tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79509049044676874102024-03-05T03:39:04.484-05:00AMKinspiredlive with hopeAMKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00100942034858839741noreply@blogger.comBlogger55125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7950904904467687410.post-25975599105630424482013-07-26T18:10:00.000-04:002013-07-26T18:10:00.393-04:00The FunkHere is a little Friday stream of consciousness for you... Happy weekend! :)<br />
<br />
It is funny. All that time spent in graduate school has given me a new perspective post-graduation. While I am SUPER grateful to be done with homework, late nights reading articles or textbooks, or group projects, I am finding that this time after graduating has been fun and relaxing, but different. While life and work and normal responsibilities still are moving at a fast pace, I am finding that all the things I thought about doing post-graduation, I am lacking the routine or discipline to actually do them. I had projects GALORE I wanted to do once being done with school. All those nights I was writing or meeting virtually with group members on projects, I had a list of "man, I wish I was doing [insert some form of fun that doesn't involve schoolwork here]". I even wished I had time to clean...like clean your whole house clean. Now that I have that time, I am having a difficult time making a routine. Scheduling my days to accomplish something outside of normal work hours. Once I get home, I just want to watch tv. I have never been a big tv watcher, but now, that's much of what I find myself doing. My books I have from the library even remain unread. What is going on?! I need to get myself back on track and find a good rhythm. When you are forced to do hours of schoolwork, you just do it. It is hard, not fun, but it forces productivity. I can't handle not doing something productive. Just sitting is so foreign to me it makes me feel almost guilty for doing it. I guess, like in all things, I need to find a balance. I need to balance sitting watching tv time with doing projects or other household activities. I mean, I have been keeping up with routine cleaning, etc better than when I was in school, but the extra projects seem to be just waiting to be addressed and I keep putting it off. I am not a procrastinator, for the most part. Why am I suddenly doing this? I need to get out of this funk. This "wanting to be lazy" funk. I need to get on a schedule...you know I love a good list:) looks like it is to the drawing board on "being productive post-school".<br />
<br />
I'll let you know how this all turns out... :)AMKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00100942034858839741noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7950904904467687410.post-14759993676311475842013-07-10T17:46:00.000-04:002013-07-10T17:46:00.608-04:00Carrots, Eggs, or Coffee: Which are you?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I saw this on facebook and I couldn't pass it up and not share. This story is not my own nor is the picture. I don't know where original credit it due, but it is fabulous. A great read.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Enjoy!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<i><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">~AMK</span></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
*************************************</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyzvMSrck0l58ivxjcNO2AyaZOkArEYnOsPqyxNHkJjI3kxYtWxMRtIh9HDCUau1LcBd2yvbaVfwaiE0MzPZpFbXM1dpjWKnQpVZnZIoGoj4J-KxyRCcyuooPC2fQ_18HTo8EkNBGAijE/s1600/adversity.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyzvMSrck0l58ivxjcNO2AyaZOkArEYnOsPqyxNHkJjI3kxYtWxMRtIh9HDCUau1LcBd2yvbaVfwaiE0MzPZpFbXM1dpjWKnQpVZnZIoGoj4J-KxyRCcyuooPC2fQ_18HTo8EkNBGAijE/s320/adversity.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">A young woman went to her grandmother and told her about her life and how things were so hard for her. She did not know how she was going to make it and wanted to give up. She was tired of fighting and struggling. It seemed that as one problem was solved, a new one arose. </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Her grandmother took her to the kitchen. She filled three pots with water and placed each on a high fire. Soon the pots came </span><span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; display: inline; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">to a boil. In the first, she placed carrots, in the second she placed eggs, and the last she placed ground coffee beans. She let them sit and boil, without saying a word.<br /><br />In about twenty minutes she turned off the burners. She fished the carrots out and placed them in a bowl. She then pulled the eggs out and placed them in a bowl. Then she ladled the coffee out and placed it in a bowl.<br /><br />Turning to her granddaughter, she asked, "Tell me, what do you see?"<br /><br />"Carrots, eggs, and coffee," she replied.<br /><br />She brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots. She did and noted that they were soft. She then asked her to take an egg and break it. After pulling off the shell, she observed the hard-boiled egg. Finally, she asked her to sip the coffee. The daughter smiled as she tasted its rich aroma.<br /><br />The granddaughter then asked, "What does it mean, Grandmother?"<br /><br />Her grandmother explained that each of these objects had faced the same adversity -- boiling water -- but each reacted differently. The carrot went in strong, hard and unrelenting. However, after being subjected to the boiling water, it softened and became weak. The egg had been fragile. Its thin outer shell had protected its liquid interior. But, after sitting through the boiling water, its inside became hardened. The ground coffee beans were unique, however. After they were in the boiling water, they had changed the water.<br /><br />"Which are you?" she asked her granddaughter. "When adversity knocks on your door, how do you respond? Are you a carrot, an egg, or a coffee bean?"<br /><br />Think of this: Which am I? Am I the carrot that seems strong, but with pain and adversity? Do I wilt and become soft and lose my strength?<br /><br />Am I the egg that starts with a malleable heart, but changes with the heat? Did I have a fluid spirit, but after a death, a breakup, a financial hardship or some other trial, have I become hardened and stiff? Does my shell look the same, but on the inside am I bitter and tough with a stiff spirit and a hardened heart?<br /><br />Or am I like the coffee bean? The bean actually changes the hot water, the very circumstance that brings the pain. When the water gets hot, it releases the fragrance and flavor of your life. If you are like the bean, when things are at their worst, you get better and change the situation around you. When the hours are the darkest and trials are their greatest, do you elevate to another level?<br /><br />How do you handle adversity? Are you changed by your surroundings or do you bring life, flavor, to them?<br /><br />ARE YOU A CARROT, AN EGG, OR A COFFEE BEAN?</span>AMKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00100942034858839741noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7950904904467687410.post-79709669347656880322013-06-19T18:06:00.000-04:002013-06-19T18:06:00.031-04:00Watermelon Salsa<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNB_9IuMPo3WKlHmHXxXtHP2fOHkSjXz-M7qiXmNaPdZC4nJeCO-uhUs2kznDxpoc9ieevr0mJtmoq9RmfaQrR5d5GaY2XpwJDr_iS_x3JGgBst4_W8TicfycYBOjGgYukGDe0bZI06EI/s1600/watermelon-salsa-bowl.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNB_9IuMPo3WKlHmHXxXtHP2fOHkSjXz-M7qiXmNaPdZC4nJeCO-uhUs2kznDxpoc9ieevr0mJtmoq9RmfaQrR5d5GaY2XpwJDr_iS_x3JGgBst4_W8TicfycYBOjGgYukGDe0bZI06EI/s320/watermelon-salsa-bowl.JPG" width="318" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Image from <a href="http://www.the-girl-who-ate-everything.com/wp-content/uploads/blogger/-FEF8z_GD-3E/ThaEcTz1YdI/AAAAAAAAG_Q/gb3Rs1O7LOE/s1600/watermelon-salsa-bowl.JPG" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">here</a>.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span class="il" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">Ok, don't be scared. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">My aunt introduced this recipe to me. This salsa is incredible. It is sweet but has a little kick to it too. This is great for keeping it healthy and it isn't as acidic as tomatoes. Light and refreshing, you will LOVE IT. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">I have made this recipe many times now, and most people are stunned after trying it to find out that the "red" they see aren't tomatoes! This is a sure crowd-pleaser! </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">I hope you find this is a fun alternative to regular salsa and enjoy changing things up for your summer cook outs!</span><br />
<span class="il" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"></span><br />
<span class="il" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"></span><br />
<span class="il" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span>
<span class="il" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span>
<span class="il" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span>
<span class="il" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="background-color: #38761d; color: #ea9999; font-size: large;"><span class="il" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;">Watermelon</span><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"> </span><span class="il" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;">Salsa</span></span></b><br />
<br style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">2.-3 cups diced seedless </span><span class="il" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">watermelon</span><br style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">3/4 cup finely chopped sweet onion (I used red)</span><br style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">1 can black beans, rinsed and drained</span><br style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">2 jalapeno peppers, seeded and chopped</span><br style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">1/4 cup minced fresh cilantro</span><br style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">2 teaspoons brown sugar </span><br style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">1 clove garlic, minced</span><br style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">1/2 teaspoon salt</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Mix and serve chilled with tortilla chips!</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">Enjoy!</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: large;"><i>~AMK</i></span></span>AMKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00100942034858839741noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7950904904467687410.post-79997091003066473792013-06-17T19:00:00.000-04:002013-06-17T19:00:05.618-04:00The Break Up UpdateSo a few weeks ago, <a href="http://amkinspired.blogspot.com/2013/05/habits-rabbits.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">I declared that I was going to make some changes</a>. Some healthy changes. Eat healthier, stop drinking soda, exercise more. Here's an update on breaking up with old habits and the new habits I am trying to start.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6zE69OBZN0CVaEF-7wqOT8BIx_pNElPqoVLePmSSjH-7dlRuh64mXIdgZjKkiwHEs_tZx7RT8al7ahZZxsJylAj5kJeo_L91nw_npOV0mQvcDYeVGIKVZlspA7YvF7_XRPjICrvNZYZo/s1600/funny-cute-tiny-small-dog-eating-biscuits-treats-just-one-pics.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6zE69OBZN0CVaEF-7wqOT8BIx_pNElPqoVLePmSSjH-7dlRuh64mXIdgZjKkiwHEs_tZx7RT8al7ahZZxsJylAj5kJeo_L91nw_npOV0mQvcDYeVGIKVZlspA7YvF7_XRPjICrvNZYZo/s400/funny-cute-tiny-small-dog-eating-biscuits-treats-just-one-pics.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<b><span style="color: #b45f06;">Eating.</span></b> My eating has gone up and down. I use the calorie counter and it helps, but sometimes it is hard to remember to enter everything or find what I am looking for in the searches. But, I am finding that even if it is a "close enough" search to what I have been eating, it makes me much more aware of how much and what I am consuming.<br />
<br />
Moving into our house has made eating healthy much more difficult. When your trips to the grocery store become few and far between, it makes keeping fresh ingredients at home difficult. I am glad we are getting settled in and will be able to unpack all our cooking stuff so I can start making meals at home. Pizza and hot dogs for several days in a row are not exactly part of my eating-healthy plan. But, I have been able to make a couple quick trips to the store to get some fruit and salad stuff so I am making it happen the best I can in the interim.<br />
<br />
One of my biggest things I am trying to work on is not to give up on this goal. It is discouraging when you can't eat healthy because of time constraints or because you don't want to overbuy right before/during/after a move while you are getting settled. It is so much easier to eat out or get something quick, like pizza. So, I am trying to keep a mindset of not getting frustrated. It is ok and it is only for a time. I am trying to monitor my portions, but if my current meal isn't ideal, don't worry, and don't fall off the bandwagon. You got this. I will try again the next time. I find that if I can't do something fully and completely, I tend to push it to the wayside. So I am working on that.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbYS6_lafynyeJFsGwZiKRfHD6W8LUaHEydP3rVh19FIN7sgxim3B7SDWK0PtHr4H6miICdzbpuB4Fk34_k-A_hKdTlbfCxXb7rXkLOfpCPP11tU-BnVqpLVhyLt2vn3KJ2t6tFr5O9e4/s1600/diet-sodas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="346" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbYS6_lafynyeJFsGwZiKRfHD6W8LUaHEydP3rVh19FIN7sgxim3B7SDWK0PtHr4H6miICdzbpuB4Fk34_k-A_hKdTlbfCxXb7rXkLOfpCPP11tU-BnVqpLVhyLt2vn3KJ2t6tFr5O9e4/s400/diet-sodas.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<b><span style="color: #cc0000;">Soda Drinking.</span></b> It is funny because I used to not be a big soda drinker at all. Times change, but I am doing pretty well with it. I have had some soda, especially with moving, etc., but kinda like with my eating, I am not going to fret over a soda I may have. Because I haven't been eating as healthy and the stress of moving and still going to work every day, my stomach has been giving me issues. Sometimes, you just need to drink a soda. Sugar and carbonation can help sometimes. So, what I decided was I should try and not have soda as much as possible, but if I am really craving one or am feeling not-to-great, try to just have 1 soda for the week. This goes back to the don't-fret-and-don't-fall-off-the-bandwagon mantra. Just have to keep plugging along and do the best you can.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvLwCj1XtmUieGvnC4j-XCj1b3iLprX_vLP_BLp8MMgXKC7iN-tdXEOtR6IDGBvsw9E4tcorWaEqq2uUC0hU4zUkXyf86FQqDXeHYD-9fZi0KwV3Or88FfeVWVWFN2CSp9PhFmDwOWALU/s1600/Moving-Boxes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvLwCj1XtmUieGvnC4j-XCj1b3iLprX_vLP_BLp8MMgXKC7iN-tdXEOtR6IDGBvsw9E4tcorWaEqq2uUC0hU4zUkXyf86FQqDXeHYD-9fZi0KwV3Or88FfeVWVWFN2CSp9PhFmDwOWALU/s400/Moving-Boxes.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><b>Exercising.</b></span> Packing boxes. Moving boxes. Unpacking boxes. This totally classifies as a workout. So the gym can wait. :)<br />
<br />
<br />
So there's the low-down and update of my big declarations. I haven't found the scale yet in unpacking, so I guess that's probably a good thing for now.<br />
<br />
:)<br />
<br />
<i><span style="color: #38761d;">Here is to breaking up with old habits and keeping up with your new goals and sticking with them...but not fretting if you slip up now and then!</span></i><br />
<br />
<i><span style="color: #45818e; font-size: large;">~AMK</span></i>AMKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00100942034858839741noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7950904904467687410.post-42123096937817234732013-06-13T17:33:00.000-04:002013-06-13T17:33:00.292-04:00A House, A HomeSo the Third.Big.Thing.<br />
<br />
Life has been madness lately. But a good madness. The crazy that makes you sleep so hard each night and then make up dreams with sirens and alarms in the morning because you are still so tired that you incorporated your alarm sound into your dreams. It has been nuts, but I wouldn't trade it for anything!<br />
<br />
KGK and I just moved into our first house! We could not be more excited. Apartment living definitely has its perks, and we were happy to be in an apartment until the right house came along, and it did! We are thrilled.<br />
<br />
So now, the packing, unpacking crazy cycle is in full swing. We have everything moved in and we are now trying to find everything. We went a few days already with just the basics. Food was scarce. We have been living off of hot dogs and left over pizza because we are still digging through our mounds of stuff and need to find our pots, pans, plates, etc. It is amazing how much stuff you can acquire in so much time and how much you actually use your stuff. So now we get to figure out where everything is going and where everything is hiding.<br />
<br />
A few things I am especially excited about now that we are in a house:<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #38761d;">*Having a garden.*</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
*<span style="color: #a64d79;">Salvaging some of our older furniture, nicknacks, and other decor that have been in boxes and try giving them fresh paint, and giving 'em new life.*</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">*Making my own curtains*</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #674ea7;">*Finding a spot for everything and keep it clean and neat *</span> <br /></div>
<br />
<br />
So these are just a few of my hopes for this new house of ours. I look forward to making this house of ours a home we can be in for a long, long time.<br />
<br />
Stay tuned!<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;"><i>~AMK</i></span>AMKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00100942034858839741noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7950904904467687410.post-20931826625293916932013-06-06T17:25:00.000-04:002013-06-06T17:25:00.246-04:00Right to SilenceDear Current & Future Self,<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #271e32; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">So today is a
slightly different letter to myself. One that doesn’t fit much of the tone of other posts
here. Sometimes I have a hard time writing on topics that may cause waves or
hurt others feelings. While I may be a strong-willed (ok, opinionated at times), my intentions are not to hurt others feelings or try and change another
person’s mind. Very few people have ever heard me say who I vote for, my views
of gay marriage, my views on parenting (especially because I don’t have kids to
even know anything about this), or what I even believe in the religious sense. </span><span style="color: #271e32; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Not because I don’t have strong beliefs and not because I won’t tell you if you
ask. </span>The reason I don’t blurt these things out or post proficiently on social media outlets my views on these very sensitive topics is not because I don’t have an opinion. It isn’t because I do not want to talk about it or I don’t have good reasons
backing up my beliefs. The reason I don’t blurt these things out is not because
I am afraid to speak my mind nor am I downplaying to right to free speech. I wholeheartedly
believe in these things. However, some people blurt these things out without
thinking of other people. They don’t consider the struggles others are going
through and your intentions are not always shown as clearly in a facebook post or a tweet. <br />
<br />
Some people may not like
this. That’s fine. You can post your thoughts and there
is nothing wrong with that. But just know, that if you can be as bold to post
those kinds of controversial thoughts, you need to be prepared for others to
respectively decline to delve into a battle with you over that idea or issue.
Just because I do not humor you into agreeing or disagreeing with you
publically doesn’t mean I don’t have a strong opinion. Sometimes it just isn’t
worth the raising of blood pressure over arguing. And many times, there can be disrespect
thrown out when it wasn’t intended to be that in the first place. So if you
decide to share those thoughts, that is awesome. But you need to respect those
that don’t want to throw out those same thoughts too. Some people don’t want to
create enemies over a simple disagreement. So when you post something bold on
facebook, twitter, instagram, or whatever, or decide to ask very personal questions to someone, be prepared if
that person respectfully declines to comment. It may have nothing to do with
you or everything to do with you. Just know that if you get to be bold and ask,
I get to be bold and be silent. That is my right too.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #271e32; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">It is funny.
This is something that I have thought of strongly over the years. My right to
be silent. I am a talker and I am very open person. However, when it comes to
things that could hurt others feelings or if I am being insensitive to the
struggles others may be going through and my opinion would only hurt them more
in their struggles, sometimes it is better to be there for someone then tell
them what you think. We all fall prey to this "quick-to-respond-reaction". I know I do, but just
as it is my right to freely speak, it is also my right to freely remain silent.
All growing up, my parents said to think before I speak. When you are a fast
talker, that is hard to do. But it is something I am constantly striving to do.
There would probably be a lot less hurt feelings and oppression if people would
actually think how their message will be received than just how is sounds
coming out of their mouths.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Do I always follow through with this? This right to remain silent. Most definitely NOT. I am quick to fill silence and quick to say something that probably isn't the right thing to say. However, it is something that I am trying to train myself to do more. I think many people really do try to be careful. I don't think that most people are out there to hurt others. Not at all. I think we sometimes forget how the other person may receive our comment and that is something I want to continually work on. My right to silence is something that needs to be practiced. It is not something that comes naturally to me, but I have thought about this a lot over the past few years. Something that I think others can benefit from too. Sometimes, it just isn't worth the argument for hurt feelings.<br />
<br /></div>
AMKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00100942034858839741noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7950904904467687410.post-23536896483889184972013-05-23T17:43:00.000-04:002013-05-24T08:57:38.732-04:00Habits & Rabbits<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white;">
<span style="color: #271e32; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Ok, so this post really has nothing to do with Rabbits. I just liked how it sounded. I am not a poet, but if I get a chance to rhyme a word or two, I feel like telling my high school self that it will turn out ok that you can’t master writing a </span><span style="font-size: x-small;">haiku</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> or other poetry types. (Confession: yes, I have been laughed at, by a teacher, with how poor my poem-writing-skills were, in front of the whole class). But that is neither here nor there…I’m beyond my need to write poetry. Doesn’t really suite me anyway, just not my thing. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<span style="color: #271e32; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">But ANYWAYS, back on track. Reeling it in.<u></u><u></u></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<span style="color: #271e32; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Habits. I googled “define: habits” and this is what pops up:<u></u><u></u></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<span style="color: #271e32; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<span style="color: #271e32; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><u></u><u></u></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg41126nyqwWmt27xCu68Sv1soxF1DLDS_-UC8Xn4vDS_dk3fYbjD87bdBmVPkv308cs_oEp8dO9lp_j13XBlcvMoipyw5Li3ZdShCLGTBMFmx__wP-i9qS7viOjUfNgNy4OeJ7fr1VV_M/s1600/habits2.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="174" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg41126nyqwWmt27xCu68Sv1soxF1DLDS_-UC8Xn4vDS_dk3fYbjD87bdBmVPkv308cs_oEp8dO9lp_j13XBlcvMoipyw5Li3ZdShCLGTBMFmx__wP-i9qS7viOjUfNgNy4OeJ7fr1VV_M/s640/habits2.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<span style="color: #271e32; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Pretty straight forward and applicable. Minus the taking of drugs part. Just say no.<u></u><u></u></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<span style="color: #271e32; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Anywho, I have gotten into a bad “regular tendency or practice” of not eating as healthy as I should, and not exercising regularly. I blame two things: I started dating KGK and I became happy, so why work out?; and I started grad school.<u></u><u></u></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<span style="color: #271e32; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">So now, I am more than 2 years beyond the start of KGK and I starting our fun-filled journey together and my grad work is behind me. I have gotten into quite the slump and extra humps (graphic, I know, how do you think I feel?!). So it is time to get myself back into better shape. I will never be within my ideal weight/BMI range for my height. Never have been. And even when I played sports with morning and evening practices and constantly on the go when I was younger, I was NEVER within those ranges. I was always like 20 pounds more than those. Not sure how they come up with that stuff, but I had two things going against me: big hips (even in middle school when those suckers started spreading), and big boobs (even at my lowest, these suckers are just big).<u></u><u></u></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<span style="color: #271e32; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">So now that I have gotten extremely personal and said things on the web that my mother would probably freak out over (sorry mom, but just being honest about the girls), I have decided to get myself into a workout routine and making healthier eating choices.<u></u><u></u></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<span style="color: #271e32; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Now first, let me explain. I am not an expert. I will mess up. I love beer and wings, so those will still be in my food consumption every so often. However, I am making small choices to ensure I am feeding my body what it needs MOST of the time, and having those “fun” things only some of the time. My some and MOST have been flip flopped for the past couple years. So it is time to flip flop them back again. Get myself back on track and be a better and healthier me.<u></u><u></u></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<span style="color: #271e32; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Ok, next. Working out. UGH. Say it with me…UGH. Well, time to get that kicked into high gear too. I am not planning to start going to the gym 5+ days a week. I will not spend more than an hour or so there at a time. Because let’s face it, if I place too big of a goal, I have more room to miss it and fail. So, I am starting small. I plan to go to the gym at least 3 times a week. If it doesn’t happen, I will try to do it the next week. Life happens. You can’t always be a machine and stay on schedule or keep to regimens as we hope we can. So I am allowing myself to be flexible, but not be lazy. I am going to force myself out of bed in the morning to go to the gym. I will be sure to go to classes or get a workout in even after long days at work. Enough forcing and it will be an easier push eventually. I will get in the habit of it again. I used to frequent the gym 4 times a week before grad/KGK happiness entered my life. Now, with more going on, I expect 3 times a week for myself. I want to be healthier and fitter so that I can be active for more years of my life. I don’t want to have a family and not be able to go outside and kick around a soccer ball or not go for hikes. I want my kids to see their momma as active and going on adventures. They need to see me making the time to take care of myself so that they will do those same things too. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<span style="color: #271e32; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<span style="color: #271e32; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">So now starts the hard part. Getting into the habit. Habit making is hard, habit breaking is easy and so much more fun. But once something is a everyday practice, it becomes easier. Making my coffee every morning is a habit. I enjoy it. Being healthy can be the same too. I just have to get over the initial work to get it brewing.<u></u><u></u></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<br /></div>
<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/AVvXsEguucak1sngkcA5h306JCaWO15CZ99UpRMXpuETQhhES-04GzWdgewk-fkdSNXy04WTZ6Tv4aU0HdroxHhkz1O_8HptrsbXWSfMCAe_Q29W7YMAIUre9y8EO_ppmafLMTqGskdGQQLoYCA/s1600/habits.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguucak1sngkcA5h306JCaWO15CZ99UpRMXpuETQhhES-04GzWdgewk-fkdSNXy04WTZ6Tv4aU0HdroxHhkz1O_8HptrsbXWSfMCAe_Q29W7YMAIUre9y8EO_ppmafLMTqGskdGQQLoYCA/s400/habits.jpg" width="353" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Received this gem from <a href="http://triskelelife.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">a friend</a> today.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<span style="color: #271e32; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shapetype
id="_x0000_t75" coordsize="21600,21600" o:spt="75" o:preferrelative="t"
path="m@4@5l@4@11@9@11@9@5xe" filled="f" stroked="f">
<v:stroke joinstyle="miter"/>
<v:formulas>
<v:f eqn="if lineDrawn pixelLineWidth 0"/>
<v:f eqn="sum @0 1 0"/>
<v:f eqn="sum 0 0 @1"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @2 1 2"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelWidth"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelHeight"/>
<v:f eqn="sum @0 0 1"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @6 1 2"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelWidth"/>
<v:f eqn="sum @8 21600 0"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelHeight"/>
<v:f eqn="sum @10 21600 0"/>
</v:formulas>
<v:path o:extrusionok="f" gradientshapeok="t" o:connecttype="rect"/>
<o:lock v:ext="edit" aspectratio="t"/>
</v:shapetype><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_3" o:spid="_x0000_i1025" type="#_x0000_t75"
alt="http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQQWjd8otSiX2pd01f2EqzRWTl-RcYRKh0I_D2TbrEs4TPzNgTV"
style='width:270pt;height:305.25pt'>
<v:imagedata src="file:///C:\Users\akennedy\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image001.jpg"
o:href="cid:image001.jpg@01CE5798.0A311F40"/>
</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]--></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<span style="color: #271e32; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">So my goals are to get some poundage off and be healthier. I will need all the help I can get, so any encouragement or words of advice/wisdom are greatly appreciated</span><span style="color: #271e32; font-family: Wingdings;">J</span><span style="color: #271e32; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><u></u><u></u></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><i><span style="color: #a64d79; font-size: large;">~AMK</span></i></span></div>
AMKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00100942034858839741noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7950904904467687410.post-65854842064894417922013-05-20T17:52:00.000-04:002013-05-20T17:52:00.254-04:00Second Big Thing<span style="color: #271e32;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sunshine and
butterflies. That is how things are right now. The sun is out (I thought it was suppose to rain all day??), spring and
summer are in the air and it is glorious. I am loving this nice weather and
wishing I was back on vacation. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #271e32; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Oh, yeah. I
went on vacation:) </span><span style="color: #271e32; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> KGK and I went on our honeymoon! That was the second big thing of the few exciting happenings this start to summer. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #271e32; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<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/AVvXsEi0ejLo8uBuK4ywVBBhQgJTn0ZWMYpC62xYbdGlqTgR36U0ZdVH2RSxGoBEUjNOHgnYGhyphenhyphenHwSXYT_szknWjzsKJy8m37HRIJeHAhzMtBl3LkypcbT3dvhBmgqFQgoNV9Ohv_3yr2QaKzeI/s1600/IMG_20130504_185849.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0ejLo8uBuK4ywVBBhQgJTn0ZWMYpC62xYbdGlqTgR36U0ZdVH2RSxGoBEUjNOHgnYGhyphenhyphenHwSXYT_szknWjzsKJy8m37HRIJeHAhzMtBl3LkypcbT3dvhBmgqFQgoNV9Ohv_3yr2QaKzeI/s400/IMG_20130504_185849.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Post-Grad life is Good :)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #271e32; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Back in the fall when we got
hitched, we decided to take a shorter honeymoon (our “mini-moon”) because
I was in school and we wanted to be able to take a longer trip with vaca time
reset for work. We also wanted to use our big trip as a way to celebrate me
being done with school too. So, last week, we had our honeymoon. We rented a
beach house, which was just perfect. We went surf fishing almost every day of
the trip, morning and then back again just after dinner. Our trip started off with some rain, but it didn’t stop us. We still went
out and battled the chilly drizzle to try and catch some fishies. As the week
progressed, the weather got warmer and sunnier and was awesome. We ended up
catching several fish, but they were fairly small, so we decided to let them go
and fatten up for the next time they get caught:)</span><span style="color: #271e32; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> However, we did catch one “keeper”. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #271e32; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhStzcDTs1XKHE-dwwibBoLtk9WukxMUhN0n42x0pq5SQKyAR8IavIQXR0vkI6y8pm6BDQak9fQx1nOTDr7-0QBcR6hYA1C_Ec8eBGsrC3T0gAQ1u3qGeFG-gJYUngGz0lMVGSWALORGYg/s1600/IMG_20130508_084333.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhStzcDTs1XKHE-dwwibBoLtk9WukxMUhN0n42x0pq5SQKyAR8IavIQXR0vkI6y8pm6BDQak9fQx1nOTDr7-0QBcR6hYA1C_Ec8eBGsrC3T0gAQ1u3qGeFG-gJYUngGz0lMVGSWALORGYg/s400/IMG_20130508_084333.jpg" width="300" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Our one "keeper". Sheepshead</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is a sheepshead
fish. KGK reeled this bad boy in. The skin on this sucker was crazy tough so we
decided to freeze it and clean it once we got back so we wouldn't make too big a mess at the rental. Looks like we have a
project to do now that we are home. We hear these are fairly hard to catch but that they are great eating, so we are excited about that.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjczDeSxy69dWaTNF4qjLr3_SRCDSnMgUeZMuJbGw3ZRI_xjNTVWoRi-An3zzTwxKc7ORyqPazQU-v8eQqMPY1BHr2FzNKSUrIyFZB2jaCfCoybO327TotNIXzMKkVQU86Tq0tFXXz25c/s1600/IMG_20130508_210917.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjczDeSxy69dWaTNF4qjLr3_SRCDSnMgUeZMuJbGw3ZRI_xjNTVWoRi-An3zzTwxKc7ORyqPazQU-v8eQqMPY1BHr2FzNKSUrIyFZB2jaCfCoybO327TotNIXzMKkVQU86Tq0tFXXz25c/s400/IMG_20130508_210917.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Perfect evening on the beach.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="color: #271e32; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">We also went
out to eat a few times to some yummy spots. There was this one restaurant that
looked over the ocean where we could watch fishermen on the pier or surfers in
the waves. It was great. And to top it off, they had some of the best fried
shrimp either of us have ever had. YUM.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #271e32; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #271e32; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #271e32; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #271e32; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #271e32; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #271e32; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #271e32; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Needless to
say, the trip was awesome. A much needed time for the two of us to get away
from the normal routines and enjoy fishing, getting some sun, and relaxing. It was glorious and I am ready to go back,
like, right now. Who wouldn't with sites like these to enjoy...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #271e32; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #271e32; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #271e32; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #271e32; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #271e32; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #271e32; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #271e32; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #271e32; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #271e32; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #271e32; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #271e32; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #271e32; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #271e32; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #271e32; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #271e32; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #271e32; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">*******************************</span><br />
<span style="color: #271e32; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #271e32; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Some more vacation fun:</span><br />
<span style="color: #271e32; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvu7rAFCu1It7vDBAQY_FHIGms11z1kwQ4mKtk7fdfKLMjoiepTipfN4DECD6P2XiL2bZqdl3msDZL153_s1JY4XuLw3oJoyAb5b1g-nyuRPAd7pWAfVokUMM_7JTEEqLoKaVJHm2xjq4/s1600/IMG_20130503_123840.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvu7rAFCu1It7vDBAQY_FHIGms11z1kwQ4mKtk7fdfKLMjoiepTipfN4DECD6P2XiL2bZqdl3msDZL153_s1JY4XuLw3oJoyAb5b1g-nyuRPAd7pWAfVokUMM_7JTEEqLoKaVJHm2xjq4/s400/IMG_20130503_123840.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Fishing boat docked right outside our window as we had lunch.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="color: #271e32; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #271e32; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"></span><br /><span style="color: #271e32; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"></span></span>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsr9aWtrPbBNqOjLa0VrTNHvbZiDOodD5omwGCGCD1Vx9Setmmaz6i9Jxo-hQWi6-hTFwGLvNfoB4diUm4SsRny_aI3IMDdvGmOGyygzOzo6a75koqJXXuI8SG4LLOf1Zo5PGqzJ4eo8U/s1600/IMG_20130509_195406.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsr9aWtrPbBNqOjLa0VrTNHvbZiDOodD5omwGCGCD1Vx9Setmmaz6i9Jxo-hQWi6-hTFwGLvNfoB4diUm4SsRny_aI3IMDdvGmOGyygzOzo6a75koqJXXuI8SG4LLOf1Zo5PGqzJ4eo8U/s640/IMG_20130509_195406.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Slightly inappropriate holding of the fishing pole (wasn't intentional, promise!) :)</span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="color: #271e32; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #271e32; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"></span><br /><span style="color: #271e32; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkvoJSdPkiKWcxE86Qvqs6vW37tnMRV80Vlm7zQAynZcHEdS8ZhkJxlUKVOm68QL-qB9_AHL3be9H-fD5ohimNQovYgMdtwoIiXdPNIzDJ4BCBNChR-8dpqnyFhF8vZ54CxHdk5FUMf1k/s1600/IMG_20130507_151713.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkvoJSdPkiKWcxE86Qvqs6vW37tnMRV80Vlm7zQAynZcHEdS8ZhkJxlUKVOm68QL-qB9_AHL3be9H-fD5ohimNQovYgMdtwoIiXdPNIzDJ4BCBNChR-8dpqnyFhF8vZ54CxHdk5FUMf1k/s400/IMG_20130507_151713.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Lots of reading happened on this chair.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1g2SKQtr5S4FsoxQjthm95FADsBFfkkA9-Mwbskx6SVYN2xFi9acHPMeFviCEK2nl2AzNtKOYASFlmCN51KPXLHg-vfL_PJP-I30smsIjDq1Q66oyxwkmGYV8lhKhq31jdOlBCKTGkJs/s1600/IMG_20130506_170146.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1g2SKQtr5S4FsoxQjthm95FADsBFfkkA9-Mwbskx6SVYN2xFi9acHPMeFviCEK2nl2AzNtKOYASFlmCN51KPXLHg-vfL_PJP-I30smsIjDq1Q66oyxwkmGYV8lhKhq31jdOlBCKTGkJs/s400/IMG_20130506_170146.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And Lots of Rummy and Uno!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Needless to say, vacation was wonderful!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>~AMK</i></span></div>
AMKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00100942034858839741noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7950904904467687410.post-20625606678009803862013-05-01T17:47:00.000-04:002013-05-01T17:47:00.632-04:00The first big thing.<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So how’s it
going? How’s life? It is May, you know! That means summer is RIGHT around the
corner. WAHOO! AND big things are happening in May. I am excited:)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The first big
thing happened yesterday. For most, this
would not be so big. But for me, it was awesome. The rest of the big things will be shared later...how do you like that for suspense? :)<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So yesterday, I
went to the library and checked out a few books. Yes, you heard me. I
went to the library to check.out.books….not read journal articles, do research, or write a
paper. But I looked at the fiction, autobiographies, mystery and other “fun”
sections. This was a momentous occasion!
Finishing school means I can read again. Didn't I read during my entire time in grad school, you ask? Well, yeah. But research isn’t as exciting as a good novel. So I am PUMPED. :)</span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<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;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img height="265" src="http://www.radionorthland.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Library-Books.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">photo from <a href="http://www.radionorthland.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Library-Books.jpg" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">here</a></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As I browsed the
shelves, I found some books that I am excited to read. I looked for some that others
had suggested, but I couldn't find them. So I decided to go through and see
what was sitting there, waiting to be picked up and the cover read. I decided
upon three books to last me the next week or so. </span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here's the breakdown:</span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<table 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;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKyBo2t91mrpayRLqkjXAblIwMRG1zoKITfaJWa9r9ctgesIGbLSVvP20aUXvp_Oj5jZRENb5ypBbio6be2nKf8jtdPBAkf4i8D88LO-TFN19PRKhJtI8-B61eCttI8M8k-qL79BrS6Xon/s1600/tumblr_m13lq0y3W81qb7895o1_500.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">photo from<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKyBo2t91mrpayRLqkjXAblIwMRG1zoKITfaJWa9r9ctgesIGbLSVvP20aUXvp_Oj5jZRENb5ypBbio6be2nKf8jtdPBAkf4i8D88LO-TFN19PRKhJtI8-B61eCttI8M8k-qL79BrS6Xon/s1600/tumblr_m13lq0y3W81qb7895o1_500.jpg" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> here. </a></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The first, was the <a href="http://www.matched-book.com/">third book in a trilogy</a> by Allie
Condie called <i>Reached. </i>I have been
reading this trilogy since last summer. I read the first one just before the
fall semester began, then read the second one over Christmas (before the
stomach plague of Christmas 2012 hit), and I am now able to read this third
one. To me, there are similar to the Hunger Games in that they are easy to
read, they are so creative with a futuristic type society, like in the Hunger
Games. It is really a good read if you
are looking for a couple books to get sucked into on a lazy Saturday. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /> </span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/8/8a/Into-the-wild.jpg/220px-Into-the-wild.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">photo from <a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/8/8a/Into-the-wild.jpg/220px-Into-the-wild.jpg" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">here</a>. </span></span><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The second book I picked up was called <i> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Into-Wild-Jon-Krakauer/dp/0307387178">Into the Wild</a></i> by Jon-Krakauer. It is about a man that hitchhiked to Alaska and left everything he had behind to live in the wild. I have heard that this book is excellent, so I am pretty pumped to start this one. AND, they made this into a movie…so it looks like I have another movie to add to my list of “need to watch”.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://jodipicoult.com/images/covers/Between-the-Lines-400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://jodipicoult.com/images/covers/Between-the-Lines-400.jpg" width="208" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">photo from <a href="http://jodipicoult.com/images/covers/Between-the-Lines-400.jpg" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">here</a></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And the last book I got was <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Between-Lines-Jodi-Picoult/dp/1451635753/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1367415314&sr=1-1&keywords=jodi+picoult+between+the+lines">Jodi Picoult’s book that she co-wrote with her daughter</a> called <i>Between the Lines</i>. From how understood the description, a teenage girl has been reading a fairy tale story but the characters are actually real. It shows her interactions with the characters and their struggle living in a fairy tale when they don’t want to be living it. I am excited to start this one!</span></div>
<br />
<span style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So I have some reading ahead of me and I couldn't be more excited! I’ll be sure to fill you in J<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What have you been reading lately?</span></span><span style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><span style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>~AMK</i></span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br /></div>
AMKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00100942034858839741noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7950904904467687410.post-10568041912600571582013-04-25T18:30:00.000-04:002013-04-25T18:30:02.684-04:00Dear Future Self: WE did it!Dear Future Self,<br />
<br />
I want you to remember today. This moment. This last night. You have been working so hard to get this degree finished, and you are here. You have made it. You just have one presentation left, and you have your Master's degree...GO YOU!<br />
<br />
Future Self, I want you to remember what this feels like. The excitement, the anticipation, the I-CAN'T-BELIEVE-I-MADE-IT feeling. It has been a hard couple years. There has been less sleep, more stress, lots of reading and writing, too much snacking (which in turn lead to gaining the grad school 15...yeah don't be fooled...it is not limited to college freshmen...UNFORTUNATELY!), and not enough exercising. But, it is worth it! You made it. You got through working full time, starting to date your now-husband, got married, had a mini-moon (our short honeymoon because of being in the middle of the semester), and many fun events having to be turned down because I had homework to do. No more turning down working out, or going out with friends, or watching a moving with the hubs. I get to be a normal adult! Well, let's be honest. Normal will never be a word that accurately describes me, but I can at least <i>attempt</i> to be normal:)<br />
<br />
I can't believe I made it and I now need to do a round of thanks...picture it like at the grammy's or another award show, except I am sitting at home, in PJ's and the audience I currently have is my dog watching to see if I drop a morsel of a snack to him. But I really am grateful for all the support my friends and family have given me during this time. SO here it goes:<br />
<br />
First.....KGK...well, you rock! You met me just a couple weeks before I started this graduate school journey and you have been with me through it all. You have only known me to be a grad student. I am excited to show you who I am without homework and other school stuff to do. I can't wait to have more time for us. I am glad I can now pull my own weight when it comes to normal life stuff like cleaning and errands. During this whole process, you would walk the dog, do errands or chores, or just sit there and tell me I could do it when I needed to hear it most. You are the most supportive person I have ever met, and I am so grateful for you. :)<br />
<br />
And to my friends...thank you for not giving up on me with all my "I can't hang out" or cutting fun short because I had to do more homework. Thanks for still being my friend even though I was so busy and I didn't give you a lot of my time. Well now, I have more time! Let's celebrate! :) Beer? wings? let's make it happen.<br />
<br />
And to my family, y'all have been awesome. Listening to my rants and raves, and ups and downs about my various classes, scheduling issues, and whatever else it was at the time. You listened. I talked. and talked. But you still listened. You had no idea what I was talking about, but you still listened. So thank you for that! :)<br />
<br />
So future self, as life gets busy with other things, because we know it will, just remember this moment just before the finish. Remember how it feels to have 2+ years of late evenings, lots of papers and group projects, and all that hard work paying off. And remember that you didn't do it without the support of your family and friends. They made it happen as much as you did sitting doing those assignments....<br />
<br />
So basically....<br />
<br />
CONGRATS Y'ALL. We made it!<br />
<br />
:)<br />
<br />
I'm off to do my last presentation of grad school...here goes <strike>nothing</strike> EVERYTHING! :)<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><i>~AMK</i></span><br />
<br />
<br />AMKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00100942034858839741noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7950904904467687410.post-43052651454508045182013-04-18T17:45:00.000-04:002013-04-18T17:45:00.238-04:00Dear Future Self: Spring & New Beginnings<br />
Dear Future Self,<br />
<br />
This spring has been a crazy whirlwind for me. I am finishing up my last couple weeks of graduate school, working with a new system at work that is actually working quite well (woot woot!), a new little nephew on the way, and am loving having more free time now that the bulk of my capstone work is wrapping up. I haven't had free time like this in a while. It is NICE:)<br />
<br />
A couple weekends ago, I helped host my SIL's baby shower. We made the <a href="http://amkinspired.blogspot.com/2013/02/abceasy-as-123.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">felt letters</a>, and they turned out so cute! (I will post a follow-up to that...it was quite a fun craft!) It was great to see family and hang out with the mom-to-be! Gotta love all those little baby clothes and gifts and showering the new little family with some much needed goodies.<br />
<br />
In my last few weeks of school, I am really enjoying extra time spent with family and friends. I love having plans to do things on the weekends that do not involve getting up at 6am to do homework, but instead sleeping in a little, actually cleaning our home, and doing fun things with friends. I am very much treasuring this spring weather and time spent doing "fun" things.<br />
<br />
Also, KGK went to a baseball game recently and thoroughly enjoyed soaking up the warmer temps while enjoying a hot dog, people watching (at least that's one of my favorite parts of going to the games!), an ice cold beer, and not having to wear a bunch of layers to tolerate being outside. I am loving spring!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnUrHT7xaR58JiMPbqe1lkZzJPWYFcw9vDdVAtvT59SPqiXGN9AUb39jiIi88NNE0g5ey2KSmwiNZnMcJXokupU7pO0CAKzwIUQgLyBX7HWL4xPophnu3DwTAY1VHKkh0ior-A5ntBtKM/s1600/IMG_20130408_173117.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnUrHT7xaR58JiMPbqe1lkZzJPWYFcw9vDdVAtvT59SPqiXGN9AUb39jiIi88NNE0g5ey2KSmwiNZnMcJXokupU7pO0CAKzwIUQgLyBX7HWL4xPophnu3DwTAY1VHKkh0ior-A5ntBtKM/s320/IMG_20130408_173117.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBFyhFrgCmG0c3q7gWkbikcOD_UvR_TETPaCJJ9YzyK4vYyNitZMYPc4fgpjehR2KQbva4fX0dv6KwxPv_JSP7kEZQL9meBOUZ2W2vGZ0KVaXIyNusHQ67sFhZ5u8-Y_kkXu_CN0m9w1k/s1600/IMG_20130408_173603.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBFyhFrgCmG0c3q7gWkbikcOD_UvR_TETPaCJJ9YzyK4vYyNitZMYPc4fgpjehR2KQbva4fX0dv6KwxPv_JSP7kEZQL9meBOUZ2W2vGZ0KVaXIyNusHQ67sFhZ5u8-Y_kkXu_CN0m9w1k/s320/IMG_20130408_173603.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Happy Spring!<br />
<br />
<i><span style="color: #e69138; font-size: large;">~AMK</span></i><br />
<br />AMKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00100942034858839741noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7950904904467687410.post-60646223684757719402013-03-22T17:35:00.000-04:002013-03-22T17:35:00.534-04:00HeartstringsWe humans are quite amazing. Very complex, yet very simple at the same time. We are so uniquely woven into these intellectual beings that has reason, emotion, spirituality, humor...<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I always find it interesting how we all can view situations, a conversation, or even a show on tv as so very different from the others point of view. I never understood how people could cry at a commercial or laugh at certain types of jokes. We are all so very unique in this way, and it is quite amazing, really. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Well, for those of you that know me, or have been getting to know me through this blog, I am quirky and loud. I love to make people laugh and yes, many times it is at my own expense. :) I am not a big crier. There are certain things (and certain times of the month, eh hem) that of course tug at my heartstrings more than others. I am not very sappy, but I do tear up at a good movie sometimes. But I am not one to just cry throughout my day over various things. I have known some that are like this, and I just don't understand. It doesn't mean I don't appreciate it, because I most certainly do, but my tear ducks just aren't connected in as many ways as others I guess. But there is one thing that always gets me...those stinkin' commercials about the puppy dogs that need homes, or the facebook posts about a dog that was left stranded and was found without food, water or shelter and needs a home. BREAK.MY.PUPPY-LOVIN.HEART.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
So stop it. I mean, don't stop, but stop it. All those posts, those stories and commercials about these dogs that need a good home...don't stop because we definitely need to get the word out that these animals are being mistreated and they need help, but stop doing this to ME! KGK has to turn any commercial that has a sad puppy to another channel because I will FREAK the HECK OUT. We can't go into pet stores, and I have had to stop looking at the local rescue organizations for animals because I want to adopt every single one of them. I mean, come on, why on earth would anyone want to leave this poor little guy behind..?????</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnL5H3NQ7KpzKpXoBHlJV-GAx6oi2HsJaI7NWSygpUNhWl6BMPYnqz4xxi9I5rWr6HxvKcfRqjt78Rgu48zERUaAlOX0KVVQ_8jlmeEXm_9-K8UBtJr8UHEWAjFE2N0IfHA41qwOMEm_A/s1600/IMG_20120903_202141.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnL5H3NQ7KpzKpXoBHlJV-GAx6oi2HsJaI7NWSygpUNhWl6BMPYnqz4xxi9I5rWr6HxvKcfRqjt78Rgu48zERUaAlOX0KVVQ_8jlmeEXm_9-K8UBtJr8UHEWAjFE2N0IfHA41qwOMEm_A/s320/IMG_20120903_202141.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZc0BzdUe38HqdB96Zgo9B6f3XrUoTGSDhmlHrwckjDDgjST_ZCeqCjgDPNjHM5xygFmPDEHn5e6Jj65PFFLrnANDi1RfdO7W87S5QufTQNH8cxQkasSc6AB2MJJ2yYywxpVsG8cwqa1g/s1600/budd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZc0BzdUe38HqdB96Zgo9B6f3XrUoTGSDhmlHrwckjDDgjST_ZCeqCjgDPNjHM5xygFmPDEHn5e6Jj65PFFLrnANDi1RfdO7W87S5QufTQNH8cxQkasSc6AB2MJJ2yYywxpVsG8cwqa1g/s320/budd.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6zx3dieAEgm9Iqy_2RpJOpkvmqh8MeaBqpwZoIx7KeMUK3mBZHug3wzNoFLbVJQZs5y4Jnj6G1BW7M2iyXSoWTf1r28ziHHLxtVtXhc4iUnqonqfbr7bCfMkPNAsjW_Hcda_Uky7LnI4/s1600/IMG_20120719_162229.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6zx3dieAEgm9Iqy_2RpJOpkvmqh8MeaBqpwZoIx7KeMUK3mBZHug3wzNoFLbVJQZs5y4Jnj6G1BW7M2iyXSoWTf1r28ziHHLxtVtXhc4iUnqonqfbr7bCfMkPNAsjW_Hcda_Uky7LnI4/s320/IMG_20120719_162229.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS8iTmHlY9XtzQvPNQccbLxmG2sBGqcaCDgQPmFceE-L_oG1ZWc7_Jlqfc4WXJZrVbASY5b1GOMNAJxPZVhjelukE1H_xZQtsIuKoKIX5Dg92r-peKr42B19RSukHzrCFQt12NpusJ_Js/s1600/IMG_20130223_140521.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS8iTmHlY9XtzQvPNQccbLxmG2sBGqcaCDgQPmFceE-L_oG1ZWc7_Jlqfc4WXJZrVbASY5b1GOMNAJxPZVhjelukE1H_xZQtsIuKoKIX5Dg92r-peKr42B19RSukHzrCFQt12NpusJ_Js/s320/IMG_20130223_140521.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXKkEDKHzQobsJiZp_dxcfJaZxr-6tJhzbS-ql3qG3aUJ297J_QsLO_7ZUvp1ljITQe7liHCsK-ek5P4zrjNnrUoA6zlc6iP8-2-QCdDzg2B7cPGlO2Uv8ACY2X5WHCW9wCP_pI4DU2Dk/s1600/IMG_20120713_151433.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXKkEDKHzQobsJiZp_dxcfJaZxr-6tJhzbS-ql3qG3aUJ297J_QsLO_7ZUvp1ljITQe7liHCsK-ek5P4zrjNnrUoA6zlc6iP8-2-QCdDzg2B7cPGlO2Uv8ACY2X5WHCW9wCP_pI4DU2Dk/s320/IMG_20120713_151433.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCV63Zp5Pt-S2tzFnWKmhvPli10v6jQppmxfG8eAwWBGN9iyDBs66dizbGitbqqarW0S5o_s1y49y0JTnc1XhtmDFvacXKziLX9SvZ7OEbLMiK8ZFb0oBTQS9kNILmcBe0khZnA4kFtnM/s1600/IMG_20120801_181719.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCV63Zp5Pt-S2tzFnWKmhvPli10v6jQppmxfG8eAwWBGN9iyDBs66dizbGitbqqarW0S5o_s1y49y0JTnc1XhtmDFvacXKziLX9SvZ7OEbLMiK8ZFb0oBTQS9kNILmcBe0khZnA4kFtnM/s320/IMG_20120801_181719.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2UaVlPpDqc_d4UJ4dY2AoEWvcBbCroZMSSopTNKL15ricTz_Vujz_vDJR0QyUY00hNz3OYTyX71B7jW7Uhq2yFPcSW4ThAfuWr_M8psBiRXB6iHs1dKHLgSLGu8gTutqDV2uaT-fMhio/s1600/IMG_20130207_184244.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2UaVlPpDqc_d4UJ4dY2AoEWvcBbCroZMSSopTNKL15ricTz_Vujz_vDJR0QyUY00hNz3OYTyX71B7jW7Uhq2yFPcSW4ThAfuWr_M8psBiRXB6iHs1dKHLgSLGu8gTutqDV2uaT-fMhio/s320/IMG_20130207_184244.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizmuc3Ie-KS8F8n5NGWOZMfQpryUyvkZay0FDWK-jPdaUlGZKCUftIiXFMdkSL50uvGIY46BcovLa850S09hw-KWZvOLoqRCyK3jh68e1tFvXiGIaoM1dHN_N6-ubZmJfoX6DV5WCPFjI/s1600/IMG_20130305_195410.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizmuc3Ie-KS8F8n5NGWOZMfQpryUyvkZay0FDWK-jPdaUlGZKCUftIiXFMdkSL50uvGIY46BcovLa850S09hw-KWZvOLoqRCyK3jh68e1tFvXiGIaoM1dHN_N6-ubZmJfoX6DV5WCPFjI/s320/IMG_20130305_195410.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div>
He is one of the best things in the world that has come into my life.<br />
<br />
Love this little guy! <br />
<br />
<br />
<i><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">~AMK</span></i></div>
AMKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00100942034858839741noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7950904904467687410.post-64166946825078001592013-03-10T18:33:00.000-04:002013-03-10T18:33:00.109-04:00The Riveting MundaneOh the mundane. Filled with all the daily commotion and routine. It is funny...when I try to think of things to write on this little blog, I feel like I need to come up with something so special and creative so I can remember all the great things in my life for years down the road. Well, honestly, for all of us, most days are just filled with normal day happenings.<br />
<br />
So why write about it?<br />
<br />
Well, our normal day things change over time. Right now, my days are filled with getting up, going to work, coming home, doing homework, making dinner (most nights), and spending time with KGK and Buddy. Sounds pretty boring, but really all is great. It is nice to be busy with these things. It is fulfilling to have a job I love, a dog I couldn't imagine my life without, and a husband who is the best gift ever bestowed upon me. I am very blessed, and I love my simple little life.<br />
<br />
Do I wish I had more adventures?<br />
<br />
Sure, but sometimes life doesn't guarantee that those adventures won't be harder than they are fun. So sometimes these days and weeks of mundane are not so bad sounding or so boring to read. But rather they are worth <i>writing about</i>, worth <i>remembering</i>, worth <i>treasuring</i>.<br />
<br />
So why don't I write more?<br />
<br />
Fear, I guess. And time. Fear that what I write won't be catchy enough or exciting enough for my limited following. The lack of time to do fun or catchy things or the fact that I didn't cook a share-worthy meal in <strike>few days</strike>, ok <strike>a week</strike>, ok a <i>couple </i>weeks. <br />
<br />
But what writings am I most drawn to?<br />
<br />
The mundane. The ones that I can most relate to. The posts and articles that I can read, and then think, "<i>man, that is so me right now."</i><br />
<br />
Is it fun to read exciting stories about lives that seem so different than mine too?<br />
<br />
Of course. Those are the stories that help expand who I am. Make me realize that other people's stories are mundane in their own ways, and we all just share little pieces of the internet to share how we view the world through our own eyes. May seem boring to us at the time, but to others, it may be riveting. You just have to work at it.<br />
<br />
Have I felt bored with my life lately?<br />
<br />
Not at all. My life feels very exciting, actually. I guess I just think the mundane isn't worth writing about or I don't make the time to document for myself. I really should be better about that.<br />
<br />
<br />
Do you ever feel your life is too mundane that it isn't worth sharing? Because you shouldn't. :)<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #8e7cc3; font-size: large;"><i>~AMK</i></span><br />
<br />AMKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00100942034858839741noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7950904904467687410.post-28925252861213102092013-03-07T19:45:00.000-05:002013-03-07T19:45:00.480-05:00My future kids will eat dirt, and I'm ok with it.This past weekend, KGK and I went camping with his Dad and a friend of ours <a href="http://triskelelife.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Heidi</a>. KGK loves cold weather camping. And when I say love, I mean, he is disappointed when it gets too warm. TOO WARM. He wants it to stay below 50 degrees during the day and down in the 20's at night. And if it snows--bonus. Yeah, I don't understand it either. I like warm. No, correction: I LOVE warm. Warm is a wonderful thing. Why would you want to be cold when you can be warm? I married a wonderfully strange man:)<br />
<br />
Well, the weekend was actually a tolerable cold. It was chilly, but it was easily remedied by a large fire, hot coffee and plenty of layers. Whenever we have one of these chilly trips, KGK and I have a deal. I will go camping in the cold as long as I do not have to move from my parked spot by the fire. I do not have to gather firewood, do extensive cooking or do anything that will require me to leave my warm spot by the fire. I get to be lazy. He thinks this is great because I will at least go, even if it means I won't venture far from the radius of the flames.<br />
<br />
Don't be mistaken though, I am an avid camper. I love all that is involved with camping. I am not typically a lazy camper. The preparations of packing just the right clothing and equipment to make the trip just right is fun to me. I love going out and gathering firewood, using my hatchet to split the larger pieces into kindling for the best fire starting, and setting up the tent so that your stuff is in just the right spot in case you need to grab anything during the middle of the night and you don't want to emerge far out of the cocoon of the mummy sleeping bag. All of it. It is fantastic. I like being a part of it all. But when it comes to the cold, warm wins. :)<br />
<br />
Now that I am married, and getting a little older, my mind now dreams of trips KGK and I will take with our kids one day. They will get to experience the great outdoors just like KGK and I like to experience it. <br />
<br />
I didn't do any camping growing up except for once in a great while when we would setup the tent in the backyard. But to me, that's semi-fake-camping. True fake camping is setting up your tent indoors (yup, been there, done that too). Those are not <i>real camping. </i> My parents weren't big on <i>real </i>camping. My dad would take us on all types of hikes and do a lot of projects outdoors. So I definitely got a LOT of fresh air as a kid, but we just didn't do the roughin' it camping. This is something I am excited to do with my kids. I want them to know what it is like to turn off all cell phones, tablets, computer, video games, and just be outside. Enjoy the day and be creative--talk by the campfire and play 20 questions while you cook hot dogs over an open flame on a stick that you twiddled down yourself. I want them to accidentally eat dirt from their hot dog they drop on the ground and have a couple days where they have to go to the bathroom outside. Yes, I really want these things. They should know what it is to be roughin' it! They will know a comfortable life, I am sure, but I want them to know the glory of being <i>outside.</i> Of relaxing and just taking in the quiet and adventures and possibilities that come from being in the woods. I can't wait to share this one day with them. Oh, and I want them to go camping with their Auntie Heidi too. Heidi and I have been camping together for years now. They need to go camping with her. She always goes on fun little adventures, and they will love that too.<br />
<br />
I am so glad that I started participating in that outdoors club in college...it is now so worth being able to love the outdoors even more than when I was a kid. Thank you college clubs:)<br />
<br />
It is funny, I always want to take pictures of our outdoor excursions, and I have had people ask me why I don't have more pictures on fb from these trips. Honestly, I think about taking pictures when I am out there. I want to document all of it. Every minute. But, being outside, in the woods, by the fire, huddled with my camping coffee mug, and breathing in the fresh air, I want nothing to do with electronics. And, why leave the fire to go get your camera that you stowed away in your bag, which is in the tent, when you could be soaking up all the warmth from the fire? <br />
<br />
Each trip, the ones where it is chilly, and I don't leave my post by the fire (I told you I love warmth). After these trips, I come back with a glow about me. Not a glow like, wow, the woods did me so good that I am beaming with happiness. Well, maybe some of that, but really, I actually get pink, like sunburned from being by the fire. It is glorious.<br />
<br />
Camping takes a lot of prep and a bit of roughin-it spirit, but it is so worth the mounds of laundry after and the disaster of your home with all your gear to put away from that short weekend trip into the woods. You should try it if you haven't ever done it. What's stopping you?<br />
<br />
Happy Camping!<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f; font-size: large;"><i>~AMK</i></span><br />
<br />AMKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00100942034858839741noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7950904904467687410.post-62624896645989341192013-02-16T21:34:00.001-05:002013-02-16T21:34:31.328-05:00Dear Future Self: Time & ValentineDear Future Self,<br />
<br />
For the past several days, I have been basking in a lesser homework load. However, that lighter workload couldn't have come at a better time as work got kinda crazy all at once. So having a little less to work in the evenings after some very busy days has been great.<br />
<br />
Valentine's Day was a nice, simple day for us. We ordered food and brought it home and watched a movie. I don't watch many movies while in school, so sitting a being able to watch one was fantastic. Nothing too extravagant, but it was just perfect. I had my husband-valentine and my pup-valentine...I am one blessed and happy lady:)<br />
<br />
Other than that, things are just plugging along. Amazing how life's days are so filled yet there seems to be little going on, all at the same time. But I am trying to treasure these days of just normal busyness because as we all know, crazy happens so quickly. So I am trying to enjoy the feeling of "what do I do" because I am so used to having a to-do list that is so long I don't know where to start.<br />
<br />
Well, I guess cleaning should be happening, since that is an ever-present need that always is on the list. Maybe I'll start on that...maybe :)<br />
<br />
Happy Weekend!<br />
<br />
<i><span style="color: #45818e; font-size: large;">~AMK</span></i>AMKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00100942034858839741noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7950904904467687410.post-77620052993451909702013-02-08T19:50:00.000-05:002013-02-09T20:44:10.904-05:00Crock Pot MeatloafThis recipe is probably one of the easiest things to do...ever. honestly, making a turkey sandwich with lettuce and tomato is about the same amount of work once you spread some mayo, slice the tomato, wash the lettuce and assemble. AND the best part, it is unbelievably delicious!<br />
<br />
So easy and delicious, what's the catch? NOTHING. It is cheap too!<br />
<br />
<b>Here is the goodness:</b><br />
<br />
<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/AVvXsEjlXHBrf6S7q99lJzkm9fuhdviGbHHDeNEo6DcCeoa2eECrSaJYJoEI0hJTQGy465X3YaIzsTwf-LtDUXKcZ29DOVESuEHuySq2GNUhRpjb4HLIX2KbtLETiZge4XHM0m8xMR4eyfMOtKA/s1600/meatloaf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlXHBrf6S7q99lJzkm9fuhdviGbHHDeNEo6DcCeoa2eECrSaJYJoEI0hJTQGy465X3YaIzsTwf-LtDUXKcZ29DOVESuEHuySq2GNUhRpjb4HLIX2KbtLETiZge4XHM0m8xMR4eyfMOtKA/s400/meatloaf.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Meatloaf served with a veggie and potato.<br />
Original recipe found <a href="http://www.food.com/recipe/crock-pot-meatloaf-184426" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">here</a>.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Ok, stop drooling all over yourself and let's get started:)<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Crock Pot Meatloaf</b></span><br />
<br />
<b><u>What you'll need:</u></b><br />
Aluminum foil<br />
2 lbs round turkey or beef<br />
1 packet of dry onion soup mix or savory herbs soup mix<br />
3/4 c. milk<br />
2 eggs (I left out eggs and used 1c. milk and it worked great too!)<br />
3/4 c. bread crumbs (I use Italian style)<br />
<br />
<b><u>Crock Pot Setup:</u></b><br />
Unroll some aluminum foil so that it is one long strip, and put into your crock pot so it comes up the edges and forms down into the dish so it makes like a harness shape or "U" shape. It should be going from one side of the crock pot, down the edge, along the bottom, and back up the other edge. You will use the foil to lift out your finished meatloaf later and having the foil come all the way up the sides (one long strip under the meatloaf) makes for easy removal.<br />
<br />
<b><u>Meatloaf & Cooking:</u></b><br />
Mix all ingredients together until all the turkey has seasoning on it. Then dump your mix into the crock pot and form the meatloaf into a brick shape <i>so no sides of the meat touch the edge of the crock pot </i>(If you have an oval crock pot, it will be in rectangular brick shape. If in a round crock, make into a circle). The key is the edges shouldn't touch the sides of the crock pot. Then, cook on low for 6-8 hours. Serve with baked potatoes and asparagus for a hardy meal!<br />
<br />
Enjoy!<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-size: large;"><i>~AMK</i></span><br />
<br />AMKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00100942034858839741noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7950904904467687410.post-35017570876064892412013-02-06T19:30:00.000-05:002013-02-06T19:30:02.181-05:00ABC...easy as 123!Yes, I am currently rocking out to this gem...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/qyn1cqSpUBE?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
I THINK I LOVE YA!...<br />
<br />
yes...this is happening:)<br />
<br />
Well, here is why...I am helping plan my S.I.L's baby shower, and I have been deemed the game/activity planner for the shower. And for those of you who know me, I like to try and find something a little different than the norm if I can. So, I found a really cool idea for a craft (THANK YOU <a href="http://pinterest.com/amkinspired/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">PINTEREST</a>!) that we can do that will also make another useful gift for the soon-to-be parents. Don't worry, I'm not spoiling anything...she knows about this:) We are going to make felt/fabric, magnetic letters to go on a frig or a chalkboard. Cue the baby being occupied while she is doing stuff in the kitchen, and the babe is learning all at the same time!...woot woot!<br />
<br />
Here's what I mean:<br />
<br />
<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/AVvXsEiT7ANoE7Tj4SZwrY_LXNl9Pc74B1pb48o7cEhKZSdYtmzDMuU2wR3skON6GuMptf5vPTQbMboeRmfOmtYzgZOYnSGXrMKN6jUI9GdC0KRpBUmPymYyD_dbYn-aPXe0ZWfXAWjAoKdyjPo/s1600/Felt+ABC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT7ANoE7Tj4SZwrY_LXNl9Pc74B1pb48o7cEhKZSdYtmzDMuU2wR3skON6GuMptf5vPTQbMboeRmfOmtYzgZOYnSGXrMKN6jUI9GdC0KRpBUmPymYyD_dbYn-aPXe0ZWfXAWjAoKdyjPo/s400/Felt+ABC.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Got the idea from <a href="http://www.hellobee.com/2012/01/27/diy-magnetic-felt-abcs/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">here.</a> </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
When I was looking for a craft, I wanted to have something that any size crowd could do. They seem pretty straightforward to make, so I am excited to try these out at home first, that way I know how to instruct the crowd, but also so I know how long it takes and have a sample for everyone to see. I will share how they turned out after the shower!!<br />
<br />
So back to my groove and rocking to an oldie but a goodie....<br />
<br />
Happy Hump Day!<br />
<br />
<br />AMKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00100942034858839741noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7950904904467687410.post-8847948854215501422013-02-04T17:35:00.000-05:002013-02-04T17:35:00.181-05:00Dear Future Self: It is no longer a stream. It's a flood!Dear Future Self:<br />
<br />
Here is my <strike>stream</strike> flooding of consciousness, in an effort to give my brain a break at thinking. It is amazing how simply writing things down makes it feel like it is no longer swirling aimlessly in my brain but has a place, a definitive space in my life and gives me comfort to know I have recognized that thought and it is no longer clouding my brain and my thinking.<br />
<br />
<b><i>Working Out. </i></b>My stinkin' knee lately has given me trouble for a couple weeks! boo.... I love going to the high aerobic type classes at the gym, but with a recent knee twist, it has set me back in my work out patterns. In hopes of getting back into the work our groove, I tried a class last week. Not a good idea. My knee was still giving me trouble apparently. So this week, I am being<strike> lazy</strike> filling my time with other things I needs to be doing, and not hitting up the gym. The knee is much better, but still needs to be rested a bit to ensure it is all better. Then, I am back at it!! :)<br />
<br />
<i style="font-weight: bold;">Eating Healthy.</i> Trying...but so much easier to each unhealthy foods sometimes. Keep on keepin' on...<br />
<br />
<i style="font-weight: bold;">Homework.</i> Where to begin. This semester is kicking my butt with group projects, my individual projects and trying to do a book review. My planner is my best friend lately, and I STILL feel like I am missing stuff. No laziness allowed this semester, that's for sure! While it is not allowed, it still happens. Enjoying those bits of lazy times and enjoying it while it lasts:) I just keep thinking of May and all the glory that comes with being DONE.<br />
<br />
<i style="font-weight: bold;">Life in general.</i> Life is great! :) I feel like every moment is taken up with doing something, but let's face it, if I weren't busy with work, school and all the normal life stuff, I'd most definitely be looking to fill my time with <i>something</i>. I am a glutton for busyness...my mother will attest to this and me being a very active, into everything type of child. Thanks Mom for putting up with me:)<br />
<br />
<i style="font-weight: bold;">Weather blues.</i> PICK A TEMPERATURE... preferably warm:)<br />
<br />
Thanks for listening to the rants and ramblings of one <i>head-spinning-with-busyness</i> chick.<br />
<br />
I feel better already! :)<br />
<br />
Hope you are having a good Monday! :)<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75; font-size: large;"><i>~AMK</i></span>AMKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00100942034858839741noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7950904904467687410.post-84587242944558189062013-01-31T05:30:00.000-05:002013-01-31T05:30:00.889-05:00Maple Turkey Cutlets<div>
<span style="color: #b45f06;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><b>Calling all cooks, cook-wanna-be, or just those just in need of something different to make!!</b></span><div>
<br /></div>
<div>
This recipe was unbelievably easy. Like, if you are not a cook or you are just starting out, this will work for you. It is cheap and your taste buds will be happy. <div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<u>Whatcha Need Is...</u></div>
<div>
1 pack turkey cutlets (about 4-5 in a pack)</div>
<div>
1-2 cups baby carrots, rinsed</div>
<div>
maple syrup (YUP, the kind you use for pancakes!)</div>
<div>
olive oil</div>
<div>
1/2 tsp garlic-pepper salt</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<u>Whatcha Gotta Do Is...</u></div>
<div>
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a 13x9 baking pan, place cutlets and scatter baby carrots. Drizzle maple syrup over everything and lightly sprinkle with garlic-pepper salt. Flip cutlets and stir around carrots. Drizzle with more syrup and drizzle with olive oil. Sprinkle more garlic-pepper salt again. The syrup and seasoning is not to saturate them, just to give a thin coating to everything. Place in oven uncovered and bake for about 15 minutes then flip chops and stir carrots. Continue baking for another 15 minutes or until cutlets are completely cooked through (no longer pink). </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<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/AVvXsEjGiQe07jSkTf1oxhbQ-XCGKuP9cfFQqWt03ONwP2wLjAl8jNt8ByPO6Icbbh3Qw0NQCH77ouTCVQyRYzA4jNdHi4t1RtD25n3iPbfNm9BrwXbIncpkp0zDPYMmE-pOIhwvAI88dsHbKAM/s1600/IMG_20130118_162156.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGiQe07jSkTf1oxhbQ-XCGKuP9cfFQqWt03ONwP2wLjAl8jNt8ByPO6Icbbh3Qw0NQCH77ouTCVQyRYzA4jNdHi4t1RtD25n3iPbfNm9BrwXbIncpkp0zDPYMmE-pOIhwvAI88dsHbKAM/s320/IMG_20130118_162156.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the drizzle....</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<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/AVvXsEh17ejR8dubFzwCtbXv-ZqsKS_3LxoXtDgC0wRy5ltmyWcu3pVD-_DmF-6cKawJ0MptW2mOoP-1JGX0YDEiXUbGgbAvoibPlhBLzg0HixExKsvV377nT64xohbLf-wiYZLxrQ4t3Cup6EM/s1600/IMG_20130118_162409.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh17ejR8dubFzwCtbXv-ZqsKS_3LxoXtDgC0wRy5ltmyWcu3pVD-_DmF-6cKawJ0MptW2mOoP-1JGX0YDEiXUbGgbAvoibPlhBLzg0HixExKsvV377nT64xohbLf-wiYZLxrQ4t3Cup6EM/s320/IMG_20130118_162409.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ready to bake!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Serve with a plain side like simple mashed potatoes or a salad to keep things light.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<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/AVvXsEilhyphenhyphen70rCcq2e3Uvh0fXqmyjWMU49nPicEkPO8HrAGeucJhxjOnTMrdkEJTXgbZ_1e5W1fD1s2tVlbV1PFmkzfJV8IGyjKkgSoTdi5wegq-QO7S_cDpk_w1eJ3SySUenQda6jFtpgRhiBw/s1600/IMG_20130118_175236.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilhyphenhyphen70rCcq2e3Uvh0fXqmyjWMU49nPicEkPO8HrAGeucJhxjOnTMrdkEJTXgbZ_1e5W1fD1s2tVlbV1PFmkzfJV8IGyjKkgSoTdi5wegq-QO7S_cDpk_w1eJ3SySUenQda6jFtpgRhiBw/s400/IMG_20130118_175236.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Put in cute serving dish and eat it up! :)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Enjoy!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-size: large;"><i>~AMK</i></span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
AMKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00100942034858839741noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7950904904467687410.post-87393692927381295392013-01-30T17:30:00.000-05:002013-01-30T17:30:02.249-05:00you make me happy when skies are...grey gray grey gray.In the last few weeks, it has been especially <strike>grey</strike> <strike>gray</strike> <strike>grey</strike> gray outside. When the sun finally started shining yesterday and the temperatures were rising, I was feeling that springtime high. You know, having that high-on-life, filled-with-enthusiasm, spirits-lifted, ready-to-tackle-the-world high. I find it so amazing how much the weather can really affect (or is it effect?) you.<br />
<br />
Today is <strike>grey</strike> <strike>gray</strike> <strike>grey</strike> gray again. Boo. Back to sleepy and ready to curl up on the couch with coffee in hand and watch a movie or take a nap. Winter does this to me. I just hide away sometimes because I don't like the cold or dreariness that winter brings. But having these random days thrown in there where the sun shines and it is teasing us that spring may be near is glorious. Way to be a tease, mother nature...<br />
<br />
But I fall for it every.single.time. And I admit. I kinda like it.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>~AMK</i></span><br />
<br />
<br />AMKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00100942034858839741noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7950904904467687410.post-35544045238994072152013-01-28T17:30:00.000-05:002013-01-28T17:30:01.871-05:00Not 36 hours ago...Every have one of those days where you are completely overwhelmed and have so much on your to-do list that you just do nothing. Nothing. I mean, your list is screaming at your for attention, yet you sit on the couch, watch TV and eat like crap, when you know you should be up and moving and getting stuff done. You even have conversations about how you need to get so much done, yet you still sit there despite your best efforts to pump yourself up. Instead, you watch 3 movies in a row and neglect grocery shopping, cleaning and all other things you need to get done on those precious 48 hours we have of our own called, the weekend. Yeah, that was yesterday. I sat on the couch ALL DAY. I think there is a permanent mold of where I was lounging. Well, I lie. I did shift from one couch to the other as the evening went on. Then fell asleep on the couch until 2 am when I finally made it back to the bedroom. OH Yeah, productivity at its best:)<br />
<br />
But I will say, sometimes you need to have those days. You get yourself so worked up and worried about all that needs to get done that you don't actually have any energy left to do those things. So Sunday, was my day of rest. I did some homework in the morning, but I did NOTHING the rest of the day. I didn't realize how much I needed it. I think I would have gone <strike>crazy</strike> crazier if I didn't just do <i>nothing</i>. It was so nice.<br />
<br />
So now, I am refreshed. My task list doesn't seem as daunting as it did just 36 hours before. I am ready to tackle it now. I am ready to do all those things that I set aside for some much needed rest and laziness.<br />
<br />
So here is to revitalized energy and going full force into my to-do list....<br />
<br />
And here is to you too...because we all know everyone's lives are crazy at times....go you. :)<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #e69138; font-size: large;"><i>~AMK</i></span><br />
<br />
<br />AMKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00100942034858839741noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7950904904467687410.post-13230899011280354702013-01-04T17:30:00.000-05:002013-01-04T17:30:02.654-05:00Our First ChristmasKGK and I had our first Christmas as a married couple this year. Everything was going so wonderfully until an hour before his entire family was to arrive at our house for Christmas dinner. Cue the vomiting... No, seriously. Let me explain...<br />
<br />
The weekend before Christmas, KGK and I enjoyed a relaxing weekend, did some cleaning and organizing, and we were anxiously anticipating having our first Christmas Eve and Christmas as hitched folk. We also were excited to host his family on Christmas day for dinner (pot-luck style...took the pressure off!). Needless to say, everything was going perfectly. We decided to start a tradition to open 1 gift on Christmas Eve, have a stay-in dinner of wings and beer (we are classy), and watch a movie. Perfect if you ask me. So we went about our first Christmas Eve traditions and woke up to a fantastic Christmas morning. Gifts were opened, Skype calls to family that lived away from us occurred, and we began the cooking for the evening meal.<br />
<br />
Now, about 2 hours before his family was scheduled to arrive, I started to feel sick to my stomach. I thought it was from a richer breakfast than I was used to, but it wouldn't go away. It only escalated into more pain and nausea. It is now 1 hour before family is to arrive and I cannot stand up long enough to make my last few menu items. I wore a mask in case I was getting sick and tried to complete the last few projects. Then, it happened. I am standing there preparing the stuffing and I have to run to the bathroom. The time is around 3pm and I had my first vom session. Sorry, that's gross. But well, it was.<br />
<br />
Fast forward about 2.5 hours, KGK has been entertaining family while I am violently sick in the back bedroom/bathroom. Then, he comes back. It is about 5:30pm. He feels it too. Vom session numero dos. For the next couple hours, both hosts are in the bedroom, quarantined from our guests. We appeared briefly to say we were done for the night and that they were welcome to use our living room for all the time they wanted. His family is wonderful. They picked up our living room, did a bunch of dishes and had an assortment of foods in foil in the frig for when we feel better and are ready to grub later on the Christmas feast.<br />
<br />
The next 24 hours, after KGK came back into the bedroom (about 5:30pm), are a blur. That was the worst stomach bug I have ever had. Ever. And man, is it going around! I wouldn't wish that upon anyone. It took me until New Years Day to feel like myself again. Needless to say, I got a lot of rest and caught up on several different shows that played in marathon fashion throughout those last days of 2012. I am ready for 2013 and no more bugs!<br />
<br />
So that was our first Christmas together. Alternating turns in the bathroom. Lover-ly. But, as KGK said, at least we got to spend it together, even if it was back in the bedroom, miserable while the Christmas spirit lived on in the rest of our house. <br />
<br />
So Happy 2013 everyone! I hope you escaped that nasty bug!<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75; font-size: large;"><i>~AMK</i></span>AMKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00100942034858839741noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7950904904467687410.post-73143726672142993572012-12-19T19:00:00.000-05:002012-12-19T19:00:09.995-05:00Traditions<br />
<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/AVvXsEg1aVBAtB0qXpM-W7sW-wRUgz0GAnKaxTtv4Y71cgQs-DLXka0ZTlESavVxN8NbdJnnI-76LLzteZdzD_osllOoNWUtRZAWtuj_b8CFJZImmTsEvI0gd3VWNPlJUKO8XxYSSWVUFhoQctM/s1600/our+first+christmas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1aVBAtB0qXpM-W7sW-wRUgz0GAnKaxTtv4Y71cgQs-DLXka0ZTlESavVxN8NbdJnnI-76LLzteZdzD_osllOoNWUtRZAWtuj_b8CFJZImmTsEvI0gd3VWNPlJUKO8XxYSSWVUFhoQctM/s400/our+first+christmas.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the date when we became official:)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
There are some wonderful traditions during this time of the year. Growing up, our tradition was me begging to put up the Christmas tree earlier than a week before Christmas and fighting to keep it up the entire day of Christmas. My folks weren't so big into decorating for the holiday. So now that I am an adult and KGK and I have a place of our own, we have started to create our own traditions! Like a Christmas tree going up at Thanksgiving:) Nice and early:)<br />
<br />
<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/AVvXsEgpMpaT5VkdBlXqdZNBzU0ro_rY7qUuLD9GaDBpe59lmR3ff-9Q7ACUIyei866_AWOwuBXfM_5lEXnJE_HusU_iVI2_PmWKNEPsYhxqrIKynvIJ0wjfSz0w_BgPNGmkUcyHHu7mConVOMg/s1600/first+xmas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpMpaT5VkdBlXqdZNBzU0ro_rY7qUuLD9GaDBpe59lmR3ff-9Q7ACUIyei866_AWOwuBXfM_5lEXnJE_HusU_iVI2_PmWKNEPsYhxqrIKynvIJ0wjfSz0w_BgPNGmkUcyHHu7mConVOMg/s400/first+xmas.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">our first Christmas a few years back</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Last year, we had a breakfast casserole and cinnamon buns for breakfast and opened our gifts. This year, we are going to have our Christmas breakfast again, but we are steering away from the casserole, and we are having omelettes instead...with cinnamon buns. Cinnamon buns are going to be a staple on Christmas morning for our family...that is for sure!<br />
<br />
<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/AVvXsEhRr4lHPo5eC1_MFH5dY1Zx0vsRgLoo3x9htWRMgSveIOpNht3sQF01DFByyqM96fLHXU-M272aQ4VvAeAy0tKIFofXtPZR1mr7aw0ESBPga22ObS1RQo2nl_sXKnNyiC8EgvgGJ5dhtrY/s1600/cinnamon+bun.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRr4lHPo5eC1_MFH5dY1Zx0vsRgLoo3x9htWRMgSveIOpNht3sQF01DFByyqM96fLHXU-M272aQ4VvAeAy0tKIFofXtPZR1mr7aw0ESBPga22ObS1RQo2nl_sXKnNyiC8EgvgGJ5dhtrY/s400/cinnamon+bun.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pillsbury.com/Products/Cinnamon-Rolls" target="_blank">Pillsbury Cinnamon Rolls</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
********************</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
So traditions...</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://img2.imagesbn.com/p/9780976990727_p0_v1_s260x420.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://img2.imagesbn.com/p/9780976990727_p0_v1_s260x420.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Now that we are married and we have so many friends with children, I have started thinking more about what traditions we will begin with our family as it grows in the years ahead. I see on facebook and from hanging out with friends that they all do different things to make this time of year extra exciting for their kids. Some do the "Elf on the Shelf" book surprise, which I had never heard of until this past year. That is such a cute idea! T. A friend of mine of FB posted this and I thought it was so hilarious!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<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/AVvXsEidcsbZOlmHg2wLKyjsdNlxMX2iP6UCByEyUnABbPQOXSs3LfnOKjP8fc1F2mubW1xvnw-_kakqAOU615ynWIyqcd3KUBYTAWeUGlU21txDXuA-u34TULDZ5CCyolIuaGZJhYt7HI9HWvI/s1600/elf+and+peppermint.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidcsbZOlmHg2wLKyjsdNlxMX2iP6UCByEyUnABbPQOXSs3LfnOKjP8fc1F2mubW1xvnw-_kakqAOU615ynWIyqcd3KUBYTAWeUGlU21txDXuA-u34TULDZ5CCyolIuaGZJhYt7HI9HWvI/s320/elf+and+peppermint.JPG" width="316" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">hahahaha! you just never know where you will catch that elf!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
And many people visit Santa at the mall or write him letters. I actually never believed in Santa. Don't be sad for me. I didn't mind, really. Our family didn't do the whole Santa-thing. I don't have a problem with telling kids there is a Santa, and I don't have issues with being upfront either. I haven't exactly decided what I want to do with our kids one day. I think it depends on the kid too. Some kids LOVE the idea of Santa and have such great imaginations that really help them feed their curiosity I was not that child. I was too realistic. At the age of 2 and a half or 3, (just old enough to be able to speak in full-<i>enough</i> sentences) I asked my mom in a matter-of-fact voice, "Mom, can reindeer really fly?" She said, no. I was good with that answer. I replied, "Yeah, that's what I thought." Santa to me didn't really make sense as a kid so I didn't really feel like I was left out of anything, but I still think it is a fun tradition for kids to experience.<br />
<br />
<br />
So I guess KGK and I will have to see what we want to do in regards to Santa. I think it is a fun-hearted way to celebrate the season. I do know that I want to create some form of tradition involving a manger and maybe having baby Jesus appear on Christmas morning. I have heard of families doing that, and I loved that idea of keeping the manger empty until Christmas morning, and then he is there when you wake up. I treasure those Christmas mornings where we would read the story of Jesus' birth as a family before opening presents. We did this to always remember that the reason for Christmas is not just to receive presents. But to remember that Jesus was born, and that we were given the greatest gift of all, and we need to always remember to give to others. Giving is more important than receiving during Christmas. They ALWAYS stressed that, and I hope to pass that along too.<br />
<br />
So with Christmas one week away, what traditions are you excited to participate in this season? Do you have a special memory from your childhood that you have carried into your adult life (whether you have a family or not)?<br />
<br />
Merry Christmas and Happy Holiday Season!<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>~AMK</i></span><br />
<br />AMKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00100942034858839741noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7950904904467687410.post-47943355700745671212012-12-13T17:30:00.000-05:002012-12-13T17:30:03.023-05:00I got your sh$# wired, Jack!So we have been on a Duck Dynasty kick. HEY! The show is HILARIOUS. :) Check it out if you haven't yet and watch at least 2 episodes...then you will be hooked. It is just unbelievably funny. I received an email and this one line made me think of Duck Dynasty because Uncle Si always says "HEY JACK!" <br />
<br />
I have no idea where the original credit goes for this email, but it was too good not to share with the masses...(be warned, there is profanity, but I think it helps add to the hilarity of it).<br />
<br />
Enjoy, JACK!<br />
<br />
<i><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">~AMK</span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></i>
<div style="text-align: center;">
****************************</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #274e13; font-size: large;"><u><b>Timmy Writes a Letter to Santa</b></u></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
<b><span style="color: #0000e0; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Timmy:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"> Dear Santa,
How are you? How is Mrs. Claus? I hope everyone, from the reindeer to the
elves, is fine. I have been a very good boy this year. I would like an X-Box
360 with Call of Duty IV and an iPhone 4 for Christmas. I hope you remember
that come Christmas Day. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Merry
Christmas, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Timmy Jones <br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><br />
<b><span style="color: #a11f12;">Santa:</span></b> Dear Timmy, Thank you
for your letter. Mrs. Claus, the reindeer and the elves are all fine and thank
you for asking about them. Santa is a little worried all the time you spend
playing video games and texting. Santa wouldn't want you to get fat. Since you
have indeed been a good boy, I think I'll bring you something you can go
outside and play with.</span> <br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">*Merry
Christmas,* </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Santa Claus<br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><br />
<b><span style="color: #0000e0;">Timmy:</span></b> Mr. Claus, Seeing that I
have fulfilled the "naughty vs. Nice" contract, set by you I might
add, I feel confident that you can see your way clear to granting me what I
have asked for. I certainly wouldn't want to turn this joyous season into one
of litigation. Also, don't you think that a jibe at my weight coming from an
overweight man who goes out once a year is a bit trite? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Respectfully, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Tim Jones <br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><br />
<b><span style="color: #a11f12;">Santa:</span></b> Mr. Jones, While I have
acknowledged you have met the "nice" criteria, need I remind you that
your Christmas list is a request and in no way is it a guarantee of services
provided. Should you wish to pursue legal action, well that is your right.
Please know, however, that my attorney's have been on retainer ever since the
Burgermeister Meisterburger incident and will be more than happy to take you on
in open court. Additionally, the exercise I alluded to will not only improve
your health, but also improve your social skills and potentially help clear up
a complexion that looks like the bottom of the Burger King fry bin most days. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Very Truly
Yours, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">S. Claus <br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><br />
<b><span style="color: #0000e0;">Timmy:</span></b> Now look here Fat Man, I
told you what I want and I expect you to bring it. I was attempting to be
polite about this but you brought my looks and my friends into this. Now you
just be disrespecting me. I'm about to tweet my boys and we're gonna be waiting
for your fat ass and I'm taking my game console, my game, my phone, and
whatever else I want. WHAT EVER I WANT, MAN! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">T-Bone <br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><br />
<b><span style="color: #a11f12;">Santa:</span></b> Listen Pizza Face,
Seriously??? You think a dude that breaks into every house in the world on one
night and never gets caught sweats a skinny G-banger wannabe? "He sees you
when you're sleeping; He knows when you're awake". Sound familiar, genius?
You know what kind of resources I have at my disposal. I got your shit wired,
Jack. I go all around the world and see ways to hurt people that if I described
them right now, you'd throw up your Totino's pizza roll all over the carpet of
your mom's basement. You're not getting what you asked for, but I'm still
stopping by your crib to stomp a mud hole in your ass and then walk it dry.
Chew on that, Petunia. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">S Clizzy <br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><br />
<b><span style="color: #0000e0;">Timmy:</span></b> Dear Santa, Bring me
whatever you see fit. I'll appreciate anything. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Timmy<br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><br />
<b><span style="color: #a11f12;">Santa:</span></b> Timmy, That's what I
thought you little bastard. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Santa </span><o:p></o:p></div>
AMKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00100942034858839741noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7950904904467687410.post-46189204066524025762012-12-07T17:30:00.000-05:002012-12-07T17:30:00.271-05:00Because you asked for it! (Chx Enchilada Dip!)Are you ready for it?! So each year, my classic dish to bring to parties is chicken enchilada dip. It is a crowd-pleaser for sure...Never any leftovers! That's how I like it! :)<br />
<br />
So if you are in need of a new recipe for this holiday season, new year's party, or super bowl party, this will <i>definitely</i> work for you. It isn't expensive, and it is so simple.<br />
<br />
Enjoy!<br />
<br />
<br />
<i><b><span style="font-size: large;">Chicken Enchilada Dip</span></b></i><br />
<br />
<u>What You'll Need:</u><br />
8 oz block cream cheese (I get the 1/3 less fat)<br />
1/2 c. miracle whip (you can add more if you want it creamier)<br />
8 oz sharp cheddar cheese (shredded or cubed)<br />
2 large cans of chicken (they are about 12 oz cans), drained<br />
4 oz can of diced green chili peppers (not drained)<br />
1 small onion diced<br />
1 glove garlic, minced (or you can use garlic powder)<br />
southwest seasoning (I mix chili powder, crushed red pepper, and a little garlic salt)<br />
<br />
<u>Whatcha Gotta Do is:</u><br />
Put all ingredients in the crock pot and cook on low for about 3-4 hours. When you season with southwest seasoning, start with less and add more to taste before serving. Stir frequently, if possible. Serve directly out of the crock pot while on warm with regular or lime tortilla chips. Enjoy!<br />
<br />
<i>Hint: I tried cooking it on high for shorter time, and it didn't turn out quite as good. So cooking it on low for about 4 hours, while stirring occasionally, makes it taste best in my opinion. </i><br />
<br />
<i><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;">~AMK</span></i>AMKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00100942034858839741noreply@blogger.com0