tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32812470301213465772024-02-19T00:16:44.927-07:00Eat, Shop and be MarriedA journal of my life as a married student trying to get back into a healthy shape, both mind and body. Sharing my life's lessons, adventures and routines. The blog will center around fitness, eating and cooking habits along with the randomness that makes life interesting.Zarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06768760695704509558noreply@blogger.comBlogger289125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3281247030121346577.post-59255487657601739092013-05-02T06:00:00.000-06:002013-05-02T06:00:06.056-06:00Photography: What the heck is aperture?<center><a href="http://storyofmylifetheblog.blogspot.com/2013/04/blog-every-day-in-may-challenge.html"><img border="0" src="http://i1131.photobucket.com/albums/m553/jennilu07/May200x200_zpsf8349f10.png"> </a></center> <p>And day two… </p> <p>The day two topic for this little blog challenge that Jennie’s got going is: <strong>Educate us on something you know a lot about or are good at. Take any approach you'd like (serious and educational or funny and sarcastic)</strong></p> <p align="center">---------------------------------</p> <p align="center">other then knowing how to really annoy my hubs, I’m really good at photography</p> <p align="center">here are a few tips from me to you</p> <p align="center">--------------------------------</p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="justify">The base foundation of photography is light. Without light, and understanding how a camera captures light you’ll never truly know how and while some pictures come out looking great and others don’t. There are three main components to how a camera captures light and forms an image… <strong>aperture | shutter speed | ISO</strong></p> <p align="justify">We’re just going to talk about aperture today. <strong>Aperture!!</strong></p> <p align="justify"><strong>Aperture </strong>is the size of the lens opening, and controls how much light is let into the camera. A large aperture means lots of light is being let in and a small aperture means very little light is being let in. Think of blinds on a window, when the blinds are wide open lots of light gets in, when you start shutting the blinds less and less light is let in. Same idea here. </p> <p align="left">Now the catch is … the smaller your aperture (f) stop is the wider your blinds are open. So an aperture of f1.4 is very large while an f10 is very small. More light is let in at an aperture of f1.4 and less is let in at f10.</p> <p align="justify"><img style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto" src="http://i1073.photobucket.com/albums/w397/Zara_Ashby/aperture_zpsfdf57a0c.jpg"></p> <p align="justify"><br>Look on the photo above, f/1.4 is a really wide opened, the blinds are fully pulled back/ That means you'll get a LOT of light coming in there, because the blinds are opened as big as they can be (even though it's a small number, 1.4) it's a wide opening.</p> <p>In contrast, f/16 is a small opening- the blinds are practically closed and light is peeking through a small opening, so very little light gets in there. <p align="center">Make sense?! <p align="left">Here is the cool part, aperture is what is used to control your depth of field. So when you get the photos where the object is in focus but everything is blurry it’s that aperture that is being changed. <img src="http://junglefrog-cooking.com/wp-content/uploads/kersen2.jpg" width="640" height="300"> <p align="justify">In the image above, the aperture is switched from wide open to closed from left to right. 2.8 is wide open for a good number of fast lenses out there. You can see how the background comes into focus as the aperture is closed, and less light is allowed in. </p> <p align="justify"> </p> <p align="center">Hope you all learned something new today! </p> Zarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06768760695704509558noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3281247030121346577.post-22380561593999255702013-05-01T06:00:00.000-06:002013-05-01T06:00:07.145-06:00Story of my life<center><a href="http://storyofmylifetheblog.blogspot.com/2013/04/blog-every-day-in-may-challenge.html"><img border="0" src="http://i1131.photobucket.com/albums/m553/jennilu07/May200x200_zpsf8349f10.png"> </a></center> <p>I’ve been out of it a while but I really do miss blogging and I think this little challenge is the perfect thing to get me blogging again. I feel like I missed a whole year of our life cause it’s not documented on the internet for me to come back to and read. <br></p> <p>The day one topic for this little blog challenge that Jennie’s got going is: <strong>The story of your life in 250 words or less (or one paragraph... no one will be counting your words... probably)</strong></p> <p align="center">---------------------------------</p> <p align="center">so here’s the story of my life</p> <p align="center">--------------------------------</p> <p align="center"><img src="http://i1073.photobucket.com/albums/w397/Zara_Ashby/09_zpsd7e4aae9.jpg" width="640" height="425"></p> <p align="justify">I was born in Europe and grew up in Colorado and now live in Arizona. I’m not a fan of the desert but the people here make it kind of fun. After spending a lot of time and money going to school and getting degrees, I finally realized what I’m truly passionate about. I’m a photographer of women. A photographer of strong and glamorous women. My life is dedicated to making our dreams come true. I’ve learned to wake up and find something I’m excited about rather then whine about things I can’t change and the mistakes of yesterdays. Today is the only thing that matters, yesterday is a stain and tomorrow is a ghost. </p> <p align="justify">oh and I’m married to the man of my dreams, and have this <strike>little</strike> doggy that has stolen my heart…</p> <p align="justify"><img title="" alt="hubby and lilly bug exhuasted from unpacking and painting" src="http://i1073.photobucket.com/albums/w397/Zara_Ashby/480786_10151108569964365_698804275_n_zps61a292b9.jpg"></p> Zarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06768760695704509558noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3281247030121346577.post-59393417120148079632012-10-18T23:00:00.000-06:002012-10-18T23:00:06.629-06:00Friday Letters<p>Another Friday down. What the heck is going on? I can’t believe it’s practically Halloween. It seems that the year just flew by, and I SWEAR it was just yesterday that I was buying Christmas Presents for 2011… I am not ready to do it all over again. </p> <p><img style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto" src="http://i1225.photobucket.com/albums/ee391/ashleyjps2326/Design/fridaysletters.png"></p> <p align="justify"><strong>Dear Cleaning Lady</strong> thank you from the bottom of my heart for my sparkling house! It has not been this clean since the day we closed on it, and it was brand new. My stainless steal appliances are sparkling, my floors are spotless, my bathrooms are high end hotel quality and my shower stall looks like its been replaced. Thank you, thank you, thank you! You rock! AND it’s literally the best money I have every spent. <strong>Dear Lilly</strong>, thank you for sleeping through the night, and not getting me up at 3 am so you can go potty and growl at the wind. <strong>Dear Tina</strong>, thank you for listening and being so awesome. You make Arizona much nicer. <strong>Dear Dad</strong> congrats on the promotion and the raise, you totally deserve it. <strong>Dear Mom, </strong>I’m sorry I don’t call and Skype you every single day, it’s been really busy on this end. I still love you. LOTS. Oh and I’m sorry I got snappy with you yesterday. <strong>Dear Colorado</strong>, I MISS YOU. LOTS. Maybe, I think we should set up a date to meet soon. <strong>Dear husband</strong>, thank you for cleaning out the garage last week. Since today is your day off, can you work on the backyard and maybe clean up the patio? Yes? That would be fantastic. Thankya. <strong>Dear blog, </strong>I’m sorry I’ve kind of abandoned you. Seems like I’ve been a little busier then I thought. Don’t worry, I am not armed with a planner, todo lists, ShootQ and some other awesome organization tools. We’ll find time to be together. PROMISE. <strong>Dear March</strong>, I’m kind of very excited to meet with you this year. It’s going to be awesome. </p> Zarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06768760695704509558noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3281247030121346577.post-56309491777081364392012-10-18T11:54:00.001-06:002012-10-18T11:54:30.799-06:00It’s Okay Thursday<p> </p> <p align="center">It’s been a while since I’ve linked up with Neely for It’s Okay Thursday. So here I am, on this beautiful Thursday afternoon. Sitting in my unorganized office, while someone else cleans my house, writing about what I think is OKAY.</p> <center><a title="Its Ok Thursdays" href="http://www.acompletewasteofmakeup.com/"><img alt="Its Ok Thursdays" src="http://i909.photobucket.com/albums/ac293/munchkin_land_designs/BlogDesigns/Buttons/ItsOkThursdaysButton.png"></a></center> <p align="center">It’s completely and totally OKAY…</p> <p align="justify">… that I am paying someone else to clean my floors, and bathrooms, and appliances and counters and so on. It’s totally worth me spending the money for someone else to make my house look pretty, so that I can spend more time doing things I love, and being productive. </p> <p align="justify">… to crave a latte every morning, and totally okay to give into buying a latte every morning. That $4.00 a day is not going to make me rich.</p> <p align="justify">… to have just ordered several items from Lulu and not feel guilty about it. Good quality and cute workout clothes are a must. And it’s also okay to justify the high price tag by the fact that these items will last me several years. </p> <p align="justify">… to want to photograph women all day long, and to want to make them feel beautiful. </p> <p align="justify">… that I have to get fully dressed, down to my shoes and put on make-up and do my hair to be productive. Even though I work from home. </p> <p align="justify">… that I have 10 pairs of boots, and still want more. A girl can never have too many boots.</p> <p align="justify">… to plan a girls trip to Country Jam. </p> <p align="justify">… that I love country music and husband doesn’t, even though he’s from Texas and I’m not</p> <p align="justify">… to travel alone. I plan on taking 48 hours every year, and going to a new city that I’ve never been to before, and just wondering around photographing all day long. Honestly, traveling alone is maybe one of the best medications anyone could take</p> <p align="justify">… to choose to be happy, no matter what’s going on in our lives. </p> Zarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06768760695704509558noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3281247030121346577.post-88879417522033426282012-10-16T07:00:00.000-06:002012-10-16T07:00:16.078-06:00On Finding Passion<p> </p> <p><img style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto" src="http://i1073.photobucket.com/albums/w397/Zara_Ashby/73676143874738922_alh8PnBQ_c_zps743e5943.jpg" width="212" height="294"></p> <p align="justify">I finally found something I’m passionate about, and it makes all the difference in the world. When selecting a career path at the age of 17 and applying to colleges, having very limited experience in the world, I thought that psychology would be my calling, and not only would I love my job, but I would make lots of money. It turns out, psychology was not my calling. In fact, I hated it. I hated it so much that it didn’t matter how much money I could make. </p> <p align="justify">So after $60k, two years of working for free and an awful lot of biology and chemistry, oh and a piece of paper that states I have a BS in Psychology. I decided that it really wasn’t for me. Instead I picked up a camera, and honestly it wasn’t love at first sight and I never thought I’d want to make a career of it. </p> <p align="justify">Through the years, my camera became my best friend, and I grew to love the beauty that I could capture. I realized that when I look through a lens I see a different world, and I like it. However, I did not realize my passion for photography until I encountered <a href="http://www.inbedwithsue.com/">Sue Bryce</a> and feel completely in love with her beautiful images.</p> <p align="center"><strong><em><font color="#ff0000" size="6" face="Arizona">People are my passion. Specifically women.</font></em></strong></p> <p align="justify">While I love capturing the smile of a newborn, the glow of an expecting mother, the happiness of a family. What I love above and beyond this, with undying passion, is making women look and feel beautiful. </p> <p align="center"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" border="0" src="http://i1073.photobucket.com/albums/w397/Zara_Ashby/01ZA_zps7fec767b.jpg" width="315" height="412"> <img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" border="0" src="http://i1073.photobucket.com/albums/w397/Zara_Ashby/06ZA_zps00eb967d.jpg" width="297" height="413"></p> <p align="justify">Every woman, no matter their age, size, and personal opinion about themselves, is beautiful. AND they DESERVE to have beautiful portraits of themselves. Not simply to feel beautiful for one day, but as a reminder that we are all absolutely perfect the way we are. </p> <p align="justify"><img style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto" src="http://i1073.photobucket.com/albums/w397/Zara_Ashby/09ZA_zps28901285.jpg" width="660" height="438"></p> <p align="justify">Finding your passion should be the first thing you do, before settling for a career. Without passion the days are just long and the weekends not long enough. I’ve found that since, I came to my revelation and discovered what I really love to do, my days have been much more exciting and productive. Not only while I work on my personal photography but also in my 9 to 5 job, my home, relationship and life in general. </p> <p align="justify">Believing in and loving what we do is the only way to live. I find that while I’d like to make lots more money, and could find a job that would pay me twice as much as I currently make between <a href="http://chimpsy.com/" target="_blank">Chimpsy</a> and photography, I love where I am in life and wouldn’t trade it. </p> <p><img style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto" src="http://i1073.photobucket.com/albums/w397/Zara_Ashby/96123773266208665_WKAPqjdD_c_zpsb70cbf2a.jpg" width="324" height="219"></p> Zarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06768760695704509558noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3281247030121346577.post-34174783031535417932012-10-15T07:00:00.000-06:002012-10-15T07:00:04.496-06:00Where is home?<p><img style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto" src="http://i1073.photobucket.com/albums/w397/Zara_Ashby/HomeHeart01_01_zpsdecd6b04.jpg"></p> <p align="justify">For the past six months I’ve been trying to adjust to the fact that I know call sunny and hot Arizona my home. And still refer to my beautiful Colorado as my true home. However, I caught myself calling Armenia home just the other day when a client asked how my trip was and I answered with “there’s no place like home.” This last conversation really made me wonder what a home is and how we define it. </p> <p align="justify">The conclusion I came up with is that home isn’t really just one place, home can be anywhere and almost anything. A home can even be a car, a spouse, a child or a pet. Home is where we’ve left a part of our hearts and in return received a part of someone elses.</p> <p align="justify">I have many homes, and I enjoy traveling between them, and knowing that I am always loved and welcomed there. I have a home in Armenia with my grandmothers, cousins, and aunts. I have a home in Colorado with my parents and brother and friends. I have a home here in Arizona with my husband and Lilly. These are just a few of the homes I have. </p> <p align="justify"><img style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto" src="http://i1073.photobucket.com/albums/w397/Zara_Ashby/139330182192097524_ox2fUObe_c_zpse3f24b2b.jpg"></p> <p align="justify">Everywhere we go, we leave a part of our hearts, we forever give a part of ourselves to that place, that person, that thing, and they forever give a part of themselves to us. </p> <p align="justify">I find myself liking the idea that my home is truly anywhere where I choose to be happy and where I have loved. Sometimes, I find myself feeling the most at home on the road, in my car with Lilly. Sometimes, it’s sitting across a dinner table from husband. Other times its talking to my dad over the phone, or chatting with my mom over Skype. And yet other times it’s having lunch with my grandfather at our favorite Panera. </p> <p align="justify">Home is where our heart is. Home is being with the people we love. Home is where we choose to be happy and create memories that last a lifetime. </p> Zarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06768760695704509558noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3281247030121346577.post-19437793912502898732012-09-11T07:00:00.000-06:002012-09-11T07:00:04.471-06:00A Day to Remember and Celebrate Life<p align="center"> </p> <p align="center">Today marks the 11th anniversary of September 11th, and the 28th birthday of my dear husband. </p> <p align="center"><iframe height="480" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/AW8puRqE4Sc" frameborder="0" width="640" allowfullscreen></iframe></p> <p align="justify">I was in 8th grade, walking into my homeroom class. I remember looking up at the TV and thinking it was some kind of a movie preview. To this day I cannot wrap my head around the amount of hatred in this world, and what leads people to commit such acts of violence. In all honestly, I don’t think I will ever understand it. </p> <p align="justify">Today, I’d just like to say thank you to those that rushed into help, for those that gave up their lives, and for all those that stood up to fight terrorism across the globe. </p> <p align="justify">As a nation, we’ll never forget 9/11, however we’re able to heal and move on. Today, my parents are getting on a London bound flight to go visit family in Europe. Today, they fly with full confidence that nothing will happen, however they too remember the significance of the day. </p> <p align="justify">Today, D turns 28. It was his 17th birthday 11 years ago. He remembers what he wore, where he parked his car, and what he did that day. I don’t think he will ever have another birthday that sticks in his head as much as the one 11 years ago did. </p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-tL8csPvlTCk/UE4rvWEk6qI/AAAAAAAAOt8/TepAK0Kkk3E/s1600-h/IMG_1558%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1558" border="0" alt="IMG_1558" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqeWAujtWrkZNg0ZqsiYhbGnxrEOi7EaPmrxft1CyTUUL5hLrMYTyvujdxy6YELWZykn_3BSCffCzj7ou4XNsz0aQEopSFFxHXTt5QpLbAiq6q6G9jo6eZwmwrrQod2eFWmG8bic9GF1oL/?imgmax=800" width="262" height="359"></a></p> <p align="justify">Today, I’ll remember all the victims and heroes as well as their families. Today, I will think about my parents and check on their flight as they make a 10 hour flight across the ocean. Today, I will celebrate my husband’s birthday with a taco bar and a Batman cake. </p> Zarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06768760695704509558noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3281247030121346577.post-33024557901619860062012-09-10T11:04:00.001-06:002012-09-10T11:04:12.325-06:00Well Hello Internet<p>It seems that this little blog of mine has taken the backseat as other things unfold in my life. Life has been hectic and this poor little blog got ignored for a while but I think I’ve finally found the time to be back at it. </p> <p>I’ve been doing a lot of back and forth between Tucson and Denver lately, and as a matter of fact Lilly and I are getting ready to head back to Denver on Wednesday. I’ve also been spending some time turning half of my house into a photography studio, working with some fantastic women to put together several events that will start up in October and hopefully keep on going. AND working away at <a href="http://chimpsy.com/" target="_blank">Chimpsy</a>, getting things ready for the big lunch of our Aspiring Pro program. It’s going to be epic!</p> <p>I wanted to pop in and say hello really fast, and let you all know that I’m doing good, just busy and that I will be back tomorrow with some more exciting stuff. </p> <p>For now, I’ll leave you with a few of my favorite shots from this past week and weekend. If you want to see more, head on over to the <a href="http://www.facebook.com/ZAshbyPhotography">Facebook</a> page and the <a href="www.zashbyphotos.com">website</a>! </p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXLV-KIOlXKq0pzamzoBvDJePOrbd3g_ltv7b-ZVJPZLAwuRAhNLVkkwWk-rvHkDY-KaLiRH8rngCUAQWVt3ZX6c9t7AsXgBEQ1Aq5G3QAxTL2BaD1DR3RuQjN0gHJHPtYE_D_WYQ9zVnL/s1600-h/Ashley%25252009%2525202%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Ashley 09 2" border="0" alt="Ashley 09 2" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-avWxUbK-ZLs/UE4dfpiXqfI/AAAAAAAAOsc/3gqQfZa9Ljw/Ashley%25252009%2525202_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="211" height="301"></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-FcyFo13IywQ/UE4dgCnALYI/AAAAAAAAOsk/nV_fU-cZE7g/s1600-h/01%252520Megan%2525201%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="01 Megan 1" border="0" alt="01 Megan 1" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-leO620Rqjgg/UE4dg5zubTI/AAAAAAAAOss/BiOJq8c5Ok0/01%252520Megan%2525201_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="179" height="301"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-GCHk2dzr1Jw/UE4dhDY4p6I/AAAAAAAAOs0/ARE53xKc0W8/s1600-h/01%252520Bri%2525201%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="01 Bri 1" border="0" alt="01 Bri 1" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-oCMBNJEs0KQ/UE4dhjGiAGI/AAAAAAAAOs8/1wm_zf9lCiw/01%252520Bri%2525201_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="218" height="302"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-XqKNjCirbfQ/UE4dh7XLWcI/AAAAAAAAOtE/Hlpf9SZHBaU/s1600-h/01%252520-%252520Jen%2525203%252520ZA%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="01 - Jen 3 ZA" border="0" alt="01 - Jen 3 ZA" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-BgQ7exkru_I/UE4di8CmJ2I/AAAAAAAAOtM/eYeQLgjbEvI/01%252520-%252520Jen%2525203%252520ZA_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="392"></a></p> <p align="center">Hope you all have a wonderful Monday! </p> Zarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06768760695704509558noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3281247030121346577.post-67816177832670245882012-07-23T10:27:00.001-06:002012-07-23T10:27:45.710-06:00A Senseless Killing<p align="justify">I haven’t had the energy to put all my thoughts in order regarding the terrible events in the city that I grew up in, in a movie theater that I went to. This one hits closer then Columbine for me, as I moved to Colorado the year of the Columbine shooting. </p> <p align="justify">I woke up on Friday morning, and grabbed my phone to check the weather and the news. When I read that there was a shooting in Aurora it didn’t even cross my mind that it was Aurora, Colorado until I saw the next article which stated the name of the state. </p> <p align="justify">The AMC 16 was just down Chambers Rd from the house that I grew up in. The theater and the mall are about a 15 minute drive from my childhood home. And while as teens and young adults we preferred to go to the newer movie theaters built on the south side of town, we’ve seen quite a few movies at AMC 16. </p> <p align="justify">I can’t even explain the numbness that I’ve been walking around with. My mother-in-law texted me that one of the victims was once a student of hers, a sweet girl who wanted nothing but to help others. Another one of the victims (Alex Sullivan) was a year younger that hubs and graduated from the same school. While D said that he had not knowing him personally, he had crossed paths with him in high school. What’s even sadder is that I knew his wife. Not closely, we went to school together, so I knew of her and had spoken to her a few times here and there. <img style="border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none" class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-sadsmile" alt="Sad smile" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVca58SjtlBYVo81kCxkHsgLMEQOvmsWQMykKnHJ0U4Pq26htGQBG-HtM7ra0u4SPQYHh6fAowWEiryMgXebydtIcSIpZBXGeTNBQeS1zGKtmCHFO5aMFf-N1TcDRl5dkUE2jT8NxbKQpp/?imgmax=800">They were getting ready to celebrate their 1st year of marriage, and some idiot loner decided that he would take it into his own hands to stop these newlyweds from a wonderful life together. </p> <p align="center"><object id="flashObj" width="480" height="270" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=9,0,47,0"><param name="movie" value="http://c.brightcove.com/services/viewer/federated_f9?isVid=1&isUI=1" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><param name="flashVars" value="videoId=1749963203001&playerID=1684512070001&playerKey=AQ~~,AAAAB_wnNRk~,WN9MweAQd_td0WdYChlxOiyDQsJXaTMM&domain=embed&dynamicStreaming=true" /><param name="base" value="http://admin.brightcove.com" /><param name="seamlesstabbing" value="false" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="swLiveConnect" value="true" /><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always" /><embed src="http://c.brightcove.com/services/viewer/federated_f9?isVid=1&isUI=1" bgcolor="#FFFFFF" flashVars="videoId=1749963203001&playerID=1684512070001&playerKey=AQ~~,AAAAB_wnNRk~,WN9MweAQd_td0WdYChlxOiyDQsJXaTMM&domain=embed&dynamicStreaming=true" base="http://admin.brightcove.com" name="flashObj" width="480" height="270" seamlesstabbing="false" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowFullScreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" swLiveConnect="true" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/shockwave/download/index.cgi?P1_Prod_Version=ShockwaveFlash"></embed></object></p> <p align="justify">This is the video from 9News.com, of the initial court appearance of the jackass who doesn’t seem to even care that he is more than likely to be faced with the death penalty. Thank God Colorado still has capital punishment as an option. </p> <p align="left"> Personally, I believe that the death penalty is too simple of a get away for this asshole. However, I don’t believe that he deserves a life in prison that we would have to pay for with our tax dollars. </p> <p align="left">My heart goes out to all the victims, their families and friends. I’m heartbroken that I cannot be in my community doing something to help those in need. </p> <p align="left">Please hold your loved ones close, tell them you love them and make sure that you don’t go to bed mad. We never know when a psycho like this will decided to end more lives. </p> Zarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06768760695704509558noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3281247030121346577.post-35301773731655031392012-07-19T22:43:00.001-06:002012-07-19T22:43:39.546-06:00Dear Friday<p align="center"><a href="http://comeoneileen86.blogspot.com" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="Photobucket" src="http://i1225.photobucket.com/albums/ee391/ashleyjps2326/Design/fridaysletters.png"></a></p> <p align="center">You must really be joking me as there is no way it can actually be Friday already?! AND I guess technically it is still Thursday, but for most of the world it is in fact Friday. On top of it it’s the 19th of JULY! Is anyone else seeing the time zoom by. I seem to have a to-do list that is longer then the hours in the year, and I feel very unaccomplished these past few weeks. Should probably revisit my goals from last the beginning of the month. </p> <p align="center"><strong>Dear Lilly</strong>, you gave me a heck of a time this week. First I come home to you having devoured a whole bag of sandwich bread. Then that same night, you decided that it would be a really good idea to jump on mom and dad’s bed and PEE on it. Really bug? Is this what we have taught you? <strong>Dear Time</strong>, please slow down. I need to catch my breath. <strong>Dear Leia</strong>, I love you for kicking my butt. Even know my butt is literally sore and I am loving being back at the gym and having some guidance as to what I need to do. <strong>Dear Photography Clients</strong>, thank you, from the bottom of my heart for the repeat business and for all the referrals. You guys rock and be advised that I will be starting a referral/repeat customer program that you <em>will LOVE</em>. <strong>Dear photographers who give out digital negatives</strong>, please stop. It’s really hurting the industry and not doing anything for your sales or reputation. Just think of all the people re-editing your photos and then getting them printed at Wal-Mart. <em>Terrified yet?</em> <strong>Dear Leia</strong>, thank you for the pep talk the other day, while my butt was getting kicked. <em>You got to know that you are worth it!!!</em> It’s helped a lot this week. <strong>Dear Husband</strong>, I’m sorry that you hurt your finger yesterday while trying to do laundry, and NO a hurt figure is not an excuse to never ever ever do laundry again. <strong>Dear Colorado</strong>, I will see you in 12 days! That’s right, I’m counting down. <strong>Dear Bed</strong>, you are calling my name, BUT there’s a discussion that needs to be done for school. </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center">Finally, <strong>Dear Weekend</strong> be kind to me. I’m on call all day Saturday and Sunday. Let’s hope for good weather and no issues in ANY of my cities. </p> Zarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06768760695704509558noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3281247030121346577.post-18838558923722677772012-07-18T07:00:00.000-06:002012-07-18T07:00:11.764-06:008 Fears<p> </p> <p>Sometimes life takes you by surprise, and this month is taking me by surprise for sure. I can’t believe that today is the 18th of July! Holy COW where does time go?</p> <p>I have another full week in AZ and then off to Denver I go. In fact two Wednesday’s from now, I’ll be either in Colorado or very close to being in Colorado. It all depends on the driving and the dog. </p> <p>Keeping up with my 10 Days of <em>me</em> Challenge, here are 8 of my greatest fears. </p> <p><img style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqiVxt5mBMX6Eo8MhQrdkNnvqeXW8YdpE63QAGtSVtsDjEgudj1Tz7i13ZsuffAr_R4fqssiNaRRmE_qEsBv-zS_-gU_yJ6L1JXSVUP8KBN_qpNiHrm6R6xd-DAun8PaCUK75E35AjmL07/s1600/10_day_you_challenge.JPG"></p> <p>1. <strong>Losing my husband or anyone else I love.</strong> None of us are immortal. BUT boy do I wish we could all be vampires and sparkle and live on forever. How cool would that be? I have a very real and at the same time irrational fear of losing someone close to me, including Lilly the dog. I sometimes will try to imagine my life without them, and will randomly start crying. It’s that bad. </p> <p>2. <strong>Cancer</strong>. I’m not so much afraid of dying as I am of cancer. I fear it above all other deadly illnesses. You would think I’d be better about getting annual check ups and such with this fear of mine, however I’m even more afraid of someone telling me that there is something wrong with me or my test results are abnormal. </p> <p>3. <strong>Spiders and anything else that crawls, creeps, slithers and so on.</strong> HATE them. We kept finding black widows in our back yard and front porch and I swear I was having nightmares about waking up to one dangling above my head. ARGH</p> <p>4. <strong>Disappointing/Letting down people.</strong> I don’t know if this is really a fear, but I hate it. I know sometimes I end up doing it anyways, but I simply can’t stand it. I like to make people happy.</p> <p>5.<strong> Losing my wedding ring.</strong> I know I’ve talked about getting a new ring, and how when we got mine, it’s really all we could afford and so on. BUT I do love my ring for what it stands, and what it means to me. I’d never trade it in for another ring (as in I would not get rid of it, I’d just wear it on my right hand or something). BUT I have a fear of losing it. For example, I usually leave it at home if I’m going to be lifting weighs, and every time I look down at my hand I am terrified that I lost it. </p> <p>6. <strong>Car accidents </strong>scare the living daylight out of me. When I see one, I always start to visual how it happened and then start thinking of what one had to do, then start putting myself in that position. And then I have to distract myself by something else otherwise I’ll probably end up in an accident myself. </p> <p>7. <strong>Sick babies</strong>. I am terrified that my children will be born with disabilities or deformations. AND I know this is going to get me some hate mail, BUT if I knew that my child would have disabilities/deformations/life threatening illnesses, I would abort my pregnancy (if I still had the chance). I feel very strongly about bring a child into this world who would not have the same quality of life as a healthy baby. </p> <blockquote> <p><em>JUST A NOTE</em> <em>this is my personal opinion, my personal choice, and my body. My husband feels the same exact way, so please don’t preach to me how wrong it is. If you don’t agree, then lets just agree to disagree. </em></p></blockquote> <p>8. <strong>Not being good enough</strong>. This goes in all aspects of my life. I’m afraid that I may not be a good enough daughter, granddaughter, wife, friend, sister, dog mom and future mom. I am afraid that I am not a good enough employee, and a co-worker. Or that I’m not a good enough student or a photographer and so on. </p> <p align="center">_______________________________</p> <p align="center">There you have it. My 8 greatest fears. </p> <p align="center">What are you afraid of? How do you cope with these fears?</p> Zarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06768760695704509558noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3281247030121346577.post-78397306144615446622012-07-15T07:00:00.000-06:002012-07-15T07:00:06.624-06:00I’m going home!!<p>I feel like you can never have too many homes. For example, our home is here in Arizona, but I consider Denver home as well, since I’ve grown up there and my family is still there. However, my first real home has and will always be Yerevan, Armenia, and I get to go back in two months and 3 days. <p>My Dad called me this morning, as I was reluctantly getting up at 6 AM to take Lilly out and feed her, to tell me that he was booking my ticket. This was great news, as we wont have the money to pay for the ticket until later this month, and the price would have most likely gone up. Now, I just have to get my name fixed in my passport and pack my camera! <p>The sad part is, that I’ll only be in Yerevan for 3 full days, then leave for London and spend another 3 there before heading back home to Denver, and then flying back to Tucson. I cannot wait to see my grandmothers, and my aunt, cousins and above all my adorable new niece. <p>So today’s Sunday Social questions are perfect for me and my travel mood. <center><a title="Sunday Social" href="http://www.acompletewasteofmakeup.com/"><img alt="Sunday Social" src="http://i909.photobucket.com/albums/ac293/munchkin_land_designs/BlogDesigns/Buttons/SocialSundayButton3.png" width="195"></a></center> <p> <p align="center"><strong>Best trip you've ever been on: </strong>It’s really hard to pick one trip that was “the best” as each trip I’ve taken has been unique in its own way. There have been a few trips that have just been awful. BUT if I had to pick one trip that was the best, I’d say my last trip to Austria with my brother. We were just flying through Vienna on our way to meet family, and had a 12 hour layover. We got into Vienna at about 6 AM and the city was still asleep. So we walked around the streets of downtown, hung out in a park for a little while, then when the city started waking up we got some breakfast at a small little coffee shop right on the street of Vienna. It was the shortest 12 hours I’ve spent anywhere, and it was a great time with my baby brother. I think it’s where our relationship really solidified into the one we have today, from the kiddy/bickering one we had before. </p> <p align="center"><br><strong>Best idea for a girls weekend trip: </strong>My beautiful friend Katy and I always talk about a spa trip out of town, but have yet to find the time to do it. Maybe we’ll go to Scottsdale when she comes to visit. Personally, I’d love to spend a weekend in a spa, sipping on margaritas and enjoying the company of beautiful friends. </p> <p align="center"><br><strong>Best idea for a couples trip:</strong> Hands down an all-inclusive beach vacation. Mexico is ideal. Especially when there is lots of alcohol available, no need to drive and the beautiful ocean steps away. We’re actually working on a trip in November for our anniversary and talking our friends on coming along. I don’t think they really need lots of convincing. <img style="border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none" class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-smile" alt="Smile" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ewzEskkj6_M/UAI_qMUFpNI/AAAAAAAAH2U/R6X1aJKQIgs/wlEmoticon-smile%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800"> </p> <p align="center"><br><strong>Best vacation on the cheap:</strong> Humm, staycation?! Haha. We’ve found some amazing deals on Groupon for getaways! My in-laws celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary this year, and we got them a deal off of Groupon for Las Vegas. They loved it!!! We’ve also managed to do a trip to Vegas with flight, hotel, food, and entertainment for under a $1000 for the 4 days! </p> <p align="center"> <br><strong>Place you most want to visit:</strong> A better question is a place I don’t want to visit. I’d love to go to Paris once every season so I can photograph it in all of it’s beauty. However, my current “want” is to go to Belize, the diver’s paradise! </p> <p align="center"><br><strong>Vacation/Travel necessities: </strong>This is a good question. I use to be a complete overpacker and would take everything under the sun. In the last few years, I’ve been able to really narrow down what I really need on a trip. For example, my trip to Armenia, I’m going to take my camera gear and a small carry on with my clothing, and this is what I’ll most likely include:</p> <ol> <li> <div align="center">Camera body, prime lens, zoom/telephoto lens, flash, CF cards, and other minor gear</div></li> <li> <div align="center">A dress, something that can be dressed up or down</div></li> <li> <div align="center">Pair of jeans, usually something that’s a little bit more loose and comfortable</div></li> <li> <div align="center">A pair of comfortable flats</div></li> <li> <div align="center">Sunglasses</div></li> <li> <div align="center">Toothbrush</div></li> <li> <div align="center">Facewash</div></li> <li> <div align="center">Sports bra!!!!</div></li> <li> <div align="center">Phone</div></li> <li> <div align="center">Laptop</div></li></ol> <p align="center">The end!</p> Zarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06768760695704509558noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3281247030121346577.post-58779413656360084202012-07-12T22:28:00.001-06:002012-07-12T22:31:33.266-06:00Dear Friday…<p align="center">I cannot believe you are here. What is going on?! Where did my week go?</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://comeoneileen86.blogspot.com" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="Photobucket" src="http://i1225.photobucket.com/albums/ee391/ashleyjps2326/Design/fridaysletters.png"></a></p> <p><strong>Dear Lilly</strong> I really don’t appreciate your whining every <em>single</em> morning at 6 AM sharp, especially when my back is as sore as can be. I do appreciate your snuggles thought, after you’ve been let out and realize that you are NOT getting me out of bed. <strong>Dear husband,</strong> thank you for letting the dog out this morning, and for making delicious dinner tonight. <strong>Dear baby Matthew</strong>, thank you for letting me get a few good shots of you, even though you kicked and screamed and hollered the whole time. AND then fell asleep as we gave up on you. <strong></strong></p> <p><strong><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-FNVx_Tlyp1k/T_-kmJ2Dc_I/AAAAAAAAHrY/Z91QaSZs53Q/s1600-h/01%252520ZA%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="01 ZA" border="0" alt="01 ZA" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-0c7nI2w5XxY/T_-koKGyNPI/AAAAAAAAHrg/UnSmKiNpxGs/01%252520ZA_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="440"></a></strong></p> <p><strong>Dear baby Logan</strong>, thank you for actually posing for me. Who knew that an almost two week old could be such a great model. We’re going to have lots of fun for your six month and one year photos! </p> <p><strong><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-SvgDX-DMULg/T_-kol7MLGI/AAAAAAAAHro/c10Hh8ylNn4/s1600-h/02%252520ZA%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="02 ZA" border="0" alt="02 ZA" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-wRXK5WNFQ4c/T_-ko4BECuI/AAAAAAAAHrw/2LsphRL-cU4/02%252520ZA_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="431"></a></strong></p> <p><strong>Dear blog friends</strong>, thank you for being here, for supporting and inspiring. <strong>Dear Sal Cincatto </strong>where have you been all my life? Thank you for giving me a good business lesson and sending me on my way to success. <strong>Dear Lightroom 4</strong>, are you worth the $79 upgrade from Lightroom 3? </p> Zarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06768760695704509558noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3281247030121346577.post-24940476476485573682012-07-12T10:00:00.000-06:002012-07-12T10:00:07.463-06:00Office colors & It’s Okay Thursday<p align="justify">I am not really sure where time is going, but I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, it’s flying. I’ve got too many things to do and not enough hours in the day. </p> <p align="justify">This week has been full of work, changes to the photography biz, and workouts. Yes, you heard right, this lazy butt is back in the gym. AND it’s very evident in the way that I <strike>walk</strike> hobble around. </p> <p align="justify">I think I’ve finally decided on the colors I want to do my office in, and might have even found furniture for it all. Along with artwork and so on. </p> <p align="center">Here are the different color set’s I’m considering:</p> <p align="center"><img alt="salted tones" src="http://media-cache-ec4.pinterest.com/upload/43769427599222648_Oyc40645_f.jpg" width="189" height="216">'<img alt="bathroom?" src="http://media-cache-ec4.pinterest.com/upload/263108803200053272_1wVL3YzS_f.jpg" width="224" height="216"></p> <p align="center"><img alt="tiled hues" src="http://media-cache-ec4.pinterest.com/upload/43769427599171858_axFDRies_f.jpg" width="438" height="406"></p> <p align="center"></p> <p align="center"></p> <p align="center">Here is the bookcase I am thinking about. I also found a plain black writing desk and a file cabinet. </p> <p align="center"><img alt="Home Carson Adjustable Shelf Horizontal Bookcase - Ebony Black" src="http://img2.targetimg2.com/wcsstore/TargetSAS//img/p/13/55/13556946_265x265_pad.jpg" width="423" height="423"></p> <p> </p> <p align="center">And here are two of the photos I’ll have printed, mounted and framed.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-tZmcZIXQB84/T_7zfpVmxUI/AAAAAAAAHqw/xXjm80p-k18/s1600-h/Black-and-white-bridge--ZA4.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Black and white bridge ZA" border="0" alt="Black and white bridge ZA" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-YzIG0d-SM6A/T_7zf9qSDKI/AAAAAAAAHq4/b9BiJGkNT5c/Black-and-white-bridge--ZA_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="249" height="384"></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-nDitpQORc8M/T_7zgSzLVfI/AAAAAAAAHrA/DC2CCco0_OY/s1600-h/no-parking-ZA4.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="no parking ZA" border="0" alt="no parking ZA" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7d3W_Zmho212T7sCEKjaL4JCmXgRMgPj4OAayj8fpiYVcvbPTpv0v2CNR7KwWyfm8wDalpGF_JbPA4Wl1Kdd9j14kq7WnPiRZormDnC9BbAOvzj5YA-VLkmhqqkgzij_nyIhcdiX6xQ-S/?imgmax=800" width="249" height="384"></a> </p> <p>So what do you think? I’d like to incorporate a little bit of red into the colors buttt not too much. So I’m thinking the print may be all I have with red in it. Let me know your thoughts!</p> <p align="center">______________________</p> <p align="center">And now to move on to<em> It’s Okay Thursday</em></p> <center><a title="Its Ok Thursdays" href="http://www.acompletewasteofmakeup.com/"><img alt="Its Ok Thursdays" src="http://i909.photobucket.com/albums/ac293/munchkin_land_designs/BlogDesigns/Buttons/ItsOkThursdaysButton.png"></a></center> <p align="center"><strong>It is totally and completely okay that I had a slice of tuxedo turtle cake with my tea last night.</strong> If you haven’t had tuxedo turtle cake (from Fry’s/Kings Soopers) you are missing out. It’s life-altering. SOO GOOD.</p> <p align="center"><strong>It’s okay that I’ve decided to change out my selling structure for my photography biz</strong>. It’s scary not knowing how clients will react to it, but as a business I need to go in a different direction to ensure that I can pay my bills.</p> <p align="center"><strong>It’s okay to be stern with co-workers, even though I feel guilty.</strong> BUT come on, if you want to take on a new task, you better do it 100%, not call me and expect me to do your job for you. It wastes my time. I’d rather just do the task myself, and not sit on the phone for 2 hours giving my input.</p> <p align="center"><strong>It’s okay to be super excited about my trip back to Colorado in two weeks time!!!!</strong></p> <p align="center"><strong>It’s okay to have drank a whole pot of tea by myself.</strong> What can I say, I love tea.</p> <p align="center"><strong>And it’s totally okay to be incredibly in love with my hubs and dog. </strong>It may be a little ridiculous the things I do and say, but at least it’s all out of love. </p> <p align="center">Hope you all are having a wonderful Thursday. I’ll be working my tail off today with lots of <a href="http://chimpsy.com/" target="_blank">Chimpsy</a> things to do and a newborn shoot late on this afternoon. </p> Zarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06768760695704509558noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3281247030121346577.post-20140346052696486892012-07-10T23:26:00.000-06:002012-07-10T23:26:00.349-06:009 Loves!<p align="justify">Happy Hump Day All! It’s now officially the second Wednesday of July! This past weekend was my grandmothers 80th Birthday and as well as my mother in laws birthday (not quite 80 yet). I’m a little sad that I’m so far away from my grandmother, and this July 8th, marks 5 years since I’ve seen either one of my grandmothers. I plan on making a trip out to Armenia in September. Keep your fingers crossed that it doesn’t cost me an arm and a leg, and possibly my first born child. </p> <p><img style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqiVxt5mBMX6Eo8MhQrdkNnvqeXW8YdpE63QAGtSVtsDjEgudj1Tz7i13ZsuffAr_R4fqssiNaRRmE_qEsBv-zS_-gU_yJ6L1JXSVUP8KBN_qpNiHrm6R6xd-DAun8PaCUK75E35AjmL07/s1600/10_day_you_challenge.JPG"></p> <p align="center">To continue on with the challenge, here are 9 loves!</p> <p>1. <strong>First and foremost I love my husband, more than anything in the world</strong>. He drives me insane sometimes. He also makes me so bad I probably shoot sparks out of my ears. But I love him through it all. </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDPPPGmmrMB_Z2xCgydhbLfpGTj9DRDtf_hJkhK_ea6pLbxnVqe00g1ZpYwcFWMkOgKPGv4hkR7Ber6b6QK3VmS5MxZdqfSlUGDr_ZiVmvcILUV9klX6zGnzqyipNdGRWcKsrhH7zV0E5-/s1600-h/Boots3.png"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="Boots" border="0" alt="Boots" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-V5RkpyWXb_g/T_PXfppx15I/AAAAAAAAHZ0/mcFOhX_dMaY/Boots_thumb1.png?imgmax=800" width="331" height="484"></a></p> <p>2. <strong>My family</strong>. This is a no brainer. I could list out every single one of them individually, but that would be cheating. I have the best family ever. Really, my parents and brother are my best friends. There is no way around it. I tell them everything and know everything. I love them to the moon and back.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-dJtw1e9Al1A/T_PXgKDJ48I/AAAAAAAAHZ8/h_Q1ZA6cK7Y/s1600-h/IMG_24844.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_2484" border="0" alt="IMG_2484" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-UCvmKCg-_QM/T_PXghUtCgI/AAAAAAAAHaE/lPmnOPCRaG0/IMG_2484_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484"></a></p> <p>3. <strong>My Lilly Bug.</strong> Of course she gets her on point. I don’t know what I’d do without her around. She keeps me sane. </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-PbwzReZ6oq4/T_PXg3hyYJI/AAAAAAAAHaM/Id_AixJuA3I/s1600-h/IMG_26684.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_2668" border="0" alt="IMG_2668" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-iZWw9fCSPCA/T_PXhaUeheI/AAAAAAAAHaU/Uu--jNatWoM/IMG_2668_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" height="484"></a></p> <p>4. <strong>Good food and friends</strong>. I don’t know anyone who doesn’t love good food and good company.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-8L_ZA6lcGSI/T_PXhuZ49OI/AAAAAAAAHac/ZnG0Kmm4FX4/s1600-h/Elina3.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Christmas Tea and Scone" border="0" alt="Christmas Tea and Scone" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGxWmkO6zv5rLSYKkQpR6dIt4vMKrKBm30ZueAxVCJFZK49jVfklXFO3GKPkKEb5t7raTbtsk0WFwtWQWFDiMV68WEmzoixyrEEkCqq91Af-ket8HUMfN7bQXR42a-2IiNTAhgCSCW7foc/?imgmax=800" width="244" height="169"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Elina" border="0" alt="Elina" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-n48od211gl0/T_PXicGO1BI/AAAAAAAAHas/YuQZCXqLLpg/Elina_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a></p> <p>5. <strong>SHOES!</strong> If you know me even a little bit you totally know and understand this. </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-_jFvF2HT-4c/T_PXig4NehI/AAAAAAAAHa0/QgqGEPNjpwo/s1600-h/551104_10151019984004365_1105287728_.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="551104_10151019984004365_1105287728_n" border="0" alt="551104_10151019984004365_1105287728_n" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Eq90MGZlkwo/T_PXjPp89lI/AAAAAAAAHa8/aKDh9LEjBWE/551104_10151019984004365_1105287728_%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="484" height="484"></a></p> <p>6. <strong>Reading</strong>. I love love love a good book, almost more than anything else! </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-6y7a_Q28sFY/T_PXjjNCeFI/AAAAAAAAHbE/u2YShqfPKbg/s1600-h/03-b5.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="03 b" border="0" alt="03 b" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtto7RhgMHtH1ldm9ldCZdWoXDhy52k87aeLm9AcqfbtSBejmftMLFDDnL1QkpwjoiTxC7bWhv9GEWB3c-3fQyTtedpb9ope1em8E6-KkWDAW3ZqOiX1XvYiMjzzADDpvEJSmpir306hLv/?imgmax=800" width="532" height="484"></a></p> <p>7. <strong>A good glass of wine and my hubby’s margaritas.</strong> You have not tried a good margarita until you’ve had one of my hubby’s creations. Let me tell ya! This man can make a mean margarita!!</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-N-546gbPKbY/T_PXkVAw9jI/AAAAAAAAHbU/WqjrpVw-jjE/s1600-h/144.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="14" border="0" alt="14" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-gp3w3sWuwUQ/T_PXkqhJBsI/AAAAAAAAHbc/AEdL4HQh5Es/14_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="411"></a></p> <p>8. <strong>Cooking</strong>. This one doesn’t really warrant an explanation. I love food, therefore I love cooking.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-NoHJZu1nUXM/T_PXlBqbZaI/AAAAAAAAHbk/lIr_fC75t7Q/s1600-h/IMG_40194.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_4019" border="0" alt="IMG_4019" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Xew-xHgGFn8/T_PXlZ1piMI/AAAAAAAAHbs/8fjyFctZA10/IMG_4019_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="431"></a></p> <p>9. <strong>Photography. </strong></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-SzLDSAZtHlQ/T_PXl2RkpWI/AAAAAAAAHb0/1afs7MqF0BQ/s1600-h/01-c-ZA4.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="01 c ZA" border="0" alt="01 c ZA" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc6tJAUsidzMeJZs4S_V-x2dGMpAHOigxwsodf4rt-oGTSg6gSGPwD6C7HF6uOiZ1z9sAgBYfgeNYWhIpmvRS0dezV4rZEnzlFsUsKhXnrrC67JFPLpKtBCRaE_N53vJjZohJpJ-at-NOJ/?imgmax=800" width="253" height="165"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-PYd-IjvyBUo/T_PXmwwDl1I/AAAAAAAAHcE/cY2EpuVh1Wc/s1600-h/06-ZA3.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="06 ZA" border="0" alt="06 ZA" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-9S5qhTtiJhc/T_PXneRDj1I/AAAAAAAAHcM/QSLb14tOXYU/06-ZA_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a></p> <p> </p> <p align="center">_____________________________</p> <p align="center">I love lots of other things, but these are the first nine that popped into my head. </p> <p align="center">Hope your Wednesday is filled with lots of love <img style="border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none" class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-smile" alt="Smile" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-EDLaNoW4suI/T_PXnottKzI/AAAAAAAAHcU/dcAqbmOrR3w/wlEmoticon-smile2.png?imgmax=800"></p> Zarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06768760695704509558noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3281247030121346577.post-89337718212094205222012-07-08T07:00:00.000-06:002012-07-08T07:00:08.651-06:00Sunday Social–TV edition<div align="justify"> <div align="justify">Hi Sunday, you’re here again and this weekend, unlike the last I am not on call. Which means that yesterday, I actually got to enjoy my day. I’m once again up at the crack of dawn, because Lilly thinks that it’s the perfect time to go out a pee and do a bit of surveillance work around the backyard. She doesn’t realize that mom likes to sleep in, and has decided to never ever ever let me sleep in again. </div> <div align="justify"></div> <div align="justify"></div> <div align="justify">Today’s Sunday Social is all TV. Now, if you know me in real life, you know that we’re not huge TV people. We love movies and certain shows, but paying for cable is really not for us. We had cable for a little while, and paid $200+ a month for it and never really used it. So we turned it off, and haven’t missed it sense. It’s cheaper to watch our favorite shows on their site, or through my dad’s dish subscription online, or just go out and buy the season on DVD and have it to watch on our own terms. </div><br> <center> </center> <center>That being said, here are my answer. </center></div><br> <center> </center> <center><a title="Sunday Social" href="http://www.acompletewasteofmakeup.com/"><img alt="Sunday Social" src="http://i909.photobucket.com/albums/ac293/munchkin_land_designs/BlogDesigns/Buttons/SocialSundayButton3.png" width="195"></a></center><br> <div align="center"><strong>This Weeks Questions: </strong></div> <div align="center"><em><strong>Favorite TV show of the past?</strong></em></div> <div align="justify">Favorite show of the past would have to be Sex and the City. I never really watched the whole thing when it first came out but a few years ago, I got the whole collection and I love just popping it into the DVD player and watching an episode here and there. I love looking back at the style and seeing how it’s changed over the years.</div><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003Z8ZCG6/ref=as_li_ss_il?ie=UTF8&tag=eatshoandbema-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B003Z8ZCG6"><img style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto" border="0" src="http://ws.assoc-amazon.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&Format=_SL110_&ASIN=B003Z8ZCG6&MarketPlace=US&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&tag=eatshoandbema-20&ServiceVersion=20070822" width="128" height="97"></a><img style="border-bottom-style: none !important; margin: 0px; border-left-style: none !important; border-top-style: none !important; border-right-style: none !important" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=eatshoandbema-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B003Z8ZCG6" width="1" height="1"> <br> <div align="justify"> </div> <div align="left">Another one would have to be House. I just love the sarcastic, asshole personality of Dr. House. </div> <div align="center"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0009WPM1Q/ref=as_li_ss_il?ie=UTF8&tag=eatshoandbema-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0009WPM1Q"><img border="0" src="http://ws.assoc-amazon.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=B0009WPM1Q&MarketPlace=US&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&tag=eatshoandbema-20&ServiceVersion=20070822"></a><img style="border-bottom-style: none !important; margin: 0px; border-left-style: none !important; border-top-style: none !important; border-right-style: none !important" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=eatshoandbema-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B0009WPM1Q" width="1" height="1"> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000FVQLIO/ref=as_li_ss_il?ie=UTF8&tag=eatshoandbema-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000FVQLIO"><img border="0" src="http://ws.assoc-amazon.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=B000FVQLIO&MarketPlace=US&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&tag=eatshoandbema-20&ServiceVersion=20070822"></a><img style="border-bottom-style: none !important; margin: 0px; border-left-style: none !important; border-top-style: none !important; border-right-style: none !important" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=eatshoandbema-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B000FVQLIO" width="1" height="1"> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000R9YLKY/ref=as_li_ss_il?ie=UTF8&tag=eatshoandbema-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000R9YLKY"><img border="0" src="http://ws.assoc-amazon.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=B000R9YLKY&MarketPlace=US&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&tag=eatshoandbema-20&ServiceVersion=20070822"></a><img style="border-bottom-style: none !important; margin: 0px; border-left-style: none !important; border-top-style: none !important; border-right-style: none !important" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=eatshoandbema-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B000R9YLKY" width="1" height="1"> </div> <div align="center"><br><strong><em>Favorite TV show currently?</em></strong></div> <div align="center">Game of Thrones has got to be the best show out there right now. We love it. We’re also loving Suits and Burn Notice. </div> <div align="center"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008CLI3TE/ref=as_li_ss_il?ie=UTF8&tag=eatshoandbema-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B008CLI3TE"><img border="0" src="http://ws.assoc-amazon.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=B008CLI3TE&MarketPlace=US&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&tag=eatshoandbema-20&ServiceVersion=20070822"></a> </div> <div align="center"> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0015RRNMA/ref=as_li_ss_il?ie=UTF8&tag=eatshoandbema-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0015RRNMA"><img border="0" src="http://ws.assoc-amazon.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=B0015RRNMA&MarketPlace=US&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&tag=eatshoandbema-20&ServiceVersion=20070822"></a><img style="border-bottom-style: none !important; margin: 0px; border-left-style: none !important; border-top-style: none !important; border-right-style: none !important" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=eatshoandbema-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B0015RRNMA" width="1" height="1"> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001C8W7EQ/ref=as_li_ss_il?ie=UTF8&tag=eatshoandbema-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001C8W7EQ"><img border="0" src="http://ws.assoc-amazon.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=B001C8W7EQ&MarketPlace=US&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&tag=eatshoandbema-20&ServiceVersion=20070822"></a><img style="border-bottom-style: none !important; margin: 0px; border-left-style: none !important; border-top-style: none !important; border-right-style: none !important" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=eatshoandbema-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B001C8W7EQ" width="1" height="1"> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002BWP2BW/ref=as_li_ss_il?ie=UTF8&tag=eatshoandbema-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B002BWP2BW"><img border="0" src="http://ws.assoc-amazon.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=B002BWP2BW&MarketPlace=US&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&tag=eatshoandbema-20&ServiceVersion=20070822"></a><img style="border-bottom-style: none !important; margin: 0px; border-left-style: none !important; border-top-style: none !important; border-right-style: none !important" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=eatshoandbema-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B002BWP2BW" width="1" height="1"> </div> <div align="center"><br><strong><em>Which Reality Show would you NEVER do?</em></strong></div> <div align="center">Any of them. I never got into the whole, let’s watch other peoples lives. I read about them here and there so I know which ones are out there. BUT really, what’s the fascination with sitting on the couch and watching other people live their lives. I’d rather be out there living my own life. </div> <div align="center"><br><strong><em>Which Reality Show would you LOVE to do?</em></strong></div> <div align="center">Again, reality TV is not my thing. BUT if someone was going to pay me to do a reality show, I wouldn’t say now. And honestly, wouldn’t really care what it was about considering I’d be getting paid. That being said, I totally do not blame the likes of Kim Kardashian and Snooki for milking the reality tv industry. </div> <div align="center"><br><strong><em>TV personality/character that you feel is most like you?</em></strong></div> <div align="center">Hahaha. Hubs and I were just talking about this. It’s got to be Donna from Suits. Hubs said that I’m just missing the read hair and the ability to raise just one eyebrow. </div> <div align="center"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPEnZ1ei5qoHGTFx8bCzlr_fBC3S8hzxPgFeunXGZWhWgFnLsTj-iMoxjOPs-dld5PZr8NQyJl1kKlxdtKEk0E3JYHL2huGtBb_KDORVFv_DDG9aSxDnIIVvTD9rpUMA0_7vYqUc80EFhu/s1600/suits-donna.jpg"></div> <div align="center"><br><strong><em>TV character you'd want to date?</em></strong></div> <div align="center">Humm, this is a good one. Harvey because he’s practically my husband just with a law degree. </div><img src="http://www.essentialstyleformen.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/harvey_specter_USA_Suits.jpg" width="640" height="420"><br> <div align="center">_________________________________</div> <div align="center">Hope you all have a great Sunday. </div> <div align="center">We’ll be cooking, cleaning and getting things done today. I start my next class tomorrow morning, and I can’t tell you how much I am not looking forward to having school work again. But got to do what I got to do. </div> Zarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06768760695704509558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3281247030121346577.post-38301248530733151972012-07-05T11:00:00.000-06:002012-07-05T11:01:16.467-06:00Have I told you I love dogs?<p align="justify">It’s true, I love dogs, possibly more than I love children and humans. But I do love children and humans too. I didn’t really know what to title this post, so I went ahead and thought I’d throw out a fact!</p> <p align="justify">Yesterday was the 4th of July. Having a mid-week day off threw me off, and it was strange. I don’t remember ever having a 4th of July that wasn’t attached to a weekend. We did a whole bunch of nothing, and because it started pouring like crazy we (the neighbors and us, we’ve decided we’re just one big household) decided to just get Olive Garden takeout instead of grilling. It was a good decision, and as D pointed out a “very traditional American dinner” … <em>takeout</em>.</p> <p align="justify">In the morning, I met up with Tina, who I bonded with over the hate of hot weather, the love of children, photography and dogs, to take some kiddo only photos. </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-iwBxrABgSTM/T_XIRnjcyqI/AAAAAAAAHeI/QOhuMvW6kS8/s1600-h/02%252520ZA%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="02 ZA" border="0" alt="02 ZA" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-OquCswjHvw4/T_XISBibNxI/AAAAAAAAHeQ/u0cc3FDABDE/02%252520ZA_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="466"></a></p> <p align="center"><em>This beautiful girl is Harley. The baby of the family. She’s a 6 month old Mastiff who is the sweetest thing in the world. </em></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-hCH4QenqqD8/T_XITI5fRbI/AAAAAAAAHeY/3SuI-1vf4ec/s1600-h/08%252520b%252520ZA%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="08 b ZA" border="0" alt="08 b ZA" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Kq7JvmqqmgU/T_XITdlPcWI/AAAAAAAAHeg/gy9QWCEELZs/08%252520b%252520ZA_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="431"></a></p> <p align="center"><em>The eldest child and the only girl (not four legged) in this bunch. Maddie is not only beautiful but she’s also the best big sister ever. She’s one of the select few people who can make Lucas (the baby) laugh!</em></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-A17MSssesmA/T_XITwIgp5I/AAAAAAAAHeo/oiiVishtYIQ/s1600-h/11%252520d%252520ZA%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="11 d ZA" border="0" alt="11 d ZA" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Z-fFJOH18_w/T_XIUvco3uI/AAAAAAAAHew/JyiW4K_Vz2o/11%252520d%252520ZA_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="431"></a></p> <p align="center"><em>DJ is the middle brother, and he loves his hats and posing. </em></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-oLmC6TKtTUc/T_XIU3txtjI/AAAAAAAAHe4/6Uhzz_gyDjw/s1600-h/12%252520b%252520ZA%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="12 b ZA" border="0" alt="12 b ZA" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaXQ0sxBLnW_bYbvtk275Ph2Hvl7NnzuPgPQ4jBNu4gMYbMtucPHrSzG5gcclKrEOX7b8liPOwnb1C3IhsqpTBDjpiTFZQn2S8WoXMSmPvafL8bRDIwbsymow0iBd8K-mPOr0O19jcxpCT/?imgmax=800" width="644" height="431"></a></p> <p align="center"><em>Lucas, also known as Baby. He’s a very quite little guy who likes to smirk, and sometimes lough and smile, but it usually involves Maddie doing all kinds of dances and goofy faces in the background. </em></p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-KnXWHk1WLdM/T_XIWJ6LC7I/AAAAAAAAHfI/S5DfyOnutzE/s1600-h/15%252520ZA%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="15 ZA" border="0" alt="15 ZA" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-iAu_oZh02x8/T_XIWn7QC5I/AAAAAAAAHfQ/rsyz7D5LnCE/15%252520ZA_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="324" height="484"></a> <p align="center"><em>This handsome boy is Jacob, he’s the oldest of the brothers. He takes care of Baby and helps his mama out. </em></p> <p align="center">To see more a few more of this beautiful family check out my photo blog <a href="www.zashbyphotos.com">HERE</a>.</p> Zarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06768760695704509558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3281247030121346577.post-34421468497523741962012-07-04T12:28:00.001-06:002012-07-04T12:28:45.813-06:00Happy Independence Day!<p> </p> <p>Today, I’d like to thank all those who have fought, are fighting and will continue to fight for our freedom. This country, with all it’s faults, is still one of the better places to live in the world. </p> <p align="center">Here are some of my thoughts for today:</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-eoVwajXsO-s/T_SLV4AUqHI/AAAAAAAAHcg/r3Bx8Lasemk/s1600-h/image3.png"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="image" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-YEn8jrhh-Hk/T_SLWYqFWuI/AAAAAAAAHco/z5Qh2DQ7w0o/image_thumb1.png?imgmax=800" width="428" height="340"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-EMxSwaJzvJ4/T_SLWkIUioI/AAAAAAAAHcw/KkUPx6S3Wh0/s1600-h/flag3.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="flag" border="0" alt="flag" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-9NaS1Pt52ec/T_SLXDuMpsI/AAAAAAAAHc4/nvGgfOP0nfg/flag_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="610" height="484"></a></p> <p>My last year of high school I had to write a paper, and I wrote it on government control and power. The process was long, and it took several months to finish the final paper. During this time, my grandfather, a Vietnam and Korea vet, and I talked a great deal about what freedom meant and where this country was going. This was also the years following 9/11 and the passing of the Patriot Act. I clearly remember my grandfather telling me this:</p> <blockquote> <p align="justify"><em>Our forefathers fought, bled and died to give us the rights guaranteed in the constitution and the bill of rights. However, today we happily give away these rights for the sake of security that is not guaranteed. </em></p></blockquote> <p align="justify">At the time, and even more now the words of my grandfather ring true. We are happily giving away our basic rights to sit on our porch and drink beer. Nothing against drinking beer or seating on the porch or enjoying the Fourth of July, but let’s just take a moment and think about what we are giving up and if it is worth the lives that have been laid out to protect the freedoms that we take for granted. </p> <p align="justify">In the <em>Poor Richard’s Almanack</em> published in 1738, Benjamin Franklin writes: <em>Sell not virtue to purchase wealth, nor Liberty to purchase power.”</em> The common paraphrased version of this is: <strong>They that can give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety</strong>.</p> <p align="justify">So today, lets reflect and give thanks for what the 4th July really means to each of us. Lets thank not only soldiers that and veterans but the wives and mothers, their children and those civilians who stand beside them. Let’s thank teachers and historians who have kept record and educated the younger generations on what it means to be American, and what freedom is all about. </p><iframe height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/DWrMeBR8W-c" frameborder="0" width="640" allowfullscreen></iframe> <p align="center"><strong><font size="5"><font style="background-color: #000000"><font color="#0000ff">Have a happy</font> <font color="#ffffff">and safe</font> <font color="#ff0000">Independence day!</font></font></font></strong></p> Zarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06768760695704509558noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3281247030121346577.post-63154617289152886832012-07-04T07:00:00.000-06:002012-07-04T07:00:06.858-06:00A few random facts and a little challenge<p>I’ve seen this little challenge going around, and thought it would be perfect for a Wednesday post… for the next ten week </p> <p><img style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqiVxt5mBMX6Eo8MhQrdkNnvqeXW8YdpE63QAGtSVtsDjEgudj1Tz7i13ZsuffAr_R4fqssiNaRRmE_qEsBv-zS_-gU_yJ6L1JXSVUP8KBN_qpNiHrm6R6xd-DAun8PaCUK75E35AjmL07/s1600/10_day_you_challenge.JPG"></p> <p>So to start off here are 10 “secrets” about me that you probably don’t know. </p> <p>1. <strong>I love cooking.</strong> I cook when I am stressed, when I’m happy, when I miss my mom, when I want to cry, and just because I want to make something yummy. OH and I never really follow a recipe. I get an idea from a recipe and then run with whatever feels right. Usually my food comes out pretty dang good. </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlIeToPcatt6-jO1dn6SoGm58xuFaTX0fhwv3FwGlF5bHd-_j_dYaCDLGUNAdG0TSKF1yNcRVvKwMG24EzDR4fdR6gafY0dtytFEU6rNPx2p2P4a8OO_rtDna3L9bzv3QAHu-k73MywU7i/s1600-h/1%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="1" border="0" alt="1" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-IYMx2QmhQAQ/T_MjwqfeG3I/AAAAAAAAHXo/xwEqCBVUL6I/1_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="528" height="360"></a></p> <p>2. I<strong> am completely and totally in love with my dog</strong>, and I cry when I think about the fact that she’s almost two and Dobermans usually live to about 12, and that means that I only have about 10 years with her. Then I start thinking about all the illnesses out there, and already assume that she’s going to die tomorrow and it makes me an emotional wreck. <em>I’m a baby, I know</em>.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-fbnXtM4iee8/T_Mjw2p5gvI/AAAAAAAAHXw/CgsuLpnWepI/s1600-h/Lilly%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Lilly" border="0" alt="Lilly" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-mXU3Mn5P07Q/T_MjxchIo_I/AAAAAAAAHX4/7ECfVbSptn8/Lilly_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="484"></a></p> <p>3. <strong>The grandfather I always refer to is not actually my biological grandfather</strong>. BUT he’s more of a grandfather then my biological one (Sorry mom). My dad’s father passed away before any of his grandkids were born, and my mom’s dad has always been very distant. Also, the fact that he is on the other side of the world, 12 timezones away, makes it hard to have a relationship. Bob on the other hand has always been there for me, and has taken the role of grandfather completely! I love him to the moon and back!</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-fP9ZZSSMO4Y/T_MjxnsbNQI/AAAAAAAAHYA/hKpQ2ZhDiqc/s1600-h/dad%252520on%252520his%252520bike%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="dad on his bike" border="0" alt="dad on his bike" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-anEMdrwiQLg/T_MjyI8gYFI/AAAAAAAAHYI/fHbpwRLofpk/dad%252520on%252520his%252520bike_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="338" height="245"></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/--bsmykiQlic/T_Mjye07fYI/AAAAAAAAHYQ/krhykfkY3pc/s1600-h/BobB%252520%2525281%252529%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Bob the Cool!" border="0" alt="Bob the Cool!" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-wyYyvh4_9kM/T_Mjy0BtYyI/AAAAAAAAHYY/vP5PpbuMf2U/BobB%252520%2525281%252529_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="242" height="244"></a></p> <p>4. <strong>I am deathly afraid of cancer</strong>. I know most people are too, but I get anxiety over it. I know several people who have had cancer and beat it (grandpa included) BUT it still scares the crap out of me. </p> <p>5. <strong>I hate cleaning, but love a clean house. </strong>I don’t really think this is a secret, and I don’t really know anyone who loves cleaning. But I can’t function if my house is a mess. </p> <p><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-afpXFgLyBRY/T-UXQTtu6TI/AAAAAAAAGjw/VMV6e4TtAek/s621/20120622_180904.jpg"></p> <p>6. <strong>I’ve never changed a diaper in my life.</strong> HA! Its true. I have a ton of baby cousins, and friends with babies, and I’ve babysit for quite a few of them, but never ever ever had to change a diaper. It kind of scares me to think that one day I’ll have kids and will have to change diapers and I’ve never changed one. Good thing I’ve got a neighbor who’s supermom!</p> <p>7. <strong>I love heels and dresses and cute clothing</strong>. This one isn’t really a secret, but what is is the fact that I dress up and sometimes even put on heels just to sit at home and work. I work from home so my dresscode is really none-existent. BUT I feel better when I’m dressed to impress… even if it’s just Lilly that I’m impressing. … PS these past three months I spent in my yoga pants. I think it’s time to get dressed up again <img style="border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none" class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-winkingsmile" alt="Winking smile" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/--D6BEbmq0Nw/T_MjzG7VBgI/AAAAAAAAHYg/aR5Z11wBvv4/wlEmoticon-winkingsmile%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800">.</p> <p>8. <strong>Our house overwhelms me sometimes. </strong>We got this <a href="http://eatshopandbemarried.blogspot.com/2012/07/floorplan-tour.html">big house</a> and it’s brand new, and has so much potential and so many things that need to be done. And while I’m excited to turn it into a home, I’m overwhelmed at what it costs, what to do and so on. </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Hnlgih3lfrE/T_Mjzn44g8I/AAAAAAAAHYo/cukAHOLEd_o/s1600-h/IMG_2538%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_2538" border="0" alt="IMG_2538" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi44MCrwOOZaTZ5dP4s1NlYzdBom5k9LOC9smMb25ABB6s_WM-G7iEDAtxqq5ma_WmIc8fUgs3iq0D7TU55JIWd-3vJFCqwvy1FAE-3t-FADaJARoS5CmbhmLjntJ9G5i6uZFLtu1Jhc7O8/?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484"></a></p> <p>9. <strong>I miss driving my Camaro</strong>. After moving to Arizona we traded in our little cavalier (hub’s beater) and got an SUV (my mom car). This meant that my beautiful hot rod turned into the husbands work car. AND as much as I love my Lilly-mobile, I miss driving a stick shift sports car. </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-LMSHVivxuXY/T_Mj0SWpT4I/AAAAAAAAHY4/AHS9tLO3vYw/s1600-h/20120414_180848%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="20120414_180848" border="0" alt="20120414_180848" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-o19kEySZCP0/T_Mj0sWZzNI/AAAAAAAAHZA/t6ijnlf6Va4/20120414_180848_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484"></a></p> <p>10. <strong>I don’t watch TV</strong>. This probably isn’t a secret for those who know me IRL, but for a lot of people it comes as a shocker. We don’t have cable and don’t miss it. There are a few shows that we’ll get on DVD or stream online once in a while, but honestly I’d rather read a book then watch TV.</p> <p align="center">____________________</p> <p align="center">There you have it! 10 Secrets. If you have any questions or would like me to answer some other questions, please send me a note or leave a comment. I’d be more than happy to.</p> <p align="center">Have a great Hump Day!!!</p> Zarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06768760695704509558noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3281247030121346577.post-73498573965774524042012-07-03T07:00:00.000-06:002012-07-03T07:00:15.311-06:00A Floorplan tour!<p>We’ve been homeowners for 3 months and a few days now. We closed on our very first house on the 26th of March and got our keys on the 28th. As customary in our relationship at least one of us had to be deathly ill. I decided it was my turn to be sick and had not only a sinus infection but also bronchitis!</p> <p>So there weren’t too many photos taken of our house, but I have some from the builder as well (they sent me pictures since we purchased the house online) and a floorplan off the builders site. </p> <p align="center">_______________________</p> <p align="center">Here is the layout of our house. </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-5Hn1FKUHnDk/T_HqGNvjjYI/AAAAAAAAHPY/4uE-21R7Sag/s1600-h/image%25255B7%25255D.png"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="image" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-D5cLeWrwe1o/T_HqGSDaa9I/AAAAAAAAHPg/kxactoJaVL4/image_thumb%25255B5%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="266" height="428"></a></p> <p align="justify">It’s a ranch (one story) and is a little over 2500 sq feet. The reds are the upgrades that were done. We have the bay window in the master, which will look super nice once it’s painted and has furniture. The kitchen was upgraded and has the double ovens plus a gas range. And the front office was turned into a bedroom. There is a lot of room in this house, that we’re not too sure what to do with just yet. Bedroom 3 is being converted into my office. Bedroom 2 is the “theater” room, and has a sleeper sofa, so it acts as a guest bedroom. The front bedroom (Bedroom 4) will be the official guest bedroom as it has the bathroom right next to it and is kind of separated from the rest of the house. </p> <p align="center">___________________________</p> <p align="center">Here are some photos:</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-TsuT1OofvFQ/T_HqGl8L_WI/AAAAAAAAHPo/k63DVh1P708/s1600-h/IMG_2538%25255B11%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_2538" border="0" alt="IMG_2538" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-1n42PCzdAUA/T_HqHJc3RfI/AAAAAAAAHPw/EKaNuUXVnVY/IMG_2538_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484"></a></p> <p align="center"><em>This is the front of our house. The arched window is bedroom 4.</em></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-zmedGAdn1fk/T_HqHawr8lI/AAAAAAAAHP4/M1-23KBV0eY/s1600-h/IMG_2500%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_2500" border="0" alt="IMG_2500" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-qSWzndu0sSQ/T_HqH8NZs9I/AAAAAAAAHQA/BDw_AA7caVQ/IMG_2500_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484"></a></p> <p align="center"><em>This is my favorite part of the whole house! The kitchen! The hallway-looking thing on the right goes to the front door, on the left of that right behind the kitchen is the formal dinning room and a little further down the 3rd bathroom and 4th bedroom.</em></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-O9YdSuhQHh4/T_HqIMcyOnI/AAAAAAAAHQI/XBxB6DNtHDY/s1600-h/IMG_2507%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_2507" border="0" alt="IMG_2507" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-QBFYpTB6sBU/T_HqISzjlKI/AAAAAAAAHQQ/R9TuMPKkNUM/IMG_2507_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484"></a></p> <p align="center"><em>My bay window! I’m obsessed with these things. This will be a future reading nook!</em></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-4wrS56FM71c/T_HqIuTGlDI/AAAAAAAAHQY/MEnslkVgKEw/s1600-h/IMG_2502%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_2502" border="0" alt="IMG_2502" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-rRSNrtursd0/T_HqJMKnghI/AAAAAAAAHQg/meDildp0ll4/IMG_2502_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="284" height="390"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-zaSYeGNwDt4/T_HqJV7apxI/AAAAAAAAHQo/Ck9AbCmEH7k/s1600-h/IMG_2503%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_2503" border="0" alt="IMG_2503" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-dXLJGWjjcKc/T_HqJ-yibXI/AAAAAAAAHQw/OxGH66jrKSc/IMG_2503_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="283" height="388"></a></p> <p align="center"><em>This is the master bath. The counters look like plastic and I hate them. They are purred marble, but we’ll be changing them out in the future to either a tile or a stone. They are pretty easy to clean though.</em></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-CZPVtrNNA2w/T_HqKMGERJI/AAAAAAAAHQ4/THdxkIOFMt0/s1600-h/IMG_2505%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_2505" border="0" alt="IMG_2505" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-fjWrFnHrjjo/T_HqKcnhQCI/AAAAAAAAHRA/uLXpzEeuoPg/IMG_2505_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="325" height="446"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-B2kMpOQLVkk/T_HqK3QSozI/AAAAAAAAHRI/icqdyecKY1c/s1600-h/IMG_2504%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_2504" border="0" alt="IMG_2504" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-dGpYIrozkGo/T_HqLEYjvmI/AAAAAAAAHRQ/pJZjaN8bU-0/IMG_2504_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="324" height="445"></a></p> <p align="center"><em>This is the master closet.This is the view from the master bath. Just imagine that the pictures actually fit together.</em> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-3wt_RysClxI/T_HqLUknUII/AAAAAAAAHRY/lpztHxK0TZg/s1600-h/IMG_2506%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_2506" border="0" alt="IMG_2506" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-7LsjlFtU90s/T_HqLvmenKI/AAAAAAAAHRg/ofxTk83fYuM/IMG_2506_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="256" height="351"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-wecmrKT5fjM/T_HqMMaIlqI/AAAAAAAAHRo/SQU5mLTIfQ4/s1600-h/IMG_2508%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_2508" border="0" alt="IMG_2508" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-eg380ux0CBQ/T_HqMWZ3w-I/AAAAAAAAHRw/eHvKCOrtiBM/IMG_2508_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="254" height="348"></a></p> <p align="center"><em>The photo on the left is taken from the bay window in the master, this is the master door with some of the bedroom, the one on the right is the hallway from the master. On the left of the hallway is the laundry room and at the end, if you turn right, are the two other bedrooms. If you turn left you’ll see the 2nd bathroom and the kitchen.</em></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Z4kwDw9HoaA/T_HqMlI40CI/AAAAAAAAHR4/6-asR6bCm1g/s1600-h/IMG_2509%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_2509" border="0" alt="IMG_2509" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-IyXJCHkABks/T_HqM1PA6nI/AAAAAAAAHSA/syg9UHj5t0I/IMG_2509_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="272" height="373"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-X18Ycc_TbVM/T_HqNBjmRgI/AAAAAAAAHSI/naw5f4O1obs/s1600-h/IMG_2511%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_2511" border="0" alt="IMG_2511" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-NpTB6mBCR0k/T_HqNhOVv1I/AAAAAAAAHSQ/B6dEzyxBM-8/IMG_2511_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="272" height="373"></a></p> <p align="center"><em>The photo on the left is the laundry room, and the one on the right shows the 2nd bath on the left side, a closet/pantry thing next to the bathroom door, and on the right is the door to the garage. You can also see the kitchen and the nook area.</em></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-IaIydX2rez8/T_HqN_XzXDI/AAAAAAAAHSY/s6ImWj0cEWI/s1600-h/IMG_2514%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_2514" border="0" alt="IMG_2514" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-g3H_ww-_iS4/T_HqOLMKOeI/AAAAAAAAHSg/QA-jVBFtky4/IMG_2514_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="301" height="413"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-yvYr1GhNg_E/T_HqOVhp9oI/AAAAAAAAHSo/P7JSBe-Tnsk/s1600-h/IMG_2515%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_2515" border="0" alt="IMG_2515" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-VMY4JRrbnhE/T_HqOsg0jpI/AAAAAAAAHSw/j8Qvn4_jCZw/IMG_2515_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="301" height="413"></a></p> <p align="center"><em>This is the second bathroom. Two sinks! It’s also pretty big!</em></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-FR4f0h8ntnk/T_HqO3p-BvI/AAAAAAAAHS4/QV1qyddt51E/s1600-h/IMG_2517%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_2517" border="0" alt="IMG_2517" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-W9inv8mD5iU/T_HqPYkV99I/AAAAAAAAHTA/M-875q927ng/IMG_2517_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484"></a></p> <p align="center"><em>This is the great room/living room area. You can see the island on the bottom right. So if you are standing in the kitchen this is the view. </em></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-nSYQ7XvY6rA/T_HqPrQ6MZI/AAAAAAAAHTI/qGjJAAHiBPE/s1600-h/IMG_2520%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_2520" border="0" alt="IMG_2520" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCMZdMqMeefjLUh_FDs7HSOXS1JJrJTHNurHAbB7HBhqqyN8c4cCcOy-GVjqxWU5kfksfLqSht7_zbsUdAvTVAcl_K8z11BN0F6CXrImKeOR8lkmDcn2vvgC1aBT5dH1IxdLo3IgZT-rDb/?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484"></a></p> <p align="center"><em>The dining room. Looks just like this right now. Totally empty! Well… there are blinds on the window.</em></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-kDfAD96ylrg/T_HqQZFdNII/AAAAAAAAHTY/zaIqn2fRv5U/s1600-h/IMG_2518%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_2518" border="0" alt="IMG_2518" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-zht22zsvPTQ/T_HqQmqR40I/AAAAAAAAHTg/TjvAAdnYfCk/IMG_2518_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="252" height="346"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Xhk3xehJI-M/T_HqRNFuwqI/AAAAAAAAHTo/3HAnL58sgQI/s1600-h/IMG_2519%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_2519" border="0" alt="IMG_2519" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-CX1qYLo8zo0/T_HqRb1kcUI/AAAAAAAAHTw/h3WEb3IEeQQ/IMG_2519_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="254" height="348"></a></p> <p align="center"><em>On the left is the 3rd bathroom, and the 4th bedroom.</em></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-N2lOiEaG0cE/T_HqRuezS1I/AAAAAAAAHT4/SaGuB5UwiG8/s1600-h/IMG_2521%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_2521" border="0" alt="IMG_2521" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-G0Fwuxb3LSc/T_HqR8zCCXI/AAAAAAAAHUA/0Q7qeub2Krk/IMG_2521_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-G-IW1HfESYw/T_HqSDo3nyI/AAAAAAAAHUI/X8UnziM9IBw/s1600-h/IMG_2523%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_2523" border="0" alt="IMG_2523" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Ak-nCrOKnWo/T_HqSuM_hjI/AAAAAAAAHUM/YzpNNYz6MP8/IMG_2523_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p align="center"><em>The island is HUGE. I am leaning on the corner of it just so you can see the size of the dang thing. We didn’t realize how big it was, but we love it. We also like that the sink and stove are on the wall not on the island. It gives us a ton of room when we’re cooking or entertaining. We have six barstools around it right now!</em></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-0LVp-Pdybdk/T_HqTDx1PxI/AAAAAAAAHUY/LE_2nh_Hs9E/s1600-h/IMG_2516%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_2516" border="0" alt="IMG_2516" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBfmmMSqfegTeCX2Szr13yzcPbUwqJ0VHBoCk6FenlOPjIL5xiAqwrrxOcxBC4frOOEUe-xZ4Imz10BpwbnXSvu2DrINsfIkILQfyM_n-8Mowx0opU5SX61Hp27iougerZPjVYiQqz0AlO/?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-d6jJ7my0kBc/T_HqTjPhkBI/AAAAAAAAHUo/oNV7hVhR-1Q/s1600-h/IMG_2524%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_2524" border="0" alt="IMG_2524" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-1VaSqfcverI/T_HqUDzEzKI/AAAAAAAAHUw/NMzRTaoTDgI/IMG_2524_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPlZbwHL01nAUWTjLRYh9LRk8XgaqpncbU6lqLPfdBAire7hOIYHXpEM0rztb7QrsVp6FnSBXo2quRdjlUeR22e0rBCO4tyoBluXYMZTOh_jVHAVtWMVbZjCP83LFyX8eKeH12n0zVEwv9/s1600-h/IMG_2522%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_2522" border="0" alt="IMG_2522" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-zkHczMqdPKY/T_HqUjqf2gI/AAAAAAAAHVA/Ks4eGW7D93E/IMG_2522_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a></p> <p align="center"><em>We have a little nook area right by the pantry. This is where all the formal dinner dishes go. I want to change out the cabinet doors to glass ones down the line.</em> <em>The kitchen has a ton of storage and a bunch of light.</em> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-PNeiEh2qjeY/T_HqVJcnJdI/AAAAAAAAHVI/qDSFB6CuWzg/s1600-h/IMG_2526%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_2526" border="0" alt="IMG_2526" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvyYNVCyTMGycF7COl5jTJpAOmTpF4IcZT_Fhkwpe36oDwbZ521WjW06z8fC8aS55sMNMfo8UOP2XOFFQlVnS8jNirZH5IUZ2INu414iRFojgE7WHfB8hyphenhyphendMOLp5Rf0VMcwVLI_MhDPfZ3/?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/--MeiAq_64N0/T_HqVqpGcxI/AAAAAAAAHVY/JR3APBcYzxc/s1600-h/IMG_2525%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_2525" border="0" alt="IMG_2525" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ELX4yEUlakM/T_HqV4KF1tI/AAAAAAAAHVg/_P4wZ0b6DG0/IMG_2525_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p align="center"><em>I love the range! It’s gas and heats up super fast. I hate the sink. The stainless steal stains soooo much. I want to change it out to a black sink. Again, down the line.</em></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-D22f8xZPDNA/T_HqWcFuWAI/AAAAAAAAHVo/lghFqgjE-v8/s1600-h/IMG_2527%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_2527" border="0" alt="IMG_2527" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ciw0iSHZa3w/T_HqWrJcvOI/AAAAAAAAHVw/ol75zFVtQw8/IMG_2527_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Bte80GD3f5o/T_HqW0vXPaI/AAAAAAAAHV4/pYVI8x-nQOs/s1600-h/IMG_2528%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_2528" border="0" alt="IMG_2528" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-iMXZt2OkMtA/T_HqXOxE2LI/AAAAAAAAHWA/7-UyRbH-wzk/IMG_2528_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-oUQa5u5qIRI/T_HqXgya4vI/AAAAAAAAHWI/XpBJpGb0DPI/s1600-h/IMG_2529%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_2529" border="0" alt="IMG_2529" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-wdtXuOO49rA/T_HqX1eWT_I/AAAAAAAAHWU/zRa-5r7iZ20/IMG_2529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-UBZkxhR2aLQ/T_HqYGDq5gI/AAAAAAAAHWc/qcoLrshSvLc/s1600-h/IMG_2531%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_2531" border="0" alt="IMG_2531" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-PrEV8IepjrY/T_HqYphhrCI/AAAAAAAAHWk/Zp8LSrF9oXE/IMG_2531_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484"></a></p> <p align="center"><em>And that is that! We are painting the underside of the island a dark brown so that the legs don’t stick out like sore thumbs.</em> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-bnFUCw7gJ-4/T_HqYywKz3I/AAAAAAAAHWs/vOJNM67hYJE/s1600-h/IMG_2532%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_2532" border="0" alt="IMG_2532" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPgtoPDHl8TfcZs0WYNHTcJngAcUCGc2pe_eOeuu5H4pjpHRo0XNqsghhnWCQ2nPVBx0CVYvtEKVgyjP1hwXP7o8jnCJsCM8n3IxrMUiKqADEESfbFYEFNpAMhAoedBh_R5czunTQW9JeE/?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484"></a></p> <p align="justify">When we drove up on the 28th to get our keys, this was the sign on our garage door. We had to wait around for about an hour for the final okay to come through from the main office so that the building manager could give us the keys. </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-_EJEljbTkUo/T_HqZqeYW7I/AAAAAAAAHW8/wP91v_byxVM/s1600-h/IMG_2533%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_2533" border="0" alt="IMG_2533" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-3jrNkZs7Qro/T_HqaIA3MVI/AAAAAAAAHXE/H7ZTvfSqdhw/IMG_2533_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484"></a></p> <p align="justify">And this photo was taken right after we got our keys. I was ready to pass out. Hubs is pretty much holding me up. The house on the left is the original one we wanted and then had to cancel our contract due to not knowing when we’d move.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-_m6mTm5KuDw/T_Hqah6qqmI/AAAAAAAAHXM/BnwlrWeXS4Q/s1600-h/IMG_2534%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_2534" border="0" alt="IMG_2534" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-8846oEpCm08/T_HqbPKSV1I/AAAAAAAAHXU/8efsmDMo_oU/IMG_2534_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484"></a></p> <p align="center">And for good measure, this was the first day we met Lilly! She made herself comfortable on the tile. In fact, she is laying on it right now as I type this. </p> <p align="justify">There you have it. Our house and our baby girl! We’re really blessed to have been able to afford such a beautiful home, and both the hubs and I are excited for all the little projects that we have planned. Now only if we weren’t lazy and got things done, it would be perfect!</p> <p align="center">Hope you all are having a great Tuesday! </p> Zarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06768760695704509558noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3281247030121346577.post-12444555007685881612012-07-02T10:33:00.001-06:002012-07-02T10:33:53.083-06:00Is it really July?<p align="justify">We’ve officially entered the hottest part of the summer here in Arizona, and it is NOT pretty. It really is super hot, but the monsoons are also here which cools things off. </p> <p align="justify">Our yard is still a mess of dirt, sand, minus material, flagstone, artificial turf and rock. Our master has two walls painted and has all kinds of painting supplies laid out all over. The front bedroom has a quarter of one wall to go with the paint, and needs a trip to the store to get an accent color for the back wall. We did finally get couches but now need two chairs and some pillows to complete the set. AND I could keep going with my list of things that need to be done. </p> <p align="justify">So instead of making a long, drawn out list, I’m just going to write things down as goals and get going on getting things set and done. </p><a href="http://www.littlegirlinthebigworld.com/2012/01/workout-essentials-go-for-goal.html" target="_blank" border="0"><img style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto" src="http://i1178.photobucket.com/albums/x366/littlegirlinthebigworld/goal-1.jpg"></a> <ol> <li> <div align="center"><strong>Finish editing the remaining sessions from June by the 6th of July (this Friday)</strong> – I have about 4 more sessions left to edit from my June shoots. I can’t wait to see how they turn out, and from all likelihood, I’ll have them done within the next few nights. </div></li> <li> <div align="center"><strong>Finish painting the front bedroom, this includes the accent wall and the need to get my butt to the store to get a paint color</strong> – This bedroom was suppose to be done before my in-laws got here. I got most of it done, and then we realized that the couch we wanted to put in there wouldn’t fit, so I stopped painting and it’s set there like that for at least a month. There isn’t too much left to paint but I did run out of paint. So back to Home Depot I go. </div></li> <li> <div align="center"><strong>Paint master bedroom</strong> - our master is a mess. One wall is completely done and looks great, the other is 90% done and looking good, the others are half assed. We really need to get on this, as our bedroom looks like a construction zone right now. </div></li> <li> <div align="center"><strong>Paint master bathroom</strong> – We haven’t even touched the bathroom yet, but have the paint and it’s all good to go. We just need to get on it. We’ll be able to knock it out within a day if we really try. </div></li> <li> <div align="center"><strong>Organize spice cabinet</strong> – this is pretty much done, but I just got a bunch more spaces and now everything is crammed in there. I’ve also read that spices should be kept away from the stove and oven so that they don’t get hot and lose their flavor, well my spices are right in between my range and the double oven. SOOO I’m thinking I may need to move them.</div></li> <li> <div align="center"><strong>Organize master closet & figure out what I’d like to do with it – </strong>this is pretty dang organized but I still have a few more boxes to unpack, and I need to figure out what kind of shelving system we want in there. We have some shelves but they are awkward. I may just need to get some bedroom furniture (dresser) to put all of our folding clothes in so that my shelf space is opened up.</div></li> <li> <div align="center"><strong>Find paint for the office – </strong>I am pretty sure I know what color I’d like, but I may need to get a few samples to figure out if it will work. </div></li> <li> <div align="center"><strong>Organize Office</strong> – the office is a mess of boxes right now, it needs a good organizing so that the space can be used. </div></li> <li> <div align="center"><strong>Start working on Senior Session Promos as well as holiday promos – </strong>it seems that with the kind of weather that Arizona has, senior sessions cannot be done until after the monsoon season is over. However, it would be good to get things worked out and sessions booked for mid-August and on. Also, if there are brave soles out there we can get a few of them done in July. </div></li> <li> <div align="center"><strong>Sell the clothing/shoes that I don’t wear</strong> – our community has a great little Facebook Page that’s an online yardsale, and people are constantly selling things on there. I’m thinking that it’s time I get rid of some of the things I have that I never wear. Maybe I can use the money to help save for our vacation. <img style="border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none" class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-smile" alt="Smile" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihz6Q935TNAfGUTaO2fEmR-ZfAPE-nxU9Uvx1zGBjFpFgZRaNDt8XW5pzwK3P7kCpQ6gMknUuuA5JSc18a_dBYA2U66zP5EgMJPAemCH5l8Jgvl8ILwT00DOO0iVASlvVV1FU_Mug3YvAO/?imgmax=800"></div></li> <li> <div align="center"><strong>Don’t drink soda. AT ALL</strong> – at one point I didn’t drink soda at all, and it felt so good. But lately I’ve been drinking some, and I really need to stop. </div></li> <li> <div align="center"><strong>Only eat out once a week or less</strong> – there isn’t really much around us to go and eat out at, but we’ve seem to have found a way to do it anyways. I’d like to keep our eating out to one meal a week and on a weekend. Mainly because it’s unhealthy and it’s also expensive, and I’ve got a freezer full of salmon! </div></li> <li> <div align="center"><strong>Save an additional $150.00 on top of our monthly savings – </strong>I’ve taken the advice of a good friend, <a href="http://perceptioniseverything.blogspot.com/">Janna</a>, and started looking at our savings account as a monthly bill. So every month, I put a chunk of money in there as though it was a bill to be paid. In addition to this, I’d like to save another $150.00 to go in there. </div></li> <li> <div align="center"><strong>Put together a budget (clothing, food, and entertainment)</strong> – I’ve never really had to worry about a budge for these things, because my paycheck has always been an extra paycheck. It’s been my shoes and purse fund. However, having a house and needing to turn it into a home has put a damper on that fund. My paychecks now count towards the mortgage and car payments. Hence, I need to have a budget for what I can spend. I also think that a clothing budget would be good, and force me to buy pieces that I really love and know I’ll wear for a long time. </div></li> <li> <div align="center"><strong>Find a trainer for Lilly</strong> – Lilly had a great trainer in Tucson, but it’s a long drive to go up there. So I need to find someone nearby. There’s a k9 cop that has a kennel and trains dogs so I think I’ll give him a call sometime this week. </div></li> <li> <div align="center"><strong>Sign up for my Summer/Fall classes</strong> – this needs to be done today, as classes start next Monday. EW</div></li> <li> <div align="center"><strong>Drink more water (2 water bottles full a day)</strong> – I’ve noticed that when my water bottle is not next to me, I don’t drink water, so now it will be dragged around everywhere with me.</div></li> <li> <div align="center"><strong>Explore at least one new place around town</strong> – I’ve been dying to go to the mission that is next to us. Maybe Lilly and I can go explore. </div></li> <li> <div align="center"><strong>Help hubs finish the backyard <img style="border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none" class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-smile" alt="Smile" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihz6Q935TNAfGUTaO2fEmR-ZfAPE-nxU9Uvx1zGBjFpFgZRaNDt8XW5pzwK3P7kCpQ6gMknUuuA5JSc18a_dBYA2U66zP5EgMJPAemCH5l8Jgvl8ILwT00DOO0iVASlvVV1FU_Mug3YvAO/?imgmax=800"></strong> - our backyard needs to be done. My floors are continuously dirty because Lilly brings in all the dirt and dust that is out there. </div></li> <li> <div align="center"><strong>Start back up on my P90X workouts – </strong>I found a great trainer here in Sahuarita, but with the need to pay off debt right now, I can’t really afford to hire her. AND I’ve got great results with P90X before, and I already have the DVDs soooo, I’m going to go ahead and try that again. </div></li> <li> <div align="center"><strong>Swim at least three days a week</strong> – Our pool is awesome, there’s hardly anyone there at any given time. We’ve gone twice and taken our fins and snorkel gear to get back into shape for diving. It’s really good exercise and I love swimming, so win-win.</div></li> <li> <div align="center"><strong>Take Lilly on walks at least 3 times a week</strong> – It’s been super hot and we’ve been busy, so poor miss Lilly has been sitting around the house. We play with her, and since there is no furniture in most of the house, she runs around and such, BUT it is probably a good idea to take her on more extended walks around the neighborhood. </div></li></ol> <p align="center">________________________________________</p> <p align="justify">Now the tricky part is actually getting all of the above done. I do have to admit that I tend to get more done when I have things written down and goals in mind. So we’ll see how this all works out.</p> <p align="justify">Hope you all are having a great Monday, and if you have goals for this month, go and link up with <a href="http://www.littlegirlinthebigworld.com/">Meghan</a> for <em><a href="<a border="0" href="http://www.littlegirlinthebigworld.com/2012/01/workout-essentials-go-for-goal.html" target="_blank"> <img src="http://i1178.photobucket.com/albums/x366/littlegirlinthebigworld/goal-1.jpg" /></a>">Go for the Goal!</a></em></p> <p align="justify"></p> Zarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06768760695704509558noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3281247030121346577.post-82798285868603949642012-07-01T13:34:00.001-06:002012-07-01T13:34:26.295-06:00Sunday Social–Shopping<center> </center> <div align="justify">It’s Sunday. AND the first of July. Really? How did June end? I can’t believe it’s the 7th month of 2012. I’m still writing 2010 on my checks… <em>oops</em>. I don’t know where time is going and why it’s flying away so fast. I never believed that as we got older the faster time went by, but I feel like there aren’t enough hours in the day, or days in the week to really get things done. </div> <div align="justify"> </div> <div align="justify">I’ve been up since 7 AM today, Lilly really doesn’t care how late we stay up or the fact that it’s the weekend. She needs to get up at the crack of down to go and pee. Then whine a bit and get me fully awake before she passes back out on the couch. As I was reading blogs with my morning coffee, I cam across Neely’s link up, and since I never really post on Sundays, I figured this would be the perfect way to kill some time before hubs is up. OH and the questions are shopping, questions, how could I not answer them?!</div> <center> </center> <center><a title="Sunday Social" href="http://www.acompletewasteofmakeup.com/"><img alt="Sunday Social" src="http://i909.photobucket.com/albums/ac293/munchkin_land_designs/BlogDesigns/Buttons/SocialSundayButton3.png" width="195"></a></center> <center><strong>This Weeks Questions are:</strong></center> <p align="center"><strong><em>What is your favorite store to shop at? </em></strong></p> <p align="center">I love Zara, Forever21, Victoria Secret, Express, Bebe, Guess, and several others. I’m currently obsessing with H&M and their affordable prices.</p> <p align="center"><strong><em>If you could afford anything and everything, which designer brand would you covet? </em></strong></p> <p align="center">My closet would be filled with little red soles! I love Christian Louboutin shoes, and believe that every single woman out there should have at least one pair of red soles! <img style="border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none" class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-winkingsmile" alt="Winking smile" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-A5Cgve1hCWw/T_CmOzdf9dI/AAAAAAAAHOk/6pDGoeIGnVY/wlEmoticon-winkingsmile%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800"></p> <p align="center"><img src="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/img-thing?.out=jpg&size=l&tid=53224663"><img src="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/img-thing%3F.out%3Djpg%26size%3Dl%26tid%3D56104743"></p> <p align="center"><strong><em>Must have closet staple? </em></strong></p> <div style="margin: 0px auto; width: 400px"> <div style="position: relative"> </div><a href="http://www.polyvore.com/summer_staples/set?.embedder=2463282&.svc=copypaste&id=52195829"><img style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto" title="summer staples" border="0" alt="summer staples" src="http://cfc.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-set/.sig/vDlxoRbY2s0NjT50vz6zg/cid/52195829/id/zkp9oUyqSqaYnNa7DzraqQ/size/c400x245.jpg" width="443" height="303"></a></div> <div align="center"><br><strong><em>Favorite kind of shoes? (brand or type) </em></strong></div> <div align="center"><strong><em></em></strong> </div> <div align="center"><img src="http://blog.solestruck.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/12/guess-carrie-for-blog2.jpg"></div> <div align="justify">I LOVE the Guess Carries. Sadly, Guess only makes them in black now and has stopped making all the other colors. I lived in these shoes, and have gone through at least 3 pairs of the black. They are the most comfortable pump in the world. I used to spend over 12 hours in these on my feet for most of the day and felt like I was wearing flats. </div> <p align="center"><strong><em>Best clothing deal you've ever gotten? (sale or amazing find) </em></strong></p> <p align="center"><strong><em><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-USb3jxaCl48/T_CmPKGyioI/AAAAAAAAHOs/WIkHw6iOaWY/s1600-h/IMG_3137%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_3137" border="0" alt="IMG_3137" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-EpRJeykudvg/T_CmPj8JlbI/AAAAAAAAHO0/24amWO3BIVk/IMG_3137_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="325" height="484"></a></em></strong></p> <p align="center">The dress above. I got it from The Limited for $16.00 a few years ago, and love it. It’s easy to dress up or down. The colors are fun, and I’ve made it work in every season, Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter. Maybe I should do another post about that. </p> <p align="center"><strong><em>Style you'd love to try?</em></strong></p> <p>There isn’t anything in particular that I’m dying to try since I love to stick to classic styles that are versatile. However, I do need to pick it up with the casual chic a bit more since my current style consists of yoga pants and tank tops. Really, living in the middle of nowhere and working from home doesn’t really require a fancy wardrobe. </p> <p align="center">___________________________________</p> <p align="center">So what are your staples and what are you dying to try this summer? Go link up with Neely and let us know. </p> <p align="center">___________________________________</p> <p align="center">Today, we’re going to BBQ and celebrate the 4th a little early. We’ll go to the pool and walk the dog when it gets a little cooler. Maybe we’ll get some painting done, and finish cleaning the kitchen. I should probably do some laundry as well. </p> <p align="center">So happy early 4th to you all! Hope you have a great Sunday!</p> Zarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06768760695704509558noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3281247030121346577.post-59562910784950267742012-06-29T12:40:00.001-06:002012-06-29T12:40:49.339-06:00Photography Post<p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-A0BMg-E5czA/T-32rhEtegI/AAAAAAAAG8E/257eMyHLDVU/s1600-h/01%252520b%252520ZA%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="01 b ZA" border="0" alt="01 b ZA" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-PS1VJGsnBxw/T-32sB41hbI/AAAAAAAAG8M/WX8O2Wh0I6s/01%252520b%252520ZA_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="431"></a></p> <p>This beautiful Mama is on the blog today and also in labor. <a href="http://zashbyphotos.com/2012/06/29/maternity-family-photographer-tucson-camilla/">Click HERE</a> to see all the shots. I cannot wait to meet her little one in the next two weeks! Good luck Camilla!!!</p> Zarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06768760695704509558noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3281247030121346577.post-77425362276112467892012-06-29T07:00:00.000-06:002012-06-29T07:00:10.659-06:00The final week + some letters<p> </p> <p align="center"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh51dTYx985zSncos2xijc_Ffxnfx3ocfsMAZ-h1gLHC6dbhSDVf9E44tgN7Sn2q_PHFGX11-7iQ7IJ3I7dHj-2up_zsw2KAOB6klGrFLT0LAinmpf9e4LcG_5SyySI8CbQp-ag6C03ekH0/s1600/piggy+bank+2.jpg"></p> <p>Yesterday, I almost gave in and bought some shorts, and a dress, and flip flops and a few other things from Target. BUT then I realized that it’s the 28th, only two more days till the month and this challenge are over and I decided against it. </p> <p>Since we live in the middle of nowhere, there really isn’t much temptation to spend money. Literally, the only “extra” money I’ve spent this month has been on photography, which has been for clients, which has been paid for by said clients. Hence, I’m thinking I did pretty good. </p> <p>In the <a href="http://eatshopandbemarried.blogspot.com/2012/06/piggy-bank-budget-week-2.html">first two week</a>s of savings, I saved a good chunk of money by not giving into temptation and shopping. I had saved a total of $465.00. Yesterday’s little shopping spree would have cost me an additional $135.00. So In total, for this month, I’ve saved $600.00. HOLY *&(#. Really?</p> <p>That just took me by surprise, and yes I did have to get the calculator out to make sure my addition isn’t off. That’s my car payment plus at least a week of groceries, and the only thing I did was cut out my shopping habit. <em>Now if only someone would teach me how to coupon so I don’t have to spend over a 100 every week just on groceries.</em> </p> <p>Well… tell us how you did this month, Janna and I are dying to hear some success stories!</p> <p align="center"><script src="http://www.linkytools.com/thumbnail_linky_include.aspx?id=152097" type="text/javascript"></script>__________________________________________________</p> <p align="center"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://i1225.photobucket.com/albums/ee391/ashleyjps2326/Design/fridaysletters.png"></p> <p align="center"><strong>Dear Colorado Wildfires</strong> please stop burning my beautiful state and leave my friends and their houses alone. I’d really appreciate that!</p> <p align="center"><strong>Dear 100+ AZ weather</strong> I don’t really have much to say to you other than you suck. But I’ll deal with you, because being miserable and complaining does not seem to have an effect on you. </p> <p align="center"><strong>Dear Lilly</strong>, I don’t think you comprehend how much I love you and what you mean to your dad and I. We’re so glad we adopted you and that you have become a part of this little family. AND yes, you can have whichever part of the couch you like. </p> <p align="center"><strong>Dear Husband</strong> I really enjoyed our dinner conversation tonight, and I’m glad that you are aiming to become your boss’s boss’s boss’s boss’s boss’s boss’s boss. Please know you have my full support if when you decided to run for president. </p> <p align="center"><strong>Dear Work</strong>, I love you, really. You’ve been good to me and I can’t wait to see what comes next in this new chapter. We’re going to kick some booty and teach folks how to use their cameras!</p> <p align="center"><strong>Dear Friends and Family in Colorado</strong> I’ll be back on August 2nd, and it will be great. Whoever needs to book a session with me and my camera needs to let me know ASAP.</p> Zarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06768760695704509558noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3281247030121346577.post-8172919900028535142012-06-28T09:05:00.001-06:002012-06-28T09:05:19.307-06:00It’s Okay to be Thankful<p>Today is Thursday… I’m still having to deal with the fact that week is practically over and I don’t know where it went. I wanted to join in on two little link-ups today, because I find them totally appropriate for the moment. </p> <center><a title="Its Ok Thursdays" href="http://www.acompletewasteofmakeup.com/"><img alt="Its Ok Thursdays" src="http://i909.photobucket.com/albums/ac293/munchkin_land_designs/BlogDesigns/Buttons/ItsOkThursdaysButton.png"></a></center> <p> </p> <p align="center">and </p> <p align="center"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUek2o6YILaf9MLhEs2WUehATJkTQgIdLiMo2iHNhPUZXItxgTiDXn7BnO1ldSLN_tdJ9l9NjLYSSwzH5TWQbZLBwB4DQt1AR4J9WWlMEKy87Zqc7l3zhfLNRz08A9maOf1LCO2EUiZIOr/s200/Thankful_Thursday.jpg"></p> <p align="center">________________________________________________________</p> <p align="center"><strong>It’s Okay…</strong></p> <p align="center">… to have coffee, cake and two apricots for breakfast once in a while</p> <p align="center">… to miss my mama like crazy</p> <p align="center">… to be completely and utterly in love with your dog</p> <p align="center">… to think that said dog is absolutely adorable when she cuddles with her toys</p> <p align="center">… to want to trade lives with said dog or the neighbors dog as they lay around and take in the sunshine (for a day)</p> <p align="center">… to have a sink full of dishes … it’s actually kind of gross and I’m avoiding the kitchen so I don’t have a meltdown</p> <p align="center">… to get dolled up just to sit around the house</p> <p align="center">and </p> <p align="center">… to not get out of your sweats all day</p> <p align="center">__________________________________________________________</p> <p align="center"><strong>I’m thankful for …</strong></p> <p align="center">… the monsoon that we got yesterday, it cooled things down a lot</p> <p align="center">… the little rain that Colorado got</p> <p align="center">… the fact that my friends and family are safe and away from the fires as of right now</p> <p align="center">… my husband, family and friends</p> <p align="center">… the internet and the ability to do my job and classes all from the comfort of my home</p> <p align="center">… my clients </p> <p align="center">… my life</p> <p align="center">Sometimes the little things get overwhelming. Sometimes I don’t see the big pictures because I’m so concentrated on the little things. Sometimes I get so stressed that even ice cream and a bubble bath can’t calm me down. I take for granted what I’ve got and always want more. I forget to be thankful that I’ve got a roof over my head, food on the table, a loving and caring family, friends who’ll be there no matter what, unconditional love from a little dog named Lilly, a good job, an education and so on. I forget that there are millions of people out there who never had the opportunities that I had, and only dream of half the life I have. Really, I feel ashamed that I’ve been so ungrateful for all the good in my life. </p> <p align="center">And yes, the weather here is still hot, but it’s only temporary. Come September it’ll cool down and I’ll once again be able to breath normally. <img style="border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none" class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-smile" alt="Smile" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-42DxeYKbHD8/T-xyrSP8V8I/AAAAAAAAG7k/qAeSc-od6js/wlEmoticon-smile%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800"></p> <p align="center">SEEEEEE… <em>this too shall pass</em>. </p> <p align="center">Hope you all are having a great Thursday!</p> <p align="center">Keep Colorado in your thoughts and prayers. My beautiful state is being destroyed. </p> <p align="center"><img style="border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none" class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-sadsmile" alt="Sad smile" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-uDRFX8xzkJM/T-xyrhZp1dI/AAAAAAAAG7s/4MWlzn1lClY/wlEmoticon-sadsmile%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800"></p> Zarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06768760695704509558noreply@blogger.com1