQ8N-Zp2Z2j9vUBlTf462bZEEv6ZhixA_Z8-FUi2MumFwTzp_2rWtuN3pEiZjHu7WlM6W8Abwmkp0MMHPlwwTPchn9_Jei_jZ5yezFZ4k8rq3JXk73IJipGMjq2KxQHer46/s1600/016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIphqHMmeVhQQ8N-Zp2Z2j9vUBlTf462bZEEv6ZhixA_Z8-FUi2MumFwTzp_2rWtuN3pEiZjHu7WlM6W8Abwmkp0MMHPlwwTPchn9_Jei_jZ5yezFZ4k8rq3JXk73IJipGMjq2KxQHer46/s320/016.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rocking my newfound awesome!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQfY8PpTtC8rsfKA4ZGxKD0AtYe7NYfoMAdkVkp_GjGE4ip3cxQIvjOpqKtlh93EXNITbEBM9a3VD3spUOPJcoufho4HSMZrknz9zcEKIO0lcBOSzWIa6rQeFiis6-G8G_ikbwlYU_ahqg/s1600/022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQfY8PpTtC8rsfKA4ZGxKD0AtYe7NYfoMAdkVkp_GjGE4ip3cxQIvjOpqKtlh93EXNITbEBM9a3VD3spUOPJcoufho4HSMZrknz9zcEKIO0lcBOSzWIa6rQeFiis6-G8G_ikbwlYU_ahqg/s320/022.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My new jeans just a month after buying them!</td></tr>
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Nothing better than meeting a goal and finding out you get to buy cute new clothes because of these problems!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyRbnijKafXCktrs4AzIM7d6On4aaEmNGgzkmt3r26Be7Hk8jkEpuckBSJVBGxzjbC8Y2X8TkGK-_ovn0wk0_4JQi7-jMlBDyXIgX8c9muMfuKQlOyiB3Mxt34AYxisO2HWTKeSS0Y9iHg/s1600/023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyRbnijKafXCktrs4AzIM7d6On4aaEmNGgzkmt3r26Be7Hk8jkEpuckBSJVBGxzjbC8Y2X8TkGK-_ovn0wk0_4JQi7-jMlBDyXIgX8c9muMfuKQlOyiB3Mxt34AYxisO2HWTKeSS0Y9iHg/s320/023.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Last summer's shorts! :)</td></tr>
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<br /><b>What about you?</b> Do you have any transformation stories, be they weight loss or otherwise? What is a big goal you have met/accomplished for yourself lately?<br /><br />Liz McCarthyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16880204809996215179noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6060111130693623770.post-44539273855963863632012-11-23T19:15:00.000-08:002012-11-23T19:15:09.511-08:00Insanity Update<br />
Successfully made it through week 5 of the Insanity Program and started on week 6. I met a few setbacks in scheduling this week, with having been gone all weekend to a dance exchange (whee!) and with the holiday, so I am a bit behind. My plan is to use the last days of the week plus next week to finish week 6 and start week 7 the following Monday. I will finish the program, just not in the 60 days it calls for, which is okay by me...because sometimes life happens. On a better note, I beat Tanya (the instructor in the series refers to her as "the machine" if that gives you any clues to how amazing this is) at two of the fit test exercises.<br />
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Pictures from last weigh in/measuring:<br />
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And these are from this Monday:<br />
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Not as drastic a difference as the first set, but I definitely am seeing two things: sleeker waistline and the beginning of visual definition of my abs!!!<br />
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This week's step up from the first month's routine is kind of kicking my butt, but I am more than game. I have no doubt I will be kicking butt and taking names by the end. Even Thomas is jealous of my biceps and fitness right now...and although I still cannot do a pull-up, I can knock out several styles of legitimate push ups.<br />
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I have continued using myfitnesspal.com to track my calories, still not "dieting" just focusing on portion control.<br />
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Current results: since I started September 22 I have lost 15 lbs (I was at -19 but I think I was dehydrated) and when I took my measurements for the beginning of week 6 I lost 2 more inches around my waist. That makes for a total of 7.5 inches lost around my waist since starting to watch my calories less than two months ago! Overall I have lost about 12 inches among all my measurements.<br />
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What About You? What are you doing to combat holiday treats? What are your least favorite types of exercises? (I hate jumping exercises)<br />
Liz McCarthyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16880204809996215179noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6060111130693623770.post-73703617367823322082012-11-11T13:39:00.002-08:002012-11-11T13:39:50.839-08:00Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies :DSo, I fell victim to the fall fad of everything pumpkin...not because it is a fad, but because it is soooo good. I decided pumpkin chocolate chip cookies were a safe and easy bet since I did not feel like doing a pie. And I stuck relatively close to the recipe...imagine that :D<br />
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<i>Ingredients:</i><br />
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<li>1 can pumpkin pie filling (here I used pumpkin puree instead of pumpkin pie filling)</li>
<li>1 tsp. baking soda</li>
<li>2 tbsp. milk</li>
<li>2 c. sugar</li>
<li>2 eggs</li>
<li>1 c. vegetable oil</li>
<li>4 c. flour</li>
<li>4 tsp. baking powder</li>
<li>1 tsp. salt</li>
<li>2 tsp. cinnamon</li>
<li>2 tsp. vanilla</li>
<li>1 sm. bag chocolate chips (depends on your want for chocolate in the cookies)</li>
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Mix ingredients in large bowl (yup, literally put everything in one bowl and stirred). Bake 10 minutes in 350 degree oven.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The "dough" was a little weird looking and smelled at tad funny until I added the cinnamon.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They were really cakey and yummy!</td></tr>
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This recipe will make about 64 cookies...so it might be more than you would typically make so adjust accordingly! They have a nice texture in between cake and cookie, delicious and only about 100 calories per cookie :D</div>
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They were a huge hit at work.</div>
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<b>What About You?</b> Do you like pumpkin flavored things particularly in the fall? What is your favorite cookie flavor/texture?</div>
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Liz McCarthyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16880204809996215179noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6060111130693623770.post-76291521989066255992012-11-04T08:06:00.002-08:002012-11-04T08:06:16.110-08:00Weight Loss/Fitness Journey (Update)<br />
As I have previously blogged: I have taken a vested interest in losing weight and getting fit. I committed myself to completing the Insanity program. So far, I have successfully made it through the third week. I am impressed with myself, in the past I have tried to establish a routine and failed miserably, and with the results. I do not know why this time is different, but it is...maybe I just got fed up with being overweight and depressed (exercise is proven to fight clinical depression). Or maybe it is because I am struggling with my confirmed diagnosis of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polycystic_ovary_syndrome">PCOS</a> and the fact that it is in part responsible for my weight...and that losing that weight will decrease my later life risks and current/future symptoms. Whatever the reason...I am improving my life.<br />
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These are my pictures from when I first decided I would do the Insanity workout...kind of miserable and a bit embarrassed, if you cannot see that in my face.<br />
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These are the pictures I took at the beginning of the third week (October 29) before the second Fit Test. See the difference? I do.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1b6iGgw9NsEGXde-V2LCkikITTOngXQ4mqcv3T3fUR4CkswChRsVrWNJnqT-4Vzl7EQ61AFHYWivwugPD1VmCUNFJbswNiOeVpP1lSY3dQqTpJu8yGtTypWjUoIYrbff-mhBfIC0F1foD/s1600/047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1b6iGgw9NsEGXde-V2LCkikITTOngXQ4mqcv3T3fUR4CkswChRsVrWNJnqT-4Vzl7EQ61AFHYWivwugPD1VmCUNFJbswNiOeVpP1lSY3dQqTpJu8yGtTypWjUoIYrbff-mhBfIC0F1foD/s320/047.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzQxtOnMwkl1PZeqsE42-I8dDu0Eh4bq3HwmT7wV6Zgaqc0I3KVj0HheeX8oZTCvaySmjionnQIGcUkktALNQeUfKHCvQdE-ZdXH8yV9TGbQ3eS_MMB10Q9yte0XtsGw4_KsQcHdcczh8K/s1600/049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzQxtOnMwkl1PZeqsE42-I8dDu0Eh4bq3HwmT7wV6Zgaqc0I3KVj0HheeX8oZTCvaySmjionnQIGcUkktALNQeUfKHCvQdE-ZdXH8yV9TGbQ3eS_MMB10Q9yte0XtsGw4_KsQcHdcczh8K/s320/049.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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Insanity is not easy. It is sometimes hard to get up early/make time...but it makes my day better. Excuses lead to lapses and then you are right back where you started. When I work out in the morning I have more energy, am more focused, and happier the <i>entire day.</i> Any fitness routine requires dedication...when I miss a day (sick, too busy, etc) I might double up on workouts (one in the morning and one at night...do NOT recommend!) or work out on the scheduled day off. If you are not sweating, you might want to rethink your exercise routine (I usually am sweating by the end of the warm up). <br />
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I have noticed a lot of improvements: my endurance is better (stopping less, able to do more reps on all Fit Test exercises, able to complete more of each exercise, etc), my clothes fit a little looser, people are noticing, I am starting to get back a 6-pack, and I have the beginnings of my first ever hip dips (you know, the little dips all the underwear models have, which is a result of inguinal muscles)!<br />
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I continued using myfitnesspal.com to track my calories, still not dieting just exercising portion control...yes I still eat chocolate, cookies, and ice cream (sorry purists but I am getting results and not inclined to binge. I am a fan of moderation, if you cannot moderate it might be easier not to eat this way). <br />
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So far my largest motivator has been my results: since I started September 22 I have lost 12 lbs and when I took my measurements for the beginning of week 3 I went down in every measurement *again* ...most notably I lost 1.5 inches around my waist. That makes for a total of 5.5 inches lost around my waist since starting to watch my calories less than two months ago! <br />
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For all of you wondering how...just establish a routine (any routine!) and start tracking your calories. Calories in<calories out = weight loss. Make sure if you follow this method you are eating diverse foods and enough calories (for people my age and size, no less than 1200 a day) so your body is healthy and gets the vitamins and variety it needs, and you do not put your body into starvation mode (which can make losing weight harder).<br />
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<b>What About You?</b> What are the excuses you use not to work out? What foods are your weaknesses and cause you to hit speed bumps in weight loss?<br />
Liz McCarthyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16880204809996215179noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6060111130693623770.post-76633169627738622782012-10-14T16:07:00.001-07:002012-10-14T16:07:11.507-07:00Weight Loss Journey (so far!)So, as mentioned in my <a href="http://elizabethmmccarthy.blogspot.com/2012/10/things-missed-in-last-months.html">last post</a> I am unhappy with where my weight was/is. I held myself to the promise to clear the living room this weekend while Thomas was away at a conference and I have space to start doing INSANITY tomorrow!<br />
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These pictures were taken at the beginning of the first Insanity where I had to stop after two weeks and right before I hit my heaviest (move out/in week...pretty comparable add 2-3 lbs).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsNyHcoibY1C9mcQgD6s47eUXdOuf3MMpMALG-mewFWtaTlAZL2mXXpGncKQBcnGd5QQKF1Ntj3pikK5gYvSe5JA8p4pV_iDGQQda21dM6UldHxhmNWIFAzaZhs6gIVtxud9iOQRsNBLLs/s1600/013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; color: #229931; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsNyHcoibY1C9mcQgD6s47eUXdOuf3MMpMALG-mewFWtaTlAZL2mXXpGncKQBcnGd5QQKF1Ntj3pikK5gYvSe5JA8p4pV_iDGQQda21dM6UldHxhmNWIFAzaZhs6gIVtxud9iOQRsNBLLs/s320/013.JPG" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 0px 0px 0px; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: none; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 0px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative;" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 11px; text-align: center;">I am NOT a morning person.</td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD2MmMgRyIjcG1bY8QqiFdFidaAaP4EurEUw53waPW_ZsxxKxWLZmZ48IGFvO5iSozdhKg7n4uIWYX-3O2fdXynWjdsynlJvYyP9cpx6niL5qu6lOeTDIXurH5ZA0Gyt71QXmhUnjZ1c0b/s1600/014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="color: #229931; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD2MmMgRyIjcG1bY8QqiFdFidaAaP4EurEUw53waPW_ZsxxKxWLZmZ48IGFvO5iSozdhKg7n4uIWYX-3O2fdXynWjdsynlJvYyP9cpx6niL5qu6lOeTDIXurH5ZA0Gyt71QXmhUnjZ1c0b/s320/014.JPG" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 0px 0px 0px; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: none; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 0px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative;" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 11px;">I have horrible posture...</td></tr>
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<br />What I did NOT mention in my last post is that, though not exercising, I was inspired by my sister-in-law (<a href="http://marylmccarthy.tumblr.com/">Mary's blog</a>) to start tracking my calories with <a href="http://www.myfitnesspal.com/">http://www.myfitnesspal.com</a>. This website allows you to nutrition information on almost any brand/type of food and allows you to add information for foods not listed. It also has a recipe option where you can put in the ingredients for homemade food and tell it how many servings it is to give you a calorie count (I *love* this option). It also gives you a range of calorie limits for your goals (gain 1 or 2 lbs a week, maintain weight, and lose 1 or 2 lbs a week). It suggests to go for the 1 lb a week goal, so I opted for that. It also takes into account any exercise you do. I did not schedule any exercise into my routine for losing weight, so any I do is just a bonus of calories out!<div>
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I thought this would be hard, but so far it has not been. I have been over on calories a total of three times and two of them were by 10-20 calories, the third day was after I donated blood and was ravenous. I found I can still eat all the foods I crave and not feel hungry. The trick? Portion control. I try to limit myself to actual serving sizes, or less (Instead of two scoops of ice cream, 1/2 cup). It satisfies the sweet tooth and keeps me in check (I also like cookies/cake/kit kats all of which have been included in my diet since starting). You can eat out, but everything at restaurants is typically higher calorie, too large of portions, and more expensive than making it at home. I also found a great way to cut calories is to trade turkey or chicken for beef.<br /><div>
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Since I started September 22 I have officially lost 10 lbs and I was re-taking my starting measurements for Insanity and realized that from the pictures above to now I have gone down in *every* measurement...most notably I lost !four! inches around my waist. That is crazy! Especially since I have just been cutting calories and not exercising much (two random yoga classes and a little more walking around campus). Calories in < calories out=weight loss. It really can be that simple. Just make sure that if you follow this method you are eating diverse foods and getting enough calories (no less than 1200 a day) so that your body is healthy, gets the vitamins and variety it needs, and you do not put your body into starvation mode (which can make losing weight harder).</div>
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<b>What About You?</b> Are you trying to lose/gain/maintain weight? What works for you and what does not?</div>
Liz McCarthyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16880204809996215179noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6060111130693623770.post-89853141097080376062012-10-06T13:27:00.001-07:002012-10-06T13:27:19.038-07:00Things Missed in the Last Months<br />
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For some reason, time has been jumping through my hands--I go to work and suddenly it is lunch time and I blink and the day is over! It probably has to do with the start of school, work being busier, moving, and a variety of other things that cropped up over the course of time. I missed quite a few things I was looking forward to blogging about. And since there are many...I am just going to condense the important ones here, in an attempt to get everyone caught up so that there is no backlog. Here is what you missed:<br />
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1. I turned 26!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic821gwnApIf5pYxicEKCFE6Gtw2QvHV28Hw7-QBpNnLqi1LdF-Wq3OmpSjeAeLkqyijML_FfbYF7rZ-UGQ9-KI3W5IzP5-T90WGTT4C6NFejYOp0WURbtr5Olc7ZNTNNnKK9YAXj79p39/s1600/003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic821gwnApIf5pYxicEKCFE6Gtw2QvHV28Hw7-QBpNnLqi1LdF-Wq3OmpSjeAeLkqyijML_FfbYF7rZ-UGQ9-KI3W5IzP5-T90WGTT4C6NFejYOp0WURbtr5Olc7ZNTNNnKK9YAXj79p39/s320/003.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dressed up for my birthday day.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip-6oD22VYwxrV8xJcIOALBVKXUHrkKiZY0IdAIgIIkljLl4YgjOlYs6CRazx1-g3b6p0ePbWKl9LgkXbSwmpRa6KUOyqas66wPGDFZ7RksnN7cDdns1ONd2jNDAAiYujMXDn-hc-k-TXA/s1600/005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip-6oD22VYwxrV8xJcIOALBVKXUHrkKiZY0IdAIgIIkljLl4YgjOlYs6CRazx1-g3b6p0ePbWKl9LgkXbSwmpRa6KUOyqas66wPGDFZ7RksnN7cDdns1ONd2jNDAAiYujMXDn-hc-k-TXA/s320/005.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And for my birthday night!</td></tr>
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At work my coworkers brought me a card and a cake :D Thomas and I went out for dinner at a local sushi/Malaysian fusion place. That evening I went out with a few friends and stayed out WAY too late.<br />
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2. I started doing INSANITY!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsNyHcoibY1C9mcQgD6s47eUXdOuf3MMpMALG-mewFWtaTlAZL2mXXpGncKQBcnGd5QQKF1Ntj3pikK5gYvSe5JA8p4pV_iDGQQda21dM6UldHxhmNWIFAzaZhs6gIVtxud9iOQRsNBLLs/s1600/013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsNyHcoibY1C9mcQgD6s47eUXdOuf3MMpMALG-mewFWtaTlAZL2mXXpGncKQBcnGd5QQKF1Ntj3pikK5gYvSe5JA8p4pV_iDGQQda21dM6UldHxhmNWIFAzaZhs6gIVtxud9iOQRsNBLLs/s320/013.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I am NOT a morning person.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD2MmMgRyIjcG1bY8QqiFdFidaAaP4EurEUw53waPW_ZsxxKxWLZmZ48IGFvO5iSozdhKg7n4uIWYX-3O2fdXynWjdsynlJvYyP9cpx6niL5qu6lOeTDIXurH5ZA0Gyt71QXmhUnjZ1c0b/s1600/014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD2MmMgRyIjcG1bY8QqiFdFidaAaP4EurEUw53waPW_ZsxxKxWLZmZ48IGFvO5iSozdhKg7n4uIWYX-3O2fdXynWjdsynlJvYyP9cpx6niL5qu6lOeTDIXurH5ZA0Gyt71QXmhUnjZ1c0b/s320/014.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
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So yeah, these are my starting pictures...I might not look "fat", but I am unhappy with my current weight and BMI. I loved getting up and doing the workouts, they are intense, but they really made me feel good and focused all day. The first few days are killer (achy, tired, etc) but your body adapts quickly. In week two I pulled something in my back and could not do the routines until I was healed. Unfortunately, that week was move-out/move-in week and I have not gotten back to it since I do not have enough space cleared yet. I plan to have the space cleared after next weekend and will be back at it with a vengeance!<br />
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3. We got new floors installed and started moving out of our apartment and into our house!<br />
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We rented a UHaul van, everything else was booked, and took all of the pieces that were too large to be hauled in my Civic...which meant a lot of furniture. We had a friend help, since I had hurt my back. The following pictures are what our house looked like after moving only the big stuff and a few miscellaneous things.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig-e0RurtCEA6pqMjo5ByetHgxbUPG4SSCDxs989toWOd0yPpUzva_qJS6oIfGBp_JJ91-hjQ_mOVvdCpaWhudXhMzhXG8Hb31naB5bjKXrcpR6Vh3XRDKehiTPJ9j2BP4xDg2JPj9T2NH/s1600/014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig-e0RurtCEA6pqMjo5ByetHgxbUPG4SSCDxs989toWOd0yPpUzva_qJS6oIfGBp_JJ91-hjQ_mOVvdCpaWhudXhMzhXG8Hb31naB5bjKXrcpR6Vh3XRDKehiTPJ9j2BP4xDg2JPj9T2NH/s320/014.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bedroom does not look *too* bad here...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ_ko-n4GXI7j8oFZhjzspok3g-apM8v3pwcpIX_PIfOXv5oCte21wwy5sExjrSxtyjWbDERo7llkMRBWzzQBeava6_uLKQCtUUfoeoIQ_sh984c15G40yB2Ae_ByiBxVwGz8RxIqzAuJe/s1600/019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ_ko-n4GXI7j8oFZhjzspok3g-apM8v3pwcpIX_PIfOXv5oCte21wwy5sExjrSxtyjWbDERo7llkMRBWzzQBeava6_uLKQCtUUfoeoIQ_sh984c15G40yB2Ae_ByiBxVwGz8RxIqzAuJe/s320/019.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The left half of the office...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbnUnVvijB2TyPeOv2090ejnWCQpFZSRi-0YLZIC9yqxi0xO_N2jaY9isC8sTYsTLdJ4LKBFXIH5BKz9PEg93BoBMHqUulldcMIp1Z-X9fQHXw2IyFmlSEgSs1rEBgFr1kMBkLRu8jtY6n/s1600/018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbnUnVvijB2TyPeOv2090ejnWCQpFZSRi-0YLZIC9yqxi0xO_N2jaY9isC8sTYsTLdJ4LKBFXIH5BKz9PEg93BoBMHqUulldcMIp1Z-X9fQHXw2IyFmlSEgSs1rEBgFr1kMBkLRu8jtY6n/s320/018.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...and the right half.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The...<strike>hallway</strike> pile of furniture in front of the office.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxLfbQfqZw3wKmQHtPzkMcN_A0f-5nBe2OBKwYZWwW76SnvmOB59jtMenoL9syhZQ3q60f606-vtJScA2Ty4zMWi0YM54T50Bb4KsLQsGdhG7g_00eQGhV64BZUqzYzHuQwjO9JRoeN-Pu/s1600/016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxLfbQfqZw3wKmQHtPzkMcN_A0f-5nBe2OBKwYZWwW76SnvmOB59jtMenoL9syhZQ3q60f606-vtJScA2Ty4zMWi0YM54T50Bb4KsLQsGdhG7g_00eQGhV64BZUqzYzHuQwjO9JRoeN-Pu/s320/016.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kitchen...notice the amount of stuff just piled on the counter?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuPFMFr8oQgE44LArhFLrvt6KqzauDC1OY4R_0pGXbqRmfLQTEpPxFzqvuxXNwtvWKSM3a6pS29fkT3yBZq5ZC_cz5mm_MJxN_wrhF92VOYvUlVitaV5emg5mW7CrwzQwIb0l-TSC9IqHL/s1600/017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuPFMFr8oQgE44LArhFLrvt6KqzauDC1OY4R_0pGXbqRmfLQTEpPxFzqvuxXNwtvWKSM3a6pS29fkT3yBZq5ZC_cz5mm_MJxN_wrhF92VOYvUlVitaV5emg5mW7CrwzQwIb0l-TSC9IqHL/s320/017.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And the living room...</td></tr>
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Since these were taken, these rooms have been bombarded with even more things and put in some order. It definitely is not perfect yet, but it is much more livable :D Pretty soon it will be put together and we will not have to do this for at least another 5 years.</div>
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4. We "celebrated" our 1st anniversary!</div>
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During the move-in week, Thomas and I took a night to snuggle up (I cannot remember if this was after we moved our bed or if we were on the sleeping bag we used the first few nights), watch shows, and unwrap the frozen top layer of our wedding cake and cut a slice to eat.</div>
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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/AVvXsEhBPV79pdbH8Q84HkiQbptww1TLSTrlh07H0h5QlTgnyVTQZWGuwJYDf_M1lWZ8swr9bhFw8kKi1mxT-K9SCu99cfD7wPgzma5lRk14XhEeMt1Y6gqPEdDfP-xoglGCStjH1u-dRqsYknmQ/s1600/021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBPV79pdbH8Q84HkiQbptww1TLSTrlh07H0h5QlTgnyVTQZWGuwJYDf_M1lWZ8swr9bhFw8kKi1mxT-K9SCu99cfD7wPgzma5lRk14XhEeMt1Y6gqPEdDfP-xoglGCStjH1u-dRqsYknmQ/s320/021.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It was a tad smooshed, but still quite pretty and tasty.</td></tr>
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<div>
5. School started back up.</div>
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Thomas was back to taking classes and all my grads/undergrads were back from the summer field work, internships, and general vacation...meaning I had to start supervising more than I have been. Not to mention two of my projects started giving really awesome results :D Yay!</div>
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6. Thomas turned 25!</div>
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Thomas' sister planned, and I helped, a celebration of "25 years of Memories" from friends (old and new) and family. Everyone was supposed to write a memory they had of Thomas to be packaged up for his birthday. He was surprised and really liked it. We also went out to dinner with some friends to celebrate.</div>
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I think this may cover all of the *big* things that happened...sorry I was so behind. I will try not to do it again!</div>
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<b>What About You?</b> What sorts of things make your life crazy lately? What things do you tend to push to the side when you feel swamped/exhausted?</div>
Liz McCarthyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16880204809996215179noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6060111130693623770.post-41153675143271164262012-09-30T16:59:00.004-07:002012-09-30T16:59:54.857-07:00Angel Food CakeSo, tomorrow is Thomas' 25th birthday and we were going to take Monday off and celebrate with a day just for the two of us--however, I was sick almost all last week and am dreadfully behind at work, so we decided we were going to celebrate today. My soon to be sister-in-law posted something about recipes for Angel Food Cake on Facebook and my stomach immediately gurgled. And with Thomas' approval I undertook the challenge to make my first ever home made cake...and you know I just could not leave the recipe alone...but it made it easier and less messy!<br />
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I actually took some from both of the following recipes as well as adding a bit of my own flair:<br />
<a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/angel-food-cake-recipe/index.html">Alton Brown's recipe</a><br />
<a href="http://allrecipes.com/recipe/yellow-angel-food-cake/detail.aspx?event8=1&prop24=SR_Title&e11=angel%20food%20cake&e8=Quick%20Search&event10=1&e7=Recipe%20List">One of the endless variations on allrecipes.com</a><br />
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Ingredients:<br />
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<ul>
<li>1 3/4 cup powdered sugar (because I was not going to make a sugar syrup or grind sugar to make more cleanup for myself!)</li>
<li>1 cup all purpose flour</li>
<li>6 eggs (separated)</li>
<li>1/3 cup warm water</li>
<li>1 tspn extract (I used orange, but I think vanilla or almond would be delicious as well)</li>
<li>1 tspn cream of tartar</li>
</ul>
<div>
Directions:</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>Preheat oven to 350F</li>
<li>Separate your egg whites and egg yolks into separate bowls--make sure you do NOT get any yolk into your whites or the fat will keep the protein from stiffening (science!).</li>
<ul>
<li>Tip: separate each egg singly into a cup, then dump the white into the bowl you will use, so that if you mess up and get yolk in one egg you will not have to start over or waste all the previous eggs that you have so perfectly separated!</li>
</ul>
<li>Use hand mixer to beat egg whites until you get medium stiff peaks</li>
<li>Add extract, cream of tartar, and water to egg whites and begin beating with hand mixer</li>
<li>Slowly sift in half of the powdered sugar while beating and beat until you get stiff peaks (stiff peaks means that the whipped stuff stays in place, even if you tilt the bowl, and is no longer liquid)</li>
<li>Beat egg yolks in separate bowl until lemon colored (I did not even know this was a thing until today, but the yolks change color when beaten)</li>
<li>Slowly add yolks to whites and fold in with a spatula</li>
<li>Combine flour with leftover sugar and mix together</li>
<li>Slowly add flour and sugar mixture into "batter" and fold in (mine did not look like a typical cake batter)</li>
<li>Pour into ungreased tube pan and bake for 1hr, or until visible cake is golden brown and a little cracked and a toothpick inserted comes out clean (wait until after 35 minutes to check if done, insert toothpick halfway between inner and outer wall--mine only took 50 minutes to be entirely done.)</li>
<ul>
<li>Make sure not to grease your pan or you will not be able to easily cool your cake without it falling out!)</li>
</ul>
</ul>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgXmw8qAOBo8IvPwHLMv6SO39LI516dg6F32elmWbmlyJ9TD3M6XhFUxUaEgPC9f74lsTS9pNKY3dc9w0Av8i4uIf9O-R_GRXwbholIOo-ENfVqPCsON6SqTIxm9HUTkp3FRPLHEcuje0Z/s1600/038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgXmw8qAOBo8IvPwHLMv6SO39LI516dg6F32elmWbmlyJ9TD3M6XhFUxUaEgPC9f74lsTS9pNKY3dc9w0Av8i4uIf9O-R_GRXwbholIOo-ENfVqPCsON6SqTIxm9HUTkp3FRPLHEcuje0Z/s320/038.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<ul>
<li>Cool upside down for at least an hour before removing cake. (I have an angel food cake pan with three little feet that stick up and lift the pan off the surface it is resting on, which makes cooling it upside down quite easy--$12 at Walmart. Don't have an awesome pan? You can balance the inner circle of your tube pan on top of a bottle. Don't have a tube pan? I think you could turn a square pan upside down on a wire rack or a plate and let it cool).</li>
</ul>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0c1bCuHBhodrmDOhPLpj4aoSYiQT-vG75iKeSWUzGj0H0g3FJFhQ7fae38aPjospxpwvrdF6Tt-10l4tl-B3wGDF8aenOJlyXwLorzBOUMnKto4wE-b7kVk_-aicgenMIMJ9IaIXJkfJC/s1600/037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0c1bCuHBhodrmDOhPLpj4aoSYiQT-vG75iKeSWUzGj0H0g3FJFhQ7fae38aPjospxpwvrdF6Tt-10l4tl-B3wGDF8aenOJlyXwLorzBOUMnKto4wE-b7kVk_-aicgenMIMJ9IaIXJkfJC/s320/037.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<li>To remove the cake turn it right side up, use a knife to draw around the edges of the cake to loosen it from the pan and then invert pan onto a plate!</li>
</ul>
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Enjoy however you like your angel food cake. I like mine with fresh, sliced strawberries (lots of people like it with whipped cream, but I'm not a fan). Thomas seems to think strawberry ice cream will go well on his, we will see. </div>
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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/AVvXsEiGbG9r22puNuGMgbuGgPAVQx0m4SOjch6FW6n7WtTUbljfXdzmMer9DxL_XjxoS58u1TV1KohCGY-cHfZOhhaRLP5_XWeV1AWzpxEV36RJd4W8kEcGoWMPzK9YpcOOHV1MvF47ILVh2EYS/s1600/039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGbG9r22puNuGMgbuGgPAVQx0m4SOjch6FW6n7WtTUbljfXdzmMer9DxL_XjxoS58u1TV1KohCGY-cHfZOhhaRLP5_XWeV1AWzpxEV36RJd4W8kEcGoWMPzK9YpcOOHV1MvF47ILVh2EYS/s320/039.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thomas took a chunk out of it before I could even get a picture...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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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/AVvXsEj-0Oy7vqFslv_2QL5boyG2isKSsmQ8W_Fg-OYdjf8wa5U5Mxu6AQC6QY2y7lX2TFFLhTwYfxuebj9ZCS25y7QH3TyN9XhqIfRj9JBLUF-xZs1nBC4gjtMiaxYZJFsYGTXqgKELw2qF2Tk4/s1600/040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-0Oy7vqFslv_2QL5boyG2isKSsmQ8W_Fg-OYdjf8wa5U5Mxu6AQC6QY2y7lX2TFFLhTwYfxuebj9ZCS25y7QH3TyN9XhqIfRj9JBLUF-xZs1nBC4gjtMiaxYZJFsYGTXqgKELw2qF2Tk4/s320/040.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Piece with desert!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Sorry there were not more pictures of the process, but I was not planning on blogging about it until after most of the steps were already done and I just got excited about the fact that I had finished mixing together my first cake from scratch! Also, this was absolutely delicious!</div>
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<b>What About You?</b> How do you like to eat your angel food cake? Have you ever made a cake from scratch before and how did it turn out?</div>
Liz McCarthyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16880204809996215179noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6060111130693623770.post-79238227627703519522012-07-25T15:38:00.000-07:002012-07-25T15:38:00.186-07:00Delicious Spinach LasagnaSpinach lasagna is one of my favorite dishes of all time and I thought you might enjoy it too, so I am going to share my recipe!<br />
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Okay, so I like to start all my major cooking/baking adventures with filling my sink with warm soapy water and tossing any dishes laying around into it while I cook and dropping things in once I am done using them, it makes clean up super fast. Also, preheat your oven to 350 degrees.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNLFdnmsIXFBokjwg84_1KcSW_31DYkbZezQbMH_kMajf1qqaXBcGMO-EIstRJV73za3s_OPUs9cYA4LcPznqSo1RSdCi5NTaHsfexFp-scaRh8qlABbpv0VvsCwgSKtX5FkMW1a6vtKL7/s1600/002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNLFdnmsIXFBokjwg84_1KcSW_31DYkbZezQbMH_kMajf1qqaXBcGMO-EIstRJV73za3s_OPUs9cYA4LcPznqSo1RSdCi5NTaHsfexFp-scaRh8qlABbpv0VvsCwgSKtX5FkMW1a6vtKL7/s320/002.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Ingredients:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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<ul>
<li>9 lasagna noodles</li>
<li>large can of your favorite pasta sauce</li>
<li>at least 2 pounds of mozzarella cheese</li>
<li>2 cups of cottage cheese (or ricotta-I prefer ricotta but my husband likes cottage cheese)</li>
<li>Parmesan cheese</li>
<li>1 bag of salad spinach (or you can use two packs of frozen spinach, but you have to thaw them then) </li>
</ul>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXcU1KwcCJDJuRzKtuEXVLO5DLn3ihRXiS3c0E50VOj-LY3vLGjDwAoym6ZL0zOagQT_ATG5eXfKQTG-bmjGYdO4IQyHuNxa5ZqAyqzdfLg28kjhCfS_ApWQ46hqnM4UiIiMpHROt0Xoln/s1600/003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXcU1KwcCJDJuRzKtuEXVLO5DLn3ihRXiS3c0E50VOj-LY3vLGjDwAoym6ZL0zOagQT_ATG5eXfKQTG-bmjGYdO4IQyHuNxa5ZqAyqzdfLg28kjhCfS_ApWQ46hqnM4UiIiMpHROt0Xoln/s320/003.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Directions:</div>
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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/AVvXsEhbHRrOG1Y_5rj2cumgPcfCadhYpdckOtRUuvspV4u8PMf2IfdiYnb2VpMXKXNhaEzBE2crAu46-j9QyBxM5bYcf5zkaUvApFMniN3o6qET7ldbMIpmaIISJUqFyh0zPM_96eF-mgWeCtUi/s1600/004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbHRrOG1Y_5rj2cumgPcfCadhYpdckOtRUuvspV4u8PMf2IfdiYnb2VpMXKXNhaEzBE2crAu46-j9QyBxM5bYcf5zkaUvApFMniN3o6qET7ldbMIpmaIISJUqFyh0zPM_96eF-mgWeCtUi/s320/004.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1. Cover the bottom of your lasagna pan with a thin layer of sauce to keep the noodles from sticking.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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/AVvXsEjw8tY_BGzpLgdEQezk78hD_KYiUN7uMs_0GBbsUnojlhjjQ_2QnGeag14YD50l1IUkc2qL5VJtLINyZa8rvRavHnBoC92D34bRMvBd4RDTnV01IDaU_vI54giETBcexVZkOFYkjHFtfRg8/s1600/005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw8tY_BGzpLgdEQezk78hD_KYiUN7uMs_0GBbsUnojlhjjQ_2QnGeag14YD50l1IUkc2qL5VJtLINyZa8rvRavHnBoC92D34bRMvBd4RDTnV01IDaU_vI54giETBcexVZkOFYkjHFtfRg8/s320/005.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2. Layer three noodles in the bottom of the pan (I put my broken noodles on the bottom).</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo4LMMyogb8UdqJeJk6jAXwF-i-jx1SbntPstDrGvLJfodPBMPgRLZCB27XVVIrcrjjN1JSHlX1Ldxi67lcjFiVteutiL8SKsuMBOopWwE3Eh_9TgPYpk2CUKl2RBN1semrJOtANa0qjbl/s1600/006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo4LMMyogb8UdqJeJk6jAXwF-i-jx1SbntPstDrGvLJfodPBMPgRLZCB27XVVIrcrjjN1JSHlX1Ldxi67lcjFiVteutiL8SKsuMBOopWwE3Eh_9TgPYpk2CUKl2RBN1semrJOtANa0qjbl/s320/006.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">3. Layer half of your cottage cheese, 1 cup of mozzarella cheese, half your spinach, some tomato sauce, and sprinkle with Parmesan (you can use more or less of any ingredient, to make it to your tastes). Add another layer of noodles and repeat.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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/AVvXsEgrSvLbq-CVLmwcvU2CjkhKsv1AyqyR_EnWyVIFhqhKDzryT-Jz0oMJdtHzhg6jFRbdjWo_gxoxrF0sz3bxCpuBujCRnvOUyY2jidG9JkAg8tjH1x5CJMFdAVvNX96aTetdx_YM7lkAdaYi/s1600/007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrSvLbq-CVLmwcvU2CjkhKsv1AyqyR_EnWyVIFhqhKDzryT-Jz0oMJdtHzhg6jFRbdjWo_gxoxrF0sz3bxCpuBujCRnvOUyY2jidG9JkAg8tjH1x5CJMFdAVvNX96aTetdx_YM7lkAdaYi/s320/007.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">4. Add final layer of noodles and cover with pasta sauce, mozzarella cheese, and Parmesan. Put this in an oven at 350 degrees for about 45 minutes, you can tell it is done when you can see the cheese bubbling on the sides.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">5. While your lasagna bakes, clean up your mess. This is what time my timer read in order to get my entire kitchen back in order after this (start time was 45 minutes, so it only took 6 minutes to get everything clean!)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">6 minutes to a clean kitchen, yes please!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Even my stovetop was cleaned up!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">6. Remove your lasagna, let it sit for at LEAST 15 minutes before cutting it to serve. (This helps it to firm up and not fall to pieces when serving).<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Then enjoy! One of the best parts of this meal? It can be prepared in advance and cooked the next day and it reheats well in the microwave for leftovers for lunch or dinner!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b>What About You?</b> Do you enjoy spinach lasagna? What are your favorite dishes?</span></div>
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<br />Liz McCarthyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16880204809996215179noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6060111130693623770.post-4185354334301368402012-07-22T15:15:00.002-07:002012-07-22T15:15:19.437-07:00House UpdateI know I have not posted anything on my house in forever. I believe I left off on the pictures of all the cat craziness and sanding. We had a LOT of help with the painting by throwing a painting party! The rules of a painting party are these: workers will be paid in food and beer, have fun, and get the place painted!<br />
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Our friends Lauren, Phil, and Callie all came from out of state to visit and help paint. It was great to see them all, and they were all quite the help! Our local friends Matt and Theresa also helped Thomas and I to get a lot of wall/ceiling covered in a pretty short amount of time. I think we all had fun, and a lot of painting got done!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lauren taping off our bathroom vanity.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The boys attempting to reattach the light/fan fixture in the living room...there was a lot of cursing done by Thomas. I also believe there was a threat on my life when I took this picture...something Thomas said about hoping I died in a fire or something...he was so unhappy.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Theresa cheerfully painting the kitchen yellow! </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lauren painting the accent wall in our bedroom.</td></tr>
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Overall, I think everyone had a decent time getting to hang out and paint, we did not pain all weekend though! We also took a break to watch The Avengers in the theater down the street from our house and went to the local Arboretum to enjoy the nice weather and see the beautiful flowers.<br />
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I love visiting the arboretum and introducing other people to it. The flowers are always changing and they have so many different types of gardens--my favorite is the pollinator garden, with the rose garden next in line. </div>
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<b>What About You? </b>Do you enjoy painting? What about the other aspects of painting (sanding, taping, etc)? What are your favorite types of gardens?</div>
<br />Liz McCarthyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16880204809996215179noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6060111130693623770.post-44121470146892609792012-07-15T14:01:00.000-07:002012-07-15T14:01:54.567-07:00Sorry It Has Been So Long!Hey everyone! Sorry I have been away from blogging for so long. When things get busy, it just does not seem like a priority and seems to fall to the wayside :/ I probably need to do what others do and establish a posting schedule to try to keep me writing at least once or twice a week. <br />
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What I have been up to, the quick update (I plan on posting more detailed accounts of everything I am listing here!): new house maintenance (painting, edging, removing toilets/vanities/baseboards, and picking floors), changing over addresses on everything, trying to live between two places, two days of awesome family time during the family reunion, big projects at work (and a massive breakthrough!), and ArtsFest!<br />
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Maybe it does not sound like a lot, but it sure FEELS like it! I have also been working on my procrastination list and whittling it down today, which makes me feel great and productive. I have decided that I will be doing the Insanity workout with my husband and today will be the first day...cannot decide if this is exciting or terrifying for me...guess you will get to follow some of my progress :D <br />
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So that is the quick update, with more detailed posts to follow. I will let you know when/if I decide to schedule regular posting days!<br />
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<b>What About You?</b> How do you decide when you are going to blog? Do you have the habit of letting things go when you are busy and how do you cope with it if so?Liz McCarthyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16880204809996215179noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6060111130693623770.post-29108827276517755482012-06-16T15:45:00.002-07:002012-06-16T15:45:18.747-07:00Today's Cooking Affairs<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxwVAI1qXwf8PXDEMZ5Yo2CTotJw1b6DW78JfR3i1Eqs3PiL7sr7j9AysRnlLyH8zOjU6g7DiPQU9aACYnUe2vWUMYKm_iLFAVb9v5FAR8WxwmaQeZ_bru3TQluP6yuF9wwBN70SOh8YGp/s1600/corn+chowder+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxwVAI1qXwf8PXDEMZ5Yo2CTotJw1b6DW78JfR3i1Eqs3PiL7sr7j9AysRnlLyH8zOjU6g7DiPQU9aACYnUe2vWUMYKm_iLFAVb9v5FAR8WxwmaQeZ_bru3TQluP6yuF9wwBN70SOh8YGp/s320/corn+chowder+002.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
So today my bananas were going overripe again...so of course I made my <a href="http://elizabethmmccarthy.blogspot.com/2012/03/quick-easy-no-mess-banana-bread.html">chocolate chip banana bread</a> recipe! Cannot wait to eat a slice for dessert after my corn chowder!<br />
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So the corn chowder recipe is just like all of mine, ADAPTED!</div>
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I started with <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/tyler-florence/corn-chowder-recipe/index.html">this recipe</a> and adapted it to look more like this:</div>
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<i> Ingredients</i><br />
1 tablespoons butter<br />
1 chopped onion<br />
4 chopped carrots (they were on the smallish side)<br />
3/4 cup chopped spinach<br />
1 minced garlic clove<br />
A dash of dried thyme<br />
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour<br />
2 cups 2% milk (you can use more or less depending on how thick you want your chowder)<br />
2 cans creamed corn<br />
Salt and black pepper to taste<br />
Dash of cayenne (which I was out of today :( )<br />
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<i>Directions</i><br />
Heat the butter soup pot over low heat. Add the onion, garlic, carrot, spinach, and thyme and cook until the vegetables about 10 minutes, stirring often. Dust the vegetables with flour and stir to coat everything. Pour in the creamed corn and milk (My can opener was at the house since I cooked chili there a while ago and so I muscled open the cans of corn with my utility tool from my purse!). Season with salt and pepper and simmer until the mixture is heated through.<br />
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That is how I change recipes...somewhat dramatically I guess, but it turned out super yummy even though it is missing the tiny bit of spice kick I wanted to add! <br />
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Hope you try this and like it.<br />
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<b>What About You?</b> What would you do if you were in the middle of a meal and realized you could not get a can open without a traditional can opener? Have you tried my banana bread recipe yet?<br />
<br />Liz McCarthyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16880204809996215179noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6060111130693623770.post-53815499162945615722012-06-14T13:04:00.002-07:002012-06-14T13:04:52.009-07:00I Love My Job<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
So, for those of you that do not know, I am a lab/research technologist in an entomology lab. Mostly I supervise the undergrads, make sure people get paid, offer advice, stock the inventory, help on projects when the loads are tough, and work on my own projects at the same time (It can be exhausting).</div>
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Occasionally I get really cool/fun opportunities as an entomologist and this week included one of them. The post doc in my lab wanted to go out and catch leaf hoppers and tree hoppers for a project we are collaborating on and I got to go with her! Now I know this does not sound all that great, but it was awesome. I felt like such a little kid. I was basically running through grass with a butterfly net and catching everything. I got to see so many different kinds of insects (and spiders) and it was neat to see how many leaf hoppers I could get. I ended up catching eight different morphotypes (they looked the same to the naked eye, but they might technically be a different species).</div>
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Here are my leaf hopper/tree hopper catches!</div>
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<b>What About You?</b> Have you ever been pleasantly surprised by a task you were assigned at work and thought it was a ton of fun? What was it?Liz McCarthyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16880204809996215179noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6060111130693623770.post-716972817306517462012-06-11T16:00:00.000-07:002012-06-11T16:00:17.583-07:00The Inside (Before)So as the post before this noted: we bought a house. This also comes with the caveat that...this house needed a lot of help on the inside (note: I get to learn handy household skills!)<br />
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So naturally we did what every person who buys a house does before they buy a house: make a set plan of how to attack all the things that need to be addressed about their house and what order to do it in...which immediately was thrown to the wind the day we bought our house (at least for a day) when I thought up this epic first night scenario.<br />
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<i>Master Bedroom</i><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our snuggle nest in the Master bedroom</td></tr>
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The day we bought our house we were supposed to do work on it...instead we made a blanket nest in the master bedroom, bought sushi, did laundry, and snuggled while watching a few episodes of Game of Thrones in our new house :D (new skills acquired: how to run our washer/dryer). The Master bedroom connects to the hallways and the bathroom (via our closet) and has lots of natural light.<br />
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After that free night our next night involved removing all of the items from the walls (screws, hooks, tacks, nails, and the things you put on screws to give them more support...the ones that expand once you have put them in your walls and make huge holes coming out...). The lady who lived here must have had a million things on her walls...we had a handy pile of odds and ends that came out of the walls that literally would overflow both of my hands cupped together (crazy!). Also, there were spots that looked like she had taken a board with a nail and hammered it in several times close to the same spot...cannot figure that one out. She also put those screw supports in EVERYTHING...good thing I learned how to spackle like a <b>boss</b> :D Also, took the face plates off all of the electrical sockets and switches (we have NO shortage of them).<br />
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<i>Master Closet</i><br />
Our master closet connects the bathroom and the master bedroom. It had a janky wire shelving system we removed, and all the screws that held it in had those screw supports...(new skills acquired: removing shelving, spackling).<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I don't know if you can see all the holes here, but this closet had about 100 holes...oh dear God, the spackling O.o</td></tr>
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<i>Laundry Room</i><div>
Our laundry room has an entrance to the house from the autoport, which is nice in case it is raining. Our house came with an energy efficienct washer/dryer set (lucked out here!) and a big old hole in the wall from the door handle (new skills: patching and spackling large holes, and installing doorstops).<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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And...since I do not think I have mentioned this yet...the lady who lived her was a cat lady...some of her light sockets had face plates with cat stickers. This is the window in our laundry room, which has paw prints coming up the wall from the door to the outside, across the windowsill, and down the other side...and this is all in textured paint! (new skills acquired: sanding crazy cat lady textured paint off the walls..., learning never to paint with textured paint...because if you do not remove it whoever buys your house will want to murder you)</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The paw prints stop in the middle like the cat is looking out the window. </td></tr>
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<i>Kitchen</i><br />
The kitchen is connected to the laundry room, the hallway, and the living room. The kitchen is actually pretty nice and the red-checked curtains inspired me to pick a pale yellow color for the paint in here :D I think all we are planning on really doing in here is painting and reflooring--there are some burns in the linoleum...and I am not really a fan of the pattern but my husband likes it. (new skills acquired: using pieces in a room to inspire the rest of the room, liking yellow).<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The lady who lived here before was handicapped, so I can reach everything!</td></tr>
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<i>Bathroom</i><br />
The bathroom is connected to our closet and the hallway. The tub is super-nice with black and white tile which will match my bathroom aesthetic (black and white, with pops of color). See those funny blobby shapes between the baby blue and light pink wall paint...that is a lining of cats...with paw prints...in textured maroon paint...SERIOUSLY?! If you can see the holes in the wall and floor by the toilet, there were metal handicapped bars installed, like the one by the tub. We removed them (including the one still present in the picture) to give more space to the room. We also plan on reflooring in here and possibly replacing the toilet. (new skills acquired: patching massive holes, removing handicapped equipment--Thomas did most of that though--, and that sanding is now a dirty word.)<br />
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<i>Hallway</i><br />
So yeah, crazy cat lady with textured paint strikes again...this lined both sides of the hallway...<br />
(new skills acquired: not crying, removing sanded particles from everything in the vicinity)<br />
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<i>The Office/Guest Bedroom</i><br />
The office is at the opposite end of the hallway from the master bedroom and really just needs a coat of paint--the stuff that was in here was...very light orange...not sure what to call it other than that. Also, it needs new carpet (as does the rest of the carpeted area, this lady was a smoker and a cat owner...this carpet has seen much better days). (New skills acquired: laying painter's tape)<br />
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<i>Living Room</i></div>
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This is the front entrance to our house and connects to the kitchen. It has a lot of windows and needs new flooring. Also, see that foot wide strip at the top of the wall? It is textured paint...we just said meh and painted over it...we might power sand it and paint it again, I think neither of us is super happy with it at the moment, but I think we will see how the stencils we made look on the textured paint before we do anything. (new skills acquired: picking/making stencils).</div>
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Okay, so while this lady was a crazy cat lady...I love cats and am so pleased and tickled that they left this cat coat hook. It was the most adorable thing. :D<br />
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This is our before we did much to the house set of pictures, all the new skills I put up were learned during the progress of the work, which I will post more about.</div>
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<b>What About You?</b> What do you think about textured paint? Do you think the cat things were cute or overkill? D<b>o y</b>ou have any weird things about your house that if someone bought it they would think were weird?</div>
<br /></div>Liz McCarthyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16880204809996215179noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6060111130693623770.post-62569401112166248782012-06-10T12:18:00.002-07:002012-06-10T12:18:41.786-07:00We Bought a House!So, first off--I am back! I intend to try to post somewhat regularly now that I have a working computer and am not on vacation/dealing with having <i>just</i> bought a house.<br />
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So recap: we bought a house! It is a two bedroom home with a living room, kitchen, and laundry room that used to belong to a lady in a wheelchair so we have nice wooden porches with ramps and the cabinets and counters are at the perfect height for me (I am 5 foot 3 inches, so most counters/cabinets are just a tad too high to be comfortable)! <br />
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It was somewhat of a stressful adventure with all the paperwork, showings, and new jargon as well as having to deal with what one person said via another person...caused a few mix-ups but nothing too serious! Our house is super cute...and most <strike>importantly</strike> awesomely ours!<br />
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This is the view from the street, it came with the raised garden in the front, and we intend to keep it! It is sort of a hodgepodge type of garden, but I quite like it. I never was one for the same flowers to be standing all in a row...looked like too much work. This also, makes me feel more like it is a more natural occurring grouping, with flowers that bloom all the time :D <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: -webkit-auto;">We have a nice driveway with a parking spot in front and a wooden carport in the back</span> </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And lots of big windows to let in natural light </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of our standing garden from our carport</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the three sheds that came with our property.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our house from the back of our property.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Raised garden in our backyard with a beautiful purple flowering dogwood</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGXm90s7W_PSgHiEr236A9BiLJFDVQyXO9WKUbNUx5mZQ7DU95VPp28ofTUvBIXwU0YkRESFNnPS7xqbEJWow5e64aoX6dTzhm7oIPa_apDf-9AJrZL0mKtrOA-OX6t5Mm9lef5oc7JIYp/s1600/024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGXm90s7W_PSgHiEr236A9BiLJFDVQyXO9WKUbNUx5mZQ7DU95VPp28ofTUvBIXwU0YkRESFNnPS7xqbEJWow5e64aoX6dTzhm7oIPa_apDf-9AJrZL0mKtrOA-OX6t5Mm9lef5oc7JIYp/s320/024.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The beautiful walking path that abuts our backyard and runs through the neighborhood.</td></tr>
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We have a lot of plans for our new house and yard and I will be updating as we get things done, or that is the plan. We have already been working on some updates, but I will post those later this week so I have more posts for you to look forward to :)<br />
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<b>What About You?</b> What was your most exciting purchase in your lifetime? What are some of the ideal things you think you would look for in buying a first home?<br />
<br />Liz McCarthyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16880204809996215179noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6060111130693623770.post-67840618699889683742012-05-29T08:44:00.001-07:002012-05-29T08:44:21.181-07:00Quick UpdateHey Everyone! I know I've been lax about posting since the April A-Z challenge (if you haven't read them, go back and read them!), but things have been somewhat crazy here.<br />
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My husband and I just bought a house (there will be a series of posts of pictures and information as well on fixing things up as we go later)! And I've been very busy at work with some extra projects and helping to organize and teach several other labs some of the techniques I've been working with.<br />
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Also, my computer crashed and died (RIP Lily) after 7 years of faithful use, which makes it hard to update (right now I'm stealing five minutes to update from work). Lily will be replaced this week by her newer version Aerith and posts will continue more frequently after that point! :)<br />
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I've been trying to read all of your blogs in my downtime, when I have a computer available for use. I just haven't been leaving feedback, sorry! I love reading them though.<br />
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Be back to normal in no time, can't wait to see you here!<br />
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<b>What About You?</b> Have you done any home fixing projects? What are your most and least favorite things to fix/spruce up around your house? How long have you kept a computer alive for?Liz McCarthyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16880204809996215179noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6060111130693623770.post-91525842084550866342012-04-30T07:43:00.002-07:002012-04-30T07:43:26.574-07:00Z-Zen GardenThe campus has an absolutely beautiful zen garden outside one of the newer buildings (I think it is actually very new, but I am new around here as well and do not know just how new).<div>
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I think the idea of a zen garden is fun and pretty (I do not like the little sand zen gardens for bedrooms though, they remind me of litter boxes and just are not pretty). If I ever have a lot of money and a lot of yard I think I would like to build one similar to this. It is not very large, but it would be nice to be able to go in and sit and read in my back yard in one of these. This one has benches, but it is in a fairly busy area of campus, so not so zen...</div>
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However, I might have to give it a go over the summer during a lunch break while there are not so many students around.<br /><div>
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<b>What About You?</b> What do you think about zen gardens?</div>Liz McCarthyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16880204809996215179noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6060111130693623770.post-11971691013938061512012-04-30T07:37:00.002-07:002012-04-30T07:37:24.420-07:00Y-YellowThe color yellow is something that I like to look at, I think it is bright and sunny. However, I have one of those skin tones that I just cannot wear yellow, it makes me look sick and sallow and jaundiced...therefore I do not buy anything yellow.<br />
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However, oddly enough, when my husband and I started talking about paint colors for our soon to be new house...the color for the kitchen that popped out of my mouth was pale yellow. I am not sure why this is, I think maybe because of the little red checked curtains and the fact that it makes me think of sunny days. I am not rethinking the color either, I want yellow. I just am not positive why. <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://encrypted-tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRxceddiRl8f6iUfqWiab8TEAIalI5lQ5H4V7GH70Nm0E8UNXgTSw" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://encrypted-tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRxceddiRl8f6iUfqWiab8TEAIalI5lQ5H4V7GH70Nm0E8UNXgTSw" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the color we are looking at for our kitchen (<a href="http://www.kariandtom.com/2011_09_01_archive.html">http://www.kariandtom.com/2011_09_01_archive.html</a> )</td></tr>
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<b>What About You?</b> Why do you think I want a yellow kitchen? Do you like/look good in the color yellow?Liz McCarthyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16880204809996215179noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6060111130693623770.post-81122807023012535592012-04-27T00:00:00.000-07:002012-04-27T00:00:10.352-07:00X- X-MenSo again, I am kind of a nerd (or really cool, depending on who you ask). <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.marveldirectory.com/pictures/groupsandteams/xmen/xmen80s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="222" src="http://www.marveldirectory.com/pictures/groupsandteams/xmen/xmen80s.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These are the X-Men I grew up with.</td></tr>
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I have loved the X-Men since I was a small child. I used to get up early on the weekend, back when cartoons were awesome (because let's face it, cartoons now are crap), and watch cartoons with my brothers. We would watch everything: Incredible Hulk, Spiderman, Batman, and X-Men. <br />
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There was something even then that drew me in and made me want to be special, to be one of the kickass female powerhouses. I even had my first ever crush on anyone (and it was a cartoon character!) on Gambit...still have a soft-spot for him (and I must say that while Taylor Kitsch is attractive, he did not do the character justice in the movie). <br />
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I read the comics, I watched the shows, I watched the movies, I watched the X-Men Evolution series, and I even own a book about canon. They have been a part of my childhood and my adult life (I dressed as Rogue for Halloween a few times and the movies are a must see for me...but so are most Marvel movies). I think having the strong female characters as a role model from a young age was probably good for me.<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="http://images.fanpop.com/images/image_uploads/X-Men-Evolution-x-men-evolution-432752_1024_768.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://images.fanpop.com/images/image_uploads/X-Men-Evolution-x-men-evolution-432752_1024_768.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The newer, not as good, version. X-Men Evolution</td></tr>
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My favorite characters are Gambit and Rogue...though Phoenix was close and Lady Deathstrike always piqued my interest.<br />
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<b>What About You? </b>Who is your favorite X-Man character? What super power do you wish you could have?Liz McCarthyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16880204809996215179noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6060111130693623770.post-24951390017763705722012-04-26T00:00:00.000-07:002012-04-26T00:00:04.068-07:00W-When Shall Spring Return?<div style="text-align: left;">
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: inherit;">It’s cold outside </span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: inherit;">it should be snowing, but it’s not. </span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: inherit;">Each and every season fades into the world, </span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: inherit;">leaving gray, wraithlike emotions-- </span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: inherit;">haunting every year of passage. </span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: inherit;">I cannot allow myself to feel </span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: inherit;">anymore. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: inherit;">My brain—hot </span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: inherit;">especially when thoughts screech out, </span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: inherit;">like ravens, trapped in a black slate box. </span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: inherit;">A cacophony, which I’ve known far too long… </span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: inherit;">since I placed silver nails, firmly, </span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: inherit;">in those cedar, one way doors. </span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: inherit;">My heart—tepid </span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: inherit;">the moon waxes and wanes and re-cycles.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://04varvara.files.wordpress.com/2011/12/0-00a-the-poetry-of-winter-12-11.jpg?w=1200&h=840" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="224" src="http://04varvara.files.wordpress.com/2011/12/0-00a-the-poetry-of-winter-12-11.jpg?w=1200&h=840" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://04varvara.wordpress.com/">http://04varvara.wordpress.com/</a>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><br />Liz McCarthyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16880204809996215179noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6060111130693623770.post-85587037069820820232012-04-25T00:00:00.000-07:002012-04-25T00:00:09.685-07:00V-Very Merry UnbirthdayWe take birthdays way too seriously...<div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/71/Grant_DeVolson_Wood_-_American_Gothic.jpg/250px-Grant_DeVolson_Wood_-_American_Gothic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/71/Grant_DeVolson_Wood_-_American_Gothic.jpg/250px-Grant_DeVolson_Wood_-_American_Gothic.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grant Wood's painting American Gothic</td></tr>
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either that or we do not take every day seriously enough. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://files.ania-tomicka.webnode.com/system_preview_detail_200000314-efa73f0a1d/cute01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://files.ania-tomicka.webnode.com/system_preview_detail_200000314-efa73f0a1d/cute01.jpg" width="318" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://ania-tomicka.webnode.com/products/silly-paintings/">http://ania-tomicka.webnode.com/products/silly-paintings/</a></td></tr>
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I feel like everyone should celebrate unbirthdays a few days out of every year (depends on how many you want to do)! I think setting aside an evening to exchange small gifts, cook dinner together, and watch a movie or have friends over is a wonderful way to celebrate life and the gifts it brings. So the next time someone asks you to do something and you think "Oh, I don't have time" you should pause and think, this person wants to celebrate an unbirthday and I am special enough to be invited! You will not always be able to go, but it will put things into perspective and turn a lot of "Oh, I wish I had done that"s into "I'm so glad we got to do that together"s. </div>
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If you want to go all out, you could even have an unbirthday party and invite lots of people and have a silly gift exchange and go all out (maybe even Alice in Wonderland costumes would be fun if you are a costume party person)! You might make some dear friends and have unforgettable memories.</div>
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And for those of you who have no idea where I got this idea:</div>
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<b>What About You?</b> What do you think about celebrating unbirthdays? How would you celebrate your ideal unbirthday?</div>
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</div>Liz McCarthyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16880204809996215179noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6060111130693623770.post-20510647696756831562012-04-24T00:00:00.000-07:002012-04-24T00:00:19.392-07:00U- A pair of Untitled Sonnets<div style="text-align: left;">
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<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Unease entangles my stomach, nausea </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">uncoils. Could I house a secret so bold?— </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Fear rimed my heart—if so I knew the cause. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“Is anyone there?” my voice felt so cold </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">and stupid. Then thought I felt a small beat- </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">a feather-light sense, just out of my reach </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">of reason. Heart pounds, reeling defeat: </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I murmur prayers, hoping maybe I’ll see. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Despair sets in— greedy talons, razor </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">sharp. Sobs clash through the silence. How could this </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">be true. Eight weeks ago…the truth blazes— </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Numbness. Tingle: my mind is amiss with </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">violence. Can you hear that echo, Cadence, </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">ripple-effect vibrating soul?...Silence. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">II.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">It curls itself around my heart, darkness </span><br style="background-color: white;" /><span style="background-color: white;">cocoons. A secret soul, waiting to bloom </span><br style="background-color: white;" /><span style="background-color: white;">‘neath a garden sprite’s angelic address, </span><br style="background-color: white;" /><span style="background-color: white;">extolling my loveliness, I assume. </span><br style="background-color: white;" /><br style="background-color: white;" /><span style="background-color: white;">Joyous psyche, my blood thrums its adoration- </span><br style="background-color: white;" /><span style="background-color: white;">a symphony, echoing a deeper, </span><br style="background-color: white;" /><span style="background-color: white;">parallel humming. An intonation: </span><br style="background-color: white;" /><span style="background-color: white;">a star’s voice—whispers…lulling into sleep. </span><br style="background-color: white;" /><br style="background-color: white;" /><span style="background-color: white;">Neurotransmitter overload. Yank the </span><br style="background-color: white;" /><span style="background-color: white;">serenity. Discordant, atonal, </span><br style="background-color: white;" /><span style="background-color: white;">musical grief—a ghastly aria. </span><br style="background-color: white;" /><span style="background-color: white;">It withdraws, and I clutch hard, unable </span><br style="background-color: white;" /><br style="background-color: white;" /><span style="background-color: white;">to bear the thought—how close our life could be. </span><br style="background-color: white;" /><span style="background-color: white;">Would you? Could you? Please share your life with me. </span></span>
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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="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/38/81487582_2065a25187.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="215" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/38/81487582_2065a25187.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://solework.wordpress.com/2007/05/24/reflexology-babies/">http://solework.wordpress.com/2007/05/24/reflexology-babies/</a>
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<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">As a sort of framework for reading these--I wrote these during college during prolife month.</span></span></span><br />Liz McCarthyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16880204809996215179noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6060111130693623770.post-8126570652179049802012-04-23T00:00:00.000-07:002012-04-23T00:00:12.466-07:00T-Tubs<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Despite the fact that I loathe taking baths (I mean seriously...ew!), I am oddly fascinated by the variety of bathtub styles there are/have been in this world. Everything from vintage, to ultra-modern , any shape, color, variety you can imagine. Seriously, just google image bathtubs...<br />
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<a href="http://i-cdn.apartmenttherapy.com/uimages/ny/5-8-bathtubs-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="http://i-cdn.apartmenttherapy.com/uimages/ny/5-8-bathtubs-1.jpg" width="320" /></a>Here are some of my favorites:<br />
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This one is very modern, yet sort of natural and earthy at the same time.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://homedecor7.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/Bath-Tubs-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://homedecor7.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/Bath-Tubs-5.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://homedecor7.com/bath-tubs-for-bathroom/">http://homedecor7.com/bath-tubs-for-bathroom/</a>
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This one reminds me of a nautical theme, if it were mine I would paint the walls blue with little fishy decals!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoTH6NCvjJhZLhHNs7anNiGp5M4Tw5P5EwdLTiAlQnJyzibm4fyqs1CYNiW4JNHDVVUQwVc9SK5T9d_8xhEB1EFiTiL-1HP7Q2sq73MAPD9jCHBJdh8BpVajgzvhEPJKQ08jIX6WWGpScn/s1600/antique-brown-marble-bathtub-bathroom-carved-marble-tub.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoTH6NCvjJhZLhHNs7anNiGp5M4Tw5P5EwdLTiAlQnJyzibm4fyqs1CYNiW4JNHDVVUQwVc9SK5T9d_8xhEB1EFiTiL-1HP7Q2sq73MAPD9jCHBJdh8BpVajgzvhEPJKQ08jIX6WWGpScn/s320/antique-brown-marble-bathtub-bathroom-carved-marble-tub.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://aboutchineseantique.blogspot.com/2011/06/short-history-of-antique-bathtubs.html">http://aboutchineseantique.blogspot.com/2011/06/short-history-of-antique-bathtubs.html</a>
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This is so Grecian and pretty, it makes me creeped out and a little in awe at the same time.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.lyring.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/Vintage-Bathtub-Designs-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://www.lyring.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/Vintage-Bathtub-Designs-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.lyring.com/vintage-bathtub-designs">http://www.lyring.com/vintage-bathtub-designs</a></td></tr>
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This is a sleek throwback to vintage!<br />
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<img src="http://www.sterlingplumbing.com/common/images/img-onlineLandingTiles-narrowWidthBathtubs.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.sterlingplumbing.com/baths-and-showers/bathtubs/" style="font-size: medium; text-align: -webkit-auto;">http://www.sterlingplumbing.com/baths-and-showers/bathtubs/</a></td></tr>
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Who doesn't love a traditional bathtub?!</div>
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<a href="http://www.diamondspas.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/bath-tubs-agate-ufo-21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="http://www.diamondspas.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/bath-tubs-agate-ufo-21.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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This one sort of reminds me of a futuristic sleeping pod...</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.decordir.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/natural-bathtubs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://www.decordir.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/natural-bathtubs.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.decordir.com/2010/10/08/relaxing-natural-bathroom-design-inspirations/natural-bathtubs/">http://www.decordir.com/2010/10/08/relaxing-natural-bathroom-design-inspirations/natural-bathtubs/</a></td></tr>
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This one is what I imagine to be country-esque: cute, little, and wooden :)</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://roundhottub.net/2011/08/30/bathroom-tubs-3/">http://roundhottub.net/2011/08/30/bathroom-tubs-3/</a>
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This one is very zen, I could see enjoying a cup of tea and just relaxing here.</div>
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<a href="http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRMEMnDGXvXHVm-0h-0SiSGh1c1FrdIDhKohNr3Dp5S1jX2Ze1CqNhShHr5" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><img border="0" src="http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRMEMnDGXvXHVm-0h-0SiSGh1c1FrdIDhKohNr3Dp5S1jX2Ze1CqNhShHr5" /></a><span style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;">For some reason this reminds me of a plate, I'd feel like I was going to be eaten!</span><span style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;">See some other <a href="http://www.homedit.com/10-relaxing-bath-tubs/" style="text-align: right;">VERY cool and interesting bathtubs</a>!</span><span style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><br /></span><span style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><b>What about you?</b> Do you have any odd fascinations? What do you think about these bathtubs? </span><a href="http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRMEMnDGXvXHVm-0h-0SiSGh1c1FrdIDhKohNr3Dp5S1jX2Ze1CqNhShHr5" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><br /></a></div>
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<a href="http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRMEMnDGXvXHVm-0h-0SiSGh1c1FrdIDhKohNr3Dp5S1jX2Ze1CqNhShHr5" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><br /></a>Liz McCarthyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16880204809996215179noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6060111130693623770.post-24493409302414960962012-04-22T11:29:00.002-07:002012-04-22T11:29:49.299-07:00S-Stitching for SanityI do not know what other people do when they are watching television, are listening to music, or are about to go insane from all the craziness that life entails, but I cross-stitch. My hands get antsy when I am sitting still watching a movie or a show and the feeling of making something beautiful really relaxes me when I get stressed out. <br />
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This is my current project, which I picked up at Goodwill for about a buck. It is the front of our very first Christmas stocking! I am almost finished with it and just need to do the back-stitching and details and then turn it into the stocking :D It will definitely be ready for next Christmas.<br />
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My first completed project was this cross-stitch which is now hanging in my apartment. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I really like flower portrayals in lots of different art forms.</td></tr>
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My longest ever project is this one. It is absolutely gorgeous, but as yet it is still unfinished. It needs some back-stitching and details, and I need to look up how to actually do the technique called cording because that is mostly why it has not been finished yet :/<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This will definitely be framed and hung when finished!</td></tr>
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I also have a few smaller projects which I have completed mostly for fun, and some I have given away as gifts. I still have these two and think I will frame the second one for our new house and put it in our laundry room/kitty room as that is where I think most of the kitty's things are going to go. I do not have a home for the first one yet, do not really know anyone who is a big Pooh fan, if you know someone who would love it, let me know (It would need a frame).<br />
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I have a few others in my stash for when I finish the others. One is a ballerina and the other is a mother-nature sort of figure changing the seasons...they are both beautiful.<br />
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<b>What About You?</b> What do you do to destress? Do you have something you do while you watch tv or listen to the radio?Liz McCarthyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16880204809996215179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6060111130693623770.post-23892611259388484742012-04-20T17:00:00.003-07:002012-04-20T17:00:18.911-07:00R-RPG video gamesYes, for those of you who do not already know...I am a bit of a nerd (or really cool, depending on who you ask). I love to play video games when I get the chance. I love RPG style games (I hate FPS games, mostly cause I cannot aim to save my life and end up beating people with my weapon instead of actually shooting them). Mostly I love old-school RPGs like Secret of Mana, Chrono Trigger, Lufia and the Fortress of Doom, and ALL of the Final Fantasy Series (VII is the best, but they are all worth playing...again and again and again).<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Best game ever!</td></tr>
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I started playing games with one of my brothers before I could even read, playing along as the second player on Secret of Mana and controlling one of the characters in the party. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2010/06/15/secret-of-mana-coming-to-iphone-this-year/">http://www.joystiq.com/2010/06/15/secret-of-mana-coming-to-iphone-this-year/</a></td></tr>
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Once I learned to read, I quickly embarked on my first solo gaming experience and completed Chrono Trigger at age 7 or 8 (it has been a while, so I do not remember when it was exactly), and have played it several times through since then. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fantastic game!</td></tr>
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I remember often having tournaments with non-RPG games as a child, such as StreetFighter or Mortal Combat and the loser had to pass the controller to the next player (we still do this with things like Rock Band)...I was raised in a gaming household, but some of my siblings never really caught the bug.<br />
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I still love to play video games in my spare time. Mostly I play them on computer emulators now since I do not own any of the original systems (they all belonged to my older brothers). I do currently have a PS2 and it gets some love every now and again as well. <br />
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Playing games is a great way to take a break from reality, I mean who does not want to be a kickass character who goes about saving the world from imminent danger.<br />
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<b>What About You?</b> Do you enjoy playing video games? What is your favorite/most memorable time playing a video game.Liz McCarthyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16880204809996215179noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6060111130693623770.post-39857230241963579092012-04-19T00:00:00.000-07:002012-04-19T00:00:02.854-07:00Q-QuirkyOkay, so we all have quirks: I am not sure whether my husband and I are just quirkier than other people, or that we live with each other and thus are subject to exposure of more quirks. Either way, my life is <strike>interesting</strike> awesome! Also, if other people are as weird as we are, life is entirely different than I imagined.<br />
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So here are a few examples of my quirks: I color code my closet, I shower and get dressed the same way every time, I meow at my husband, I pretend to be small animals, I sing and dance around the house (and my lab...) when I am alone...and sometimes when I am not, I like all varieties of music from rockabilly to pop, I paint my nails weird colors, I am mildly obsessed with getting a kitten, I like to play the "what if" game, and apparently my husband thinks it is weird that I do not put milk on my cereal (unless it is Honey Nut Cheerios)...this is a small list of the oddities that really are not that odd...just in case you are all actually not as weird as me...I do not want to weird you out :D<br />
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Thomas is a quirker too (here are a few examples): he makes up lyrics to songs that feature me (super cute) and sings them around the house, he acts like a puppy, he cannot remember to close a cabinet...pretty much ever, he likes to climb on lots of things, he pulls ridiculous faces (a lot), he prefers to drink warm water, he talks to the cats (so do I...but they are <b><i>my</i></b> cats), he tried to vacuum the cats, he tried to get my cat dizzy by holding her and spinning in a chair, he tried to play catch with my cat, he likes to ask hypothetical logic puzzles about people dying/disastrous situations, and he likes to help but often gets side-tracked...<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is what I get when I ask for help taking the sheets off the bed.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">When I ask for help making the bed, I get a cat made into it...</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...or a Thomas made into it!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbjQUU5zYo6lQBKi-pJTI7jjLaInCmuvNmZfXqBjB4T4jP_ZwZFNRW_sekH34m7pJixsstqIs6tVWGhS2sLcA3MCezqLmHSUfUdL7Mz9zwRT0qfCJ4O1Oc10yDfUF8vTVxaE0_CUM5xoI5/s1600/Pictures+161.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbjQUU5zYo6lQBKi-pJTI7jjLaInCmuvNmZfXqBjB4T4jP_ZwZFNRW_sekH34m7pJixsstqIs6tVWGhS2sLcA3MCezqLmHSUfUdL7Mz9zwRT0qfCJ4O1Oc10yDfUF8vTVxaE0_CUM5xoI5/s320/Pictures+161.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And when I ask for help putting the laundry away I get this (I think he was hiding in it).</td></tr>
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Something weird we both do is come up with super-weird endearments for each other, this stemmed from a period of us trying to figure out cute nicknames for each other and failing a lot, now it is funny (we finally settled on him calling me glowbug/kitten and I call him puppy). One of our most used is rutabaga-face and if you have ever seen a rutabaga...they are not very pretty.<br />
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We also make absurd threats to each other if we are pretending to be annoyed...Thomas' usually involve him threatening to take my ovaries out in some bizarre way (let us say with a spork) and then cooking them somehow (let us say sauteeing)...these are common occurrences and they crack us both up.<br />
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<b>What About You?</b> What are some of your strange quirks? Do you think you are weirder than the average person or do you think they are just better at hiding it?Liz McCarthyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16880204809996215179noreply@blogger.com2