tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8986819991136636702024-03-12T19:13:39.516-04:00graduate "extraordinaire"books, food, teaching, lifeAbbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04087260166641334754noreply@blogger.comBlogger175125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-898681999113663670.post-35955184632538768512016-07-30T12:18:00.000-04:002016-07-30T12:18:39.376-04:00EndingsIt is Saturday, July 30th. This morning was officially my last day to sleep in before I return to school on Monday. Why is it that I get this sad feeling at the end of every summer? Sometimes I sit and think about the things I wish I had done, like eat at our favorite breakfast place in Atlanta or take a day trip to the lake. Then I sit and think some more, but now about how much work it is to be a teacher. In case you don't know, it's a lot of work.<br />
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Don't get me wrong. I love teaching. I love seeing "my" kids every day. I am excited to get big hugs from prior students and hear their first impressions of their new teachers. <br />
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All of those things are well and good, but I will miss summer. I will miss the sense of feeling relaxed and like I do not have to rush to accomplish my tasks. <br />
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But typing that last sentence, I had to stop and think. Did I really feel that way this summer? Did I ever truly feel relaxed? Maybe a little bit, at my most delusional. All summer, no- all year, there has been this dark cloud hanging over my head: grad school. It is a hard feeling to describe. Even when I'm out with family or watching a show on Netflix, there is still the looming thought of the latest paper or discussion post I need to write. Right now I'm putting off writing a ridiculously long lesson plan that requires me to find nine different books on the same topic for three different reading levels. No big. <br />
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I think that if other people were to read my previous post and this one, they would think I was a big complainer. "Abby," they'd say, "you are lucky to be in grad school and learn more about your profession." Why yes, I agree. I am lucky. But does it make sense that right now I don't <i>feel</i> lucky? I feel like I am dragging my feet across the finish line. I feel like a marathoner who ran out of gas and is literally hobbling towards the finish covered in blood, sweat, and tears. Well, maybe not the blood, but definitely the other two. <br />
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Long story short, I will miss summer. I will not miss grad school. Twenty-two days and counting...feels like forever, but I will be done before I know it.<br />
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<image alt="post signature" class="centered" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhejjTzqc9Zje-3ntkUhbMqRSbxmkxJ8Xj3OxnoObg7Mg8FIR_Mhe3C_nCWrengNZArKkpmpTxv40iQQaEX1iCU4i_J_soqrxsSetjxMbK9PAztJ6J0ebwAL_ozB1Ov8dRiSoFauuC6Oz0/s1600/signature+1.png"></image>Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04087260166641334754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-898681999113663670.post-28968984238523690642016-04-23T18:40:00.002-04:002016-07-30T12:18:49.960-04:00Grad School is WinningI started grad school on August 31, 2015. I knew it would be difficult and that I would be busy, but...holy cow. Grad school is completely kicking my butt. I have successfully finished four classes, and that number will go up to six when final grades are posted next week. I have one week off, then my summer semester starts.<br />
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Don't be fooled by me saying that I have <i>successfully </i>completed almost six classes. Yes, I finished my coursework. Yes, the grades are fine. But, does living in constant stress and frustration count as <i>successful</i>? I feel bad for my students this year, for Mr. Biz, and for myself. None of us are getting as much as we need. </div>
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There are four classes standing between me and "graduation" (can it be called graduation if I don't attend?), but it sure doesn't feel that way. It feels like an eternity of papers and discussions and APA formatting lies between me and August 21, 2016. In my head I know that day will be here before I know it, but my heart is throwing a fit. </div>
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Note to self: do not go back to school. Ever. Again. </div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Note to others who may happen to read: I'm fine. I'm easily frustrated, I cry a bit more, and I am continually tired, but I'm fine. This is only a season. I am doing this for the future little Bonds family. If you are familiar with my church, then know that I am in the B-Zone. I refuse to Q-Zone. I am looking forward to the C-Zone, and then a trip to Chicago. </span></i></div>
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Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04087260166641334754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-898681999113663670.post-61880606828996468452015-03-12T14:19:00.000-04:002015-03-12T14:19:53.741-04:00Work Work WorkI feel like I'm at a point in my life where it's all about <i>work</i>. Other than spending time with Mr. Biz and going to church, work monopolizes all of my time. Now, I'm not saying that this is necessarily a good <i>or</i> a bad thing. I'm truly not sure. When else in my life will I have this much time and energy? I see the working moms I teach with and I honestly have no idea how they make it work. When I have children will I even want to continue teaching? I guess we'll wait and see.<br />
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Right now, I am in my third year teaching first grade at CES. The amount of growth I've made in the past few years is astounding. After college graduation in 2010, I thought I was completely prepared to teach. Needless to say, I was wrong. I'm sure when I look back on my current teaching in five years I'll see much more growth. I do enjoy my job, but the amount of time, effort, and mental sharpness that is required is already beginning to wear me down. Can anyone make it 30 years in teaching anymore? Standards continue rising and accelerating. The kids are the same, but we are expecting so much more. Is that fair to them? To us?<br />
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I don't think so.<br />
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Yet here I am, pushing on, pushing my students to succeed. Mostly loving it, but sometimes not so much. Here's to the teachers. Keep on keeping on.<br />
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<br />Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04087260166641334754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-898681999113663670.post-43364899546616369632015-02-12T17:16:00.001-05:002015-02-12T17:16:54.963-05:00LifeLife has a way of getting busy and staying that way for a long time. This blog hasn't seen any action for almost two years, which is not very surprising. The past two years have been quite busy: marriage, teaching, church, and everyday life. <br />
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About a week ago I remember thinking that something momentous had happened that I should write down; not really so that other people could read it, but so that I could remember it. And now, a week later, my brain is so full with other things that I cannot remember what it is. Sigh. Grown up life.<br />
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I guess a new goal for me could be to write down big things: things I want to remember in 5 years. Looking back on old posts, I'm glad I wrote down the "small" things. It's nice to remember what I was thinking and feeling post-college and pre-marriage. Those years kinda feel like a blur and I honestly don't remember much other than working. <br />
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Here's to writing it all down. For the memories.Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04087260166641334754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-898681999113663670.post-6697237198944058152013-06-05T15:01:00.000-04:002013-06-05T15:01:24.545-04:00SheMoves Atlanta 5k 2013<a href="http://graduate-extraordinaire.blogspot.com/2012/06/shemoves-atlanta-5knew-pr.html">Last year</a> I had a great time running the <a href="http://shemovesatl.com/">SheMoves 5k</a>, so I decided to give it another go this year. The race takes place about 7 miles from my house, and it is in the park where Austin works--very convenient! I knew that a PR wasn't in my future for this race, due to my lack of real training over the past couple of months, but I knew that simply running the race would be fun!<br />
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It was a nice, cloudy morning, perfect for a 3.1 mile run with 178 of my lady friends. I love that feeling at the beginning of the race when everyone is tensed up and ready to go! The run was nothing hugely amazing; the race route was practically identical to my twice weekly group run route, so I knew what to expect. I made sure to go out slowly and kept a steady pace for the first two miles. After that, I took a couple short walking breaks in order to reserve energy for the loooong hill that leads towards the finish line. There's nothing like a strong finish! And I cannot deny it: I love "flying" past other folks while running up hills. That's why you'll see me walking right before the hill, and then letting the dust fly on the nasty uphills. <br />
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My whole family (Austin, Mom, Dad, sisters) were at the finish to cheer me on, which always spurs me on to give it that last little bit. I told Austin that I was going to finish this race with nothing left in the tank, which I did. I'm proud of my effort, and although I'd be lying if I said I didn't wish I'd PR'd, I know that I did my best for where I am at right now. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finishing strong at 35:29!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me and my #1 fan. :]</td></tr>
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I am now pondering signing up for my first 10k, the <a href="http://milesforcf.org/sizzler/">Big Peach Sizzler</a> on September 2nd, and maybe another 5k in September so I can try to PR. This summer is already full of running and training; I'm excited to see how much I can grow as a runner before school starts back up. <br />
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P.S.- Last year I posted my <a href="http://graduate-extraordinaire.blogspot.com/2012/06/my-playlist-for-shemoves-atl-5k.html">race day playlist</a>. Here is what I ran to this year:<br />
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Dance Again- Jennifer Lopez ft. Pitbull <i>(my only repeat song from last year)</i><br />
Holding My World- Kristian Stanfill<br />
Good Time- Owl City and Carly Rae Jespen<br />
Die Young- Ke$ha<br />
I Believe in a Thing Called Love- The Darkness<br />
On Top of the World- Imagine Dragons <i>(new favorite song...I timed it to when I'd be feeling tired)</i><br />
Wavin' Flag (Coca-Cola Celebration Mix)- K'naan<br />
Back in Black- AC/DC<br />
Seven Nation Army- The White Stripes<br />
Magic- B.o.B f. Rivers Cumo <i>(great song to finish with)</i>Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04087260166641334754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-898681999113663670.post-81506917306614243462013-05-29T18:11:00.002-04:002013-05-29T18:11:31.671-04:00Summer!As my husband so lovingly likes to remind me, yes, it is still <i>technically</i> spring. BUT to every teacher I know, summer begins the day I walk out those school doors and into two months of freedom.*<br />
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My goal is to have a relaxing and fun summer without doing a whole lot of anything. Austin gave me <u>The Pioneer Woman Cookbook</u> for my birthday, so I am planning to try out many of those recipes and see which ones are easy enough to replicate during the school year. Other than that, I think our summer will consist of running, reading, and lots and lots of ice cream. :] Here's what we've been up to so far.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The face of an excited teacher leaving for the summer.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lots and lots of ice cream...</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Relaxing after the last day of post-planning. Drinking Diet Coke with my feet propped up.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The proper way to celebrate the successful end of the school year: Starbucks.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First duo run of the summer on Memorial Day.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Super quick (free!) overnight visit to Helen. So relaxing!</td></tr>
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Here's to lots more summer fun with my main man!<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">*Well, not exactly "freedom." I do have a week of math training...and an in-service for new teachers...and getting ready for next year. We will just call it a less stressful busyness. :]</span>Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04087260166641334754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-898681999113663670.post-2706420611227916502013-04-10T11:22:00.002-04:002013-04-10T11:22:10.449-04:00Our Trip to ChattanoogaAustin and I just got back from a short trip to Chattanooga. It is so nice to be able to get out and go somewhere once in a while! We arrived on Sunday and enjoyed a walk all around the city before stopping at Mellow Mushroom for some delicious pizza. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr2PWbni0Y4qj0842RDoMwX_QajJxTtCDVPFMXwfw-LUGUJxqPPDA6iNY1lhyphenhyphenJl1LlGbKqUkF8B2wVKUhSVJ3zmX38FBIDLifyPtHxgrdYw-sjC3Lo8Xq_S1Jk6ZM0MMzksxm7oOX6xO0/s1600/DSC_0223.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr2PWbni0Y4qj0842RDoMwX_QajJxTtCDVPFMXwfw-LUGUJxqPPDA6iNY1lhyphenhyphenJl1LlGbKqUkF8B2wVKUhSVJ3zmX38FBIDLifyPtHxgrdYw-sjC3Lo8Xq_S1Jk6ZM0MMzksxm7oOX6xO0/s400/DSC_0223.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waiting for our yummy pizza!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr2cX4NfCiyARpE8ho3Y2ywrckP_pK0f-pD3iG_KqzYqtjZbI6H929g80pplUY0ST5CWivwSCfxW6qU1tCdjlfMEuLOaK5j0APIlT9C5X_nnYDZTYtuLpj9aPgzsJYmZABxmr5SwG28jA/s1600/DSC_0220.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr2cX4NfCiyARpE8ho3Y2ywrckP_pK0f-pD3iG_KqzYqtjZbI6H929g80pplUY0ST5CWivwSCfxW6qU1tCdjlfMEuLOaK5j0APIlT9C5X_nnYDZTYtuLpj9aPgzsJYmZABxmr5SwG28jA/s400/DSC_0220.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gorgeous weather the whole time we were there!</td></tr>
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On Monday we enjoyed sleeping in (what a concept!!!) and then headed to the Tennessee Aquarium. One of my favorite things about our hotel is that it was only half a mile from the aquarium, so it was super easy to walk everywhere. There's just something special about walking hand-in-hand with your husband. :]<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVHRmwXhWJj72L3tePzPzVedsZTGvXShvYusbBVA4uTaxHlGDXHQ43GhVBvWMxC7U7-utlVlaI8SHdIOqOkvHMmK3G4aPYVEQ4S11XuNx0uCsZ-7XBaSzB1qboT1BjSgE_OuMa3lgBPTM/s1600/DSC_0227.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVHRmwXhWJj72L3tePzPzVedsZTGvXShvYusbBVA4uTaxHlGDXHQ43GhVBvWMxC7U7-utlVlaI8SHdIOqOkvHMmK3G4aPYVEQ4S11XuNx0uCsZ-7XBaSzB1qboT1BjSgE_OuMa3lgBPTM/s400/DSC_0227.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Of course we had to find Nemo.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbcIdyaCtkkMNofDjW0l-Ibb56QfTS71ELASz-lD3K-kbeUW1CqJdpRJu49wSG20TlBrt-Vy6oNhb8A4It5eaubedcAUCaHfVobpzNSqdRVtEzKJlltyJaC25jsYDBK3hnPUZIf3fdXO4/s1600/DSC_0229.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbcIdyaCtkkMNofDjW0l-Ibb56QfTS71ELASz-lD3K-kbeUW1CqJdpRJu49wSG20TlBrt-Vy6oNhb8A4It5eaubedcAUCaHfVobpzNSqdRVtEzKJlltyJaC25jsYDBK3hnPUZIf3fdXO4/s400/DSC_0229.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crazy lookin' fish. I had fun imagining what all the fish were saying while we watched them. #kidatheart</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCkz_H3ybx7OUKilhGbd1h6A3WtKURg4bcCBnuY39yworEHFiGJGfxNV7cGFUET-YLQkAZdhEicXzgH_vl2KoM4EZqLy777AFOiRFjw3NGjgIDOiIZzunznVmgRiVVpgFv2N7rP8_ZsyI/s1600/DSC_0233.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCkz_H3ybx7OUKilhGbd1h6A3WtKURg4bcCBnuY39yworEHFiGJGfxNV7cGFUET-YLQkAZdhEicXzgH_vl2KoM4EZqLy777AFOiRFjw3NGjgIDOiIZzunznVmgRiVVpgFv2N7rP8_ZsyI/s400/DSC_0233.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aww, so cute. ;]</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPqMhPuh8UoZZRpuC7MCPbi-yUD1CtlLcPDn8MQ4WKRFJ3xtBlu0pl7L00vawifj0LNuMEcNkL8SvwxVa85HYdS5ALCUwfFVCgLNyEiaURThSzivKW4ZZ0VQxLnmLEJ1OQfbsNAbgTrlI/s1600/DSC_0251.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPqMhPuh8UoZZRpuC7MCPbi-yUD1CtlLcPDn8MQ4WKRFJ3xtBlu0pl7L00vawifj0LNuMEcNkL8SvwxVa85HYdS5ALCUwfFVCgLNyEiaURThSzivKW4ZZ0VQxLnmLEJ1OQfbsNAbgTrlI/s400/DSC_0251.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not gonna lie: I kinda bullied him into doing the touch tank. It is quite the unique opportunity!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtGT4J5H1m6voc_nKTgs4Vz9EVeHF6xB38awryDvtD3y_DwAqbimFTeZ_BK_c9eExdEtjyO0id6moSSYyDQrohsTKgh4T6MRX10j9uR11XY3xZmCh0u6CgHkP6sQ4_6yWMZRzO3BpiYOU/s1600/DSC_0258.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtGT4J5H1m6voc_nKTgs4Vz9EVeHF6xB38awryDvtD3y_DwAqbimFTeZ_BK_c9eExdEtjyO0id6moSSYyDQrohsTKgh4T6MRX10j9uR11XY3xZmCh0u6CgHkP6sQ4_6yWMZRzO3BpiYOU/s400/DSC_0258.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Austin's favorite part. My favorites were the otters. </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYo_u7xIDL0J6lfbX3cvGXJFHgFXdbgtOtPezbVRTghWjRyvWTHHU7Yj4upMbYE4Mhu4sd1WKq_vLgy1oNur9K7qfN8ILFus89CGbc4tGmODGde9u8J025iZGoGhTBfG5SLxtHxjKEp6A/s1600/DSC_0234.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYo_u7xIDL0J6lfbX3cvGXJFHgFXdbgtOtPezbVRTghWjRyvWTHHU7Yj4upMbYE4Mhu4sd1WKq_vLgy1oNur9K7qfN8ILFus89CGbc4tGmODGde9u8J025iZGoGhTBfG5SLxtHxjKEp6A/s400/DSC_0234.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Date day in the city! jacket: Old Navy, dress: Target, purse: Target a few years ago, sandals: Tevas</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDx1rbO4Hp_jjNmNv5al9IqEzbfS-SXRhYAfpq89zYrPy4o7KQE1QZEVicvm-ktFUi5haA8PRctToWwYyJHCsKqLIR0pfVpvME4T_oeQNfBWjVvieobrWF2sKQ-XLd9Nv2pzvCHebqhKQ/s1600/DSC_0267.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDx1rbO4Hp_jjNmNv5al9IqEzbfS-SXRhYAfpq89zYrPy4o7KQE1QZEVicvm-ktFUi5haA8PRctToWwYyJHCsKqLIR0pfVpvME4T_oeQNfBWjVvieobrWF2sKQ-XLd9Nv2pzvCHebqhKQ/s400/DSC_0267.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Probably my favorite picture from the whole trip.</td></tr>
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After the aquarium we got to enjoy some free Coldstone thanks to Austin's sister! We'd been holding on to that giftcard since Christmas. :]<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkZol29xS6bTsqEDvV9Jr9tJsACQeWcLxmbHBF_a_uSzMdvr8uh2ko8PIpSmBZwfVOTv8CwjZcZ3DqbHr7FVVLxTJlC3UbHzTfr66XmsrPFa8nQMunsBhXETwbcNfmW_IZ_7mZ6HFidiw/s1600/DSC_0276.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkZol29xS6bTsqEDvV9Jr9tJsACQeWcLxmbHBF_a_uSzMdvr8uh2ko8PIpSmBZwfVOTv8CwjZcZ3DqbHr7FVVLxTJlC3UbHzTfr66XmsrPFa8nQMunsBhXETwbcNfmW_IZ_7mZ6HFidiw/s320/DSC_0276.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mine: cheesecake ice cream and fresh strawberries; Austin's: chocolate brownie froyo, coconut, and almonds</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEiwtN6zhY7p3fOxIOWEVu6He6nXGCMunhHq-YbHMS2yqn7Wd8vKRSZ5PSFPTMRbGTR0RjtTPgTvHpr6ovszAFeBLdPkoOoIaDhecTadGvyLuah9sBWbDwIuGjxkywnroQmnH1GPrtGvg/s1600/DSC_0282.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEiwtN6zhY7p3fOxIOWEVu6He6nXGCMunhHq-YbHMS2yqn7Wd8vKRSZ5PSFPTMRbGTR0RjtTPgTvHpr6ovszAFeBLdPkoOoIaDhecTadGvyLuah9sBWbDwIuGjxkywnroQmnH1GPrtGvg/s400/DSC_0282.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-gbetXcsMWLaSgiy_zRIHSeH_0rFDAb7nGEgWJBYQdmwrycRBRblpybLSenmGuHuXKMJC2zT24Jn1-QzZ4CRcR9yiyH9rk4n8R6Y6WgrFO2VEG_bdNQm68tea7qTgRFKhShkk1RxctYY/s1600/DSC_0284.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-gbetXcsMWLaSgiy_zRIHSeH_0rFDAb7nGEgWJBYQdmwrycRBRblpybLSenmGuHuXKMJC2zT24Jn1-QzZ4CRcR9yiyH9rk4n8R6Y6WgrFO2VEG_bdNQm68tea7qTgRFKhShkk1RxctYY/s400/DSC_0284.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Walking around to work off our ice cream. </td></tr>
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Next was a stop by the IMAX theater to see "The Last Reef." It was cool and Austin really enjoyed it, but I think my days of watching 3D movies are over. I started feeling sick 20 minutes into the film and didn't feel better until we'd been outside for 30 minutes. Does anyone else get sick watching 3D movies? Or am I just really strange? (ok, maybe both, haha)<br />
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So once I was feeling a bit more normal, we ate dinner at Mellow Mushroom (again). I didn't really feel like walking around a lot to find somewhere, so we just went with old faithful. Austin always pretends to be surprised when I say I love pizza...but really, no surprise there. Post-dinner fun included walking over some bridges and checking out the art district once again. See how lame I sound when I say this: art is really cool!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3f7VnC3TVGR7a7rJ4Qx-VQWy_fJu0R4A1jJjZwbOi98CZdDZPbaSZAhuIQsW3F3sY9GTVL9JSbDgfm_RYmtiLr0v-n6bK5FtCL_mpFxuponpABk_grtyUkJ2_XE64b6vOYLmXhxLf3Os/s1600/DSC_0286.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3f7VnC3TVGR7a7rJ4Qx-VQWy_fJu0R4A1jJjZwbOi98CZdDZPbaSZAhuIQsW3F3sY9GTVL9JSbDgfm_RYmtiLr0v-n6bK5FtCL_mpFxuponpABk_grtyUkJ2_XE64b6vOYLmXhxLf3Os/s400/DSC_0286.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX3hHDs1jr89mmjhXjZrX-sme0MxfRFgKmxVKMiBcP0tgDnUNbzLcatkfcxWiNdY_TtYUx0xsnnJLmpccFgyLQcIvW_jMaqlGEYLy06LyGGoPc0UZyd6PRffpcufFBqYhqqWwiuiL9I9Y/s1600/DSC_0291.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX3hHDs1jr89mmjhXjZrX-sme0MxfRFgKmxVKMiBcP0tgDnUNbzLcatkfcxWiNdY_TtYUx0xsnnJLmpccFgyLQcIvW_jMaqlGEYLy06LyGGoPc0UZyd6PRffpcufFBqYhqqWwiuiL9I9Y/s400/DSC_0291.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chattanooga!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEa6JaZcJswwGcOqbETfdaiTWhQYoZja4O92FXszmixnampzElWieM5WyWeVBmGgaxqzCbKxNIzOR7LjaMdg4EaP34v64pCzjmL220tXAE-WZo0nRUwEQr7pwWYWDS1kIDEobgq5TI07M/s1600/DSC_0288.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEa6JaZcJswwGcOqbETfdaiTWhQYoZja4O92FXszmixnampzElWieM5WyWeVBmGgaxqzCbKxNIzOR7LjaMdg4EaP34v64pCzjmL220tXAE-WZo0nRUwEQr7pwWYWDS1kIDEobgq5TI07M/s400/DSC_0288.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Loving the sunshine and each other (cue the "awws").</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuiSZpLUrKwqdRbcGwrq9wlOC-wMRhkv9V8GSCxfj0xZN4B-FJt3vXFlAsKneo3kmo-Q-tkOUYISjIr7PbYpcRvbcgqurp5OT8p8nnKaSw8e91LD-EpC4LnKoma6RjNUIfk9u9K0nrI0s/s1600/DSC_0293.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuiSZpLUrKwqdRbcGwrq9wlOC-wMRhkv9V8GSCxfj0xZN4B-FJt3vXFlAsKneo3kmo-Q-tkOUYISjIr7PbYpcRvbcgqurp5OT8p8nnKaSw8e91LD-EpC4LnKoma6RjNUIfk9u9K0nrI0s/s400/DSC_0293.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Probably our favorite statue: Icarus. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMx9faJOM_4tScPcIbaB8pTcU9qykQv5ha93wBuHfTnnn4bSUwyUa0UUN1OXpUtDZe8dR6ECUQcz3XTatG9I22gqGvx0pauHoMfhuwTegTob47gVO1FkP_oLByJiCUG5bjvPmWFrA7H-A/s1600/DSC_0297.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMx9faJOM_4tScPcIbaB8pTcU9qykQv5ha93wBuHfTnnn4bSUwyUa0UUN1OXpUtDZe8dR6ECUQcz3XTatG9I22gqGvx0pauHoMfhuwTegTob47gVO1FkP_oLByJiCUG5bjvPmWFrA7H-A/s400/DSC_0297.jpg" width="330" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our hotel.</td></tr>
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Tuesday morning found my husband on a long run over the aforementioned bridges and me chilling and enjoying the HGTV in our hotel room. Once he arrived back and we checked out, we drove across the river to <span style="color: #0000ee;">have <span style="color: #0000ee;">brunch at</span></span> a place I saw on Yelp, <a href="http://www.arethas.com/">Aretha Frankenstein's</a>. The place was really cool, and the food made up for the really long wait.<br />
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So all in all, we had a fantastic start to our spring break. I'd say there is nothing better than escaping for a few days to a new-ish place with the one you love. Now, here's to some more adventures before the week is up!<br />
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Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04087260166641334754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-898681999113663670.post-29854350843817649822013-04-06T13:50:00.000-04:002013-04-06T13:50:22.956-04:00InstaweekHere's a peek at my past 10ish days through the filter of Instagram. Instagram: Making Pictures More Interesting Since 2011 (totally made up).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6D9ivfzoYENggIgxOuR97BCReKL9V6NnZkmkdwGoOAYgeUYCctaIDFFslM9d85wBqRStFe0BKnouxiomF6k5xiFkQIxQIiqdNE6v3pOxebv-XqaDaN5j2HyoZc_cniXGVCWMzCkcCrw0/s1600/IMG_20130322_074629.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6D9ivfzoYENggIgxOuR97BCReKL9V6NnZkmkdwGoOAYgeUYCctaIDFFslM9d85wBqRStFe0BKnouxiomF6k5xiFkQIxQIiqdNE6v3pOxebv-XqaDaN5j2HyoZc_cniXGVCWMzCkcCrw0/s400/IMG_20130322_074629.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Starbucks...the official fuel of teachers. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4r8WJqWn0jimSJO06l3qE1ITaOwHmW79rmZQnyYD_oPVjFYYAe3JyOirdagULYpIJplX3O2HjY9GTsJBqFt95ZWyh2gSYw_vk_WM6UP_mWDalciE8Xqu5CE0b744GhSXOVvOuxcfB7u4/s1600/IMG_20130328_080826.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4r8WJqWn0jimSJO06l3qE1ITaOwHmW79rmZQnyYD_oPVjFYYAe3JyOirdagULYpIJplX3O2HjY9GTsJBqFt95ZWyh2gSYw_vk_WM6UP_mWDalciE8Xqu5CE0b744GhSXOVvOuxcfB7u4/s400/IMG_20130328_080826.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New desk setup...the calm before the storm. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We tried a new sandwich place for dinner and we've already been back! I mean, who wouldn't like ordering on a paper bag?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT9fFijeNT6IEXTva87dqZf1OmHNUS3KV8V1-GUVU1RHXpft0pTZVHC25nQwmHo9gpFCwwGQSqRD8TxQM_4FBeuPi3yScTkSehhj5RJIP9sz2zkgMWS_7WO07jR_6k0yD0ahdR0p_PhIk/s1600/IMG_20130331_110334.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT9fFijeNT6IEXTva87dqZf1OmHNUS3KV8V1-GUVU1RHXpft0pTZVHC25nQwmHo9gpFCwwGQSqRD8TxQM_4FBeuPi3yScTkSehhj5RJIP9sz2zkgMWS_7WO07jR_6k0yD0ahdR0p_PhIk/s400/IMG_20130331_110334.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Easter morning reading.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhagtls7cjUjHzULqXNdDCKrGpkhOfrw5DhWiMwdVa6kXQGKnzUkixMfRG7Jz-vJgkgpm2Us6SQ13tkgRMGswahwTJX_ivj8pefkawBavjPEcyW0F-8eRNvnKIXadBAscm7ES4Twu3dAh4/s1600/IMG_20130402_191641.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhagtls7cjUjHzULqXNdDCKrGpkhOfrw5DhWiMwdVa6kXQGKnzUkixMfRG7Jz-vJgkgpm2Us6SQ13tkgRMGswahwTJX_ivj8pefkawBavjPEcyW0F-8eRNvnKIXadBAscm7ES4Twu3dAh4/s400/IMG_20130402_191641.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful evening in Suwanee.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPVNlS7Wy2Rosbh3hO9AzauIblIIGVgfDbM2DXCDwtH8aqNeR0KWnQzKkWoD5EGGM-WGbLpQWdHQ5ff6d_g86yIuOcncJb0g7v4yOVpMniH6JVXu-NnZPOMe6h8izxKFrcapFfzDX0naM/s1600/IMG_20130402_183555.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPVNlS7Wy2Rosbh3hO9AzauIblIIGVgfDbM2DXCDwtH8aqNeR0KWnQzKkWoD5EGGM-WGbLpQWdHQ5ff6d_g86yIuOcncJb0g7v4yOVpMniH6JVXu-NnZPOMe6h8izxKFrcapFfzDX0naM/s400/IMG_20130402_183555.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I didn't feel well enough to run, so I got to watch Biz lead the whole pack of runners! He's a beast.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy9cJVehkeDZt_viH9EyWunNlQe9x6LCCHbDr_zZeYBrkiZBIEH6wcQEJauVb5loV2ZwicNNSbsEZf7yGItbuJ-sZN0JHg4zZ6g9ACet_nuA7D3n5bgmLbAZv7IgkJ46vS6hwWIo7gR6E/s1600/IMG_20130405_160309.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy9cJVehkeDZt_viH9EyWunNlQe9x6LCCHbDr_zZeYBrkiZBIEH6wcQEJauVb5loV2ZwicNNSbsEZf7yGItbuJ-sZN0JHg4zZ6g9ACet_nuA7D3n5bgmLbAZv7IgkJ46vS6hwWIo7gR6E/s400/IMG_20130405_160309.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gah, I love this man!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDwgBzZDg9sLLFqZOd36cD0Y0ncfIxAu6Wt-STMaEg0heHtoMeTVzJaLUq50Fk8QEfOAtLVVV1CBuSvAK5h5V3vMBJD2DWB38BBRiaI_Tg0c8b8TYtCPXX1jy0KIk3F7yO9FOvqFBAltM/s1600/IMG_20130405_161708.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDwgBzZDg9sLLFqZOd36cD0Y0ncfIxAu6Wt-STMaEg0heHtoMeTVzJaLUq50Fk8QEfOAtLVVV1CBuSvAK5h5V3vMBJD2DWB38BBRiaI_Tg0c8b8TYtCPXX1jy0KIk3F7yO9FOvqFBAltM/s400/IMG_20130405_161708.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spring break happy!</td></tr>
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Happy spring! My toes are happy to see the light of day again. :]Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04087260166641334754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-898681999113663670.post-73460701094723562092013-03-30T11:41:00.001-04:002013-03-30T11:41:56.689-04:00A Saturday in Our House7:45- Wake up and Biz gets ready to go to the gym. He brings me coffee in bed and hops out the door (literally...he is a very peppy morning person!).<br />
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8:00-9:30- I enjoy coffee in bed while perusing Instagram and pinterest. Lately I've been loving the hashtag #teacherlife. It's fun to see what other young teachers are up to. <br />
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9:30- Eat a bowl of Frosted Flakes while waiting for my school laptop to boot up.<br />
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9:45-11:30- "Do lesson plans." (aka- intermittently do lesson plans and surf the web...this time looking for a tutorial to make a magnet board out of an old frame)<br />
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11:30- Biz gets home. Watch him rake up the yard while writing a blog post. <br />
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12:00- Looking through our almost empty pantry and fridge to make a yummy lunch. I'm thinking about putting pizza sauce and mozzerella cheese on Texas toast and calling it a mini-pizza.<br />
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1:00-6:00- Time for cleaning and grocery shopping! Yes, this is a super fun adult life! ;]<br />
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7:00- Easter service at <a href="http://www.12stone.com/">our church</a>. What a special holiday to celebrate...the reason why we believe what we believe!<br />
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And that is a Saturday in our lives. Nothing too exciting, but hey, it works! :]Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04087260166641334754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-898681999113663670.post-82270751274444321712013-03-24T11:24:00.000-04:002013-03-24T11:24:00.686-04:00My Thoughts on Being a Wife<ul>
<li>Hanging out with my husband is <u>so</u> much fun. Watching a movie? FUN. Eating pizza? FUN. Grocery shopping? FUN. Cleaning the house? (kinda) FUN.<br /> </li>
<li>It is hard going to work every day and trying to be completely "there." Most days I'd rather be home supporting my man. Does that make me a complete anti-feminist? Nope. I simply know that I have a calling above teaching, and that is to love and encourage my husband. <br /></li>
<li>Married people can be lame...like in bed at 8:30 on a Friday night and <u>loving it</u> lame. #asleepby9pm #noshame<br /></li>
<li>My husband is not "hubby"...he is "hubsters" (a slightly less weird version of the word, but still kinda weird). <br /></li>
<li>How great is it to live with my best friend every day!?! Monotonous things are better with him (like the aforementioned cleaning). <br /></li>
<li>For the first time in my life, I have been making the bed (almost) every day. It's important to my husband, so it is important to me. <br /></li>
<li>People ask when we're going to have kids...umm, WHAT? We've been married three months. I love being a <b>wifey</b>, and "school mom" to 21 littles. But <u>real</u> mommy? No thanks. #schoolmomftw </li>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdpqNbGShCG9FthD0hkVj9SlmzdS5buwxcM9Yqg4XsEKLTSMP3MTTZI0KeAPMeWmhl0U28Tx821RFSoIK5zQAd2SdCnSiJoTKIXQ225CY-JzbiVF7b-7ft0F_VUkW3StrGK4PdYZAEayA/s1600/IMG_20130318_191025.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdpqNbGShCG9FthD0hkVj9SlmzdS5buwxcM9Yqg4XsEKLTSMP3MTTZI0KeAPMeWmhl0U28Tx821RFSoIK5zQAd2SdCnSiJoTKIXQ225CY-JzbiVF7b-7ft0F_VUkW3StrGK4PdYZAEayA/s320/IMG_20130318_191025.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04087260166641334754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-898681999113663670.post-29129819721894611992013-01-16T19:30:00.001-05:002013-01-16T19:30:18.817-05:00My Current FrustrationI think that anyone you meet would tell you that I'm a pretty chill person. Stuff doesn't get under my skin very easily. But right now in my life I have one major frustration:<br />
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<i>government offices. </i></div>
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My work hours are 8:00AM-4:00PM, Monday through Friday. Guess when the social security administration office is open? 9:00AM-3:00PM. And this girl needs to get a new card with her new married name <i>before</i> she can get a new drivers license or do anything else.</div>
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Ugh. This deserves some frustration.</div>
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What did you guys do when you got married? I took four days off for the honeymoon, so I'm not really cool with the idea of taking a half-day, although I think that may be my only option.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxR3GD7lDJnFKPKRmv6qlSuoy5S2_-xQQ4Rrk_jaBTvEuiyxWj13LBvXYNKHz1_XYXiY4WZ1ZJ0s3eX5swbRfcCphJkRKxqP8Oh-ZJtcskXLt0Nd5aMLtMdHZfQvTGxDFLWm2G7XzMCyc/s1600/grumpy+car.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxR3GD7lDJnFKPKRmv6qlSuoy5S2_-xQQ4Rrk_jaBTvEuiyxWj13LBvXYNKHz1_XYXiY4WZ1ZJ0s3eX5swbRfcCphJkRKxqP8Oh-ZJtcskXLt0Nd5aMLtMdHZfQvTGxDFLWm2G7XzMCyc/s400/grumpy+car.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yes, we are all very grumpy.<u><br /></u></td></tr>
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Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04087260166641334754noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-898681999113663670.post-12102977978296517892013-01-14T19:23:00.001-05:002013-01-14T19:23:19.819-05:00Yay!<b>I got my wedding pictures!!!</b><br />
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To say I was excited would be an understatement. My uncle did the pictures, and the whole time he was showing my the finished product I felt like a grinning idiot. I'll definitely share lots of them with you guys, but for the time being, here is my favorite of Mr. Biz and me.<br />
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<b>Yay!!!</b> It makes the whole day seem like it really happened! :]Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04087260166641334754noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-898681999113663670.post-11793098127518503992013-01-06T11:55:00.002-05:002013-01-06T11:55:38.141-05:00Christmas Break HappeningsSo even though I've been back at work this past week, I'm not quite ready to let go of Christmas break. It was busy, sometimes stressful, but mainly wonderful. I like this whole "married at Christmas time" thing. :]<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpoeUF78TJewYo7iVLGAkSzZw9ZNKH8caGvfKdZlwyCDyhKaePIyyBYUSFe8NrLE-PNn6gSmj8z89_-_Lp4BoHFK_L5cAKk1btHyqjhhA-W4ZRtsLlGeJ_v_eEt1S7O9EAPn01vAMsqug/s1600/IMG_20121223_121203.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpoeUF78TJewYo7iVLGAkSzZw9ZNKH8caGvfKdZlwyCDyhKaePIyyBYUSFe8NrLE-PNn6gSmj8z89_-_Lp4BoHFK_L5cAKk1btHyqjhhA-W4ZRtsLlGeJ_v_eEt1S7O9EAPn01vAMsqug/s400/IMG_20121223_121203.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You gotta have lots of fuel for present wrapping. And, can I just say, it's depressing every year when Starbucks goes back to the white cups.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSAfsxdYu9EhohSkdvEpeyQkTOQSYXBT6joYs8QeBKvASiHPPC2Seqr1xzihQnrnSQGduhpz_PTockEexcZ6g5yXCqe4SK2bf4d5WvWfMs4R89dnxHPD5qs8WNSlaIFAVUOzMeKc9xGNI/s1600/IMG_20121220_171542.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSAfsxdYu9EhohSkdvEpeyQkTOQSYXBT6joYs8QeBKvASiHPPC2Seqr1xzihQnrnSQGduhpz_PTockEexcZ6g5yXCqe4SK2bf4d5WvWfMs4R89dnxHPD5qs8WNSlaIFAVUOzMeKc9xGNI/s400/IMG_20121220_171542.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of my favorite views...our front door.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1HysNPBBZ68ad1rmKAbITnoP92S0iJq0RrAer1izuyMLeYsDcFOsbD2Fv0WdwME4y-Nwz_yxfjqDoYZKQdhD4sNy6kiamWkoznIA9X4cyrSB5JOBGc0Zt1Gc_6NKl2hPd4jvJppQwELU/s1600/IMG_20121221_162417.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1HysNPBBZ68ad1rmKAbITnoP92S0iJq0RrAer1izuyMLeYsDcFOsbD2Fv0WdwME4y-Nwz_yxfjqDoYZKQdhD4sNy6kiamWkoznIA9X4cyrSB5JOBGc0Zt1Gc_6NKl2hPd4jvJppQwELU/s400/IMG_20121221_162417.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flowers from the wedding...the baby's breath were the bridesmaid bouquets and the roses were on the buffet table. I had to throw them out yesterday and it was so sad. </td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpoeUF78TJewYo7iVLGAkSzZw9ZNKH8caGvfKdZlwyCDyhKaePIyyBYUSFe8NrLE-PNn6gSmj8z89_-_Lp4BoHFK_L5cAKk1btHyqjhhA-W4ZRtsLlGeJ_v_eEt1S7O9EAPn01vAMsqug/s1600/IMG_20121223_121203.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxR1aL2_FObT8-VGGZp4uFOydqvKFckump9yTZP4N7wn9P9HUFGyWhNOoClxHQYmcBqQYliS2sSxcfyuIJnvcVNLB5R9_mYWa2GS3OyZRlcRwajDDOpK11TqPszXWCSSCbtJdvvTOt3p0/s1600/IMG_20121224_123523.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxR1aL2_FObT8-VGGZp4uFOydqvKFckump9yTZP4N7wn9P9HUFGyWhNOoClxHQYmcBqQYliS2sSxcfyuIJnvcVNLB5R9_mYWa2GS3OyZRlcRwajDDOpK11TqPszXWCSSCbtJdvvTOt3p0/s400/IMG_20121224_123523.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Love seeing presents under the tree waiting to go to our families!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgulfEd_feYlaX4Ye2lW3jbZrEKqqzkL_KQ5Zxukp4ILfZI8cqvFF8yUmKPZPKD3isoHVTi5J475qQI5kQvm9E483tDuA1nFmlenNAIuaSbIGN0tsfDzsOFgpqHDUR_M9w0X1cYpJpgbXU/s1600/IMG_20121224_205928.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgulfEd_feYlaX4Ye2lW3jbZrEKqqzkL_KQ5Zxukp4ILfZI8cqvFF8yUmKPZPKD3isoHVTi5J475qQI5kQvm9E483tDuA1nFmlenNAIuaSbIGN0tsfDzsOFgpqHDUR_M9w0X1cYpJpgbXU/s400/IMG_20121224_205928.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So happy to have Kelley home for a bit...and yes, all three of us sisters embraced the ugly Christmas sweaters.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWLM_hqbxQXPV3AL3jiBoBmqaApM7BPEnvKgKkQUKHGaQDE-BeYwuZuijtC3ARgUGuUQxZhOGywEK2tOx1oJzCnoGDvTgIronJOxf0LcBE1wK4RTJnzA0LUds51vbouacpnqZvDezlLts/s1600/DSC_0095.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWLM_hqbxQXPV3AL3jiBoBmqaApM7BPEnvKgKkQUKHGaQDE-BeYwuZuijtC3ARgUGuUQxZhOGywEK2tOx1oJzCnoGDvTgIronJOxf0LcBE1wK4RTJnzA0LUds51vbouacpnqZvDezlLts/s400/DSC_0095.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just hanging out with our Christmas tree on Christmas Eve. :]</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpKQgZ8s-bE_QqsBy9hOYf8P1Q3OfV-asDXZvGCjHsolO5M_9DX9Pu3QY8T09RX14qH2ey62GCV3xoE5HGV5H6TrMuMByV09VO2QymO0yynAmr1_-tHCd_0h2fzmqPazgLcDkziho-mTg/s1600/DSC_0102.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpKQgZ8s-bE_QqsBy9hOYf8P1Q3OfV-asDXZvGCjHsolO5M_9DX9Pu3QY8T09RX14qH2ey62GCV3xoE5HGV5H6TrMuMByV09VO2QymO0yynAmr1_-tHCd_0h2fzmqPazgLcDkziho-mTg/s400/DSC_0102.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I have a <u>fun</u> husband. This hat was laying around the house, so he found some of my old camp socks and went for a run dressed like this on Christmas morning. That's awesome.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdwVM8dFhtnvprPJGEVBvCCYjRiR5hP3rxqYn3IvWxyBaKbwMel5TsaXu_9Trctl-HHAIhbkWbKbalHud-ga0NyQUFnQduosKOo7K4rq2Cstf3pEHInRE9ZslSmLXH4HpLEsPgi7c39o4/s1600/DSC_0107.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdwVM8dFhtnvprPJGEVBvCCYjRiR5hP3rxqYn3IvWxyBaKbwMel5TsaXu_9Trctl-HHAIhbkWbKbalHud-ga0NyQUFnQduosKOo7K4rq2Cstf3pEHInRE9ZslSmLXH4HpLEsPgi7c39o4/s400/DSC_0107.jpg" width="288" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Presents, coffee, cinnamon rolls, and fun at my parents' house on Christmas morning!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY4FJ7dcT7fNxOdaoP-2LajpGn_GdC6Ap4BSgEGYqZYSikeEGe7bvpHLmodFqYJ_OtELlcpee5Rf20e2y5K5CaYP2Cg9pTHQYnPS_zjBKLGE93tZT1N3RuYZQdVn3939TCIHllj8NCL0I/s1600/IMG_20121230_170853.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY4FJ7dcT7fNxOdaoP-2LajpGn_GdC6Ap4BSgEGYqZYSikeEGe7bvpHLmodFqYJ_OtELlcpee5Rf20e2y5K5CaYP2Cg9pTHQYnPS_zjBKLGE93tZT1N3RuYZQdVn3939TCIHllj8NCL0I/s400/IMG_20121230_170853.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Biz is serious when it comes to home improvement. Don't mess with this dude while he's hanging curtains and painting bathrooms.</td></tr>
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So that was my Christmas break, post-honeymoon. The honeymoon deserves it's own post to be filled with its' awesomeness. Now that Christmas is over I'm ready for the "let's get organized" fun of January. Woo hoo! It's time to <u>clean</u>! ;]Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04087260166641334754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-898681999113663670.post-50798062971563641082012-12-31T17:21:00.000-05:002012-12-31T17:21:58.760-05:00Remembering 20122012 has been quite the year. At the start, I was an ESOL teacher, lived with my parents, and had an awesome boyfriend. Now on the last day of the year, I am a 1st grade teacher, I moved out of my parents' house, and I have an <u>amazing</u> husband. I'd say 2012 was pretty great. :]<br />
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In the spring I took up running (might have had something to do with the cool guy I was dating...) and ran 3 different 5k's between May and September. It was great fun and I really enjoyed challenging my body like that.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihzbriywWQdlqf73x8JOFeppriL0CG1Hb3zTndO8dbFNzWed-SKLHOLEWXlX2okJT1Kw58SiZouqoafDI8uS0Q4-0ubmS-KcnBff9rLcPpDZbtN-JXPhEJHSn3U4wA0yHyJvuo623zvi0/s1600/476546_2145219166311_1820311215_o+-+Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihzbriywWQdlqf73x8JOFeppriL0CG1Hb3zTndO8dbFNzWed-SKLHOLEWXlX2okJT1Kw58SiZouqoafDI8uS0Q4-0ubmS-KcnBff9rLcPpDZbtN-JXPhEJHSn3U4wA0yHyJvuo623zvi0/s400/476546_2145219166311_1820311215_o+-+Copy.jpg" width="285" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My first 5k on Memorial Day.</td></tr>
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I had three different positions this year. After being displaced from my ESOL position, I worked as a parapro in a level one autism class for a few months. I knew that it wasn't the place for me, though, so I was very excited when I was hired to teach first grade starting in October. Great kids, great school...what more can you ask for?<br />
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The biggest thing that happened this year was, of course, getting married to my best friend, whom you all know as "Mr. Biz." We got engaged on my birthday...it was simple and beautiful and just want I wanted. Several months of wedding planning and a little bit of stress later, we got married on December 15th. Once again, it was simple, beautiful, and exactly what I wanted. I can't wait to share pictures once I get them.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjn-b0Jm9Sm6ke74UY6bUlzYzTYHWv0_qCn8siJB3JMUAo366v0IP_YLspvQa5bymrCsQFJi4We9nJZg0dFTJltqY1xS7s-gvTn9rAYSgb0jjt3qDeVBU5SMEPca5iIT8Q9Z8HBoUd8R0/s1600/amelia+door.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjn-b0Jm9Sm6ke74UY6bUlzYzTYHWv0_qCn8siJB3JMUAo366v0IP_YLspvQa5bymrCsQFJi4We9nJZg0dFTJltqY1xS7s-gvTn9rAYSgb0jjt3qDeVBU5SMEPca5iIT8Q9Z8HBoUd8R0/s400/amelia+door.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Holding hands around the door before we were allowed to see each other.</td></tr>
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After the wedding we spent a wonderful honeymoon outside of Asheville, NC. We loved the solitude and relaxation that came with our little cabin (plus a great hot tub), and the opportunity to eat some delicious grub in Asheville. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyutZ-cPEY-X-0JssJPwgLym6HHmBntabUWWqfunfWmv6bn7xyfWURZnotQ2dfx9qXqOpYNKlWYnEWF_nvQyzmE-nfPu_0ksto19IhsVUdEs4Duuyth_zj5PQDdnOJlkHSjFk2qir9yqo/s1600/IMG_20121217_153248.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyutZ-cPEY-X-0JssJPwgLym6HHmBntabUWWqfunfWmv6bn7xyfWURZnotQ2dfx9qXqOpYNKlWYnEWF_nvQyzmE-nfPu_0ksto19IhsVUdEs4Duuyth_zj5PQDdnOJlkHSjFk2qir9yqo/s400/IMG_20121217_153248.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hiking near our cabin in NC.</td></tr>
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We are <u>so happy</u> to be married. We've spent the rest of our Christmas break getting settled into our home and doing things like hanging up curtains, spending time with our families, and celebrating my man's birthday. It has been great and wonderful, and I don't think I can come up with many more adjectives to describe our December. :]<br />
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On New Years Day of 2012, I told Mr. Biz that "2012 is going to be our year." I was definitely right. So here's to 2013. We're excited to face this next year together.Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04087260166641334754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-898681999113663670.post-9452014144441859382012-10-08T12:47:00.000-04:002012-10-08T12:47:04.595-04:00I am living.Hi everyone. <br /><br />Yes, I am still alive. Don't worry.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photographic proof of my existence.</td></tr>
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For some reason this whole "working, planning a wedding, and having a social life" thing has kept me pretty busy. Who would've known.<br />
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So, to get you up to date:<br />
-I am getting married in 68 days, or 9ish weeks. And I have not sent out invitations yet. Or booked a florist. Oops.<br />
-I have a new job. I am now responsible for the learning of 21 precious first graders. Yikes.<br />
-I am slowly moving my stuff into our new home. Can't wait for it officially to be my home in December...for now I spend most of my time here, but I still sleep at my parent's house.<br />
-I am drinking a lot of grande nonfat salted caramel mochas (with whip). Hooray to fall. <br />
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I'll probably see ya'll back on the blog in a few months. ;]<br />
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<br />Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04087260166641334754noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-898681999113663670.post-3466214674875223202012-08-05T15:08:00.000-04:002012-08-05T15:08:43.283-04:00Excuses, ExcusesLong time, no see. It seems like it's been ages since I've visited the pages of my blog, but I have a very valid excuse:<br />
SUMMER.<br />Yes folks, summer. These last few weeks of summer I couldn't make myself sit down to write a new post. It could have been the extreme heat that I feel if I'm not lying prostrate under the fan...but probably not. Honestly, I was attempting to enjoy a lazy, fun summer because I knew that soon enough it would be back to reality.<br />
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<br />And tomorrow? Yep, back to reality. Another school year starts. The good news? There are only 18 weeks of school until I am getting <b>married!</b> Wahoo! <br />
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<br />In lieu of me typing more barely coherent sentences, here are some pictures and one-word captions. Maybe they'll paint a picture of the past few weeks.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju0gccmJzjwVIOdOpzgFiHlbtb9RDLHSoVmr9zRYyNyKfVjgca3HmPghB2AA99c8qJ-2P24nzpexO3dqZgdeCXpScYYsU9tMYMf1OU1gLPYrfxrDVJ3oEQW6-VnkRDT4cwZMOjMWaMN6c/s1600/IMG_7258.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju0gccmJzjwVIOdOpzgFiHlbtb9RDLHSoVmr9zRYyNyKfVjgca3HmPghB2AA99c8qJ-2P24nzpexO3dqZgdeCXpScYYsU9tMYMf1OU1gLPYrfxrDVJ3oEQW6-VnkRDT4cwZMOjMWaMN6c/s400/IMG_7258.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hotdogs.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgafUHZrGjXtkSBVIV3GOlKL_VhtHY9lRksggAvlpzd6gKkyu_aIIHKaV9DKa16-Es_E41KUhwXVBn98gOObjeMSLn_7eL6lNrFi7GCCkVpN_fl8rhSm4R3hkaLpWEnlCINCrwTxPRQrps/s1600/austin+@+highland+bakery.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgafUHZrGjXtkSBVIV3GOlKL_VhtHY9lRksggAvlpzd6gKkyu_aIIHKaV9DKa16-Es_E41KUhwXVBn98gOObjeMSLn_7eL6lNrFi7GCCkVpN_fl8rhSm4R3hkaLpWEnlCINCrwTxPRQrps/s400/austin+@+highland+bakery.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brunch.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0L9MqKwjOZDRaJRIa1P6IDyV8N2NuuL59OwcNXTFEccMq2uRWyvEHukx3_BTukuNNRXhzEYqPlGhmX1jBrE_tXnpql2DFwa0BDGh4S-s_tP9YMHvYgq8V0XFRtmIYy-APnM0xVORf_w8/s1600/boo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0L9MqKwjOZDRaJRIa1P6IDyV8N2NuuL59OwcNXTFEccMq2uRWyvEHukx3_BTukuNNRXhzEYqPlGhmX1jBrE_tXnpql2DFwa0BDGh4S-s_tP9YMHvYgq8V0XFRtmIYy-APnM0xVORf_w8/s400/boo.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boo.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZMNPTvZtGf_pJrZC1oZIuCkYrLUTVmRFokLgh6P-zayEMd70mOpC0ZKeqXAFcWTHrMg1uJKFy6BqqZ9axgg9-_I-ggIylhE24fJ-Ow1eyoojngNKS942FZufYjmxUDAEvSF2jcLNydC4/s1600/running.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZMNPTvZtGf_pJrZC1oZIuCkYrLUTVmRFokLgh6P-zayEMd70mOpC0ZKeqXAFcWTHrMg1uJKFy6BqqZ9axgg9-_I-ggIylhE24fJ-Ow1eyoojngNKS942FZufYjmxUDAEvSF2jcLNydC4/s400/running.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Runner.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
The end.</div>
<br /><br /><img alt="post signature" class="centered" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhejjTzqc9Zje-3ntkUhbMqRSbxmkxJ8Xj3OxnoObg7Mg8FIR_Mhe3C_nCWrengNZArKkpmpTxv40iQQaEX1iCU4i_J_soqrxsSetjxMbK9PAztJ6J0ebwAL_ozB1Ov8dRiSoFauuC6Oz0/s1600/signature+1.png" />Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04087260166641334754noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-898681999113663670.post-67292141554282949042012-07-19T12:44:00.002-04:002012-07-19T12:44:29.809-04:00Bragging on Biz<br />
Good afternoon fellow bloggies-<br />
<br />
<br />As I write this blog post we are a mere ten days away from the start of pre-planning. To be honest, I've had a cruddy past couple days: I've been feeling very down about my current job situation and wondering just what I've been doing wrong. But I'm not writing this post to linger on my career woes; I'm writing this post to brag on my fiance.<br /><br />
Many times I feel like my problems are silly or that I'm blowing them out of proportion, but Biz never makes me feel bad for sharing my feelings with him. He encourages me to be open and honest with him, even when I think I might be burdening him with my issues. <br />
<br />So while I'm not feeling that great about my job situation right now, I feel more than blessed to have a man like Mr. Biz in my life. Praise God for bringing him into my life...Biz is a continual reminder of God's faithfulness. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDT1Gv3_1t_pPHTorPwahmLOjVK-MH68yqPcA4RjW2W3z6V-UWccIT_R99_4n2tpKexroiWwLYNMtyHYL9z2hIyLzA4pisxTEAe4R6zQJj_QK0TZf48i-f5NhFCP9zwcUzZwX-hsDC0is/s1600/IMG_0909.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDT1Gv3_1t_pPHTorPwahmLOjVK-MH68yqPcA4RjW2W3z6V-UWccIT_R99_4n2tpKexroiWwLYNMtyHYL9z2hIyLzA4pisxTEAe4R6zQJj_QK0TZf48i-f5NhFCP9zwcUzZwX-hsDC0is/s400/IMG_0909.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">@ Niagara Falls</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />I know many of you ladies have an exceptional man in your life. How about we all take some time this week to brag about them on our little corners of the internet? If you want, you can even share then link to your blog post in the comments. And then we can all thank God for the blessings He has given us. :]<br /><br /><img alt="post signature" class="centered" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhejjTzqc9Zje-3ntkUhbMqRSbxmkxJ8Xj3OxnoObg7Mg8FIR_Mhe3C_nCWrengNZArKkpmpTxv40iQQaEX1iCU4i_J_soqrxsSetjxMbK9PAztJ6J0ebwAL_ozB1Ov8dRiSoFauuC6Oz0/s1600/signature+1.png" />Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04087260166641334754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-898681999113663670.post-20373922137516710952012-07-06T17:43:00.000-04:002012-07-06T17:43:00.620-04:00Beach Party Date DayOne reason Biz and I have been loving summer is because of the plethora of "date days." "What is a date day," you ask? Well, a date day is nothing more than a day spent doing date-type activities together. We have gone to eat at new places, seen movies, watched sunsets, went people watching at the mall...all sorts of things! <br /><br />Today I decided to have an "at home" date day since we've been gone for a while (and also to save a little money on eating out). After some pondering, a thought hit me at about midnight (as good thoughts generally do): let's have a beach party! <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUlY4j0NcwMzrT5u8918U786Z5hguTKznszNemVvnls-tdZQvjvSSjBYGC2jPS7K12SqLfei7A1zt6lzj3InZ6WdIptVu8JIIqGW5e5_4W3DlDB0ZUbP46Q-6O1-ZLgAmYsTWk5vDx_DQ/s1600/IMG_7270.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="165" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUlY4j0NcwMzrT5u8918U786Z5hguTKznszNemVvnls-tdZQvjvSSjBYGC2jPS7K12SqLfei7A1zt6lzj3InZ6WdIptVu8JIIqGW5e5_4W3DlDB0ZUbP46Q-6O1-ZLgAmYsTWk5vDx_DQ/s400/IMG_7270.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Don't you love my crazy looking banner that I slaved over for approximately 30 seconds?</td></tr>
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So today we've had a lot of fun doing "beachy" things like listening to the Beach Boys Pandora station (fantastic), playing Bananagrams (because bananas remind me of the beach, duh), and playing that fun wiffle ball + scoop game (no idea what it's called). Soon we're going to have a seafood dinner of tortilla crusted talapia and shrimp cocktail (yum yum!). But I figured we needed a beachy drink to keep us cool during our outside activities (high of 95 ya'll!), so we put together this concoction. Enjoy!<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<u><b>Virgin Strawberry Daiquiris (Kinda)</b></u></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiEQaHOIoD4nKO8t5GPLLEcSS4WRG7bSwsjogN7YNJ4abS5REVMVp_NDLQ_ioFp86KjKm5RvUNnGLRdd65ExYGyNf-3UBOWnnAdhh351px4Vey3KQ8cwWQl4vyjh2HIzPxQf6pls4nP0Q/s1600/IMG_7262.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiEQaHOIoD4nKO8t5GPLLEcSS4WRG7bSwsjogN7YNJ4abS5REVMVp_NDLQ_ioFp86KjKm5RvUNnGLRdd65ExYGyNf-3UBOWnnAdhh351px4Vey3KQ8cwWQl4vyjh2HIzPxQf6pls4nP0Q/s400/IMG_7262.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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In a blender put half a bag of frozen strawberries (I'd guess about 10). </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAqxKwipYyBi0DoTAJKNl-AJF5SRGXhAXPFHUFIrV5mvQby78EqMOhBA9tm97rbkpUPastOxGFN-1-JEPCxb0FqXAMZXiFv3m3gul5hUwWOXOJAOI1ZS1fzQbCRzpFMfo5l6n9itfM1uM/s1600/IMG_7263.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAqxKwipYyBi0DoTAJKNl-AJF5SRGXhAXPFHUFIrV5mvQby78EqMOhBA9tm97rbkpUPastOxGFN-1-JEPCxb0FqXAMZXiFv3m3gul5hUwWOXOJAOI1ZS1fzQbCRzpFMfo5l6n9itfM1uM/s320/IMG_7263.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Add 1/4 cup of OJ. We also considered using lemonade...I'm sure it's good, too! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKRe6CONRWLkSjSFq6QwVKimSaLcYRBQKPLnYb4McYsBlVlWdTD4aCo3bhcu0SUTz_mSQ58l-VfP3NCi5lpIg9QUmYrPVF5n6UYD-7twjshLB0hSpfrVLlVgEAxrHxspTY-qho_QtU9OU/s1600/IMG_7264.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKRe6CONRWLkSjSFq6QwVKimSaLcYRBQKPLnYb4McYsBlVlWdTD4aCo3bhcu0SUTz_mSQ58l-VfP3NCi5lpIg9QUmYrPVF5n6UYD-7twjshLB0hSpfrVLlVgEAxrHxspTY-qho_QtU9OU/s400/IMG_7264.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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Add 3/4 cup of diet lemon lime soda. Or be really adventurous and get the full calorie kind, ohh!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNgxea7BdouB-hhjKJWELjpukaLkLmo5tbcF-dprC9ze2jqxzayft-qbhitfQyXkAf4omak-7YrehPjcqk7RD2NDaf2DjIrpAGjWobeSBr_ueSMujPhqr1p2nWCkPrSkiDpu8ofJglFbk/s1600/IMG_7265.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNgxea7BdouB-hhjKJWELjpukaLkLmo5tbcF-dprC9ze2jqxzayft-qbhitfQyXkAf4omak-7YrehPjcqk7RD2NDaf2DjIrpAGjWobeSBr_ueSMujPhqr1p2nWCkPrSkiDpu8ofJglFbk/s400/IMG_7265.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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Think about how gross your mixture looks so far, then blend. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH1vjmkjZVLUo9a_q-bC8EQJhyphenhyphene9aZmU-Y_c8VMuNPn7-Ip3Phg0Otkdv0kAxjCbYX7TSlUAhNHR2pE7DFSm4hlOUng8HHCYeNQt2RbE3ShVkZDNwuD2-cHPMpFhsuhCpLC9KAqRH_LIA/s1600/IMG_7267.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH1vjmkjZVLUo9a_q-bC8EQJhyphenhyphene9aZmU-Y_c8VMuNPn7-Ip3Phg0Otkdv0kAxjCbYX7TSlUAhNHR2pE7DFSm4hlOUng8HHCYeNQt2RbE3ShVkZDNwuD2-cHPMpFhsuhCpLC9KAqRH_LIA/s400/IMG_7267.JPG" width="338" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Pour into a glass and enjoy! We made this twice to get two servings, and I added two teaspoons of sugar to mine to sweeten it up a bit. It was still pretty tart even with the sugar. </div>
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<img alt="post signature" class="centered" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhejjTzqc9Zje-3ntkUhbMqRSbxmkxJ8Xj3OxnoObg7Mg8FIR_Mhe3C_nCWrengNZArKkpmpTxv40iQQaEX1iCU4i_J_soqrxsSetjxMbK9PAztJ6J0ebwAL_ozB1Ov8dRiSoFauuC6Oz0/s1600/signature+1.png" />Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04087260166641334754noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-898681999113663670.post-73953918191152593872012-07-05T19:18:00.001-04:002012-07-05T19:18:53.101-04:00New York Part 1Mr. Biz and I got back late Tuesday night from a quick little vacation to Western NY (no, not NYC) to visit my grandparents and other members of my dad's family. It was a beautiful trip for many reasons, one of which was the weather. The Atlanta area had record highs that hit triple digits while we enjoyed five days of breezy, high-of-82-degrees weather. It was fantastic. <br />
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Our flight got in around 11:30PM on Thursday, so we headed straight to bed when we got to my grandparent's house. Friday morning found us up and at 'em...running time! My grandparents live a little outside a super quaint village, that was great for a short run. The only issue was running with a headwind. I felt like whatever direction we picked, the wind was going against us! After three miles I set up shop with my Kindle at Panera while Biz went a few more miles on his own. A beautiful morning.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9URtaCFfH8KricEHbESIT043DUkoV7H7GZzIOW6DU0plEY4E8OFs_BnmmNGTcseUFBipGbZ2_M54oxXPgT8zv2ycRlrkE22HP0VUVig4n93bcq0QrHxDUId7QXruxAKotF5c8dnZMJ_I/s1600/panera.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9URtaCFfH8KricEHbESIT043DUkoV7H7GZzIOW6DU0plEY4E8OFs_BnmmNGTcseUFBipGbZ2_M54oxXPgT8zv2ycRlrkE22HP0VUVig4n93bcq0QrHxDUId7QXruxAKotF5c8dnZMJ_I/s400/panera.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
After our run and breakfast together, we met up with my parents and sisters for a short trip to Niagara Falls. I hadn't seen the falls in 8ish years, so it was awesome for me, but I loved seeing Biz's reaction. He had never seen them before and I could tell he was blown away. But I'll write more about that part of our trip later (esp. since those pictures are in Canada with my youngest sister).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvD39E7LCNjJa5oHABXSSQ6z0XaPc3gYlYR6w2-qqqQe_1KU74Cb334H0l-ZKEuv1c0gSVgvEcnE9WmUJaRv-6tZclFCJzOV0ojXEVf5PIYmdDUlYlPb9UayO34pp3wWnq5LEo9PYNOnA/s1600/niagra+falls.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvD39E7LCNjJa5oHABXSSQ6z0XaPc3gYlYR6w2-qqqQe_1KU74Cb334H0l-ZKEuv1c0gSVgvEcnE9WmUJaRv-6tZclFCJzOV0ojXEVf5PIYmdDUlYlPb9UayO34pp3wWnq5LEo9PYNOnA/s400/niagra+falls.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The only picture I took of the falls. Kelley's pictures are much better. </td></tr>
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<br />
Saturday we had a fun surprise...my aunt and sisters threw us a shower! They themed it after a couple of my favorite things: The Office and Moe's. It was a lot of fun and the perfect couples shower (since it wasn't super girly). I have a feeling that this next season of my life will continually remind me how blessed I am to have such loving and generous friends and family. <br />
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Sunday we drove to Ohio to visit my uncle's family. Biz enjoyed talking running with my uncle, and I enjoyed getting to see three of my cousins. Every year I have more and more fun hanging out with them. DJ was 14 this year and he loved talking with Mr. Biz...especially when they discovered that they both have the same favorite car. <br />
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Speaking of favorite car, on Monday Mr. Biz and I had date-day and we received this text message from my sisters:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRt6jr2Sgc7XT4NkxXfaSFmd56C53rvXuRHEK8qvK0BXbWaDascdigxPT9NsU2sDo-vQsYuWu0263q3728x_YI1dOANfduYPPoRkL1VYqkw65I_iDTPqhOCnGPuyAVq0IFUsQVjVOH5_U/s1600/mini.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRt6jr2Sgc7XT4NkxXfaSFmd56C53rvXuRHEK8qvK0BXbWaDascdigxPT9NsU2sDo-vQsYuWu0263q3728x_YI1dOANfduYPPoRkL1VYqkw65I_iDTPqhOCnGPuyAVq0IFUsQVjVOH5_U/s400/mini.jpg" width="400" /></a> </div>
Our dream mini...they even got the color right. <i>(Sidenote: we saw a mini this same color at Starbucks a couple weeks ago. We both <u>loved</u> the color and then realized why: that's the color we're painting our living room/kitchen. Duh.)</i> One day this car will be our reality...with different rims (Biz thinks they're ugly) and a turbo (so my man can drive fast). If you know my future last name, then this car makes sense for us. :]<br />
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That's all for today...don't want to overwhelm ya'll with our vacation details. And anyways, this account is more so that I can look back and remember our first big vacation together. Fun stuff! Can't wait for December though...that's the <u>big</u> vacation: honeymoon! :]<br />
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<img alt="post signature" class="centered" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhejjTzqc9Zje-3ntkUhbMqRSbxmkxJ8Xj3OxnoObg7Mg8FIR_Mhe3C_nCWrengNZArKkpmpTxv40iQQaEX1iCU4i_J_soqrxsSetjxMbK9PAztJ6J0ebwAL_ozB1Ov8dRiSoFauuC6Oz0/s1600/signature+1.png" /><br />
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P.S.- I changed my blog header...what do ya'll think?Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04087260166641334754noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-898681999113663670.post-39318995668494900522012-06-25T17:48:00.000-04:002012-06-25T17:48:20.616-04:00My Playlist for the shemoves ATL 5kI spent a lot of time perfecting the timing of my running playlist for my race this past Saturday. I ran with music for the first time a few weeks ago and I was amazed at the difference it made in my pace. My thought is that the music distracted me and gave me something to think about other than the (loud) sound of my breathing. So, just for fun, here is my latest running playlist (in the order I listened to them).<br />
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-<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w8KQmps-Sog">Uprising</a> by Muse<br />
-<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWOyfLBYtuU">Dog Days are Over</a> by Florence & the Machine<br />
-<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eqyUAtzS_6M">Another One Bites the Dust</a> by Queen<br />
-<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zudbz4hOcbc">When Love Takes Over</a> by David Guetta feat. Kelly Rowland<br />
-<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZTpLvsYYHw">All These Things That I've Done</a> by The Killers<br />
-<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8lqF_huno40">Marry You</a> by Bruno Mars (I hit 2 miles at the beginning of this song.)<br />
-<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xd8tOAJMA8Q">Little Lion Man</a> by Mumford & Sons<br />
-<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WbN0nX61rIs">Shake it Out</a> by Florence & the Machine<br />
-<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5KxII6AJYZY">Dance Again</a> by Jennifer Lopez feat. Pitbull (This was the last song I listened to as I was nearing the finish.)<br />
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There you have it...the playlist that helped me kick race butt this past weekend. <br />
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I'm going to start using <a href="http://jog.fm/">jog.fm</a> to find some new songs. When you get to the page you type in your mile pace, and it gives you a list of songs that have the right number of BPM to help you run at the correct pace. I discovered that I should be running to Womanizer. Awesome. :] And I bought a new song to go in my running playlist that I heard Saturday morning: Wavin' Flag by K'naan. I got the Coca-Cola Celebration version because it is super upbeat and fun (it was the song from the 2010 World Cup commercials). <br />
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What is your favorite song to run/bike/walk/exercise to?<br />
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<img alt="post signature" class="centered" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhejjTzqc9Zje-3ntkUhbMqRSbxmkxJ8Xj3OxnoObg7Mg8FIR_Mhe3C_nCWrengNZArKkpmpTxv40iQQaEX1iCU4i_J_soqrxsSetjxMbK9PAztJ6J0ebwAL_ozB1Ov8dRiSoFauuC6Oz0/s1600/signature+1.png" />Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04087260166641334754noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-898681999113663670.post-89659736937403546192012-06-23T17:26:00.001-04:002012-06-24T11:51:35.151-04:00shemoves Atlanta 5k...new PR!<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>*disclaimer: This is a very long post all about running...no hurt feelings if you don't want to read it.*</i></div>
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Today I ran my second 5k and it was awesome. Not awesome in the sense that I felt great, but awesome in the sense that I really pushed myself. My first 5k was about a month ago, and my time for that race was 38:37 (which I was excited about because I met my goal of sub 40 minutes). Going into today's race I didn't have high expectations--I was thinking about a 45 minute finish. My goal for this race wasn't very high because I have run this course many, many times, and there is this monstrous hill at the end...yeah, let's run up a hill when I have absolutely <u>no</u> energy left. <br />
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<a href="http://shemovesatl.com/"><img border="0" height="153" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfLp4f_-zH6BKRWPtMMW-Ew8_BPjh2l6trgH7hV0h5GgZmSbEoJbKwGD1tXardBTwpuC4DpNhviNcAvYI-L8rx68aZn-pjBpZbXCVoRmLWVWu5TxpcT_LWT-RPyWRrhdFtRIzvw96e8W0/s400/shemoves+atl.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Anyways...race day. My mom was nice enough to get to the race at 7:00AM with me and hold all of my stuff. Around 7:30ish all of the ladies met in front of the courthouse to hear about the course and other little announcements. I was feeling really good about the group I was racing with because it was all women and you could tell everyone was happy to be there. We finally took off and the crowd spread out very quickly. Of course, that made me feel like I was being super slow, but I just tried to pace myself and enjoy running downhill. About 30 seconds into the race I felt the beginnings of a stitch in my side--an issue I dealt with majorly this week. On Wednesday it was so bad that I had to stop running, but today I tried to push through and it worked. No more stitch in my side, yay! 10:26 into the race we passed the 1 mile marker...an awesome first mile for me!<br />
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Going into mile 2 I was starting to feel pretty fatigued. As a new runner, the feat of running one mile without stopping is huge, so the fact that I hadn't stopped to walk is pretty big. In talking some with Mr. Biz, I've come to realize the power of positive thinking. If my brain is in a bad place, thinking thoughts like, "Oh man, I'm in pain...I'm breathing so hard...can I walk yet?" then I'm likely to stop. Instead, I made sure to (literally) think, "I am a runner. I can do this." After I hit the turn around (about 1.5 miles) and threw a cup of water at my face, that was my mantra: I'm a runner. So far throughout the race I'd been pacing myself with a lady who was running a bit ahead of me; I decided that I'm like a running parasite, just thriving off of others' energy. :] We hit mile 2 at 21:15.<br />
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Now here's the thing: I have never run two miles together in my life. Needless to say, after my first ever "no walking" two miles, I was <i>beat</i>. I knew at this point that I had to start doing a run/walk pattern if I was going to be able to finish strong. I wanted to not have to walk at all during the sprint to the finish. So during my last mile I took about three little walking breaks. I guess I was getting really in the zone, but it was awesome to think about how my body was feeling and then translate that into wise choices (i.e. walk a little bit of this flat area so I can run up the hill). Towards the end there were more volunteers along the way, and their encouragement was awesome. I had one turn left, a steep hill, and then the finish would be in sight. I took one more walking break, switched to a "pump it up" song (today it was "Dance Again" by JLo feat. Pitbull), and then kicked that race in the tail. I hit mile three at 34:02, and then finished the last tenth of a mile to finish with a <b>sub 35 minute time</b>.<br />
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<b><i>Edit: I just read the official times and I clocked in at 34:49:8!</i></b> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSwAmBSoE6-FCxm6hW0efOQsy_9K2U7irzPa_y_ohh6jkzHdOoPkGkgbcXApVMW95bF54RJ-MYYOZ8KUs2-KX-W0kiDoRzpxTCSa4bOxJKknnl0Z9ceYq3IEz5dN94RMt_7xv5KuKw_Og/s1600/running.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSwAmBSoE6-FCxm6hW0efOQsy_9K2U7irzPa_y_ohh6jkzHdOoPkGkgbcXApVMW95bF54RJ-MYYOZ8KUs2-KX-W0kiDoRzpxTCSa4bOxJKknnl0Z9ceYq3IEz5dN94RMt_7xv5KuKw_Og/s400/running.JPG" width="281" /></a></div>
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As I ran across the finish line I saw Mr. Biz waiting there for me...we have a couple crazy pictures that show me running towards the finish and pointing at the clock so that he would realize just how insane my race time was.<br />
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I was ecstatic (still am!) about my race. A sweet little girl in a tutu handed me my medal...a pink gerbera daisy, but flowers weren't really on my mind. All I was thinking about was a bottle of water and needing someplace to sit down. Pushing myself so hard for the last little bit had me feeling <i>really</i> nauseated--I was dreading the thought of throwing up in front of all of those people. Luckily, once I had some water to sip and a place to sit, the feeling passed pretty quickly. I enjoyed seeing my parents and sisters who also came out to support me at my first local 5k. It's encouraging to know that there are people cheering you on while you are kicking race butt. :]<br />
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Post-race called for a smoothie from our <i>absolute favorite</i> place: Planet Smoothie. Biz and I go there so much that they know our orders...I'm pretty sure I'm up to 30 visits since about March. Oh yeah...it's that good. After a smoothie, a little "My Fair Wedding" with my man David Tutera, and icing my shins during Tangled, I'm feeling pretty good. I'm still so happy about my time. During some parts of the race I was really hurting, but I am so proud that I didn't give up and managed a new PR. I might not be a super fast runner, but I'm going out there and I'm doing it. I'm working hard and sticking with it. So I'm happy. :]<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtCQzWIHE7i2CwKfYlLY-3eoqb9mePBgsqqv3gB2IBG1VGjJ7_7MaA_juliHvdDdlKUuTubyUr6qIffQMg0j-Ls2f_u0oCESWNoagKYVx4rbNrD-wJQR412Nw_wILq7b7X2tmRgnTbzY4/s1600/IMG_0856.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtCQzWIHE7i2CwKfYlLY-3eoqb9mePBgsqqv3gB2IBG1VGjJ7_7MaA_juliHvdDdlKUuTubyUr6qIffQMg0j-Ls2f_u0oCESWNoagKYVx4rbNrD-wJQR412Nw_wILq7b7X2tmRgnTbzY4/s400/IMG_0856.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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<img alt="post signature" class="centered" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhejjTzqc9Zje-3ntkUhbMqRSbxmkxJ8Xj3OxnoObg7Mg8FIR_Mhe3C_nCWrengNZArKkpmpTxv40iQQaEX1iCU4i_J_soqrxsSetjxMbK9PAztJ6J0ebwAL_ozB1Ov8dRiSoFauuC6Oz0/s1600/signature+1.png" />Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04087260166641334754noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-898681999113663670.post-91872128789555204262012-06-13T14:45:00.001-04:002012-06-13T14:45:46.790-04:00Can't Touch ThisI'm letting you guys know how cool I am by telling you that "Can't Touch This" is one of my running songs. Oh yeah--this girl right here is the epitome of cool. ;] I've realized in my short time running that a kickin' running playlist is essential to a good run.<br />
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I have been a runner for about six weeks now, which doesn't seem like long, but it's amazing how much you progress in such a short time period. The first time I went out on a group run I only did two miles and that was with about a one minute run/walk pattern. The past two times I've been I have run at least the whole first mile, and then completed two more miles in a run/walk pattern. Guys, the first time I ran a whole mile without stopping I was <i>astounded</i> (and seriously winded). I haven't run a whole mile since I was a freshman in high school (I'll do the math...that was about nine years ago). Wahoo!<br />
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Now I feel like I can do anything. Don't get me wrong: I still can't run more than a mile and a half without stopping, <i>but</i> I am getting out there and doing it. I've realized that it doesn't matter how slow you are as long as you're trying. I saw these quotes on Pinterest a while back and they really gave me a bit of a boost:<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnEMPetvG04IKFVJEdGkRzWtcExcJ1O4v6Z6Ebx9CDA1B-CX9C5_xmO0QF9-YYHVhvFQWfhR6Z8FmKurQtOICLYPKqc2YskzAO-IazzbKzzhiDon-DpKgKJ7hyiQqUWkRvClDrtHPnW50/s1600/lapping+the+couch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnEMPetvG04IKFVJEdGkRzWtcExcJ1O4v6Z6Ebx9CDA1B-CX9C5_xmO0QF9-YYHVhvFQWfhR6Z8FmKurQtOICLYPKqc2YskzAO-IazzbKzzhiDon-DpKgKJ7hyiQqUWkRvClDrtHPnW50/s400/lapping+the+couch.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">via <a href="http://trainingfit.tumblr.com/post/8341762333">Get Motivated</a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirvq7PP3HcOxpOEAANg7QsCPcZ1G-gnsTR4buzwKHWgKwUJtdELOgtUdc5y9aNjKqdStqXNmIaUCb2R2gebmLWDTGn8HmTCCIKAhbs5KirrRMy3NlEDy2TMXHcq3-_jDz0JiDAwK9OfYs/s1600/mile.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirvq7PP3HcOxpOEAANg7QsCPcZ1G-gnsTR4buzwKHWgKwUJtdELOgtUdc5y9aNjKqdStqXNmIaUCb2R2gebmLWDTGn8HmTCCIKAhbs5KirrRMy3NlEDy2TMXHcq3-_jDz0JiDAwK9OfYs/s400/mile.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">via <a href="http://therearetwosides.com/">There Are Two Sides</a></td></tr>
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Now since I got your attention by telling you about one of my cool running songs, here are some more that have been in the running playlist for a couple weeks (my playlist is affectionately titled "Run Abby, Run!"):<br />
<ul>
<li> Call Me Maybe by Carly Rae Jepsen (it's darn catchy)</li>
<li>Dance Again by Jennifer Lopez ft. Pitbull (this is my "dance while you run" song)</li>
<li>Uprising by Muse (this is my favorite one to start with)</li>
<li>Baby by Justin Bieber (judge me if you will)</li>
<li>Dog Days Are Over by Florence and the Machine (no matter how many times I hear this song it <u>still</u> gets me pumped up...this is a "sing while you run" song)</li>
<li>Another One Bites the Dust by Queen (a great song if I ever pass anyone, haha)</li>
<li>Get'ch Head In the Game from HSM (gotta love the HSM soundtrack)</li>
<li>Mmmbop by Hanson (old school, yo')</li>
<li>Thunderstruck by AC/DC (running and headbanging at the same time is not a good idea)</li>
<li>All These Things That I've Done by the Killers (I love a good anthem song)</li>
<li>Give a Little by Hanson (I still love Hanson, and this song is AWESOME)</li>
<li>Marry You by Bruno Mars (I like to listen to this song when I feel like I can't run anymore...it's so happy!)</li>
<li>Come on Eileen by DMR (gotta have some disco-y music)</li>
<li>Baba O'Reilly by The Who (makes me think of crime...darn you CSI)</li>
<li>Unbelieveable by EMF (can't deny that this is a great song)</li>
<li>When Love Takes Over by David Guetta ft. Kelly Rowland (I could have a playlist of only David Guetta)</li>
<li>Bust a Move by the Glee Cast (Mr. Shue is so not cool enough for this song)</li>
<li>I'm Gonna Be by The Proclaimers (reminds me that I could go 500 miles--ha!)</li>
<li>I'm Still Standing by Elton John (70's pop is awesome and there is no one like Sir Elton John)</li>
<li>and, of course, Can't Touch This by M.C. Hammer (it reminds me that I'm goin' so fast that NO ONE can touch me...or at least that I wish I was going that fast)</li>
</ul>
So there you go...my potentially embarrassing running mix. It makes me wonder what other people are listening to when they run. What songs do you like to run/walk/weight-lift/exercise to?<br />
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<img alt="post signature" class="centered" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhejjTzqc9Zje-3ntkUhbMqRSbxmkxJ8Xj3OxnoObg7Mg8FIR_Mhe3C_nCWrengNZArKkpmpTxv40iQQaEX1iCU4i_J_soqrxsSetjxMbK9PAztJ6J0ebwAL_ozB1Ov8dRiSoFauuC6Oz0/s1600/signature+1.png" /><br /><br />P.S.- Does anyone else think that it would be awesome to have a super power that allowed you to hear other peoples' music while they were running? I wonder how many tough guys listen to pop songs or old school BSB or something. It's just interesting to see what gets people pumped up!Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04087260166641334754noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-898681999113663670.post-8322239587370092442012-06-11T18:40:00.000-04:002012-06-11T18:40:25.329-04:00Eating and Breathing Wedding<br />
Seems like blogging and I are not getting along too well these days. Whenever I sit down at my computer I find a million other things to do other than write a blog post. I feel like I've been eating and breathing wedding planning. My goal for this summer is to finish as much planning as possible so I can focus on school this fall. Hence, I can't do anything but think about our wedding. <br />
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Don't get me wrong...I am <i>epically </i>(is that a word?) excited about <a href="http://graduate-extraordinaire.blogspot.com/2012/06/epic-may.html">marrying Mr. Biz</a>. <i>But</i>, planning is not my strong point, so it has been a lot of work to keep up with things. Luckily two of my bridesmaids live with me and my mom is the point person on a few things (like the catering). Anybody have some great planning tips that they'd like to share?<br />
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This is a bit off topic, but I want to share about my big obsession with the <a href="http://pinterest.com/all/?category=wedding_events">Wedding and Events</a> category on Pinterest. Guys, I spend SO MUCH time on there. Here are a few of my favorite ideas that I've found, and a link to my <a href="http://pinterest.com/abbyqs/something-blue/">wedding board</a>.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1937597120" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj10_YK5oyetB8XSbKpknH5F0vw4zfNdR9NIe4uA7XGBJki3EESGYca7btRBJFMdE5yJRLPsP3a6MmGVHWMqKAj_se9orI6ljgII3K6KdXnEcR1vksZZLgyAojVwmCHfZLPafOTRef5T3s/s400/wedding+pics+upload.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love this idea of a <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/58898707597124015/">little card</a> to ask people to share their pictures. <br />via <a href="http://www.intimateweddings.com/blog/wedding-guest-photos-dont-let-them-get-trapped/">Intimate Weddings</a></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqLVRQtuR0xImUTJC9-Evz3wunmFsRe08FiCh4pszwcpT_-kWY6BjU7UDpseNdu3mpbSXWBqiOOJhyphenhyphenDopiYbcvDVQNhDZgMyWKToL1GeUnsFofsm_sVKjl3sTNoZF6BhDttfI3fotioTk/s1600/grits+bar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqLVRQtuR0xImUTJC9-Evz3wunmFsRe08FiCh4pszwcpT_-kWY6BjU7UDpseNdu3mpbSXWBqiOOJhyphenhyphenDopiYbcvDVQNhDZgMyWKToL1GeUnsFofsm_sVKjl3sTNoZF6BhDttfI3fotioTk/s400/grits+bar.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What's better than a <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/58898707597120853/">grits bar</a> for a southern bride?<br />via <a href="http://iloveswmag.com/2012/05/30/georgia-outdoor-chapel-wedding-by-the-reason/">Southern Weddings</a></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZfYA7hIIO9bwheqqxyJzIiIlGB0qNqQLFfJZ47OIq4kMmETgsmxmT4G4-19Q3cvhSBnQL-dokQ5cIjM1u_A2rlGWbebCdM48c2qKFW4njtObz4r8x3t1XPdhTaBq0i-kvlrurnb8ED4w/s1600/guest+book.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZfYA7hIIO9bwheqqxyJzIiIlGB0qNqQLFfJZ47OIq4kMmETgsmxmT4G4-19Q3cvhSBnQL-dokQ5cIjM1u_A2rlGWbebCdM48c2qKFW4njtObz4r8x3t1XPdhTaBq0i-kvlrurnb8ED4w/s400/guest+book.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the coolest <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/58898707596514366/">guest book</a> I've <u>ever seen</u>. Definitely ordering this.<br />via <a href="http://www.guestbookstore.com/">Guestbook Store</a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQfIsJS8PEsPPZk-FBW93pdPmszs1OwKfgeDG3ZzdK2lrhKFsC8zVdBnq0GX0Tuqksi19CavKFB2GiyKlEFLgl3A2YIgrsXqBPms1c9ajfz-FJTocJebG4NYwqiuTFtQGUC8LI70TiWmc/s1600/pictures+reception.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQfIsJS8PEsPPZk-FBW93pdPmszs1OwKfgeDG3ZzdK2lrhKFsC8zVdBnq0GX0Tuqksi19CavKFB2GiyKlEFLgl3A2YIgrsXqBPms1c9ajfz-FJTocJebG4NYwqiuTFtQGUC8LI70TiWmc/s400/pictures+reception.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I think this is a unique way to showcase <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/58898707597117430/">pictures</a> at the reception. <br />via <a href="http://boards.weddingbee.com/topic/need-help-making-these">Wedding Bee</a></td></tr>
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These four ideas are a mere drop in the bucket of all of the wedding ideas I've pinned. If you'd like to see more, you can check out my <a href="http://pinterest.com/abbyqs/something-blue/">Something Blue</a> board. I'm off to get crazy with more pinning! :] Happy Monday!</div>
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<br />Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04087260166641334754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-898681999113663670.post-16644355799503484722012-06-02T14:00:00.000-04:002012-06-02T14:00:51.819-04:00An Epic MayHi everyone! It's been a long time, huh? Seems like May is tied with December for the busiest month of the year...this past month has been full of celebrating for my family. Birthdays, family members to be (read to the end to hear about that one), graduations, and the end of the school year. My summer break officially started on Friday afternoon and so far it has been great! I have a lot to do this summer, but first let's check out what's been going on. <br />
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What time is it? Summertime! <br />
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No judgement. I will not deny that HSM is awesome. And that song gets me seriously pumped up. You should listen to it while you read to get the full effect.<br /><br />Anyways, I have lots and lots to do today, so I won't linger too long in bloggy world. Here is what I was up to during the month of May, as seen by my phone.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQq1MMXvu15W65OYrY92ffDfHiMBg26qHn1NInstamNL57qV1be69kqvrlh6pVOUs-NI1byLoXNXQ7SxpDtOhsRtu5PhpLnuZldHOOlzsmBfttWP3gZjRW4dGvT0Gt57k0UZ2bFKAagxQ/s1600/cupcakes+with+han+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQq1MMXvu15W65OYrY92ffDfHiMBg26qHn1NInstamNL57qV1be69kqvrlh6pVOUs-NI1byLoXNXQ7SxpDtOhsRtu5PhpLnuZldHOOlzsmBfttWP3gZjRW4dGvT0Gt57k0UZ2bFKAagxQ/s400/cupcakes+with+han+1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cupcakes with my newly graduated sister. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVCjZkuzWW-p4nuyw_Ur48XCiwPhkyEYW4JYKA9GG1HzY5WoIuoyz1Gd3_eLQwUJ3seT5qhlpQ61T5lOY4Xi1I9toK8rFfKr_WJmyTQxvfOLFMAedsAHOvWGmwfo4vl_ztW0_VS6ZFIl8/s1600/dinner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVCjZkuzWW-p4nuyw_Ur48XCiwPhkyEYW4JYKA9GG1HzY5WoIuoyz1Gd3_eLQwUJ3seT5qhlpQ61T5lOY4Xi1I9toK8rFfKr_WJmyTQxvfOLFMAedsAHOvWGmwfo4vl_ztW0_VS6ZFIl8/s400/dinner.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Getting creative with my dinner: fiesta black beans, salsa, a whole avocado, and black bean/garlic chips. DELISH.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYjbl7B6biJA7cM6AM5qcvbR8EQKkKT1WkZAfilp1TOWQGV8aExMED9tkvzZLx2Y6SMfl2glqcJJ1MYOfE11pdy5MTIeusNRyIDujLNPeALuKsewwewtlshLQVDPA44GQ8vO07AMSFpHg/s1600/race+bib.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYjbl7B6biJA7cM6AM5qcvbR8EQKkKT1WkZAfilp1TOWQGV8aExMED9tkvzZLx2Y6SMfl2glqcJJ1MYOfE11pdy5MTIeusNRyIDujLNPeALuKsewwewtlshLQVDPA44GQ8vO07AMSFpHg/s400/race+bib.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My race number from my first ever 5k! Wahoo!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMB9IPfm1PniSN74_8AZX3gYu7UtaTJmpnDINeCExmFnkUNGhQLoxdJjWyR9aLcn3CbQVfbHE_tFSlBcs0qJ9cd3rChyphenhyphen5E315QOPy8RJeF4_OEr1C7NLpb7Qpnt-Cq-woOjYpbl6dF54I/s1600/DSCF4043+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMB9IPfm1PniSN74_8AZX3gYu7UtaTJmpnDINeCExmFnkUNGhQLoxdJjWyR9aLcn3CbQVfbHE_tFSlBcs0qJ9cd3rChyphenhyphen5E315QOPy8RJeF4_OEr1C7NLpb7Qpnt-Cq-woOjYpbl6dF54I/s320/DSCF4043+-+Copy.JPG" width="286" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Action shot of Mr. Biz and myself running said 5k...I don't know why I look happy. I'm pretty sure at this point I felt like I was going to melt into the pavement. I guess I was delirious.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYQToNIrfZrAQ8-Xq39MylffArII-PrAeLwrVxt0bo59uMfDTbLcvD_Le0QiUsx7PznEzz2SV3qXRLWXnjA3d2SoEiFbNbB9LQZ-YIFdplfhcWkDjwTdK1bpH473DrbijFX_s5a1dBaaw/s1600/ring+and+coffee.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYQToNIrfZrAQ8-Xq39MylffArII-PrAeLwrVxt0bo59uMfDTbLcvD_Le0QiUsx7PznEzz2SV3qXRLWXnjA3d2SoEiFbNbB9LQZ-YIFdplfhcWkDjwTdK1bpH473DrbijFX_s5a1dBaaw/s320/ring+and+coffee.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oh yeah. And I got engaged to the most wonderful man in the whole world. No biggie. ;]<br />
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So yeah...May was a pretty awesome. :]<br />
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<img alt="post signature" class="centered" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhejjTzqc9Zje-3ntkUhbMqRSbxmkxJ8Xj3OxnoObg7Mg8FIR_Mhe3C_nCWrengNZArKkpmpTxv40iQQaEX1iCU4i_J_soqrxsSetjxMbK9PAztJ6J0ebwAL_ozB1Ov8dRiSoFauuC6Oz0/s1600/signature+1.png" />Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04087260166641334754noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-898681999113663670.post-75792254888493297892012-05-07T15:30:00.000-04:002012-05-07T15:30:20.540-04:00Eating Creatively<em>This post could be alternately titled "Let's Use Up All of Our Groceries" or "What do we have in the pantry?" </em><br />
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As I've gotten older (and, let's be honest, ever since Biz came into my life), I've become a little more concerned with groceries. As in, only buying what I can eat and trying to plan out my meals for the week. A prime example of this was this past Saturday night. Biz and I got home late from a wedding and wanted to eat something quick and easy. I pulled out some frozen mozzerella bites (yum!), but Mr. Biz decided to go a more creative route. <br /><br />Enter the plain oatmeal.<br /><br />Guys, this man can do <u>anything</u> with a bowl of plain oatmeal. We literally stood in front of the pantry and grabbed anything that had the possibility of being tasty. In all of our Saturday evening creativity, this is what we came up with...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_KGbx2VXKNz51-7Uiy9BmXBcoNAWAEOQ6Yb3DIGG2Ovjf0L7zx9oDppJalFNYtnOueBnBbE_YqeQGJqj38VI2llhBQzmExMd7sVHdKoYsGMvml0RA-M3HKO4chE1cHqyOBBbY_1bmN24/s1600/IMG_7200.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" mea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_KGbx2VXKNz51-7Uiy9BmXBcoNAWAEOQ6Yb3DIGG2Ovjf0L7zx9oDppJalFNYtnOueBnBbE_YqeQGJqj38VI2llhBQzmExMd7sVHdKoYsGMvml0RA-M3HKO4chE1cHqyOBBbY_1bmN24/s400/IMG_7200.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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In case you can't tell, that's plain oatmeal with chocolate chips, raisins, ground cinnamon, Cracker Jacks, and a little bit of chocolate soymilk. And, according to Mr. Biz, it was pretty darn good. <br /><br />Where does your pantry creativity take you?<br />
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<img alt="post signature" class="centered" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhejjTzqc9Zje-3ntkUhbMqRSbxmkxJ8Xj3OxnoObg7Mg8FIR_Mhe3C_nCWrengNZArKkpmpTxv40iQQaEX1iCU4i_J_soqrxsSetjxMbK9PAztJ6J0ebwAL_ozB1Ov8dRiSoFauuC6Oz0/s1600/signature+1.png" />Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04087260166641334754noreply@blogger.com0