tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-70743514441282378272024-03-12T18:07:00.140-07:00Silver LiningGudrunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04864290273133674843noreply@blogger.comBlogger86125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7074351444128237827.post-22170300089208215792012-05-22T14:09:00.001-07:002012-05-22T14:11:18.219-07:00Return of the Mack<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It’s been a while, huh? I’m sorry the blog stopped, but life interfered. I had to plan my wedding. I think that’s a pretty good excuse. But now that I’ve been (happily) married for 2 months and we’re starting to get back to “normal” life, I’m ready to write again and share images and words that make the silver linings in my life! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I always aspire to write and be creative. And as I’ve said before, working for a law firm just doesn’t give me those frills. So since I have to keep working at the firm, my blog will act as a daily check-in with the right side of my brain. </span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wSDNMJEZBlQ/T7v85lRzEKI/AAAAAAAAAjc/7gh2tPkk5eU/s1600/brainpaint1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="226" qba="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wSDNMJEZBlQ/T7v85lRzEKI/AAAAAAAAAjc/7gh2tPkk5eU/s320/brainpaint1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I’ll start my return to blogging slow. I don’t want to rush back and injure my creative drive. Although, I have a million ideas of things to post about. I'll start with this simple, yet pertinent picture. I found the below image somewhere on the interwebs and thought it reflected my current feelings of the need to create. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I'm happy to bring the blog back to life after a brief but necessary hiatus. Look forward to some retro posts... catching you and my blog up on what's been happening; and what's been inspiring the happiness in my life lately. </span></div>Gudrunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04864290273133674843noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7074351444128237827.post-30395649981649522192011-11-21T13:30:00.000-08:002011-11-21T13:30:24.887-08:00TV Commercial - "Their Wedding"<iframe height="270" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/CPOWiOnt1-M?fs=1" frameborder="0" width="480" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br /><br />Seems about right! :)Gudrunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04864290273133674843noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7074351444128237827.post-48324830303050461122011-11-18T07:25:00.000-08:002011-11-18T08:56:58.335-08:00A couple things I'm looking forward to<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Sorry for the lack of posts. Life is has been incredibly busy lately! But I wanted to share a few things I’m looking forward to over the next few weeks. First up is Thanksigivng in Nebraska with Jay's family. But let me also say, I'm going to miss my family while I'm there!!! This is my first thanksgiving away from home and it's going to be quite a trip for me. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AVdqS07D22U/TsZwh478hbI/AAAAAAAAAh0/wLHnYLD1kNQ/s1600/nebraska-the-cornhusker-state.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="203" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AVdqS07D22U/TsZwh478hbI/AAAAAAAAAh0/wLHnYLD1kNQ/s320/nebraska-the-cornhusker-state.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I’ve never been to the Midwest before. I’ve visited Minnesota and Illinois but never been to the real middle of our country. I’m looking forward to seeing Nebraska, after having heard so much about it. Also excited to see a football game. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Dq8bb554Yi4/TsZw-5fCqqI/AAAAAAAAAh8/ai8GLXhcJx0/s1600/nebraskafootball.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Dq8bb554Yi4/TsZw-5fCqqI/AAAAAAAAAh8/ai8GLXhcJx0/s320/nebraskafootball.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I’m also looking forward to meeting Jay’s grandmother. I am so blessed to have the world’s best grandmothers. I really appreciate all that grandmothers bring to the world. I love my Nanny and Tulla!!! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h-9u_hIgfys/TsZyaBJEJkI/AAAAAAAAAiE/DxmFSRf_vrs/s1600/securedownload.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h-9u_hIgfys/TsZyaBJEJkI/AAAAAAAAAiE/DxmFSRf_vrs/s320/securedownload.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I have to move on to the other things I'm looking forward to or I’m going to sit here and cry and think about my family too much. So... I’m also looking forward to the holiday movie selection out in theaters. The last movie I went to was sometime this summer. The top of the list? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Twilight, duh.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xSMP9bBrIHU/TsZzP_Yg9WI/AAAAAAAAAiM/yti-Q9NIBRI/s1600/094731h1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xSMP9bBrIHU/TsZzP_Yg9WI/AAAAAAAAAiM/yti-Q9NIBRI/s1600/094731h1.jpg" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">And after all these things happen, then it will be time to start looking forward to Christmas. This is going to be a very special and merry holiday season! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XRuKEtQja6w/TsZ4nmNRlnI/AAAAAAAAAiU/OxNG1yOuEWQ/s1600/Traditional-Christmas-wre-001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="192" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XRuKEtQja6w/TsZ4nmNRlnI/AAAAAAAAAiU/OxNG1yOuEWQ/s320/Traditional-Christmas-wre-001.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Hope everyone has a Happy Holiday season! </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
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</div>Gudrunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04864290273133674843noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7074351444128237827.post-58136481554633465962011-11-04T12:48:00.000-07:002011-11-04T13:07:59.624-07:00Happy Friday<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">TGIF! Kate and Will have been absent on my blog for a while. Let's fix that, shall we? Here are a couple shots from their most recent outings. How awesome is that red coat and belt?! I’m so happy to see new photos of the newlyweds. They set a good example of a real marriage. I'm glad the younger generation has them to look up to. The Kardashians are a shame! I can't believe people pay them any attention. They are a mockery and their values are so out of whack. Come on America, just ignore them and they'll go away. On to the Duke and Duchess <span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">and charitable outings.... </span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zom1vzp43dI/TrRET3xoI4I/AAAAAAAAAhk/FPKy-E5U0xw/s1600/68778_Original.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="335" ida="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zom1vzp43dI/TrRET3xoI4I/AAAAAAAAAhk/FPKy-E5U0xw/s400/68778_Original.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-P6zKx97AnFo/TrRGFL3DxUI/AAAAAAAAAhs/EgDDKZj2u4o/s1600/2601291_041111_kmiddleton2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="277" ida="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-P6zKx97AnFo/TrRGFL3DxUI/AAAAAAAAAhs/EgDDKZj2u4o/s400/2601291_041111_kmiddleton2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RQSTohH-FnE/TrRBR-MycII/AAAAAAAAAhU/MCoTOwubi5s/s1600/68108-original.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" ida="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RQSTohH-FnE/TrRBR-MycII/AAAAAAAAAhU/MCoTOwubi5s/s400/68108-original.jpg" width="261" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Beautiful! Classic, elegant, fresh! How does she (her design team) do it?! </span></div></div></div>Gudrunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04864290273133674843noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7074351444128237827.post-25698066271903940922011-11-03T07:29:00.000-07:002011-11-03T11:43:43.555-07:00Until Last Night...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I love watching Antiques Road Show on PBS. I could watch it for hours. I love seeing people from all over the country, listening to their stories, and seeing what they have brought in. I also love the appraisers; hearing what they have to say and discovering which gallery or auction houses they work for. </span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Right out of college, I worked for <a href="http://www.mccollfineart.com/"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">McColl Fine Art</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">. Coolest first job, ever. I worked with people like the appraisers on this show. I also spent some time working with auction houses and attended a few art and antique shows. I miss that world! And the road show brings me back a little...Love it.</span></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="145" ida="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KbkgZ52hNXw/TrKef0uoVoI/AAAAAAAAAfE/v9-Ke6S70Ng/s200/f9b774d795adshow_jpg.jpg" width="200" /><br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-F0A1P6hQ8sA/TrKinLxAMFI/AAAAAAAAAf8/jK0Is-kZ7ko/s1600/AR_LouisvilleAntiquesRoadshow_1225.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" ida="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-F0A1P6hQ8sA/TrKinLxAMFI/AAAAAAAAAf8/jK0Is-kZ7ko/s320/AR_LouisvilleAntiquesRoadshow_1225.jpg" width="320" /></a> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">But this is usually the only thing I watch on PBS. Until last night! The show “The Fabric of the Cosmos” came on right after Antiques Road Show. I was pretty much hooked from the title line. This show made me wish I had paid more attention in science class in high school. Wow. I had heard some of Albert Einstein’s theories before but never really grasped them…until last night! Probably, because they had never been properly explained to me. This show does a great job of explaining very complex ideas in way that a non-science oriented person can understand.</span></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="160" ida="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gzLXExunA9A/TrLf_-b-HsI/AAAAAAAAAg8/-6s-QWmG8FU/s320/wpt_1317937172.jpg" width="320" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UzA6CAB40Jc/TrLgI7ziM3I/AAAAAAAAAhE/QBl-lmeT_e4/s1600/2.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" ida="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UzA6CAB40Jc/TrLgI7ziM3I/AAAAAAAAAhE/QBl-lmeT_e4/s320/2.bmp" width="224" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">And the show went on to explain the theories that were developed after Einstein. The work of Peter Higgs for example and the amazing work that is being done at Cern. Let me just say, I was fascinated! Particles are everywhere!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5Tl2SVt2nbE/TrKfqbsB4VI/AAAAAAAAAfk/PitHXbqz3C4/s1600/080911higgs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="156" ida="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5Tl2SVt2nbE/TrKfqbsB4VI/AAAAAAAAAfk/PitHXbqz3C4/s320/080911higgs.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Anyway, hopefully this is a series. I want to learn more! I know this sounds nuts, but all the sudden I’m interested in Nuclear Research. What?! I think I am going to start my new journey of learning with an Albert Einstein biography. Seems like a good place for me to start. I'm pretty sure diving into equations and theory wouldn't go so well. Not without a teacher anyway...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GS8MqoaBDAg/TrKkwzBbD2I/AAAAAAAAAgE/U4ylpo0j_YM/s1600/3596632041_69dcb21928.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" ida="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GS8MqoaBDAg/TrKkwzBbD2I/AAAAAAAAAgE/U4ylpo0j_YM/s320/3596632041_69dcb21928.jpg" width="215" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">This one sounds pretty good! Who ever would have thought science would have captured my attention like this! I love being inspired to learn new things. Doesn't happen often, so I'm just gonna go with it. As Albert Einstein said <span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">"</span>The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing".</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A7L55Gdr0v4/TrKiAjpYb5I/AAAAAAAAAf0/XuAdvOqm6EA/s1600/iStock_000007822289Small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="104" ida="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A7L55Gdr0v4/TrKiAjpYb5I/AAAAAAAAAf0/XuAdvOqm6EA/s320/iStock_000007822289Small.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“To Infinity…and beyond!”</span></div>Gudrunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04864290273133674843noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7074351444128237827.post-1837981964952319412011-11-01T11:29:00.000-07:002011-11-01T11:29:06.201-07:00Happy Halloween<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">My sweet mom sent me this picture and wished me a “Happy Halloween”. There is something I wanted to share about this photo that makes it so special. My mom has had the “scarecrow man” that is on their front door since I was 2 years old. Every Halloween “Mr. Scarecrow Man” gets hung up on my family’s front door to greet the trick-or-treaters. It’s such a sweet tradition in my family and it makes me want to run home and give my mom a hug. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-k-qg4NGD8BM/TrA6L3I_dWI/AAAAAAAAAe8/D2dC1lB9bdg/s1600/securedownload.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" ida="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-k-qg4NGD8BM/TrA6L3I_dWI/AAAAAAAAAe8/D2dC1lB9bdg/s400/securedownload.jpg" width="238" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Gudrunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04864290273133674843noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7074351444128237827.post-17110258403449168252011-10-25T07:33:00.000-07:002011-10-25T08:00:34.116-07:00Almighty Transportation<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Hallelujah! I have a found an airline that doesn't feel like a death trap. Virgin America, thank you for making me feel comfortable and relaxed while flying through the air at 30,000 feet. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Your interior design, courteous staff, leather seats, deluxe TV screens, snacks, and adult beverages made our 5 hour flight pleasant. And I barely noticed any turbulence. I don’t know how you do it Virgin America, but keep up the good work. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XKwkWnsTDJU/Tqa_B4-kc5I/AAAAAAAAAdU/P9ZAVFcGhNQ/s1600/tn3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" ida="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XKwkWnsTDJU/Tqa_B4-kc5I/AAAAAAAAAdU/P9ZAVFcGhNQ/s320/tn3.jpg" width="239" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ky5RirdTLXw/Tqa90xOt63I/AAAAAAAAAc8/N0AUx7ygqlU/s1600/tn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" ida="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ky5RirdTLXw/Tqa90xOt63I/AAAAAAAAAc8/N0AUx7ygqlU/s320/tn.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">And tell your competitors they need to get a clue. I probably spent $60 extra bucks on the plane between the movies and drinks. I would do this on any airline that offered such goods. I think it would be easy for other airlines to be more profitable if they had a better product. Hello! It’s not rocket science is it? You need to sell something that’s worth selling. A+ Virgin America. You restored my faith in the notion that air travel can be something other than a nightmare. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aw-33wsgi28/Tqa-8BDeJfI/AAAAAAAAAdM/yXBXusigTP0/s1600/tn2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" ida="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aw-33wsgi28/Tqa-8BDeJfI/AAAAAAAAAdM/yXBXusigTP0/s320/tn2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">And National Car Rental, I’ve got a few positive remarks for you too. I love picking out my own car from the lot. I love it even more when the lot we reserved was sold out and we were told to pick any car from the “premium”, "members only" lot. Free upgrade? Thanks! Instead of a regular midsize sadan, Jay and I got to cruise through Sonoma in a sweet sports car. The 2011 Hyundai Sonata. I’ve been slightly intrigued by their commercials. Jeff Bridges is selling that car and making it sound awesome. And after spending the weekend with the car, I can say, I want one! It felt sporty, luxurious, roomy, practical, and fun. I even liked the white. And the black and tan leather interior and XM radio were another bonus.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">All in all, our travels went very well this past trip. Woohoo.</span></div>Gudrunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04864290273133674843noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7074351444128237827.post-50515150350702248492011-10-20T06:50:00.000-07:002011-10-20T07:10:07.698-07:00My Suitcase...<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">and I have become quite good friends. I love my suite case. I got this one right before my first trip aboard, when I went to London. And we’ve been good pals ever since. We've been pretty busy this summer.</span></div><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QOw9iM-bB8M/TqAlCpQtOSI/AAAAAAAAAc0/OwHIrWdTMaI/s1600/securedownload.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QOw9iM-bB8M/TqAlCpQtOSI/AAAAAAAAAc0/OwHIrWdTMaI/s1600/securedownload.jpg" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I thought my suitcase looked quite distinguished this morning while waiting for the metro. The morning light was pretty strong today. So I snapped a photo. A nice little portrait of my traveling buddy. He looks strong and proud, right? I do realize my suitecase has now been referred to as a person. And I think that's OK. I think I'll name him Eddie. A solid name, chosen after his creater, Eddie Bauer. Maybe Eddie can start a journal? Maybe. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">And later today, along with Jay (my other favorite traveling companion) we’re headed to Sonoma. Woo hoo! </span></div>Gudrunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04864290273133674843noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7074351444128237827.post-59022948791869811112011-10-19T07:10:00.000-07:002011-10-19T07:55:12.581-07:00TOMORROW<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jay and I are off to Sonoma, California! </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4-gUlTvQxRE/Tp7XwZf3y9I/AAAAAAAAAcM/-I6cNIx8Q3s/s1600/Sonoma-county-map.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="245" rda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4-gUlTvQxRE/Tp7XwZf3y9I/AAAAAAAAAcM/-I6cNIx8Q3s/s320/Sonoma-county-map.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We are going to celebrate Jay’s good friend Eric’s wedding. Jay is a groomsmen and I'm so happy Jay gets to be part of such a fantastic love story. We’re excited for Eric and can’t wait to meet his bride, Christina!!! I stole this cute photo of them from their wedding website. They seem so happy and I can't wait to be part of their party! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rvOhrB4fOxk/Tp7YKBRelBI/AAAAAAAAAcU/oj7huZ_EhaY/s1600/jardinere-smile_219170059_std.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" rda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rvOhrB4fOxk/Tp7YKBRelBI/AAAAAAAAAcU/oj7huZ_EhaY/s400/jardinere-smile_219170059_std.jpg" width="265" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I also can’t wait to see Sonoma and take in some of this scenery… </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9ymVjTanZL8/Tp7Yd8NZlwI/AAAAAAAAAcc/zNFQa0lUgaw/s1600/napasonoma_028p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="252" rda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9ymVjTanZL8/Tp7Yd8NZlwI/AAAAAAAAAcc/zNFQa0lUgaw/s320/napasonoma_028p.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">And I can’t wait to drink a lot of this….</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ToIM-VBNWFY/Tp7YkyFeRpI/AAAAAAAAAck/xwkjorMznuM/s1600/untitled.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" rda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ToIM-VBNWFY/Tp7YkyFeRpI/AAAAAAAAAck/xwkjorMznuM/s320/untitled.bmp" width="255" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">And I hope I get to see some grapes on a vine. Not sure what season the grapes "bloom" or if that's what you call it when there's grapes on the vine, but either way, I'm pretty excited about it. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3bzjlpjImV0/Tp7ZRelItBI/AAAAAAAAAcs/1c3FMAWz_6U/s1600/imagesCAPJPPZL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3bzjlpjImV0/Tp7ZRelItBI/AAAAAAAAAcs/1c3FMAWz_6U/s1600/imagesCAPJPPZL.jpg" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We can’t wait to get there! </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Gudrunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04864290273133674843noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7074351444128237827.post-54444428178071540082011-10-14T08:48:00.000-07:002011-10-14T09:04:08.560-07:00Realization<span style="font-family: Calibri;">So I realize the blog has been a bit heavy with wedding content. My apologies, but it’s kind of tough to get off the topic. As of today, were getting married in 157 days! Crazy if you ask me. But I’m getting excited and there’s lots of planning left to do. Due to the wedding planning, our home improvements, which I use to blog about, have slowed down quite a bit. But hopefully soon, we will get back to work on our home. We did buy new a over head light for the kitchen. Maybe we can get that installed this weekend. And I promise that when we get back into our house work, I’ll be sure to put up our before and after photos and our stories of triumph over such things as electrical wiring and IKEA instructions. </span><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">But in the meantime, this is where we are. I get daily emails about things like this:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rhcXtYMfvVs/TphYcJCCfzI/AAAAAAAAAb8/GDl1qxYGwyg/s1600/untitled.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="318" oda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rhcXtYMfvVs/TphYcJCCfzI/AAAAAAAAAb8/GDl1qxYGwyg/s320/untitled.bmp" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">There is so much wedding "crap" out there. I got this in an advertisement this morning. First of all, they got our date wrong. We're getting married March 24, 2012. And not sure we’re going the whole “our names on napkins” route, <em>but</em> it is kind of cool seeing our name on stuff. </span></div>Gudrunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04864290273133674843noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7074351444128237827.post-13770835247603858632011-10-13T07:01:00.000-07:002011-10-13T07:08:30.759-07:00How great is this?!<span style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif";"><a href="http://www.bing.com/videos/watch/video/building-lights-assist-marriage-proposal/20o1jt86">http://www.bing.com/videos/watch/video/building-lights-assist-marriage-proposal/20o1jt86</a></span> <br />
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I love the pop chips that he pulls from her hand! But it does make me wonder if this whole thing was sponsored by the great chip company. Hmmmm. Either way, I love it. <br />
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It also makes me think of the day when Jay and I got engaged. Probably one of the sweetest moments of my life. It's one of my favorite memories. Here's a couple shots from our day. We were painting in our new condo on a sunny Sunday afternoon, when Jay surprised me. It was very unplanned and natural <em>and </em>surprising! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-glDvBEbxzvY/TpbuhptzqmI/AAAAAAAAAbk/lyySPKpj464/s1600/securedownload.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" oda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-glDvBEbxzvY/TpbuhptzqmI/AAAAAAAAAbk/lyySPKpj464/s320/securedownload.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And then he gave me the most beautiful ring in the world. No kidding. I couldn't be happier. I have never loved a material item more than I love this ring. It's very special because the center diamond belonged to Jay's great grandmother. I really like thinking about his greatgrandmother wearing this exact stone on her finger. I like thinking about how she got the ring, what her husband was like, and how much she probably loved this diamond too. I feel very blessed and I'm very thankful for Jay and everything he brings to my life!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Hz5vSzgizOo/TpbvQvkHJaI/AAAAAAAAAbs/vurj49BVdR0/s1600/securedownload2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" oda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Hz5vSzgizOo/TpbvQvkHJaI/AAAAAAAAAbs/vurj49BVdR0/s320/securedownload2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">There's a silver lining for you! :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Gudrunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04864290273133674843noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7074351444128237827.post-14740647734489353612011-10-03T16:20:00.000-07:002011-10-03T17:08:33.369-07:00Our Engagement Photos!Here are our engagement photos. We loved our photographer. Thank you <a href="http://willajphotography.com/">Willa J Photography</a>! I think the resolution of these photos on my blog aren't as great as on the CD but you can get the idea. All the black and white photos are also available in color and are lovely.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8pRFSa0dQWU/TopBK0OseEI/AAAAAAAAAa8/_teiZhLGszg/s1600/J53b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8pRFSa0dQWU/TopBK0OseEI/AAAAAAAAAa8/_teiZhLGszg/s400/J53b.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0P5OqxjoD1o/Too9gcGd5CI/AAAAAAAAAaY/iqjv7_AxQjM/s1600/J8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0P5OqxjoD1o/Too9gcGd5CI/AAAAAAAAAaY/iqjv7_AxQjM/s400/J8.jpg" width="275" /></a></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KBivZwLoOIE/Too_ebItS6I/AAAAAAAAAao/81JN9D9dXc0/s1600/J42.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KBivZwLoOIE/Too_ebItS6I/AAAAAAAAAao/81JN9D9dXc0/s1600/J42.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_tP8gE7yqVA/Too-3ShqwMI/AAAAAAAAAak/AiAW9JZt0-I/s400/J14b.jpg" width="266" /><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div></div></a><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-glzs5gjfwE8/TopOA-NNqNI/AAAAAAAAAbQ/ulfjv7NQsRc/s1600/J13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-glzs5gjfwE8/TopOA-NNqNI/AAAAAAAAAbQ/ulfjv7NQsRc/s400/J13.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gWEsDbuTnr4/TopOWhmNv7I/AAAAAAAAAbU/iAVQem8NTg8/s1600/J45.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gWEsDbuTnr4/TopOWhmNv7I/AAAAAAAAAbU/iAVQem8NTg8/s400/J45.jpg" width="266" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KBivZwLoOIE/Too_ebItS6I/AAAAAAAAAao/81JN9D9dXc0/s400/J42.jpg" width="400" /></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-W5lM8UG-BDQ/Too_vTMtD3I/AAAAAAAAAas/zaWEMGCZPdE/s1600/J44b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-W5lM8UG-BDQ/Too_vTMtD3I/AAAAAAAAAas/zaWEMGCZPdE/s400/J44b.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;" unselectable="on"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Hgrf2ocJ0lI/TopEU4bcHuI/AAAAAAAAAbI/aDUqHGVu9lM/s1600/J46b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" unselectable="on"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Hgrf2ocJ0lI/TopEU4bcHuI/AAAAAAAAAbI/aDUqHGVu9lM/s400/J46b.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;" unselectable="on"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Thanks for looking! </div>Gudrunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04864290273133674843noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7074351444128237827.post-29987486574768583612011-09-28T11:10:00.000-07:002011-09-29T06:36:33.940-07:00Hello Again!<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">It’s been a couple weeks. I've missed blogging on a regular basis. I'm going to try and get back to posting a couple times a week. I'll start with a little catch-up. Here’s a photomontage that explains where I’ve been and what I’ve been up to the last couple of weeks. Be prepared for some wedding talk. </span><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">First off, we have made a couple trips down to NC to visit with my parents and do some wedding planning. Apparently, planning a wedding involves making a lot of decisions.</span> The more time I spend in NC, the more I miss my home state. It really is a wonderful place!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="227" kca="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yAYASr5u1OA/ToMqQORlhkI/AAAAAAAAAZo/fWzvaWNDtBE/s320/northcarolina-vintage-map1.jpg" width="320" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is how our wedding planning started. Sitting at the dining room table, making a note card for everything that has to be done, and then putting that into a timeline with due dates, assignments, and dividing up the tasks between everyone involved.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> My Dad is a great organizer (thank goodness).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IuXNJj2Fvks/ToNiF-Er-bI/AAAAAAAAAaI/dE5yeA8Gpo4/s1600/securedownload.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" kca="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IuXNJj2Fvks/ToNiF-Er-bI/AAAAAAAAAaI/dE5yeA8Gpo4/s320/securedownload.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">And after careful deliberation and a few close calls, I found my wedding dress. This process was not easy for me. I really liked so many dresses and all of them were so different. I have never been one those of girls who was always dreaming about my dress so that made it difficult when I was presented with one beautiful dress after another. But I finally found the one, and I look forward to every time I get to put that dress on. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ha5QuLKo7C8/ToMr4Nx8uXI/AAAAAAAAAZw/qDEdj3gthxI/s1600/classic-wedding-dress-7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="302" kca="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ha5QuLKo7C8/ToMr4Nx8uXI/AAAAAAAAAZw/qDEdj3gthxI/s320/classic-wedding-dress-7.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><div style="text-align: center;">Football season has also started. Which means I hear the sounds of commentators, fans cheering, and Jay yelling at the TV a lot more in our house. Is it me, or is there <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">always </i>football on TV? <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kx27VLX693k/ToNiM7hkBUI/AAAAAAAAAaM/dhY9FgTG1wo/s1600/football.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" kca="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kx27VLX693k/ToNiM7hkBUI/AAAAAAAAAaM/dhY9FgTG1wo/s320/football.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">And last weekend we got some professional photographs taken by <a href="http://willajphotography.com/">Willa J Photography</a>. The photographer, Emily was so great to work with and I absolutely love her work! She was able to get some really nice shots of me and Jay. Our hope was to get a nice photo to put in our home town newspapers and I think: mission accomplished. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IV_FGc8eprc/ToM3-1PHCqI/AAAAAAAAAaE/zMMhJbgkBf4/s1600/willa+j.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" kca="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IV_FGc8eprc/ToM3-1PHCqI/AAAAAAAAAaE/zMMhJbgkBf4/s320/willa+j.jpg" width="215" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">And this weekend we’re heading up to Chicago. My college roommate, Dorothy is getting married!!! I can’t wait to be with my Salem Sisters and meet Dorothy’s hubby to be! Aren't they cute?!?! This wedding is going to be so fun! Love you, Dorothy!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LX0QMpN24Xk/ToMs3REtejI/AAAAAAAAAZ4/RfsXS5b-AeE/s1600/do+and+ben.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" kca="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LX0QMpN24Xk/ToMs3REtejI/AAAAAAAAAZ4/RfsXS5b-AeE/s320/do+and+ben.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Gudrunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04864290273133674843noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7074351444128237827.post-19200484926372722332011-09-13T07:48:00.000-07:002011-09-13T07:49:26.311-07:00Another reason to love Target<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Just found out Missoni is sponsoring a line of clothes and home items at Target Sept. 13 – Oct. 22!!! Must go to Target and check it out. And apparently, this is such a hit the Target website has crashed! So I’ll be hitting Target up sometime this week to see what’s available. Woo to the hoo. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vjX1BrL5vJI/Tm9sa4504GI/AAAAAAAAAZc/6SR1EtC3h8k/s1600/missoni-for-target.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="271" rba="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vjX1BrL5vJI/Tm9sa4504GI/AAAAAAAAAZc/6SR1EtC3h8k/s400/missoni-for-target.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Hbr5DbTWOhU/Tm9sOS12gOI/AAAAAAAAAZU/C2vuiSW5e3o/s1600/missoni-target-fashion-collection.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" rba="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Hbr5DbTWOhU/Tm9sOS12gOI/AAAAAAAAAZU/C2vuiSW5e3o/s400/missoni-target-fashion-collection.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Must check out deals. Can’t wait and really wishing the Target website was functioning! Missoni has always been a bit wild for me, but I think having one piece would go a long way. Maybe a fun bag, pair of shoes, or scarf! </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2L8LMaPJDe4/Tm9sUWfd-wI/AAAAAAAAAZY/sy2_e53rYEc/s1600/missoni_target.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" rba="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2L8LMaPJDe4/Tm9sUWfd-wI/AAAAAAAAAZY/sy2_e53rYEc/s400/missoni_target.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Gudrunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04864290273133674843noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7074351444128237827.post-54570906621523147602011-09-07T12:00:00.000-07:002011-09-07T12:00:34.241-07:00Busy Bee<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Been busy lately. Pardon my absence. But I’ve been missing my blog. I promise to back be soon with a post! </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FFkxLI64iUQ/Tme_Bz7qi8I/AAAAAAAAAZQ/sgzhGbvm5xw/s1600/BusyBee_phone_PM123.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" nba="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FFkxLI64iUQ/Tme_Bz7qi8I/AAAAAAAAAZQ/sgzhGbvm5xw/s200/BusyBee_phone_PM123.jpg" width="162" /></a></span></div>Gudrunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04864290273133674843noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7074351444128237827.post-31905255201646283262011-09-01T13:25:00.000-07:002011-09-01T13:31:15.910-07:00Prepping for the weekend<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">This has been another one of “those” weeks at work. Ya’ll know what I’m talking about right? <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">But</i> it got a little better yesterday when my boss gave my 4, 2nd row tix to a Red Skins game tonight with free parking! Sweet. That makes this week a little better and I’ll be totally ready for the weekend by tomorrow after a good time tonight at a football game! Whoop.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0RPqoe58owA/Tl_qN1Gxb3I/AAAAAAAAAZM/inNbqe4W3Z0/s1600/securedownload.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0RPqoe58owA/Tl_qN1Gxb3I/AAAAAAAAAZM/inNbqe4W3Z0/s1600/securedownload.jpg" xaa="true" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div>Gudrunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04864290273133674843noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7074351444128237827.post-318668277502847162011-09-01T13:09:00.000-07:002011-09-01T13:41:49.860-07:00A few of my favorite things<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I was inspired by another blogger who listed some of her favorite things. Here are a few things I have been using for years. Literally. Years. I’m going back to middle school/high school for some of these things. Hey, if it’s not broke, don’t fix it. Right?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">First, I've been using Clinique’s eye make-up remover forever. I love how it works. </span><span style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I feel like it removes all my make-up while also moisturizing my eyes. It's also never irritated me eyes. </span><span style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Bonus, I love the color and the bottle. I just love the way it looks! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oOlcPnnkABo/Tl-fFE4ENhI/AAAAAAAAAX4/OYATNfbqqe8/s1600/clinique-rinse-off-eye-makeup-remover-60ml-53-p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oOlcPnnkABo/Tl-fFE4ENhI/AAAAAAAAAX4/OYATNfbqqe8/s200/clinique-rinse-off-eye-makeup-remover-60ml-53-p.jpg" width="200" xaa="true" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I can’t remember the last time I did not have nail polish on my toes. Not kidding, I always have polish on my toes. Not sure why or how this developed, but I just like painted toes. I’m not fanatic about it or anything, I just always seem to get pedicures once a month; although sometimes I’ll go six weeks between. This is a little luxury that makes me feel relaxed. I generally get colors in the pink-to-burgundy range. </span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I do switch it up sometimes, but not often. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NsKx0ZdYFM8/Tl-gCmF_9NI/AAAAAAAAAYA/VNA1iK0gwWI/s1600/f5b77f88-65bf-d230-477b-dd8ff04efe4f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NsKx0ZdYFM8/Tl-gCmF_9NI/AAAAAAAAAYA/VNA1iK0gwWI/s320/f5b77f88-65bf-d230-477b-dd8ff04efe4f.jpg" width="320" xaa="true" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">This stuff is just awesome. Carmex. I use this every night before bed. Keeps lips super soft! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-h8DakXUJs-g/Tl-g-OKJYmI/AAAAAAAAAYE/polhOh3uRD0/s1600/carmex-original-tube-detail.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-h8DakXUJs-g/Tl-g-OKJYmI/AAAAAAAAAYE/polhOh3uRD0/s200/carmex-original-tube-detail.gif" width="173" xaa="true" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Best. Snack. Food. Ever. BBQ Baked Lays. If a bag of these are in our house, I cannot be stopped. Which is why we don’t get these often. Jay loves these too, so these bags really only last a couple days if we get them. My favorite are the single serving bags. That way, I can’t eat too many. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-quHPakn98IU/Tl-hMIho44I/AAAAAAAAAYI/bhHvd8cXG3U/s1600/BAKED_LAYS_bbq.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-quHPakn98IU/Tl-hMIho44I/AAAAAAAAAYI/bhHvd8cXG3U/s200/BAKED_LAYS_bbq.gif" width="135" xaa="true" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Halogen cardigans from Nordstrom. I have 5 of these in multiple colors. And I plan on getting a few more for the fall in some lovely jewel tones perhaps! They are durable, go great over cute tops for work, and aren’t too expensive. Love them. And I throw them in the washer <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">and </i>the dryer and they still seem like new. They’re great. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--Jl5wJxQ864/Tl_NEjMILrI/AAAAAAAAAYY/LUPMXF3-waE/s1600/_6560318.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--Jl5wJxQ864/Tl_NEjMILrI/AAAAAAAAAYY/LUPMXF3-waE/s320/_6560318.jpg" width="206" xaa="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">And last but not least, the Longchamp “Les Pliage” large tote bag. I’m on my second one in 3 years. First I had the “bilberry” one. I replaced that one last week with this new "deep red" one and love it! The new color fall colors they have out are great. </span><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NrzHxq4cICI/Tl_mRiMuvvI/AAAAAAAAAZI/XsuYj9RIB7c/s1600/1098373_fpx.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NrzHxq4cICI/Tl_mRiMuvvI/AAAAAAAAAZI/XsuYj9RIB7c/s320/1098373_fpx.jpg" width="254" xaa="true" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0OP_wrpC2Ow/Tl_Sng_UALI/AAAAAAAAAY8/TjCM_DuCWXw/s1600/_5810891.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: right; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0OP_wrpC2Ow/Tl_Sng_UALI/AAAAAAAAAY8/TjCM_DuCWXw/s320/_5810891.jpg" width="207" xaa="true" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Gudrunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04864290273133674843noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7074351444128237827.post-81182389216627776012011-08-29T14:06:00.000-07:002011-08-29T14:19:29.040-07:00MacKenzie-Childs<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Over the weekend, while in Ithaca, NY celebrating Jay’s brother wedding, I took a trip with a few ladies to Aurora, NY about an hour away from Ithaca to visit the home of the Mackenzie-Childs brand. All of the items this company sells are handmade in Aurora.<span style="color: black;"> “</span><span style="color: #444444;">Since 1983, MacKenzie-Childs has made handcrafted ceramics, each piece a one-of-a-kind collectible.</span><span style="color: #333333;"> The company also designs hand-decorates furniture and other home furnishings”.</span> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This brand is certainly something that would be a hit in the south (if it's not already). It’s charming, hand painted, decorative, and I can see it in Southern Living without a problem. So how is it, this line of adorable items have escaped me for so long? Check this stuff out.</span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> And FYI, not sure if I need a disclaimer here but I got all these images straight from their website.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bj36WXDRZRo/Tlv9L1Ru2EI/AAAAAAAAAXo/2nJr2uImMu4/s1600/aurora-glam-sml.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="269" qaa="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bj36WXDRZRo/Tlv9L1Ru2EI/AAAAAAAAAXo/2nJr2uImMu4/s320/aurora-glam-sml.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">It seems that the black and white check pattern is the company’s most notable design. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IYcZVr-zUVw/Tlv5dJrp5RI/AAAAAAAAAXM/t2bfNCbeW5A/s1600/sub%252520cat%252520AllEnamelware.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" qaa="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IYcZVr-zUVw/Tlv5dJrp5RI/AAAAAAAAAXM/t2bfNCbeW5A/s400/sub%252520cat%252520AllEnamelware.jpg" width="377" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I got this cute Kitchen Utensil holder while we there. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pvcXXz-cMHE/Tlv3u9JyRiI/AAAAAAAAAWw/WghUROFlWd0/s1600/Courtley%252520Check%252520Utensil.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" qaa="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pvcXXz-cMHE/Tlv3u9JyRiI/AAAAAAAAAWw/WghUROFlWd0/s320/Courtley%252520Check%252520Utensil.jpg" width="220" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> Floral designed items.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CuZIRKVoTfQ/Tlv4kzrRGeI/AAAAAAAAAW8/m3XVk_RS7sw/s1600/cat_Frames.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" qaa="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CuZIRKVoTfQ/Tlv4kzrRGeI/AAAAAAAAAW8/m3XVk_RS7sw/s400/cat_Frames.jpg" width="376" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">They also have hand painted things for your kitchen and home.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zgF6VBcUF4I/Tlv-X6ZnNvI/AAAAAAAAAXw/IA6Q2Hq4rvM/s1600/top%252520cat%252520KitchenBath.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" qaa="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zgF6VBcUF4I/Tlv-X6ZnNvI/AAAAAAAAAXw/IA6Q2Hq4rvM/s400/top%252520cat%252520KitchenBath.jpg" width="377" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Cute tableware! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xn5UZxhnSqs/Tlv-A4GwjgI/AAAAAAAAAXs/9k8xvmlkVaY/s1600/cat_tableware.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" qaa="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xn5UZxhnSqs/Tlv-A4GwjgI/AAAAAAAAAXs/9k8xvmlkVaY/s400/cat_tableware.jpg" width="377" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Interesting furniture. </span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fEVhu5MFNAs/Tlv-oC51d-I/AAAAAAAAAX0/CZqFhe2FaQE/s1600/top%252520cat%252520Furniture.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" qaa="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fEVhu5MFNAs/Tlv-oC51d-I/AAAAAAAAAX0/CZqFhe2FaQE/s400/top%252520cat%252520Furniture.jpg" width="377" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">There is one thing about this stuff, I think a little bit goes a long way. </span></div>Gudrunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04864290273133674843noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7074351444128237827.post-31496699635611421602011-08-25T07:00:00.000-07:002011-08-25T07:00:43.658-07:00Kind of excited<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I love stripes! Lately, I’ve been all into the trend of stripped tops. They seem so classic yet fashionable. And they’re so easy for me to wear. I love them. And my obsession was confirmed last night when I bought this dress at Banana Republic….</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-urmY1llk0qU/TlZTA0X_EyI/AAAAAAAAAWY/8OJuSjgBzyg/s1600/680546.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" qaa="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-urmY1llk0qU/TlZTA0X_EyI/AAAAAAAAAWY/8OJuSjgBzyg/s400/680546.jpg" width="298" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Love it. I don’t however love the model’s shoes in this picture. I'm going to wear flats or healed nude sandals and some chunky gold stud earrings. That's my plan anyway. And I feel like I can wear this dress all the time. It’s comfortable, easy to wear, adds style without being too difficult. What do you think? Do you like stripped tops? I know some people can’t do stripes. Somehow I'm in the category of people who can pull it off; or at least I hope so! Someone tell me if stripes look awful on me! Ha.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div>Gudrunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04864290273133674843noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7074351444128237827.post-42245102731564386822011-08-24T07:50:00.000-07:002011-08-24T08:04:20.934-07:00Tomorrow<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jay and I leave for Ithaca, NY for Jay’s brother’s wedding. We’re so ready to go! I’ve never been to upstate NY. I’ve been to NYC and that’s it. But I hear the area we are going to is gorgeous! </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--XSmjStg3d8/TlUPO6MPP9I/AAAAAAAAAWU/aVApCzDqPU4/s1600/IthacaIsGorges-VisitIthaca.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="246" qaa="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--XSmjStg3d8/TlUPO6MPP9I/AAAAAAAAAWU/aVApCzDqPU4/s400/IthacaIsGorges-VisitIthaca.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">According to google, Ithaca looks like it’s full of natural beauty. A great place to have a wedding! Look at that view! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DNaK7lhPg2Q/TlUNiV7N6TI/AAAAAAAAAWQ/0KpQCadcUEM/s1600/25664029.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" qaa="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DNaK7lhPg2Q/TlUNiV7N6TI/AAAAAAAAAWQ/0KpQCadcUEM/s400/25664029.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">If I wasn’t ready for fall before this trip, I’m pretty sure I will be when I get back! <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mMqZkiw2WwU/TlUM9z_50QI/AAAAAAAAAWM/K006shwQBpg/s1600/Ithaca_Falls2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="271" qaa="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mMqZkiw2WwU/TlUM9z_50QI/AAAAAAAAAWM/K006shwQBpg/s400/Ithaca_Falls2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">I’m looking forward to spending some time with the Ellsworths, celebrating Charlie and Caitlin's marriage, and taking in some natural beauty! Woohoo.</div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--XSmjStg3d8/TlUPO6MPP9I/AAAAAAAAAWU/aVApCzDqPU4/s1600/IthacaIsGorges-VisitIthaca.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"></div>Gudrunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04864290273133674843noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7074351444128237827.post-79891793315096169892011-08-22T08:45:00.000-07:002011-08-22T08:45:32.584-07:00Happiness is…<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Having my mom in town. Spending a quiet morning in Georgetown together. Laughing, catching up, and having fun! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VRn6UqJnNHI/TlJ3j2OxKFI/AAAAAAAAAV8/1uUjHRj8RBY/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" qaa="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VRn6UqJnNHI/TlJ3j2OxKFI/AAAAAAAAAV8/1uUjHRj8RBY/s320/photo.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xR8i_rl7mNo/TlJ5VeKAplI/AAAAAAAAAWE/hHtKTVStVPo/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" qaa="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xR8i_rl7mNo/TlJ5VeKAplI/AAAAAAAAAWE/hHtKTVStVPo/s320/photo.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Shopping for my wedding dress with my Mom and Liz at Hitched. It was a dream. Loved being with them and sharing that magical moment! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nBjgW3PDWss/TlJ1hOSKkqI/AAAAAAAAAVw/-jflSLgKPoM/s1600/photo2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" qaa="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nBjgW3PDWss/TlJ1hOSKkqI/AAAAAAAAAVw/-jflSLgKPoM/s320/photo2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Post dress shopping brunch at Peacock Café. Brainstorming, laughing, and dining with my two favorite people.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gUf5_mxtSTU/TlJ1kwWs8AI/AAAAAAAAAV0/Gm1JArMkTwE/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" qaa="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gUf5_mxtSTU/TlJ1kwWs8AI/AAAAAAAAAV0/Gm1JArMkTwE/s320/photo.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-anTjqbNp8xE/TlJ5JsffCWI/AAAAAAAAAWA/_OkbVdFLy3E/s1600/photo6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" qaa="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-anTjqbNp8xE/TlJ5JsffCWI/AAAAAAAAAWA/_OkbVdFLy3E/s320/photo6.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I’m still smiling. I hated seeing my mom go! But it’s OK. She and my dad are coming back up on Sept. 10th & 11th! Can’t wait. Hope everyone had a nice weekend!! And wasn't the cool breeze in DC this morning awesome?! I'm ready for fall! </span></div>Gudrunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04864290273133674843noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7074351444128237827.post-6880122194129178012011-08-19T08:21:00.000-07:002011-08-19T08:35:02.757-07:00Happy Friday<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Dude and Walter. They make me happy. Happy Friday! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Nyxex8QWGnQ/Tk6AD0Bx3WI/AAAAAAAAAVo/sr7kKyTXIgU/s1600/61314_Original.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" qaa="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Nyxex8QWGnQ/Tk6AD0Bx3WI/AAAAAAAAAVo/sr7kKyTXIgU/s400/61314_Original.jpg" width="276" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I really do take comfort in the fact knowing there’s someone like Dude out there, taking it easy for all us sinners…someone’s gotta do it. </span></div><br />
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</div>Gudrunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04864290273133674843noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7074351444128237827.post-3613675657150873432011-08-16T07:48:00.000-07:002011-08-16T09:01:32.989-07:00Cross one off, add another to the To-Do list<div style="text-align: left;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We installed a new light fixture in our bathroom this weekend. It may not have been rocket science but we felt pretty good about not electrocuting ourselves or burning down the house. The light fixture that came with the house was in need of serious replacement. We got a pretty basic one at Home Depot and it's so much better than the old one. Now the light fixture is fixed (hooray!) and technically the work in the bathroom is done; we're thinking of repainting the bathroom. Sounds like a nightmare, but now it's on my mind and probably will bother me until I just decide to fix it one weekend. So don’t be surprised when I start looking at paint chips again. We love every wall color in our house except the bathroom. I can clearly remember when we were trying to pick out the color for this room. We had bought like 5 or 6 samples of all different shades of green and nothing was hitting the spot. Someone began to get impatient and said we couldn’t buy anymore samples and that one of the colors just had to be right. So we picked one out of frustration. Never a good idea. We had been painting for weeks at this point, and another trip to Home Depot seemed like going to the dentist. We like the color, we just don't love it. It's lighter than the sample looked and we're just not in love with it. So although we crossed one thing of the to-do list this weekend we probably added another also. This seems to be the way our to-do list works.</span><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><div style="text-align: center;">Here’s a photomontage of the step by step process we took to get the light replaced.<br />
The old light.</div></div><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-W3yGxm6SogM/Tkp0CDfgyuI/AAAAAAAAAU0/7YaSajYeKic/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" naa="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-W3yGxm6SogM/Tkp0CDfgyuI/AAAAAAAAAU0/7YaSajYeKic/s320/photo.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8wBJo4QLM8Q/Tkp1C06tXyI/AAAAAAAAAU8/qk3cRCqKohU/s1600/photoa.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" naa="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8wBJo4QLM8Q/Tkp1C06tXyI/AAAAAAAAAU8/qk3cRCqKohU/s320/photoa.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">At this point, I began to get a little concerned we may have bitten off more than we could chew. I began to think of where the phone book was and whether electricians worked on the weekends.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wGxD9RlIF4A/Tkp1IJk80II/AAAAAAAAAVA/ELmZBs686bI/s1600/photo2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" naa="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wGxD9RlIF4A/Tkp1IJk80II/AAAAAAAAAVA/ELmZBs686bI/s320/photo2.JPG" width="239" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">But we got all those wires sorted out. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-onzj-1YiGUw/Tkp1NXCJVUI/AAAAAAAAAVE/fNYiWq7kEdw/s1600/photoc.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" naa="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-onzj-1YiGUw/Tkp1NXCJVUI/AAAAAAAAAVE/fNYiWq7kEdw/s320/photoc.JPG" width="239" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">And then the whole light was off the wall.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JSx_P2_exj0/Tkp1WC_Xg9I/AAAAAAAAAVI/Ros8f95_vCo/s1600/photo.3JPG.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" naa="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JSx_P2_exj0/Tkp1WC_Xg9I/AAAAAAAAAVI/Ros8f95_vCo/s320/photo.3JPG.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">And then, bam, we put the new one up. I didn’t get any photos of the process getting the new up because getting all the wires connected needed my and Jay's undivided attention. </span><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YDDtzTH5Iuo/Tkp1bLSBsMI/AAAAAAAAAVM/9g1Vdtb4HRA/s1600/photo5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" naa="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YDDtzTH5Iuo/Tkp1bLSBsMI/AAAAAAAAAVM/9g1Vdtb4HRA/s320/photo5.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div align="right" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1ibSb8oyekM/Tkp1eA0SL7I/AAAAAAAAAVQ/DSsqmDQc0Aw/s1600/photo4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">And that was it. It took us 3 hours, including one trip to the hardware store because our new light was missing the little bag of screws and such that was supposed to be included. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">So there you have it!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1ibSb8oyekM/Tkp1eA0SL7I/AAAAAAAAAVQ/DSsqmDQc0Aw/s1600/photo4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" naa="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1ibSb8oyekM/Tkp1eA0SL7I/AAAAAAAAAVQ/DSsqmDQc0Aw/s320/photo4.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"></div>Gudrunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04864290273133674843noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7074351444128237827.post-63781216119283642082011-08-12T14:31:00.000-07:002011-08-12T14:32:40.223-07:00Happy Friday<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">This picture does not need any captioning. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Except to say, notice the wedding rings! You’re all with me on this, right? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3TE25SAYP8I/TkWbeU2220I/AAAAAAAAAUw/8_9KbrQaDbU/s1600/00290065-0000-0000-0000-000000000000_00000065-0822-0000-0000-000000000000_20110811225220_detagged.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" naa="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3TE25SAYP8I/TkWbeU2220I/AAAAAAAAAUw/8_9KbrQaDbU/s640/00290065-0000-0000-0000-000000000000_00000065-0822-0000-0000-000000000000_20110811225220_detagged.jpg" width="456" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Almost as exciting as Kate & William…almost.</span></div>Gudrunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04864290273133674843noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7074351444128237827.post-47796696400014252802011-08-11T10:37:00.000-07:002011-08-11T12:54:55.363-07:00Just Scandinavian<span style="font-family: Calibri;">If you know me, you know I love anything and everything Norwegian. It's a little out of control and a little endearing. I even go as far as to love all things Scandinavian, which just basically includes the <s>lesser</s> surrounding countries (like Sweden) that are around Norway. If your name is Gudrun, and you’re born to a father who is 100% Norwegian, and raised in a family where Norwegian culture, jokes, foods, and decorative items are in endless supply, well you pretty much come out like me. We also make viking boats out of watermelons and have been known to wear viking helmets in photos. So, loving everything about Norway is only natural, right? Anywho, so when I saw a link on another blog I follow that was called “justscandinavian.com” well, I had to click right on over and check.it.out. </span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">This store sells furniture, accessories, textiles, lights, etc. </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7hV96HjDSek/TkQP-5wuKzI/AAAAAAAAAUs/Ode05FdGQDQ/s1600/jsstoreview520.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" naa="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7hV96HjDSek/TkQP-5wuKzI/AAAAAAAAAUs/Ode05FdGQDQ/s320/jsstoreview520.jpg" width="315" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.justscandinavian.com/accessories.html"><span style="color: purple; font-family: Calibri;">http://www.justscandinavian.com/accessories.html</span></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">In the about us section, I learned the owner of the store “<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">comes from Stockholm, the capital of Sweden, and has a Master of Arts Degree in Art History. After decades of extra studying she decided it was time to do something useful in life and decided to bring Scandinavian design to NYC.” Art Historians are awesome and I think they make wonderful interior designers. I know many that have made the jump. It still breaks my heart thinking about letting my art history go. But I'm Ok people, c'est la vie. And who knows what the future holds!</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">But I digress. Back to my point, there was some awesome fabric on this website. Maybe not quite our style, but awesome none the less. And I can see serious Art in the fabric which demonstrates the eye and the knowledge that this store owner posses. I’m thinking these farbics look like happy, modern versions of <span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Hieronymus Bosch </span>paintings. The plants look like ones he would use. Anyone still with me here?</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QhZhRBqKrMk/TkQOoa_DMkI/AAAAAAAAAUY/7Mv9FvUlfCI/s1600/fabricprimavera.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" naa="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QhZhRBqKrMk/TkQOoa_DMkI/AAAAAAAAAUY/7Mv9FvUlfCI/s200/fabricprimavera.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rRu2j9lS10c/TkQOsnClfBI/AAAAAAAAAUc/8IwMMCSMEfc/s1600/fabricthreeislandsblacksea.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" naa="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rRu2j9lS10c/TkQOsnClfBI/AAAAAAAAAUc/8IwMMCSMEfc/s200/fabricthreeislandsblacksea.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f5OIVqFW3x4/TkQOvDeCJbI/AAAAAAAAAUg/qLCxlQSxD0Q/s1600/fabriclaplata.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" naa="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f5OIVqFW3x4/TkQOvDeCJbI/AAAAAAAAAUg/qLCxlQSxD0Q/s200/fabriclaplata.jpg" width="200" /></a><img border="0" height="200" naa="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nuy-6UhJA1g/TkQO9riLMBI/AAAAAAAAAUk/gDYVeSp6rQw/s200/fabricwindow.jpg" width="200" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Cool, right? </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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