tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-87006091481998987132024-02-18T23:26:02.327-06:00Waking up LaughingBlessed are they who can laugh at themselves for they will never cease to be amused.Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17208760084051497226noreply@blogger.comBlogger52125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8700609148199898713.post-46955895855828160342012-08-31T23:52:00.002-05:002012-09-01T00:08:31.174-05:00Summer O12 - Part Deuce<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Are you ready for round two of Summer O12’ happenings so far?? I’m going to assume that if you’re reading this the answer is yes!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
We left off at the 4th of July. The following weekend, Ace and I visited Homer, NE (which if you didn’t know is little but lively). Our friends Adam and Brian had asked Ace to breed some of their dad’s cows. We spent the weekend at their parents house mostly just hanging out while Ace bred cows (I lead a glamorous life, I know). Jessie and I played a spirited game of Battleship and checkers, and I saw a real Indian. <br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
How many master degrees in meat science does it take to smoke ribs? The answer is four plus two hungry dogs.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCJdSjicqqN0nDYyQR0qXz2wSS8UTYnJc2hj-Mqu9o4rQe_hq6fHwb_4p2XPfVZMvXNk1NpLbgWY8kdjCCFkP8oThmld6xFfxMxvCRGjLkK1CKKhfue3iaaIa0gZ_8s4veeB_3vOfulfbO/s1600/IMG_4708web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCJdSjicqqN0nDYyQR0qXz2wSS8UTYnJc2hj-Mqu9o4rQe_hq6fHwb_4p2XPfVZMvXNk1NpLbgWY8kdjCCFkP8oThmld6xFfxMxvCRGjLkK1CKKhfue3iaaIa0gZ_8s4veeB_3vOfulfbO/s320/IMG_4708web.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Who knew there were hills like this in Nebraska?</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUL-VaqGaldfgCxUePvWfVzl1RnzieEE4BV2w2eBdpQI5PFBps_D7xsQqq7bugLOyvJWwXsVJdqV7-sGpWzXmFMkUKKKmeao78srMLcsdLDiq3W1DzMOJ_QsAi8wbJxkgGamwia6dB4SU9/s1600/IMG_4755web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUL-VaqGaldfgCxUePvWfVzl1RnzieEE4BV2w2eBdpQI5PFBps_D7xsQqq7bugLOyvJWwXsVJdqV7-sGpWzXmFMkUKKKmeao78srMLcsdLDiq3W1DzMOJ_QsAi8wbJxkgGamwia6dB4SU9/s320/IMG_4755web.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWoL1TTd0OZhsBtv8N51iD0BDvcV8NWxDfmKCrghKJH_9TImlPA3k-W6uFNsSIH-5BeCdinL-lwwGm_k-rpdGxWxAQYRvLVmeMuWl_VLCvxmIb6Aoi5p4nHLokYwfnP7C5t17LjCTdHCSl/s1600/IMG_4761web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWoL1TTd0OZhsBtv8N51iD0BDvcV8NWxDfmKCrghKJH_9TImlPA3k-W6uFNsSIH-5BeCdinL-lwwGm_k-rpdGxWxAQYRvLVmeMuWl_VLCvxmIb6Aoi5p4nHLokYwfnP7C5t17LjCTdHCSl/s320/IMG_4761web.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgthpBmgAxzEW4upQn4FTAcqT0iuIOUm9oUK4iivc22uWdXwRvwhVYz-bFNaoeagLfIKodocZEMmrgLnpALKZDTSsUmJw87IVY8LnnHh2e2L6vQDyUz-N0VLoxfNBN_gV4fjnUYy1yLVwU-/s1600/IMG_4763web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgthpBmgAxzEW4upQn4FTAcqT0iuIOUm9oUK4iivc22uWdXwRvwhVYz-bFNaoeagLfIKodocZEMmrgLnpALKZDTSsUmJw87IVY8LnnHh2e2L6vQDyUz-N0VLoxfNBN_gV4fjnUYy1yLVwU-/s320/IMG_4763web.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
I couldn't resist this picture. I think it looks like a boy band album cover. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm9ipdi6Fd4bzZNcVrQre1V7AxJflmm5wrqJ06Aawr2JdXD8Eg3GgtlN1WDYQ4AR9LGlC98L_pvxpAZFk30tvWZ55HnZ0PXpIkmzs7_GKPg96I2nuJ_IdZRR2U1dsZ6nx_rc_5tfZ4muf1/s1600/IMG_4771web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm9ipdi6Fd4bzZNcVrQre1V7AxJflmm5wrqJ06Aawr2JdXD8Eg3GgtlN1WDYQ4AR9LGlC98L_pvxpAZFk30tvWZ55HnZ0PXpIkmzs7_GKPg96I2nuJ_IdZRR2U1dsZ6nx_rc_5tfZ4muf1/s320/IMG_4771web.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Yes, Ace does cattle work in shorts when it's hot out. Jealous ladies??</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWWX62twb4XMpC5jOHNa9kJedI3oEcvk-l_0LJKiqZrnIkx6TYub-TTRBtZ2vJtosi7ULGFj8aRP25dvf-mf1Bsg8h2945KPM7wjDZRtgERjMPqEayzVvHShlOTJAXFt0MRNHSEoCBSR5k/s1600/IMG_4773web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWWX62twb4XMpC5jOHNa9kJedI3oEcvk-l_0LJKiqZrnIkx6TYub-TTRBtZ2vJtosi7ULGFj8aRP25dvf-mf1Bsg8h2945KPM7wjDZRtgERjMPqEayzVvHShlOTJAXFt0MRNHSEoCBSR5k/s320/IMG_4773web.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Next, came a weekend in Austin for our Roteract volleyball tournament. I did my best to put together a stellar team after the disappointing showing in last year's tournament. Ace, Jessie, Adam, Johnson, Mac, and my friend Crystal made up my team. I thought we would definitely win at least one game. Sadly, we never left the loser’s bracket and were the first team eliminated. We later played in a loser, loser’s bracket against Holly’s team. We were ahead in the third tie breaker game when we had to quit so the championship game could take place on the court. We went ahead and declared ourselves not the worse team there.. It was a really fun weekend having a house full of visitors. We hung out in the backyard, grilled, and had a bonfire. We then proceeded to burn a cabinet and some random boards from the garage after the firewood ran out. Note to self – next time buy more firewood.<br />
<br />
Rob and Brooke fled the heat of Illinois to visit Minnesota. I took off work on Friday to spend the day with them. We ate at this very yummy restaurant called “The Blue Door Pub”. Brooke had seen it on an episode of Driver’s, Dine Ins, and Dives where they featured SPAM balls and a Minneapolis original – the Juicy Lucy hamburger. The food was delicious! The SPAM balls were deep fried balls of cream cheese, pickles, and SPAM served with a pepper jelly. YUM! Then, in some kind of weird miracle, we convinced the boys to go to Ikea and the Mall of America. Luckily, Ikea has plenty of display couches to sit on and MOA has many dining establishments to sit and have a few beverages. It was a great day! Saturday we went tubing down the Root River in nearby Lanesboro. Vacation does weird things to my brother because he even wore shorts! Everyone needed sunglasses from the whiteness of his legs :)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaFxJqXANnU1KLW_tInAT1Np0WrpB_8QFvQdXJbK9Q-Q_AW3iOu-09YHONC3XB7ycM0or1Nv5aK3k7V-lahEzRbSyFEgPHr5amfvnRUtUVEFbft_ur5CgvPRXn_5daxHIophzQ9eLzv25B/s1600/photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" kda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaFxJqXANnU1KLW_tInAT1Np0WrpB_8QFvQdXJbK9Q-Q_AW3iOu-09YHONC3XB7ycM0or1Nv5aK3k7V-lahEzRbSyFEgPHr5amfvnRUtUVEFbft_ur5CgvPRXn_5daxHIophzQ9eLzv25B/s320/photo+1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-1PMzWmj8fIbj3qixZu_cbqpBQQmvDcENzAPyNwPuAFjpYJYElQbCzDDFtHzVxdeuLehWhLLbB6JmaFmbrSHuUr9PddJHxFoPoeLsBww-bLsUm3JN8T_5TvslVHqH3xSqeUeUzFDgLoRZ/s1600/photo+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" kda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-1PMzWmj8fIbj3qixZu_cbqpBQQmvDcENzAPyNwPuAFjpYJYElQbCzDDFtHzVxdeuLehWhLLbB6JmaFmbrSHuUr9PddJHxFoPoeLsBww-bLsUm3JN8T_5TvslVHqH3xSqeUeUzFDgLoRZ/s320/photo+2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
This year is the 75<sup>th</sup> Anniversary of SPAM.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Betcha didn’t know that! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To celebrate, Hormel planned a big celebration which included the SPAMtastic Challenge. The challenge was an employee team competition that resembled the TV show "Minute to Win It". There were various random games that members of the team had to complete within one minute. I found that I have a talent for being able to slide an Oreo down my face and catch it in my mouth. I’m available for bookings if you’d like me to come show off at your next party! My team was the R&D ‘B’ Team (long story behind that name), and we very surprisingly won! The only thing we won with our rare talents were bragging rights. However R&D was so proud of our efforts that they had an embarrassingly large banner made up that is now displayed on the outside of the building. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
The B Team in first place!</div>
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnkvWUyGP575Mv_61xnNvBI92pU0R9sx8hE3i-dN59i1QeHvT-mlsowiMsgW1hfm6H3BWNskO9ozV43pQvWsNyyfarvfZ-0gFNCFqRvioAfkMeEwI6ZsDOHIhVhkzxS1qD4sNcoBnYH2_T/s1600/IMG-20120727-00076.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" kda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnkvWUyGP575Mv_61xnNvBI92pU0R9sx8hE3i-dN59i1QeHvT-mlsowiMsgW1hfm6H3BWNskO9ozV43pQvWsNyyfarvfZ-0gFNCFqRvioAfkMeEwI6ZsDOHIhVhkzxS1qD4sNcoBnYH2_T/s320/IMG-20120727-00076.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Holly and I dominating at the "move a pop can with a spaghetti noodle" challenge.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB_S0iLNCpJpKeR2aB8bIsake5tbs6Xx3xw8p_XmiGt6Bc3Mr0QZreR8_3xSei3V0-OkYh3mWLBzajZ78H0eyoBMvOs7Uslbho2KoPMxhh1FfcbxhLm36VmmDa_adEyLhfp3Yg52Pa2ZZD/s1600/IMG-20120727-00015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" kda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB_S0iLNCpJpKeR2aB8bIsake5tbs6Xx3xw8p_XmiGt6Bc3Mr0QZreR8_3xSei3V0-OkYh3mWLBzajZ78H0eyoBMvOs7Uslbho2KoPMxhh1FfcbxhLm36VmmDa_adEyLhfp3Yg52Pa2ZZD/s320/IMG-20120727-00015.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
You had to catch three Oreo's to get all of the points. I did just that.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpDv6jrmGAweQMIX0MbdHoMyfxnanwCQU2KFUkeAu1-NdEyA7Fi519LKy1x0y1oAAhVQZp_BgKE92sebU5ZRc5dtS-mLt8azz_IVewnwJa_YK6gif_Sn4T4hWXYDYl16W2DL8SDtIVpa7G/s1600/IMG-20120727-00032.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" kda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpDv6jrmGAweQMIX0MbdHoMyfxnanwCQU2KFUkeAu1-NdEyA7Fi519LKy1x0y1oAAhVQZp_BgKE92sebU5ZRc5dtS-mLt8azz_IVewnwJa_YK6gif_Sn4T4hWXYDYl16W2DL8SDtIVpa7G/s320/IMG-20120727-00032.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
I know my Mom would be so proud.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx9iMI3qopvhD-XUnSq4ktQswFO71eqEEDhD7hBexJgKQEIbIIVNUAxD7yP9IlCtFwtsDrXneBQZ7AmxaD3w7OADbXu4KeUo9Dv_RGyU_Y6ZSKcBYxhyxKfUxW9HQl1FRN7N4g_EOlzMmp/s1600/IMG-20120727-00034.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" kda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx9iMI3qopvhD-XUnSq4ktQswFO71eqEEDhD7hBexJgKQEIbIIVNUAxD7yP9IlCtFwtsDrXneBQZ7AmxaD3w7OADbXu4KeUo9Dv_RGyU_Y6ZSKcBYxhyxKfUxW9HQl1FRN7N4g_EOlzMmp/s320/IMG-20120727-00034.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFuAqm8P9DieW5nDCDsbhWWKH9MWfuiQ18HAFbY4GSAVAns_abhsWhZsyjYFZ7pu4tRB0VVVMLotE1U9ywSW9jOufd7LoYoF2w1GTi8DAi_FgNedQAJ_tTCiXkpMDJWEyVrTeQiM_Otir3/s1600/IMG-20120727-00062.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" kda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFuAqm8P9DieW5nDCDsbhWWKH9MWfuiQ18HAFbY4GSAVAns_abhsWhZsyjYFZ7pu4tRB0VVVMLotE1U9ywSW9jOufd7LoYoF2w1GTi8DAi_FgNedQAJ_tTCiXkpMDJWEyVrTeQiM_Otir3/s320/IMG-20120727-00062.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
August has mostly been spent with Mom and Dad. They had a mini vacation that included visiting me, going to a cabin in very northern Minnesota, and then stopping to visit me again. Ace and I joined them up north in Ely, MN for a weekend. It’s very pretty up there. We attempted to fish, but we only caught one fish all day. Overall, it was a nice relaxing weekend. While Mom and Dad were in Austin they were very good workers. We got so many little projects finished and started some new and exciting projects. Stay tuned for more updates!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7jLqLVmGRec04eONXxff8pWL9GiAu3zcCwotTLU0KxRWzkBRynvV_bMibnIdgbMYFkqi4dvTAf6Tk2tE5wtkCZOmngWRT7FOHdorYj88PE3ozoNvd5zglYkZMthmHkQsI8QUvgrtgfQej/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" fea="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7jLqLVmGRec04eONXxff8pWL9GiAu3zcCwotTLU0KxRWzkBRynvV_bMibnIdgbMYFkqi4dvTAf6Tk2tE5wtkCZOmngWRT7FOHdorYj88PE3ozoNvd5zglYkZMthmHkQsI8QUvgrtgfQej/s320/photo.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
So that very long winded update brings us to the end of summer. I can’t believe it’s over! However, football is starting and I can’t wait to do some tailgating!</div>
Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17208760084051497226noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8700609148199898713.post-85071740892721633202012-07-23T18:31:00.000-05:002012-07-25T11:33:11.540-05:00Summer Update #1I’m not really sure where the time goes anymore! I can’t believe we’re looking at the end of July on the calendar already. I figured I would pop in with a summer update since I’m so good about keeping this updated. Does anyone even read this?? Just wondering :)<br />
<br />
I feel like this summer has been one of the best in more recent years. The native Minnesohtans can’t stop complaining about how hot it is, but for me it feels like the first real summer since I moved here three years ago! It’s been warm enough to swim in the evening (thanks Austin City Pool for opening extended hours while it’s been so hot!), the river was of comfortable temperature during tubing on the 4th of July, and I haven’t needed a jacket in the morning once! I realize that the heat that I love so much has brought on the worst draught in years. I’m dreading my next trip home to actually see how bad it is there. Until that time, I’m going to continue to live in my “I love summer” haze. <br />
<br />
So let’s relive the highlights of Summer O’12 thus far!<br />
<br />
Wait....First let’s back up to Spring O’12<br />
<br />
VanDeWalle branding took place the first weekend of May. There were so many helpers this year. Ace reached out to a family friend’s son who brought two of his friends. My friends from Austin, Scott and Holly decided to check out what ranching is all about. Ace’s friend Derek brought his muscles as usual, and McKenzie (AKA Mac) did pretty much all of the work. Throw Ida, Tina, Sage, Aubrey, Jake, and The Pruitt Family in, and you have one full house! We branded 80 calves in a little over an hour and a half, which I’m pretty sure is some sort of record.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio-KWGbAe3IEoinz01lZn1thxsAjEBx1i9RdM3ornHv4mamD8V0PtczXGfL6NipGuc0wMl9-rMOwHn_qoS_Ja2NiMZ75Ry6QiaYj68IBdTIHrKeV4mJCOb0WU7DpBrXddd9CvbUaSAPuya/s1600/IMG_4450web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio-KWGbAe3IEoinz01lZn1thxsAjEBx1i9RdM3ornHv4mamD8V0PtczXGfL6NipGuc0wMl9-rMOwHn_qoS_Ja2NiMZ75Ry6QiaYj68IBdTIHrKeV4mJCOb0WU7DpBrXddd9CvbUaSAPuya/s320/IMG_4450web.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_-GG7keQPHKRIUhjhVyeCOcXXmCslRDE7CX8-EXqHdqefwi9bGIDQua7S7xggPPUbRNAN-vvPXWJiZFVy-vGY1Sxu7rA2KHQqw_X53GVembf5WamRUAlYWvcy06bf3FvG3snyKuF-1DYE/s1600/IMG_4577web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_-GG7keQPHKRIUhjhVyeCOcXXmCslRDE7CX8-EXqHdqefwi9bGIDQua7S7xggPPUbRNAN-vvPXWJiZFVy-vGY1Sxu7rA2KHQqw_X53GVembf5WamRUAlYWvcy06bf3FvG3snyKuF-1DYE/s320/IMG_4577web.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
The couple that brands together, stays together. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9ZZQqU3b5Pmsu8F8ANEiCdFAI2ZW_bfg33xQRRWI9fFhZSytQv4hmuNeRcj4wBk96wSQfTlSdWodhbW8PDCRV-3dmrZjGYmXQ_1Z5PpGfOnykr0r5DI1BryGE33q-Bc9xONw9mvXwZjX2/s1600/IMG_4579web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9ZZQqU3b5Pmsu8F8ANEiCdFAI2ZW_bfg33xQRRWI9fFhZSytQv4hmuNeRcj4wBk96wSQfTlSdWodhbW8PDCRV-3dmrZjGYmXQ_1Z5PpGfOnykr0r5DI1BryGE33q-Bc9xONw9mvXwZjX2/s320/IMG_4579web.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Please note that the boys behind Schroeder are young, strapping 18 year olds and struggling, while Schroeder got this calf (one of the biggest in the bunch) all by himself, and then smiled for the camera.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgquDOg9d78fTDC3HXvNsVs4AYhNROR82gdQedjYHrJjy65NJvJOjxJGxcvWy3Crb1rnE_OtNFn4peiveIVeihZ83KOlGvIjeqGeeE5TNd4nfQWnZfdTm8DcnCUq8RXp9x90l3I2AQyJDFC/s1600/IMG_4609web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgquDOg9d78fTDC3HXvNsVs4AYhNROR82gdQedjYHrJjy65NJvJOjxJGxcvWy3Crb1rnE_OtNFn4peiveIVeihZ83KOlGvIjeqGeeE5TNd4nfQWnZfdTm8DcnCUq8RXp9x90l3I2AQyJDFC/s320/IMG_4609web.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Next up – I spent a week in Fayetteville, Arkansas in early May. I started my first class in a series of culinary classes for work. These classes are offered to people who work in R&D to teach you to think more like a chef and less like a scientist. I loved it! We cooked and ate all day. I learned how to make soup stock from scratch, sauces such as Hollandaise sauce, and risotto to name a few. I’m pretty much a gourmet cook now :)<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
This was the scene at lunch everyday. Do you think we went hungry at all?</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_1iBGkG3vCECksJHyuWeKm_WL1ySu4i5UQkqzodMTV05Vmv_v_MECoCgaoi_8g5nmTutzJDcd5t2q_3ZmXKZShU9PdK9JeFd0wfEWFyxUONbnEK3GYEKUZuVqn41vS1fyX3UigpqRW-zT/s1600/food3.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_1iBGkG3vCECksJHyuWeKm_WL1ySu4i5UQkqzodMTV05Vmv_v_MECoCgaoi_8g5nmTutzJDcd5t2q_3ZmXKZShU9PdK9JeFd0wfEWFyxUONbnEK3GYEKUZuVqn41vS1fyX3UigpqRW-zT/s320/food3.jpeg" width="238" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuPiZCG7SbeVzXygoTYyaJZ4Jz1cj699Nk3WnMy4nRrJu-MMj8byO1pBpEJmXpkCVb0-yH64BXI7JAgd6GNTtlkzhH0GO2OrLI-8dpnPN_VgsYr7vRMjNuLcL6IWMN0aBe9UBuqkWc8W25/s1600/food7.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuPiZCG7SbeVzXygoTYyaJZ4Jz1cj699Nk3WnMy4nRrJu-MMj8byO1pBpEJmXpkCVb0-yH64BXI7JAgd6GNTtlkzhH0GO2OrLI-8dpnPN_VgsYr7vRMjNuLcL6IWMN0aBe9UBuqkWc8W25/s320/food7.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Memorial weekend I made my usual trek to the great state of Illinois. I traveled to Champaign to see Cory, Petey, and Lock, then to Rachel and David’s in Clinton, and from there we went to Peoria to see Cassie get married. Rachel, Rachel, Lock, and Bethany were reunited for the first time since Rachel’s wedding! It was great to catch up with everyone. Then I traveled home to Chauncey for the rest of the weekend.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;">My life needs more of these people.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo9ug9wTlb4S7x39YL3EVHWluKfjS02Pp8XwtETOGNpApafQbwVuQluxLMFs2Sj6NHwZjZfgWxNlhfCn83QxkkGXQggP4RtvByqGge7UnJIexUFNdaCCCQaz4HJhNxiUVUYprqzwDrkGQO/s1600/IMG_1894web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo9ug9wTlb4S7x39YL3EVHWluKfjS02Pp8XwtETOGNpApafQbwVuQluxLMFs2Sj6NHwZjZfgWxNlhfCn83QxkkGXQggP4RtvByqGge7UnJIexUFNdaCCCQaz4HJhNxiUVUYprqzwDrkGQO/s320/IMG_1894web.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6JuaGhz_ExsG7iT_gmPxLGkFzgFeIUpnkmdNfeoNQ95Lq6Yn_PjEZJRmovvVJt6qxEMO7CakWvKzCBs0DQA_FRZ0VeQdPhOQaqbxs_R7ZrnGjAtHxklITdPQkyqvnojwpZZrvI1D6qh-r/s1600/IMG_1895web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6JuaGhz_ExsG7iT_gmPxLGkFzgFeIUpnkmdNfeoNQ95Lq6Yn_PjEZJRmovvVJt6qxEMO7CakWvKzCBs0DQA_FRZ0VeQdPhOQaqbxs_R7ZrnGjAtHxklITdPQkyqvnojwpZZrvI1D6qh-r/s320/IMG_1895web.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAIYzIgmMvEoHRm72WoPblLHY5MOZkcv6Y-YwiC6tEZQFyLYlClIhWQYn3P2XnxmnGw2d8wyJAtBSpb5ap5VMaYsxQUCgqSnycVIfdUJUj51Rs3XuWrd9cG4oSHBUb99nxmSSpD3eWiKyi/s1600/IMG_1901web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAIYzIgmMvEoHRm72WoPblLHY5MOZkcv6Y-YwiC6tEZQFyLYlClIhWQYn3P2XnxmnGw2d8wyJAtBSpb5ap5VMaYsxQUCgqSnycVIfdUJUj51Rs3XuWrd9cG4oSHBUb99nxmSSpD3eWiKyi/s320/IMG_1901web.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
In June, I golfed in our R&D golf outing. I’m proud to report that our team scored the most points, but apparently scoring the most points is not the object of the game. We still won a trophy – The Dudley. I was also on the board (briefly) for longest drive. It was probably the longest, straightest drive of my golf career. However, it didn't take long for one of our interns, who plays golf in college, to absolutely smoke by my drive. Bummer.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTSuTj1BQct-sAmt8IYLV84yYKsPgTNIr025m36f96oJ6Oh7GQYX-UX3jbHpFXryQzLHF_mW0GomINPUDZ_gYLJTCNLt7Rq0Si6OBx5tutG4xYoQiT4wIF3ack-ogiKCRMZPDlBb8Pyua1/s1600/Dudley.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTSuTj1BQct-sAmt8IYLV84yYKsPgTNIr025m36f96oJ6Oh7GQYX-UX3jbHpFXryQzLHF_mW0GomINPUDZ_gYLJTCNLt7Rq0Si6OBx5tutG4xYoQiT4wIF3ack-ogiKCRMZPDlBb8Pyua1/s320/Dudley.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJcXQJ100qBvlDrATDccxd23e_HEQFkju64KJKR1KoPAWis4pBpnBvNRacxMHejseBV5DTiSX6SihT-LYsaMacONiYjWT5UGDJPe9MxMeOQBf45OwRjniOcmBl7t7Xzx2ZTG8xtoJbRLLX/s1600/drive.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJcXQJ100qBvlDrATDccxd23e_HEQFkju64KJKR1KoPAWis4pBpnBvNRacxMHejseBV5DTiSX6SihT-LYsaMacONiYjWT5UGDJPe9MxMeOQBf45OwRjniOcmBl7t7Xzx2ZTG8xtoJbRLLX/s320/drive.jpeg" width="238" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Since the 4th of July was annoyingly on a Wednesday this year, I couldn’t take the time off of work to participate in the mud volleyball tournament in Ericson, Nebraska. To make up for my absence, we planned a tanking trip the weekend before the 4th. Since the river and electronics really don’t mix, I don’t have any pictures of this year’s excursion. So, I've provided a picture of last year's tank and a picture that was taken after watching the James Lee Band perfrom that night. There’s really no explanation as to why Shark is wearing a leopard tank top. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-0eQKfoJTcvbAUUFsVLV7xAJRhMm9zq0QWBFuMiKAQ6Iujbp2nLlGww5s80qTgMVI5H2Zq_d2H-VJJ-mB-F1qi0SlJrVTASZqZ9Qwdn9oAzU2oxqafkshYWtbwrs-kuuIpMJwqfLgrMTy/s1600/photo+(21).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-0eQKfoJTcvbAUUFsVLV7xAJRhMm9zq0QWBFuMiKAQ6Iujbp2nLlGww5s80qTgMVI5H2Zq_d2H-VJJ-mB-F1qi0SlJrVTASZqZ9Qwdn9oAzU2oxqafkshYWtbwrs-kuuIpMJwqfLgrMTy/s320/photo+(21).JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5NTrEOAcDTHMYYfgiDCDHweZZkcisbxzIFtV-mZHl9RADNqKnRz12poQbSyVia8JnN6fuChnJnvn6VkRAJOZmBDZY6K4AHtJXcSuJnnWdra-vpsU4RMobzIkiBetfNnFCzuJvFGrV5l7P/s1600/photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5NTrEOAcDTHMYYfgiDCDHweZZkcisbxzIFtV-mZHl9RADNqKnRz12poQbSyVia8JnN6fuChnJnvn6VkRAJOZmBDZY6K4AHtJXcSuJnnWdra-vpsU4RMobzIkiBetfNnFCzuJvFGrV5l7P/s320/photo+1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
The kickball season is in full swing. Ace has even been able to come over for a few games. I had to document the two of us wearing matching shirts, as he vowed that it would never happen! Apparently athletic t-shirts are the only exception to his rule.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglj01NAQEiwBoPyF6WEJtz1v43uwG7q4m-4FBFbypcVUEtoBA1m9WnohaCpZXwTfiFxF9C8EE9uZcOIf5qpuE8xhNpj1cLqpz4PjbC0GHvqnz5x2GlsjS_QZN8S_2CvJM_y8hnVecHbza9/s1600/IMG_1902web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglj01NAQEiwBoPyF6WEJtz1v43uwG7q4m-4FBFbypcVUEtoBA1m9WnohaCpZXwTfiFxF9C8EE9uZcOIf5qpuE8xhNpj1cLqpz4PjbC0GHvqnz5x2GlsjS_QZN8S_2CvJM_y8hnVecHbza9/s320/IMG_1902web.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
Stay tuned for more summer updates!Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17208760084051497226noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8700609148199898713.post-4058142776044506012012-05-20T14:13:00.003-05:002012-05-20T14:13:30.897-05:00Guest Room<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The guest room is in the front corner of the house. It may be technically considered the master bedroom, but I didn't want my room to be so close to the street. In my old apartment my guest room was kind of neglected and filled with random leftover furniture. I didn't even have a queen sized bed for guests. When I moved into my house, I knew I wanted to buy a new mattress for myself. So now my guests have a proper sized bed to stay in. Mom also helped paint this room. I had yellow curtains from my old apartment and I knew I wanted to go with a yellow and gray color scheme. </div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
The guest room the day I moved in.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSm6XjZ4DBv0N17hKt5HnvLk9cUXNiSjCYEgMBMBATT-jgEz268TzvYfgoTQdQdx-YWdWNYdr35OtPYkKgNvgNPuNv1gT5CG17OiBRq2pr1DkcEM5dUpTO3uoDoheo9NX2pGJDSj6nNnkj/s1600/IMG_1448.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSm6XjZ4DBv0N17hKt5HnvLk9cUXNiSjCYEgMBMBATT-jgEz268TzvYfgoTQdQdx-YWdWNYdr35OtPYkKgNvgNPuNv1gT5CG17OiBRq2pr1DkcEM5dUpTO3uoDoheo9NX2pGJDSj6nNnkj/s320/IMG_1448.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I picked the color "bell tower stone" by Valspar in Sherwin Williams paint. I love the color. It's rich but not too dark and the yellow really stands out nicely against it. I lived without a matching comforter for awhile. I found this duvet color set from <a href="http://www.westelm.com/" target="_blank">West Elm</a> and completed the bed with some throw pillows from Target. Months later I finally hung my favorite Van Gogh prints and other pictures. The only thing left to do in this room is get a new light fixture. I've been looking for one that I like, but is at a reasonable price. But with only one item left on the to do list the guest room is the most complete room in the house! I almost love it more than my master bedroom!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWoRM2VZ_JbxMnWdmyQUJSeOfF_679vjZcZiDkv4gQGThqx6JEGvDjoyCDDNCMx53hmnBPhR9VzSD36KH-XBAZH9N8RPaaoGzA8IEs-LdwZA3_daPLChqADLg1ZjCW-povBsmkHgmKiajG/s1600/IMG_4308.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWoRM2VZ_JbxMnWdmyQUJSeOfF_679vjZcZiDkv4gQGThqx6JEGvDjoyCDDNCMx53hmnBPhR9VzSD36KH-XBAZH9N8RPaaoGzA8IEs-LdwZA3_daPLChqADLg1ZjCW-povBsmkHgmKiajG/s320/IMG_4308.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Mom helped make the curtains from fabric from JoAnn fabrics. The wood shelves on the floor are my old 4H House desk shelves. Maybe one day I'll replace them with something else. Dad made them for me so they have a little sentimental value!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgInaGIWQcTRQ7Vc-ltgqftggElk_xrgCMrI2xVjAOKQkqqA6FQCfZztR7IYFhg_6DDRZByoSmSPyFfB62DT3cCiqa0XMrDrCB8GVbs_0cWIR-d757xLI3Kf4pVnlsxU3-6uzalsfYhFgnR/s1600/IMG_4313.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgInaGIWQcTRQ7Vc-ltgqftggElk_xrgCMrI2xVjAOKQkqqA6FQCfZztR7IYFhg_6DDRZByoSmSPyFfB62DT3cCiqa0XMrDrCB8GVbs_0cWIR-d757xLI3Kf4pVnlsxU3-6uzalsfYhFgnR/s320/IMG_4313.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
The light fixture is brassy and outdated. The glass has etched designs on it so the light throws subtle shadows over the room. I really dislike it, but since I'm rarely in here at night I can live with it for now.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR8Bo_TG5_RsPTTDJ1AkOYi3hndYcZWr5PrnIrnothLgwSoNxhwNGsICTUT9Z9rr5Nnv62Fn5rTQBoIYzstkz5AvoWxnrhqkl6P0IUHMC4ilD4Q8MdnQTQUEWwmwxhh15SbJMDwSu824xf/s1600/IMG_4311.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR8Bo_TG5_RsPTTDJ1AkOYi3hndYcZWr5PrnIrnothLgwSoNxhwNGsICTUT9Z9rr5Nnv62Fn5rTQBoIYzstkz5AvoWxnrhqkl6P0IUHMC4ilD4Q8MdnQTQUEWwmwxhh15SbJMDwSu824xf/s320/IMG_4311.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17208760084051497226noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8700609148199898713.post-4836498978894921072012-05-01T21:32:00.002-05:002012-05-01T21:36:47.172-05:00The Dining Room<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHQWsVxbwtsHW7O4XuajWuKLtcC6G1V4RHl7jDHR7bowk1Nnu4Shvj9VF7EwYmbcAS69RjHTBhKLQF714ZjwWLt_F86OmmNFN5aBKeiCe4tnyWmLxy4PNYsiOEVWHEiv8djoJ7YkKGDnzZ/s1600/IMG_1452.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHQWsVxbwtsHW7O4XuajWuKLtcC6G1V4RHl7jDHR7bowk1Nnu4Shvj9VF7EwYmbcAS69RjHTBhKLQF714ZjwWLt_F86OmmNFN5aBKeiCe4tnyWmLxy4PNYsiOEVWHEiv8djoJ7YkKGDnzZ/s200/IMG_1452.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
</div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
The dining room has seemingly been a never ending work in progress. When I moved in, all of the walls in my house were the same shade of white and mostly in good shape. The dining room walls were, however, full of nail holes and covered in scratches. Since I'm the worst at making decisions, but really good at picking up every paint sample under the sun, I decided to patch the holes and repaint over the bad spots. There was a leftover can of paint in the basement conveniently labeled 'dining room', and I could stop obsessing about how bad the walls looked until I could decide what color to paint. This method seemed to work until the paint dried and you could totally see the places where I re-painted. I knew I'd need to paint the entire wall sooner rather than later. One weekend while Mom was visiting she had already painted my guest bedroom and was ready to tackle another project. She forced me to finally pick a color from my stack of 2,323,234 paint samples. After staring at these samples for months I finally just gave up and randomly picked two colors. Mom and I worked out a plan to paint the wall two different colors and to later add chair rail molding to dress up the room. <br />
<br />
The top color is Province Blue by Benjamin Moore and the bottom color is Tempered Allspice by Valspar. Mom painted this room in one afternoon. She is the lady to call if you have some painting to do! We then successfully hung a new shelf from Ikea. PS - I'm a real pro when it comes to power tools :) The plan was to use the shelf to make a picture gallery wall. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguNsOmzi9dOEUQQNj4tquZmTb-QZ5K2uTYwmRROHCAYlI130hUodDmFB04CeB-0ErjsBHz3wdIHTJlVznSqSdEhUlDRPztRZcsU6A5WweFoVn-aU-FfX0a0a47kzQ_84HQuBbZVIwS_oFS/s1600/IMG_2061.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" qda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguNsOmzi9dOEUQQNj4tquZmTb-QZ5K2uTYwmRROHCAYlI130hUodDmFB04CeB-0ErjsBHz3wdIHTJlVznSqSdEhUlDRPztRZcsU6A5WweFoVn-aU-FfX0a0a47kzQ_84HQuBbZVIwS_oFS/s320/IMG_2061.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvaOYDb77Ihyphenhyphen9T_jO1SgZIoY-tMc6UeKaGnsIv4hwO0zEwBbDsLD4dT_RW1XNXTbiIphgIuQT84MqfMJ56gQ8WfV_TVFHHdEYvj0XYYStHVnyosAtsyToS0E54qOkj4Nfov_h_BgQmdmWL/s1600/IMG_1802.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvaOYDb77Ihyphenhyphen9T_jO1SgZIoY-tMc6UeKaGnsIv4hwO0zEwBbDsLD4dT_RW1XNXTbiIphgIuQT84MqfMJ56gQ8WfV_TVFHHdEYvj0XYYStHVnyosAtsyToS0E54qOkj4Nfov_h_BgQmdmWL/s200/IMG_1802.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
While I was home for Thanksgiving we picked out trim at Lowe's, my brother cut the pieces, and I picked the pieces back up at Christmas. The pieces then sat in my basement for about three months until I found the closest shade of stain that would match my existing trim. This proved to be a more difficult task than I first thought it would be. I realized that the floor trim and the window trim are just slightly different from each other. I ended up using three coats of stain and I sealed them with polyurethane that I found in the basement left by the previous owners. The end result is very close to the existing finishes. It’s not perfect, but it doesn't bother me that all of the trim isn’t exactly the same. Next came hanging the trim. I borrowed a nail gun from a coworker, and Adam came to the rescue with an air compressor. He helped me hang the trim (and finish some other projects) while he and Jessie were visiting in March. Adam is a pretty good house guest who gets a lot more enthusiastic about my many projects than Ace does. :)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5IF_BLMXnmoKuazAYl09dDzdm08iNiwSZqMyTHNZlVZGRsi8LvClvMe_BmuQ6TaE6kbjiXos452mWBtzZEQ03iUAvdoYtzKmpbFFS0Yrpe_88Js6GesTSf2HJl6R7Uga8D-Yn4KrHYNx-/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" qda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5IF_BLMXnmoKuazAYl09dDzdm08iNiwSZqMyTHNZlVZGRsi8LvClvMe_BmuQ6TaE6kbjiXos452mWBtzZEQ03iUAvdoYtzKmpbFFS0Yrpe_88Js6GesTSf2HJl6R7Uga8D-Yn4KrHYNx-/s320/photo.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
After the trim was hung, the room looked much more complete. However, I started to doubt my original choices of paint. The room just seemed too dark. The brown looked too heavy, and I felt like it didn't fit with the rest of the house. After seeing a lot of turquoise and gray rooms on Pinterest I decided to switch up the paint. I really liked the original turquoise color, but decided it should be the anchor of the wall. I chose Light French Gray by Sherwin Williams to go on the top of the wall. I’m so happy with the results! The room is much “fresher” now and is not at all dark. It flows much better with the other rooms as well.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim-WWrrIZYMGMCQCVBhMDkq6lwaK6b5pvIPrv3qmkWBAtA2FZFtRMXwgAlHQghUp-WdR8IoTg-QTpEisva1KXEv450nF5r-z7A9hAXEFK9QZQSMD_C-gUtmhqnY_bYmn4jx6NaBEeYsr_u/s1600/IMG_4121.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim-WWrrIZYMGMCQCVBhMDkq6lwaK6b5pvIPrv3qmkWBAtA2FZFtRMXwgAlHQghUp-WdR8IoTg-QTpEisva1KXEv450nF5r-z7A9hAXEFK9QZQSMD_C-gUtmhqnY_bYmn4jx6NaBEeYsr_u/s320/IMG_4121.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
The final touch was to finish the gallery picture wall. My inspiration came from this <a href="http://www.thehouseofsmiths.com/2011/08/gallery-wall-decorating-tips-photo.html" target="_blank">blog</a>. I made a trip to Ikea and purchased various sizes of the 'Ribba' frame. I took the paper out of the frames to use as spacers on the wall. This method was not 100% effective at accurately figuring how the frames would fit, because the frames added an extra inch or so. But it worked well enough. Some of the frames are a bit close to the ceiling, but it works. The hardest part was deciding which pictures to use. I knew I wanted some of my farm pictures that I've taken along with some family pictures.</div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6Hr8Gw09I7RGqyPbwAOj4mh-aoUNwFoNyXOt-QkqtKXywWNX9WkkhD2hVObp9Wk3c_knPSuVjVD2tC8oOPLMNRk9Iwj7Siw6ATfWcJL2dZ-cqBNyT2OLVX1QDUmMDlGgXA-pUPPFMcs-I/s1600/IMG_4120.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6Hr8Gw09I7RGqyPbwAOj4mh-aoUNwFoNyXOt-QkqtKXywWNX9WkkhD2hVObp9Wk3c_knPSuVjVD2tC8oOPLMNRk9Iwj7Siw6ATfWcJL2dZ-cqBNyT2OLVX1QDUmMDlGgXA-pUPPFMcs-I/s320/IMG_4120.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
I love the final look! I love that all the frames match, and I love how white and clean they are against the gray wall. The wall looks white in these pictures, but it's a subtle gray in person. The paint is also more turquoise than blue. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0jNXiE57sZXMaVP9QLSaDjMgtsVlXZS8mTnJs3N1Od6Z_GNTInpgaiJyJZxVjXUpsjR5LEBgHC2N4LLZ-w1zQhTc4w89QyFhx-n8d9c5HDf4nd9zYtI-DVosbQfvYGogjTyjdfM4-4apW/s1600/IMG_4417.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0jNXiE57sZXMaVP9QLSaDjMgtsVlXZS8mTnJs3N1Od6Z_GNTInpgaiJyJZxVjXUpsjR5LEBgHC2N4LLZ-w1zQhTc4w89QyFhx-n8d9c5HDf4nd9zYtI-DVosbQfvYGogjTyjdfM4-4apW/s320/IMG_4417.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimCnK7J3jiI6GEhAU3WzrIUTJFLmnMLbce8-LNcN05TLoRQ5rHSSG3r8kckcQ3M0j00s8aE467SWres_CNvs0yz16aJRgLA1rQDMQXdxOQBFiPOOhkzuoYmHXjb_LkyDu0qHqaXahsaa2x/s1600/IMG_4424.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimCnK7J3jiI6GEhAU3WzrIUTJFLmnMLbce8-LNcN05TLoRQ5rHSSG3r8kckcQ3M0j00s8aE467SWres_CNvs0yz16aJRgLA1rQDMQXdxOQBFiPOOhkzuoYmHXjb_LkyDu0qHqaXahsaa2x/s320/IMG_4424.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBi_qRbDzuJirboTzmGlkedpsQz0JJ6JK7egDvDOM1jBLr60_WAIoc2gdop9O4wBM_mWMGrEj0hPENciyxXOl84F3F9dNylYJ9JWmoETXNs-jOar8r1xjWjdGxVmGE9TA_1xstXjF1N_X6/s1600/IMG_4422.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBi_qRbDzuJirboTzmGlkedpsQz0JJ6JK7egDvDOM1jBLr60_WAIoc2gdop9O4wBM_mWMGrEj0hPENciyxXOl84F3F9dNylYJ9JWmoETXNs-jOar8r1xjWjdGxVmGE9TA_1xstXjF1N_X6/s320/IMG_4422.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I think the shelf needs a few other items. I have one lonesome Mason jar sitting there now. However, it took almost 6 months to get to this phase so it may take me a little longer to find some shelf accents!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1VGiRdsnvmdHwhsHjedf3na7rR-L4MmHst9LyDVGIzbY9C6oGLVB5bluwYu-ZUp5peqchsozk5evgi4CnH_WUOzjNZm2SBTRlzvlH7rIGW8Pn_XPuhiC_f5C0VWT5v-0ylwKr_4ko-LVN/s1600/IMG_4426.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1VGiRdsnvmdHwhsHjedf3na7rR-L4MmHst9LyDVGIzbY9C6oGLVB5bluwYu-ZUp5peqchsozk5evgi4CnH_WUOzjNZm2SBTRlzvlH7rIGW8Pn_XPuhiC_f5C0VWT5v-0ylwKr_4ko-LVN/s320/IMG_4426.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg94UjU-AfdhQEoN2e9_NyKR63h6IKzHr-Sd1Ojtn9hus3F4CBfIM5NS91U0czGNPcKncsxGsVlT6AOSqb7dFkTQwglxBG_8oTRsEn9TmrufWuKYyQlx_y9tIWYnR_mzR53lxfiZnenwe2b/s1600/IMG_4428.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg94UjU-AfdhQEoN2e9_NyKR63h6IKzHr-Sd1Ojtn9hus3F4CBfIM5NS91U0czGNPcKncsxGsVlT6AOSqb7dFkTQwglxBG_8oTRsEn9TmrufWuKYyQlx_y9tIWYnR_mzR53lxfiZnenwe2b/s320/IMG_4428.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
There are still a couple of items on the dining room to do list. I’d like to find a really big clock to hang on the wall opposite of the frame wall. I’m also planning to take down the chandelier and spray paint it silver. Mom is making a new curtain for the window to better match the new colors. I've thought about sanding and painting or re-staining my table, and I'm loving the look of mismatched chairs right now. I've been keeping my eyes open for a good deal on chairs.</div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br />
I'm calling the dining room a (semi)finished success! </div>
</div>Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17208760084051497226noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8700609148199898713.post-71196096078481180672012-04-01T15:08:00.000-05:002012-04-01T15:12:04.822-05:00Old Door Entryway BenchEver since I moved in to my house, I've been on the hunt for some sort of entryway bench. When you walk in the front door, there is a small alcove set back in the wall. I had a picture in my head for what I wanted, but I was having a hard time finding something that fit the correct dimensions. After joining Pinterest, I started seeing a lot of ideas using old doors. I began to think about using an old door and turning it into some sort of hall tree/bench. The downside is that I am not a carpenter and had no idea how to turn my idea into a reality. While I was home for Thanksgiving, I mentioned my idea to Grandma Betty. She told me that our relatives, Larry and Caroline Legg, have been selling benches similar to what I described. Larry and Caroline make and sale crafts at local craft fairs. Mom and I set out the day after Thanksgiving to stop by their house to see what goodies we could find. They had a couple already made, but they weren't exactly what I wanted. Luckily, Larry is a good family friend, and has had a soft spot for me ever since I started showing cattle as a cute little girl (I don't really know if the last part is true, but he does like me a lot). He quickly started going through all the doors he had in the shop until I picked one that I liked. We went over the desired dimensions, types of hooks he uses, whether I wanted Caroline to paint it or paint it myself, he showed me the choices of door knobs, and in about an hour I had ordered my custom made entryway bench. He delivered the finished product to Grandma's in a little under two weeks. I assured him that he could take his time because I wouldn't be home again until Christmas, but this fell on deaf ears :) Like I said, Larry likes me. I opted to paint it myself. I forgot to take a before picture, but it was originally a green door with red trim. Larry takes all the windows out of the doors to make them safer and lighter to handle. He also cuts the bottom of the door off where he adds the bench to help make it lighter. He then adds a shelf to the top, and a curtain rod on the back so that a little curtain can be hung. They turn out really cute. I primed the door white, and then used the same turquoise paint that I used on the old window picture frame. I distressed the shelf by sanding it in places with sandpaper. It looks good, although I kind of wish I would have tried to crackle paint it. I still love how it turned out! <br />
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The curtain rod on the back. I don't have a curtain on there now. I've thought about having a farm picture printed out and applying it to the back to show through the windows.</div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvZYUI4fk0hqLbeJScheyZ_8mtKMAgWd94Am54oYN5vzqXiumDhLg_9FwwQiPCpvEXOGpSUDkJZODkCUogWhO1WN94m3o34LwZGSYFdO9mbFxz1L97Kvg4sX2deJjef7Bxi4R-q2CAvX_a/s1600/IMG_2974.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvZYUI4fk0hqLbeJScheyZ_8mtKMAgWd94Am54oYN5vzqXiumDhLg_9FwwQiPCpvEXOGpSUDkJZODkCUogWhO1WN94m3o34LwZGSYFdO9mbFxz1L97Kvg4sX2deJjef7Bxi4R-q2CAvX_a/s320/IMG_2974.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The back pre-painted</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguuODpo5J8pWL9m3NMwZX5AxwpU5v1D7n-qKzf60atMvEZRwuvzEm99aDT_n9xzioStORPxodLue9DCip9NuglGoIGOXHTWbBzq33Z-lWayi1iH43iHIkz3QAoiwSbSYGck_WShLzieKc4/s1600/IMG_2973.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguuODpo5J8pWL9m3NMwZX5AxwpU5v1D7n-qKzf60atMvEZRwuvzEm99aDT_n9xzioStORPxodLue9DCip9NuglGoIGOXHTWbBzq33Z-lWayi1iH43iHIkz3QAoiwSbSYGck_WShLzieKc4/s320/IMG_2973.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The front after priming.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPqJKkh7AIulL3ZIsRadP33T9EgWGwrvY0f1nO108nK4Hh_80EAVvV7aS5JXAm0yhLklI9Eexw6R3abWCbxBw2eYNsvorwhpr80oY3RwE4mOvRj3JV7bJ0sHtYEpRCcISGrsExinbtj6MQ/s1600/IMG_2975.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPqJKkh7AIulL3ZIsRadP33T9EgWGwrvY0f1nO108nK4Hh_80EAVvV7aS5JXAm0yhLklI9Eexw6R3abWCbxBw2eYNsvorwhpr80oY3RwE4mOvRj3JV7bJ0sHtYEpRCcISGrsExinbtj6MQ/s320/IMG_2975.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1lO3X9NtRksIGk7JGRmNU1tEY27O6mGvi5vGgnRXSigTZwYpK_Fv-ijFJOs54EnWzEJxBGwc0CpjAVW_peYxMFWygrqzBnr-W73YmLPDDiYqmF_ta55B8zjIAH_Y6BN2DchQVFjYoOzR2/s1600/IMG_2976.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1lO3X9NtRksIGk7JGRmNU1tEY27O6mGvi5vGgnRXSigTZwYpK_Fv-ijFJOs54EnWzEJxBGwc0CpjAVW_peYxMFWygrqzBnr-W73YmLPDDiYqmF_ta55B8zjIAH_Y6BN2DchQVFjYoOzR2/s320/IMG_2976.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
First coat of paint</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj24ZsGDTYykv1d0K8khens8cKk6stZCymn73TltD1fwi7Sj4BMCm8taGV-SQPAOc1yOIhdVXTZAJHH_pC366a48ddMnGMtAmrQNYZZi7llhmf7nRNfmlhWaCL02oHgUsD9AXBGopvkMQi/s1600/IMG_2979.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj24ZsGDTYykv1d0K8khens8cKk6stZCymn73TltD1fwi7Sj4BMCm8taGV-SQPAOc1yOIhdVXTZAJHH_pC366a48ddMnGMtAmrQNYZZi7llhmf7nRNfmlhWaCL02oHgUsD9AXBGopvkMQi/s320/IMG_2979.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The very boring entry way before </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi70ItGX3t9mSW-8SE3XupPK3Xfnn_XPaDPc2UjwJoCkHX9-ohxx-FVw2RW9mBnoy7e6n7pR-ev3HaWnek0BiEhjRn9MuIT8lUc3MSXYDzlZnWcrs-ZVRaNC0XqA0NM20ODTwsrr6avYRmP/s1600/IMG_2983.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi70ItGX3t9mSW-8SE3XupPK3Xfnn_XPaDPc2UjwJoCkHX9-ohxx-FVw2RW9mBnoy7e6n7pR-ev3HaWnek0BiEhjRn9MuIT8lUc3MSXYDzlZnWcrs-ZVRaNC0XqA0NM20ODTwsrr6avYRmP/s320/IMG_2983.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The new and improved entryway. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3VKxg8twBQznK_BHQO8UJP4YZXNk37xAEt1CllPv71vI5juBhwinM4UnNhp2D7DRgTPJMsATqzaD29LI1qlpAVL7ubrpe8tcKIE9qXoU3tkW7FWTLnVdzOYCr_XJqMLC5evPaiYmcdf4g/s1600/IMG_2993.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3VKxg8twBQznK_BHQO8UJP4YZXNk37xAEt1CllPv71vI5juBhwinM4UnNhp2D7DRgTPJMsATqzaD29LI1qlpAVL7ubrpe8tcKIE9qXoU3tkW7FWTLnVdzOYCr_XJqMLC5evPaiYmcdf4g/s320/IMG_2993.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_jnGVZ-jMfxeR09q7mluT7Wfgm50pu8ySb9K7fEtgWhCNBFbqtDsarrSr-zTLeVU60z6M-BsFekPU57Z6YiDiFeRBnXsjAEJY7_sdLhV-xKtlpFiaIUakIpW8OmnLuZvUN2GVwS6LV2IN/s1600/IMG_2989.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_jnGVZ-jMfxeR09q7mluT7Wfgm50pu8ySb9K7fEtgWhCNBFbqtDsarrSr-zTLeVU60z6M-BsFekPU57Z6YiDiFeRBnXsjAEJY7_sdLhV-xKtlpFiaIUakIpW8OmnLuZvUN2GVwS6LV2IN/s320/IMG_2989.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Here's a close up of the very cool antique door knob that Larry included. He does several projects with these, and is always on the hunt for them. This one is antique brass with a glass knob. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqJqBRh9FO0PUD4hyphenhyphen8QwD_15nRBObHSMZnSEIdX9kQxHM97IE-byTXLwyEUQGcDPDGgwzz7IdJ4srvY0eY1dq4H85ysLiBiEoiOjDexyseV_7T8DLXOflc4Jg2ZJ6LiQwLi1QGw6JspfPp/s1600/IMG_2995.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqJqBRh9FO0PUD4hyphenhyphen8QwD_15nRBObHSMZnSEIdX9kQxHM97IE-byTXLwyEUQGcDPDGgwzz7IdJ4srvY0eY1dq4H85ysLiBiEoiOjDexyseV_7T8DLXOflc4Jg2ZJ6LiQwLi1QGw6JspfPp/s320/IMG_2995.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Mr. Pig would like to welcome you!! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifPojlId9wn9_ceXGZ-t6zPZjVFW-xuap27oQDeY7gWGtFkAfWHJPcRIKV9QPAyRfn_xPvpY6XO15iPRqFUpXZA_vZoPiZTGNX6bw82uog6C5iNga3Qb2xsGPNi6sekWVchMssYSEJhWEB/s1600/IMG_2998.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifPojlId9wn9_ceXGZ-t6zPZjVFW-xuap27oQDeY7gWGtFkAfWHJPcRIKV9QPAyRfn_xPvpY6XO15iPRqFUpXZA_vZoPiZTGNX6bw82uog6C5iNga3Qb2xsGPNi6sekWVchMssYSEJhWEB/s320/IMG_2998.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
The last few weeks have been full of crossing projects off of the to do list. Can't wait to show some before and after pictures!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17208760084051497226noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8700609148199898713.post-43263754568432257702012-02-29T16:40:00.001-06:002012-02-29T16:40:25.827-06:00Life<br />
The last few of weeks have been one big roller coaster full of emotion.
Ace's mom passed away on February 3 and my brother got married on
February 8. I started, stopped, and restarted this blog post several
times. I even thought about just skipping over it and instead writing a post
about something I've worked on in the house recently. But I think I
should write something about the last few weeks. <st1:place w:st="on">Doris</st1:place>
lost her life to cancer. When she conquered the disease almost 3 years
ago there was always the possibility that it would come back. However,
when it came back and took her life in only one week it was a huge
shock. I don't believe anything can prepare you for the loss of a parent
no matter how old you are. It's something I would not wish on anyone. If
there is a silver lining it's that she's no longer tired and
sick. She didn't want to go through chemo again, and we all believe she
knew what was coming long before anyone else did. <o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<st1:place w:st="on">Doris</st1:place> was a second mom to a lot of
people. Ace always refers to home as Hotel De VanDeWalle. Pretty
much anyone is welcome at anytime, and <st1:place w:st="on">Doris</st1:place>
always made sure there was plenty to eat. Even on some pretty late
nights, there would always magically be sandwiches or snacks out on the
counter. I'll never again eat potato salad or homemade salsa that
even comes close to hers. Since the first time I went home with Ace,
<st1:place w:st="on">Doris</st1:place> has always welcomed me and made me
feel at home. It was nice to have another home to go to since my family
lives so far away. Now their house seems so strange without her
there. <o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
The visitation and funeral were a true testament to how loved and missed she
is. I haven't heard the final count, but I'm guessing there were upwards
of 300+ people that came to say goodbye. It's hard to understand why God
takes the good ones and why cancer even has to exist. The phrase
"life is too short" has taken on new meaning. <o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
The day after the funeral, I stood up as "Best Man" at my
brother's wedding in <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Key West</st1:place></st1:city>.
I struggled with how silly it seemed to be going on vacation after what had
just happened. I was also certain TSA was going to mark me as a
suspicious person and ban me from flying as I cried my way through the airport.
(The crying was intensified by the fact that my flight was delayed and I
then had to spend the night in <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Dallas</st1:place></st1:city>
and I didn't know if I'd even make it to the wedding on time, but that's a
whole other blog post!) I did make it to <st1:state w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Florida</st1:place></st1:state> in time and managed to turn off the
sad and turn on the happy. What had happened in the days
before made spending that time with my family celebrating Rob and Brooke's
day even more special. The wedding was amazing, and I'm so happy for my
big brother. The week was bittersweet since Ace was supposed to have come
with me. I finally decided that it was ok to be sad and happy at the same
time. Life is too short to not celebrate the good times, and I think
that's what Doris would have wanted.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdTwjR7zRxkUoEHcQVEIS4JX8nd0pI4qL68FLblmoF_aEPWTThisblwxC8TDhJnL0SKMrXOpz1VQUYJsHG5lPYlMPN56aZRTKg4sO-kjpo8_dgWDQL0Rvi82FIjGirY9uB6NB3wKy2gCYT/s1600/IMG_3248.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdTwjR7zRxkUoEHcQVEIS4JX8nd0pI4qL68FLblmoF_aEPWTThisblwxC8TDhJnL0SKMrXOpz1VQUYJsHG5lPYlMPN56aZRTKg4sO-kjpo8_dgWDQL0Rvi82FIjGirY9uB6NB3wKy2gCYT/s320/IMG_3248.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17208760084051497226noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8700609148199898713.post-38197362024375275692012-01-15T22:30:00.000-06:002012-01-16T11:34:21.026-06:00House TourAfter buying my house 6 months ago, I'm finally putting pictures up. I hope to do a better job of posting pictures so I can document my many projects. The house already looks quite a bit different thanks to a few coats of paint. I'll start with the bare pictures and work through the different rooms in upcoming posts. <br />
<br />
Kitchen - I have a pretty long list of ideas for the kitchen. Number one is changing the light. There's currently a giant fluorescent light in the center, and I hate the light it gives off. It makes everything look yellow. I'd also like to pull up the linoleum and see if hardwood floors exist underneath. I've also been playing with the idea of painting the cabinets white. I get new ideas everyday, and my ADD is kind of a problem. (ask Ace how much fun it is to shop at Menards with me)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVG72n6pUPUe3jY37YrgIszxKdceavq_dGGVtzx1JPiQFBFJWyqAB5cIXM8qmOAb76nBoYELZndhYmqy8sSeuJkagbosX_7Y_AG5pwHzRVezE1OrI4A1p_r_wAHU_vQW0FM6Do083bfDNs/s1600/IMG_1445.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVG72n6pUPUe3jY37YrgIszxKdceavq_dGGVtzx1JPiQFBFJWyqAB5cIXM8qmOAb76nBoYELZndhYmqy8sSeuJkagbosX_7Y_AG5pwHzRVezE1OrI4A1p_r_wAHU_vQW0FM6Do083bfDNs/s320/IMG_1445.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
This the view from the kitchen looking into the living room. The dining room is off to the right. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizBBg8Uh9_aG1vmhLU8ur9VpA56mo1Q4ch-MICM73Z7TDmo7ctQzRrtsVgpIzgWzPctG0xhlFoKAZwa8QNyDWJuqjQPiqz3-wGbyjbg7eBta56TG0Q65jxoyLlD1Lo1R9dl0zi4uUZvuIh/s1600/IMG_1446.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizBBg8Uh9_aG1vmhLU8ur9VpA56mo1Q4ch-MICM73Z7TDmo7ctQzRrtsVgpIzgWzPctG0xhlFoKAZwa8QNyDWJuqjQPiqz3-wGbyjbg7eBta56TG0Q65jxoyLlD1Lo1R9dl0zi4uUZvuIh/s320/IMG_1446.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
Living room - The living room is a long space. I'm still trying to figure out if I like how the furniture is currently arranged.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJtJpVMnfACzh5ElVaRtST50yFVdkhXE4kYa6VRIxzTFhn40eVV7pbfEPiTuXNudLodjqjRyXb1F6WWb6G2t_0XG3usSP6GQcDpgECJZ9-N6JHtsVeEJKBDuCC-ut3O0WhhlqS4hzFdHT2/s1600/IMG_1447.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJtJpVMnfACzh5ElVaRtST50yFVdkhXE4kYa6VRIxzTFhn40eVV7pbfEPiTuXNudLodjqjRyXb1F6WWb6G2t_0XG3usSP6GQcDpgECJZ9-N6JHtsVeEJKBDuCC-ut3O0WhhlqS4hzFdHT2/s320/IMG_1447.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
Guest room - located in front corner of the house<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTIpvAMTAj08igubO1mxGNHG7IMw35k3cfm-2__JjVleOuJT68WwKdw9EktSJkxHxlZO6Cgc3BQrQadD6mE9xUbJSVDsrmnBd06FK5zkL1O708UzhysfcoBDon88QU8PvIzabZ7YpBHW1V/s1600/IMG_1448.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTIpvAMTAj08igubO1mxGNHG7IMw35k3cfm-2__JjVleOuJT68WwKdw9EktSJkxHxlZO6Cgc3BQrQadD6mE9xUbJSVDsrmnBd06FK5zkL1O708UzhysfcoBDon88QU8PvIzabZ7YpBHW1V/s320/IMG_1448.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
Main floor bathroom.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHyOYi6ornSOPMn90Lb0e0PcrOERWt2kE2XzAZfCnh5nDgtzQljUgVZQB96Rlvd3FM3Dt4eUBc_URP8keL9n5RgciugDKOs0wbPeQAsj36yhhqrHxGi0YG0oz6wK7q6qSNdvPYQCxFZ5FT/s1600/IMG_1451.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHyOYi6ornSOPMn90Lb0e0PcrOERWt2kE2XzAZfCnh5nDgtzQljUgVZQB96Rlvd3FM3Dt4eUBc_URP8keL9n5RgciugDKOs0wbPeQAsj36yhhqrHxGi0YG0oz6wK7q6qSNdvPYQCxFZ5FT/s320/IMG_1451.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Dining room</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhwSPBUlZrDImZrRBARtCHaCM9Z5PUlIxjfb9Kb_TK7B6gbkLl_-T73lu5_WYwqEfW7PuM3Jz-6yW83Wj1PZwx1LjVziKQPhT4n0ZhCGzcJgx6k8nW9y5gskMytFQ4RPsf2VVJ7MVgB48E/s1600/IMG_1452.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhwSPBUlZrDImZrRBARtCHaCM9Z5PUlIxjfb9Kb_TK7B6gbkLl_-T73lu5_WYwqEfW7PuM3Jz-6yW83Wj1PZwx1LjVziKQPhT4n0ZhCGzcJgx6k8nW9y5gskMytFQ4RPsf2VVJ7MVgB48E/s320/IMG_1452.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Master bedroom</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnOSaE6arUecD5KkmHR7aCbCg6YJAECqlzXS7l5RPjXaqaOGxbtlN1wAQdoEB4dygBibuUWsB8o7fsiWKYr8wk0O5C9C4fLtz3xNxvkamuvmbk8AiJnE6ixuhMp7cwXMKk2Uy0gOfTuxst/s1600/IMG_1453.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnOSaE6arUecD5KkmHR7aCbCg6YJAECqlzXS7l5RPjXaqaOGxbtlN1wAQdoEB4dygBibuUWsB8o7fsiWKYr8wk0O5C9C4fLtz3xNxvkamuvmbk8AiJnE6ixuhMp7cwXMKk2Uy0gOfTuxst/s320/IMG_1453.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Looking down the stairs to the basement. Yes, part of the wall is missing.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh17QoWOmq0PklclZ0xaIZXPl6byyNsjRn5N9NAdvDzgol_kFEYQBtfFYDFTs1pQ7zXL1IryIenSJT4tKGntQkYS6cSSylykRhCNRRk5uk1Lg_CqrQ3b7sUTVdZjs93BOsOEpL9NzJ1LUiD/s1600/IMG_1498.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh17QoWOmq0PklclZ0xaIZXPl6byyNsjRn5N9NAdvDzgol_kFEYQBtfFYDFTs1pQ7zXL1IryIenSJT4tKGntQkYS6cSSylykRhCNRRk5uk1Lg_CqrQ3b7sUTVdZjs93BOsOEpL9NzJ1LUiD/s320/IMG_1498.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
The basement is partly finished. However, the finished part has this lovely half wall that exposes the unfinished part. The story I was given was that the water heater once broke, and it caused the basement to flood. After the flood, they just cut the wet part of the wall off. It's very odd. I have a lot of plans for the basement. It's a huge space with a lot of potential. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkykWnXLZNai3gi5MgnalemJ7niJz1Z00s7TlF9CKOvH-FOf2Ohdvc_4LVnSUhp3dwPN8qBdtMd6Q-bdBUfQ6YM6rmGrz_n9n62VCwTV2Y9M7-7Jr8G3ptjzCVoESDDkygklaKauVjX7qZ/s1600/IMG_1499.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkykWnXLZNai3gi5MgnalemJ7niJz1Z00s7TlF9CKOvH-FOf2Ohdvc_4LVnSUhp3dwPN8qBdtMd6Q-bdBUfQ6YM6rmGrz_n9n62VCwTV2Y9M7-7Jr8G3ptjzCVoESDDkygklaKauVjX7qZ/s320/IMG_1499.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
I couldn't find pictures of the basement before I moved stuff in. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhneHChjwFhFIVXbnnGc8fBDReZkl2nn6afCLVEdsiOE05dLAypO0cAVCiu7aC3SQ4OXQz5GTWv1mWJ38tRC1jYVQ1polz4AV4WXYbk1RnQcrfNRccTqs_TUxVryOkAqg1U0LGOL4K7Q1Qq/s1600/IMG_1500.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhneHChjwFhFIVXbnnGc8fBDReZkl2nn6afCLVEdsiOE05dLAypO0cAVCiu7aC3SQ4OXQz5GTWv1mWJ38tRC1jYVQ1polz4AV4WXYbk1RnQcrfNRccTqs_TUxVryOkAqg1U0LGOL4K7Q1Qq/s320/IMG_1500.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
More basement</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4xHq95hsKSIra6nmhatyDT4pzY_d8mNpSitituGRvESk4iaMvFC6Kxz0T_DospKJGynrznh2ox78vjOM2JQSfSetjDOzRPYAxPECcLELrtwhc41uk2FJUJv2tDtrZIbxo86jhcn-HtN9A/s1600/IMG_1501.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4xHq95hsKSIra6nmhatyDT4pzY_d8mNpSitituGRvESk4iaMvFC6Kxz0T_DospKJGynrznh2ox78vjOM2JQSfSetjDOzRPYAxPECcLELrtwhc41uk2FJUJv2tDtrZIbxo86jhcn-HtN9A/s320/IMG_1501.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Full bathroom in basement - The walls are made out of this really lovely printed, green flower, slick shower wall type of material. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMxri8izUbbL6m3xCZkvlIrqkv0ATjSimcuJMgcmr8jyYuMAihqA0lBXbjQd6wpMK3qNtRAFNXBwe6VXdYMBzfS-2CcivW_b7NyevemFz2G5CNGAY6Xwm0eYGv9DDNk8N_1NoOJLhLp3wm/s1600/IMG_1502.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMxri8izUbbL6m3xCZkvlIrqkv0ATjSimcuJMgcmr8jyYuMAihqA0lBXbjQd6wpMK3qNtRAFNXBwe6VXdYMBzfS-2CcivW_b7NyevemFz2G5CNGAY6Xwm0eYGv9DDNk8N_1NoOJLhLp3wm/s320/IMG_1502.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Shower in basement</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRvhUTyE0macIDFSi3WH_QguMorGpv-oNjrwSzOPQ05BV_4EwCgeHpcy1K343hR2RZOa6r2GUQAOG-ZlWbFZlhN9zfszaRyOqzJwmRqsnqZjJ8RvmaJxSYh6CRlZvIXwBv5FbPD6txsaj-/s1600/IMG_1503.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRvhUTyE0macIDFSi3WH_QguMorGpv-oNjrwSzOPQ05BV_4EwCgeHpcy1K343hR2RZOa6r2GUQAOG-ZlWbFZlhN9zfszaRyOqzJwmRqsnqZjJ8RvmaJxSYh6CRlZvIXwBv5FbPD6txsaj-/s320/IMG_1503.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Unfinished part of basement. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH2l06pIZL6YbYz8rlyVNNZ82LgHEjgzd1PtgIeCVmXZP9BSbBF3iMzOXqy7XiFCKVC_SvvAKdqQsX1zgYXX643PQiiD_G3B9oa19b5PeGhphLoal0z8HLll6S8W63Bqnfa7tykj1lI2oi/s1600/IMG_1505.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH2l06pIZL6YbYz8rlyVNNZ82LgHEjgzd1PtgIeCVmXZP9BSbBF3iMzOXqy7XiFCKVC_SvvAKdqQsX1zgYXX643PQiiD_G3B9oa19b5PeGhphLoal0z8HLll6S8W63Bqnfa7tykj1lI2oi/s320/IMG_1505.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvP6l7eo2NdDvSPk30XMGSqki7qCd3zeswT-NJbhukdUy6Kg4Krph0l8LgBpbiokDAbcurDpceFj077f-vvjOGmanzgYLMY99o95epB9HIRZ6_qAB9CrK01Uew2P76iCsRrQfEzYGtZ8yf/s1600/IMG_1506.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvP6l7eo2NdDvSPk30XMGSqki7qCd3zeswT-NJbhukdUy6Kg4Krph0l8LgBpbiokDAbcurDpceFj077f-vvjOGmanzgYLMY99o95epB9HIRZ6_qAB9CrK01Uew2P76iCsRrQfEzYGtZ8yf/s320/IMG_1506.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
So much empty space! - See that drain in the floor? That's where the unfortunate plumbing incident of 2011 occurred. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir5hn1zsN8RU2jmY3wjq9ERZcuxWXtuxs2HLGpqwQ_A2IbXcJNgilTLEefzvmDHl5ALRpxHpRm9oyPO5uurS1RiFHG2b0s5fgTAg9kb-qGPmqT91bz_ldW26mXHElH4c6Bq22fkXwyXBW9/s1600/IMG_1507.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir5hn1zsN8RU2jmY3wjq9ERZcuxWXtuxs2HLGpqwQ_A2IbXcJNgilTLEefzvmDHl5ALRpxHpRm9oyPO5uurS1RiFHG2b0s5fgTAg9kb-qGPmqT91bz_ldW26mXHElH4c6Bq22fkXwyXBW9/s320/IMG_1507.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqyJKTSN-m1wQZk06CsPACIEVWMVdagFJ2Uzt76KC6dSBA85Lsw5M6gnCoyCM5j2kKSiDQtJddW1ehj-zJSoocSslD4PuzV78ZCLT1QWyzaZLcpOxvoGUZNjFuzwO3jlFc_pSeFxHhom8m/s1600/IMG_1508.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqyJKTSN-m1wQZk06CsPACIEVWMVdagFJ2Uzt76KC6dSBA85Lsw5M6gnCoyCM5j2kKSiDQtJddW1ehj-zJSoocSslD4PuzV78ZCLT1QWyzaZLcpOxvoGUZNjFuzwO3jlFc_pSeFxHhom8m/s320/IMG_1508.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxKznmDsiddflSrFoPfQ9qmJDoFY8kPj5Zu5gh5uv1wpETk8AliTn5u9mJSFU4m36qO2rOYlBIcq5W1NwMpFEfIncgsf_215yZtcM2Vrt6PcNwbnrHQzNUHXrupWnTl5pbHqFoB3qlLuK0/s1600/IMG_1509.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxKznmDsiddflSrFoPfQ9qmJDoFY8kPj5Zu5gh5uv1wpETk8AliTn5u9mJSFU4m36qO2rOYlBIcq5W1NwMpFEfIncgsf_215yZtcM2Vrt6PcNwbnrHQzNUHXrupWnTl5pbHqFoB3qlLuK0/s320/IMG_1509.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
I wish I had a picture of this area before I cleaned it up. The "Frankenstein" cabinets that used to reside here were awesome.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwh-HRHZXi3k8gQJY6Lcz91E4XQr-iBBc_jui4WSHsPQQTZlNGZsCyaxdPw43CkyikPLcyl5X1Al8Nu-i3zYBCJTTSJ8nrtR47ewOkR3rLb89mCpXTA9V8Ybc7O0D0G6wCufH9oWXFDRwX/s1600/IMG_1512.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwh-HRHZXi3k8gQJY6Lcz91E4XQr-iBBc_jui4WSHsPQQTZlNGZsCyaxdPw43CkyikPLcyl5X1Al8Nu-i3zYBCJTTSJ8nrtR47ewOkR3rLb89mCpXTA9V8Ybc7O0D0G6wCufH9oWXFDRwX/s320/IMG_1512.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
So there you have it. My little 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom starter house. I've learned a lot in the past 6 months, and I can't wait to start making my big ideas actually happen!Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17208760084051497226noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8700609148199898713.post-32208298669875939052011-10-05T00:00:00.001-05:002011-10-05T00:09:28.209-05:00Adventures in Home Ownership with Rachel1. Don't put a pot of leftover beef and onions down the garbage disposal. It clogs the basement drain.<br />
<br />
2. When the basement drain clogs, Draino won't work.<br />
<br />
3. A garden hose will fit into the drain to try to snake it. It worked better than the $12 metal snake thing. However, if you are cheap, and the hose was cheap, the hose is not strong enough to break through the clog.<br />
<br />
4. You have now ruined your $25 hose.<br />
<br />
5. Wear gloves when snaking your drain. Especially if you tried to pour Draino in the drain. <br />
<br />
6. Now your hands look like you were in an extreme cage fighting match.<br />
<br />
7. Cry.<br />
<br />
8. Call Dad for the 2398742 time that night.<br />
<br />
9. Call a plumber. <br />
<br />
<br />
I now know to just call a plumber first. It was almost less expensive than the tools to fix it myself plus the cost of the ruined hose. On the bright side, I now own a pipe wrench that could be useful for self defense? He also pulled a bunch of roots out of the pipe so it was not entirely my fault. Lessons learned! Stay tuned for the next episode. I'm sure there will be more! Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17208760084051497226noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8700609148199898713.post-84269775101947998652011-09-25T18:21:00.001-05:002011-09-25T18:21:23.242-05:00ProjectI'm getting everything settled in the house. I officially have no more boxes sitting around which makes my OCD feel much better! I finally have pictures on the walls, and have finished most of the small projects on my list. When I come home after work I finally don't feel like I have a million things to do. It's starting to feel like home. I wanted to post pictures of my latest project. I saw a picture on pinterest.com (If you haven't heard of pinterest, check it out - it's my new favorite thing) where an old window was used as a picture frame. I happened to find an old window in my basement left from the previous owners that I knew would be perfect. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdTxkwH1NVJOVXQlHgrzkA47ueD3dLJC96FDYL6aFY7TDolN8VoyTTxcg0HQAO2mxDvUoTrLxcb9AJiHqrKlmvfUzJQduDvGTvcwA8q555qgjRAV7PL3J1Qkn32l2fCR0yfXFI8IrAB1qj/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdTxkwH1NVJOVXQlHgrzkA47ueD3dLJC96FDYL6aFY7TDolN8VoyTTxcg0HQAO2mxDvUoTrLxcb9AJiHqrKlmvfUzJQduDvGTvcwA8q555qgjRAV7PL3J1Qkn32l2fCR0yfXFI8IrAB1qj/s320/photo.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
The window had a glossy finish on it so I sanded the window down. Then I primed the window with primer spray paint I had. I knew I wanted to hang the new frame in my living room, so I went to the paint store and picked out a turquoise shade of paint. However, when I applied the first coat it came out looking very bright Tiffany blue. While I love the little blue boxes with the white bows, it was too bright for my living room. So I went back to Ace the helpful place hardware store and asked if they would darken my paint. It took a few tries, but it finally looked the right shade<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXefUtzZEYOEnOMmQe5Jm4gGjkMEe8lOEslluH94IDL3T5iwgttDN4doMPwY1pWTLSutAx3YnskDmyKzmQcBg8yc_butYyF_Bc8y9EyPpocr2bFfhPt9264QEgwB7VYziBb0GY9YMX64ER/s1600/photo+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXefUtzZEYOEnOMmQe5Jm4gGjkMEe8lOEslluH94IDL3T5iwgttDN4doMPwY1pWTLSutAx3YnskDmyKzmQcBg8yc_butYyF_Bc8y9EyPpocr2bFfhPt9264QEgwB7VYziBb0GY9YMX64ER/s320/photo+%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I was going for an antique old finish so I took a piece of sandpaper and scratched the finish up. The window weighs 12 pounds (yes I weighed it on my bathroom scale). I was worried about it being too heavy for the wall, so I attached four picture hooks on the back. My stud finder has proven to be a piece of junk so I think four hooks is enough to ensure maybe I hit one stud and the weight is evenly distributed to not pull the drywall down. Then I picked three of my favorite pictures I've taken and had them printed as 11x14 posters. The frame doesn't have a glass backing so I taped the pictures down. I'm going to have to find a new solution to attach the pictures, because after a week the tape is peeling back. Otherwise, I LOVE how it turned out. It's my favorite part of my living room now. What do you think??<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYnzTrnBvW152cn5HXV-Xx8vaRIhdU-T6SNPV-XW79mxPwXQ9r2GszJyqaaOBWS2TrkD_1XSE3oY1UTNaw5MW3oIBz_C-gUMEeV00ND08Dg833tMMMkIHgt8I6hr-8iIExaaTzbAp7Hdp7/s1600/photo+%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYnzTrnBvW152cn5HXV-Xx8vaRIhdU-T6SNPV-XW79mxPwXQ9r2GszJyqaaOBWS2TrkD_1XSE3oY1UTNaw5MW3oIBz_C-gUMEeV00ND08Dg833tMMMkIHgt8I6hr-8iIExaaTzbAp7Hdp7/s320/photo+%25283%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
My next projects include: finding/making something to put in my entryway, painting the ugly gold door knobs throughout my house, painting or finding new cabinet knobs for my kitchen (I painted the knobs in the bathroom and they look great!), and lastly I need to decide what colors to paint my bedroom, guest bedroom, and dining room. So maybe I have a lot of projects but I've got a long winter ahead of me!Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17208760084051497226noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8700609148199898713.post-69373895087079485482011-08-25T22:08:00.000-05:002011-08-25T22:08:32.710-05:00Moving moving and more movingThe past two weeks has been all about boxes, moving, car loads, cleaning supplies, and more boxes. There is nothing fun about moving. It's a huge pain. What made this move worse was that it was just across town. There was no incentive to have to really plan or organize how I packed. I just started throwing things in boxes and packing my car. What a mess! I'm starting to dig myself out of my mess and my new house is starting to feel like home, but I feel like I still have a long way to go. I'm still deciding on what colors to paint my walls. Once I decide it's going to be my fall/winter project after the weather starts to get crappy. Anyone who would like to volunteer to help is more than welcome!! I'll post some pictures of the new place once I get a little more settled. Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17208760084051497226noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8700609148199898713.post-9622763991249132202011-07-01T13:21:00.000-05:002011-07-01T13:21:18.973-05:00Major Announcement<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Well it’s pretty much official: I’m buying a house! Yep, that’s right; I’m taking a huge step into adulthood. To be quite honest, it’s a really scary step! However, it’s something I’ve been thinking about a lot in the past year. Basically, Austin is just not a good town for someone looking to rent. If you’re not low income or an old person, your choices are pretty limited. I live in one of the nicest places available to rent in Austin and while I really like my townhouse, I just can’t justify throwing away as much money as I am in rent anymore. I’m also excited to have a yard, paint my walls, grow a garden, wash my car in the driveway…you know all that good stuff that you miss out on in a rental. Things I’m not thinking about right now is scooping my own snow, what happens if the furnace breaks, if the roof leaks, if there’s a giant spider infestation….It’s better for my sanity that I try not to worry about those things!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">My lease is not up until the end of August, so I don’t close on the house until mid August. Then comes all the fun of painting, moving, and whatever else comes with owning a home. I’ll be sure to keep you all updated!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzHr4y32D7D3AlCp8H2EbdvDwzD89JUHLR_T_CsCfGkAFyg-U2E0EiGyQWwNwAVqBRj3wY7mhos7vm6Y4OWwGQKS7otGCVj9KjPWD-qRjG96jdMjzG6N25LhTymaa71r-HSgHX8WCn7nMQ/s1600/house.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzHr4y32D7D3AlCp8H2EbdvDwzD89JUHLR_T_CsCfGkAFyg-U2E0EiGyQWwNwAVqBRj3wY7mhos7vm6Y4OWwGQKS7otGCVj9KjPWD-qRjG96jdMjzG6N25LhTymaa71r-HSgHX8WCn7nMQ/s320/house.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17208760084051497226noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8700609148199898713.post-1706739507025952642011-06-14T21:24:00.000-05:002011-06-14T21:24:49.098-05:00Sweet SummertimeFinally I can post without complaining about snow! Summer has<u> finally</u> arrived in southern Minnesota. We had some hot days last week which caused an all out panic up here. I believe these weirdos would rather have a foot of snow on the ground than it be over 85 degrees. Don't get me wrong, it was hot, but it could have been so much hotter with a lot more humidity. I thought it was wonderful! <div><br />
</div><div>Since my last post I've put a lot of miles on. Home for Easter, home for Bethany's wedding, a handful of trips to Nebraska, and I had some special visitors that I gave a personal Mall of America tour to. I'm keeping busy to say the least! On Sunday I leave for a week to go to RMC, the Reciprocal Meats Conference, in Manhattan, Kansas followed by some tater work in Topeka. Then I'll make a pit stop in Minnesota before heading to Iowa City for Jessie's bachelorette party. It will be a lot of traveling, but I can't wait! Other than living my life as a gypsy traveler, life has been pretty much the same. I play kickball on Thursday nights which has been a lot of fun and really amusing. Tater business is booming, and I've been really busy at work. Other than that it's been the same ol' same ol'. I'll leave you with a few pictures summarizing the beginning of what is bound to be an awesome summer :)</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Jessie and Adam's bachelor and bachelorette party in Waukon thrown by Jessie's family</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZY_2FUy7oFSwbDsn08QUlPpd2zmrziQj-Jz_2s8shGzrCdR-XAfU-yyg3qZuu8Q9W8wsYePI4H_vUBbgr0xKpKaqkacQzDxW0UAzMTtGG5FI_OnLMyt_qHiCt7Vs303DUzpGpRzRmWIx2/s1600/IMG_1512.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZY_2FUy7oFSwbDsn08QUlPpd2zmrziQj-Jz_2s8shGzrCdR-XAfU-yyg3qZuu8Q9W8wsYePI4H_vUBbgr0xKpKaqkacQzDxW0UAzMTtGG5FI_OnLMyt_qHiCt7Vs303DUzpGpRzRmWIx2/s320/IMG_1512.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Throwing a calf at VanDeWalle branding :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNqvOCFpfRrQ4Hl6tZlZD5DEVlPoR_YqBiZfpYgSarjHoNlZm34SKJmpj8F7rPzKcekRgog-TvOrJezIKU30ROBtErmSDuP3SK-bEzzxGqE3LlK25jXK_qFd7_lBSdSycm_py8hTyDCsu3/s1600/IMG_0720.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNqvOCFpfRrQ4Hl6tZlZD5DEVlPoR_YqBiZfpYgSarjHoNlZm34SKJmpj8F7rPzKcekRgog-TvOrJezIKU30ROBtErmSDuP3SK-bEzzxGqE3LlK25jXK_qFd7_lBSdSycm_py8hTyDCsu3/s320/IMG_0720.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEOiy0kvvxkeIq8AemlV4knZBvFlpgnwSE-Fac5pqHVCcaKbd4LYJpT_rPfSGHBWksLatyG2BMf8j8LIXJEdRlOVKZJAerEECKOI7-3nQ7hS1BvzRXyN5eRRg_jwthedmv3Qnnk4mIp4RI/s1600/IMG_0722.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEOiy0kvvxkeIq8AemlV4knZBvFlpgnwSE-Fac5pqHVCcaKbd4LYJpT_rPfSGHBWksLatyG2BMf8j8LIXJEdRlOVKZJAerEECKOI7-3nQ7hS1BvzRXyN5eRRg_jwthedmv3Qnnk4mIp4RI/s320/IMG_0722.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Bethany's wedding!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj57H_4zXUh-wpZttjwzn54DOAHGPQTSQYVt8Ni8OWyTcPYOoNZeppBaVFEHC1FiNi4fePs4N2hrtjCYx5SrtinDijgpi8gRmTgRZg19O6IfDygFgdeqCuMBWeAfQeEwsJvjOsQ0G-3f_QK/s1600/IMG_1539.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj57H_4zXUh-wpZttjwzn54DOAHGPQTSQYVt8Ni8OWyTcPYOoNZeppBaVFEHC1FiNi4fePs4N2hrtjCYx5SrtinDijgpi8gRmTgRZg19O6IfDygFgdeqCuMBWeAfQeEwsJvjOsQ0G-3f_QK/s320/IMG_1539.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Old roomies </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnfX-lfx8bnlBcxOA9wqKkmCSlnD-zJBaPZAEJJEyZ5YpnLz3I_jsee9oLR390o1mpitT0ZQohtplVuEKqAqYEBDLui8rUx9RXCt5QGDUlwukaMinOn_4aBKCSv0-9CaHuRUc8JSzhuhuU/s1600/IMG_1550.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnfX-lfx8bnlBcxOA9wqKkmCSlnD-zJBaPZAEJJEyZ5YpnLz3I_jsee9oLR390o1mpitT0ZQohtplVuEKqAqYEBDLui8rUx9RXCt5QGDUlwukaMinOn_4aBKCSv0-9CaHuRUc8JSzhuhuU/s320/IMG_1550.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqt-HYSIiklpUUSN3WHbg8YHL-xURIS8X4vXrp6QUMFEBpUZuCugZ2Q4DdyViyvfc2bJHkMhGUbDjilUCxxZYEv0wDo9CDHAvkYqpzPHX1NZOGeVg534JZV4iC1NFTW6wF4OWUlozWZh9l/s1600/IMG_1568.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqt-HYSIiklpUUSN3WHbg8YHL-xURIS8X4vXrp6QUMFEBpUZuCugZ2Q4DdyViyvfc2bJHkMhGUbDjilUCxxZYEv0wDo9CDHAvkYqpzPHX1NZOGeVg534JZV4iC1NFTW6wF4OWUlozWZh9l/s320/IMG_1568.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">My first tanking experience in Ericson, NE</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7ejN4F8Qopn2hooWTs1k-f8yHwXFDPgsUL24Q97TwMsHdlvBVaiEu7CHXyWKp4uGYfvi7kDXSYp5GrHwaBdLoKJ8dS69fRtCB1h2dGEJ_zzzlvoHNC3J_QRj1sYl1KgciDP6GSsyCCGNz/s1600/IMG_1582.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7ejN4F8Qopn2hooWTs1k-f8yHwXFDPgsUL24Q97TwMsHdlvBVaiEu7CHXyWKp4uGYfvi7kDXSYp5GrHwaBdLoKJ8dS69fRtCB1h2dGEJ_zzzlvoHNC3J_QRj1sYl1KgciDP6GSsyCCGNz/s320/IMG_1582.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiumb-4tEJ7XsQCe0JTNicm_yW7DFd14xJR4Yo_PE3rr4Uzn6RbcRhZBkGy7Z5zoBCrTZ-oFDE1EHYA00kOeCFWqoJCwTOIi7nDJL4n5M5GtufvHn8wQZeYfUjqM1paxQm4L9W_x3cON9l2/s1600/IMG_1591.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiumb-4tEJ7XsQCe0JTNicm_yW7DFd14xJR4Yo_PE3rr4Uzn6RbcRhZBkGy7Z5zoBCrTZ-oFDE1EHYA00kOeCFWqoJCwTOIi7nDJL4n5M5GtufvHn8wQZeYfUjqM1paxQm4L9W_x3cON9l2/s320/IMG_1591.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY2OvK_cLIY-grqIRhC8Num1pTEsvp-_EfRDkTo83cMAYYYxfkbt18JFkE6hIrKnqJ_Z5fNijwkQJ_6cRfitnxhcHyPhySeN5-7hfz959g2r58XvRKx3hzbg1ctNJgUx8svo5LTFrvpypc/s1600/IMG_1597.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY2OvK_cLIY-grqIRhC8Num1pTEsvp-_EfRDkTo83cMAYYYxfkbt18JFkE6hIrKnqJ_Z5fNijwkQJ_6cRfitnxhcHyPhySeN5-7hfz959g2r58XvRKx3hzbg1ctNJgUx8svo5LTFrvpypc/s320/IMG_1597.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Justin and Clayton in Minneapolis <3</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA_BB6HfqnEMKM6U2D7xd6_m66REuect7tOhTp9ZZJX0sG-9BEIzhXyRmh5kEIQMV6g63YAWskNsKTtpWJA3tn9NbWDGNYZBzo-rpYdJnQ9urTXbRUz6qxgjufmtvPFCy5d8WVSDFCwRTx/s1600/IMG_1596.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA_BB6HfqnEMKM6U2D7xd6_m66REuect7tOhTp9ZZJX0sG-9BEIzhXyRmh5kEIQMV6g63YAWskNsKTtpWJA3tn9NbWDGNYZBzo-rpYdJnQ9urTXbRUz6qxgjufmtvPFCy5d8WVSDFCwRTx/s320/IMG_1596.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Kickball </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0kja130tAolMqdg_Oe7ZFhwXEHmUGS893er7E0VhFhjwuCQlYZ_rRh3nKIIIFYLEOS8h3obJ_AadCp7H58g9SLlvBOmlrK8SIudpu2H5CJLz5PEmN122ERM6wUCgwWnmkbyyA7qBaP-qf/s1600/2011-06-02+18.31.52.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0kja130tAolMqdg_Oe7ZFhwXEHmUGS893er7E0VhFhjwuCQlYZ_rRh3nKIIIFYLEOS8h3obJ_AadCp7H58g9SLlvBOmlrK8SIudpu2H5CJLz5PEmN122ERM6wUCgwWnmkbyyA7qBaP-qf/s320/2011-06-02+18.31.52.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Home Sweet Chauncey </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm-U39SDFmA9xy3jWiJojPKhLm4eOtNiOsWy_oV-Sx6ZcSJmYAFGWTXAGqUf8PdhIiX3_7q1TkdZy8kCIi8na7rqyrlt-SRn9athnTYxqW6NUbUQihamR9y5fYNceQJPteX2znfVAbIgeG/s1600/291.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm-U39SDFmA9xy3jWiJojPKhLm4eOtNiOsWy_oV-Sx6ZcSJmYAFGWTXAGqUf8PdhIiX3_7q1TkdZy8kCIi8na7rqyrlt-SRn9athnTYxqW6NUbUQihamR9y5fYNceQJPteX2znfVAbIgeG/s320/291.JPG" width="213" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilbgwRM33DC756Utyc-a2qLHIEMZl7bZppj-eUZQLyPtmHrqi_3OvCeMlmiCTjBpjhG4FwE_QLlA7cxaTJdeUOiXfuBDelY1JJLkjAXSbsU-DK5KFX6Ohrr6LcK2NaErLrzxZrO_Xh8uY3/s1600/photo+%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilbgwRM33DC756Utyc-a2qLHIEMZl7bZppj-eUZQLyPtmHrqi_3OvCeMlmiCTjBpjhG4FwE_QLlA7cxaTJdeUOiXfuBDelY1JJLkjAXSbsU-DK5KFX6Ohrr6LcK2NaErLrzxZrO_Xh8uY3/s320/photo+%25284%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div> </div>Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17208760084051497226noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8700609148199898713.post-14956729954553894622011-04-19T20:30:00.001-05:002011-04-19T20:31:46.665-05:00AprilI. Hate. Snow.<br />
<br />
We've been under a Winter Storm Watch/Warning all week. How is that even possible when the first day of Spring was back in March?????<br />
<br />
If you hear tires screeching tomorrow around 4:00. That's me driving away as fast as I can from stupid Minnesota to head to glorious Southern Illinois for the weekend. It's supposed to be 70 degrees. I may not come back.........Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17208760084051497226noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8700609148199898713.post-56145889881455091542011-04-13T19:44:00.000-05:002011-04-13T19:44:54.026-05:00From my iPhone<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Ooops. I haven't updated this in awhile. A good friend of mine reminded me that I needed to recently (thanks Tad! :) So here it goes.</div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I'm too lazy to hook up to my external hard drive to get pictures I've taken over the last few months, so I'm going the easier route and using pictures from iPhone. Enjoy!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">1. For Ace's birthday in February he told me that all he wanted for his present was to eat at Fogo De Chao in Minneapolis. So we went and ate delicious meat. If you're ever near a Fogo De Chao, don't think, just go. You won't be sorry!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHTKotVCqqFhyPOz8c5NVF7cHXU2pycJvu9Tl3v8FmTbJmxygU7s03suYXFGpjb52QuA4kGCF_7ZvYyDoPm3KdI3aBUZlpZ0f5NAGDwCkW-Uh89yYUM0Q-ifxqd36ozRW0idHq9oOYctn5/s1600/ace.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHTKotVCqqFhyPOz8c5NVF7cHXU2pycJvu9Tl3v8FmTbJmxygU7s03suYXFGpjb52QuA4kGCF_7ZvYyDoPm3KdI3aBUZlpZ0f5NAGDwCkW-Uh89yYUM0Q-ifxqd36ozRW0idHq9oOYctn5/s320/ace.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">2. For Ace's second birthday weekend he suggested we should go to Lincoln, NE so that I could see <u>my </u>friends. It was his sly way of getting back to Nebraska. Luckily, I love my best good friend (and David) so I was easily swayed. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjAM5ONAC-b1zpk2DhOlbaiukEL6ZyHOiMRDJxC0L_Rr2eKy1vaKaoguoN-1zquZ7kX9x8KZ9_8BgbhmQ90F-CMRrLh0_zt6OnQgmHutGRHtYX0qQdlGS9uANfTSFDkTFVKDLK_qav5fHd/s1600/torb.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjAM5ONAC-b1zpk2DhOlbaiukEL6ZyHOiMRDJxC0L_Rr2eKy1vaKaoguoN-1zquZ7kX9x8KZ9_8BgbhmQ90F-CMRrLh0_zt6OnQgmHutGRHtYX0qQdlGS9uANfTSFDkTFVKDLK_qav5fHd/s320/torb.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"> 3. Rachel and I hadn't seen each other in a long time. When we spend long periods apart, the following is bound to happen......</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZsAKJGEu19lBL7u99h9cBwlK4NH-LrwTMYJdDL04o5PVwLAtpMlHT6C8wynu9BU2-DwIzk0rlxo2dowm3_jiamoU0wvkbljbfqEMeC26nTfEPk0x9s8yj70K5bFIKkl9RKiDHnrQSwAbD/s1600/bethany.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZsAKJGEu19lBL7u99h9cBwlK4NH-LrwTMYJdDL04o5PVwLAtpMlHT6C8wynu9BU2-DwIzk0rlxo2dowm3_jiamoU0wvkbljbfqEMeC26nTfEPk0x9s8yj70K5bFIKkl9RKiDHnrQSwAbD/s320/bethany.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div align="center">Yes, we are awesome.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZM8qKBXaIi0BqtAnMpAugoJo97egqR9xDLFpolzOovXm8tIbm2S3rit7ry_ajrs3MGL8oLNDCySpzPApC7Sr2JyQE0G5wXtiSA0QhD15og4MrfS57vpUnuaV0BbXpXGRZujxh7D5GA9Yz/s320/rach.JPG" width="320" /></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">David even thinks we're awesome.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZjlL0c_NWs4-vgCIpjGO1KcyflAy0wKCmLsy3Huqk_a2NmgQkQqsbubkgJu079HLlYiMAuqqmtpUw_dqGLBm-hRirRfvNuhIIaPg3LjuUqCBmi_NfW8PTgqSoth-pWaA6dVIAPTRBDMKo/s1600/rachel.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZjlL0c_NWs4-vgCIpjGO1KcyflAy0wKCmLsy3Huqk_a2NmgQkQqsbubkgJu079HLlYiMAuqqmtpUw_dqGLBm-hRirRfvNuhIIaPg3LjuUqCBmi_NfW8PTgqSoth-pWaA6dVIAPTRBDMKo/s320/rachel.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">We really should live closer. It would be better for both of us :)</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuq-XnCdStzox908prgqL000igL_CVLLCx9EEs6sMyWxALAyxCxi1OmGQItolweBo5IpQfYZq-6owT0e35KIOhm9VT1rDnqau1UEtyNfHegViEv98zwWBGZrPAb9e-L4artlsMyLxPH7SO/s1600/rachels.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuq-XnCdStzox908prgqL000igL_CVLLCx9EEs6sMyWxALAyxCxi1OmGQItolweBo5IpQfYZq-6owT0e35KIOhm9VT1rDnqau1UEtyNfHegViEv98zwWBGZrPAb9e-L4artlsMyLxPH7SO/s320/rachels.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">4. This is what the end of the parking lot at work looked like on March 22. It's now gone. This means spring is finally here!!!!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidxRJekkjfxgTAN0vwi3Cf7yJT41CzGozWE8WQQrayB3-w27tOl9umtyl0X6N8_rgUut6Ft9r3k24Hlf9zbAtaaANy0aWYXV8FxrV2S_iYTQjfNJHSFGjSJIXn6rXhSQznNayd0c6YhDvr/s1600/photo_6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="cssfloat: right; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidxRJekkjfxgTAN0vwi3Cf7yJT41CzGozWE8WQQrayB3-w27tOl9umtyl0X6N8_rgUut6Ft9r3k24Hlf9zbAtaaANy0aWYXV8FxrV2S_iYTQjfNJHSFGjSJIXn6rXhSQznNayd0c6YhDvr/s320/photo_6.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
5. Remember my finger injury? Well the nail fell off exactly 2 months after my finger met its fate in the car door. The following is what it looked like then and how it looked a week ago. I feel the need to document this because I'm weird.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRAYTk-e0uoiQmwiAX53LRB9ygEgs-ViG7swyh3PjgqdUNF1rA6XDo3PIsW1GSuxpYayjlH4mx4_MpG1_M1Pyu7NmCkOEn_cqoP8L5W1Ru2rf-NL73OO53-Os1L-M-1OlYyMnLLECvOC6X/s1600/photo+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: right; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRAYTk-e0uoiQmwiAX53LRB9ygEgs-ViG7swyh3PjgqdUNF1rA6XDo3PIsW1GSuxpYayjlH4mx4_MpG1_M1Pyu7NmCkOEn_cqoP8L5W1Ru2rf-NL73OO53-Os1L-M-1OlYyMnLLECvOC6X/s320/photo+3.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEv9EqDVLYjqmzFZdZkrd-97-DSNGfOgb6p8CXfprSGMF_ou7dJSuJ_38tJ2iSvl3k7MoK4WUCKi2gNIklIG9Od3QX32-ksqnuTC5N61I4Co2lYWgWfRF2stni48jXtdGhN6XaGD5L2jP1/s1600/photo_8.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="cssfloat: right; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEv9EqDVLYjqmzFZdZkrd-97-DSNGfOgb6p8CXfprSGMF_ou7dJSuJ_38tJ2iSvl3k7MoK4WUCKi2gNIklIG9Od3QX32-ksqnuTC5N61I4Co2lYWgWfRF2stni48jXtdGhN6XaGD5L2jP1/s320/photo_8.JPG" width="239" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">6. My mom texted me to tell me that she got me a present and that I would love it. Well the "present" was actually a package of random items from my childhood. The items included a painted small tote bag, a cross stitched Taz picture, a Taz Pez dispenser (I <u>really</u> liked Taz as a kid), a "Rachel" stamp, an orange Illinois pencil, a 4H pin, and my personal favorites - an I <3 Petty pin, and a jewelry box of random rocks. Yes I used to collect rocks. All of the cool kids did.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqm6aSsTez8cqZ0SHRo5ENYKzk44GUa6lyz7UnlkaJhHIIv0hwa4MzR3u0vMypYilzJc5rwAvHpIMAQjmiT-c-0h5IyIGVZRhQ8g7USVz001pYNtTDboOOF8Yy_T1xEil9f9BMXZSHbxeD/s1600/photo_7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="cssfloat: right; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqm6aSsTez8cqZ0SHRo5ENYKzk44GUa6lyz7UnlkaJhHIIv0hwa4MzR3u0vMypYilzJc5rwAvHpIMAQjmiT-c-0h5IyIGVZRhQ8g7USVz001pYNtTDboOOF8Yy_T1xEil9f9BMXZSHbxeD/s320/photo_7.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">7. This is Mr. Pig. He was my Christmas present and I love him. I think he's going to live on my front porch once it's finally warm all the time (he's thick ceramic, but I was afraid the ice and cold would crack him). He lives inside for now, and is doubling as the Easter Pig!!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglQNnqCf4ao_TDa2EW8f9LeTtFfh17cUFJMIzETGwILcM8V628v2crDDP6hb3eqMhSGv_vct5LDacRtPguUxwXF1ZxJxz5x__8fUaiUkzBWgtaw1OvSzICY_pLaVvfeyqXeEdaek7BsPpA/s1600/photo_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglQNnqCf4ao_TDa2EW8f9LeTtFfh17cUFJMIzETGwILcM8V628v2crDDP6hb3eqMhSGv_vct5LDacRtPguUxwXF1ZxJxz5x__8fUaiUkzBWgtaw1OvSzICY_pLaVvfeyqXeEdaek7BsPpA/s320/photo_2.JPG" width="239" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">8. Last week I was in Brookings to visit Ace. It was SDSU's Little International. They go all out for this event, and even bring in colored wood chips like at Louisville. Basically it's a giant showmanship contest for all species. There are two divisions, novice and advanced. Ace put on an alumni meats judging contest so I hung out in the meat lab all day and then we experienced the Little I. I wish Illinois had had something like it. I think it would have been fun!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhimgXTssvxyWk_Yi8xaQBid__XZkEgltd0MaEzxoMWEQsQdE9IMns7MyV4_U8AikDg0Gf2PZkzD1U245TRKXGlsocy2IiGwlYAWp_T8pBQagcf0qU4UgdT2Uz1JBCf0Y4D3mqJyeuX1ymr/s1600/photo_1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhimgXTssvxyWk_Yi8xaQBid__XZkEgltd0MaEzxoMWEQsQdE9IMns7MyV4_U8AikDg0Gf2PZkzD1U245TRKXGlsocy2IiGwlYAWp_T8pBQagcf0qU4UgdT2Uz1JBCf0Y4D3mqJyeuX1ymr/s320/photo_1.JPG" width="239" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">9. I spent two weekends in March at Ace's parents house in Nebraska for calving season. I've been pretending I'm a good ranch hand. Really I'm just there to see the cute little babies!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirW8bPBH3sBSy5GLmCSanNmafKoBbaSEXE1xs1gIzVyQgza4Mm9DgLtuayk6qSGfNxE-npB6Wt-Swo7Ux7af_RI2ya6N4kTjLpJhFM96jfKabe2DmYKAz4o2InDzq2y9aJxwitNhVbqqFV/s1600/photo+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirW8bPBH3sBSy5GLmCSanNmafKoBbaSEXE1xs1gIzVyQgza4Mm9DgLtuayk6qSGfNxE-npB6Wt-Swo7Ux7af_RI2ya6N4kTjLpJhFM96jfKabe2DmYKAz4o2InDzq2y9aJxwitNhVbqqFV/s320/photo+4.JPG" width="239" /></a></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">10. My big brother is ENGAGED!!!!!!!!!! Congrats Rob and Brooke!!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdsEJVdA0OvpvNAp0p9RRpewoDO7Y2gtdEX_zl04S7E_ufpNkGClsLc35XmMqHJZuemM6M_7uff0brzvTcKisjJAn5Aq41qogo3v0j5rpGNtUQzkX5b57Gx1NrmzztQFtvaiRKxRKiPV_r/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdsEJVdA0OvpvNAp0p9RRpewoDO7Y2gtdEX_zl04S7E_ufpNkGClsLc35XmMqHJZuemM6M_7uff0brzvTcKisjJAn5Aq41qogo3v0j5rpGNtUQzkX5b57Gx1NrmzztQFtvaiRKxRKiPV_r/s320/photo.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div>Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17208760084051497226noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8700609148199898713.post-39597704807598819602011-01-06T20:40:00.001-06:002011-01-06T20:59:56.862-06:00GracefulMy mom always said I was graceful. I think it goes back to when I was five, and it was a few weeks before my Uncle's wedding and I was the flower girl for. I don't remember much, but I remember running full force, face first into my metal swing set. Luckily, you could barely see the black eye at the wedding. Since then I've been pretty much a walking accident. I truly have a gift for injuring myself in stupid ways. This week was no exception. I was traveling to a plant in Minneapolis on Wednesday and had to go early to pick up the rental car. The windows were frosty and so I had to scrape them. After driving over to R&D to pick up some coworkers I got out of the car, shut the door, and found my glove was in the door. Only when I tried to pull the glove out I realized my finger was also in the door. My fingers were so cold that I didn't even notice that I shut my finger in the door so my finger was in the door for probably 30 seconds before I opened the door. I pulled the glove off and my fingernail was instantly black. I'll save you all the nasty details, but after trying to relieve the pressure last night I think I was in some of the worst pain I've ever had. It still hurts today. I walked around at work looking like I was giving everyone the "I'm number 1" sign because I was elevating my hand to keep the swelling down. I'm also double medicated on cold medicine and ibuprofen. I'm also learning to type without my right index finger. Try it sometime, you don't realize how much you use your finger! Hopefully I don't lose my fingernail, but I'm not holding my breath.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7X3dF7KULXcv5erQEXLxikDF_Jb4xCt92UJlBD8C9JrPghLUX6Zudftv4i5NeybFwZOOwqgmzbogTcpeXZfpFQP9NH_kUvRxCNsxpwonthyphenhyphenbQDmj6NfxUAetVTsjP1eWspe_aDUs2a-s3/s1600/IMG_1413.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7X3dF7KULXcv5erQEXLxikDF_Jb4xCt92UJlBD8C9JrPghLUX6Zudftv4i5NeybFwZOOwqgmzbogTcpeXZfpFQP9NH_kUvRxCNsxpwonthyphenhyphenbQDmj6NfxUAetVTsjP1eWspe_aDUs2a-s3/s320/IMG_1413.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbWz5aPAwzJ-YOzIQnHbi8Y_4PTcI7BRop3yiIcilfsPnwMh_TxDfjMP0LjZM4ORMR3nzap-Ytnqr736X01i7tRPOxcQHVm_toMky7s9tfUEUHH2XDQB4kpfVF-J38le3l5TaLz-GtkXiV/s1600/IMG_1418.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbWz5aPAwzJ-YOzIQnHbi8Y_4PTcI7BRop3yiIcilfsPnwMh_TxDfjMP0LjZM4ORMR3nzap-Ytnqr736X01i7tRPOxcQHVm_toMky7s9tfUEUHH2XDQB4kpfVF-J38le3l5TaLz-GtkXiV/s320/IMG_1418.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">If I had someone to take a picture I would show my normal finger with the swelled one because it doesn't look that bad here but holding it up to the regular finger makes it look huge!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmGT4KF707-cdobhHrJxJncUYLOmJz3D6Oro3r5QUte_-_xk1VpD6QD875eL4lPUsInPnK6d79AvMekdSIdOBt6pDMnu-y-ozG85cgNukPfVVitohS4oCE6HoDOssKXT8JSjxLd4-zwEBE/s1600/IMG_1416.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmGT4KF707-cdobhHrJxJncUYLOmJz3D6Oro3r5QUte_-_xk1VpD6QD875eL4lPUsInPnK6d79AvMekdSIdOBt6pDMnu-y-ozG85cgNukPfVVitohS4oCE6HoDOssKXT8JSjxLd4-zwEBE/s320/IMG_1416.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17208760084051497226noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8700609148199898713.post-47806019753475141012011-01-02T20:41:00.000-06:002011-01-02T20:41:29.000-06:00Welcome 2011!Happy New Year everyone!! Another year has came and went, and I can't wait to see what 2011 has in store for me! I had a fabulous New Year's Eve. Ace, Adam, Jessie, and I rang in 2011 here in Austin. Somehow I failed big time and didn't take a single picture all night. I'm not sure how that happened, but you'll just have to take my word that we had a great time. We spent the rest of the weekend relaxing and watching fooball. I loved having a house of people, and I was sad to see them go this morning. Now it's back to work tomorrow and time to get started on those new year resolutions. :) Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17208760084051497226noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8700609148199898713.post-7909001910504762152010-11-17T20:57:00.000-06:002010-11-17T20:57:43.644-06:00You Make Me SmileOne of my favorite quotes is "If you want to hear God laugh, tell him your plans." I feel like this has applied to my life so many times. I wanted to go to grad school in Champaign, and I ended up in Iowa. I said I would never move further north, and I end up working in Minnesota. I've had so many plans change, and 99% of the time they have worked out better than I ever could have planned for. <br />
Life has changed for me once again. I don't know who actually reads this random rambling blog of mine, but some of you already know this but to some it might come as a surprise.<br />
<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">A very nice boy from Nebraska has been coming around again. Remember him? The one with the strange name who shares the strange love of meat judging? Yep - Ace. The story of how this all came to be is long and somewhat complicated and doesn't really matter in the grand scheme of things. What matters is that I'm super happy and he makes me smile everyday. He is now living in South Dakota working on his PhD in meat science. We're a little over 3 hours away from each other but we're making it work. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">He's been requesting to be back on the blog so this post is for him :) If he starts making regular appearances now you won't be surprised.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzh5CYLNNx9Hul9qrHGBs369q1_RMUMxamFdvH26gPUM91wPKBiNTksgdBtLgVkd0vpettndx-u6zg1F-4ohuvssD1SFJr-upoTnCF67eKQuUc2mwHfN7uw-tAQV0s8WmYDacP15rEEf6_/s1600/DSC02577.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzh5CYLNNx9Hul9qrHGBs369q1_RMUMxamFdvH26gPUM91wPKBiNTksgdBtLgVkd0vpettndx-u6zg1F-4ohuvssD1SFJr-upoTnCF67eKQuUc2mwHfN7uw-tAQV0s8WmYDacP15rEEf6_/s320/DSC02577.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17208760084051497226noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8700609148199898713.post-80236709319027106802010-10-31T20:23:00.000-05:002010-10-31T20:23:20.754-05:00Meaty Halloween<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Happy Halloween!! </div><br />
I hope everyone has had a great weekend! I've had a blast! Halloween is a big event in Austin. Mostly, because my friend Katie goes pretty overboard about it. We've been having weekly "committee" meetings for about the past month. Really these were just an excuse to get together. Last week we carved pumpkins, and this week we decorated cookies and cupcakes for Katie's party last night. <br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I wasn't sure what I was going to dress up as this year. It was going to be hard to top the tacky tourist of last year. Then Lady Gaga gave me the most perfect costume! If you didn't hear, Lady Gaga wore a meat dress at the MTV Video Awards this year. It was made of actual dried meat, complete with meat shoes, a meat hat, and a meat purse. She had some weird political reasoning behind the dress, but being the meat lover that I am, I loved it for the mere fact it was made of meat! So I set out to recreat the meat dress. I actually found a do it yourself video on youtube. Sadly, my costume was not made of actual meat. We had talks at work about how I could use real meat, but I figured it would be too messy :) So here is the finished product. It turned out awesome! I'm not sure the pictures do it justice. It looks much better in person. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">What do you think compared with the real deal??</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUeYHRy81JY7i5Y4YWI0dlzpSbRBMkyFBvUKW359g7qVBUcbpmhj9eA6LSbUxXgBvPiv5-xJb9cKXEhkpiTybTJY4Rilv-O4UoWR-zTeU6eg9UD42jVrk-WJQ2J3uYDGkLyaZs5YYy_y4k/s1600/IMG_1216.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUeYHRy81JY7i5Y4YWI0dlzpSbRBMkyFBvUKW359g7qVBUcbpmhj9eA6LSbUxXgBvPiv5-xJb9cKXEhkpiTybTJY4Rilv-O4UoWR-zTeU6eg9UD42jVrk-WJQ2J3uYDGkLyaZs5YYy_y4k/s320/IMG_1216.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBv2d1OQWhP8yRbPQXKcc89O0D6tqeJb9ogZ8_O7gzxiuuXAFtvSrxQZaMaCZDDlrt7vVuwFDQO1B8TLRUCFIKUrBJ_rL5z1dGQSuNK5gS2TU6kBOg_EtjnVm-YcBCE10dmGGWEQ86DYQz/s1600/gaga.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBv2d1OQWhP8yRbPQXKcc89O0D6tqeJb9ogZ8_O7gzxiuuXAFtvSrxQZaMaCZDDlrt7vVuwFDQO1B8TLRUCFIKUrBJ_rL5z1dGQSuNK5gS2TU6kBOg_EtjnVm-YcBCE10dmGGWEQ86DYQz/s320/gaga.jpg" width="209" /></a></div><br />
<div align="center">Katie the Lady Bug, Joni the Donkey, Lady Gaga, and Holly as Pippi Longstocking</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEq2pjiD0q2oUA3ctx-0u0tuGxfj-TTd0-f1ngi9j5aEMjazpBNVsTLlaniVv2wqIXYfk38zg_NYfYSVV9rwEaHLgfMaCh1DwdXrMOf7Ui6Ag5maPoPoTI2Q8-uJ_twgfFb1hDQ8AGJ9jq/s1600/IMG_1233.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEq2pjiD0q2oUA3ctx-0u0tuGxfj-TTd0-f1ngi9j5aEMjazpBNVsTLlaniVv2wqIXYfk38zg_NYfYSVV9rwEaHLgfMaCh1DwdXrMOf7Ui6Ag5maPoPoTI2Q8-uJ_twgfFb1hDQ8AGJ9jq/s320/IMG_1233.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div align="center">Katie's boyfriend Brad as a Gnome, if he turned his hat around he also doubled as a wizard</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbfVD4lkeWhegZgTX_AIjr3N5dKYnrqSyKhEnMjvgQBRviW-AH3L7iZ7uAr1QIce1Kv6ROcPXvr5qzFPFXdjOGT7xBqDfrjBkseYfZfBPWMj1-CEcrLv7b0zO7_RzygkL0Z5reTMbh4rtd/s1600/IMG_1213.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbfVD4lkeWhegZgTX_AIjr3N5dKYnrqSyKhEnMjvgQBRviW-AH3L7iZ7uAr1QIce1Kv6ROcPXvr5qzFPFXdjOGT7xBqDfrjBkseYfZfBPWMj1-CEcrLv7b0zO7_RzygkL0Z5reTMbh4rtd/s320/IMG_1213.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> KISS Army </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0shoPex7qUfsA_NU1bGcAJbLdZtjv4FZuDh5gV2Nq8FPPDyX_qjlHqsp2dtCo548zjvE7fBqWKUJJql23B5lyIYv_3ez9Fh0aVMMaxFiBO5m8L907EU1zE_-sgH20Az9r9kG1U489HbM4/s1600/IMG_1217.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0shoPex7qUfsA_NU1bGcAJbLdZtjv4FZuDh5gV2Nq8FPPDyX_qjlHqsp2dtCo548zjvE7fBqWKUJJql23B5lyIYv_3ez9Fh0aVMMaxFiBO5m8L907EU1zE_-sgH20Az9r9kG1U489HbM4/s320/IMG_1217.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"> Kim Jong-Il</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguGNW5hOdoRzhH6xg1JZUu_dcWYxgJaZd4sGPJVlmCsT9e5hSaG-y4gZbGh0j6jcCAIFJrjx8qeBxusUIs_RpO3Ty5EqQMR5k2g6-jrAO_Tt1fWjtFWt34S4GZINhXBMnWdRUz65xlumlP/s1600/IMG_1230.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguGNW5hOdoRzhH6xg1JZUu_dcWYxgJaZd4sGPJVlmCsT9e5hSaG-y4gZbGh0j6jcCAIFJrjx8qeBxusUIs_RpO3Ty5EqQMR5k2g6-jrAO_Tt1fWjtFWt34S4GZINhXBMnWdRUz65xlumlP/s320/IMG_1230.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"> Pumpkin Carving!!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq4jMTg6LLcX-AK99EIEvPj_GpPKw3XLT22kwx02F4bQZJpx73B9RZFOXFjaWs5hL7mTqRV_BWJ5s90r2KtYkguoKrjYMC_PyuAFhiKp0dQrqk5kU8h_xAnc5ndvbmAYOt1-dgc53ONXMO/s1600/IMG_1204.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq4jMTg6LLcX-AK99EIEvPj_GpPKw3XLT22kwx02F4bQZJpx73B9RZFOXFjaWs5hL7mTqRV_BWJ5s90r2KtYkguoKrjYMC_PyuAFhiKp0dQrqk5kU8h_xAnc5ndvbmAYOt1-dgc53ONXMO/s320/IMG_1204.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"> My cute front porch (there's an orange mum between the pumpkins</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil9MHnLzZ5Bc9SdUZ-qttK2pVWB9cyG6MiemCH2ELDUT0zTeFqd_ZoCtADzfh2FUEra0AYIQi79I64CmCrd9jXjkSS50Ad5q-3LviAgy601mOouJDN6c3exb2Si1VX0iF1da1QFsUHyqZo/s1600/IMG_1207.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil9MHnLzZ5Bc9SdUZ-qttK2pVWB9cyG6MiemCH2ELDUT0zTeFqd_ZoCtADzfh2FUEra0AYIQi79I64CmCrd9jXjkSS50Ad5q-3LviAgy601mOouJDN6c3exb2Si1VX0iF1da1QFsUHyqZo/s320/IMG_1207.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">In other news, I caught a second mouse. I'm really really hoping that's the end of the mice. It's too stressful getting rid of them...</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">I'll also be home this weekend for Katie Steber's wedding. I'll be home late Thursday/sometime on Friday for the rehearsal dinner then I'll have to go back on Sunday. It will be a quick trip, but I'm excited to be home for a few days! Mom and Dad recently bought a hot tub and I'm excited to try it out! </div>Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17208760084051497226noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8700609148199898713.post-36825010081104096532010-10-27T18:01:00.000-05:002010-10-27T18:01:43.285-05:00MouseI caught a mouse today. It was a major triumphant, and my mother was not supportive. <br />
<br />
I discovered this mouse on Sunday after being gone all weekend. My loaf of bread had a large hole burrowed in it. So Monday I went a little overboard and bought six mouse traps. I decided I would only set four of the traps and keep the other two. Tuesday went by with no mice sightings. I came home today from being in Osceola for work overnight and found this.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga-Mnrvvzrl0DUEkMA_XLG0uWpC6ff0b-imuoI9zYAaT6YcddjFTXyvk4xhwIFi_BITUG-W8d0irevjVlxQzTayebkhIMrZ7GMhUX5VJkkiGKpOHlDrDYcM0Xr2goTejpPFWNpajWWeGzi/s1600/IMG_1211.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga-Mnrvvzrl0DUEkMA_XLG0uWpC6ff0b-imuoI9zYAaT6YcddjFTXyvk4xhwIFi_BITUG-W8d0irevjVlxQzTayebkhIMrZ7GMhUX5VJkkiGKpOHlDrDYcM0Xr2goTejpPFWNpajWWeGzi/s320/IMG_1211.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>He was stuck, but still alive. The stuff in the middle is the large glob of peanut butter I smeared on the trap to lure him in. I discarded of my house guest with minimal screaming/freaking out. I've decided to leave the other traps out in case he has any friends. Thanks again for being supportive, Mom.<br />
<br />
In other news, it's cold. Winter has caught up to me once again. Ugh.<br />
<br />
That's all I've got for now.....Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17208760084051497226noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8700609148199898713.post-13583809850693682582010-10-10T19:51:00.001-05:002010-10-10T19:55:08.142-05:00It's a brand new car!!!Like I said in an earlier post, I bought my first brand new car a few weeks ago!! I must say the whole process wasn't as painful as I thought it would be. It doesn't hurt that I somewhat fell in love with my salesman, Dave. He was really straight with me, and didn't try to sell me something I didn't need. I just got a letter from Dave thanking me and how much fun he had during the process. I know this is probably standard operating procedure at Rochester Toyota, but I like to think that I'm Dave's favorite customer of all time! I now have all the fun things that come along with a brand new car like the new car smell, it's shiny, everything in it is clean, it starts everytime (the Solara is starting to have an issue), and debt. Ok, so maybe the debt part is not so much fun, but now I suppose I'm like everyone else in the country! I also forgot how much work it is to keep a dark car clean. I've had my gold car for long that I've been oblivious to just how dirty cars can get. So far, I've had my new car for about 3 weeks, and I've taken it through the car wash 3 times already. It doesn't help that they have my road completely tore up and the dust from the construction is horrible. I've started driving completely out of my way just to avoid it! I'm becoming quite obsessive about keeping it clean. I feel like this is going to be a problem once winter gets here and it's covered in salt all the time. Ugh! However, at least the car is all wheel drive so hopefully I won't have to worry about being stuck in snow drifts this year! Thanks Dave!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimbTITeSmOgZ6BK6viNwiW-2SIvWHG7VcFE8sy7T9EE_KSYKfe9uSZob-QCjWJBw3O6eQcBZJzhHi2hD5WBVxqhj7yn1StTrLMtbt9BiqQlhUQy6spnFsZkugW2fePl03hynPHFN2ioXEM/s1600/IMG_1100.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimbTITeSmOgZ6BK6viNwiW-2SIvWHG7VcFE8sy7T9EE_KSYKfe9uSZob-QCjWJBw3O6eQcBZJzhHi2hD5WBVxqhj7yn1StTrLMtbt9BiqQlhUQy6spnFsZkugW2fePl03hynPHFN2ioXEM/s320/IMG_1100.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimKynz6QtFLQGfDVSc0D50fu787XEC6nMUqkz_hyvk6uUi3ehcjukXRTwbcH_J20h25cxb2JbcncDMtc3ZBMhVGm_yMzOTCF9n9TAwghwzUvoNwSqHixvq_HqjSeIQxyO6OMpKlU14ekBE/s1600/IMG_1099.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimKynz6QtFLQGfDVSc0D50fu787XEC6nMUqkz_hyvk6uUi3ehcjukXRTwbcH_J20h25cxb2JbcncDMtc3ZBMhVGm_yMzOTCF9n9TAwghwzUvoNwSqHixvq_HqjSeIQxyO6OMpKlU14ekBE/s320/IMG_1099.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi-NRgo7N9bLT_A_Si_ftyzLD6nawzZV0FExHr5bNI4eKQhsIdWJ0FuGpBTDwmNdofDsybZWDP46_pr0IdwrzkVnYeYdfz97XPoP3gf2959SWpsUdltlgiJHagIV79JHbxsw-ZXs4Xrat0/s1600/IMG_1158.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi-NRgo7N9bLT_A_Si_ftyzLD6nawzZV0FExHr5bNI4eKQhsIdWJ0FuGpBTDwmNdofDsybZWDP46_pr0IdwrzkVnYeYdfz97XPoP3gf2959SWpsUdltlgiJHagIV79JHbxsw-ZXs4Xrat0/s320/IMG_1158.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfQVktsuB8pTR6vH3FI260gNBzsKyqUUtE01CBk8JvINeZ-lcQjtbM-Q4sa2X4_UhBfrSixoNSpskFIHRGTjork-N3HMa9pdLogJTxxUjGj6oV4JN8l0WLmYzHMfr_3yYuv9wCF9RYf98g/s1600/IMG_1153.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfQVktsuB8pTR6vH3FI260gNBzsKyqUUtE01CBk8JvINeZ-lcQjtbM-Q4sa2X4_UhBfrSixoNSpskFIHRGTjork-N3HMa9pdLogJTxxUjGj6oV4JN8l0WLmYzHMfr_3yYuv9wCF9RYf98g/s320/IMG_1153.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyVONjngha4CNb_eH4uzn5h6AWdNCR2rEdby_dIX7To9nTXA8KFA4QsJ0fqvJn7uVacqQEQTQD99i2ftpE3kGajO8LyHZlVksz7ghdr99D7znqbllhE1HBXitrs_UfpzM_HKLmTGknhwiS/s1600/IMG_1155.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyVONjngha4CNb_eH4uzn5h6AWdNCR2rEdby_dIX7To9nTXA8KFA4QsJ0fqvJn7uVacqQEQTQD99i2ftpE3kGajO8LyHZlVksz7ghdr99D7znqbllhE1HBXitrs_UfpzM_HKLmTGknhwiS/s320/IMG_1155.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXGCIlGCVWfLrS8ARuX2ID9mp3IvuI21P7F0DxduQ6OXH1tgGQGOozmo2BIGHrAm__fLFPS9FVhFp1wt8g8sToieEy9ByUaC95SjRkaXtwm42w_unS82_QHDMl8gB0G8zN7hHVh-K8ATe7/s1600/IMG_1156.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXGCIlGCVWfLrS8ARuX2ID9mp3IvuI21P7F0DxduQ6OXH1tgGQGOozmo2BIGHrAm__fLFPS9FVhFp1wt8g8sToieEy9ByUaC95SjRkaXtwm42w_unS82_QHDMl8gB0G8zN7hHVh-K8ATe7/s320/IMG_1156.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs05oejeTzV8rc714tUVArfNEHhnRCtwBy2tUVzKzapW63FSSG_qDwShP0PYg20UiS-BQV0hEopYaTUJaeXlFAKVLO-GTc-R-afvYmMgojwc8ktm0ZYvyhtqhuYzDNh3lplJyx4QKPh5QZ/s1600/IMG_1157.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs05oejeTzV8rc714tUVArfNEHhnRCtwBy2tUVzKzapW63FSSG_qDwShP0PYg20UiS-BQV0hEopYaTUJaeXlFAKVLO-GTc-R-afvYmMgojwc8ktm0ZYvyhtqhuYzDNh3lplJyx4QKPh5QZ/s320/IMG_1157.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17208760084051497226noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8700609148199898713.post-72307841828627850302010-09-28T18:00:00.004-05:002010-09-28T18:00:01.396-05:00HappeningsI realize I’m behind the times again. Here is a quick list of new happenings in the world of Rachel:<br />
1. I bought a new car. This is maybe the most exciting news. It’s a 2010 Toyota Venza and I love it. It’s black, with leather, and a sunroof. I also currently have a 2000 Toyota Solara for sale if you’re interested……<br />
<br />
2. I ran a half marathon. Yes, I’m crazy. I ran 13.1 miles in 1 hour and 59 minutes. I was pretty excited, because I set my goal as 2 hours 10 minutes. I was extremely excited to come in (barely) under 2 hours!<br />
<br />
3. Cody took me to see Wicked for my birthday in the cities and it was awesome! We also ate at this Ah-Mazing restaurant called <a href="http://www.fogodechao.com/">Fogo De Chao</a>. It’s a Brazilian steak house where they bring you all the meat you can eat to your table. I highly recommend it!<br />
<br />
4. We also went to the <a href="http://www.renaissancefest.com/MRF/">Minnesota Renaissance Festival</a> the weekend of my birthday. There were all these people dressed in costumes and a lot of food stands and shops. It was really unique and fun. <br />
<br />
5. I traveled home for 5 glorious days over Labor Day weekend. I need to get on the ball and update with pictures.<br />
<br />
6. I traveled to Iowa City, IA to visit Adam and Jessie and tailgate for the Iowa vs. Iowa State game. They recently moved into a house in the country and are finding out about the joys of country living and the critters that come with it…..More on this later.<br />
<br />
7. Then, I traveled to Kansas for work for a week. I’m glad those tests are behind me. Working in a different plant for the first time is always nerve racking. I’m thankful when there are such helpful and nice people in plants that help tests run smoothly.<br />
<br />
8. It’s fall which means that it’s almost winter. This makes me sad.<br />
<br />
9. I may never learn to wear gloves when handling liquid smoke at work. My hands are going to become permanently orange colored if I’m not careful. <br />
<br />
10. My legs are sore (see #2) and I’ve been walking around the office like an 80 year old lady.<br />
<br />
I think that about does it. I will get pictures of the new car and such up soon!Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17208760084051497226noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8700609148199898713.post-17094780995065375992010-09-01T18:00:00.007-05:002010-09-01T18:00:03.023-05:00By the time you read this........I will be on the better side of the Mississippi. Where the sun shines a little brighter. And the grass is just that much greener. Yes, I'll be in Illinois tonight and will stay there for 5 glorious days!! And that my friends makes me very, very, ridiculously happy.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlOlK4qKZgnvoeSrY4n0qE1NSPJ2-5QiB_OfCvcsS0aTrejekH6mhFW5-rTdTbORnM6ovgUpvvqH6yb_mg6IGShYjSd7dgSNGd-cTj8kg888RAK5o_9xVxr4AQE71F0r6Hj83NMVoz4xWp/s1600/IMG_2528.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlOlK4qKZgnvoeSrY4n0qE1NSPJ2-5QiB_OfCvcsS0aTrejekH6mhFW5-rTdTbORnM6ovgUpvvqH6yb_mg6IGShYjSd7dgSNGd-cTj8kg888RAK5o_9xVxr4AQE71F0r6Hj83NMVoz4xWp/s400/IMG_2528.JPG" width="267" /></a></div>Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17208760084051497226noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8700609148199898713.post-91781030921919065162010-08-27T17:00:00.017-05:002010-08-27T17:00:00.391-05:00Back To The FutureI was going through posts on my blog today. I'm really trying to be better about updating it. Last summer when I was an intern, our apartment had horrible internet connection. I spent about an hour writing the following post and lost connection when I tried to publish it. I thought I had lost the entire thing. Well, I came across that post today. It wasn't lost, just hidden in the draft section where you edit posts. I thought about deleting it, but I'm just going to post it. I think it's fun after being here a year to see what I thought about Hormel when I first started. So enjoy this blast from the past! <br />
<div><br />
<br />
Hello all from beautiful Austin, Minnesota! (a hint of sarcasm may be included)..<br />
<br />
</div><div>But, while Austin might not make the cut for the most exciting of towns, it's been really good here so far. After my first full week of work I think I'm really going to like it. I'm getting to help with some really cool projects they have going on, and I really like the people I work with. Everyone at Hormel is so friendly and helpful. They are always willing to answer my questions and explain what's going on. My roommates are really nice, and so are the other interns. It's really nice because they plan events for us to do and we all live at the same apartment complex so we can all hang out together. The only downfall of the job is that I'm probably going to gain 50 pounds this summer because there is always food around! I won't ever need to buy groceries because I'm never hungry by the time I make it home. So I've been running extra miles to cover it!<br />
<br />
</div><div><div align="left">In other news, I made a flying trip home this weekend for my cousin Matt's wedding. While I was home, I stopped by Grandma Betty's to visit for awhile. While I was there Clayton discovered a little lizard that had wondered into the house and was screaming about an iguana in the house. Of course we all thought he was full of it until it came running out and sure enough it was a lizard! I didn't even know we had lizards around home. Janette, Justin, Clayton, and I bravely tried to catch it and we failed miserably! So it's still in Grandma's house somewhere......<br />
<br />
</div><div align="left">But, I was so glad that I was able to make it home even if it was a short trip. Since Matt and I are the same age we grew up doing a lot of things together, but since I've been in college I don't get to see much of him. Matt and Lori have been dating since high school so this has been a long time coming. Congrats Matt and Lori!! <br />
<br />
</div><div align="left">That's it for now. My defense is one week from Wednesday, and my boss set up a practice defense for me at work on Friday....in front of the entire R&D group! Gulp! Wish me luck!!</div><br />
<div align="center">*The Lizard - it may look small but it was very scary :) *</div><br />
<div align="center"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345151772082107874" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdU138OVfgGxQI-uAgPXu83xJFCv2pu6oqUNi6JVV1jOX8_B4PQIIikzRNXuDziifK0JUtbpyaYQw8H1KW9mVJkmts4VqP4sVvjUNsIMAO0Rtx1S1XyN2e8R_ANC0R3VSFR7G3_MT71oci/s320/IMG_0865.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 214px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /><br />
*Dad and Rob stopped planting just long enough to go to the wedding and take this picture*</div><br />
<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345151786581908786" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCj4qPaaUOjgtIgOEkSxPdRyaJvqjeHf85U7iGcuSlrGiV6jxeDDpg5QG4Lt93-RCdBzd22IYJZEzerpWM4LDhodspeJU8X7nWeYAWYNZVywkSQiluOIuvYB7sNdkCt8JLD7dxY7OK3LzK/s320/IMG_0896.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 214px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /><br />
<br />
<div align="center">*Lori & Matt*</div><div align="center"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345151778612831490" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtXnrtORiQN9mwzgI-X8UaP9PJ6rZMGE2bG65aYqh9nZH8Q5RicY5-QGsmmiRKpfGG-EsVLqKO6eHIwnvz-qcoVEMWojMbX7F9jHcv3X1Q_B8SLFJTYZKKPFsQ94vIZ7JfNhsF8SyC5v5y/s320/IMG_0929.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 214px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /> </div><br />
<div align="center">*The slideshow had a picture of us like this when we were probably 5 and Grandma wanted to re-enact. The old one was much cuter. Lol!*<br />
<br />
<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345157484097979986" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIBv0euk-6j91TsIZKnZilHFnNMhfiT8SN2T5XVv_uPJadzUNyXXiRq-Bj1S1uMI3B0lSzUDKgVgk6bq39HbM_PijLMfnxlwyxwteL8AMwsPGbjTXitOH0JgAZV1Z4-ciW6EfIWbhlj-9n/s320/DSC03725.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /><br />
*Trevor - Best looking guy at the wedding*</div><br />
<div><br />
</div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345157480963915858" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbKQ2buXpbJef_bI3ORBl3Aqj-6Sxk-Dv-lT23Jw7bLMEzoQv8yOfbAduBdwr1TBwjlLbL6D8mt6kGts9Z_r_zfmS3_Li3NXDRw3q4jumKLt5OrCWlak-97BJJMY_-96VQ0cW81LhwvedX/s320/IMG_0918.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 214px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /><br />
<br />
<div><br />
<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345151777086483842" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9ZAR6SR5E2epy788egQbrH728ZjilLn_gfzvgaW1q-2B-ZmcPBeE4l05OQoMuJF6JwdaCobGhSBLFdliqyeI0aqGdXcss2_hoyGf_FYO6uA9wpXV5fb8edc-1e_Nuq8PXXQynS_nsFmvN/s320/IMG_0894.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 214px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></div></div>Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17208760084051497226noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8700609148199898713.post-83933204462512252082010-08-26T14:41:00.004-05:002010-08-26T18:28:31.893-05:00Move over Betty Crocker!Since I've living on my own for the past year, I really feel like I’ve been channeling Betty Crocker, or probably more like Grandma Betty Smith, (and it's not so much channeling as it is calling her and asking her what to do- Thanks Grandma!). I’ve branched out and tried cooking much more than I did in college. I attribute this to the fact that I have more time now, and I also cook a lot for Cody. He gets to try out my new dishes I invent. However, he will eat pretty much anything. I could make him a cheese sandwich, and he would declare it the best cheese sandwich he’s ever had. The first thing I made for him was lasagna, and when he came over he was confused as to why the lasagna was not frozen and there were mixing bowls involved. Poor kid, he didn’t have a Grandma Betty. Anyway, I’m proud to say there have been many successes, very few failures, and nothing that has been truly inedible. I’ve been really impressed with my ability to make stuff up on the fly. I’ve also made conscious efforts to eat more vegetables. Much to my family’s disbelief I’ve even started to eat green beans. I’ve also grilled a lot of asparagus. However, many of my failed dishes have to do with some sort of vegetable…. <br />
<br />
Some of the failures include:<br />
<ul><li><strong>Green beans</strong> – Maybe it’s because I still don’t really like them, but I can’t ever cook them to where I think they’re right. The texture is always off.</li>
<li><strong>Stuffed green peppers</strong> – These weren’t bad, but not that good. I went through a “cream cheese would be good in everything” phase, and I thought that if I filled a hollowed out green pepper with some cream cheese, cheddar cheese, ground beef, and a bunch of spices it would be really delicious. It was just really weird, and I need to look up an appropriate recipe for stuffed peppers and try again.</li>
</ul><div></div>Luckily, the success list is much longer! <br />
<ul><li><strong>Cuban pork sandwiches</strong> – my mouth just waters thinking about it. I’ve really come to love mustard and pickles lately.</li>
<li><strong>Pie Crust</strong> - although it still needs some tweaks</li>
<li><strong>Baked Pasta</strong> - This is frequently called Rachel’s Surprise because I usually end up using leftover meats/cheeses/whatever is left in the fridge, but it’s always been yummy!</li>
<li><strong>Mayonnaise bread</strong> – this sounds completely disgusting but believe me it is the most delicious cheese bread I’ve ever sank my teeth into. I started out trying to recreate cheese bread I have had before (Corineah if you read this, I was trying to make your bread). I couldn’t remember the ingredients. so I just guessed. It started with cream cheese, because it seemed like that should work (plus it was during my cream cheese phase). It was good, but just not quite right. Thanks to The Pioneer Woman I came across <a href="http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2009/03/garlic-cheese-bread/">this recipe</a> and found the missing puzzle piece was mayonnaise! Who woulda thunk? Make it if you have a few extra calories to spare…..</li>
<li><strong>Whiskey cream sauce</strong> – another Pioneer Woman recipe, but I tweaked it some, and it’s soooo yummy on a nice, thick ribeye steak.</li>
</ul><div></div><ul><li><strong>Alfredo sauce</strong> – so delicious and yet oh so bad for you</li>
</ul>Wow it really sounds like I’ve just been loading up on calories doesn’t it??<br />
<ul><li><strong>Banana cream pie</strong> – I don’t know if I’ve ever had banana cream pie, but it is Cody’s favorite so I attempted it for his birthday. He said it was good. I think it could be better.</li>
<li><strong>Enchiladas - </strong>again thanks to Pioneer Woman.</li>
<li><strong>Shrimp pasta</strong> - Maybe my most favorite dish lately. Just cook up some shrimp in some olive oil and then toss with peas and pasta. </li>
<li><strong>Beef Brisket -</strong> in my crock pot</li>
</ul>The list goes on. My most recent successes happened a few weeks ago. I had a lazy Sunday and decided it was the day I would tackle homemade rolls. I had only tried this completely on my own a few times, and the previous tests had not turned out well. This time I was determined to be triumphant! Cody had also never had ham and noodles so I made those as well. The food was as good as my kitchen was dirty….<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY8PuSoTNWFCgJ4a2jnuc7XAb5VKclVmMEsYV87eG58WqBGc97dEVOxQy5_doYgU3ZDpm7EZUewITqvUn8xYBIEUs2CKB4hiOnugA9eWIiBHyxtZmrAmKa8IwKqSycpoRw-P01wVbd6tkE/s1600/IMG_2562a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY8PuSoTNWFCgJ4a2jnuc7XAb5VKclVmMEsYV87eG58WqBGc97dEVOxQy5_doYgU3ZDpm7EZUewITqvUn8xYBIEUs2CKB4hiOnugA9eWIiBHyxtZmrAmKa8IwKqSycpoRw-P01wVbd6tkE/s320/IMG_2562a.jpg" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuhCpR8eZyVHZp6i0sMvnhO0Uj7P0KJ_yhXvJUHut29qx34Wfv5Fayia2YEh4LhyPiubiENErfgkvxSj5Un4wRDu7V_QQCI4qhd4wAIr4Ektqf05ve2VPpWr7KEuMUmwZtDqJgDgqJKyQ6/s1600/IMG_2565.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="cssfloat: right; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuhCpR8eZyVHZp6i0sMvnhO0Uj7P0KJ_yhXvJUHut29qx34Wfv5Fayia2YEh4LhyPiubiENErfgkvxSj5Un4wRDu7V_QQCI4qhd4wAIr4Ektqf05ve2VPpWr7KEuMUmwZtDqJgDgqJKyQ6/s320/IMG_2565.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPNaAoC5zkeWwiXs7LRj_c3nnmtP0mtTL-ENCCh6BG6DM1jOm6-bdhTgI62kWX4TUg8TCtiYHCHGTfpBz9DZeeyz2txzT8-ruFCERqzjzCtxrA2wjg6FO0DztMWmrVXaeB3_x84Z1Ghd4y/s1600/IMG_2555a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPNaAoC5zkeWwiXs7LRj_c3nnmtP0mtTL-ENCCh6BG6DM1jOm6-bdhTgI62kWX4TUg8TCtiYHCHGTfpBz9DZeeyz2txzT8-ruFCERqzjzCtxrA2wjg6FO0DztMWmrVXaeB3_x84Z1Ghd4y/s320/IMG_2555a.jpg" /></a>I bet Betty Crocker never made as big of a mess as I do though, and she probably remembers to take pictures of the final product. Making bread and noodles was an all day affair, and by the time both were ready to eat I was much too hungry to be bothered with pictures. I also demonstrated just how much like my mom I am. I had flour everywhere, complete with two flour handprints on my behind. Thanks for teaching me that, Mom. The rolls were definitely a success this go around. The only thing I would change next time is that I made them much too big and they spread into more of a loaf than a roll so they didn’t raise as high as they should have. This did not stop the two of us from eating 4 pans (small pans) in less than a week. I definitely ran a few extra miles that week!</div></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeTvTazv4SkSz86whavdDTPSN_jsLqoyOWB_si4sD1d05m6LJlEOFzRAYMPCHm6Z87Mey-3MsVpi7PIt-nHJJ9zxt-l0lye9cCpOTBEGXzY5ahkEp3gj3aE5Ux_A6JNFYpY7t227_tayze/s1600/IMG_2575.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: right; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeTvTazv4SkSz86whavdDTPSN_jsLqoyOWB_si4sD1d05m6LJlEOFzRAYMPCHm6Z87Mey-3MsVpi7PIt-nHJJ9zxt-l0lye9cCpOTBEGXzY5ahkEp3gj3aE5Ux_A6JNFYpY7t227_tayze/s320/IMG_2575.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTKdH87Qn5aNN7qFef9Pw4QBGoAOGNtoiH729HxoKAtTJHu3XHfaDTSjGMwVV0T9Vcl-Ru6OPz6ClXYbcAO8tm9VsPwr8NoFjvMl5EbCXNLqy1G2VewGYYkQBHRIN7JmEYOrbCzuvFO-JW/s1600/IMG_2571.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; height: 216px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; width: 301px;"><img border="0" bx="true" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTKdH87Qn5aNN7qFef9Pw4QBGoAOGNtoiH729HxoKAtTJHu3XHfaDTSjGMwVV0T9Vcl-Ru6OPz6ClXYbcAO8tm9VsPwr8NoFjvMl5EbCXNLqy1G2VewGYYkQBHRIN7JmEYOrbCzuvFO-JW/s320/IMG_2571.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHuVhMC_ABE0Rn3eUBK4OBad-DW1Zk0lg44E9CKVXmhdYJMnjD88QOmJdcWiBJdgndMfApDyf1mxBaee4LhIgiZXQVwCTfHwX7loYdADAlXpGMlm8AjWjoVIeoG6XXkJHnrBBKLIHTdSfh/s1600/IMG_2568.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHuVhMC_ABE0Rn3eUBK4OBad-DW1Zk0lg44E9CKVXmhdYJMnjD88QOmJdcWiBJdgndMfApDyf1mxBaee4LhIgiZXQVwCTfHwX7loYdADAlXpGMlm8AjWjoVIeoG6XXkJHnrBBKLIHTdSfh/s320/IMG_2568.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17208760084051497226noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8700609148199898713.post-6140023770083046102010-07-25T17:18:00.000-05:002010-07-25T17:18:04.996-05:00LiarAs a good friend of mine recently pointed out, I lied. I promised a blog update over a month ago, and I still haven't delivered one. I'm sorry. I don't even have a good excuse only that it's summer time, and I've been trying to soak it all in. So here's a quick update. I would promise to have another post with pictures soon, but I can't guarantee that I'll be able to deliver.<br />
<br />
1. It's been hot in MN. I love it, because it actually feels like summer to me. People from Minnesota like to complain about the heat. I think I probably sound like them in the winter when it's snowing, so I suppose it's even.<br />
<br />
2. My house has been like the Austin Hotel lately. Dallas was here for the 4th of July, the following weekend Rachel and David made a quick pit stop, and I entertained Adam and Jessie this weekend. Cory and Petey will be here next weekend and my parents the weekend after that.<br />
<br />
3. I love visitors. If you would like to come visit please make your reservation right now!<br />
<br />
4. I'm now training to run a half marathon in September. I'm not sure what kind of crazy thoughts have taken over my brain. I'll be running with 3 other Hormel girls so it should be a fun time (well minus the running 13 miles part).<br />
<br />
5. I cooked all afternoon, and I'm now covered in flour. I'm definitely my mother's daughter judging by the flour handprints that were on my shorts...<br />
<br />
6. I've eaten my weight in mashed potatoes the last couple of weeks at work. It's becoming a problem. See #4.<br />
<br />
7. My cousin Clayton was baptised this morning at church, and I am so proud of him! I really wish I could have been home to see him give his life to the Lord. Congrats Clayton!<br />
<br />
8. Did I mention that I love summer and hot weather??<br />
<br />
9. I played in a sand volleyball tournament last weekend and ended up with a wicked mystery bruise on my hand. I should have taken a picture of it, but I forgot.<br />
<br />
10. Watching the latest episodes of Deadliest Catch where Captain Phil dies makes me cry everytime. I'm such a baby. <br />
<br />
11. I've been living off of strawberries for the last month and a half. I bought some at the store last week and ended up throwing half the carton away once I got home because they were starting to rot. It made me very sad because it means strawberry season is over.<br />
<br />
12. The same day I threw away strawberries, I bought my first bunch of sweet corn. This made me feel much better.<br />
<br />
13. Cody has now met <u>almost</u> all of the important people in my life and has passed the inspections. I knew he would :)<br />
<br />
14. I need to go to Illinois soon. Chauncey, Illinois to be specific.<br />
<br />
15. I'm more tan than I've been in the last few years. I love summer!<br />
<br />
16. Getting engaged seems to be the thing to do these days. Congrats to Sarah and Matt, Jessie and Adam, and Christine and Travis!! I'll throw in Bethany and Blake and Sug and Robert too even though you've been engaged for awhile :)<br />
<br />
That's all I can think of for now. Off to enjoy some more hot summer weather!!Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17208760084051497226noreply@blogger.com0