tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-84007463985500669782024-03-12T20:46:18.118-07:00Elephant BitesMaking the most of 2012, one bite at a time!Sonja B. Eblinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08789932374821996470noreply@blogger.comBlogger20125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8400746398550066978.post-60921542909010347272012-03-24T20:59:00.000-07:002012-03-24T20:59:51.936-07:00All Stitched up... and LUCKY?!?<div style="text-align: center;">Hi all!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">So things have been progressing on both the GAME ON: MN style front AND the crafty front as well.. here's the update!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><ul style="text-align: center;"><li><b><u>GET LUCKY 7k</u></b>...<b><i>DONE!!</i></b> I completed my first 7k (4.3 miles) race on St. Patty's Day alongside my dear friend and dynamo-doula Stacy Nathan!! It was a personal best for me on several levels- the longest race I've ever run/completed and the best time (10:39 min/mile!) I've ever done!!! It was tough, but it felt AWESOME... and it was a blast to see almost 8,000 runners in their Irish duds and hear Irish music along the way!! It was also pretty perfect weather-wise at a balmy 60 degrees- in MARCH.... Here is a "before" and "after" pic of Stacy and I!</li>
</ul><div style="text-align: center;"> Here is our "before" pic!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJKR2epF7aEMcHsI2mJEEex0DwTFG1oljW2l4V3Srqqxzlu9b7OwvcSGF5Ha1CPJID7iI5icNBLLPEFSX1qonv_N8AexlQjk861o6UeT-afh-iuYbDnTUhEn4exm0L9SYaMT2vaLb6OvFs/s1600/-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJKR2epF7aEMcHsI2mJEEex0DwTFG1oljW2l4V3Srqqxzlu9b7OwvcSGF5Ha1CPJID7iI5icNBLLPEFSX1qonv_N8AexlQjk861o6UeT-afh-iuYbDnTUhEn4exm0L9SYaMT2vaLb6OvFs/s1600/-2.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxUxn6m98iQTH91NzYSHbAODGo9ppCy2OmCGZhAA9oaxI3llOA4gqJ3ufTnPCBSqqHC_xouXba3f_ayOcwQW09qr5ElfAsCQ_35A91J9QW_LaOUyCAROhilXeOCrVpzuDHZggD-FO5Y6OK/s1600/-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxUxn6m98iQTH91NzYSHbAODGo9ppCy2OmCGZhAA9oaxI3llOA4gqJ3ufTnPCBSqqHC_xouXba3f_ayOcwQW09qr5ElfAsCQ_35A91J9QW_LaOUyCAROhilXeOCrVpzuDHZggD-FO5Y6OK/s1600/-1.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">And our "after" with Sir Cooper (our official mascot in his "Kiss me I'm Irish" t-shirt!!)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><ul style="text-align: center;"><li>As for GAME ON: MN style- Despite my running "high" I've hit a plateau with my weight loss. We are almost done with round 2 and I've maintained my weight loss of 6 lbs. total, but I've been pretty disappointed in my motivation to take things to the next "level"to really move my weight loss along. So I'm preparing for round 3 and hoping to really PUSH myself to lose another 5 lbs and edge close to my goal!!! Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!!</li>
<li>On the crafty front-I think it's *official*- I'm tiptoeing into "quilter" territory!! My friend Jill has been helping me with the initial stages of constructing two duvet coverlets with "quilted" tops for our new lake home guest beds. I've gotten pretty gung-ho about it and I'm excited to see the finished product! Here is an "in progress"photo as I sew the pieces of my squares together! Expect more updated photos of my squares later this week!</li>
</ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDI9JoAV5FtY_dUM_Ba2ooLrHhihI20VLDqgIBQUEkylct4AbD9mp121I_zyqfE9K9sbkN9cB48GB44QncKr3EJNYZUrtxE9o6k5KxhXLXZIP0QpN2G1a3LCVcnOqdiIQEaCNX_i8k_vFJ/s1600/-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDI9JoAV5FtY_dUM_Ba2ooLrHhihI20VLDqgIBQUEkylct4AbD9mp121I_zyqfE9K9sbkN9cB48GB44QncKr3EJNYZUrtxE9o6k5KxhXLXZIP0QpN2G1a3LCVcnOqdiIQEaCNX_i8k_vFJ/s1600/-3.jpg" /></a></div><ul style="text-align: center;"><li> So I also signed up for a beginner quilting class at a nearby quilt shop. We'll see how it goes, but I figure at least it will offer me some pointers on how to use my sewing machine a bit better and give me a taste for what quilting is all about! </li>
<li>Alright, last update here... I just have to throw this in... as you may remember, my husband and I were able to purchase a lake home in Biwabik, MN (near Giant's Ridge ski area) and we've been busy painting up a storm, hunting down furniture and trying to make it our sanctuary away from the craziness of suburban life- so my OTHER crafty projects (distressing/painting picture frames, making "ski" and "paddle" coasters, etc.) have been centered on the cabin-more on those later!! But here is my HUBBY'S project (I'm a proud wifey!) from last week, still in progress!</li>
</ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrbu4R8qFWEKO3LMUbHocjlkB_-Yg6sWAGAgU2lt9cyFXf4KS0TN-9RdBJSqeV97pBWyegwiksNiy3DvfUVKTy5Y0x7lzNn-CGFFldRDi82E06Z_i6IDT3UzCBVDYnCoV-PAZfLmd_3L_Y/s1600/-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrbu4R8qFWEKO3LMUbHocjlkB_-Yg6sWAGAgU2lt9cyFXf4KS0TN-9RdBJSqeV97pBWyegwiksNiy3DvfUVKTy5Y0x7lzNn-CGFFldRDi82E06Z_i6IDT3UzCBVDYnCoV-PAZfLmd_3L_Y/s1600/-4.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> No, he didn't build the kitchen, but he DID install the "airstone" backsplash! It's actually a styrofoam product that looks like stone-it's his first attempt and I thought he did quite well!! It gives our kitchen a great northwoods feel!!! Oh, and here is a view of outside.. 70 degrees.. in Northern MN.. in MARCH!!!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqLoJVCPyjAjl2srdbQcntZYL5YAda8c8qP6hbSU2eSq85YNHHRGi8Uk_QLMNaCj89Btb53uW2Onuh8f6cSaITrGRs-APm275Axpqf9ewuvi49uxuCQMF3g3O842PgQx0ar5PEbPNByMo5/s1600/-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqLoJVCPyjAjl2srdbQcntZYL5YAda8c8qP6hbSU2eSq85YNHHRGi8Uk_QLMNaCj89Btb53uW2Onuh8f6cSaITrGRs-APm275Axpqf9ewuvi49uxuCQMF3g3O842PgQx0ar5PEbPNByMo5/s1600/-5.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Ok, and here's just one more cute photo I had to share! My sweet pup koopa snoozin' a few nights ago... Alright, that oughtta catch you all up for a bit! </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc0ewfuGlnRQ3sns4zNgFQ6RQiGtVa0sJwyZqHxG9R9w-fihudKAVvSCzC7s8apA0xI1t3HWEHTnMTOyFhA8XuFFKG1mEsz2UzsrqgsN2KJkNILDA3g1x6VPBkMBL75tDrVjOy1hK85RLk/s1600/-6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc0ewfuGlnRQ3sns4zNgFQ6RQiGtVa0sJwyZqHxG9R9w-fihudKAVvSCzC7s8apA0xI1t3HWEHTnMTOyFhA8XuFFKG1mEsz2UzsrqgsN2KJkNILDA3g1x6VPBkMBL75tDrVjOy1hK85RLk/s1600/-6.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Sonja B. Eblinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08789932374821996470noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8400746398550066978.post-84303340420168392282012-03-13T19:43:00.000-07:002012-03-13T19:43:22.190-07:00UPDATES...Birthday Party Pins & Craftiness!<div style="text-align: center;">Since my last post was quite lengthy, I'll try to keep this brief, but here are a few of the "pins" I've attempted the last two weeks! Check it out!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpsx1Ql3Csj0X8t589OqI9v7AYgh-0-Fzo07O-ys-SzbseHSjskZoxmK2U3TS74VUg0u7phqX6q4Hgu7Gk8gZ-iuMaHlihH5OlS_4ztaQRScQ-e0uV6PQuVZGixuJquWK2J8_G_UhVxkFk/s1600/IMG_1403.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpsx1Ql3Csj0X8t589OqI9v7AYgh-0-Fzo07O-ys-SzbseHSjskZoxmK2U3TS74VUg0u7phqX6q4Hgu7Gk8gZ-iuMaHlihH5OlS_4ztaQRScQ-e0uV6PQuVZGixuJquWK2J8_G_UhVxkFk/s320/IMG_1403.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> So my mom and I had fun "inventing" a new cupcake recipe! We took "Chocolate Butter Moist" cake (by Duncan Hines i believe?) and make large and mini cupcakes (we put vanilla icing in the middle of the large cupcakes as well!) and we added mint chocolate flavoring to vanilla icing and topped them with chopped mint M&M's. They were DIVINE!!! We coupled this with After Dinner Mint ice cream and they were a hit with everyone!!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht14MZQ1fdkfo9pbLqp0HqP4Es5rpnCWvtn5sBLEVWd5Q-OESOh5-M2_4aRaFLu6Pnn4UT7Db7h0wInlOpuE_7P-pvJS5NtmdWGgvtMYgfe5Uf2Roc0EtMEgfKExlD5iGDIRR4DbyHDTB3/s1600/IMG_1404.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht14MZQ1fdkfo9pbLqp0HqP4Es5rpnCWvtn5sBLEVWd5Q-OESOh5-M2_4aRaFLu6Pnn4UT7Db7h0wInlOpuE_7P-pvJS5NtmdWGgvtMYgfe5Uf2Roc0EtMEgfKExlD5iGDIRR4DbyHDTB3/s320/IMG_1404.JPG" width="239" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Here are the mini cupcakes-they were SO moist, and the mint frosting/M&M combo was scrumptious!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipE5oRnx-Y8eGsJL4v7dO-fnpCWcAU3wh3WiT4qQCnVYHNpVfq42Fm38KXJjEJ_4VuaYq0plaJw4hsvI04rRqKzLJxzfoN-H59IW91g7hAVLbiHDIhkS12wn_UsJSmul-cpGWPJ0yq_4Gq/s1600/IMG_1405.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipE5oRnx-Y8eGsJL4v7dO-fnpCWcAU3wh3WiT4qQCnVYHNpVfq42Fm38KXJjEJ_4VuaYq0plaJw4hsvI04rRqKzLJxzfoN-H59IW91g7hAVLbiHDIhkS12wn_UsJSmul-cpGWPJ0yq_4Gq/s320/IMG_1405.JPG" width="317" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> So this is my impromptu "Elmo" cake for my son Cooper's 1st Birthday. I had hoped to do something more complex-but time got the best of me. I had to use what I could find for the face pieces-so I would definately try other options next times, but for the 4 minutes of time it was photographed before being smashed to bits all over my sons face I'd say it worked out just fine!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF2b7XVXqOotxl0S_OrANzSpIan52BWSwOi9620ay_InXc_H5doyBY6l8II01bPsmpTHX_92o1PLpyMoBBIq2lbzcG5CSDJbDFFNSNBD9P8Te85gqNy2WBUqnyUGyc0jCaTmxHfxqwKsEI/s1600/IMG_1402.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF2b7XVXqOotxl0S_OrANzSpIan52BWSwOi9620ay_InXc_H5doyBY6l8II01bPsmpTHX_92o1PLpyMoBBIq2lbzcG5CSDJbDFFNSNBD9P8Te85gqNy2WBUqnyUGyc0jCaTmxHfxqwKsEI/s320/IMG_1402.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> A little "pinterest" idea I used! We celebrated my father's 77th and my niece's 7th birthday as well- and a few stinkers were stealing candy from the jars-but they were fun table centerpieces anyway!!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD7m2z-WIYAvLTw0avzJsH8x0cEKrNGBskbY8R5zrJgu3LzGAyxu54wAjPh1Lg5B2gDEMAdEaiL2wTqgPs3FNmuBUX1X_QNNK7Q3jjdKnJ-V0gFx45dqXm_mB3oiSL1r14ey5rg8sOKJTz/s1600/IMG_1413.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD7m2z-WIYAvLTw0avzJsH8x0cEKrNGBskbY8R5zrJgu3LzGAyxu54wAjPh1Lg5B2gDEMAdEaiL2wTqgPs3FNmuBUX1X_QNNK7Q3jjdKnJ-V0gFx45dqXm_mB3oiSL1r14ey5rg8sOKJTz/s320/IMG_1413.JPG" width="239" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">A few random "pins" include decorating Cooper's high chair with balloons and crepe paper, as well as our "monster themed poster" complete with felt monsters! (Elmo was the theme, but he is a monster after all! :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7yJPuAuEIfb5dkNr87Ei_PHy8qUycX7Hz8tTt0tzlMYPZN5bOEUlVx7N6wT3MzNksV1tSn5ZbxjlsqGK94P6F4OHUH8ddWArAXzRBO-_Cx0cBSlyPTb8Op0YLzqs9ijQuXtISO6Pe1Gnh/s1600/IMG_1416.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7yJPuAuEIfb5dkNr87Ei_PHy8qUycX7Hz8tTt0tzlMYPZN5bOEUlVx7N6wT3MzNksV1tSn5ZbxjlsqGK94P6F4OHUH8ddWArAXzRBO-_Cx0cBSlyPTb8Op0YLzqs9ijQuXtISO6Pe1Gnh/s320/IMG_1416.JPG" width="239" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">My baby boy turned 1!! How did the time go by so fast!! </div>Sonja B. Eblinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08789932374821996470noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8400746398550066978.post-27815639013844652282012-03-13T19:21:00.000-07:002012-03-13T19:21:04.055-07:00GAME ON: MN style Update!!WOW! Have I been a delinquent blogger or what?!?!? After a few weeks up north and a full weekend full of family house guests, I'm just now catching up on everything!! So here come a <i>BUNCH</i> of mini updates for anyone curious about where things are at on this end!!<br />
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<u><b>Game ON!</b></u><br />
Well, I am one and 1/2 weeks into round 2 of Game ON! and it's been a bit rougher this time around. I started this whole "Game ON" thing with motivation to drop these last 10-15 lbs. of baby weight and really start to turn around my unhealthy habits, but I've hit some roadblocks that have proven to be fairly helpful reflections on where I need to grow in ALL aspects of my life-not just my physical health.<br />
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So for round one, I lost 5 lbs. in the first two weeks, and then my husband and I took a trip together to Montreal. In my defense, the food there is AMAZING (poutine...WOW) and it was<i> VACATION</i> and all, but by the second day of the trip things were on the way down. From that point on I started gaining back the 5 lbs I lost through Belgian Chocolate Crepes and succulent Poutine. Lordy, Lordy.. it was DELICIOUS but as always, I regretted it the moment it left my lips for my hips! (well SORT OF regretted it!)<br />
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So I learned a valuable lesson-BE PREPARED! Vacation presented me with some <i>HUGE</i> temptations, most notably the temptation to "indulge...just a little bit" and let myself become lazy. While I appreciate this idea-it's a lot less harmful when you're just MAINTAINING your weight, not trying to lose pounds! I wish I had thought ahead to organize WHAT I wanted to indulge on, and how I would make up for it (exercise, etc.) later. I did that somewhat, but truth is- when the laziness hit, I just let myself give in. Thankfully, while my lbs. starting heading northward, my habits were still going quite well!! My bad habit to give up was biting my nails-and while I don't have a BEFORE picture (think bitten till they bleed-yes, they were <i>THAT</i> bad!!) Here is an AFTER shot! (and they are even LONGER now!!)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7lsXZgHLLu4dNRl0JwQx7IXb7-U6yYcnQS318-_ksPLERPxYs1y6hOAI-znhYkVX3REsPR_s_suIIArUImknb8jadQ7i72FJSirgiUnMtQYQyQY4BzOuTu0LZaY2VH5rNCKJAm71pspDh/s1600/IMG_1396.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7lsXZgHLLu4dNRl0JwQx7IXb7-U6yYcnQS318-_ksPLERPxYs1y6hOAI-znhYkVX3REsPR_s_suIIArUImknb8jadQ7i72FJSirgiUnMtQYQyQY4BzOuTu0LZaY2VH5rNCKJAm71pspDh/s320/IMG_1396.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Ok, so it's a small victory, but a victory none the less!! I also had a BLAST with my new GOOD HABIT-a "pin a week" and blogging:) and I am continuing this habit as we speak! In addition, I'm getting used to the water, so I've seen my skin clear up some, and I'm getting better sleep than I have in a while, all in all worth the $40 entry fee I'd say! Oh, and did I mention, I'm running a 7K this Saturday?!?!?<br />
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Yes folks, Miss Stacy Nathan-my own personal Doula/Friend/Personal Trainer is kicking me into gear!! We've run together twice now, and I have committed to run a 7k (the most I've EVER RUN... <i>EVER</i>!)- the "Get lucky" race this Saturday. I'm fighting some Sciatic Nerve pain, but if I have to <i><u>crawl</u></i> across the finish line.. I WILL... and I don't think I'd be doing this without GAME ON, so again a small victory-but a good one!<br />
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So now, I'm 1/2way through round 2, and have battled some sickness and sciatic pain which has been discouraging and I'm really struggling to get back on the wagon and really work on the weight loss-but I'm NOT GIVING UP YET... and as long as they'll let me play.. I'll keep going!! I am still down 4 lbs. from my starting weight, so it's a start... and hopefully this weekends run will keep me motivated! So wish me luck!!<br />
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Thanks everyone for your continued support! OH, and lest I forget.. here are my round 2 goals:<br />
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Bad Habit: Being LATE to everything (I'm a wee bit chronic about this!)<br />
Good Habit: Daily Lenten Devotions (I recently began a couple's bible study with my husband on Sunday Nights and it's truly getting me excited to dig more deeply into my faith!! Yet another small victory!)<br />
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My weight loss goal for Round 2 is minor- I would like to re-lose the 5 lbs. and maintain that over the next two weeks... and then prepare to step my GAME up seriously for round 3! Any insights, helpful tips or ideas you have on how to fight the "no motivation- live to eat-I'm never going to get there-lazy and easily sabotaged" demons that plague my journey please share them here!!!<br />
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So there you have it-not perfect, but this blog is about my journey, not my perfection, right?<br />
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Ta Ta!Sonja B. Eblinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08789932374821996470noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8400746398550066978.post-88828825228035737862012-02-25T23:46:00.000-08:002012-02-25T23:46:29.616-08:00My new favorite place..my crafting space!<div style="text-align: center;">Hi everyone!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I thought I would share with you all (and with the judges of a contest at "Craftbaby") my crafting space! Here is where I get down and dirty with everything from sculpting clay to fat quarters of fabric to Mod Podge galore!! After years of hauling my crafting supplies around in plastic bins from garage to garage, I FINALLY have a fully dedicated space to let loose and get creative!! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2jtfBnrkBVy6HEUcLWwjU0afA2wZHx2KOb8Afm2w9C7YKj9ESrBKu5plwCayz_Ls5FB1zKZV_zmtnCloDfIHnpfmJn1awVQkoV9ZWfXapUUQX-fzHPbFX4okzqzT5H90Yu5N54VJVEmZO/s1600/IMG_1352.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2jtfBnrkBVy6HEUcLWwjU0afA2wZHx2KOb8Afm2w9C7YKj9ESrBKu5plwCayz_Ls5FB1zKZV_zmtnCloDfIHnpfmJn1awVQkoV9ZWfXapUUQX-fzHPbFX4okzqzT5H90Yu5N54VJVEmZO/s320/IMG_1352.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> The room is a bit awkward to photograph, so this is taken from the entry door, but as you can see, IKEA outfit me with wonderful storage! The Expedit series is so versatile-I highly recommend it! You might notice I'm in the middle of cutting fabric for the twin duvet covers I hope to piece together with Jill Blissenbach next week! It's a lot of measuring!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHEjQ_sCHxPXvN5RA45SZoqBV39iQfy4k4-gOPknYHH-QU9tFeogbt3DYs0EheMtqPz7JwomnjnfQjYnjSDwDjr_mrKxn7jYzon2_UIk11nbb40GCmRmaQNCjimmzBXVcneBWiEwuj0zwu/s1600/IMG_1353.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHEjQ_sCHxPXvN5RA45SZoqBV39iQfy4k4-gOPknYHH-QU9tFeogbt3DYs0EheMtqPz7JwomnjnfQjYnjSDwDjr_mrKxn7jYzon2_UIk11nbb40GCmRmaQNCjimmzBXVcneBWiEwuj0zwu/s320/IMG_1353.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> No craft room would be complete without Christmas lights!! Also, I broke down and bought a ribbon holder, which I haven't put up yet (lower right corner) and I used the lower rod for a large roll of scratch paper for practice sketches and for the nieces when they come to visit and want to draw! I have also loaded my craft room with every fabulous RomCom that I could watch one billion times (including "Bridesmaids", "When Harry Met Sally" and "Music and Lyrics" to name a few!) as well as old 80's and 90's sitcom DVDs because you can just NEVER have enough of those!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaBnvLy33uPYDZ5wbK9XYzaXyJrAkX2en56nOzMs-Me3ec0sxd4d0bqMZE5bop8mUezx8oD8YVJnbfa0s-3Uk81vEBck8HZXBM4Zs-DSUb2Y0g4Zl7MPRZX9dusx8lWMtwjbw5Q3xMpIcO/s1600/IMG_1354.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaBnvLy33uPYDZ5wbK9XYzaXyJrAkX2en56nOzMs-Me3ec0sxd4d0bqMZE5bop8mUezx8oD8YVJnbfa0s-3Uk81vEBck8HZXBM4Zs-DSUb2Y0g4Zl7MPRZX9dusx8lWMtwjbw5Q3xMpIcO/s320/IMG_1354.JPG" width="239" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> LOVE the magnetic strips from IKEA! They work GREAT for scissors and the spice tins are wonderful for small pieces such as tacks, bottle caps, etc. I found the buckets at Goodwill for $.50 each!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW83Ea13Ce0z8uHAbjO7NuemacOP-vc4bMt4WGpV83PKO2sisr3IUWhSEw05HI8YjdP8YgitNSk1qR1wWEJXO7Yh8mbUZ98JljSR49z332O-y7-3pPQWdyEXfNVKp4SVeTCS3ftM3ABwde/s1600/IMG_1355.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW83Ea13Ce0z8uHAbjO7NuemacOP-vc4bMt4WGpV83PKO2sisr3IUWhSEw05HI8YjdP8YgitNSk1qR1wWEJXO7Yh8mbUZ98JljSR49z332O-y7-3pPQWdyEXfNVKp4SVeTCS3ftM3ABwde/s320/IMG_1355.JPG" width="239" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">All of the containers I'm using (except for the IKEA bins) are from either the Dollar Store or Goodwill. I've got containers of EVERY size and shape, and I find I'm always running out of them!!! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh__Hm5zs9xt7DAZlox2ULfq9XLm7191Aa6l5u97JkUbiOe14AeTQHV_DEbHzWKwCQQdWPiy3t9_fXqJ2qErbj1OVwXY-DiIN6h20ZTL0iZLLKG-fV7H2Wrv5hwDDrs9FZV8rU4oL41yQGC/s1600/IMG_1348.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh__Hm5zs9xt7DAZlox2ULfq9XLm7191Aa6l5u97JkUbiOe14AeTQHV_DEbHzWKwCQQdWPiy3t9_fXqJ2qErbj1OVwXY-DiIN6h20ZTL0iZLLKG-fV7H2Wrv5hwDDrs9FZV8rU4oL41yQGC/s320/IMG_1348.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> So just in case you were curious what I'm up to these days, I'm working on making a banner for my son's "Monster Mash" 1st Birthday party in mid-March. So I've been cutting out felt "monsters" and practicing! I hope to make themed monster cupcakes, and Elmo cake (he was a monster after all!) and put out supplies so participates can make their own "monsters" using velcro to attach arms, legs, eyes, etc. We'll see how it turns out!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj39ZLrLdrGEdMX5crCA_8g6F40eyKt5RjRwgwQZBzG0qDZju6uGco7f7EgEqzMvLgs-axhK8KzTL6vVUoFSsjqa3DH1eY_IH9D_tGBbKy_B_Kzv5-ooGjMlPBBB0khAAnq6b212Ate6UJi/s1600/IMG_1356.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj39ZLrLdrGEdMX5crCA_8g6F40eyKt5RjRwgwQZBzG0qDZju6uGco7f7EgEqzMvLgs-axhK8KzTL6vVUoFSsjqa3DH1eY_IH9D_tGBbKy_B_Kzv5-ooGjMlPBBB0khAAnq6b212Ate6UJi/s320/IMG_1356.JPG" width="238" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">And of course.. I'm CUTTING FABRIC like a crazy person!!! I promised Jill I would be DETAILED and careful with the measurements, and there is ALOT to cut, hence why I'm awake at 1:44 AM rather than sleeping!! But I'm so excited about the duvet covers! I can't wait to finish them and share them with you!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">So what does your craft space look like?? Or better yet, what does your DREAM craft space look like? I have TONS of inspiration ideas pinned to my boards on Pinterest if you're looking for inspiration! And I'd love to hear your ideas!!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">'Night all! </div>Sonja B. Eblinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08789932374821996470noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8400746398550066978.post-70245476166559187402012-02-18T22:21:00.000-08:002012-02-18T22:21:24.345-08:00Game On: MN style Round #1 COMPLETE!<div style="text-align: center;">Quick update on Game On! for those of you who may be interested..</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHRkYGrOoIqNYZzJqrFNsEIFadqq3SX9wgEST5g_5QgkPV4MrqrlGToQzDY6aO4CEd7Kwb9pn_vfr8HNdyO2wFNAn6O_Tg6UbFvDb3Hc1dl9Ew4wVns8MDaC3gK2vX39CKp1TWCs9-4FU1/s1600/IMG_1305.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHRkYGrOoIqNYZzJqrFNsEIFadqq3SX9wgEST5g_5QgkPV4MrqrlGToQzDY6aO4CEd7Kwb9pn_vfr8HNdyO2wFNAn6O_Tg6UbFvDb3Hc1dl9Ew4wVns8MDaC3gK2vX39CKp1TWCs9-4FU1/s320/IMG_1305.JPG" width="239" /></a>So our 4 week competition comes to completion tomorrow-and I can definately say it was a success! I lost 5 lbs. by week two, but thanks to a tasty vacation (which caused me to lose quite a few points! grrr! but the Poutine was WORTH it!) I ended losing just 3 lbs. total. BUT, outside of losing weight, I haven't bitten my nails since we began! And for someone who used to bite them UNTIL THEY BLED (yes, I know-YICK) this is HUGE!!! I only wish I had a before shot so you could see how amazing this is!!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Also, thanks to Game ON, I have been doing my "30 day Shred" video almost daily-and I can FEEL my body composition starting to change. I feel inklings of my "pre-baby body" and it gives me hope I might get back there again!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Another highlight is due to my teammate and friend, Miss Stacy Nathan! She encouraged and (well, practically dragged at times) challenged me to run again, and get back to a 10 minute mile!! And we DID it~! We ran 3.4 miles last Wednesday together at 10 min. each mile, and now I'm signing up to run a 7k on St. Patty's with Stace...whew!! So I'd say we have some progress!!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I'm still struggling with eating choices, but Weight Watchers is a great program-when I stick to it!! And all this water intake was good too-I've learned that adding cucumber, lemon and mint leaves can make water taste FABULOUS, and freezing it in ice cubes is a handy trick as well!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I've learned lots of other things, but that's a blog for a different day! Right now, I have to stick with my new habit of getting 7 hours of sleep each night!! After all-if what they say is true "anything can be fixed with a GOOD NIGHTS SLEEP" then tomorrow should be a fantastic day!</div><br />
Adios Amigos!Sonja B. Eblinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08789932374821996470noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8400746398550066978.post-78832058638139453122012-02-18T22:12:00.000-08:002012-02-18T22:12:00.124-08:00Got me some crafty friends, I DO!!Hey everybody!<br />
<br />
So I have some pretty crazy crafty friends-they are QUITE inspiring I must say!!! Here is a quick look at some of the craftiness that's been happening lately thanks to Mrs. Ashleigh Johnson and Mrs. Jenn Hubal!! Be impressed.. I am!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8GOu9KdNAd5wsP02oxbFY-nur1H97-1w-o6jdPpvrtjEmcORqp3HGb3WAP1yURf9_o9oZk4ub1D-9gS9d2PcWQEzVvhSSqc7qN3FW8VzS7AaSfO-4JLZZPy_OoeSFn28ZEbq4swNwG4Cn/s1600/IMG_1309.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8GOu9KdNAd5wsP02oxbFY-nur1H97-1w-o6jdPpvrtjEmcORqp3HGb3WAP1yURf9_o9oZk4ub1D-9gS9d2PcWQEzVvhSSqc7qN3FW8VzS7AaSfO-4JLZZPy_OoeSFn28ZEbq4swNwG4Cn/s320/IMG_1309.JPG" width="319" /></a></div> Here is the lovely Ashleigh...for our playgroup on Valentine's Day, Ashleigh put together mini heart pizzas!! They were delicious (and off of Pinterest of course!) the kids AND adults loved them!!)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigevizvsfXU1QPisSWSjEWwM7qK4j8iNiQ2rmiH0HewZXkMmUo5b73j0kAmuLes1xsBgG89A_-tQVR4Jtvd6f3Fw-25UPiRXhj9a44xJ2DZINq2RZ-sCeFmnfIS64Spz6ukbcQ2v1yxnLl/s1600/IMG_1310.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigevizvsfXU1QPisSWSjEWwM7qK4j8iNiQ2rmiH0HewZXkMmUo5b73j0kAmuLes1xsBgG89A_-tQVR4Jtvd6f3Fw-25UPiRXhj9a44xJ2DZINq2RZ-sCeFmnfIS64Spz6ukbcQ2v1yxnLl/s320/IMG_1310.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjthEDocJfaCO5Scp2wDzC8h9pt7q92757wbnzmI_jlMBjZjM8_78jeoH4P-223FIN8h3l8G1rt7LkaMZzxRhZz4TKmJKWTCqVdNnhgUCYq8o0g_I-e4Hr9KaWTf9DfyCLwH2MSa9t8E_tf/s1600/IMG_1312.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjthEDocJfaCO5Scp2wDzC8h9pt7q92757wbnzmI_jlMBjZjM8_78jeoH4P-223FIN8h3l8G1rt7LkaMZzxRhZz4TKmJKWTCqVdNnhgUCYq8o0g_I-e4Hr9KaWTf9DfyCLwH2MSa9t8E_tf/s320/IMG_1312.JPG" width="239" /></a></div> For dessert, she cut hearts out of rice krispies and dipped them in chocolate and sprinkles.. froze them outside for a bit... SO DELICIOUS! Also a Pinterest inspired creation!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPBSVbfb3OAxd5Lxd04jDOT4lT4VgSiZMzIsw2p9cos_479Kwvj1xImGKuWVE45o_xboBgxG6IsZQcHUg9S-FgWaKllatD687LEyIbbFc3XWs1C4eWH0DSzbQFSox0Igb3t58K_2xoNeFt/s1600/IMG_1313.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPBSVbfb3OAxd5Lxd04jDOT4lT4VgSiZMzIsw2p9cos_479Kwvj1xImGKuWVE45o_xboBgxG6IsZQcHUg9S-FgWaKllatD687LEyIbbFc3XWs1C4eWH0DSzbQFSox0Igb3t58K_2xoNeFt/s320/IMG_1313.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> It's Jenn's little girl, Hannah's birthday this week-so I helped her make a butterfly banner for her party! We used some funky glitter scrapbook paper and created the template ourselves, and then hung it using fishing line.. I thought it came out quite well!!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVG9xrOOTuKaymG1YIDR4KQhlaGnwESQUOkq8jYLutgLRiAXvpNoN6QDkEhXJBEMdQmb75FKDduiPMkikqug4_bsxpN49gBhJEorCdpc7n1jQtqSz1zjJxR1tnXwFrc40Bd1PvoeS4aTUT/s1600/IMG_1322.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="153" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVG9xrOOTuKaymG1YIDR4KQhlaGnwESQUOkq8jYLutgLRiAXvpNoN6QDkEhXJBEMdQmb75FKDduiPMkikqug4_bsxpN49gBhJEorCdpc7n1jQtqSz1zjJxR1tnXwFrc40Bd1PvoeS4aTUT/s320/IMG_1322.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0yy3QCwGdvir3SndKfjYiQfvDBkzvs5G5cSAu9_bA0b5BWamLrRlPZHpkuiw1bqwCzuKwk12zCGpz5qs8H4VDBIUDoSdLnxISZcWrw8Shh4KVSnpn5t-TtBImsINChgYBE0TFJ3w9sdDV/s1600/IMG_1323.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0yy3QCwGdvir3SndKfjYiQfvDBkzvs5G5cSAu9_bA0b5BWamLrRlPZHpkuiw1bqwCzuKwk12zCGpz5qs8H4VDBIUDoSdLnxISZcWrw8Shh4KVSnpn5t-TtBImsINChgYBE0TFJ3w9sdDV/s320/IMG_1323.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
As for other craftiness, I'm working on cutting the fabric for the duvet quilts that Jill and I will be putting together in early March-but more on that to come!!!<br />
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'night all!Sonja B. Eblinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08789932374821996470noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8400746398550066978.post-20306705696621518392012-02-13T20:23:00.000-08:002012-02-13T20:23:19.981-08:00Weigh Ins, Poutine and Pins in the Kitchen?<div style="text-align: center;">Hi all,</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">So sorry to be absent lately-I've been a traveling mamma! My husband and I whisked away for a weekend of relaxation, adventure and...HOCKEY in Montreal, Canada! We had a GREAT time, and enjoyed some AMAZING food! Check it out!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi03qZrTZy4J-oIE_8XTqVICwbadMPc-ByWcAftINU_nFYOw-h_yjvawWqEdVw93iK32MjiBgejm6VJ_YCFPp27JxQzBsZ7BVgj7J2a7OJEuUST3jFswFiSbNYfyCzeGJzrD-naqDsEcqdd/s1600/IMG_1247.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi03qZrTZy4J-oIE_8XTqVICwbadMPc-ByWcAftINU_nFYOw-h_yjvawWqEdVw93iK32MjiBgejm6VJ_YCFPp27JxQzBsZ7BVgj7J2a7OJEuUST3jFswFiSbNYfyCzeGJzrD-naqDsEcqdd/s320/IMG_1247.JPG" width="239" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Belgian Dark Chocolate Crepes-for Breakfast??!! Oh YES my friends!!! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2fbjiOB3KE3TLuExWkxnlvhGoKmKfu9H8RJcOdMaxlgIs-5mXq3Bwo78PKX9w7AupFmRFmnbxpifBgHsqIZJrDLSfC8yG7NnNUv6C1yOwAh1Jf8B82ShM8FJajLDartTqtx73OfrqlkM4/s1600/IMG_1267.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2fbjiOB3KE3TLuExWkxnlvhGoKmKfu9H8RJcOdMaxlgIs-5mXq3Bwo78PKX9w7AupFmRFmnbxpifBgHsqIZJrDLSfC8yG7NnNUv6C1yOwAh1Jf8B82ShM8FJajLDartTqtx73OfrqlkM4/s320/IMG_1267.JPG" width="239" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> a HEALTHY version of Eggs Benedict?? Less than 900 calories and DELECTABLE!! YUM! Even the veggies!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkYUxRtN-HfP8-axAZl3fozEjrkXNsYgmtnKwh7lVOLz-39V8BI55zsih6xDg2bSV3q6t1XnTUYypx7GXe6roJWd_KE7YorYhzD2A_ONvEM8baIInEt6CF1VmK5RYUjrZFhMIgVRvVeySF/s1600/IMG_1283.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkYUxRtN-HfP8-axAZl3fozEjrkXNsYgmtnKwh7lVOLz-39V8BI55zsih6xDg2bSV3q6t1XnTUYypx7GXe6roJWd_KE7YorYhzD2A_ONvEM8baIInEt6CF1VmK5RYUjrZFhMIgVRvVeySF/s320/IMG_1283.JPG" width="239" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The highlight of our trip (other than the hockey and massages!)-Poutine!! Imagine the most SCRUMPTIOUS french fries smothered in a light gravy with chunks of the creamiest cheese imaginable...and NO I WILL NOT list the calorie content... it ruins the amazing-ness of the dish!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">So for those of you who are paying attention, you might recall I'm on a DIET right now... you'll be happy to know that 80% of this amazing food was consumed on my day off..which didn't bode well for my weigh in this past week, but was admittedly fun in the process! Isn't that always the way it goes?? So it was an AWESOME getaway, but I'm paying for it dietwise... but we still have one more week to go for GAME ON... so time will tell if I've fallen off the "get healthy" wagon completely!!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">As for the " Pin-a-week" update, since my partner in crime Jenn was in Florida this week, I decided to try out a few recipes I've found on pinterest instead. Here are the results, and my thoughts on how they turned out! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxG4uv8QDOnkbD6-imalaJYNHWvxDxqz0YFUKOh0E8bCAzJ0asVyUHaoq-9686eVQ-Y3HkEcHNWmbGtjCZ1G-bgzC1wL6BpmOWhTbilsB_ciifS80-vYJUtxc15O66xHyShq_2ka-DwO38/s1600/IMG_1287.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxG4uv8QDOnkbD6-imalaJYNHWvxDxqz0YFUKOh0E8bCAzJ0asVyUHaoq-9686eVQ-Y3HkEcHNWmbGtjCZ1G-bgzC1wL6BpmOWhTbilsB_ciifS80-vYJUtxc15O66xHyShq_2ka-DwO38/s320/IMG_1287.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Do It Yourself mini fruit pizzas! I made sugar cookies and a light cream cheese frosting and put fruit in bowls, and then let folks put together their own concoctions! They were DELICIOUS and EASY!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyqqMoKNI-jvp2Yy7zwUVjER_BETkdfZ32-Tncs22Nhtpj7VO-ZK39203a8pnpmnsNr5_O7cDHOQ9v8l8VnlSRzaTlMGbbUyuKNVSRG6PSoVHJb3JJA483kL63fczDQDnwlZfrA5a88afG/s1600/IMG_1296.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyqqMoKNI-jvp2Yy7zwUVjER_BETkdfZ32-Tncs22Nhtpj7VO-ZK39203a8pnpmnsNr5_O7cDHOQ9v8l8VnlSRzaTlMGbbUyuKNVSRG6PSoVHJb3JJA483kL63fczDQDnwlZfrA5a88afG/s320/IMG_1296.JPG" width="239" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">This is the Crispy Cheesy Chicken PRIOR to baking... I made this along with a Corn casserole for some friends we had over this past weekend- it got RAVE reviews from our friends (and me!) It wasn't terribly diet friendly, but it was DELICIOUS!! (and SO easy to make!!!)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">As for other CRAFTY projects, my friend Jill and I just finished buying the fabric to make two twin quilted duvet covers for our new cabin's guest room-so we'll update you as things progress-but here is the fabric we'll be working with!</div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;">So, as you can see, things have been happening, but it's been a little nutty around the Ebling house-and FAR too much yummy food has been consumed!! So this week and next we'll be working on getting "back on the healthy/crafty/routine wagon!"</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Keep it crafty people! More to come soon!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs-CBE61tav206mQUx9WWC8a3zGNKgOa4Biz_b4V5GHckxwAmk3B_rZnis-ZsU5eL7spL3fq0RWjd7D_tFcusWLDsnTI8Emor1wppyTSeHHbBMBt2sq8MtuH8tXLgRGsWa22bWLzktXCoH/s1600/IMG_1297.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs-CBE61tav206mQUx9WWC8a3zGNKgOa4Biz_b4V5GHckxwAmk3B_rZnis-ZsU5eL7spL3fq0RWjd7D_tFcusWLDsnTI8Emor1wppyTSeHHbBMBt2sq8MtuH8tXLgRGsWa22bWLzktXCoH/s320/IMG_1297.JPG" width="238" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Sonja B. Eblinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08789932374821996470noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8400746398550066978.post-16873165015599788382012-01-28T13:44:00.000-08:002012-01-28T13:44:56.998-08:00Pin-a-week & GAME ON! Update<div style="text-align: center;">Hi friends!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I'll bet you thought I disappeared on you? Well, I DID disappear to the northwoods-to our new cabin near Biwabik, MN (close to Giant's Ridge Ski area if you're familiar). It's been busy getting settled and keeping track of our "get into everything" 10 month old, but the snow up here is FABULOUS and fluffy, and it's so cozy here I'm sad to think of going back to the hustle and bustle of home!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">So this past week has been week #1 of "Game ON!: MN Style" and it's been a bit of a transition! For the most part I've been able to keep to my daily quote of Weight Watcher's points, and drink all 3 LITERS OF WATER A DAY (yikes!) as well as the other requirements-but BOY does eating out and changing your "routine" (esp. with a baby!) throw a wrench into things!! I anticipated it would be difficult to eat out and maintain my diet plan-but WOW it's tougher than I thought! Thankfully we get a "day off" and a "meal off" during the week- that I have utilized well!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">The water thing has been a big transition-the first day or two I HATED the taste of water (funny huh?) and could barely make myself keep drinking it, but strangely enough as we've progressed (and I've learned to add limes or cucumbers to it for flavor!) I actually find myself THIRSTY for water... on my meal off I even TURNED DOWN POP (this is revolutionary here people, as I am a 100% recovering pop addict!) in lew of water to quench my thirst! So maybe there is something to this whole "get healthy" thing! At this point, I've lost 2 of the 15lbs. I hope to shed-which is promising, and if Jillian Michael's is right "I'll be shredded in no time!" I've been doing her "30 day Shred" video faithfully every day (even on my day off) and I can FEEL my body getting stronger! When I bent down, holding my son, to pick up his pacifier, it was MUCH easier than even a week ago, and my legs didn't even shake! Lest you think I'm a Pollyanna-this new diet has bit the big one in a number of ways- I crave chocolate CONSTANTLY it seems- but I've found a new helper in that catagory...Skinny Cow Dreamy Clusters.... ummm can we say YUM.. esp. in Dark Chocolate!!!!!!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Anyway, 3 more weeks to go! You can anticipate a weekly update from me about the progress (and I'll try not to whine too much!), but I do have to warn you-I'm competing against some pretty insane competition! Some of these folks are on "primal" diets, and others have almost perfect scores for week one! (don't I feel dumb with my stupid snacking penalty!) so things could get interesting! Wait and see!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Lastly, while up north I've been brainstorming new crafty projects for Jenn and I to tackle as well as how to decorate this "chalet style" cabin and make it feel unique and homey! My hubby and I have decided to go with a sort of "vintage ski/paddle/bigfoot (yes, I know, I said Bigfoot!) theme so I've begun hunting through Etsy and online (www.vintagewinter.com has cool stuff!) for some neat original pieces for the place!! Right now, some possible crafty projects I might add to the pile include:</div><ol style="text-align: center;"><li>Vintage picture Coasters and framed vintage postcards collages </li>
<li>DIY Canvas Photo Enlargements</li>
<li>Creating a "book nook" for kiddos in the upstairs kids room</li>
</ol><div style="text-align: center;">And more to come!! But now, as if this post isn't long enough, I just have to share a few pics of my little guy and our time up north in God's country! Have a great week all! I'll be back next week to finish up our "Ode to Modge Podge" and start a new "pin of the week" project!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwcrcjSbF2NtiHg5F68sNbr1V0CmDgm8tDlPdNaWvtiKnM1ugvZLsV_FoUlzDE8YMQW2csjwfn9HA7ZZGKi24D_dPDKMu7e9sVfAku95Yt6LlTtE-IYM9P2Bn3SIX-_fq777zigy3GCmQz/s1600/IMG_1152.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwcrcjSbF2NtiHg5F68sNbr1V0CmDgm8tDlPdNaWvtiKnM1ugvZLsV_FoUlzDE8YMQW2csjwfn9HA7ZZGKi24D_dPDKMu7e9sVfAku95Yt6LlTtE-IYM9P2Bn3SIX-_fq777zigy3GCmQz/s320/IMG_1152.JPG" width="239" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Our pups Chauncey (on the right) and Koopa were detained in the hallway until their snow covered paws melted after many fun filled hours outside!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_hxn0EWrEhrnQdiwEqyPwgnD2StggeS69JJVrLgvTM5G97SqlDJpzwWxoabTi7Gs5Jc9gMLEHnYF5VCW-0cVAJi4cpWPXKhI2WJSP_1QDs9O5bEfcLiZpBuuUC0uPwI6_HXy9saOKtEmG/s1600/IMG_1199.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_hxn0EWrEhrnQdiwEqyPwgnD2StggeS69JJVrLgvTM5G97SqlDJpzwWxoabTi7Gs5Jc9gMLEHnYF5VCW-0cVAJi4cpWPXKhI2WJSP_1QDs9O5bEfcLiZpBuuUC0uPwI6_HXy9saOKtEmG/s320/IMG_1199.JPG" width="238" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Our little guy, Cooper (10 months), on his first sledding outing!! I think he likes it!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8NqSWRUbsIK-Cs46CUqqXSCdFL00zNRDvUgQXME89P0oLm9pGP5oydoAH38ZUnRxUQUNGW_IbtPOi0XO0YRo9QWISDnWSOJT7lyNLVA8r2UqfbRUZDunl6u5dBS8gFJ8BqgH5i00RQds0/s1600/IMG_1193.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8NqSWRUbsIK-Cs46CUqqXSCdFL00zNRDvUgQXME89P0oLm9pGP5oydoAH38ZUnRxUQUNGW_IbtPOi0XO0YRo9QWISDnWSOJT7lyNLVA8r2UqfbRUZDunl6u5dBS8gFJ8BqgH5i00RQds0/s320/IMG_1193.JPG" width="239" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> My "bubba" and I </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6jkgOiW4wX2Ed0AXMCxU24WSn875GMD25ar2DdwWOZHJqNgj2yE3BS89DMcbHIGhr5VTqQGYYvllLXn-D9w2agfPKiJ7Z1k4BEK8LWosexRYt8rSkgY_n9JIkzGJ9UPef0SN-YCCi_thj/s1600/IMG_1196.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6jkgOiW4wX2Ed0AXMCxU24WSn875GMD25ar2DdwWOZHJqNgj2yE3BS89DMcbHIGhr5VTqQGYYvllLXn-D9w2agfPKiJ7Z1k4BEK8LWosexRYt8rSkgY_n9JIkzGJ9UPef0SN-YCCi_thj/s320/IMG_1196.JPG" width="239" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> My hubby making "Bigfoot Angels" as he calls them! The snow was PERFECT!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiK2R2u0rRC6me4x_XvVhWM7f9rJaG2X2CGu4n5HSpCi2WomxviSxAxfYPgkZN8AzKvRNacikeXFV7fOzLeMI1pXx_IwE3PxcC0icztJieTLXPKmL_WD4NfgKBqAEti-V7t39SKkDvXkDk/s1600/IMG_1191.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiK2R2u0rRC6me4x_XvVhWM7f9rJaG2X2CGu4n5HSpCi2WomxviSxAxfYPgkZN8AzKvRNacikeXFV7fOzLeMI1pXx_IwE3PxcC0icztJieTLXPKmL_WD4NfgKBqAEti-V7t39SKkDvXkDk/s320/IMG_1191.JPG" width="206" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Hurry up Mommy, let's GO!!!</div>Sonja B. Eblinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08789932374821996470noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8400746398550066978.post-68112965960415204642012-01-22T21:01:00.000-08:002012-01-22T21:01:13.450-08:00GAME ON is officially... ON!!!<div style="text-align: center;">Well, it's official. Today begins my 4 week adventure/competition/challenge/"oh my Lordy what did I get myself into?!?" activity- the "Game ON!" diet. My teammates, Stacy Nathan and Hilary Wear (all Concordia Cobbers class of '99-whoot whoot!) began our regime today of daily drinking 3 liters of H2O, getting at least 7 hours of sleep at night, 20 minutes sweat-inducing exercise, maintaining a Weight Watchers points-based diet, implementing a new <i>HEALTHY</i> habit while abstaining from an <i>UNhealthy</i> habit and communicating with our teammates and opponents each day... Whew.. that was one HECK of a run-on sentence!! (my apologies to all you English majors out there!;)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">As promised (and quickly as I need to get my 7 hours of sleep!) Here is my "before" picture, as well as a recap of my goals/habits. Consider this my attempt at accountability as well as a cry for support (I'm pathetic I know-but this is harder than you think! One day in and I'm practically floating away from all the water!!!). So here we go...</div><div style="text-align: center;">Here I am-almost 11 months after giving birth at 160 lbs., looking to lose the remaining 15 lbs. of leftover baby weight to get back to my previous "happy weight" of 145 lbs.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHshdGY4YznaA04xbfJTUhDgc6sVeJgdDDrxB6_33cVbXtjWWn0hYIk-Xk_fD7Bm3pKrKORA3HuHhFO2G6lOYQUevKOqiF_Lwtu8rzw5eiksdaTdtnDeyy6tjj-6OR1bm0wREDkhOitJzU/s1600/IMG_1126.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHshdGY4YznaA04xbfJTUhDgc6sVeJgdDDrxB6_33cVbXtjWWn0hYIk-Xk_fD7Bm3pKrKORA3HuHhFO2G6lOYQUevKOqiF_Lwtu8rzw5eiksdaTdtnDeyy6tjj-6OR1bm0wREDkhOitJzU/s320/IMG_1126.JPG" width="171" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> I look SO bizarre in these photos, but I was trying NOT to "suck it in" so the picture would be true, and frankly, I just felt stupid standing there taking a "chubby picture." </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivsd71TAg85LpG0Lo0KtbNvI-yEXp-YRvZkqgK-ZvvJAP0mPYWlW9h7SqDefr-sDVbWd3VpmeJpzgt2GBFWPXyVtVB8LNlCkDINh78MFOurDw13gCrDIjLZwxheRlP_eT5uC0Mz3EU4Lwj/s1600/IMG_1127.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivsd71TAg85LpG0Lo0KtbNvI-yEXp-YRvZkqgK-ZvvJAP0mPYWlW9h7SqDefr-sDVbWd3VpmeJpzgt2GBFWPXyVtVB8LNlCkDINh78MFOurDw13gCrDIjLZwxheRlP_eT5uC0Mz3EU4Lwj/s320/IMG_1127.JPG" width="159" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">So mostly it's the gut, but I could stand for the chin and a few other places to shrink a bit too:) As I tell my friends often, I'd like the "penthouse suite" that was Cooper's home for 9 months to go back to being an efficiency apartment-or at least a one bedroom!! :)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">So it begins...one day down (and I got all my points today, I might add! As did my teammates!) and a...LOT more to go... but it'll be worth it right?? Here's to you, Hilary and Stace-let's go Kick some GAME ON BUTT while SHRINKING OUR OWN!!!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">For more info on the "Game On" diet, check out www.thegameondiet.com!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
Operation Baby Weight is underway!!!</div>Sonja B. Eblinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08789932374821996470noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8400746398550066978.post-57979414730766125582012-01-22T20:48:00.000-08:002012-01-22T20:48:39.837-08:00Mod Podge Madness Part #2<div style="text-align: center;">We're back!!!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">So Jenn and I decided that Mod Podge is AMAZING and there are just too, too many things we can do with it!! So we are continuing our "Mod Podge Madness" trend here with a few new projects!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I'm still obsessed with making coasters.. I realized I keep making them FOR OTHER PEOPLE, so I needed a few sets for myself-and at $0.16 a tile, it's a pretty inexpensive and quick to complete project!! Here is the latest set in progress-for our new vacation property in Biwabik, MN! I've taken scrapbook paper and plan to simply M.Podge it on, not sure if I'll get more creative or just keep it simple! Suggestions requested!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwqFkNiCkQsEn6tAQd2D3S7aodHcg_7AkfDFafXHNpm7nVugztXVDKGN7M_v1XwPsw94PCWLf1KHsp5Vhy9l-wdfZAtx9vcyEGzJ4LvuJjG5SGFeVdow5OHqHC2CyEQHhcTtEtuxtid_1Q/s1600/IMG_1142.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwqFkNiCkQsEn6tAQd2D3S7aodHcg_7AkfDFafXHNpm7nVugztXVDKGN7M_v1XwPsw94PCWLf1KHsp5Vhy9l-wdfZAtx9vcyEGzJ4LvuJjG5SGFeVdow5OHqHC2CyEQHhcTtEtuxtid_1Q/s320/IMG_1142.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I'm also working on another small project, something I found (but of course!) on Pinterest!! Using wooden letters from JoAnn Etc. I found on sale, some ribbon and scrapbook paper (with MP of course!) But it seems a little bit boring, and I need to figure out how to hang it on his door.. hmmmm... we'll see what comes of this!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihDxjtgsnq4kntCKAWP01kJyNSSQ3I4Yv8O76eaKKkkrvMHhOg3r8nvMiFUKH2aLao69njP7AVu1S7_na9jxn0zooXeyzWSJyTqTS2Tdn-AZStvu8oq7HWp_FZHP2pzEf00EJ-I3TethCt/s1600/IMG_1143.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihDxjtgsnq4kntCKAWP01kJyNSSQ3I4Yv8O76eaKKkkrvMHhOg3r8nvMiFUKH2aLao69njP7AVu1S7_na9jxn0zooXeyzWSJyTqTS2Tdn-AZStvu8oq7HWp_FZHP2pzEf00EJ-I3TethCt/s320/IMG_1143.JPG" width="158" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Jenn is working on an AWESOME project, and I might just have to copy her it's coming out so fabulously!! Check it out!!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC3AnSApOx59IVyrpW5CUuSbHFcAcn4uDJeShLd9MimF9nmwlBSHEg77Gf8gLlHiKN2aljyKI-fIBRIP1BZ7qGFkirGYl4r1tNg5D1TYFnT8fv8q8ZQ2K6KPNgKm98XdAAHqzCogBI7D-1/s1600/IMG_1114.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC3AnSApOx59IVyrpW5CUuSbHFcAcn4uDJeShLd9MimF9nmwlBSHEg77Gf8gLlHiKN2aljyKI-fIBRIP1BZ7qGFkirGYl4r1tNg5D1TYFnT8fv8q8ZQ2K6KPNgKm98XdAAHqzCogBI7D-1/s320/IMG_1114.JPG" width="238" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Using a paper mache large letter from JoAnn's, she painted it black with craft paint, and then took all kinds of leftover pictures and MP'ed them on to it!! This isn't completed yet, but isn't it cool?? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUmDBFWEDihnC8gpE_mQRf_fisI-F0rqY5gfLs5uGOcyEOcJZrmADMzmscyKex0byQGwoEBU5ooMY8ezMGdK2LRdBfkFOX3SNtGvAtKfg1AQLfGzoNQ1C32n2VFL2TlUe2aMQ95X56DRWQ/s1600/IMG_1139.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUmDBFWEDihnC8gpE_mQRf_fisI-F0rqY5gfLs5uGOcyEOcJZrmADMzmscyKex0byQGwoEBU5ooMY8ezMGdK2LRdBfkFOX3SNtGvAtKfg1AQLfGzoNQ1C32n2VFL2TlUe2aMQ95X56DRWQ/s320/IMG_1139.JPG" width="239" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggH7aTo9-1371gJj1rvi8k7HhZlD5QmfRcK7oh2MxtViBEJiZNwsHTQ2HSdBvP0N-Fvd67HHOhnj8eGZ6Xrblz-HydKsgKmqJrTfJNFWjqBR4P1ieBiy6bLBMdvt_mSOCrpudppIk2Ysu_/s1600/IMG_1118.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggH7aTo9-1371gJj1rvi8k7HhZlD5QmfRcK7oh2MxtViBEJiZNwsHTQ2HSdBvP0N-Fvd67HHOhnj8eGZ6Xrblz-HydKsgKmqJrTfJNFWjqBR4P1ieBiy6bLBMdvt_mSOCrpudppIk2Ysu_/s320/IMG_1118.JPG" width="238" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Auuh Mod Podge... you're almost as vital as chocolate to a crafty girl like me-and I have a feeling we have many more years of craftiness to come together!!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Sonja B. Eblinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08789932374821996470noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8400746398550066978.post-28193117401379331682012-01-15T20:49:00.000-08:002012-01-22T20:38:37.236-08:00Pin-a-week #1: Mod Podge Madness!<div style="text-align: center;">Hi all!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Well, Jenn Hubal and I got together this past Friday with our kiddos (big shout out to Hannah and the Coops!) to do our first "<i><b>pin/craft a week" projec</b><b>t</b></i>! As you can guess, getting crafty with babies around is a little sticky (pun intended! haha) but we got a pretty good start. We discovered that expecting that we'll COMPLETE a project each week might be too high a goal-instead we'll get started on something-even if it takes us a week to finish!!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">So...here are some photos of our Mod Podge Madness! We were working on making photo coasters using tiles from Home Depot ($0.16 each!), mod podge, and left over photos (or Xmas cards in Jenn's case!) as well as a clear acrylic spray to give them some sheen and some cut up chair-foot pads (what ARE those things called?)for stability. Here's a peek!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrnFQo9YmHiIBK83bKxZhsXFtyOW8oib4RM82PBIGIhzHVu6GmQEQgO6wkM302TmZWLtYMoQrnr1oLKGBXmWEnyw5XOqKwNP7uNKsTS4qWCrtBeCcCqZx29v3eZ3kTz4YNWNLNhnEzr5PS/s1600/IMG_1091.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrnFQo9YmHiIBK83bKxZhsXFtyOW8oib4RM82PBIGIhzHVu6GmQEQgO6wkM302TmZWLtYMoQrnr1oLKGBXmWEnyw5XOqKwNP7uNKsTS4qWCrtBeCcCqZx29v3eZ3kTz4YNWNLNhnEzr5PS/s320/IMG_1091.JPG" width="238" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> The Lovely Jenn hard at work!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJl9fvwiZ3Ojto00feMWTRm5xYq7uvOLwndKcCuaecH6HRcRMw7Fov0THp6cXLtXQDnle4AWPL4jsLQ2XcI0CNI5knS9-qKwV0tOadlFBnLdsequuHf_c68K_ixKu7eaqn3o_Dyk0wMAPa/s1600/IMG_1092.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJl9fvwiZ3Ojto00feMWTRm5xYq7uvOLwndKcCuaecH6HRcRMw7Fov0THp6cXLtXQDnle4AWPL4jsLQ2XcI0CNI5knS9-qKwV0tOadlFBnLdsequuHf_c68K_ixKu7eaqn3o_Dyk0wMAPa/s320/IMG_1092.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">After allowing the Mod Podge to dry (remember you can paint the MP over the TOP of the pics and it dries clear!) we cut up the chair pads (you know the things you buy to put under chair feet so they don't scratch the floor?)into 4 pieces for each corner and stuck them on. I had some lying around here at the house, but you can get them at Home Depot or target too).</div><div style="text-align: center;"> Overall, this is a pretty easy craft to do, and it came out quite well. This is the third set I've made and given as gifts- and they seemed to be well received. Just learn from my mistakes-make sure the Mod Podge has PLENTY of time to FULLY dry before spraying the acrylic top coat-just trust me on this:)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I still need to take a pic of the final product, but here's proof that we <i>DID</i> actually do a pin this week!!! We'd like to play with Mod Podge some more-so plan to see a few more weeks of MP madness!!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Finished pic to come soon!! Oh, but in the meantime, some fun pics of our babies!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilDp4_TdAUM11urJRUlTx-dHb9KsZiIOG1EvZ5DIvfFsDWc8r60DklbwhEBYFHvWy5hfXTKshM7SvLiX1xXlwpBOtmirbvTUvAssFahtJqitNop13tHeOorpxZ5rK6YeUBmoBfQf0Q6CfS/s1600/IMG_1093.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilDp4_TdAUM11urJRUlTx-dHb9KsZiIOG1EvZ5DIvfFsDWc8r60DklbwhEBYFHvWy5hfXTKshM7SvLiX1xXlwpBOtmirbvTUvAssFahtJqitNop13tHeOorpxZ5rK6YeUBmoBfQf0Q6CfS/s320/IMG_1093.JPG" width="238" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> For all the toys he got for Christmas-bless my sweet sons heart, he'd pick crawling up in his momma's lap (while she's playing with glue no less!) over any of them!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg743bc-GmwgfxdtggQZ11YbOJBSGuUDHQSrKlrdeFNec35W37DXuaYhttW-eBQ-RGlzESkoe2tYBhwem2Zh4Mu91ualPQCY0b51qrIectj8R-zGHcUH_V3PinwLWiWfIWRLznFBaDxGq1_/s1600/IMG_1094.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg743bc-GmwgfxdtggQZ11YbOJBSGuUDHQSrKlrdeFNec35W37DXuaYhttW-eBQ-RGlzESkoe2tYBhwem2Zh4Mu91ualPQCY0b51qrIectj8R-zGHcUH_V3PinwLWiWfIWRLznFBaDxGq1_/s320/IMG_1094.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Little Miss Hannah-Jenn's girlie checking out the toys (and singing for us!)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-yScKU7k8YTEM78mqWMrDstgmRPpVH6UEJPBohXHGtkBJAa5wrvEbpfrRQSolWbveJmfV4MbUAesqtF0R0FRRaxtnX5rVIewA8o3flgL1KWiii9OBwTh_CLiAa0QmbheBfDO4qAN7QEiE/s1600/IMG_1095.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-yScKU7k8YTEM78mqWMrDstgmRPpVH6UEJPBohXHGtkBJAa5wrvEbpfrRQSolWbveJmfV4MbUAesqtF0R0FRRaxtnX5rVIewA8o3flgL1KWiii9OBwTh_CLiAa0QmbheBfDO4qAN7QEiE/s320/IMG_1095.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Two new buddies!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbwkZO1fPYuKQQ7F50g5xdJkNB7TDao1pqcrkg958QmYCu6xWgoEZZQsx6hoqXBVF07FBW4GBGrmyKEw3ItMGi26LVmraKySqI5Kabr9ySGsqOF2kRb_8T5bjAs3FK9ukCDEKtIyb_5psZ/s1600/IMG_1096.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbwkZO1fPYuKQQ7F50g5xdJkNB7TDao1pqcrkg958QmYCu6xWgoEZZQsx6hoqXBVF07FBW4GBGrmyKEw3ItMGi26LVmraKySqI5Kabr9ySGsqOF2kRb_8T5bjAs3FK9ukCDEKtIyb_5psZ/s320/IMG_1096.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Look mom! I have a tongue!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL4G6_wp8sJr7tZf7W3s23jaXqWdnlIGgjB-G_-RBm3_AH4gRxLgv_Bn_DVw-9hxol9QQzzYPjKqjVUltWMtHXlIoX5xm5vIO1BOQoSJID-o0ADdc5sudMAHlqldrqhl5bOBUqAR-_XbS2/s1600/IMG_1097.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL4G6_wp8sJr7tZf7W3s23jaXqWdnlIGgjB-G_-RBm3_AH4gRxLgv_Bn_DVw-9hxol9QQzzYPjKqjVUltWMtHXlIoX5xm5vIO1BOQoSJID-o0ADdc5sudMAHlqldrqhl5bOBUqAR-_XbS2/s320/IMG_1097.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Ok we're biased, but aren't they ADORABLE?? Do I see future crafters?I think yes!!! :)<br />
<br />
Finished pic of our Mod Podge Coasters! (one of the sets anyway!)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLj6XgMY__xUgthhNiYziofHtdlEcn8cfBjiRS79nGoUsXszQAZOMJJ3Dr4Wf14Kndp5p5TA6s-bZ7UHmXTQ0nqdO9o-Tnd5CbFYY0Q97406mjZMckQk19EwvKsNJhqhstH5SJCZhLwU2j/s1600/IMG_1113.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLj6XgMY__xUgthhNiYziofHtdlEcn8cfBjiRS79nGoUsXszQAZOMJJ3Dr4Wf14Kndp5p5TA6s-bZ7UHmXTQ0nqdO9o-Tnd5CbFYY0Q97406mjZMckQk19EwvKsNJhqhstH5SJCZhLwU2j/s320/IMG_1113.JPG" width="238" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXoAPW33ID2kylXc9wBiLcq5_XNqk5pDRg7orJZ6FcTTcsLFCB-4g75NWgxugOFumCiZ1nmp_KXsKZv8Hqh4Mb0d-9oX0LSvE3ToX9lG1MFzIeIPJEYnyMjaGGeKdD0k_JEaKy6wmj4Aur/s1600/IMG_1140.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXoAPW33ID2kylXc9wBiLcq5_XNqk5pDRg7orJZ6FcTTcsLFCB-4g75NWgxugOFumCiZ1nmp_KXsKZv8Hqh4Mb0d-9oX0LSvE3ToX9lG1MFzIeIPJEYnyMjaGGeKdD0k_JEaKy6wmj4Aur/s320/IMG_1140.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Note for next time: the clear acrylic spray adds a GREAT final touch! Totally worth it! Give it "sheen" and makes it look more finished!!</div>Sonja B. Eblinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08789932374821996470noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8400746398550066978.post-25133283132588272892012-01-12T18:44:00.000-08:002012-01-12T18:44:35.126-08:00Quick UpdateHi all,<br />
<br />
Well, thanks to Jury Duty and a sick baby we've had to postpone this week's "crafty day" until tomorrow, so expect an update on "Mod Podge et al" sometime before the weekend is done, you have my word!<br />
<br />
But in other news- we have had so much new interest in "Game On: MN style" that we are delaying the start date to Jan. 22nd to give folks a time to get all their ducks in a row before we get going!! Very excited about it! After discovering (thank you Jenny and Jill!) Jillian Michael's "30 Day Shred" video (it's only 20 minutes, so much more doable for the ADD child in me!) I'm feeling more confident about getting my daily 20 minutes of exercise in, I'm still concerned about meeting my Weight Watchers daily points and the 3 liters of daily water (ack! I might float away!) but I'm up to the challenge!! More updates on this to come! But I have decided on the following:<br />
<ol><li>My unhealthy habit to RID myself of will be: biting my nails</li>
<li>My HEALTHY habit to implement will be completing a pin/craft each week and blogging about it (so you all get to be part of my accountability!)</li>
</ol>I will post (gulp) my starting weight and a picture for comparison (the dire fear of doing this will motivate me right??) before we start to help show progress along the way!<br />
<br />
As a final note-today is my birthday...sigh. Ok, I'm being melodramatic about it-but seriously it's tough to be down about becoming 35 years old.. I have a FABULOUS hubby, son and pups... amazing friends a plenty and loving family, a wonderful home, church family, neighborhood and thriving business.... so frankly if I'm complaining I'm either totally IGNORANT or utterly selfish... therefore.. THANK YOU GOD ABOVE for the latter, and for the hope of the future! And for the excitement of my birthday present.. another bucket list item: A trip to Montreal with my hubby!!! I CAN'T WAIT!!!!Sonja B. Eblinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08789932374821996470noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8400746398550066978.post-65923357857050959822012-01-08T11:39:00.000-08:002012-01-08T11:39:14.372-08:00Bleach Pen T-shirts: Let's try this again folks! (with a COTTON T-shirt!)Ok, so Bleach pen T-shirts are REALLY fun and easy to make, but I've learned there are a few things to be mindful of-so if you'd like to learn from my mistakes-take note!<br />
<br />
<ol><li>On a brand new, 100% cotton shirt (which is what I used this time) the bleach takes REALLY fast, so before I knew it I was racing to the bathroom to wash it off so that all the words wouldn't blend together. I think I did ok, (see picture) but next time I'll be more careful! I also noticed that I didn't need to go over the words and thicken them as much as I thought, that almost made them smooshing together worse-oh well, lesson for next time! Hopefully my texting obsessed niece enjoys it anyway!</li>
</ol><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKRDCdXx8YaCWUSgJKXPp2nHUfJRzsE7R_3ZweSIFGlrLpCJ9N7Hf2qLvb4n74NIAB9vnKzlHEIBplro54Rs6s1uVgubmASX1-m04FY3ZZUahg6KlSQvtRcE8FWm1yP-vveykTiJjcvmts/s1600/IMG_1062.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKRDCdXx8YaCWUSgJKXPp2nHUfJRzsE7R_3ZweSIFGlrLpCJ9N7Hf2qLvb4n74NIAB9vnKzlHEIBplro54Rs6s1uVgubmASX1-m04FY3ZZUahg6KlSQvtRcE8FWm1yP-vveykTiJjcvmts/s320/IMG_1062.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> 2. Another thing I noticed working with a few different T-shirts is that you just never know what color it will bleach into. I had a black shirt that when bleached turned orange, and these purple shirts turned bright pink (which I liked, but just sayin!). It might be worthwhile to dig on the internet to find out how that is determined before buying a shirt, or if you're lazy like me-just be open to the surprise!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeihPKsjYqjp7BQqKuNPRqCeCXbdG8geT0McAUDpSN9zFT-WOa_DMlCS7It6AnUrtZK8Gd_Mk4EAMPjAZT8a3_mYTWxucjtxq0jwH_xF6ZXcDY6AgOomVlm3wnsmU6AwlAeUEpnQ_K8CxA/s1600/IMG_1064.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeihPKsjYqjp7BQqKuNPRqCeCXbdG8geT0McAUDpSN9zFT-WOa_DMlCS7It6AnUrtZK8Gd_Mk4EAMPjAZT8a3_mYTWxucjtxq0jwH_xF6ZXcDY6AgOomVlm3wnsmU6AwlAeUEpnQ_K8CxA/s320/IMG_1064.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div> 3. Ok, so here are the tragic remains of my last attempt /sigh/. So the shirt had Polyester in it (which I should have checked, but well.... the laziness thing!) So after penning my design on with the bleach pen, it sat for 3 hours and the bleach didn't seem to sink in below the LETTERS I wrote only, but around it-weird but true. I may try to salvage this shirt by bleaching the WHOLE SHIRT to the orange color, just because it cost me money for the shirt and I can't return it, but then again I'm not sure how much I care! (that's the beauty of crafting! you get to choose to care or not!:)<br />
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So you see friends, I promised to show you my experiments every week, FAILED OR NOT, and here they are!! I'd like to think I'm craft for the "experience" of it, not the perfected result-so as long as it's fun-I'm good, but it's even MORE FUN when it turns out! (which happens occasionally too!)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhajqjzblpCBT2_9xoGZaJU0rspkFBvxBY42_SoiQKWfVrP3ooRyyx5DSW37T5YgP8PUoBoV2aZBdkqyj0ML8YNwZtNO4xJZ-qp-OzENIFZRw7I4jZXrGpqUQl6lB-bBNe04QPyOCEh1oIJ/s1600/IMG_1065.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhajqjzblpCBT2_9xoGZaJU0rspkFBvxBY42_SoiQKWfVrP3ooRyyx5DSW37T5YgP8PUoBoV2aZBdkqyj0ML8YNwZtNO4xJZ-qp-OzENIFZRw7I4jZXrGpqUQl6lB-bBNe04QPyOCEh1oIJ/s320/IMG_1065.JPG" width="320" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Anyway, on to the first official "pin-a-week" craft day-starting tomorrow with my friend Jenn Hubal! We'll be playing with Mod Podge galore!! Stay tuned!!!</div>Sonja B. Eblinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08789932374821996470noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8400746398550066978.post-89171078825434664162012-01-06T19:14:00.000-08:002012-01-06T19:14:58.507-08:00Game On/MN Style... The Countdown begins!!!<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Hi all!!</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Well, as our group prepares to begin our "Game On/Weight Watchers" diet game on January 16th, I'm working on "practicing" some of the daily activities I'll need to do to make sure I win my points each day. If you'd like to know more about how the Game On diet works, my good friend Jenny did a great summary of it on her blog <a href="http://networkedblogs.com/sptYX">http://networkedblogs.com/sptYX</a>! Here are a few of the things I'm trying to "practice" as we prepare:</div><ol style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><li><b><u>20 minutes of exercise each day:</u></b> So while I'd like to say I will run every day, it's just not feasible with the little guy. But my friend Jill turned me on to Jillian Michael's (of Biggest Loser fame) "30 Day Shred" video which has 3 workouts consisting of a 20 minute circuit workout. You do each workout for one week each, and they get increasingly more difficult. So I'm not a huge DVD workout fan, I usually get bored or tired and end up eating ice cream and watching the video instead. But this one is pretty good. It's short enough that I can stand it, and she changes activities every 30 seconds-1 minute so it keeps from getting boring. 2 days in and I can feel it in my legs, arms and abs-so far so good!! As an added bonus-Jill (realizing my need for socialization when doing something I don't like) offered to talk with me on speakerphone as we did the video together-it hasn't QUITE worked out yet-but I love the option!! It might actually work for me!</li>
<li><u><b>No pop, bring on the veggies: </b></u>Working on doing a salad with every dinner and obeying my daily WW "points." This is <i><b>TOUGH</b></i>... I was getting rather comfortable on a 3,000 calorie diet (I was breastfeeding after all-or that was my excuse!) so squeezing down to a 1500 daily count is a <i><b>YIKES</b></i>.... but my stomach will shrink... also working on chopping up veges and putting them in things (Thank you Stacy Martin for the idea!!) such as salads or soups for the nutrients with out the texture issues!) As for the pop?? Well, I'll need to be drinking 3 liters of H2O a DAY (I may float away...) so I'm working on drinking water instead, as well as these Sparkling Strawberry/Kiwi Green Tea drinks with zero calories that I love. They have caffeine, so I have to be careful..but they are helping me to "ween" off the Cherry Coke!</li>
<li><u><b>Healthy snacking: </b></u>Another "project" I've been working on is finding healthy snacking alternatives. I found an idea on <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/">www.pinterest.com</a> to make smoothie kits. Essentially you fill ice cube trays with yogurt and then put fresh/frozen fruit in individual zip locks with a couple of cubes for an easy smoothie when you're hungry... here's a pic! I'll let you know how they taste!</li>
</ol><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuwqT-2mLgW681tIyeGfrwCFCy6ZUVY81JykxqO3m-dm4i4_LSiihi8-sXT6yEIhyphenhyphenUJbpZYNMW7tn-LGxUDZQ5TRK5mRBgV3LD7VlxBwu3hwKcY0B1ZJWyzytpiiF4Oj0X6EhDzVQdtHuy/s1600/IMG_1058.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuwqT-2mLgW681tIyeGfrwCFCy6ZUVY81JykxqO3m-dm4i4_LSiihi8-sXT6yEIhyphenhyphenUJbpZYNMW7tn-LGxUDZQ5TRK5mRBgV3LD7VlxBwu3hwKcY0B1ZJWyzytpiiF4Oj0X6EhDzVQdtHuy/s320/IMG_1058.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"></span><br />
I'm looking for suggestions on smarter snacking ideas or any other ideas that may have worked for you-please share!!!<br />
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As promised, prior to the start of the game on the 16th, I will post a picture of my current self (likely NOT in a bikini-but something telling) as well as sharing my chosen healthy habit to take on, and my UNhealthy habit to eliminate..consider it my attempt at accountability!!Sonja B. Eblinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08789932374821996470noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8400746398550066978.post-49724716050685529662012-01-04T21:06:00.000-08:002012-01-04T21:06:58.981-08:00Bucket List Update! So over New Year's Eve weekend my hubby and I knocked something off my bucket list-dogsledding!!! Here are just a few fun pictures to give you an idea of what it was like (in a word FABULOUSLY_AMAZING_CAN'T_WAIT_TO_DO_IT_AGAIN!!!) You get the idea~! We went to Bayfield, WI and went with <a href="http://www.wolfsongadventures.com/">www.wolfsongadventures.com</a> and it was GREAT! It cost about $200 for both of us to go for our 3 hour afternoon run (I know it's spendy, but it was WORTH IT!)-FYI. John and Mary Thiel run the business and also do sailing in the summer in Lake Superior near Madeline Island.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jZeiSt_h_oM/TwUusxGCi8I/AAAAAAAAACo/rg9jhu5HWT8/s1600/IMG_0984.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jZeiSt_h_oM/TwUusxGCi8I/AAAAAAAAACo/rg9jhu5HWT8/s320/IMG_0984.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> Look at their BEAUTIFUL blue eyes!!! There were 31 dogs total, and my sled had 4 dogs pulling it-to hear them howl out of eagerness to PULL was incredible!! And to feel them pull you felt like you were flying!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m1HX4kHEDZk/TwUutegit9I/AAAAAAAAACw/ewytjIL9a8g/s1600/IMG_0993.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m1HX4kHEDZk/TwUutegit9I/AAAAAAAAACw/ewytjIL9a8g/s320/IMG_0993.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-stJXDIQoKkk/TwUuyu8z4xI/AAAAAAAAAC4/qIEjHRsWThw/s1600/IMG_1001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-stJXDIQoKkk/TwUuyu8z4xI/AAAAAAAAAC4/qIEjHRsWThw/s320/IMG_1001.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> My attempt at becoming a "dog whisperer"... maybe not!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-v06zopDY5LI/TwUu0FqlalI/AAAAAAAAADA/wn9mgt80yRA/s1600/IMG_1018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-v06zopDY5LI/TwUu0FqlalI/AAAAAAAAADA/wn9mgt80yRA/s320/IMG_1018.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> check out the musher mitts!!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nbXCNu4vZbs/TwUu1Tm8v6I/AAAAAAAAADI/oES3JBpMqZ4/s1600/IMG_1027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nbXCNu4vZbs/TwUu1Tm8v6I/AAAAAAAAADI/oES3JBpMqZ4/s320/IMG_1027.JPG" width="274" /></a></div> My "action pose" on the sled! It's all about balance-especially on the turns!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6mST6oxVZg0/TwUu3TWbSTI/AAAAAAAAADQ/_MaNFxmtWSI/s1600/IMG_1028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6mST6oxVZg0/TwUu3TWbSTI/AAAAAAAAADQ/_MaNFxmtWSI/s320/IMG_1028.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>We did everything from harnessing the dogs to feeding them, learning the commands to loving them up afterwards!<br />
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My next "bucket list" goal is to do a weeklong trip through a company called Wintergreen in Ely where you have a team that you sled with from lodge to lodge across the BWCA and Superior National Forest... it's a wee bit expensive ($2000) but a worthy goal for when Cooper gets into Kindergarten? (that gives me a few years to save up!)Sonja B. Eblinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08789932374821996470noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8400746398550066978.post-47311923274918444132012-01-04T19:35:00.000-08:002012-01-04T19:35:56.387-08:00Craft-a-week TRIAL RUN!<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Hi all,</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Well, </span>given that this week is supposedly the return to "normalcy" as well as the first week of the new year, as expected NOTHING has been normal this week. But with the Jan. 16th start date for our "Game On/WW: Minnesota style" looming, I'm busy getting ready to make some healthy changes to my life (and kick my friends BUTTS in the process!! :) But I was able to sneak a craft in-a bleach t-shirt for my niece Paula for her birthday. Unfortunately I hit some snags, so I will have to start over this weekend, but here is what I've started thus far! Check it out!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2HK2w-4Hw6o/TwUXzcDhhWI/AAAAAAAAACM/dbogkgQwc-w/s1600/IMG_1048.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2HK2w-4Hw6o/TwUXzcDhhWI/AAAAAAAAACM/dbogkgQwc-w/s320/IMG_1048.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> Ok, so the supplies you'll need for this are an ALL COTTON shirt (this is where my mistake was-I have now learned that polyester does NOT work for this craft! urgh!), and a Bleach pen (perhaps two just in case-they are only a few dollars and you can find them by the bleach at any target, etc.) and I'd recommend some white chalk to draw out your design with first.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-W855yxSxCYY/TwUX4l7diSI/AAAAAAAAACU/xUpMm7AIIPc/s1600/IMG_1049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-W855yxSxCYY/TwUX4l7diSI/AAAAAAAAACU/xUpMm7AIIPc/s320/IMG_1049.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>So I laid out the shirt (this is the polyester version, but you get the idea) and put something between the layers so the bleach wouldn't bleed through and ruin the back. I then took chalk and drew out my design on the shirt to help gauge the placement of my design.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AoThDGouLsQ/TwUX6fMsl2I/AAAAAAAAACc/PGKkGao6t9M/s1600/IMG_1050.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AoThDGouLsQ/TwUX6fMsl2I/AAAAAAAAACc/PGKkGao6t9M/s320/IMG_1050.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>So this is what it looked like once I was done applying the bleach. Make sure to shake the bottle, and test it before using it to get used to the flow, but it comes out quite easily once you get going.<br />
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Alright, so the last step after completing your design would be to let it sit from 10 minutes (a shirt that has been used/washed or is older tends to pick up the bleach faster) to 2 hours (newer or thicker shirts take the longest), checking periodically to see if the color is fading behind the bleach (you'll be able to tell without touching it.) When you feel it's done, I suggest taking it to a sink with a sprayer if you have one, or any water outlet, and washing off the bleach thoroughly. I was initially concerned that the bleach would run, but it didn't on the first shirt I did prior to this, and I don't think it would otherwise if you wash quickly.<br />
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Then, you can either wash your shirt or simply set it out to dry and POOF! You're done!!!<br />
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I plan to redo the shirt on a COTTON shirt (my polyester shirt seen in these photos didn't absorb the bleach, it was bizarre and it just washed off with a faded tint behind it-grr!) and I will post pics of the results this weekend, but as promised, here is my blog on the craft of this week!! Thoughts?<br />
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Oh, one last thought: I did see on pinterest the idea of putting bleach in a spray bottle, and then cutting out a design, taping it to the shirt and spraying the REST of the shirt with bleach-this may have to be tried as another craft-a-week activity! Could be fun!!Sonja B. Eblinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08789932374821996470noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8400746398550066978.post-16171630536300566442012-01-01T20:02:00.000-08:002012-01-01T20:02:18.745-08:00Ready...set...GO!OK folks!! Some decisions have been made! Pay attention class! ;)<br />
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<ol><li>Thanks to my flexible and creative friends, I will soon begin the "Game On: Weight Watchers Version" plan of attack!! I'm still trying to figure out what my new healthy habit will be, and which of the many nasty habits I'll eliminate, but I have a teammate (whoot whoot Stacy Nathan!) and a few others (whoot whoot Jenny Hallquist!!) ready to play-we're ironing out the details and we'll soon be LIVE and running!</li>
<li>This week I will</li>
<ol><li>Join Weight Watchers officially again</li>
<li>Work out with Stacy at LEAST once</li>
<li>Clear my cupboards of insane yummy temptation!</li>
<li>Get the ball rolling so if I get chosen for Jury duty next week I have NO EXCUSES!!</li>
</ol><li> Craft/Pin-a-week starts THIS WEEK!! So I will probably choose my nieces gift (a bleach pen shirt) as my project and kill two birds with one stone! Pictures and tutorial to come!</li>
<li>Soon to come also-my GAME ON goals, and accountability work up!! Yikes... but I'm so excited to kick others butts while shrinking my own!! (we still may need players if you're interested, or for more info go to www.thegameondiet.com or check out www.weightwatchers.com; we are creating the "hybrid" ourselves, but you'll get the idea, and maybe you'll want to do the same with some of your friends!!</li>
</ol>Ok, heading to bed before 11pm.... start of a new year, start of a new habit! Now, let's just hope the baby doesn't wake up at 11:05!<br />
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Welcome to 2012 everyone~Sonja B. Eblinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08789932374821996470noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8400746398550066978.post-87350463492992423362011-12-28T12:41:00.000-08:002011-12-28T12:41:37.940-08:00The "How do I actually LOSE the weight successfully" conundrum!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Ok, so here's the issue... broken down a bit more:</span><br />
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<ol><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I have <i><b>NEVER</b></i> been a healthy eater. Fried chicken strips, a whole tin of stuffing in one sitting, a full carton of ice cream devoured in a day-by me alone, <b><i>THAT'S</i></b> what I'm dealing with here folks. And fortunately/unfortunately for me, for the last 30 or so years I've had a metabolism that seemed to keep up somewhat with my horse-like appetite-UNTIL that blasted (but wonderful and life altering of course!:) pregnancy... now between the body changes and the sleep deprivation-well my metabolism is a whole new (and more sluggish) beast!</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Exercise: Unless its social, or adventurous <i><b>and</b></i> social, I have little to no motivation. I hate treadmills and following videos and I'm ashamed to admit I've actually gone to the YMCA just to check in and get the insurance discount, only to depart 10 minutes later and head to DQ. I do love running, but I'm picky about conditions.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I'm a pop-a-holic. 'nuff said. Drinking H20 all day makes me want to scream for flavoring.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I live for sweets-I'm a woman, what did you expect?</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I'm a cheater and a liar, I admit it-I try to be a good person, but FOOD IS SO LOVABLE and it's hard to let go... remember the old saying "<i>Live to eat or eat to live"</i> do I <i><b>REALLY </b></i>have to tell you which side I fall on?!?!</span></li>
</ol><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">So... here are my options, with pros and cons alike for my "Operation Lose Babyweight" New Years resolution:</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><ol><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><u>The "Game On" Diet-</u></b> <b>Pros?</b><i>VERY</i> cool idea of teaming up with others to compete and lose weight while doing it-very much appeals to my need for socialization and accountability, esp. since I think it would use the people pleaser part of me to my advantage.<b> Cons?</b> Well, the <b>DIET</b> for one-basically it's gluten free, sugar (mostly) free and otherwise chock full of suggested foods that either I HATE (for example you get to eat as much celery as you want... UGH YUCK ICK.. vomit coming up!) or have limited access to without switching grocery places-and frankly, as a new mom the last thing I need is yet one MORE thing to mess up the routine. <b>Verdict?</b> Still uncertain <i>AND</i> I'd need to find teammates ASAP.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><u>Jenny Craig:</u></b> <b>Pros? </b>They give you the food (convenient) and a consultant-good accountability, this coupled with some personal training sessions at the YMCA might work. <b>Cons?</b> Cost (yikes!), and what happens after you <i>STOP</i> eating their food?? And what if I get totally sick of all things frozen food or want to eat out? <b>VERDICT? </b>uncertain-could be worth the investment for a month or two to get going, and then I'd need another game plan to keep it off again.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><u><b>Weight Watchers:</b></u> <b>Pros?</b> Done it before, love the ability to choose to eat whatever I want, <b>Cons?</b> I can never seem to keep myself to the amount of points they give me.<i>BUT</i> I do know the system, if only I could find some accountability (would I actually GO to the meetings on my own??) <b>VERDICT:</b> likely but uncertain, may need to do it with a new "twist."</span></li>
</ol><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><i>So... for anyone out there paying attention, thoughts? (remember what you're dealing with here!) </i></b>I'm at a crossroads-I really want to do the GAME ON diet, but the food issue sounds too steep (for more info on this diet, check out <a href="http://www.thegameondiet.com/">www.thegameondiet.com</a>) and I don't think I could adhere to it, AND my son is not a reliable all-night sleeper, so getting the sleep points could still be tricky.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The clock is ticking.. and I need a strategy... it's now or never folks!!! Wish me luck!</span></div><div><br />
</div></div>Sonja B. Eblinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08789932374821996470noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8400746398550066978.post-18626190182256725342011-12-25T18:43:00.000-08:002011-12-25T18:43:28.244-08:00PRACTICE RUN-Pin a week challenge!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So here is my Crescent Roll Breakfast Wreath! It was so easy to do, I actually made two of them. First was the traditional wreath (crescent rolls, pre-cooked bacon strips, scrambled eggs, cheese) and then I got a little adventurous and made a smaller one with mushrooms (yum!), green onions and some extra ham and toppings. It was TASTY and my only regret is that I didn't make another one! Everyone had 2 pieces and asked for more!! #1 lesson from pinterest is that crescent rolls are amazing and very versatile!! I'll count this as a success! <img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3zuMp4MtmSE/TvfeJalsoDI/AAAAAAAAAB4/GP9AcdYypl4/s320/DSC02252.jpg" width="320" /></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bgr-2R30L8A/TvfeMk4PjtI/AAAAAAAAACA/Ej-veZPxKV4/s1600/DSC02251.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bgr-2R30L8A/TvfeMk4PjtI/AAAAAAAAACA/Ej-veZPxKV4/s320/DSC02251.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Sonja B. Eblinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08789932374821996470noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8400746398550066978.post-72068007793392425572011-12-24T22:36:00.000-08:002011-12-24T22:36:48.741-08:00Tic toc, tic toc....how many days till 1/1/2012?!?<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Alright folks, the goal is to begin this crazy year long experiment on January 1, 2012... and the outcome possibilities are as follows:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">1. I, like so many before and assuredly after, keep up with this New Year's Resolution for about 1.5 months only to get bored, distracted or lazy and give up on the process in mid-February</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">2. I really give this blog-accountability-thing a shot-for quite a while (maybe even the whole year?!?!) and I learn a thing or two along the way.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">3. This crazy Jenny Hallquist inspired blogfest dealio leads to losing 15 lbs. of leftover babyweight, some fabulous crafting, great new friendships, boatloads of cool connections to other bloggers and makes for a fabulous addition to my time as a stay at home mom!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">4. Wait, what were we talking about? I think I need an oreo.....</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I digress... 1 week and counting till we begin!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Goals (recap)</span><br />
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<ul><li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Pin/Craft a week- complete at least one activity/recipe/craft pinned to my pinterest board each week and blog my success/not-so-success</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Strategize to get healthy and lose the baby weight!! And let other bloggers hold me accountable (and encourage me!!)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Learn new stuff, connect with other mommas and crafty fun folk, and make the MOST out of 2012 in whatever way God presents!</span></li>
</ul><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Reasonable goals? I think so.... now the real question is.. Can I DO it???</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">We shall see!</span>Sonja B. Eblinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08789932374821996470noreply@blogger.com1