tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-83009657635193379432024-03-19T01:09:47.442-07:00Darling SimplicityAmanda Elisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10369947161055308939noreply@blogger.comBlogger33125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8300965763519337943.post-90475567342966469492014-07-18T12:02:00.002-07:002014-07-18T12:02:29.922-07:00WHERE ARE YOU, AMANDA<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6FQdzfXOuaK4rS8UClmtRTcKq__ZLmyN4YLVccn8_C09oys_p24JxvIB2_8XrRVF9ACuzNW5dG8dIHmankgEX6se98NtyZu2WS91YcQuTZ30GP1Jm64LNGlZk8tG5ebgHmV31VsOXEOc/s1600/Dear+reader.png">
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<p>Some of you may have noticed my absence on my blog as of late, and I wanted to explain why this absence has occurred:
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1. Did you know that the deadline for registering for fall classes is like next week?
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2. I'm in a musical! Check it out <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/423096837833015/?ref_dashboard_filter=upcoming">here</a>... and <a href="http://www.atcwoodstock.com/intothewoods">here</a>...and you can buy tickets <a href="https://squareup.com/market/academy-theatre-at-compass/into-the-woods">here</a>.
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3. Blogger (the website you're on right now, reading my blog) has not allowed me to post my images lately... and I have absolutely not idea why. So! I've been scouring the web to find a new host for my blog... <i>and I think I've found one.</i>
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4. Paleo... man. I've been cooking my behind off! Cooking is exhausting. (Insert hashtag first world problems)
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The plan is to have a new web host by the end of the month (fingers crossed), so pray to that end. I have a lot of neato stuff to share with you guys!
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Thank you all for reading, and being super lovely.
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</center> Amanda Elisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10369947161055308939noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8300965763519337943.post-39975064137805372542014-06-30T11:05:00.001-07:002014-06-30T13:14:47.130-07:00Time to Try Something Different
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A few days ago I made the decision to try the Paleo diet. <br>
<br><Center>I guess I should back up.</center>
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A few years ago, I went through a stage in my life where I had a lot of stomach problems. It became quite debilitating to the point where I was hesitant to eat anything for fear that it would upset my stomach to the point where I'd have to stop whatever I was doing and either use the restroom (for quite long periods of time), or lie down because of the discomfort. As you can imagine, it put quite a chink in my physical (active) and social life style as I was kind of afraid to go anywhere for fear that it would arise the moment food entered into the picture and, in some cases, even when food <b>wasn't</b> in the equation. In an effort to get rid of this "mystery issue," I stopped eating meats - except for chicken (I love my chicken wings more than life. *exaggeration*). Some of you may think that it's weird that taking meat out of my diet was my first instinct. Well, it is weird, so you're correct in thinking that. I guess at the time, that was the most simple way for me to test to see what my stomach was truly intolerant to.
<Br>- Side note: my friends coined the term "chickatarian" for me, which was ended up sticking. Amanda became <i>that</i> friend, who was weird and only ate chicken.
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Anyway, I continued that lifestyle of chickatarian-ism for about a year (give or take a few months), and my stomach issues seemed to slowly wither away (not entirely, but noticeably)... until recently.
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About two weeks ago I had a really weird reaction to some food I bought at a restaurant that rhymes with "Baco Tell." I originally thought it was food poisoning, and continued to believe that it was until last week where I had another similar (but worse) reaction to some food I bought from a more "high class" establishment - meaning it was not bought at a sketchy restaurant for $2.50.
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It's worth mentioning that leading up to these two incidents I had begun having a bit of stomach trouble similar to the previous stuff from a few years ago. My stomach became practically intolerant to foods that normally would not have bothered it (yogurt, milk, pasta, etc.).
<br>Needless to say, I decided to try something different.
<Br><Br>*In enters the aforementioned title sentence.
<br><br>I did a bit of research on different diets and their benefits and found a diet that I had heard a bit about a few months before. <b>*Disclaimer*</b> <i>I'm in no way saying I know everything there is to know about this diet, nor am I 100% correct in anything that I say regarding its boundaries. I am, however, saying that this is what I've found on the internet about the Paleo diet, therefore be gracious when you read the following sentences and if you must, please give advice graciously.*</i>
<Br><Br>Since the horrible episodes of stomach issues I had a few years ago, I've been keeping track of all the things my stomach reacts negatively to. A few of these things include dairy, fries, sweets, other meats, etc. I've also been trying to eat a little better, as I don't want to shrivel up and die before I reach the age of 60 because of my love for chicken wings, fries, and "Baco Tell."
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To get excited for this <b>huge</b> food change, I made a recipe book the day before yesterday full of ideas from Pinterest on how to eat Paleo style. <br><br><center><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0SP8lC19ZfOzxUOnSUlQPiFke2dJj5El0yao5IFGCe4wxdovMvhYf9E6OHEvU9afZSjjiyLRRGycnzRBVrrwo2hbmAY-7X_Lz3ipjxhtKrM7bd4c1UuX9X3EnxC2j111uZO2zGU_9bA7q/s1600/Promo.png"><br>(I obviously didn't get too creative with this one.)</center>
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I will try my best to share the ups and downs of this new diet on my blog in hopes that it helps someone out there or brings you entertainment, or whatever.
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I had pizza yesterday for dinner (thanks Sam!), so obviously I'm starting today. So far, so good. I had scrambled eggs, bacon, and a few tomatoes for breakfast.
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Here goes nothing! (and everything...)
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</center> Amanda Elisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10369947161055308939noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8300965763519337943.post-55207162808454700412014-06-04T20:55:00.001-07:002014-06-04T21:18:38.263-07:00Wandering Wednesdays IV - Red Top Mountain<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6FQdzfXOuaK4rS8UClmtRTcKq__ZLmyN4YLVccn8_C09oys_p24JxvIB2_8XrRVF9ACuzNW5dG8dIHmankgEX6se98NtyZu2WS91YcQuTZ30GP1Jm64LNGlZk8tG5ebgHmV31VsOXEOc/s1600/Dear+reader.png">
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Well, almost two whole months later, and I'm back with another blog post to add to the ever growing (and slowly developing) <i>Wandering Wednesdays</i> series.
<br><br><center>(View the <a href="http://darlingsimplicity.blogspot.com/2014/03/adventuring-downtown-acworth.html">|1st|</a> & <a href="http://darlingsimplicity.blogspot.com/2014/04/wandering-wednesdays-ii-marietta-square.html">|2nd|</a> & <a href="http://www.darlingsimplicity.blogspot.com/2014/04/wandering-wednesdays-iii-sunsets.html">|3rd|</a> posts by clicking the numbers.)</center>
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Keeping up with the "spur of the moment hiking tradition," this trip to Red Top Mountain on May 3rd was pleasantly unexpected. It was an absolutely gorgeous day outside, a rarity in Georgia during May, so we decided to go on an adventure. Below are some snappies of the sights we saw.
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<Br>Enjoy!
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjwznJOT0FP1iRml_nmAGeDacPIG8RERz_RQj8l5kt8AIYNU8UWrnEh3BD98mvJZF0uaMfFoIYZQo_iNRKCo7xFAqh7re3QdvldDKTkYvdPnvKFXEVjFkXIxpEHNLck6bAocchdLdO4ZZd/s1600/IMG_2021.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjwznJOT0FP1iRml_nmAGeDacPIG8RERz_RQj8l5kt8AIYNU8UWrnEh3BD98mvJZF0uaMfFoIYZQo_iNRKCo7xFAqh7re3QdvldDKTkYvdPnvKFXEVjFkXIxpEHNLck6bAocchdLdO4ZZd/s1600/IMG_2021.jpg" /></a>
<br>Artsy shot to set the mood.
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<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHWaUKafBbQypgzXeGFIHjIZe3UfsPlA8yF4UW38NkiCUc7FkEWINAGRGWTSDt6OqB5CEpJ-fkR12yfdlVBrk4NDvHDRePUvsfNBt_JI03jy6MD25_dwNevGALKyYhJPw_27lShcVlliFc/s1600/IMG_2038.jpg">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDEuhaqCCkm29J7HRP8VsBA2sClHu-_5HjZY9Pcm2oD_kO3tfC9zg_Vj_htnYNxSaqS-fydxm-m37J9x90OnLiYNSLzXb_H-ID9QmGpUUXWFOZdJr-foorweb4E9UekCgNi3wKxKDQ9G57/s1600/IMG_2039.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDEuhaqCCkm29J7HRP8VsBA2sClHu-_5HjZY9Pcm2oD_kO3tfC9zg_Vj_htnYNxSaqS-fydxm-m37J9x90OnLiYNSLzXb_H-ID9QmGpUUXWFOZdJr-foorweb4E9UekCgNi3wKxKDQ9G57/s1600/IMG_2039.jpg" /></a>
<Br>Jamison got all photographer-y.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoDN0SN0ANqg7gdYZzgB8bMKYlcR7mSSyJVndWNE4fvNaMhMyESmhf88Z21CMn83hYg-5BiMmQdsKW9vqnpfsgB6B6ElmeG5LId1PUApvW2uQxjGuhwQuP828xWXUcCJ4NaaUaZdCt9C-k/s1600/IMG_2082.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoDN0SN0ANqg7gdYZzgB8bMKYlcR7mSSyJVndWNE4fvNaMhMyESmhf88Z21CMn83hYg-5BiMmQdsKW9vqnpfsgB6B6ElmeG5LId1PUApvW2uQxjGuhwQuP828xWXUcCJ4NaaUaZdCt9C-k/s1600/IMG_2082.jpg" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwnHh3Yj-D2y5-daTLHsFE15FbN5tcF7NTFX05pkbYYc_Hx6uChjItUYnVppCgygk6OzNNj0yu9zdGsmzd1afisWa9f0XV4FvYnsKtOFv6QUK2BDUnZ-yerhh9UvwrqqbiN8re6IbDdBLg/s1600/IMG_2096.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwnHh3Yj-D2y5-daTLHsFE15FbN5tcF7NTFX05pkbYYc_Hx6uChjItUYnVppCgygk6OzNNj0yu9zdGsmzd1afisWa9f0XV4FvYnsKtOFv6QUK2BDUnZ-yerhh9UvwrqqbiN8re6IbDdBLg/s1600/IMG_2096.jpg" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbpaEmOHLv_173XnGSsEuSGXDwCrK6ds7_wAgThGOBN-5-Mwk13464vAM1oEeELRofoEl0v3qhAlAFVKRj82umYHjDKD5ic1W0QKKe_APWzgjldIRBJxe_HHKPVNtuWfOr8hAbJpPquNUV/s1600/IMG_2107.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbpaEmOHLv_173XnGSsEuSGXDwCrK6ds7_wAgThGOBN-5-Mwk13464vAM1oEeELRofoEl0v3qhAlAFVKRj82umYHjDKD5ic1W0QKKe_APWzgjldIRBJxe_HHKPVNtuWfOr8hAbJpPquNUV/s1600/IMG_2107.jpg" /></a>
<br>How gorgeous is this cabin?
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9vd7pqtVpysP4rgFi_SJ1OfGQ9zX3akk_Ghwj9FDAhGtU46ppFxjawuBEbww6qCncpv_r-6b0BLK9Bsgg9k9YB8fHbvSwM8HY-fhCGNpUKu3aOFhxu3niuBz9_EPdmHcdxdNOCq01xXws/s1600/IMG_2109.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9vd7pqtVpysP4rgFi_SJ1OfGQ9zX3akk_Ghwj9FDAhGtU46ppFxjawuBEbww6qCncpv_r-6b0BLK9Bsgg9k9YB8fHbvSwM8HY-fhCGNpUKu3aOFhxu3niuBz9_EPdmHcdxdNOCq01xXws/s1600/IMG_2109.jpg" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA_1Yh4a2eFpt1mES5QKUyvEWNm75S9-4MzMJp89fhEldmP8kNNOGUuzwozVh9tRFrdiSlQThgiZyj-LhufULIvwfpkBUz9h8_744hIpzeooEKv4DM-smUjPw1DeByK6Y04JRgqaJO0Ls4/s1600/IMG_2110.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA_1Yh4a2eFpt1mES5QKUyvEWNm75S9-4MzMJp89fhEldmP8kNNOGUuzwozVh9tRFrdiSlQThgiZyj-LhufULIvwfpkBUz9h8_744hIpzeooEKv4DM-smUjPw1DeByK6Y04JRgqaJO0Ls4/s1600/IMG_2110.jpg" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv34B_ad1fm49h2ZwM4QG-qhfENutcu31mcMz3IyjbcliG2GllDB_mXAoc8yMHdR77JqSBbmAeRRWNsI3S4SH9dNkOmQIqxqcR-FlaV4GNSYCnXdD7AOQh5PzNuYx649exuYAp31KvagND/s1600/IMG_2111.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv34B_ad1fm49h2ZwM4QG-qhfENutcu31mcMz3IyjbcliG2GllDB_mXAoc8yMHdR77JqSBbmAeRRWNsI3S4SH9dNkOmQIqxqcR-FlaV4GNSYCnXdD7AOQh5PzNuYx649exuYAp31KvagND/s1600/IMG_2111.jpg" /></a>
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Squirrel friend doing his thing.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3W4sLFTFSlwEH6B7KBA_UuZ3tJOflO1zqsNodorpAwBeVSp9i45BFSYc72jR9_uEPQxiIONM49VUoAxl-FQ0GKPWYgF3O6SOQkkwhJf9Tv96NKbRkb6F1WkxFfnCDfPe4VrzJdGE4WumH/s1600/IMG_2124.png" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3W4sLFTFSlwEH6B7KBA_UuZ3tJOflO1zqsNodorpAwBeVSp9i45BFSYc72jR9_uEPQxiIONM49VUoAxl-FQ0GKPWYgF3O6SOQkkwhJf9Tv96NKbRkb6F1WkxFfnCDfPe4VrzJdGE4WumH/s1600/IMG_2124.png" /></a>
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Cliché Chaco appreciation picture.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-92MKFf7nTNPtqjI-Ja33eL0ZdwAzy_gVti_Ey-eWMCJ_auweIBdGH_do_Q9ABYmP-V-wEr0gLFLffIhv_hmoILxEEgn3V-retzpiV1dyjChvKDic1JB1_yqUSiPqkvXAS9CORIe1CfEH/s1600/IMG_2169.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-92MKFf7nTNPtqjI-Ja33eL0ZdwAzy_gVti_Ey-eWMCJ_auweIBdGH_do_Q9ABYmP-V-wEr0gLFLffIhv_hmoILxEEgn3V-retzpiV1dyjChvKDic1JB1_yqUSiPqkvXAS9CORIe1CfEH/s1600/IMG_2169.jpg" /></a>
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I think it's worth mentioning that we got lost not once, but twice during this hiking trip. Turns out Red Top is a pretty big mountain. Word to the wise - always keep track of the markings in the trees that were purposefully painted there to help hikers remember which path they're on.
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The end.
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</center> Amanda Elisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10369947161055308939noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8300965763519337943.post-50466288990903310322014-04-16T13:19:00.001-07:002014-04-16T13:27:49.335-07:00Wandering Wednesdays III - Sunsets<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6FQdzfXOuaK4rS8UClmtRTcKq__ZLmyN4YLVccn8_C09oys_p24JxvIB2_8XrRVF9ACuzNW5dG8dIHmankgEX6se98NtyZu2WS91YcQuTZ30GP1Jm64LNGlZk8tG5ebgHmV31VsOXEOc/s1600/Dear+reader.png">
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Welcome to Darling Simplicity's third post in its newest blog series <i>Wandering Wednesdays</i>!
<center>(View the <a href="http://darlingsimplicity.blogspot.com/2014/03/adventuring-downtown-acworth.html">|1st| &</a><a href="http://darlingsimplicity.blogspot.com/2014/04/wandering-wednesdays-ii-marietta-square.html">|2nd|</a> posts by clicking the numbers.)</center>
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Due to the sudden pollen attack over the past week and a half in Georgia, I haven't been able to visit anywhere spectacular... unless you count running to Walmart to grab some popsicles to soothe my throat "spectacular."
<br>I do have a couple exciting places I plan to visit in the upcoming weeks however but for now, I've decided to write this post about an adventure I had about a month ago.
<br><br>Jamison spontaneously called me one late afternoon/early evening and said, "Hey, what are you doing right now?" I told him that I was about to leave school and he enthusiastically instructed me to grab my camera and that he was going to take me somewhere. Naturally, I was excited (and so thrilled to see that he shared my enthusiasm for taking pictures of things), and rushed home to grab my camera. Once he got to my house, we hopped into the car and were on our way.
<br><br>A few questions (about where we were going), and moments later, we arrived at our destination. It's a little bridge near my house that crosses over a lake. You're able to park on either side of it and get out of your car to "sightsee" (I guess). Anyway, this was what we saw.
<br><Br>Enjoy!
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-RetfuC-ZTkHa6j2fN2QLoCs96K1HGK3uvOBgWUJSZUZu08XSsmVyiX1lfDEhQPsNxWnLXAfIjV13T_U6m7bNUhvLl-BiBmNTVZI-24w0qNVvTY_Ed8_z5YL5X5-frfLyHU6jDnDNs91Q/s1600/012.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-RetfuC-ZTkHa6j2fN2QLoCs96K1HGK3uvOBgWUJSZUZu08XSsmVyiX1lfDEhQPsNxWnLXAfIjV13T_U6m7bNUhvLl-BiBmNTVZI-24w0qNVvTY_Ed8_z5YL5X5-frfLyHU6jDnDNs91Q/s1600/012.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGdjOtdjaCdHtfEOdz1qs3qerHodOvja-Jao3WiozphmM0AidL0s6X3AC5AKk9UaS2QVINxbCKcGfd3HFW5mxbDy1-yPmFENqSRR0ilD7tHGoIFJOflqYu6ntUVlDtXpjnM6CgY0SIjEbF/s1600/017.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGdjOtdjaCdHtfEOdz1qs3qerHodOvja-Jao3WiozphmM0AidL0s6X3AC5AKk9UaS2QVINxbCKcGfd3HFW5mxbDy1-yPmFENqSRR0ilD7tHGoIFJOflqYu6ntUVlDtXpjnM6CgY0SIjEbF/s1600/017.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzncJswC_aPqEWXMz7k-DUZviaZYJqqFoTrIb5olWQmsV3SBFxBSw3CzPGkgaDiYd8j-91d9sGX0YZSe92mpGaE0xopabDQT7M0VMYsUu_zZJzVnp4Ffcu_hODBmPQhL3tSK90KHpcVbX8/s1600/032.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzncJswC_aPqEWXMz7k-DUZviaZYJqqFoTrIb5olWQmsV3SBFxBSw3CzPGkgaDiYd8j-91d9sGX0YZSe92mpGaE0xopabDQT7M0VMYsUu_zZJzVnp4Ffcu_hODBmPQhL3tSK90KHpcVbX8/s1600/032.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDn2qdYqqiK-qhwizbXoyfVEBNpeyx_gKimK-ZAsWcxzk9ABaf8FRA9J_q9XO7IF08zGpGvZWlCxSZg4sm2ploqT1f25PP7Cve4SK8XPyWz4eLxRXjrWCQM_eqfjui6VImUOhCHGPjjQYK/s1600/033.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDn2qdYqqiK-qhwizbXoyfVEBNpeyx_gKimK-ZAsWcxzk9ABaf8FRA9J_q9XO7IF08zGpGvZWlCxSZg4sm2ploqT1f25PP7Cve4SK8XPyWz4eLxRXjrWCQM_eqfjui6VImUOhCHGPjjQYK/s1600/033.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_dIKpbhgIPh3fiYXJwpJyykMKhA0_4U6ilPz28PqFbXp2qbZJRGWUqoFdkEXV6wt79Zseq-f-UdOYSh3l02g3mZmV6e_ckwGMoLHcOk-iiosfpmcPcylIRPbnTbaJz7uoYjRbjoPxGi_B/s1600/038.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_dIKpbhgIPh3fiYXJwpJyykMKhA0_4U6ilPz28PqFbXp2qbZJRGWUqoFdkEXV6wt79Zseq-f-UdOYSh3l02g3mZmV6e_ckwGMoLHcOk-iiosfpmcPcylIRPbnTbaJz7uoYjRbjoPxGi_B/s1600/038.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTcNZI8LtX1LcTaWFqZXRGeD7xreb9-RxsyFHjo_tEUM3X1CTB2AFTniD05uZbTZMrzTrD4n_DQs6ijC7nd67MbKig6jM6GnVrt7roAk64tkPr14P5oD-0lwZjj8dDB_pR-ruRccYt2820/s1600/039.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTcNZI8LtX1LcTaWFqZXRGeD7xreb9-RxsyFHjo_tEUM3X1CTB2AFTniD05uZbTZMrzTrD4n_DQs6ijC7nd67MbKig6jM6GnVrt7roAk64tkPr14P5oD-0lwZjj8dDB_pR-ruRccYt2820/s1600/039.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOAa1jNBUwXNMKMzUkhJ4RnkSXNPXjY_yUEXO2ken4mlmdelkYwqoF0WbeXbRl2c0X9PtOFGtOgPdIoI6zGBi8BOaO0Vk31HZZ4XVHGns-1CbJRh_nPPMvzXQOxJY-9NfM8fvYIIoztBWr/s1600/044.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOAa1jNBUwXNMKMzUkhJ4RnkSXNPXjY_yUEXO2ken4mlmdelkYwqoF0WbeXbRl2c0X9PtOFGtOgPdIoI6zGBi8BOaO0Vk31HZZ4XVHGns-1CbJRh_nPPMvzXQOxJY-9NfM8fvYIIoztBWr/s1600/044.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBv9dbOtEl1tv_ptkSZkVbnvUu7nkKvpMMTnnjV7apYkAByOf03ew_KfU2TKBs4-oWh4Cs90DN212HL97KbuvIg-mac4y_uM-JdQoeO0O0WM_AC7AtNL37lQx-E9PGy9SQpnrZTTSbvXoS/s1600/021.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBv9dbOtEl1tv_ptkSZkVbnvUu7nkKvpMMTnnjV7apYkAByOf03ew_KfU2TKBs4-oWh4Cs90DN212HL97KbuvIg-mac4y_uM-JdQoeO0O0WM_AC7AtNL37lQx-E9PGy9SQpnrZTTSbvXoS/s1600/021.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCX4lw6NtiPphUP9E2R40O9rXNgPfCTvxj0Ijc8SkQYoVNsxrE45PyxAt5vBHqau4lxCgW0s-xltJT9HPM2AxhnyMjtK1Srx85XgpKg_YVWGaxbzMIRUeIhlD40v4iWME2esaSbQ6SjBoE/s1600/023.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCX4lw6NtiPphUP9E2R40O9rXNgPfCTvxj0Ijc8SkQYoVNsxrE45PyxAt5vBHqau4lxCgW0s-xltJT9HPM2AxhnyMjtK1Srx85XgpKg_YVWGaxbzMIRUeIhlD40v4iWME2esaSbQ6SjBoE/s1600/023.jpg" /></a>
<Br><Br>Thank you so much for reading! Hopefully I'll have more exciting things to share with you in the near future.
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<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixZWpqawfT9-9zU1KciVjNW1orXvtOsFijJ1acFou0hJFHvGw1RasFvCzjea-sjE-tXV46NtF3QQddJan9zYhfvt7Zk5rqBQLn4pW4zNMfhC8Q41-zgfmzSqzzORAty6VW8Uj-1i1GDY4/s1600/love,Amanda.png">
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<a href="http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=http://darlingsimplicity.blogspot.com/2014/04/wandering-wednesdays-iii-acworth-beach.html" target="_blank"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_4mTk7mb3rbiEfU4qMhOaSPk1nw-UAvvME5soB0UqL85TFEJ609OMlscKtCfh630kWQQidUFlCP1Ka4bMS4_tPw198m8AFHzSoFJ0RjCMWflovZgkhu5bUIN1bhk-wV8cWVa9tmOk2vhn/s1600/FB+Share+Button.png" border="0">
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</center> Amanda Elisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10369947161055308939noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8300965763519337943.post-87879417125390386702014-04-02T08:48:00.001-07:002014-04-02T09:27:18.063-07:00Wandering Wednesdays II - Marietta Square<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6FQdzfXOuaK4rS8UClmtRTcKq__ZLmyN4YLVccn8_C09oys_p24JxvIB2_8XrRVF9ACuzNW5dG8dIHmankgEX6se98NtyZu2WS91YcQuTZ30GP1Jm64LNGlZk8tG5ebgHmV31VsOXEOc/s1600/Dear+reader.png">
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<p>After I posted my last <a href="http://darlingsimplicity.blogspot.com/2014/03/adventuring-downtown-acworth.html"><i>Wandering Wednesday</i></a>, I realized that I had not really explained what this new series is about.
<br><br>I have always relished the idea of traveling and photographing what I see, then blogging about it. As a college student, I very quickly realized the importance of finding places that were cheap enough for me to get to and explore.
I came up with the name "Wandering Wednesdays" because it gave me a definitive day to post these wanderings on, and gave my reader an idea of when and what to expect.
<br>Thus, <i>Wandering Wednesdays</i> - the blog series in which I "wander" throughout the week then blog about it every Wednesday.
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This past week, I ventured into Marietta Square. Marietta Square is kind of like the Downtown Acworth of Acworth that I posted about last Wandering Wednesday. It's a historic part of town that has places you can eat, shop, and relax. One of my favorite things to do there is visit the park that is located in the center of it all. There are a ton of benches to sit in and absorb the glorious spring sun (finally), not to mention rest your feet after all that walking.
<br>Below is my perspective of the Square. Enjoy!
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<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilitE8fmsktD4tMsq-ziNgLAjn6s3S1JUxA23q8EMM-c1hMU2jVclQJ4AVZcv8K63JLLbbTG0Ec8ByGG2D3U48WNMrT56NU4_zGiyAd4cwnG1MTe4bHgK5SbXHc5-uKcDgOLpH_lTa6Cs3/s1600/Separator+-+top.png">
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<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmeeFFVqx85xNoEcb6k3v52z9HT-XyKu-4QZ7kCaSeRT3FPtHJC0Ai9lKNLrWznzgqQxwAZ0DMOl5Gt9lr-uhYlPKQUXHHP2ZFusceJ5WkDP3B5IPhWuGxswPqVWG8BqcMG3t8Cwr3XeF1/s1600/IMG_1270.jpg">
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<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM1H0mBH20gRbM4utMl0fx89jRbEOGJ7XQdyhOQ52CEMDvzv1_Z0mUvW49f2wM9wyMrZ0mFc6D9ZCkv6__o2j-X0iFQzeF2hVsWhjoS2yEw2ACo4Tcz70qQFrSmmdzAFCBAh4UAvKIgExe/s1600/IMG_1215-2.jpg">
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<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh61kOsQwlk_Flj4wWxuisVdDgv37NmgNcJQre3Z4a0yvbU9dxW9rTyKP1y9RRezzc_FYwcWriGbmRmqZXY_XoBZPYq7rYYDiNI4IciVgqn41UiHFoZwikEgz_80OKRiFeebR7cCsN9Yvld/s1600/IMG_1219-2.jpg">
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<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEcCHp03iDa0tOv7jwblxEqmeGkZLB1OCn4tqrKY4XFJxYPZmQsoDXIdB6aAcU_WocP6_otsvVWJ8_Qunj-Tewdxs0E9tLMQTMFhSnDqHyoN5ebT9T8UsX1532xJzSNW1in-h90ucBNpfZ/s1600/IMG_1220-2.jpg">
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<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidL5dIawFmWY-qNR2Qt1UWTXohH9QF7hszf8uYsjnktTA9dK_6HjWJTF0U8J7NO1Q7d3cu6RIjB3ovpJ7SKXyJWDNEIrfMnctwXV-FN_OT5_S1EyFOvqgwYNCo7HYClv4QOjGhc9JElq8s/s1600/IMG_1221-2.jpg">
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<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7aGssrSN_ioW7Xl8LGpJi5Qik-UJ_NJasyq3P6LQlIQnRSgRekpGCnRP2Wsba1H18hCdpW3Td8QalzzHbVh3hcESZ-YgHUDYMWe7d71h2MoPBR_Qwm6Z9bdGAl6X5pRhlE2GAI0IraeqY/s1600/IMG_1225-2.jpg">
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<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzRKhyCvOxUau-OOE6xdoDEvV32fBi3Aor5Z4JH8MplyLVr0ul2X2NFVd34U4xglWpPN5YLiutrQK3uPA_PX7lKoTgmbAbhn2pwZQ2uiOp3hWn985m8LFzWMZLSgmPI3PZ94j6nw6_8hHk/s1600/IMG_1231-2.jpg">
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<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUv8tJOwPpeX0bUdXn5KkLYz61jKha5BQckA_uMt2v8aO29RaR5J5deHFoygvMQmUUVF9nFICFciNH6qN7xW9PqkfOySDnn7L9FdE3OXzJhZ8HzZQtNB4VwEFCJw1vRYAkuFpQC2uPY1Yn/s1600/IMG_1240-2.jpg">
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<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijHaluq1XpNRYl5uaicZdBD1EF2gayzOLYB9iuN0wPg7dZxBDUP4rOTFNBxUQKWkiQ6ElSZlp-Lx5PBCGwUEeNF1Qv6ug8keystOE7O1FVZSq-o3QZg5j-vAG8ljJWj-SW-ULuy7u1Qcfl/s1600/IMG_1249-2.jpg">
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<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKx77LNneQYRVmaR0hjjy4mFqrSFdoXp2u-0cTb8SETOhC0hjX6ukz-uaai0ekte2acM2m_cDxVuDkgPfLcnq8HT_NcQHtq6ohMSa8qWiPAHBDpPjCzEzMzMt7B-PoU-lBPIWQDyDFwm5A/s1600/IMG_1241-2.jpg">
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<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaitX1_3F9IV9jM1_gWrP28uNhyphenhyphen2Q52AINRdbwumauTRfwVQttDKTG6sf6vyzLrprhsH8-leKuTR_NYqMfi4cl8EdTyEtSwHA-kUYeDtJGDxXgOIyUYLYgLh2w8pe0Yv_vWjfU9egwtzAU/s1600/IMG_1243-2.jpg">
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<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0-hRw0LVaXSzRFsSmaJ5r0khcQ1KhZG3avZFVuCNJk9A4j4DU21vh7Lp-f2UJx8AmFkdYis5Ye3TTcSTqAl4JynlJPL1VIwBbN9BVTriQ8du94-_oqeJyKFTKhrILwxVzWjm_2yoIZHjE/s1600/IMG_1246-2.jpg">
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<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikbSxgTF4bZtY6X-5j6sH_Vgx6LcIn1qykz2OIW8HvOzSWRaBsWth3RTEruzJXWL4PqSbcBe9bWoEswd78PQvwoICfgPdYNDVkJeFSGe3gFUlocqpK2Nab-vbLXKvrt_ldkN3-EB47tvDh/s1600/IMG_1253-2.jpg">
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<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_i8n7DvM4lyU7eVC_psbt8CFrEWE6548BY7Ja5acl48M42c-C1cbqEnPFn0rDDYpruV1SMH3uWGWundsRqEMuuszfEmaDJuQqLqIWMbPHatX88P9vDWWGuLwjPDr-p07dNgvg2z85bpbf/s1600/IMG_1254-2.jpg">
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<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg363P5ojcvFBe4CKfoNfMKipeWyz6cT-x4rSme-JC7XebgYJ0gxfjEU2AcSgw7aJadBkjhi0epwvxYTUy-IvkPUQrjnkhK8RK6R3KsCPhorIS-2mXLlChzhYSYI7zCM07LFFrhSVDJF1G9/s1600/IMG_1251-2.jpg">
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<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh-z9fVIoOZkb12F746jh1XgDnKxYQUbx_610M4zOlvFRi1_4MqB2nqzL7C7Zrp-ofCkqBmDJvzhwWC9nmoBDdtVqexQ7bRoyhlMRFbwEX4p5KiDK5jYrMVxdcjDPAUVwuMHmTgGhgJs24/s1600/IMG_1257.jpg">
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<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhgMl0T2TKMgVBJVNn5LSKDSPQ2Q-lXv8uxysiAR235FTTHrXkOueR8SAkdN0TJBvngElSQR2Jj9DbLI_X3G_XoKLhuAkjYQf_CNszHtoz3Kol4cHeuga4Af0nwZ4mPrnpgMmoRioZFOEE/s1600/IMG_1258.jpg">
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<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1771czMoDkmmqqAjR7ZldnzhU3Ce5cN2_WiwmLprj8FmEIChrByJLIL6GTgdMFg5YR7zcbnAaCT-DQrz4w7H3NFMVpS8jPvdVxO7uwtturv0F51FYBqRPi5j8Mw71V_-te3MXxJzNw90A/s1600/IMG_1259.jpg">
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<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbnibLY7iAOJMWevLjuSf_u1RCopf5R45ph_Pl7CQSWdQQz_gPyzZDh0a8236JNKhHyLQIiBcLcu2FoziBIoWimbDtHQA094ZW0KjbIhmyHHD6DgRP4grEQcjLoOG69ekFwTZaaWbxwGSh/s1600/IMG_1266.jpg">
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<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGTYknO3BysOmjHuEvZrT8lVu3MxWxiC7KOOv42j5T9fANtnA6QllfCpZ3mnI4waefAlFWde8mL_B11lhaXH9yBd46nmY4ehjBnIdwCMPPBAbnN9uuwHuMHQoh1k4o19Rov71qvVBt2W2o/s1600/IMG_1269.jpg">
<br><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3ucfYUkw_4FOzk6nrJWuOnj07bmJ564DNiZ_byHhAbTBmdqLcOnYrH_TZMmFtCdIPnTokQovhELMRAuJe7v3VjV8oUtqERF8VJcujWdg0utRRZTCEjQDUr0-NafNQQzgFY09l8G7ISGvF/s1600/Separator.png">
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Thank you for reading!
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<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixZWpqawfT9-9zU1KciVjNW1orXvtOsFijJ1acFou0hJFHvGw1RasFvCzjea-sjE-tXV46NtF3QQddJan9zYhfvt7Zk5rqBQLn4pW4zNMfhC8Q41-zgfmzSqzzORAty6VW8Uj-1i1GDY4/s1600/love,Amanda.png">
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<a href="http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=http://darlingsimplicity.blogspot.com/2014/04/wandering-wednesdays-ii-marietta-square.html" target="_blank"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_4mTk7mb3rbiEfU4qMhOaSPk1nw-UAvvME5soB0UqL85TFEJ609OMlscKtCfh630kWQQidUFlCP1Ka4bMS4_tPw198m8AFHzSoFJ0RjCMWflovZgkhu5bUIN1bhk-wV8cWVa9tmOk2vhn/s1600/FB+Share+Button.png" border="0">
</a>
</center> Amanda Elisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10369947161055308939noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8300965763519337943.post-67120149923993462322014-03-26T13:38:00.003-07:002014-04-02T07:58:18.059-07:00Wandering Wednesdays I - Downtown Acworth<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6FQdzfXOuaK4rS8UClmtRTcKq__ZLmyN4YLVccn8_C09oys_p24JxvIB2_8XrRVF9ACuzNW5dG8dIHmankgEX6se98NtyZu2WS91YcQuTZ30GP1Jm64LNGlZk8tG5ebgHmV31VsOXEOc/s1600/Dear+reader.png">
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<p>With my Facebook friends posting fun pictures of their various spring break adventures, I have been getting quite fidgety and anxious to travel and see new things. After sitting at my computer for hours looking up dirt-cheap places to visit and having no luck, I decided to adventure to some places near me in hopes of finding something new and exciting! Downtown Acworth was the first place that came to my mind.
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If you are interested in visiting Acworth but do not really have an idea of what there is to do there, check out <a href="http://acworthtourism.org/">Acworth's tourism website</a>. It may be small, but Acworth holds a lot of history and tons of annual events (including an Easter egg hunt coming up in April).
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I hope you enjoy the pictures I snapped of my adventure. Be on the look out for more posts about other upcoming adventures!
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<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh55p5NfnMeedhyHJ2sxn92GJqyRjrD4aiQDpqn2rgmzgCBQVjBeb2mElBy-K5402c2yfEIlmuKEAEVYMV3rUqkv6-idkhkIFdwIi9JaptAg3QcvXdxuH9L39_gBOOOpX6Bs6gR7gjZ9cuB/s1600/026.jpg">
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<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWRwL6awMgxR5hpWvSVHWNNOrdLKjp5K6OL6N3hC8wuLJQ9s3A-GnrlOGp4nYWcQ329rssVEW8egRon6cUI0p2o1OBhZCFxr56aWa5DCuV4V4crjQA2gsWReXwKV2pSA15gq0gxje0Q2O8/s1600/023.jpg">
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<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgimS9ZCZ2sHoNLeoFbfGlT8H2dGlKSHz66E9eTmWM4nGvJZIJza_4stQwCUn-6Ol9tE2wu6YT8M8doImehMwn83a1YTtfLcPIZu7MKkfrssLzZJ0WUDkiNOHuOOTflDJfuI2SO9O4gfTXS/s1600/029.jpg">
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<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxM6ri-SFQhAA2n2nrD16urdJoRxH50hcc0cFys8MroaQQxYGrQsOlLX9W5fsOG8zAKvGb0hPIBQLOXz0_-moY6Kyj-JufR4GJh1OMupkdcykyihKQG8A52NRbzlw-v-MvlpM2vhZv7aWS/s1600/040.jpg">
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<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4mPd9KFrw3PLubFiuLeJcm_gHpofhFgtpiESTG7QG-r3bTPp1SYOCr278O5PUdzoyYT9JhuGTRCndNXlbVSO28c3_opsC74-jTy4rAn6ZMpy7wXpOoXexnjSSK6aGvhvnOMuttzrsqMYw/s1600/036.jpg">
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<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAlSjhpGCs_np7qmWWD6O143jHjtMsbXhaIi1EBn3G270mF_lAgLzsMmbMjNuj9T_3hdTk9hbusqgk_NKzmdOaajfvTE-ae0BQATjVCQHAlqGAt_QXYBGINGkRU03XIp-te-7iiSwwm14U/s1600/037.jpg">
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<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWpb6b8AUud2oLlzuVMvj2hRCckTTwT5hNvktAWqcij7sD1HKyuUA0H10by8aGITUKsBmTtSuGYap0ms0Nip0rxdF04sQrC0vLqmH3v5o_7zrF6NcrZa122E-BGT2qn4ZUXEe-xVroy0g9/s1600/064.jpg">
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<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiStRpbBFKpuqOvvArgPI-K6-myR_lInIHBe96BEgI_7ssA0vOA5b8z0EJdMH-3I2gBg6VsYU_q3WUalHsehc67BTcZdkdL-KrgEgdnRWVPv_6ruJmNT5ixlpmwEbRGEpTkFrmiFE3ipiDe/s1600/063.jpg">
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<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCPBvUYILl5siDjobpe2XwPUz16qzeWmuIDa4eMb0sx1-hGl0DL_8uflr47f29OayIumjqjhIe9AethJbly6Cu4_S_FHGKee6AQXf8SxudVI0mRQW2KwD8Qlx7UD-xvGIVvSmkGR7nLiW3/s1600/043.jpg">
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<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvWJhOHjMMKYI_CLyaSpJ9RzYZBqy_CmrGl-fz2A15JpRAKf2Piq93fQhzAWwIsqGz9i-ZxVXBqohpzlUeo47bbp7jz02jHH3JnsRamv5K9KTW_bUBcTn0xbkhZaVj3VNEz-PBUw2xTdXC/s1600/050.jpg">
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<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy__E_KCrpSYLYKvXwoX3yWq0mpK8TtSd8HyMW3VnWVpJA8C5UHdodF2C1yxLw0pRtlN8uVT_YkRg-8Xt_rdaKjzUcetwTZL3Q6WGmrCzkH3ReFuDts2EXnTapgQJ3ey6_6inOIHeRY1kB/s1600/056.jpg">
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<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSopVw45izNyzKLsQYOaDZ5snYZXBXUxQXXkiuCdoHTNbwg-rNwklRimawzmlr408zYHE6pMPqXu5R-n9sqhO0XEgiGrvYoyRsfiN-3YjyTWJf2kJvpyHFWgZQjixPGDPMpSCwdXB-onvD/s1600/055-2.jpg">
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<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdBKlcfceGoalAtEUvfg19VC7mwTfEEv5AFHiSfOc8fPROqSYv1b3DNufUrwX-NFH1SLtcQog41oAE40AosaiRHARF5a0dMGiBhh2cbXXzTJiYZ_DNgH_-0KaX_dKaD8sA6diiIm9GocXf/s1600/069.jpg">
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<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3iRZGWY0dAYPLEXoLmFRKxcaxVpSvM7QAjdKCnS-Q252UJAUGWy0KVfXsFE_PRuEKcYZMjueNKhwn6WIMQqVJ8fRvvM7cvMRAUcbvGtLdoS4T6ldmx2_AtqiprLIzdnTi7R2M6_duAdq4/s1600/077.jpg">
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<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpEoNqmRX_d3kDjHYI4Exyn-FWslD3C4yqaxt8y0deFLR2K6cPCuRsHisslBFfcAAWjsJIL5W6yjGVoLscW8Q4f-cQT21XmQym_lQkH4Hm5ihIkUJGs3Dg1_c12zltywPtmClutxYaQ5Mb/s1600/084.jpg">
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He was upset because I was taking <i>alot</i> of pictures of him.
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<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyzr_gpsFqnyX5OtVvfjq7vWWluzsV0ic-BaxhR1i_R7tRR1eHyCD2kADJxOIRQ-hC2idmLChgXCTkA1J0MGjDxeHMLlR5SZYzIOG75V8GlrmxhU922IpnAMyILCSC_-sbURRw905L4-f_/s1600/093.jpg">
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I have one word to explain this - silliness
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<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic7urPZvmExjwDVXPj16_3gB7yUwbPE5BdhhslnPUdGRqGRX8wHhyYqINU2Lsx8k7qAbSrM5D_00pYoIy26APtRMv9cCprFyL_SdI9xh3rbVbBtuRlBIc0xPYqUVWztcJlX2s8oI0U5gSC/s1600/101.jpg">
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My outfit.
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<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_it9iAO3HXyx5Vd2N1G1-tKDiX-mB_WcTq6TC4KjyrGPksSPENu_-sbzzXLDqntrdKdLr3xyb_dadwqqzXbKNJzgYFJVT-MRwNdXOxHJcJEa4JR8G5-LWhY9jkf9id-6WhMc1_q6yn9V5/s1600/105.jpg">
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Jamison got me this necklace for our two-year anniversary this past January. It has the Roman Numerals "I.I.MMXII" on it, symbolizing January 1, 2012, which is when we started dating.
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<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaEhATP10ettar3K56RbQYDktEtCivgFav5HzXOH9cK2dg96xfdvj8DRyUPo5SAoL2jlj9sukOvotqEdvlIw7MRTCB6eLsJWuns0Zg4IbiTUE-kngMQp9bf1ux6zjEps0RRwNdB1E3dLyI/s1600/108.jpg">
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<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLUp6COzfA3N9ByF3KX6TC_Q4g2Q9AMaviaoK1kofLJFhoj-dTm_j00EQVsdcR_TE-f_-5eWVd0PwfY8tFQKwvW1K1kOErZ_jeH1IRCapJ0hLPGLFpjjFll6arDcA9R22yEJothRMXRcV1/s1600/120.jpg">
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Thank you so much for reading!
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixZWpqawfT9-9zU1KciVjNW1orXvtOsFijJ1acFou0hJFHvGw1RasFvCzjea-sjE-tXV46NtF3QQddJan9zYhfvt7Zk5rqBQLn4pW4zNMfhC8Q41-zgfmzSqzzORAty6VW8Uj-1i1GDY4/s1600/love,Amanda.png" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixZWpqawfT9-9zU1KciVjNW1orXvtOsFijJ1acFou0hJFHvGw1RasFvCzjea-sjE-tXV46NtF3QQddJan9zYhfvt7Zk5rqBQLn4pW4zNMfhC8Q41-zgfmzSqzzORAty6VW8Uj-1i1GDY4/s1600/love,Amanda.png"></a>
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<a href="http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=http://darlingsimplicity.blogspot.com/2014/03/adventuring-downtown-acworth.html" target="_blank"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_4mTk7mb3rbiEfU4qMhOaSPk1nw-UAvvME5soB0UqL85TFEJ609OMlscKtCfh630kWQQidUFlCP1Ka4bMS4_tPw198m8AFHzSoFJ0RjCMWflovZgkhu5bUIN1bhk-wV8cWVa9tmOk2vhn/s1600/FB+Share+Button.png" border="0">
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</center> Amanda Elisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10369947161055308939noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8300965763519337943.post-45401921455979290302014-03-04T17:41:00.001-08:002014-07-18T16:57:36.970-07:00Goals of 2014 & 2015<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6FQdzfXOuaK4rS8UClmtRTcKq__ZLmyN4YLVccn8_C09oys_p24JxvIB2_8XrRVF9ACuzNW5dG8dIHmankgEX6se98NtyZu2WS91YcQuTZ30GP1Jm64LNGlZk8tG5ebgHmV31VsOXEOc/s1600/Dear+reader.png">
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<p>It is about time I write another goals post, seeing as the last one I wrote was for the summer of 2013!
Posting about what I wanted to achieve that summer surprisingly helped me succeed more than I thought I'd be able to, so I thought it would be beneficial to make one for the coming year/year and a half, and see what happens.
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</p><center><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlYntfjXTrAiTsx1u4lOdgcFHtcif6xgJsmDe5-fy0XGvCfdi69cPSV6Y4AQDdPPm4SY0FKx7a7wqNNHQrDr1Za-vXsVO1T_HubGJCCPOhzFxFq4E_n4vQZhAY2gJee2C0CLU2KAjVlT56/s1600/Beach.png"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9TQGO4d1YLJxQoerVuHxMDbL7e2S41DO6VZ8nNxLZdgJHPHo78fsd9NO1yBKW5k-Rj0Y3x0rpGRmaZa1VPMrGpHaQmuzeW_7JxVJlX5SCIqo9SNPUDnVFPRC7EeGcXlHiIrqFQetddg3P/s1600/Hiking.png"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR3Z8mCnTGwlLDde9fWirJ7nLZKPPGFmBhMx798sHpJJNbS_YiMWJSf9exQIxsxt8jKgOK7j4Zj1LdqQDL-hgbXKXPkBoFQr5_NR_gQNkiDY1UXbQZc4ltQHwjoIxO71HqyDplkXJCA-Ae/s1600/Husky.png"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHMGJ2cKlZadwNNiZIZfCn8jY4exeu1f4pv4yMHguX2kdWzKHmMWK-J9lpYNXNxRsmH2HTNw52V6LwtBQf_u4ZG8A2O5G1ynoqbFjlE84q5xBParFXxFl_W1PDPgoXsbUhyphenhyphenbCq0jvmNvJL/s1600/Snow.png"></center>
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1. <strike><b>Get a job.</b></strike> <- May 2014
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2. <strike>Complete my first year of college.</strike> <- May 2014
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3. <strike>Go to the beach.</strike> <- June 2014
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4. Start P90x...and FINISH IT.
<br>5. Get a <b>dog</b>.
<br>6. Buy a <b>car</b>.
<br>7. Go on a road trip.
<br>8. Go on a mission trip to <i>anywhere</i>.
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9. Have a mud fight.
<br><strike>10. Buy a camera.</strike>
<br>11. Read Harry Potter 1&2, and "The Book Thief."
<br>12. Read "More or Less," "Boundaries," and "A Purpose Driven Life."
<Br>13. Kayak.
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What are some goals you have for the coming year?
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixZWpqawfT9-9zU1KciVjNW1orXvtOsFijJ1acFou0hJFHvGw1RasFvCzjea-sjE-tXV46NtF3QQddJan9zYhfvt7Zk5rqBQLn4pW4zNMfhC8Q41-zgfmzSqzzORAty6VW8Uj-1i1GDY4/s1600/love,Amanda.png" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixZWpqawfT9-9zU1KciVjNW1orXvtOsFijJ1acFou0hJFHvGw1RasFvCzjea-sjE-tXV46NtF3QQddJan9zYhfvt7Zk5rqBQLn4pW4zNMfhC8Q41-zgfmzSqzzORAty6VW8Uj-1i1GDY4/s1600/love,Amanda.png"></a>
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<a href="http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=http://darlingsimplicity.blogspot.com/2014/02/goals-of-2014.html" target="_blank"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_4mTk7mb3rbiEfU4qMhOaSPk1nw-UAvvME5soB0UqL85TFEJ609OMlscKtCfh630kWQQidUFlCP1Ka4bMS4_tPw198m8AFHzSoFJ0RjCMWflovZgkhu5bUIN1bhk-wV8cWVa9tmOk2vhn/s1600/FB+Share+Button.png" border="0">
</a>
</center> Amanda Elisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10369947161055308939noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8300965763519337943.post-58123230194434938312014-02-27T20:47:00.001-08:002014-02-27T21:27:34.210-08:00Shiny & New<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6FQdzfXOuaK4rS8UClmtRTcKq__ZLmyN4YLVccn8_C09oys_p24JxvIB2_8XrRVF9ACuzNW5dG8dIHmankgEX6se98NtyZu2WS91YcQuTZ30GP1Jm64LNGlZk8tG5ebgHmV31VsOXEOc/s1600/Dear+reader.png" />
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<p>First of all, welcome to Darling Simplicity 10.0! This new layout was designed by me, Amanda, and was inspired by the shower curtain in my bathroom. The shower curtain is made of clear vinyl and has lovely Gerbera daisies on it. I know this new theme does not necessarily have that "flower-y look" like my shower curtain, but it is different - which is what said shower curtain inspired me to be.
<br><br>I thought it was time for a change. I created and introduced the most recent theme for Darling Simplicity almost one year ago, and if you have been reading since the beginning, you know that a year is an extremely long time for me to be content with the look of my blog.
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In addition to a new look, I've added several other categories for this blog's content in the navigation section to the right. Feel free to check them out!
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I've also added a handy little link so you can now share posts from this blog with your friends on your facebook wall:
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<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilitE8fmsktD4tMsq-ziNgLAjn6s3S1JUxA23q8EMM-c1hMU2jVclQJ4AVZcv8K63JLLbbTG0Ec8ByGG2D3U48WNMrT56NU4_zGiyAd4cwnG1MTe4bHgK5SbXHc5-uKcDgOLpH_lTa6Cs3/s1600/Separator+-+top.png">
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<a href="http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=http://darlingsimplicity.blogspot.com/2014/02/shiny-new.html" target="_blank"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_4mTk7mb3rbiEfU4qMhOaSPk1nw-UAvvME5soB0UqL85TFEJ609OMlscKtCfh630kWQQidUFlCP1Ka4bMS4_tPw198m8AFHzSoFJ0RjCMWflovZgkhu5bUIN1bhk-wV8cWVa9tmOk2vhn/s1600/FB+Share+Button.png" border="0">
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<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3ucfYUkw_4FOzk6nrJWuOnj07bmJ564DNiZ_byHhAbTBmdqLcOnYrH_TZMmFtCdIPnTokQovhELMRAuJe7v3VjV8oUtqERF8VJcujWdg0utRRZTCEjQDUr0-NafNQQzgFY09l8G7ISGvF/s1600/Separator.png">
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<br>Over the past year or so, I've kept track of the numerous designs Darling Simplicity has had by screenshotting the theme after I create it. I thought it might be interesting for you guys to see just how much it has changed, and hopefully improved as well.
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<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-bCMjnfbzkPjQO0rOD3jr5RoLAWSmXhenxGKujuG7pHm7Y8OM2zPJzxouA3RZDnD-KOcY3xCFMia18XfglQDk9ShWGOM213u97VC19ON66MSfLeIIEgyN71LSQXy37mvOuerH24UQAgq3/s1600/Remembering+4.18.13.png">
<br>Before I changed my blog's name to <i>Darling Simplicity</i>, I had a... some might say, "overly-complicated and difficult-to-bring-up-in-a-sentence" blog, entitled <i>Incipient Eternity</i>.
<br>[Date: 4.18.13]
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<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcbcAjvGkYXwhNfBMYji9_hyphenhyphenfug_7aUjUzY18B8OatczHhIUMQmxi8zS7YdFF-gB42h2xnPzQd1Jq6-7sSp_h2gxJ9AzAIG6hAXZ3WCGzFOJKtQOb0cHZ_uRBd7aGlPMelWaT9JfiO0CSf/s1600/Remembering+4.19.13.png">
<br>Out with the old, in with the new! <i>Incipient Eternity</i> became <i>Darling Simplicity</i> and got a whole new look. My blog's name was (in a way) inspired by this theme. The background made me feel happy when I looked at it, therefore it stuck...until I changed it up a few short days later.
<br>[Date: 4.19.13]
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<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQvDxopJXskzOdvCkjMPRw3wc0x5IfTs4yNuPgaia0SIkLGj88VsE1fmPwKzHAqbkIzmvcBdCkIvUzeML-0SbcUbHy3QycRXOEWznyyX85Gi_y7HLwVF9kMKxI5WVIIZrL_ukvBxOEo0Cv/s1600/Remembering+4.22.13.png">
<br>I had begun feeling like the more simple the layout was, the better.
<br>[4.22.13]
<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeSNtD_XKwE1y-RZP-43arROlBxpTTvTKPkKi2LeNI9jw71KIGRerBv9sZBGVc6W_r4a52phxQtx9XFXTbn7JirVoEsBUKoDyy4qSXefbBeX_E1KyG-bcUXlEskRAIWicqQRvkSezRFVDD/s1600/Remembering+4.23.13.png">
<br>I have no excuse as to why I changed my blog to this one. I most likely just wanted to change things up after having the other theme for so long... *cough cough*
<br>[Date: 4.23.13]
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<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj00hWmGtgrzswqt1WMQJs3f2Yqo0kPv3_dzhJFX2sA83I37YtJEByW_SyR04NboK18BQAgLoF8EN54rRzAGaVSDir1ByPztpl4OTCnzzSLszKa3QMCx5Z345fZA7Pnb6nNDm7L3x5vQNNA/s1600/Remembering+5.4.13.png">
<br>After going on a little photo-shoot, I felt inspired. This layout didn't last too terribly long - it missed something, I just hadn't put my finger on what yet.
<br>[Date: 5.4.13]
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<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXiQK_uUICDZ0VrdcOjRviI24dV7eV-rMghlF0xOFOlUQ0j-EZsoj8TVuimy_vcIVMw_2RwaaL4B28bINA7jlpAOY87TWowpmPCyW6SdaL36P40Rs8aTEPM9aY4cSv1pEohUZ-28bxPEzw/s1600/Remembering+7.11.13.png">
<br>And finally, we have reached the one that probably looks the most familiar to you. This design made its first appearance in May, but was not finalized until July of 2013.
<br>[Date: 7.11.13]
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So there you have it, folks! I hope you got some enjoyment out of my stroll down memory lane.
<br>See you in my next post!
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</center>Amanda Elisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10369947161055308939noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8300965763519337943.post-31477541060034607742014-02-24T09:42:00.000-08:002014-03-04T17:06:01.736-08:00The Trouble with Lemonade<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6FQdzfXOuaK4rS8UClmtRTcKq__ZLmyN4YLVccn8_C09oys_p24JxvIB2_8XrRVF9ACuzNW5dG8dIHmankgEX6se98NtyZu2WS91YcQuTZ30GP1Jm64LNGlZk8tG5ebgHmV31VsOXEOc/s1600/Dear+reader.png" />
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<p>It has been said that when life gives you lemons, you are supposed to make lemonade.
<br>
This may be the most difficult statement to follow through with, or at least it feels like it is for me.
<br><br>Over the past couple of weeks, I have come to realize that the whole "making lemonade with lemons" thing is not possible without sugar... but where and how does one find sugar? Is she still writing metaphorically, or...? And what does it mean to need sugar in your life?
<br>Well, I'll show you.
<br><br>There are (generally) three types of people in this world: <i>Pessimists</i>, <i>Optimists</i>, and <br><i>"Pessoptimists"</i> -- and yes, that last one is an Amanda-ism.
<br><br>The <u>Pessimists</u> look at how they wish life could be and tend to spend most of their time thinking about the things that are going wrong in their lives, which has the tendency to make them unhappy and overwhelmed quite easily.
<br>The <u>Optimists</u> see things the way that life is and most of the time are able to take the good from the bad, and lead a decently happy life full of positive perspectives.
<br>The <u>"Pessoptimists"</u> are the ones who weigh both negatives and positives of a situation, which results in them choosing positivity 50% of the time, and negativity the other 50%.
<br><br>
<b>To the pessimists -</b>
<br>Recall the story in the Bible of the woman, her son, and Elijah in 1 Kings 17:7-16. In this story, Elijah asks the woman to make him some bread to which she replies that she only has enough flour and oil to last one meal before she and her son die of starvation. It appears as though Elijah ignored the woman and instructs her to go home and make the loaf for him anyway. She did so, and was able to make enough bread for not only Elijah, but both her and her son as well. Elijah promised her that her jars of flour and oil would not run dry until the Lord sent rain to the land again.
<br><br>The woman was able to see God's awesome grace and glory through the never-ending supply of flour and oil, because she chose to believe in the best of what Elijah told her. Though she did not know that her jars would not empty for a long time before she made Elijah the loaf of bread, she trusted that he knew something she did not.
<br><br>The constant supply of flour and oil for the woman, is what the Bible is to us. There are <b>so</b> many verses of encouragement, if you know where to look. God's hope for you is that while you are being dumped on with the lemons that life has for you, that you will turn to Him and His word for comfort, trusting that He has a plan for your suffering.
<br><br>
<b>To the optimists -</b>
<br>God has blessed you with one of the most awesome gifts of all - the positive perspective. You have the gift to seek out the good in most situations. That being said, it is important to remember that not everyone has that easy of a time with life. Use your gift to speak to others, reminding them that the struggles they are facing are a part of God's master plan (Romans 8:28).
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<b>To the pessoptimists -</b>
<br>It is crucial to go to God's word when you are faced with adversity. The lemons can overwhelm you easily (not speaking from experience or anything), so try to befriend an optimist to help point you in the right direction (the Bible) when you are not sure where to turn.
<br><br>My purpose in writing this post is to encourage those who are being drowned by lemons this week, month, year, etc.. God has a huge schematic of our lives up in Heaven, which includes the pits we fall into, or the trials we face. Thankfully, we have a sort of instruction manual that tells us how to get out of the pits and times of trial; this manual is our Bible. The verses below are the ones that stick out the most to me when I think of "instructions" on overcoming adversity, and seeking guidance in times of trouble.
<br><br>
<b>Phillippians 4:10-13</b>
<br><i>"I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength."</i>
<br><br>
<b>James 1:2-4</b>
<br><i>"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."</i>
<br><br>
<b>Psalm 16:8</b>
<br><i>"I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken."</i>
<br><br>
<b>1 Peter 5:7</b>
<br><i>"Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you."</i>
<br><br>So whether you are a pessimist, optimist, or a pessoptimist, I hope that you have been encouraged. Remember that God is on your side, and He is rooting for you.
<br><br>I hope you have a great week.
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Amanda Elisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10369947161055308939noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8300965763519337943.post-33714607508711667632014-01-06T12:05:00.002-08:002014-03-04T17:06:31.162-08:00Fasting...and Juice<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6FQdzfXOuaK4rS8UClmtRTcKq__ZLmyN4YLVccn8_C09oys_p24JxvIB2_8XrRVF9ACuzNW5dG8dIHmankgEX6se98NtyZu2WS91YcQuTZ30GP1Jm64LNGlZk8tG5ebgHmV31VsOXEOc/s1600/Dear+reader.png" />
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<p><i><b>"What the poop is a juice fast?"</b></i> ← my first thought upon hearing my parents talk about juice fasting for the first time. It had only been one short month since I moved away to school - had they become health nuts already?
<br><br>
Okay, okay, so I may or may not have had a similar reaction to George Banks in Father of the Bride where he went out and bought a whole-lotta-hot dog buns at the store. Needless to say, this extreme shift in their view on food took me by surprise. Not a bad surprise, just... different.
<br>I was certainly up for hearing about it as I shoved half of a ham and cheese Hot Pocket into my mouth, and was quite surprised at how serious they were taking this whole juicing thing.
<br><br>As it turns out, juicing takes up a lot of your time initially, but is extremely beneficial to your body in the long run. My parents had just come off of a 10-day juice fast, and loved it! They later went on to repeat the same fast a month or so later.
<br><br>
With me living back at home, I have decided to give this thing a try. My father and I went to the farmer's market last week and stocked up on all of the ingredients we'd need to do this thing, and in the process got a few odd glances as our kart literally looked as if we were stocking up for a restaurant's crazy lunch hour rush.
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The problem, however, was figuring out how to store all of the food once we got home...
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<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM8g2NDteMgHBqirUQ3PVLWfSB3l_mfpCxEzvKUwnshAuNFcAzXDrLZ-tIADwZszoKqVrJ6qAldSpk2wMtEC9nNOhTU-7ZG7-kl1GwZ74g-afJza5Bf-YJbn4PJv3hntCW0MJgx6TXDMnZ/s400/photo+2+(1).JPG">
<br>(We managed)
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Once the "easy" part was over, we had to juice the goods. This took about four and a half hours. (Yes, you read correctly.) Preparing and cleaning the veggies and fruits was quite the task. Fortunately, running them through the big-bad-juicing-machine was a lot more enjoyable.
<br><br>
Today was the first day of the juice fast. I'd be lying to you if I said "Man, this is a piece of cake!" Because frankly, I've been craving just that. Well, anything that crunches, squishes, or requires some effort in terms of getting food to the point where I can swallow it and digest it, would be lovely. But alas, I must carry on!
<br><br>
<h3>Why?</h3>
<br>I'm participating in this juice fast (willingly, and at times unwillingly) for several reasons:
<br>1. For my moral and happiness to depend less on eating throughout the day.
<br>2. To cleanse my body of all the onion rings and chicken fingers I ate while away at school. (no regrets)
<br>3. To spend less time worrying about my weight, and more time on the important things in life.
<br><br>
I'm not exactly sure if I'll be able to do the full 10-day juice only fast, but I'm definitely going to try my hardest.
<br>Oh! And If you're curious, this is what breakfast and lunch looked like for me this morning. Breakfast (the orange drink): carrots, oranges, apples, and lemons. Lunch: apples, cucumbers, kale, and parsley.
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</center> Amanda Elisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10369947161055308939noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8300965763519337943.post-9049426867580258772013-12-07T17:42:00.002-08:002014-03-04T17:07:13.485-08:00Game Change<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6FQdzfXOuaK4rS8UClmtRTcKq__ZLmyN4YLVccn8_C09oys_p24JxvIB2_8XrRVF9ACuzNW5dG8dIHmankgEX6se98NtyZu2WS91YcQuTZ30GP1Jm64LNGlZk8tG5ebgHmV31VsOXEOc/s1600/Dear+reader.png" />
<br>
<p>I'd like to clear one thing up right away: I am coming back - indefinitely.
<br>
As some of you may have heard, "I" have decided to come back to my hometown and continue my education there. "I" is used loosely in this situation, because as those of you who I have talked with about this decision know, it was not "I" who initiated and finalized this.
<br><Br>
About two months (or less) ago, God laid on my heart the idea of coming back to my hometown, and going to a local college to further my education. When the idea first came up, I completely disregarded it because going to the school I am attending now was going to be my future for the next four years.
<br><center>Right?</center>
<br>Like He usually does (and has complete liberty to do so), God decided to mix up the game board a bit when I wasn't looking. He continued to poke and prod me with this idea until I was forced to look it in the face, no longer having the luxury of pushing it onto the back burner.
<br><Br>
I sat on my hands for the next few weeks because I was completely perplexed about the whole concept. <i>I</i> had planned to live on campus for four years, and had accepted the fact that I was going to miss out on a lot of things that were happening back at home. I had come to grips with the fact that I was going to miss countless birthdays, wonderful plays, and other life changing moments in people's lives over the next four years. I had come to terms with the idea that my home was no longer going to be considered the place where my cats lived, and that was...ok. So naturally, you can see why when God first put this idea into my head, I was more than hesitant to entertain the thought.
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I remember lying on the floor of my dorm (ew, I know), and thinking to myself "what am I going to do?" A lot of things had happened prior to this particular moment that may or may not have shaded my perspective on life right then, but I somehow just knew what was in store. I gave the next two weeks or so to God, making sure that I kept reading His Word and seeking His face in hopes that would end up revealing the right answer to me. I talked with several people about it to get insightful and wise advice. It came down to the question - "Why would God have me do this, and why can't I do that where I am at now?"
<Br><Br>
So to be quite honest and transparent, I have absolutely no answer to give you guys. I have no idea what God has in store for me over the next four years, but I am confident that if I continue to trust in Him and follow His instruction, He will use me for the enlargement of His kingdom.
<Br><BR>
I'd be lying if I said that I am going into this (or coming out of this, depending on how you look at it) without any doubt or fear. God has shown me so much in the mere one semester I've attending this school, and I am worried that I won't be able to find the same fellowship, learning experience, or environment ever again. I know that the Bible instructs us to follow Christ by <i>faith</i>, and not by sight, but it is definitely harder than it may appear. The next few months of my life will be full of tears, laughter, and a heavy heart - but that does not mean that I am not excited for the changes. Romans 8:28 says "For we know that in all things, God works for the good of those who love Him, and are called according to His purpose." My prayer is that I will continue to love Him and follow His direction so that I may fulfill the purpose He has for me.
<br><br>In closing, I wanted to thank all of you who have supported me through this. As cliche as it sounds, I could not have done it without the encouragement you have given me.
<br><br>I hope you are all having an absolutely wonderful week, and I shall hopefully blog again soon (if finals don't kill me first).
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</center> Amanda Elisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10369947161055308939noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8300965763519337943.post-51614544693566676642013-11-15T18:15:00.002-08:002014-03-04T17:07:43.291-08:00Ladybugs, I Strongly Dislike You<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6FQdzfXOuaK4rS8UClmtRTcKq__ZLmyN4YLVccn8_C09oys_p24JxvIB2_8XrRVF9ACuzNW5dG8dIHmankgEX6se98NtyZu2WS91YcQuTZ30GP1Jm64LNGlZk8tG5ebgHmV31VsOXEOc/s1600/Dear+reader.png" />
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I know, I know - I've heard it all before.
<br><i>Amanda, that's a completely irrational fear...</i> or, <i>why? They're completely harmless!</i><br></center>
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The fact of the matter is they scare me with their sporadic tendencies! Think about it - they can't decide whether they are content with simply chilling on your hand, or if they want to randomly seize their wings and fly into your unsuspecting nostrils.
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But seriously, I'm not joking. This is a real thing. It's so real, someone created a name for the fear of ladybugs: <b><a href="http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20100316194631AAANXQk">coccinellidaephobia</a></b>. Okay, so I'm not exactly sure if that's a legitimate word, but google seems to think it is, so that's a good enough reason to me.
<Br><Br>
When I get teased for my "irrational" fear of ladybugs, I have to remind myself that it's just like anyone else's fear. Some people may have a fear of ants
(<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myrmecophobia">myrmecophobia</a>),
or in-laws
(<a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=define+soceraphobia&oq=define+soceraphobia&aqs=chrome..69i57.1402j0j4&sourceid=chrome&espv=210&es_sm=93&ie=UTF-8">soceraphobia</a>),
or opinions
(<a href="http://www.encyclo.co.uk/define/allodoxaphobia">allodoxaphobia</a>), or rabies
(<a href="http://www.encyclo.co.uk/define/hydrophobophobia">hydrophobophobia</a>)...
But the fact that those things may not seem scary to me does not mean that it appears less scary to the people who have a serious problem with those things I just menionted.
<br><br><Center>Bare with me, there actually is a point to this.</center>
<Br>
I think my fear of ladybugs has a much deeper meaning because if I'm honest with myself, I <i>know</i> they don't and can't do any damage to me... EVER. They're like the most harmless things on the face of the earth.
It's more their sporadic tendencies that scare me, so does that mean that what I actually am afraid of when it comes to ladybugs, is the unknown?
<br><br>
I realize this is quite a stretch, but think about it for a second. One of the largest and most irrational (or rational fear, depending on how you look at it) in life, is the fear of the unknown (panphobia).
<br><br>My questions to the Christians out there who are reading this is, are we supposed to fear this? Or should the peace we receive from Christ completely erase this fear?
<Br><br>Let's see what the Bible has to say about this:
<br><br><b>Matthew 6:34</b> says <Br><i>"Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."</i>
<br><Br>
Also in <b>Matthew 6</b>, verses 27-29 says <br><i>"'can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?' 'And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.'"</i>
<br><Br>
<b>Proverbs 12:25</b> says <br><i>"Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up."</i>
<center><Br>Still not convinced? </center>
<Br><b>Psalm 13:5</b>
<br><i>But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation.</i>
<br><br><b>Psalm 20:7</b>
<br><i>Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.</i>
<br><br><b>Psalm 28:7</b>
<br><i>The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song.</i>
<Br><br><b>Psalm 31:14</b>
<br><i>But I trust in you, O LORD; I say, "You are my God."</i>
<br><br><b>Psalm 56:3</b>
<br><i>When I am afraid, I will trust in you.</i>
<br><br>
All that said, my challenge to you is this:
<br>If you find yourself worrying about something (or the ladybugs flying around you, if you find your dorm seems to be infested with them), refer back to these verses. One of the best ways to defeat the Devil is to quote scripture.
<Br><br>
I hope my story of ladybugs, in-laws, and opinions has in some way encouraged you.
<br>Remember that God's <b><i>always</b></i> on your side, and when you rely on Him, you can conquer anything.
<center><br>
Have a blessed week,<Br>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixZWpqawfT9-9zU1KciVjNW1orXvtOsFijJ1acFou0hJFHvGw1RasFvCzjea-sjE-tXV46NtF3QQddJan9zYhfvt7Zk5rqBQLn4pW4zNMfhC8Q41-zgfmzSqzzORAty6VW8Uj-1i1GDY4/s1600/love,Amanda.png" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixZWpqawfT9-9zU1KciVjNW1orXvtOsFijJ1acFou0hJFHvGw1RasFvCzjea-sjE-tXV46NtF3QQddJan9zYhfvt7Zk5rqBQLn4pW4zNMfhC8Q41-zgfmzSqzzORAty6VW8Uj-1i1GDY4/s1600/love,Amanda.png" /></a>
<br>
<p>
</center>
<br>P.S.
<Br><br><center><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMyKagdFEY2hr5vmhD1d2zyATs44Rtv93cxF1H0oX3bqy7SWxuoMR8epEBcgREgh0KcxZfyq9SBDk0c-nFChJGeI_d6DX5zNTkpjrRe1op5i8mpu-5akOtOSgRc12BxVRbIONKPlFrdVVC/s400/Ladybug+off.png">
<br>
[<a href="http://blog.lowcountryparent.com/word-on-the-street/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2013/07/ambitiously-ladybug-flying-above-fingers.jpg">photo credit</a>]
</center>
<br><br>Be free...today.
<center>
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</a>
</center> Amanda Elisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10369947161055308939noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8300965763519337943.post-69266375380839146612013-10-28T13:57:00.000-07:002014-03-04T17:08:11.052-08:00Top 10: Tidbits of Knowledge<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6FQdzfXOuaK4rS8UClmtRTcKq__ZLmyN4YLVccn8_C09oys_p24JxvIB2_8XrRVF9ACuzNW5dG8dIHmankgEX6se98NtyZu2WS91YcQuTZ30GP1Jm64LNGlZk8tG5ebgHmV31VsOXEOc/s1600/Dear+reader.png" />
<br>
<p>As I was sitting at my desk today sipping a much loved cup of joe, I thought to myself, "There are so many things I've learned from attending college already... I wish I could share them with people." It was then and there that I remembered, "Oh, wait..."
<br><br>Welcome to the brain of a college student - where blog posts are few and far between, coffee is constantly being reheated in the microwave, and music is one of the many comforts I cling to.
<br><br>
I've come up with yet another list of ten - this time, being a list of things college has taught me so far. I hope you benefit from them in some way, but if not, I hope you enjoy reading them as you either shake your head saying, <br><i>"What a youth...,"</i> or laugh because you find that you can actually relate to one or more of the things below.
<br><br>
<h4>1. Friends are a good thing.</h4>
You can encourage one another, lend each other dryer sheets and make each other coffee (not necessarily at the same time) - needless to say, they're awesome.
<br><br>
<h4>2. Don't procrastinate.</h4>
No matter how much I don't want to do an assignment at the moment, I know I won't want to do it <u>alot</u> more, later.
<br><br>
<h4>3. Sleeping feels really good.</h4>
Get some of it. Then get some more. Need I go on?
<br><br>
<h4>4. Having a good, addicting, tv show is a must.</h4>
Unless, of course, you spend far too much time watching said tv show that you discover you've just wasted four hours of your life watching something that won't benefit you in life unless you get kidnapped by a terrorist unit and need to find a way to contact CTU by calling Tony, but Tony's too emotional because he thinks his wife's just been infected by a deadly virus to be of any help...anyway!
<br>Find a tv show you like, watch it to unwind, then go back to doing homework. ✓
<br><br>
<h4>5. Get fresh air daily</h4>
And no, walking to class doesn't count.
<Br><br>
<h4>6. Make an effort to have alone time on a daily basis.</h4>
I've found that I survive best when I give myself time each day to be by myself. It gives me time to think, time to unwind, time to breathe.
<br><br>
<h4>7. One could live off of Ramen for quite some time.</h4>
Not that <i>I've</i> tried this...
<Br><Br>
<h4>8. Wax melters/burners = praise.</h4>
Rooms smell funky after a while, and it's just the way it goes, so get one of these things. They have them at Walmart for literally $10, and all you have to do is plug the pretty thing into an outlet. The wax refills are $2, and they last for months.
<Br>Thank me later.
<br><br>
<h4>9. When hammocking-ing in the fall & winter in Georgia, always bring more sources of warmth than you think you'll need.</h4>
I may or may not have had several occasions where I've almost frozen to death because I thought I'd be fine. Moral of the story - you're not going to be fine. Just suck it up and carry that extra blanket, Amanda.
<Br><Br>
<h4>10. The Bible is not a textbook.</h4>
With all of the schoolwork that involves the Bible, it's easy to make it into a textbook that you're required to read.
To fix this? <Br>Read it for fun, read it for wisdom, read it for encouragement; just read it... a good friend gave me this very wise advice, so, thank you, good friend. *insert obnoxiously conspicuous wink here*
<Br><br><Br>
On another note, below I've posted a few pictures to act as a timeline of sorts of my life over the past few weeks:
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<td><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpjyE9fkGe-UyzTEMtbfPzgecCd9YY-ojl3smayWugoFUzMHCcVMEldKYx_DfZ30RIUTGR41BcbpHdNzn-DkC10tAq9Qk49dFpvOyb09cREm2orNmb6na7jIkiUMd4riMiN7tlWHyl_QAx/s320/photo+4+(2).JPG"></td>
<td><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_gFqS10LqX2bBfJjeD48BPv9Ucdhb2Wq3mdGEpk5uVWXFsMOuxR_1njLULbGiKVV9guH4jrDrSKxpBw6c2bvSu4l6AadWas6U_jrQ0zm5UdMAsmESYLt8TFOdctzGcyqWrI9JZrtP7Z9V/s320/photo+1+(2).JPG"></td>
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<td><center>The Humane Society brought kittens and puppies for us students to play with on National Student Day.<Br>(October 3)
<td><center>One of the most awesome people I know came to visit me & the school during Homecoming weekend.<br>(October 11)</center></td>
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<td><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9PwfkRkmbeIGXZoyqLzsF24iKGdUOyLOxPOrHE7xB25BSc8YvYCTTcR7JoUD9UWZq_PvXWgSO931KDXNMsEgaqqrPJRDm3aVv0Wmw67lS2CzSCqNiuP6qtp9tqLyBE6qCcrfvGtEWCoeb/s320/photo+5.JPG"></td>
<td><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjR-wtThaE9EXOUzGUoCWMppoYq-D6Awom3IsW_GAeHsob43x_RVRYYD5x4jdHY4IGp4_XY50AOhBN4jSvtX3gojSxqx8L4TaZLDXTtRoSM41W10ZwoYUELY59IAY_llL5lXhbemlyvzxI/s320/photo+3+(2).JPG"></td>
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<td><center>During her visit, Sam showed me her favorite Thai restaurant - Pad Thai.<br>(October 11)</center></td>
<td><center>Hammock city.<br>(October 11)</center></td>
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<td><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggW4VfA5da7ost5J0wU2cNwvtoHa2OLBuY8Cd4A4XRovz4BIiIV3wDwyHSHkuj_t2xMXz8i3-aq888IiESRuxtIqPupdOuGt8PFzS15BuMMSBUDXmcWZlydoXvtBJ3xPEQ2HfanVLtSoP7/s320/photo+4.JPG"></td>
<td><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9moXcqJMz1RZGeNOWFloqXGTJA4ss8LuxUK5a_UBrQa1DUHG9rUczJYUmQANMZCpPFgOCRuSma7VqOmPxPxyWFF27I0Egw_I7_ufnpltxSrkm6KYX7z6BMvNbhXDjnMCmNwM6_7qvS7D2/s320/photo+2.JPG"></td>
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<td><center>Washing sticks for a crafty project of mine.<br>(October 17)</center></td>
<td><center>Hiking to Little Falls with my friend, Kinsey.<br>(October 26)</center></td>
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<td><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGmC02vOtJsmQvk7nkr4aaRcSmk3Hy5YkbS5jZEl9-lajAyVTZ5GfwQgWpxXxmNrR8y4EKSEvLTbeT7VLXb2m7K42BylNkV7ATs661obNO9EgcQ6UlLsTLaf8mhlv6IwlgbopURyGhIY7J/s320/photo+1.JPG"></td>
<td><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUqGp8AQS623sRupnsExN09_qhrafv6v_DF0nGeFxlocUNYlr9c-QIpnTlbzkr3_ftUPPttGgr2o5m4KMkqLXyInxe5FR2-deEEKa_Pi5ntnqBt1a0rBW9idknFUljTgA9DzM_Vm3TJ3Di/s320/photo+3.JPG"></td>
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<td><center>R&R at Little Falls.</center></td>
<td><center>Kinsey crossing the thrushing waters.</center></td>
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<td><center><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkZygBxApaBkeLBZQ81Y9eHpFT8h-tLTBpwESEU4cZqJ5Yh-EARQOWDbPg_nhyxwkjo8U7lUxeZhWhJ9J0AhoSfZfRWpvsTw2IxlQqhvR05kF2EJOPqUCHuX6wWo8oQOplUVzS5yVys5Qa/s1600/Bracket+flipped.png"></center>
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<td><center><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkZygBxApaBkeLBZQ81Y9eHpFT8h-tLTBpwESEU4cZqJ5Yh-EARQOWDbPg_nhyxwkjo8U7lUxeZhWhJ9J0AhoSfZfRWpvsTw2IxlQqhvR05kF2EJOPqUCHuX6wWo8oQOplUVzS5yVys5Qa/s1600/Bracket+flipped.png"></center>
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<center><br>
Have a blessed week,<Br>
<br><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixZWpqawfT9-9zU1KciVjNW1orXvtOsFijJ1acFou0hJFHvGw1RasFvCzjea-sjE-tXV46NtF3QQddJan9zYhfvt7Zk5rqBQLn4pW4zNMfhC8Q41-zgfmzSqzzORAty6VW8Uj-1i1GDY4/s1600/love,Amanda.png" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixZWpqawfT9-9zU1KciVjNW1orXvtOsFijJ1acFou0hJFHvGw1RasFvCzjea-sjE-tXV46NtF3QQddJan9zYhfvt7Zk5rqBQLn4pW4zNMfhC8Q41-zgfmzSqzzORAty6VW8Uj-1i1GDY4/s1600/love,Amanda.png" /></a>
</center>
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<a href="http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=http://darlingsimplicity.blogspot.com/2013/10/top-10-tidbits-of-knowledge.html" target="_blank"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_4mTk7mb3rbiEfU4qMhOaSPk1nw-UAvvME5soB0UqL85TFEJ609OMlscKtCfh630kWQQidUFlCP1Ka4bMS4_tPw198m8AFHzSoFJ0RjCMWflovZgkhu5bUIN1bhk-wV8cWVa9tmOk2vhn/s1600/FB+Share+Button.png" border="0">
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</center> Amanda Elisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10369947161055308939noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8300965763519337943.post-47506614325534175182013-09-24T14:40:00.001-07:002014-03-04T17:08:31.419-08:00Fall Changes<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6FQdzfXOuaK4rS8UClmtRTcKq__ZLmyN4YLVccn8_C09oys_p24JxvIB2_8XrRVF9ACuzNW5dG8dIHmankgEX6se98NtyZu2WS91YcQuTZ30GP1Jm64LNGlZk8tG5ebgHmV31VsOXEOc/s1600/Dear+reader.png" />
<br>
<p>Fall has been bringing more than weather changes to this girl's life.
<br><Br>
Over the past few weeks, I've had the opportunity to visit my home church. The current theme they have been touching, teaching, and preaching on is "Generosity." You're probably thinking to yourself "<b><i>OH</i>, money</b>," because that's what I thought at first as well. As it turns out, money was their main point of discussion as they're are trying to raise money as of late, but that's not exactly the point of view I took from the subject.
<Br><Br>
Personally, I struggle very deeply with selfishness - selfishness with my time, but more specifically spending time and investing in people. Over the past two weeks, I've been thinking alot about generosity, and the effects it can have on someone's personal life. I recently had an "ah-hah!" moment during which I realized that being a generous person requires more than just being charitable with your money.
<br><br>
I'd like to challenge you to think about an area in your life where you could spare a bit more generosity. For me, it will be spending time and investing in people - what will it be for you?
<br><br>
<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs_PVIbQuxSKLfcRGiDVaPUXvwHHFv30RmqdslvTPN7NJpL3lKLs-Wt6RWwmYUHA42gLdabq-xOA6kA6nDJ-NyCq4DWlhK4zGr4T__na_fOmefoYxulo_r5E7liHF-Pl_RnCnOiWheId-e/s1600/car.png">
<br>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixZWpqawfT9-9zU1KciVjNW1orXvtOsFijJ1acFou0hJFHvGw1RasFvCzjea-sjE-tXV46NtF3QQddJan9zYhfvt7Zk5rqBQLn4pW4zNMfhC8Q41-zgfmzSqzzORAty6VW8Uj-1i1GDY4/s1600/love,Amanda.png" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixZWpqawfT9-9zU1KciVjNW1orXvtOsFijJ1acFou0hJFHvGw1RasFvCzjea-sjE-tXV46NtF3QQddJan9zYhfvt7Zk5rqBQLn4pW4zNMfhC8Q41-zgfmzSqzzORAty6VW8Uj-1i1GDY4/s1600/love,Amanda.png" /></a>
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</center> Amanda Elisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10369947161055308939noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8300965763519337943.post-16881469286811426762013-09-07T15:32:00.000-07:002014-03-04T17:09:04.278-08:00Top 10: Things College Kids Can't Live Without<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6FQdzfXOuaK4rS8UClmtRTcKq__ZLmyN4YLVccn8_C09oys_p24JxvIB2_8XrRVF9ACuzNW5dG8dIHmankgEX6se98NtyZu2WS91YcQuTZ30GP1Jm64LNGlZk8tG5ebgHmV31VsOXEOc/s1600/Dear+reader.png" />
<br>
<p>
During a particularly strenuous study session a few moons ago, my brain began to wander thinking "man, I definitely couldn't be surviving on campus at college without ______." So naturally, I decided to share these said survival items.
<br><br>
<center>
<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPUbBRGSCTjz3trxaUlzslCZJtUWC4M3J6L7aqwTjKNfmHqMcf7tFLjf6SiHVzHYzZmCY7vGquAU8dWMx9akRMBumNDxq2anMf5hNcFyaAVBxSzCVNUF8u6M-3PQLQGSn6jHyRFpGY0DPB/s1600/Header.png">
</center>
<br>
<b>1. Bottled water <i>and/or</i> a water purifier</b>
<br>
<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuSQr30DE0bSIFHC9YabY1mytdHy0A7Nlx0J4W9CqftH0yQHQSZCQGKHcRNmt6Wj1L-lwen2cVYZlpj4C5Rq9PlFd5cOGHXhySD90qMILJD8jiraIkgnKc173-eWfQVGb_fZAcuAkpTCBH/s1600/Paragraph+Indent.png">
This one is pretty self explanatory, but definitely necessary. Unless you want to depend on the water fountains around campus, you'll want to have a steady supply of clean, pure water to stay hydrated and healthy.
<br>
<br>
<b>2. Peanut butter, bread, & Ramen</b> | AKA - the carb monsters.
<br>
<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuSQr30DE0bSIFHC9YabY1mytdHy0A7Nlx0J4W9CqftH0yQHQSZCQGKHcRNmt6Wj1L-lwen2cVYZlpj4C5Rq9PlFd5cOGHXhySD90qMILJD8jiraIkgnKc173-eWfQVGb_fZAcuAkpTCBH/s1600/Paragraph+Indent.png">
Even if you have a meal plan with your college's cafe, there will be days where you are up studying late, get a sudden painful twinge of hunger, but quickly attempt to push it aside because the cafe isn't open. Of course Ramen is definitely not a source of your daily nutrition, but it can sure get you out of a tight situation!
<br>
<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuSQr30DE0bSIFHC9YabY1mytdHy0A7Nlx0J4W9CqftH0yQHQSZCQGKHcRNmt6Wj1L-lwen2cVYZlpj4C5Rq9PlFd5cOGHXhySD90qMILJD8jiraIkgnKc173-eWfQVGb_fZAcuAkpTCBH/s1600/Paragraph+Indent.png">
Or - just an example, not like I've had experience with this <i>whatsoever</i> - you'll wake up late one morning and find yourself rushing around just to get yourself together in the ten minutes you have left to get to class. If you're like me and my roommate, it is absolutely necessary to eat a little something before you dive into the classes of the morning. <Br>(Now enters the peanut butter and bread action.) It serves as a quick, easy, and (semi) healthy breakfast option, not to mention its universal capabilities for potential meal options throughout the day.
<br><br>
<b>3. Headphones</b> *Preferably ones that have quite good noise-cancelling capabilities*
<br>
<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuSQr30DE0bSIFHC9YabY1mytdHy0A7Nlx0J4W9CqftH0yQHQSZCQGKHcRNmt6Wj1L-lwen2cVYZlpj4C5Rq9PlFd5cOGHXhySD90qMILJD8jiraIkgnKc173-eWfQVGb_fZAcuAkpTCBH/s1600/Paragraph+Indent.png">
Whether you're studying in the dorm, outside, or even in your room, you'll most likely be distracted by the noises around you; BUT if you have headphones, you have the option to choose what you listen to, whether it's your own music or the blissful silence.
<br><br>
<b>4. A set of utensils</b>
<br>
<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuSQr30DE0bSIFHC9YabY1mytdHy0A7Nlx0J4W9CqftH0yQHQSZCQGKHcRNmt6Wj1L-lwen2cVYZlpj4C5Rq9PlFd5cOGHXhySD90qMILJD8jiraIkgnKc173-eWfQVGb_fZAcuAkpTCBH/s1600/Paragraph+Indent.png">
Whether for your Ramen, coffee, peanut butter, you name it, you'll probably need at least one set of utensils to aid you in consuming said goodies. My roommate and I bought <a href="http://www.walmart.com/ip/Mainstays-16-Piece-Set-with-Round-Caddy/24335933">this set</a> from Walmart about two weeks ago, and we absolutely love it. Now, it's definitely not the nicest set of flatware out there, but <i>for only $7</i>, it does its job very well.
<br><br>
<b>5. Airborne</b>
<br>
<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuSQr30DE0bSIFHC9YabY1mytdHy0A7Nlx0J4W9CqftH0yQHQSZCQGKHcRNmt6Wj1L-lwen2cVYZlpj4C5Rq9PlFd5cOGHXhySD90qMILJD8jiraIkgnKc173-eWfQVGb_fZAcuAkpTCBH/s1600/Paragraph+Indent.png">
The beautiful little piece of Heaven called Airborne, is a powder tablet you put into a glass of water, let it dissolve, then you consume. It serves to aid in protecting you from catching contagious sicknesses such as colds. These little guys come in handy when, say, your rooomie is sick, everyone on your hall is sick, the whole school is suffering from a deadly epidemic, etc.
<br><br>
<b>6. Scissors, tape, & sticky tack</b>
<br>
<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuSQr30DE0bSIFHC9YabY1mytdHy0A7Nlx0J4W9CqftH0yQHQSZCQGKHcRNmt6Wj1L-lwen2cVYZlpj4C5Rq9PlFd5cOGHXhySD90qMILJD8jiraIkgnKc173-eWfQVGb_fZAcuAkpTCBH/s1600/Paragraph+Indent.png">
Of course there are <b>several</b> different supplies you need throughout your college career, but you'd be surprised by how many people forgot their scissors and/or tape. I think those two items get overlooked simply because you use them so often on a daily basis, that in your mind, you automatically think these "constants" will always be there. Well sadly, this is not the case.
<Br><Br>
<center>Sticky tack</center>
<Br>
This is probably the most used item I use. It's extremely useful in hanging up notes people leave for you, letters you've received, photos, etc., without marking up the walls... which happens to be a pretty big no-no at pretty much any college you attend.
<br><br>
<b>7. Bible & hoodie</b>
<br>
<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuSQr30DE0bSIFHC9YabY1mytdHy0A7Nlx0J4W9CqftH0yQHQSZCQGKHcRNmt6Wj1L-lwen2cVYZlpj4C5Rq9PlFd5cOGHXhySD90qMILJD8jiraIkgnKc173-eWfQVGb_fZAcuAkpTCBH/s1600/Paragraph+Indent.png">
During those depressing and lonely times, you'll definitely want something to hold onto. What better ways of comforting you are there than your snuggly hoodie and the book that'll always speak truth into your life?
<br>
(Not to mention the fact that a hoodie is pretty much the comfiest thing out there, am I right?)
<br><br>
<b>8. Laptop</b>
<br>
<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuSQr30DE0bSIFHC9YabY1mytdHy0A7Nlx0J4W9CqftH0yQHQSZCQGKHcRNmt6Wj1L-lwen2cVYZlpj4C5Rq9PlFd5cOGHXhySD90qMILJD8jiraIkgnKc173-eWfQVGb_fZAcuAkpTCBH/s1600/Paragraph+Indent.png">
I included a laptop on this list because, well, as much as some might want to deny it, we live in the age of technology. Between our phones and laptops, we are always connected to society.
<br><br>
Seeing as most of my schoolwork is required to be submitted electronically, it is so much more convenient if you have the capability to access it anytime and anywhere. Yes, it's possible to survive without if your library provides computers for its students, but for convenience sake? Laptops win every time.
<br><br>
<b>9. A good water bottle</b>
<br>
<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuSQr30DE0bSIFHC9YabY1mytdHy0A7Nlx0J4W9CqftH0yQHQSZCQGKHcRNmt6Wj1L-lwen2cVYZlpj4C5Rq9PlFd5cOGHXhySD90qMILJD8jiraIkgnKc173-eWfQVGb_fZAcuAkpTCBH/s1600/Paragraph+Indent.png">
Like I said before, staying hydrated is extremely important. Having a water bottle that you carry around with you helps in this process, as you can imagine. I am a very biased person when it comes to water bottles, as I've loved and trusted my camelbaks through every adventure I've come into contact with. But, if I had to be honest, it makes absolutely zero difference what the brand of your water bottle is, as long as it holds water.
<br><br>
<b>10. Storage</b>
<br>
<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuSQr30DE0bSIFHC9YabY1mytdHy0A7Nlx0J4W9CqftH0yQHQSZCQGKHcRNmt6Wj1L-lwen2cVYZlpj4C5Rq9PlFd5cOGHXhySD90qMILJD8jiraIkgnKc173-eWfQVGb_fZAcuAkpTCBH/s1600/Paragraph+Indent.png">
Keep in mind that space <i>is</i> limited - that isn't a disclaimer they just tell you to keep you from bringing your entire wardrobe to campus. <u>But</u> if you absolutely have to bring a large amount of your belongings (like I did), learning how to utilize your space will help you out so much in the long run.
<br><br>
For example, if you know that your bed is tall enough to fit a few containers underneath it, utilize that space! You can buy "under the bed" storage containers at a lot of places. These containers save you tons of space, as you're able to put many things in them, such as shoes, winter clothes, craft supplies, etc...
<Br><center>
(Shoutout to my sister for donating some of hers for this cause! Love you Kimmie!)
</center>
<br>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWpHpC5hfS_5CCxILa9uRKba8VYW1Ewmt-QPz91ihq7OhilO5EQbArtl3iKJFIoNhRxveTTN_pyjWhJkbvEn04EKWlahGQG_qxj4ESSP8ACpzGwtHRQVNw92UD8_dguPb7Zb2Q0nLfFcfi/s1600/Footer.png" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWpHpC5hfS_5CCxILa9uRKba8VYW1Ewmt-QPz91ihq7OhilO5EQbArtl3iKJFIoNhRxveTTN_pyjWhJkbvEn04EKWlahGQG_qxj4ESSP8ACpzGwtHRQVNw92UD8_dguPb7Zb2Q0nLfFcfi/s1600/Footer.png" /></a>
<br><br><h3>Have I forgotten any must-haves that you can't live without on campus? Comment below with your additions, and I'll add them onto my list!</h3>
<br><br>
<center>Thank you so much for reading, and have an awesome rest of your weekend!</center>
<br><center>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixZWpqawfT9-9zU1KciVjNW1orXvtOsFijJ1acFou0hJFHvGw1RasFvCzjea-sjE-tXV46NtF3QQddJan9zYhfvt7Zk5rqBQLn4pW4zNMfhC8Q41-zgfmzSqzzORAty6VW8Uj-1i1GDY4/s1600/love,Amanda.png" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixZWpqawfT9-9zU1KciVjNW1orXvtOsFijJ1acFou0hJFHvGw1RasFvCzjea-sjE-tXV46NtF3QQddJan9zYhfvt7Zk5rqBQLn4pW4zNMfhC8Q41-zgfmzSqzzORAty6VW8Uj-1i1GDY4/s1600/love,Amanda.png" /></a>
</center>
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</center> Amanda Elisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10369947161055308939noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8300965763519337943.post-17631239659369675562013-09-05T11:51:00.000-07:002014-03-04T17:10:33.063-08:00Finally.<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6FQdzfXOuaK4rS8UClmtRTcKq__ZLmyN4YLVccn8_C09oys_p24JxvIB2_8XrRVF9ACuzNW5dG8dIHmankgEX6se98NtyZu2WS91YcQuTZ30GP1Jm64LNGlZk8tG5ebgHmV31VsOXEOc/s1600/Dear+reader.png" />
<br>
<p>
If you knew found out how many times I've tried to start writing this blog post, you probably wouldn't read my blog anymore because of the lack of determination/extremely hectic and busy lifestyles I've recently acquired.
<br><Br>
...And yet, you're still here after reading that first sentence so that's a good sign, right?
<br><Br>
Two weeks and a couple days ago, I moved away from my humble abode to my new (even more humble) abode at college. Throughout these past few weeks, I've learned quite a bit about myself ranging from how I like my coffee to how tall my pile of clothes has to get before I decide to do something about it. In the midst of it all, though, I've discovered one thing that will never change - my need for God.
<Br><Br>
Yes, I'm going to a Christian school, and yes they do a very good job of incorporating God into every aspect of life here, but what I'm talking about is much more than that.
<br><br>
Moving to a town and place that was and is foreign to me presents countless <strike>challenges</strike> <i>opportunities to grow</i> not only in my humanistic experiences, but also my faith. Between rushing to finished required reading for a class that starts in ten minutes and trying to eat semi-healthily at the all you can eat cafe, I've had several times where I've felt utterly helpless and alone.
<br>
This is where God comes in, and <b>boy</b>, does He have a grand entrance.
<Br><br>
One of the classes I am taking is a mandatory class for all incoming students called "Foundations of Spiritual Formation." I unfortunately have to take this class on Tuesday nights from 6-9pm... yes, you read right - it's a three hour class... <i>at night</i>. One of the assignments for this class are daily devotionals, as the class is about providing assistance in forming your spiritual life. We are currently using the "Morning and Evening Devotional" by Charles Spurgeon, which has so far been pretty spot-on in terms of it speaking to me in my life's current situations. In addition to reading each day's devotionals, we are required to choose one of them to write a reflection on.
<Br><Br>I suppose now would be a good time to point out that at my college, <i>worthiness</i> is our theme this year.
<Br><br>Anyway, back to the daily devotionals.
<Br>Last Friday, I was reading my morning devotional (which you can read <a href="http://www.ewordtoday.com/spurgeon/0830am.htm"><b>HERE</b></a>). This particular morning's readings touched on the concept of "waiting on the Lord" and its importance. You can only imagine the impact it had on my life at that moment, because with all of the stress that came with the first official week of classes, I was feeling quite antsy, and <b>very</b> overwhelmed. I began feeling anxious about my life here at college, and naturally started feeling a tad (okay, <i>very</i>) homesick. While I was reading this devotional, I immediately felt a sense of peace - the sort of peace that only comes from God.
<Br><Br>
If you would like to read the Charles Spurgeon Morning and Evening Devotional, click <a href="http://www.ewordtoday.com/spurgeon/"><b>HERE</b></a>.
<Br><Br>
I realize that feeling homesick is an unavoidable part of this adventure, but the importance of learning to <i>cope</i> with missing my family and friends is going to be an essential part of my success here at college.
<br>Sure, I have my new friends here who are absolutely fantastic, don't get me wrong. But there are things you just miss from your comfortable life at home, such as the luxury of getting into a car and visiting people on a whim.
<br><Br>
One HUGE part of my coping process has and will be receiving letters from people at home.
<br><br>Little disclaimer: If you haven't sent me a letter, please do not feel guilty or obligated to send me one - this is not the point I'm trying to get across, I assure you. I'm just sharing with you the blessings I've received from people who have felt led to send me one.
<br><Br>Anyway, back to the story!
<Br>Over the past two weeks, different people have sent me letters containing either encouragement, or birthday wishes, and let me tell you this - I am so utterly thankful for them. It seems like the days I am having the toughest time, God has a letter show up in my P.o. box.
<br>
One day in particular, I was feeling unusually down in the dumps. I felt as if I wasn't going to be able to get through this "college thing," and would have to pack up my things and go home, discouraged and disappointed. I asked God to show or tell me something that would help guide my thoughts and feelings, and this was the outcome:
<br>
I randomly felt an odd urge to check my P.o. box. In it was a letter from someone I was overjoyed to hear so unexpectedly from. Below is a section from this person's letter that particularly touched me:
<br><br>
<center>
<i>"I hope this note thing finds you in a great mood, but if not, be <b>encouraged</b>!
<br>Here's why:
<br><br>
1. God's got ya.
<Br>
2. He knows and hears your prayers.
<br>
3. You're awesome.
<Br>
4. Read Psalm 20."
</i>
</center>
<Br><Br>
-------------------
<br><Br>
If you aren't familiar with Psalm 20, here you go:
<br><Br>
May the Lord answer you when you are in distress;
<br>may the name of the God of Jacob protect you.
<br>May he send you help from the sanctuary
<br>and grant you support from Zion.
<br>May he remember all your sacrifices
<br>and accept your burnt offerings.
<br>May he give you the desire of your heart
<br>and make all your plans succeed.
<br>May we shout for joy over your victory
<br>and lift up our banners in the name of our God.
<br>May the Lord grant all your requests.
<br>Now this I know:
<br>The Lord gives victory to his anointed.
<br>He answers him from his heavenly sanctuary
<br>with the victorious power of his right hand.
<br>Some trust in chariots and some in horses,
<br>but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.
<br>They are brought to their knees and fall,
<br>but we rise up and stand firm.
<br>Lord, give victory to the king!
<br>Answer us when we call!
<br><Br>
-------------------
<br><Br>
I felt the stress from my shoulders melt off, as a few tears streamed down my face - this person didn't know what I was going through that day, but God used them to completely turn my day around and give me hope. I can't express how much they blessed me - thank you so much, person... and to everyone and anyone else who has sent me letters lately, thank you <b><u>so</u></b> much. You have all blessed me and made me feel like I'm not forgotten, and that is priceless.
<br><br>
<center>
On a lighter and completely different note, below are just a few pictures of my life at college so far.
</center>
<Br>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT6DQtdy3Bhb4ADsErEbLfjraINroBxe7QHQaSaAaUmKnjIGYI49-JtSk7ZuY9bwFBZbNHQmHgmexxHeFIuHtt_XAZ_e9KhTjFHCjIWiL9IgCIW1SPLwALOwlPFHxgHzrLafgrPci1Fcws/s1600/Family+Drop+off.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT6DQtdy3Bhb4ADsErEbLfjraINroBxe7QHQaSaAaUmKnjIGYI49-JtSk7ZuY9bwFBZbNHQmHgmexxHeFIuHtt_XAZ_e9KhTjFHCjIWiL9IgCIW1SPLwALOwlPFHxgHzrLafgrPci1Fcws/s640/Family+Drop+off.jpg" /></a>
<br><Center>Move-In day! (Mom, Jamison, Me, & Dad)</center>
<br>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB8M1qCEWP7GBpMgJl-cwO2PSgph1SBGFuOD-pnEUCOquZLNLUmFRa5rvzsHJJlf-KRGCD5UtGdZt0FMpmdZSFRR6pClYIa3jQyCP1Y2fZC5NoaNzUW2USIO2pczzIAJuQY4nwZjtAuDsx/s1600/College+life+-+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB8M1qCEWP7GBpMgJl-cwO2PSgph1SBGFuOD-pnEUCOquZLNLUmFRa5rvzsHJJlf-KRGCD5UtGdZt0FMpmdZSFRR6pClYIa3jQyCP1Y2fZC5NoaNzUW2USIO2pczzIAJuQY4nwZjtAuDsx/s640/College+life+-+1.jpg" /></a>
<br><center>Our room!</center>
<br>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyYIWZ0X9IPu-KibAEfhh_-SCDJEoxTC6w2TgbMZaiW4flquoRjsyCPbCUe-0wsXYk7bLhYuytZDQz5JV8bGggSYyyIlWasDFYIJLMxPLj84z9jItQqoNnhv9dTGDoxJpAA57GMEYBF6Lv/s1600/College+life+-+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyYIWZ0X9IPu-KibAEfhh_-SCDJEoxTC6w2TgbMZaiW4flquoRjsyCPbCUe-0wsXYk7bLhYuytZDQz5JV8bGggSYyyIlWasDFYIJLMxPLj84z9jItQqoNnhv9dTGDoxJpAA57GMEYBF6Lv/s640/College+life+-+2.jpg" /></a>
<br><center>My roommate and I on our first trip to Walmart together - she is the <b>best</b>. <br>God is so good.</center>
<Br>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSr1H-aRndX9vHx6nQQWgzIFtZAB3jozndLBXz_dzjUQ5_wPjV7gPqAJ0in8alnlZwKm7sAIMGJiBI5ZKXjKBc7kUAsyQslaPFHL1_-PZGP0af5fm-zKTJXwvGYMlSuYuywokPsIntGmbl/s1600/Bauer.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSr1H-aRndX9vHx6nQQWgzIFtZAB3jozndLBXz_dzjUQ5_wPjV7gPqAJ0in8alnlZwKm7sAIMGJiBI5ZKXjKBc7kUAsyQslaPFHL1_-PZGP0af5fm-zKTJXwvGYMlSuYuywokPsIntGmbl/s640/Bauer.jpg" /></a>
<br><center>We got a beta fish! His name is Bauer - yes, like Jack Bauer. Significance? My roommate and I are absolutely obsessed with 24.</center>
<br><br>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicNw6GZPco2xJYPQUzA96xRlvVA8X4QgLjj5KtY9WwScKr_9u6Gh0MpGAOkzVWDV1n0Zm226EOQXRkgRnDWQ2ehTu36ad3m06jCq_DwhkpeGNOfvcNlagbk5BtwcMxsogpmgzFz0afcFmy/s1600/Naomi's+Car.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicNw6GZPco2xJYPQUzA96xRlvVA8X4QgLjj5KtY9WwScKr_9u6Gh0MpGAOkzVWDV1n0Zm226EOQXRkgRnDWQ2ehTu36ad3m06jCq_DwhkpeGNOfvcNlagbk5BtwcMxsogpmgzFz0afcFmy/s640/Naomi's+Car.jpg" /></a>
<br><center>On one of our trips to Walmart (not the first trip), Naomi's car completely died. This was quite the adventure that I might write a whole 'nother blog post about sometime.</center>
<br><Br>
<center>
-------------------
</center>
<Br><Br>
So there you have it, folks; My recent account of what's been going on in my life as of late. How has God been showing up in your life recently? I'd absolutely love to hear about it.
<Br><br>
<u>My email:</u> <br>darlingsimplicity@gmail.com
<br><br><u>Mailing address:</u>
<br>PO box 800 161
<br>Toccoa Falls, GA 30598
<Br><br>
Thank you for reading! Stay tuned for more updates on my crazy college life.
<br><br>
<center>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixZWpqawfT9-9zU1KciVjNW1orXvtOsFijJ1acFou0hJFHvGw1RasFvCzjea-sjE-tXV46NtF3QQddJan9zYhfvt7Zk5rqBQLn4pW4zNMfhC8Q41-zgfmzSqzzORAty6VW8Uj-1i1GDY4/s1600/love,Amanda.png" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixZWpqawfT9-9zU1KciVjNW1orXvtOsFijJ1acFou0hJFHvGw1RasFvCzjea-sjE-tXV46NtF3QQddJan9zYhfvt7Zk5rqBQLn4pW4zNMfhC8Q41-zgfmzSqzzORAty6VW8Uj-1i1GDY4/s1600/love,Amanda.png" /></a>
<br>
</center>
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</center> Amanda Elisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10369947161055308939noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8300965763519337943.post-15284013224879027472013-07-26T10:54:00.003-07:002014-02-27T19:40:39.790-08:00Trust?<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6FQdzfXOuaK4rS8UClmtRTcKq__ZLmyN4YLVccn8_C09oys_p24JxvIB2_8XrRVF9ACuzNW5dG8dIHmankgEX6se98NtyZu2WS91YcQuTZ30GP1Jm64LNGlZk8tG5ebgHmV31VsOXEOc/s1600/Dear+reader.png" />
<br><br>
God's been laying on my heart to write about a more personal matter, and I suppose this is one that would certainly fall under that category.
<br><br>
<center>
<i>"Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it." Matthew 10:39</i>
</center>
<br>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuC5J7izVBWw0Qo8lKQ8sIa9sYJscVSN10Es4P9Xucz3Djd5ObTmK-79p0-dHK9mXditD2uk4AbgtY5YkEmoXYW7l4UmF6UGrFMS-ihwMyqLyPrLwx5H9Lb91aLr_oSsybA7oSO8oSeox3/s1600/Trust.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuC5J7izVBWw0Qo8lKQ8sIa9sYJscVSN10Es4P9Xucz3Djd5ObTmK-79p0-dHK9mXditD2uk4AbgtY5YkEmoXYW7l4UmF6UGrFMS-ihwMyqLyPrLwx5H9Lb91aLr_oSsybA7oSO8oSeox3/s1600/Trust.jpg" /></a>
<br><br>
Up until now, I have never understood the meaning of this verse, and how I would go about following its message, and to be quite honest I don't think I fully understand it even now.
<br><br>As my time living at the house I have grown up in shrinks, my level of emotional distress has been doing just the opposite, which makes me feel as if I'm on the edge of a cliff where the slightest gust of wind could blow me over. I knew that this season would bring many, many changes in my life, and I was (at the time) willing to accept them with open arms, but lately I've been struggling with the idea of leaving everything I've ever known, behind.
<br><Br>
Although my future holds positive and exciting adventures, the idea that I will no longer be able to go into the next room to talk with my mom, or drive ten miles to a friend's house, or snuggle up in the familiar scent of the sheets on my bed, are just a few of the things that have been weighing me down - so much so, that thoughts of backing out of my future college plans have crossed my mind more than once.
<br><br>
The thing that keeps me going, though, is the thought and feeling that God has great things in store for me at college - things I could never have come up with, even in my wildest dreams! I have faith that God will introduce me to many people, many of whom will have a hand in shaping my future. I will become more constantly aware of my Father's presence and grow closer to those around me who are going through some of the same things in life as I am, all the while learning how to further expand Christ's Kingdom - what more could I ask for, really?
<br><Br>
<center>
Then why is the aspect of <b>"losing"</b> my old life for <b>HIM</b> in order for my new life to become apparent, such a frightening thing?
</center>
<br>
For years, I've lived under the shelter of my parent's warm and caring roof - not saying I won't be living in a building with a roof over my head at college, but you get the idea.
<Br>Each day has been fairly similar to the one before...
<br>But is that truly God's plan for me? Or am I to venture out into the unknown, relying on God every step of the way, where I won't have the safety net of the bed and sheets I mentioned before?
<br><br>
Obviously, God answered that question for me before I even picked up a pen to apply for college, but no matter how firm God promises me that this is His will, there will always be the fear of the unknown.
<br><br>
Lately I've been becoming increasingly more anxious and worrisome - to the point where I have no energy to go about my day. I can't think about much, other than the anxiety I am feeling.
<br><br>
Well, this morning God showed me something in my daily devotions that I felt the need to share due to its relevance to this post:
<Br><Br>
"Relax and let Me lead you through this day. I have everything under control: <i>My</i> control. You tend to peer anxiously into the day that is before you, trying to figure out what to do and when. Meanwhile, the phone or the doorbell rings, and you have to reshuffle your plans. All that planning ties you up in knots and distracts you from Me. Attentiveness to Me is not only for your quiet time, but for all your time. As you look to Me, I show you what to do <i>now</i> and </i>next</i>. Vast quantities of time and energy are wasted in obsessive planning. When you let <i>Me</i> direct your steps, you are set free to enjoy Me and to find what I have prepared for you this day."
<br>(Jesus Calling, by Sarah Young / July 26 / pg. 217)
<br><Br><i>Jesus Calling</i> is a book that was gifted to me from my boyfriend's mother, and has been a blessing to me every day since. I couldn't tell you the number of times I've been struggling with something, opened the book, and read exactly what I needed to hear. Today was obviously one of those times.
<br><br>I'm beginning to realize, slowly, that God does not want me to plan my life all by myself. In fact, when I "plan my life" it leaves zero room for God to schedule His meetings with me because I'm blind to the fact that it's God who I'm needing to give the reigns to. I'm not saying that this solves all of my problems because unfortunately, I'm still human, and I don't think there will ever come a day when I don't want to control things, but what I <i>am</i> saying, is maybe I stress so much about the future because there's honestly no way I could ever conceive it, let alone control it.
<br><br>
I suppose that's the most frightening thing of all - not being able to control when or how I come up with the money for school, or when I'll be able to come home and see my family, or who I meet...
<Br><Br>God wants us to rely on Him and, in my case at least, if throwing me into a situation where the only one I know is Christ Himself, I suppose I better get used to this feeling and learn how to trust God <i>real</i> quick.
<br>
<center>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixZWpqawfT9-9zU1KciVjNW1orXvtOsFijJ1acFou0hJFHvGw1RasFvCzjea-sjE-tXV46NtF3QQddJan9zYhfvt7Zk5rqBQLn4pW4zNMfhC8Q41-zgfmzSqzzORAty6VW8Uj-1i1GDY4/s1600/love,Amanda.png" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixZWpqawfT9-9zU1KciVjNW1orXvtOsFijJ1acFou0hJFHvGw1RasFvCzjea-sjE-tXV46NtF3QQddJan9zYhfvt7Zk5rqBQLn4pW4zNMfhC8Q41-zgfmzSqzzORAty6VW8Uj-1i1GDY4/s1600/love,Amanda.png" /></a>
</center>Amanda Elisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10369947161055308939noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8300965763519337943.post-5029557427737767022013-07-11T19:16:00.000-07:002014-02-27T19:36:07.760-08:00Lovely Trends of July 2013<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6FQdzfXOuaK4rS8UClmtRTcKq__ZLmyN4YLVccn8_C09oys_p24JxvIB2_8XrRVF9ACuzNW5dG8dIHmankgEX6se98NtyZu2WS91YcQuTZ30GP1Jm64LNGlZk8tG5ebgHmV31VsOXEOc/s1600/Dear+reader.png" />
<br>
<p>
Over the past few months, I've noticed a growing trend of <b>black and white stripes</b>, <b>floral prints</b>, <b>brown leather</b>, beautifully <b>draping tops</b>, <b>flowy skirts</b>, and <b>high waisted denim</b>. Personally, I love all of these trends when worn both separately and together.
<br>
<br>
Naturally, I found some of my favorite versions of these styles on the one and only <a href="http://pinterest.com/">Pinterest</a>, which inspired me to write a whole blog post about them. Unfortunately, there are few people in this world who have the opportunity to say they have an unlimited supply of money growing on their trees in the backyard, but for those of you who are either trying to save, or are simply tight on money, we can only dream about the possibilities found with those designer brands celebrities hold so dear.
<Br><Br>
<i>Maybe</i> in a few weeks when back-to-school shopping rolls around, I'll try to snag some finds at my local thrift store, but for now, I'll just blog about the threads I often dream of owning.
<br><br><center>
» FLOWY TOPS & DENIM «
</center>
<br>
<center>
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUvZrcITwAuXaZRtNo6gZCUiYNcjGdii7SzWJSEmtCHwgJ-SQJFVZSh27g0RgDizGADDEC9Jnk63pRwaxfkZ440ymeHqD-xoPM_CpZsusxTmXjvi9lGtaracxChhyoYonplMMeZrr21uYV/s1600/Triple.jpg" />
<br>
<a href="http://www.afashionloveaffair.com/">FashionLoveAffair</a> |
<a href="http://www.shopamericanthreads.com/paisley-kimono-top/">American Threads</a> |
<a href="http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/product/26882183.jsp?color=011">Anthropologie</a>
</center>
<Br><br>
<center>
» STRIPES «
</center>
<Br>
<center>
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinsLJODbfhbmjZsLJwEgXfGCtpvjA_ogTUmOFfoXXeDAlqSvKReJmm9iv4Vd0QatUQYPLjbnT8oFrBqor0XRcvBnEWL2nKPhuvhUVV1hoLIxjs525I5wJzm1yQur9aQAXt0QPlDLAk_BCl/s1600/Stripes.jpg" />
<br>
<a href="http://www.polyvore.com/sister_missionary/set?.embedder=5698792&.svc=pinterest&id=67628915">Polyvore</a> |
<a href="http://www.modcloth.com/shop/handbags/a-coast-call-bag">ModCloth</a> |
<a href="http://www.modcloth.com/shop/dresses/what-s-the-lineup-dress">ModCloth</a>
</center>
<br><br>
<center>
» BROWN LEATHER & SKIRTS «
</center>
<br><center>
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmCa3a-RWgdOq_MRqeSj4ndpxRzv-CA2pPO0e2flLn7XxX2D-6sROsrakHcTIlprkbxGwn3X9-_BR_SxPiQY2c2Vfof7s2ol67O77sKrf4L-MaCglRVNjhfVjYYFTe9zNMk2u6Klg4gtW-/s1600/Brown+Leather.jpg" />
<br>
<a href="http://www.modcloth.com/shop/skirts/swish-and-spin-skirt-in-green">ModCloth</a> |
<a href="http://thephotogramps.blogspot.com/2013/04/birthday-handbag-dooney-and-bourke.html">The Photo Gramps Blog</a> |
<a href="http://www.modcloth.com/shop/handbags/full-course-load-bag-14">ModCloth</a>
</center>
<Br><br>
<center>
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</center>
<Br>
<h2><U>WHERE TO BUY</U>
</h2>
<br>
<center>
» BROWN LEATHER «
</center>
<br>
<html>
<body>
<table align="center" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="5">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_uC0cp6Ceeryebng-7rr5vQH3EfRcdGIFsYEgkO3JKeIrkD8yYz_v8p4OJqy17YqQC6i5OET46JHcUDsgiYk0HCTmdVEKznM5WRn46CR8UqL8kf4xD2glFJCXn6hs95_FDhY-zYtG34hq/s1600/BAGS+-+Cambridge+Satchel...ModCloth.jpg"></td>
<td><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyWg-xW1qeAsFOqdM4lWaOJEEhDV2RRTExVB1Bqu7rI1CxubEbrdqAWpAqa4jQ7ty5RKrswhnO32R5-TV_qvpNA4X868FpsT20EmaZhcSZj7rZO2N7Cq4JN0FjjyLQ0WzDWS8NIikvgG8p/s1600/BAGS+-+Deena+and+Ozzy...Urban+Outfitters.jpg"></td>
<td><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvlOa4PoaYEr5rIEoDP_6neHzxe0tRRWLBIOsND-bjyHb1atWQwQ9OecoNcriR6b3US66td6bvqx8zmpl0Omzcep3fR-AfsMMC1xgLfyp0mfLEXKIncOoRt6EMurZomDN0DC8AAeuoK0of/s1600/BAGS+-+Dooney+and+Burke.jpg"></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><center><a href="http://www.modcloth.com/shop/handbags/cambridge-satchel-upwardly-mobile-satchel-in-brown-14">ModCloth | $165</a></center></td>
<td><center><a href="http://www.urbanoutfitters.com/urban/catalog/productdetail.jsp?id=18128256&parentid=WOMENS_ACCESSORIES">Urban Outfitters | $49</a></center></td>
<td><center><a href="http://www.lordandtaylor.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/en/lord-and-taylor/mini-satchel-handbag?gclid=CPDm7ba1qLgCFUlp7AodBnwAtw">Dooney & Bourke | $318</a></center></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRjJqUm7jodIRc9dR-YJja53DYeu2YH9VuXNO3sGakOyPkYDZ_k421YpoV8pdhSo6vN-96TbHr2nw3H7cedBzPa9kJOF6n1awmoui-IjPWIaOEt6XCAA410NhqZ-NFZ2N-_H5KlNTvOhLE/s1600/BAGS+-+Full+Course+Load...ModCloth.jpg"></td>
<td><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0ZkfnP2EBtiwoLQmViJr4sA4C76p8tP8yiMEjJ5BtQUUvDsa1LLtbk59qeOwl3sZXQDYIiuUe7PbnfGzYf-ki-mWSOX3pRFp4kQwhiE_nwEaBBElfTUsM1vMQgwUlYREQt3clPxtc3yq6/s1600/BAGS+-+grad+to+be+here...ModCloth.jpg"></td>
<td><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4wIrfVwoSo7Xmm1FXOF4DvJYV-29_G6-opN1av9pI5GqVW6s-9eliHJQR-OvyCt6tP_b5QFUhmi5ryvLrPbO2arnhuvIw9cvL_lsXQz0jB0l544WvGNMH6C_aecdOdh9_4hVrZIc9VW9E/s1600/BAGS+-+In+the+Case+of+an+Ad...+ModCloth.jpg"></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><a href="http://www.modcloth.com/shop/handbags/full-course-load-bag-14"><center>ModCloth | $85</a></center></td>
<td><a href="http://www.modcloth.com/shop/handbags/grad-to-be-here-bag"><center>ModCloth | $50</a></center></td>
<td><a href="http://www.modcloth.com/shop/handbags/in-the-event-of-adventure-bag"><center>ModCloth | $110</center></a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6TDRzkhyphenhyphen-ZqZoJUohTJJLx9PLVGW5RB_AP3VK_1RRK20_I9KrlfSgXlqleZibx4yIcbwtvI4Rxkf8qfcYgI1PcEj8dfjnSj1lBg8exS59euRyAAqLQ6jAJ_KJHk-2juMfAeA_yhQK14UN/s1600/BAGS+-+New+Look+Rachel...ASOS.jpg">
</td>
<td><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghFz9tEUoNx5h7yaqWwBQQZdaaFfnRrdwN1NFvhrDKHJvSyOt7x0Zhs1_TJfk-Q5Am3mQE-T1e61kDQc5phuvHI5Rcj-H1Ob5ciiUbMJ6B1jn-uw2nxFYfxOQeRBeSeerPmXFhD5ipwtlu/s1600/BAGS+-+RiverIsland+Zip+Messenger+Bag..ASOS.jpg">
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><a href="http://us.asos.com/New-Look-Rachel-Bowler-Bag/1021fu/?iid=2833026&cid=8730&Rf-200=10&sh=0&pge=0&pgesize=36&sort=-1&clr=Chocolate&mporgp=L05ldy1Mb29rL05ldy1Mb29rLVJhY2hlbC1Cb3dsZXItQmFnL1Byb2Qv"><center>Asos | $34</a></center></td>
<td><a href="http://us.asos.com/River-Island-Zip-Messenger-Bag/xfb9r/?iid=2024392&cid=8730&Rf-200=10&sh=0&pge=0&pgesize=36&sort=-1&clr=Brown&mporgp=L1JpdmVyLUlzbGFuZC9SaXZlci1Jc2xhbmQtWmlwLU1lc3Nlbmdlci1CYWcvUHJvZC8"><center>Asos | $43</a></center></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</body>
</html>
<br><br>
<center>
» STRIPES «
</center>
<html>
<body>
<table align="center" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="5">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibXM_9eUdHHAGbVm2zXDyMOXLEuAOcv9lygzry_cbUr2ogvShOpPEh8ZanbOPI9qDmB3ACrMqOACACskBzahOoN4lCjBmo3GNfowY99D27YKiaffDsZkvxtTa0aoHUkPnWUznmveT-MTZ7/s1600/STRIPES+-+Bag+from+F21.jpg"></td>
<td><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1XCAdfIS09-YVgW-u3JQixmhuK8ecK4pz-XncTVwcsHxCIGfOhlvDFKQh7CG-bSvKUnYWTWgvCGhT2kdhKyh9uuFCwl3x00EAR_AoXGZcoX7L3FdjwQtdPRM29LMBk1PShy0_r9rJKCgP/s1600/STRIPES+-+Cupcake+Bag+whatever+MODCLOTH.jpg"></td>
<td><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyFL6PFqcGBUuddqKI9_6avEvFj1mPOd71rA7hFCLT5mx4-kVoDSFHI9kwFS_ENydYYakfRHJpKoEPsXWJEElqRfqLxnLwv1MWdO5nsc4eMuaP9gHGSoYH27cvKPmj-Lvg7Jw6GxjzzwN-/s1600/STRIPES+-+A+Coast+Call+MODCLOTH.jpg"></td>
<tr>
<td><a href="http://www.forever21.com/Product/Product.aspx?BR=f21&Category=handbags&ProductID=1061794944&VariantID="><center>Forever 21 | $25</center></a></td>
<td><a href="http://www.modcloth.com/shop/handbags/cupcake-contest-shoulder-bag"><center>ModCloth | $43</center></a></td>
<td><a href="http://www.modcloth.com/shop/handbags/a-coast-call-bag"><center>ModCloth | $65</center></a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEianBSgeXqsYZZGlwchv5WQg_L5blpPAYgO7WFHn2yFFGxBj9f9BsQ4PBQkMhJlYdJq2IegObsp9uORd83a2JRw7A974OwhRQd1T_nec_RNgo-faRiG9NsX_cnv-ZxmkQPKZS6YbQIo3l7f/s1600/STRIPES+-++Top+ASOS.jpg"></td>
<td><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM_p6JykC6A1NFAfV9HWSaovQ5GZYNv939fuoXPLQLfD2gT-xRShrwv1dQR2d18WxE_c2wxIeMkXEFYAxu5NDTbrbOkRm3VKXffoLu6ksDH84sKregy-U69IMOvC8lTqonQNKW_IhAZXVc/s1600/STRIPES+-+Dress+MODCLOTH.jpg"></td>
<td><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUc2d3mBIoDqdSQxfThoQb9ZAnNS-RiNQWSpbMaHC3_m69FRx0-enj1zuyovBiecujWny9W23CeAJ0qqTKsaVsX9dQFuEbd6uXtkK1wCzIxvH9eity8Nz_FfTsRHS2P0MUVJ_25pV_CzgK/s1600/STRIPES+-+Tank+MODCLOTH.jpg"></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><a href="http://us.asos.com/Only-Stripe-Slash-Neck-Long-Sleeve-Top/10l8xa/?iid=2860653&SearchQuery=stripe&sh=0&pge=0&pgesize=36&sort=-1&clr=Stripe&mporgp=L09ubHkvT25seS1TdHJpcGUtU2xhc2gtTmVjay1Mb25nLVNsZWV2ZS1Ub3AvUHJvZC8."><center>Asos | $31</center></a></td>
<td><a href="http://www.modcloth.com/shop/dresses/jersey-shoreline-dress"><center>ModCloth | $48</center></a></td>
<td><a href="http://www.modcloth.com/shop/blouses/what-i-stripe-about-you-top"><center>ModCloth | $33</center></a></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</body>
</html>
<br><br>
<center>
» DENIM «
</center>
<Br>
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<body>
<table align="center" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="5">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKg1H6FcCKqFnppBgZRK0iDnlxU1iUr4rwidRlMeKUBK3iBhpy493hHbxj_tk6AykHopQln0PPHx4n6y129p7B3CvxKJ3f2kjoKxKvLWJEXwL5EJBTra1we3O091RhZKv7356etDm_Z8TY/s1600/DENIM+-++darker+Shorts+from+etsy.jpg"></td>
<td><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPSVdZACqSTu25uGU-k_JOLTCNQjlvTBAOnEF75gAZtVu2aXncGQ-PKA-EoltBl5sZl4-4NnvxftFwm87BJPJ8iGAjKLqnnAwv4-bdgIrDhQTvAbKToua-k9W_yJHFW55ezL6Y3Z65Y5mB/s1600/DENIM+-+light+wash+Shorts+from+ETSY.jpg"></td>
<td><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPeUFGXOApFF3z5Zd2q57G1Xg3VvMfhJnjMfc5QvXcT6bmfynr-WCqTTstvUS1_yzqvXHkcMIpclzTvQYYauxsEY8BjHvpiPd9AaGP3Yi_zrRk6Mw9hyphenhyphenJM9s9g1S2T0AS1LLRvYj2zgLhA/s1600/DENIM+-+Shorts+from+ASOS.jpg"></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/156188288/cuffed-rolled-vintage-high-waisted-denim?ref=sr_gallery_13&ga_search_query=high+waisted+denim+shorts&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_ship_to=US&ga_search_type=all"><center>Etsy | $20</center></a></td>
<td><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/153877503/high-waisted-denim-shorts-size-28?ref=sr_gallery_26&ga_search_query=high+waisted+denim+shorts&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_ship_to=US&ga_search_type=all"><center>Etsy | $30</center></a></td>
<td><a href="http://us.asos.com/ASOS-High-Waisted-Denim-Shorts-in-Vintage-Wash/104qu1/?iid=2894918&SearchQuery=high%20waisted&sh=0&pge=0&pgesize=36&sort=-1&clr=Vintageblue&mporgp=L0FTT1MvQVNPUy1IaWdoLVdhaXN0ZWQtRGVuaW0tU2hvcnRzLWluLVZpbnRhZ2UtV2FzaC9Qcm9kLw"><center>Asos | $48</center></a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtpPG6lfoIRbf1bhDHg69V9KpHHRjTrFk33QkAmGrzW4bINROx8SYjt0d7lL5JL50GEZLpxMCAnXf3cc9zhc2wwjMTER9OEPHR3DRzoXNWwTkaEIvZGl9dW9uH2yM0ZUatyeZxwbR6mHsh/s1600/DENIM+-+Shorts+from+UO.jpg"></td>
<tr>
<tr>
<td><a href="http://www.urbanoutfitters.com/urban/catalog/productdetail.jsp?id=26800110&parentid=SEARCH+RESULTS"><center>Urban Outfitters | $29</center></a></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</body>
</html>
<br>
<center>
» SKIRTS «
</center>
<Br>
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<table align="center" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="5">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLHrYWyY-HM-BxTF3sSkrq6cmjjNiOlYeu7STJGqZXNTsuMtpVNOlv1H7In24OIxv2gggmqIlR-s7YdmElaU4YTQGx-vqVZ6l0U0Y4Lr_7ybwMmTpOGejUIzQNvzQS8OJIq9W0_UfhfoCX/s1600/SKIRT+-+Black+from+Target.jpg"></td>
<td><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij-_GZkc7M9qPIosI6pZWl-khlukAFwbX7DzQRTpCdl10jO5cK3Tq33Pfx2o-Wr1cBG8ZBJ8riE9HWm3eTJJdBMwL4VL_Se-owffJP5z9H8GmDX2WA-EFku10aI5GpTfuDvwTgKIoYBGDf/s1600/SKIRT+-+Red+from+MODCLOTH.jpg"></td>
<td><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHduzBjEtq2uSvM-BAwkPsB4W04mChpEarNyh7k-k0xeNkhztTX-oHSwqCyqa-BHAZDkKwI8SZ_rhqtqM8u3YheqTvwZ3pEfNl9B-j0lkCiD9XP17SGY-v8okEAQDKbynL5afVSnX9L7xJ/s1600/SKIRT+-+Vintage+from+MODCLOTH.jpg"></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><a href="http://www.target.com/p/mossimo-womens-criss-cross-maxi-skirt-assorted-colors/-/A-14318049#prodSlot=medium_1_3&term=maxi+skirt"><center>Target | $20</center></a></td>
<td><a href="http://www.modcloth.com/shop/vintage/vintage-persimmon-decision-skirt"><center>ModCloth | $35</center></a></td>
<td><a href="http://www.modcloth.com/shop/vintage/vintage-where-chalet-we-eat-skirt"><center>ModCloth | $50</center></a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV87ecY9CaqO-fTYl6f4ZyHL4TBwwh4QxAAc0IHPVnsapOqG5nxsYco9DXVt1CqdEMQYRUN5zlrnZCUt8346jyS0m_6qAFa4Cc8VH5AXSC-pcfKO3uZ5wYxOeJ7nECVgIJavqpAaJOXc-2/s1600/SKIRT+-+White+from+Urban+Outfitteres.jpg"></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><a href="http://www.urbanoutfitters.com/urban/catalog/productdetail.jsp?id=28370179&parentid=SEARCH+RESULTS"><center>Urban Outfitters | $70</center></a></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</body>
</html>
<Br><center>
What trends have you been loving this season?
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixZWpqawfT9-9zU1KciVjNW1orXvtOsFijJ1acFou0hJFHvGw1RasFvCzjea-sjE-tXV46NtF3QQddJan9zYhfvt7Zk5rqBQLn4pW4zNMfhC8Q41-zgfmzSqzzORAty6VW8Uj-1i1GDY4/s1600/love,Amanda.png" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixZWpqawfT9-9zU1KciVjNW1orXvtOsFijJ1acFou0hJFHvGw1RasFvCzjea-sjE-tXV46NtF3QQddJan9zYhfvt7Zk5rqBQLn4pW4zNMfhC8Q41-zgfmzSqzzORAty6VW8Uj-1i1GDY4/s1600/love,Amanda.png" /></a>
<br>
</center>Amanda Elisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10369947161055308939noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8300965763519337943.post-10649278913712213282013-07-06T08:16:00.000-07:002014-02-27T19:35:24.273-08:00Mason Jar Makeover<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6FQdzfXOuaK4rS8UClmtRTcKq__ZLmyN4YLVccn8_C09oys_p24JxvIB2_8XrRVF9ACuzNW5dG8dIHmankgEX6se98NtyZu2WS91YcQuTZ30GP1Jm64LNGlZk8tG5ebgHmV31VsOXEOc/s1600/Dear+reader.png" />
<br>
<p>
As you might have read, last weekend I threw my 'rustic chic' themed graduation party - a large part of which was created with mason jars. Mason jars have become an extremely popular way to spice up your space, and tutorials for finding ideas can be found everywhere. The most prominite site mason jar crafts are found is <a href="http://pinterest.com/">Pinterest</a>, although other sites have some great ideas as well. For this post, I decided to gather my most recent ideas and crafti-ness, and share them with you.
<Br><br>
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ2RyAOaqmZOuDfeo89QwPqrV3N9yVw4HyJnn4WO3aJIzyzzq1KoaI1lxKBsCUIkpxubUA1ICFZvd1gZeQxkQAqrs-kXt887cGWKlOLEA1mRWx7yL3TZxqcfWqsW0XUYUSlEW-nR-96z9s/s550/photo+5+smaller.JPG" />
<br><br>
If you have ever laid eyes on the wonderful site Pinterest, you will have surely seen the "painted mason jars" pin (like <a href="http://pinterest.com/search/pins/?q=painted%20mason%20jars">these</a>) at least one time. After looking through several inspiring pins, I sort of derived my own version, attempted, and succeeded!
<br><br>
<center>------------</center>
<br><br>
You'll want to start off with a clean mason jar (of any size), and some acrylic paint. For this tutorial, I used a white acrylic paint, but you are of course free to use whatever color you'd like.
<Br><br>
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8TQdseWuVBDqp8spdHvmrGt2x-OkNsqk19pqxzgG79dWUt9ftmE5OK36ANA1AjTDGZHQGe-9OqxZh_WsjDddlFVFaQZjqJ85niPKlvNhPAseYT6O5D49aidD3HBROja-EMySYp1Qu9D72/s550/photo+1+smaller.JPG" />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUGF8R-hKHRnqIWE7DLSOp1BmjiIbktcN4dnnmtWs7qJFr0GgN0F3Fh6TGlfn1XaDhvY8q19trDrYs016YWeGSrc-i0ERKbdcHeYtquSu1gxTHtTiU4bJHspe8auDZtxWQppUT87kXUlab/s550/photo+2+smaller.JPG" />
<br><br>
<center>Begin by pouring a good amount of paint into the bottom of the mason jar.</center>
<Br>
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG3oQ-w19b5oqy_Jr5YfiiN_9eXDH5zJ9MuLO5Sc3JQZN_8Hyihnv7paw9T74awdzvJSUv15Z5ot6E7HPqvBCCU50JmMwt36hXyr0xwJuEYnJCWRgexnDibWhMTKJUbyG7-PC3K69By1Ye/s550/photo+4+smaller.JPG" />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVNDZLNKQ7YZ6ZFd9KkiqskyUbfp6TVYpB6F2ORzBtXmeLZu8M2gEu9D_WI2h2lhiOv3MkOGKKMiKt2xMJBmmUTYnYkElQOclFJksJ8SGYwVbIW2s2CHDr_zBSfBcxfQvTnOmHek78jAbE/s550/photo+3+smaller.JPG" />
<br><br>
<center>Pick up your jar and turn it sideways, slowly rotating and tilting it downwards towards the 'mouth' of the jar. Your goal is to coat the insides with paint as you rotate it.</center>
<Br>
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivVAhdl4EqE2RfZAq9BUSErZnjFA43FgakLBs-sBiFnV6S0rTGRs-43NLXg8B0yqtdXWeekYnkA4SJeFClhhNjytdDqVgXJK5XIr9dxPc0yjKB6JGtBIfn860D1oOB1rHFnTHhg03Z9E9l/s550/photo+5+smaller.JPG" />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrUW_UmuWdhbeJ3Sl8ZOv2ZVNbMUyQsTk6C-sgRliCnm9zAp7rQ1uZDK1zQVnjfF_vJtr4s8fJlFeNXIYzLnew72H7etUg9QrvVV3yLMIwAfR8Yia5urisdzK0Wbk4X5Ux6GkPiB5dA289/s550/photo+2+smaller.JPG" />
<Br><br>
<center>
After the paint has covered most of the surface inside your jar, turn it upside down on a flat surface to allow the paint to finish coating the empty spaces; This step also drains the excess paint from the jar.</center><Br>
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8qsIzakZMvzq659VCn5zj6yB5QkvkhhSCrlgUSra3MoyZallkhUOuvM_rLreHUlSjBJQeAxoiDnfyCsTWUEkcfHACvNc5_JG90RQBckRfWVqP68IrEkSVgIy0RX0tALEKfSICLL1VnBsY/s550/photo+5+smaller.JPG" />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX45HAzemNxlyf8wa8KSuRDKOgaPH2pcwT-gBsAR4bz-htrdndnbnU-ZuSOE8FO7PziXU8YsXE41Vc5zchHM1A9DkMWxaLdXevkVeugIljhYf3LxCo86F11qRyJVQFNh7_t8k4PtzzqM1k/s550/photo+5+smaller.JPG" />
<Br><Br><center>
You will need to pick up and relocate your jar from time to time to give it a chance to drain the paint on a different surface to avoid paint build up near the mouth of your jar (shown in the example above). After a few hours, turn your jar right side up to allow it to finish drying. </center>
<br><br>
<center>
Once the paint has fully dried, you're free to fill up your jars with whatever you'd like. I painted the below wide mouth quart mason jars in an ombre blue paint pattern with a hint of gold.
</center>
<br>
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7TfcsjkXRp1sqgiFSInp34G62yeulGRj0JZqFVt-KLz1R7op1PW0w77L2EDoWGDEb-rVwU07J7Wkj1eVxRwryTS54sD1vqW9shIdUieH9kkk86HLELYkZv_9kSEWn3izUx2k7uYNtAHsd/s550/photo+2+smaller.JPG" />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRjpg0kwwJjginbA-S1v0qr2QfpMNwjJybHuyOtR3F9jsj4KK-BsE_sNYi1pRCRFyJEzLVDACygxbHwPtj1CB21oHTgdvKK0YF9mLzSeoYnO04mTY26Z2MZbCtYJ5ZVo18PHF6_kczQ-BX/s550/photo+1+smaller.JPG" />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6h8zT4DFEs7R6NuiJxP_M7kUFbaUub7Dysu6ByQ2D_SmCRJ5yK27gpEHIMQpiZrQtU5Zg1jv5LpyJz4h4Lh_tJKoxgcgBKxEU67ljyhvMmu1crRpTfNeSAICHedqb3vhvIkq2X3WnOQZ1/s550/photo+3+smaller.JPG" />
<br><Br>
<center>------------</center>
<br>
<center>
For a smaller-scale project, try picking up some <a href="http://www.amazon.com/FolkArt-2517-8-Ounce-Chalkboard-Paint/dp/B001DCTH2G/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1372907307&sr=8-2&keywords=chalkboard+paint">chalkboard paint</a> at your local craft store and paint a small section of paint onto your jars near the top. Drill a hole into the lid using an electric screwdriver, then afix grommets onto the hole to create a more sturdy opening. Pop a straw in, grab some chalk, and there you have it! Your own (personalized) mason jar tumbler. (If you would like a more detailed tutorial of this process, let me know in the comments.)
</center>
<Br>
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpNwctJSm4kbzz_fKUCwIWGOO-JVTN8odNDu3Ke3whFOSitnFsXhR0GYq6dGWFTA6Q7Pyi_t-7TKepIpATeaTVypQHXi9137PJiWbuopTgwMS5JV7H81OaikR9NEQ9a6zMLbtQt53A-Ock/s550/photo+2+smaller.JPG" />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcmIMPUSwTUe3AAfIY9JshG7dfBkkt5f0i4O1ZvYfXnQtuTY8oVdXkS0QsCaZRksryFAykqmNNXV-DajXJJhGzIt_rqdjgUgtXUBT35bDhLGRHywJZ1KLkOZE2emzHZVO3O00tnSGhrBm3/s550/photo+3+smaller.JPG" />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDujrLhgWIZB8vu2UM-uTV8PQwMDlXXNBsygtv-TFz55YJyiRTm6jThjvP5k66l_TXtGZ20SgcKeUmp_eo0jRO_BY7l-81ju3_96gf2VAN4zUU15wzKMplk-0pjJxkrYIVzrSAXV-001CF/s550/photo+5+smaller.JPG" />
<Br><br><center>You could also forgo the lid and straw idea and use the mason jars for storage!</center>
<Br>
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmb_W7VBt8aPbh8drRWTevl5vYQB4izOuDQFatgUW0VYaDW4oZg8p1BOQiN-Vzk75od3CgkCRIq6BRVWTRBlPFa70tpNScjU5cCj9VUR0mHLJ6wytPoY239dDJDYoBMkT_ijxIWKIc0Nb0/s550/photo+4+smaller.JPG" />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtiorG8VBQVoka4_xU1QsaeZoKsTMECqwosoHu1c6_MH0W6Glm_qFktDIWXoQzkS3yWYjBLFxuoT6crEU_Wdm0GTOiQ1RJzRVQCgvL8uen2a-MzrxXExKeC-6BElolE8pcsGEXuc0h_vz9/s550/photo+2+smaller.JPG" />
<br><Br>
<center>------------</center>
<br>
<center>
The following decorations I used and created for my graduation party last weekend. I took wide mouth quart sized mason jars, filled them with different colored <i>aquarium pebbles</i>, and bright daisies I found at my local craft shop. After all was said and done with the deco, I had some burlap scraps left over which I used to wrap around the jars to add an extra flair.
</center>
<br>
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb3RpWThyphenhyphenswMcO5kqu_RH4AP_yTiC0YJ6sPtiBrLCdz0enhd5PKo_B-6cONYQTsH9mXeWPClYUq2QuXjKm9DWRnjUCKbtltGXIXeaI5qbPwi0ivsvLRcRBuZoYUCdLr0NSeAvxroobChQO/s550/photo+1+smaller.JPG" />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju8CR83s1ksn7rcT-47BwFKLuZ78lfIvZfm8p2JlxE0cComW0JjVZpURNFDZEH0XhXfT9UzmJ4_fVHioTHcW8DDCwZqg-AvBILl_oQ13QyxUkXEUmAwalr3_CCuYgqnHY6Nek2SsScgQmt/s550/photo+4+smaller.JPG" />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixnukeWvmtH0_z79sMTIMw9c0C7BDwaqRwGqWqp_hOuNIJPKLdilUTEJcp2UDWInNrQaEqlTzYmAP5q6PNHLPx6dutJDHXgAUFE6wnUxZgcp9-ghUOly59oSH4ba3N7kVI6B5mNGoo1T2e/s550/photo+5+smaller.JPG" />
<br><Br>
<center>------------</center>
<br>
<center>If you're only using the flower decorations for a short amount of time, you can use the same pebbles and jars as makeup brush holders. The pebbles provide an extra lift the brushes need to clear the top of the jars, and also keep the brushes in place.
</center>
<Br>
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVsOBpJY_6339z80cheV5UjXMS-Sc7IUH_k2ofmu2gUFcVdTh0ILBAxOxI6J9agv7nYQ_FC7JAmQoQfrPFlVDGnUYk-T-wPPyJn8YMY3WG9yP45DJcjOBVXPsn9psVQum_Nis4ZxUyr_WR/s550/photo+4+smaller.JPG" />
<br><br>
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinLc9dVLSKrcPOCrSrF3pWI9XU07ZdDn7IBIFyVh-wVVu_ToWJYdAUO3ZmhK-OIuOhmb4bHCE-L1UWekmSTgfCA6VBtFWW6z7Cq57cMh_JjLMn42ujr2NMbFkCENMYRzdza2N0meHIhK-A/s550/photo+4+smaller.JPG" />
<br><center>(My silly kitty <b>Zoe</b> wanted in on the fun.)</center>
<center>
<br>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixZWpqawfT9-9zU1KciVjNW1orXvtOsFijJ1acFou0hJFHvGw1RasFvCzjea-sjE-tXV46NtF3QQddJan9zYhfvt7Zk5rqBQLn4pW4zNMfhC8Q41-zgfmzSqzzORAty6VW8Uj-1i1GDY4/s1600/love,Amanda.png" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixZWpqawfT9-9zU1KciVjNW1orXvtOsFijJ1acFou0hJFHvGw1RasFvCzjea-sjE-tXV46NtF3QQddJan9zYhfvt7Zk5rqBQLn4pW4zNMfhC8Q41-zgfmzSqzzORAty6VW8Uj-1i1GDY4/s1600/love,Amanda.png" /></a>
</center>Amanda Elisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10369947161055308939noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8300965763519337943.post-54751315137138149102013-07-02T16:09:00.000-07:002014-02-27T19:33:18.909-08:00Graduation Party!
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6FQdzfXOuaK4rS8UClmtRTcKq__ZLmyN4YLVccn8_C09oys_p24JxvIB2_8XrRVF9ACuzNW5dG8dIHmankgEX6se98NtyZu2WS91YcQuTZ30GP1Jm64LNGlZk8tG5ebgHmV31VsOXEOc/s1600/Dear+reader.png" />
<br>
<p>
As every female in my family is <i>quite</i> artistically inclined, I have grown to become so as well.
This past weekend, I threw my graduation party. I had such a blast planning and creating this party that I've decided to share it with you all!
<br><br>
<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5j9KpoB7JdyxR6dreH6E75fm_f20v8V_lPHUWfgltg6UbKhtoBTxK0wD4Zpl3ldyNQ9jA-8Cei0Zs31iO7sW8gSlJqyOoDqd1unZg6QMAKwLPxUeiM7WkIiuMha71kb7d6GHRZ0epEvFn/s595/Panoramic+Shot.png">
<br><center>(Unfortunately, I did not think ahead of time to take photos of the deco before the guests arrived - a failure that I am still knocking my head against the wall for. The above photo is the only one I got before the party began.)</center>
<br />
<br />
<h3>» Theme «</h3>
<Br>
I chose to go with a rustic chic theme - burlap table runners (like <a href="http://www.alovesupremephoto.com/blog/?attachment_id=2789">this one</a> from <a href="http://www.alovesupremephoto.com/blog/">alovesupremephoto.com</a>), bright and colorful daisies, mason jar glasses, and lace doilies.
<br><br>
I found the burlap fabric at<a href="http://www.joann.com/burlap/prd23682/">Jo-Ann's</a> for $3.99/yd., and cut the large piece of fabric into the appropriate size myself. I ended up having a bit of extra fabric, which I incorporated into the rest of the decorations.
<Br><br>While I was at Jo-Ann's picking up the burlap, I ventured into their floral section. I was able to snag five bouquets of Gerber Daisies at $2.39 a pop, which was more than <i>75% off</i> their original price!
<br />
<br />
<h3>
» Food «</h3>
<br />
Buffalo Chicken Dip (<a href="http://www.the-girl-who-ate-everything.com/2009/09/football-kickoff-buffalo-chicken-dip.html">recipe</a>)
<br>
Texas Caviar (mother's secret recipe!)
<br>
Salsa (any salsa would do; I used <a href="http://www.walmart.com/ip/Pace-Restaurant-Style-Salsa-16-oz/20850576">Pace's Restaurant-Style Salsa</a>)
<br>Veggies (displayed like <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/12033123977066738/">this</a>)
<Br>Mini Pigs-in-a-Blanket
<Br>Meatballs
<Br>Cheesecake (graciously provided by my good friend)
<br>Graduation Cake(Publix)
<br>Reeses Cup Graduation Cap Pops (<a href="http://www.bakerella.com/candy-cup-caps/">concept</a>)
<br />
<br />
<h3>
» Drink «</h3>
<br />
Pink Lemonade with Blueberries & Orange Raspberry Sherbet Punch
<br><br>
<h3>» Where I Found My Deco «</h3>
<br>Did I mention my dad's what I like to find <i>a deal finder</i>. Thankfully, that habit has successfully been engraved into my brain, as I bought almost all of my graduation party things (minus the food, of course) on amazon!
<br><br><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004YVOS0Y/ref=oh_details_o01_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1">Mason Jars - Used for various</a>
<br><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000RMPVSC/ref=oh_details_o05_s01_i01?ie=UTF8&psc=1">Large Glass Jar - Used to store straws</a>
<br><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000JHGQKW/ref=oh_details_o05_s01_i03?ie=UTF8&psc=1">Heavyweight "Looks Like Silver" Utensils </a>
<br><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009K0OM3W/ref=oh_details_o05_s01_i06?ie=UTF8&psc=1">Paper Straws</a>
<br><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000W5CE9S/ref=oh_details_o05_s01_i02?ie=UTF8&psc=1">Popsicle Sticks - Used for Grad. Cap Pops</a>
<br><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001HN5G3U/ref=oh_details_o05_s01_i05?ie=UTF8&psc=1">Paper Lace Doilies - Set of 45</a>
<br><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0016KTNF6/ref=oh_details_o05_s01_i09?ie=UTF8&psc=1">72 Graduation Cap Picks</a>
<br><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000OFW65I/ref=oh_details_o05_s01_i04?ie=UTF8&psc=1">Disposable Cameras</a>
<br><br>
<center><h3><i>As always, thank you for reading!</i></h3></center>
<center>
<br>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixZWpqawfT9-9zU1KciVjNW1orXvtOsFijJ1acFou0hJFHvGw1RasFvCzjea-sjE-tXV46NtF3QQddJan9zYhfvt7Zk5rqBQLn4pW4zNMfhC8Q41-zgfmzSqzzORAty6VW8Uj-1i1GDY4/s1600/love,Amanda.png" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixZWpqawfT9-9zU1KciVjNW1orXvtOsFijJ1acFou0hJFHvGw1RasFvCzjea-sjE-tXV46NtF3QQddJan9zYhfvt7Zk5rqBQLn4pW4zNMfhC8Q41-zgfmzSqzzORAty6VW8Uj-1i1GDY4/s1600/love,Amanda.png" /></a>
</center>Amanda Elisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10369947161055308939noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8300965763519337943.post-44511592741705230662013-06-27T06:30:00.000-07:002014-02-27T08:48:31.546-08:00
<center>
<h3>On June 16th, 2013, I graduated from highschool.</h3>
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I can honestly say that the feeling of having <i>no homework</i> or <i>projects</i> to do, still hits me like a ton of (happy and exciting) bricks each day. Being the "constantly moving" type of person that I am, I'm thankful that God's given me many, many things to pre-occupy my time - babysitting, planning my graduation party, and getting rid of the large stack of books and binders I do not need anymore, has kept me happily busy.
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I must say, going through my school books has been both depressing and nostalgic. While I'm extremely happy to get rid/store all of my previous scholastic needs, I have to admit I'm a little sad to see those care-free years go.
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My life is going to change so very much in the next few months; most of those changes are quite scary for me to think about. I will be going away to college, which means I will be living alone (obviously with other people, but <i>alone</i> in the sense that my parents won't be there), becoming a self-sustaining person on her way to <u>adulthood</u>. Naturally, I have doubts as to how I will fair, but I know God will take care of me.
<br><br>Deuteronomy 3:22 says <i>"Do not be afraid of them; the LORD your God himself will fight for you."</i>
<Br>I think this verse will become one of my main mantras as I go head first into the life God has planned for me.
<br><br>On another note, I have been working on some very exciting DIYs lately, and cannot wait to put them up on my blog!
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<Br><Br>For now, I will leave you with this:
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<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj60x9IYyVdokZ8L6fHYegTi_S-9vxnDAyboFZ7dgMRC0_96a4zHrCOcxWZf6s7GHUcgCB4I81yWIS66_Fo2SDH5m1Mm4zR9_zRIKzjpDwYfjLkPcXZ0DQMDg8zjv7kub3KCpl1IqWgjcEI/s400/photo.JPG">
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<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixZWpqawfT9-9zU1KciVjNW1orXvtOsFijJ1acFou0hJFHvGw1RasFvCzjea-sjE-tXV46NtF3QQddJan9zYhfvt7Zk5rqBQLn4pW4zNMfhC8Q41-zgfmzSqzzORAty6VW8Uj-1i1GDY4/s1600/love,Amanda.png" />Amanda Elisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10369947161055308939noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8300965763519337943.post-5225773591532011052013-06-06T17:15:00.001-07:002014-02-27T08:46:52.474-08:00Recap<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6FQdzfXOuaK4rS8UClmtRTcKq__ZLmyN4YLVccn8_C09oys_p24JxvIB2_8XrRVF9ACuzNW5dG8dIHmankgEX6se98NtyZu2WS91YcQuTZ30GP1Jm64LNGlZk8tG5ebgHmV31VsOXEOc/s1600/Dear+reader.png" />
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<p>
I realize that I haven't posted anything since <b>over a week ago</b>, but I'm afraid I won't be able to write anything elaborate until I finish my school work next Saturday (June 15th). So in the meantime, here are some pictures I've snapped during miscellaneous adventures I've taken over the past week.
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<img height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMNZty49OYjdcOX2UCikX5ofuWfJJhTP1f6IZ25_S5HRmWkmD_q_Hht2Jmht1yEVDoKYZTz96A7zxXbe87S1ytq6yW6C9_w5LnHNvssxMFlFMc73hZysN5oFDHzlLsSECp4-y7F08AbP_I/s400/First.JPG" width="400" />
<br>{I tried a new drink at Starbucks // Very Berry Hibiscus w/o the berries}
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<img height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgILI2j8qYd37FpeLT94vTTNBPqmkEUGCnsROBRMQY4rdr2gq45PnpILkEUHkrZHsOwJPGMxjaapRAeSXorTQMqb95gGhOSsvexTUsu8XnqZgQbQhevFFL7Qlv1wah3tgy9R8Bf02zCDp1-/s400/Second.JPG" width="500" />
<br>{Jamison and I went to lunch with my dad after church, but his truck's tire malfunctioned. We stopped in a parking lot to fix it.}
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<img height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8X4bqSPaR_igRLEYce-xQUxbOSqmXtEOwsCHnQlmFzGs8rK-qIg4mbABpYBvMGtG5Fvc1VjcuXqyubBIyyjUke0dE5QcGLzyOKRBllpRekFv2EDT8qQegOvMi-TWa2x4AwDitPPjHz78j/s400/Eleven.JPG" width="500" />
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<img height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjzUlg1wkGlmuuc38lrzxwmQXQv2bcQew1OzUh7vA_06r9hHAWUlzlwA1cxz9nAq7VHVC682z3DaLM1zx5OBiO1hbOKSgo9DUE7irI1mF2Rbf1BAtYErOmikZzSEn3_z2fLp_1_Gb0Yk1g/s400/Fourth.JPG" width="400" />
<br>{After lunch, Jamison and I took my niece to the pool.}
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<img height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVXDahyphenhyphen3IpJZCgS1C9NsO_JOJ3j2oega_zZfUo4s-T6_QYhYc6dwI0nc-36-E9BYHfLA6V_ZHJcbOJjClJ0F_Whz2JOVwRaPD5UWe5nNMMK6rPFmODFEML7CN9fSI_rU-55WhhvBkUy3Iq/s400/Fifth.JPG" width="500" />
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<img height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJnxTtkkqP9l0QiFQPMP5cfVXnuCTjKWX4v5K0_Uq_vNKbEA5TVTOIyLu7DxLBuSO6G7bOQXBqKzXXYjhPZLet4kZluct1BU0y8RzpfnDDbk2xNtGsfPoJe03LSS69jIs3ZFmLX5rhNuoW/s400/Six.JPG" width="500" />
<br>{Good form. (; }
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<img height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzdBkRw4Cwl2eumP7p5cSvqtn_PWd14yCyKcdI37-cCBEkawQKeZSCy4mEMXmVbiu6NHMBBXWjSQnLqCjolgq1Bp6R6ePjLg1vP7jD5ng2okXQds9k5Wee-HPFtmZecMrFQ8yvhvd8nqyj/s400/Seven.JPG" width="500" />
<br>{I'm quite fond of these two.}
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<img height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsFN1BfoUZUTZwwW3AW11lVcN5PljHdVMw5PKm2EWqEsekNGWIuK1su7-7WmyCwZYH4LixFZrpzh4tPrjep8SnlMc4W5Oqtz9ChDEiDrhaMloI1MMDIJK98okypgp9f0wGRWYcBijn_s-j/s400/Eight.JPG" width="400" />
<br>{Olivia (niece) and my mom made this piece of death. Chocolate cake with double stuffed oreos in the center, chocolate icing, & whipped cream.}
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<img height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrhUd9r3qWaUx2RwlWeOx8cLoJVa6B99QPRwVYPEn1E9AkiOi_YXsbABDnNThkYFN7uD4ke2JzyUGtn0-xqUGJiTZVzA-gghm9bWewthiyroDGc0sunpY8EBvdqBUMEVsLWH5vA_axv9_I/s400/Nine.JPG" width="400" />
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<img height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQyha0D-Kj2LYDsSeUd_sQ64gvvtmKueWWeZqJnJnyGqQb1aaa_6BbCaPHoMr2_G6NoFMLh93gbQfm5_xCvY-nXDcLa1rViu8QT1i3k78KKQLgBCn1j0u7rua5Yau44_wDiHFS7LcMBzz1/s400/Ten.JPG" width="500" />
<br>{We went to the pool again later that week.}
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<img height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcTYNr7QPBmXa85gA5ZD_EL01g3vSMsguuzilBU6gFbQD0SvoOT_c-q9B_XPvgaLQGiKm-li99QlDXSX2IHo9S91buGSjy264payr_iPVghlZFX8eFvA7kAiqSa2lqSHT-NYA2PNSVVGtL/s400/Twelve.JPG" width="500" />
<br>{My weakness - boneless wings in the flavor Tongue Torch from Zaxby's}
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<img height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjSirvXR8ZqgJkzM8mEMxk3FcC6mTChTCqcgByAXCDHB5k38dfkMRN-A4T9eDyVgtdtqWf89WOTZZ7t11SvNlmJNvP29rzKRIH0zZ9AeciW718QXic3a9HrAjvmGlqRmMVKWsKusMyjT9P/s400/Thirteen.JPG" width="400" /><br>{Olivia and I enjoying a good old fashioned game of thumb wars with a toy she got in her Wendy's happy meal.}
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<img height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWAKVJ9DLc68Djkmi8BZ2D1uxAh55rJwMPH7au4fvydDSmHIz5DCrGnHJst8uZW7UEeN_800oZqmrduuE5gofQLxAuNGUiK8sM7rbKD30Xu5hm6gyh1CTQJo351gSvbqF2Q29-ENNB8qqw/s400/Fourteen.JPG" width="400" /><br>{Jamison's iPhone 5 came in the mail! Yay!}
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<img height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZjgnXRiiumo6CBPsCnQEXbjV9fXJBHWfHBdwYQA-ZrcKI0b8BE6phXHVJwEifKcNa04ItC21m_7prMDLeA7aOOQvOlGZS_zsDbt4lDRs3EmHky4cJHmIwhcRScmWvvpXObpH9yQ4kid-D/s400/Fifteen.JPG" width="400" />
<br>{Enjoying a nice dinner at Chili's.}
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<img height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSm8jkeeTpMMJWRi_k1wx6mwf69KLCsG9Hc5XNLRsqcCh8XBvqqBAm3VVdcz2eZjQTC56qduD0r1FXIQFihXboH5LgQP3XJ6CnLfnJbYlQj8aRG3ZEPWuazK8vAuMi_dhyphenhyphencqlGdXtkdL_A/s400/photo+1.JPG" width="400" />
<br>{Listening to Demi Lovato's "Heart Attack" - this was her reaction.}
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<img height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8DM2xL3Gtb2PnwbEBejQfCZNKQv7bEDg9rnpamDf213cvP6viS5IWd6SDTF5FeDlgy0Cc06NKrOmNbOHk_HwP6a8IUqyj1odRzQw9-BKTkq8x2yCPenkD1sS_d8jalGPs_2JObMtmNKyM/s400/photo+2.JPG" width="500" />
<br>{Beautiful skies.}
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<br />
<img height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibBzidpV1nkHkPWO8nNt3NAdRs6xo893tWdVJG_UyfsylI1g95tNrGFldAf0ejQQP661Zkum0qZ4ttIouuSR32TPu8wjS62i-N4x-OYHcengCC4swvCvOG-0-nX60oRpGhmwurbo1ce-40/s400/photo+3.JPG" width="500" />
<br>{I somehow found time to rearrange my room. I know you may not know what it looked like before but... I didn't think of it before starting the renovations.}
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<img height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_owLfGu7sRuyhaZyBr0ya3MiSuG2_8XB9JQ30Mo58OLHsgNS0ZtXGmH39g7IjfGYdAd4jWG-ZKD4b_3-YNzAM34wTelAa_dIgZSAFZFuXJCS3nNGZdsAbUTeyAyS_WCfj-xXLFiadYKFO/s400/photo+4.JPG" width="400" />
<br>{I accompanied Jamison's family to Stone Mountain last Saturday for a nice picnic followed by their famous laser show.}
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<img height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifHrAGH09MhFVbc0D4PY_hTJ_zS6ihHpkwvD06NHC56DzlTbyS91dEcGVx09N3eL-ZiIrQVLRtpEH1rpNY4ABlPfEGU0EsdKR3mNbjtWvVfStIh8qDGZ8kU1dni342MktYACyobkF_mzps/s400/photo+5.JPG" width="400" />
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<img height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiymluXx4q55wPKnqA_7HmO-hpluSSObgFbaUCYYfR3VEfYtXjq-b2OpqbeGGv5a_YDsqyYpFgItw7DN76UTTK25mUrWIdI9_GWweZrlX5rPwezg2et_E3Qr1HwZpBkUjs3495ZtJFNGV5h/s400/photo+5.JPG" width="500" />
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<img height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9uipcQ5iv2Wc8QcumCQYvHPfJlPjirqN-8ql8AgPU0SZBe2NbcJQaU278xEKfe_Vj97mBT1fIzM-KO1_3_V5mGyFtMfYRBX1I7R4YW4rbZnE-yPQGMDr-P765FlPvkhZsaXOBCwfYv0Dc/s400/photo+1.JPG" width="500" />
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<img height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZxERwvJMtyE1uYLdXHxqCuhYVM2EuZxpgRGbdI-nQ9bH93gCYyjKkT4JEYwcR80xhdXixkk-T-1kwwMRd7KkGEGopm8ooYxe3Ar74OthThB0XmwBBZtVyIybvRHDoG9hKVsXaZF54qNTE/s400/photo+2.JPG" width="500" />
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<img height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Cwwp9Yoq2TwnYIwX-IIblwDR7zCb1qsx4TkkXIpwdmMdWCor9yibrulAl1oj97hWGn61VR_Te3qQuUJtPL8rLodo1L2sXb05f5EI6M0xAz5f4_xDoXmE9iUscuK-F5a8vVHkhk3yY78z/s400/photo+1.JPG" width="400" />
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<img height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjkKjhj6kmyAf5zV2CZkhklW5WOPxHNBOr02vUW41LFd66iq4xv0VormFeaii0fvmUHJtZoI9AAsEUw4cRHAVKoDM2BvW_ZxgMUcQxa1crq9_GMSSqwWgYzM77KPHMkoxpZJmVdFGizFHz/s400/photo+2.JPG" width="400" />
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<img height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEepLfvQh40sbEM5soDWwGqJ-DypkStC1fs3F5Xu0ZFPTpK_wbIG-MZRlc05BmHAmGW67PANZ4Jxj9AEZYeLeXEW6F6i6s9QyCk8tM6U0hVUIAA1oUOs-TAhLyYLfUxPxKaG86BLUDiZK3/s400/photo+3.JPG" width="400" />
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<img height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCBKhp82EnAexzsv7RXI7jr0Z-6l7StBdwK_I-G7zbv5ya_56ZhcBur9fWSZ4C7ZS9PeiqYEP3WGue5v8BNxBsNkiKOnJsexShwO80F0DEvzCKpGEa4t7413QgkUcFvDIp4sn3FKaIz0Dh/s400/photo+3.JPG" width="500" />
<br>{My darling cat who, most of the time, hates me.}
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<img height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJWANn-5a3iiRbs3lmrbTt5RwaInyre7Z-eXQQ_w-JYRHsdLvFomw7X9GfIq3qXf7HTac57l3-YcEN_8R0Pln6Ye6LnjEgKkueyUMqbZl-6-50H_a273ExYbjGhECbOkAk1u_KMEAaFI9a/s400/photo+4.JPG" width="400" />
<br>{Wasting time stacking coffee creamer at IHOP with my *ahem* <i>college class</i> after church.}
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<img height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTWxy_CM2gfaQ-XVwM90-sidy7Sy9nhzwMSdFJnoa_ixTYzOEmFjz8F-r-rMsWxh-i71yUttQywKEpAAYRYHdFWhqiMqiU8NWTk9TVnHpvkeVoOsDsf61xiFcZcXkSUk5HAdG1dtFAYUyk/s400/photo+4.JPG" width="400" />
<br>{A few days ago Jamison and I went to the lake, and ate some watermelon.}
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<img height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiCeE9zHoT-qiqFV01Dk7uht5weB95_LrGDePoMW9DJkd1CYNzOvXEUJQO0uaIMZ3w87p-JN5fQuSpgf2lZtywjzgyeAXpiCHXN0jRa4u-a6wImNdG47vE3HtzIOE9efdscq79dIqFAQNa/s400/photo+5.JPG" width="400" />
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<img height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQA1rxRILfV6xG0rymCGaEEyatZYVqfJCcRnl8lX9Z27iHXtp0EUNa7dTmseItm_gg2yNnE35039Gg57wa94sbBSq09dfvmPFHKIp88S78f72XUi34l4Xeagyisf5ngWDrHMnvXVnyYe3o/s400/photo+1.JPG" width="400" />
<br>{...and pizza.}
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<img height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRmL3HUE6k5zIsDXf9FpvDoCNKm0TnaGBY5dduTul_-PqVznLaDwpGO1U0jUvlHEKBvwIFebfDUlrlmit_D6MvQY9iINnSdZ3pRHE39spYKEGiDo8bt7ThGrcC7cfdvUfdxqjhesG4ko1s/s400/photo+2.JPG" width="400" />
<br>{Snuggles.}
<Br><br>That's it, folks! Until next time.
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<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixZWpqawfT9-9zU1KciVjNW1orXvtOsFijJ1acFou0hJFHvGw1RasFvCzjea-sjE-tXV46NtF3QQddJan9zYhfvt7Zk5rqBQLn4pW4zNMfhC8Q41-zgfmzSqzzORAty6VW8Uj-1i1GDY4/s1600/love,Amanda.png" />Amanda Elisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10369947161055308939noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8300965763519337943.post-49735489938130136232013-05-27T17:31:00.000-07:002014-02-27T08:45:42.295-08:00iPhone Wallpapers //<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6FQdzfXOuaK4rS8UClmtRTcKq__ZLmyN4YLVccn8_C09oys_p24JxvIB2_8XrRVF9ACuzNW5dG8dIHmankgEX6se98NtyZu2WS91YcQuTZ30GP1Jm64LNGlZk8tG5ebgHmV31VsOXEOc/s1600/Dear+reader.png" />
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One thing you should know about me? I change up my iPhone's wallpaper <i>a lot</i>;
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a lot [uh lot] -
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"Very many, a large number; also, very much. For example, A lot of people think the economy is declining , or Sad movies always made her cry a lot . It is sometimes put as a whole lot for greater emphasis, as in I learned a whole lot in his class . It may also emphasize a comparative indication of amount, as in We need a whole lot more pizza to feed everyone , or Mary had a lot less nerve than I expected . [Colloquial; early 1800s]" [<a href="http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/a+lot"><i>source</i></a>]
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OKAY, you get the picture.
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All of this to say, I absolutely love (and am <i>always</i> on the hunt for) finding new ones to renew my phone's appearance. I thought you guys might find it fun to view some of the ones I've accumulated over the years; feel free to save them and use them yourself!
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<i>(To view the full sized wallpaper, drag and drop the image into your address bar - aka the place you type URLs into to visit a website.)</i>
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<center>
<html>
<body>
<table>
<tr>
<td><img height="140" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMO7CWnhSXYbKSujvgRi_cw4UkhYZhyphenhyphen1yJ90AVTVNlh4nFpq-gEdNa70dMtxo6Vsh9KaHrmHKzp7gnbeaA45HUOBEC9_GUmd4F7dRGtbBpTGVn6mQpp9oV0xWgmCTgSGrV7ZdxNvWAqe-N/s320/1.12.13+-+3.jpg" width="100" /></td>
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<center>
<i>Disclaimer: I do not own nor have I made any of the wallpapers listed above. Rights to the images remain the original creator's.</i></center>
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<h2>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">
Did you use any of the wallpapers? Which ones are your favorite? Let me know by posting a comment below.</span></center>
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<br>
<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixZWpqawfT9-9zU1KciVjNW1orXvtOsFijJ1acFou0hJFHvGw1RasFvCzjea-sjE-tXV46NtF3QQddJan9zYhfvt7Zk5rqBQLn4pW4zNMfhC8Q41-zgfmzSqzzORAty6VW8Uj-1i1GDY4/s1600/love,Amanda.png" />Amanda Elisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10369947161055308939noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8300965763519337943.post-55914965659254844952013-05-26T12:38:00.000-07:002014-02-27T08:45:01.702-08:00Day Blog: 5/25/13<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6FQdzfXOuaK4rS8UClmtRTcKq__ZLmyN4YLVccn8_C09oys_p24JxvIB2_8XrRVF9ACuzNW5dG8dIHmankgEX6se98NtyZu2WS91YcQuTZ30GP1Jm64LNGlZk8tG5ebgHmV31VsOXEOc/s1600/Dear+reader.png" />
<br>
<p>Yesterday was one of the best days I've had in a while. I woke up, got a shower, dressed for the day, put my make up on, and carried out my tasks for the morning (trash, dishes). After finishing school for the day, I met with a friend for lunch at Panera Bread, then went to Starbucks down the road for some uninterrupted blogging time.
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<br />
<img height="506" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcNkOSlyZa3oM4HMCUXp8cpkLl_pZeKkSRp7vmkVvAz1r3ara0tYAwyb1Y6U4VuCrOnVX8NgCcIiBphmyVgS5q6o60k5mXc55OQCW2VN4ws1puSvV4Yg19nQda1dc3nzLGtyNZfXEr2nff/s640/photo+3.JPG" width="590" />
<br /><span style="font-size: x-small;">Panera - Greek Salad (no olives), and their signature Mac n Cheese</span>
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<img height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVjGsZRBErX3RhG08ew-Tr3OdIHWHPgjWYHik3zvYdTDOluFSslE4adn0GeDAI3r7JhhNgSYQbj0aoexmALuTB30QaQmdWvYtDCdVUHVvdPNpkitPnFrkmsoeB29a2ODcUcn453uFdupXp/s640/photo+4.JPG" width="590" />
<br /><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Starbucks - Berry Hibiscus Refresher w/o berries
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<td><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Eu0PysMiXgzhfRFkmEzNzMfSPvmy-9nNFThmZyScU0S02q3TSD5oKN8qkrkMurx89WgKe9U_DcbAAvJe9tyafjjQUzzLOgPiUVKH9tNlTNf96BW6E0FtNacn9ey9sveVjWWr0KjzRiY8/s320/Nails.png" /></td>
<td>Besides, who wouldn't have a good day when they're wearing their all time favorite nail polish? (Ulta Nail Polish in the color "Noel")</td>
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<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixZWpqawfT9-9zU1KciVjNW1orXvtOsFijJ1acFou0hJFHvGw1RasFvCzjea-sjE-tXV46NtF3QQddJan9zYhfvt7Zk5rqBQLn4pW4zNMfhC8Q41-zgfmzSqzzORAty6VW8Uj-1i1GDY4/s1600/love,Amanda.png" />Amanda Elisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10369947161055308939noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8300965763519337943.post-48558649772883173682013-05-25T06:12:00.000-07:002014-07-18T16:59:23.034-07:00Summer Productivity<html>
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<td><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjavZPzW7HJIZ6DwebMlVUcm-lcnsB0XWlp1Z4rZde38B1SsiFz5zxxiifLhf_NxipQHYtBnoQAYUdyJJ8R2fDx5fuAE59VcR5EYRNyQTLfRM0ctlO5Zv_cpcXCUcRleETXFZdbBjHu04Wa/s320/Summer+P+-+1.png" width="127" height="127"></td>
<td><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ8oB1GRTEGsx_9fe2oNK8dPwxXqMERFmEQuUtk88lIsf9KyxX-VHiuQy87yk8f6Wh_uF-WoGDTwXHEGUf3iP4ik3RzTnBrPfz_URtyfw5eorZB3BxfWfI4Fy0tlCoSK7mp4gn5TeSPvLA/s320/Summer+P+-+2.png" width="127" height="127"></td>
<td><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKep54SvwMTHfSYOU47lAKsJUbZtCLm-3yevHA2J74gAU7LNDY6dSHjlsjEd2mH2jlg6RSXrnkUWvrTDO1uZrTfkSNR-t4Yevsg76BiUKP05OjLGvFoFLyeOKX2ZHflGzkCXkqhNgnEA4T/s320/Summer+P+-+3.png" width="127" height="127"></td>
<td><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0afQP5MpW322VmmEA-lTwY61NZM4cKLUpKC-rPKfAMthUwnq_UzL09ads3tfXlIIMeviPXHCte_xidilJOIdlIrR37J2TgJZMvDQpXk7ckXaCh4AvVg5VBN2HvYhtt95_ONquoy74r1wK/s320/Summer+P+-+4.png" width="127" height="127"></td>
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<p>
In an attempt to create a slightly productive summer for myself, I've made a short list of goals I'd like to have achieved by the time it comes to a close.
<br><br><B>1.</B><strike> Earn at least $500.</strike>
<br><B>2.</B> <strike>Go on a trip with some friends.</strike>
<br><B>3.</B> Go hiking at least ten times.
<br><B>4.</B> <strike>Successfully go to the pool/beach/lake without getting fried.</strike>
<br><B>5.</B> Keep up with my devotional.
<br><B>6.</B> Do at least one crafty thing each week.
<br><B>7.</B> Be selfless; spontaneously make & give things to others.
<br><B>8.</B> <strike>Get a tie-dye kit and tie-dye stuff... fitted bed sheet, pillow case, tank top, socks, etc.</strike>
<br><B>9.</B> Say yes more.
<br><B>10.</B> P90X. (This is going to be a tough one.)
<br><br>So there you have it - my summer goals. Hopefully I'll be able to complete half <i>(if not all)</i> of them. As I complete each goal, I'll come back to this post and cross them out <strike>like this</strike>.
<Br><br>Do you have any goals for the summer? If so, let me know and comment on this post!
<br><br><center>
<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixZWpqawfT9-9zU1KciVjNW1orXvtOsFijJ1acFou0hJFHvGw1RasFvCzjea-sjE-tXV46NtF3QQddJan9zYhfvt7Zk5rqBQLn4pW4zNMfhC8Q41-zgfmzSqzzORAty6VW8Uj-1i1GDY4/s1600/love,Amanda.png" /></center>Amanda Elisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10369947161055308939noreply@blogger.com0