Saw this on Facebook and thought it would be fun to post:
Have a fun and safe Halloween, everyone!Monday, October 31, 2011
Friday, October 28, 2011
Be Encouraged
Do you need something encouraging to listen to while you're surfing the web? I've got three online radio stations that I rotate between and they really help keep my mind fixed on things above.
Here are direct links to their online players. Just click on the image and you will be directed to their online music player:
These stations also have smart phone apps! So if you have a smart phone or iPod Touch you can download their music player and listen to positive, encouraging music anywhere you have WiFi.
I hope that these stations bring a lot of joy into your day/life! Enjoy!
Here are direct links to their online players. Just click on the image and you will be directed to their online music player:
These stations also have smart phone apps! So if you have a smart phone or iPod Touch you can download their music player and listen to positive, encouraging music anywhere you have WiFi.I hope that these stations bring a lot of joy into your day/life! Enjoy!
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Kind of Interesting...
I was reading some various articles online when I saw this article about celebrities who have visited Disney. Apparently there was a Comedy Central celebrity at Disneyland/California Adventure the same day Dan and I were there for my golden birthday. I noticed the date under the photo of Stephen Colbert with Goofy, but had to Google the actor's name to find out who he is. Stephen Colbert is on Comedy Central's The Colbert Report. I don't have cable, so I guess I have an excuse for not knowing who he is. Anyway, it's still cool that someone who is well-know (by others) was there the same day as Dan and I were. Honestly, I think that I would've been disappointed if I there was someone there I actually knew and didn't ever run into him/her. Ha ha!
Stephen Colbert poses with Goofy outside the Soarin Over California attraction at Disney California Adventure park in on August 28, 2010 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Paul Hiffmeyer/Disney via Getty Images)
Stephen Colbert, wife Evelyn Colbert and sons Peter Colbert and John Colbert pose with Goofy outside the Soarin Over California attraction at Disney California Adventure park in on August 28, 2010 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Paul Hiffmeyer/Disney via Getty Images)
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Shopping at Whole Foods Market
Back in September LivingSocial was offering a deal: $10 for $20 to spend at Whole Foods Market, limit one per person. So Dan and I each purchased one with our own account. We weren't the only ones who were jumping on this deal - my Facebook news feed had several others who shared about their recent LivingSocial purchase.We decided to wait until we were in the new house to splurge on our mini Whole Foods shopping spree - and last night we finally went. I'll admit, I was a bit lost in that store. I've never seriously shopped there - well, for more than one random thing at a time. Dan and I kept splitting up, each trying to decide what we should buy. Our ultimate goal was to each spend our gift certificate ($20/each) without going over.
Once we were finished choosing our items, we divided our cart into two piles - hoping they were about $20 each. Some items were on sale, some items had coupons... some items were on sale and had coupons! Score!
I went first. After my sale items and coupons I was at $17.36. Oops! So I snagged two packs of gum and my total came to $20.13. After my gift certificate I spent $0.13. I looked at Dan and playfully said, "Let's see if you can beat that."
Dan went next. After his sale items and coupons he was at $19.80, so he purchased a different pack of gum. His final total was $20.85. After his gift certificate he spent $0.85. The female cashier smiled at Dan and said, "Looks like she beat you."
Here are our final numbers...
Total spent on LinvingSocial deal: $20
Total spent at Whole Foods Market (before LS and coupons): $44.79
TOTAL SPENT (including LS): $20.98
TOTAL SAVINGS: $23.81+
I put the "+" next to Total Savings because some of the items were on sale but I can't remember how much the items were originally priced and it doesn't show how much we saved on our receipts. I know the total is a couple of dollars, but I'm not sure exactly.
In the long run, we saved over 53% on our grocery bill at Whole Foods Market - which is awesome! I can say this much, I love the selection of fresh, organic whole foods, but the prices are definitely too steep for me and my budget. This was a nice way to pick up a few healthy items (i.e. soy milk, Greek yogurt, frozen fruit, cottage cheese, etc.) and not break the bank.
Monday, October 24, 2011
Fall Harvest Weekend
Friday, October 21st Dan and I drove up to Wisconsin after work. Our first destination was Chili's restaurant to have dinner with our dear friends, Rose and James. We met at 8:00 p.m. and stayed until almost 11:00 - good times, good times.
We strolled into Dan's parent's house just after 11:00 p.m. and as Dan turned the corner to enter the family room I heard his high-pitched, excited voice exclaim, "Stefanie!" Sure enough, when I turned the corner and entered the room, there she was on the couch - with Dan hugging her close. Stefanie now lives in California with her husband, Thomas, so this was a very unexpected surprise.
Saturday, October 22nd Dan and I slept in until about 8:15 a.m. doesn't sound like much but I was actually ready to get up long before that.
The morning and early afternoon was spent baking, cooking and shopping for last minute items. That evening we were joined by Dan's other sister, Mandy, and her fiance, Cale. As the evening progressed we were also joined by Dan's Uncle Ralph and Aunt Diane. Before dinner we enjoyed appetizers like carmel apple dip and apples as well as baked brie with a cranberry sauce with tasty crackers. Dan's father started a bonfire outside and the guys played beans bags.
For dinner we had our choice of homemade potato soup or chili in a sour dough bread bowl from Panera Bread. Everything was delicious!
After dinner, most of us (well, everyone except Dan's mom, Carol) went to Wisconsin Feargrounds in Waukesha. We did the same thing last year - except there were three haunted houses and a maze. This year we opted to save a few bucks and just do the main haunted house - Morgan Manor. Our wait was rather long this year. Last year we waited about 10-20 minutes to enter the first haunted house, but this year there was quite the line and our wait extended to over 1 and 1/2 hours! No matter, we made the most of the situation and enjoyed each other's company - as well as the company of the occasional ghoul who walked among the winding line.
It felt like it took us about 15 minutes to walk through the haunted manor. It was really crowded so our group of eight ran into other groups along the way. Dan took the front and I stood closely behind him. Whenever we started to run into another group Dan would slow down so that we could get some distance and give the monsters a chance to "reset" for our own personal scare. However, that usually resulted in the group behind us running into us. Oh well, it was still a good time! Each monster put a lot of effort into his/her character and it was rather entertaining - one sad little girl/ghoul really wanted me to be her mommy.
After we survived our venture through Morgan Manor we continued home. Back at the house Carol had a large cupcake waiting for Cale in honor of his upcoming birthday. She also had chocolate dishes filled with frozen pumpkin concrete - from Culvers. We sat around the table and laughed about the events that took place within the haunted house. It was a great way to end the evening!
Sunday, October 23rd Dan and I got ready to go home so that I could get home in time for work. Stefanie joined us. Since their parents were heading to Las Vegas later that day (a business trip for their dad, mini vacation for their mom) Stefanie took their mom's car and came down with us. I rode down with Stefanie and drove by himself. Stefanie and I had a great talk the whole way home.
After a quick lunch at home I departed for my shift at Williams-Sonoma. Aside from one annoying customer - whom I had to be pulled from - it was a rather easy shift. Dan and Stefanie hung out all afternoon and even stopped by the mall to visit me.
After work I met up with Dan and Stefanie and we had dinner at La Mex - yum! That evening Stefanie suggested that we rent Justin Bieber: Never Say Never - and we did. Heads up! Watch with caution... you will get Bieber Fever! Seriously though, what a sweetheart! He has a great story and this documentary-style film, filled with personal home videos of Justin and his family, really gave me a lot more respect for this little heartthrob pop singer.
All in all, it was a great weekend and I really didn't want it to end. Stefanie will be going back up to Wisconsin this morning but we'll get to see her again this weekend when when her and I go bridesmaid dress shopping with Mandy. Can't wait!
We strolled into Dan's parent's house just after 11:00 p.m. and as Dan turned the corner to enter the family room I heard his high-pitched, excited voice exclaim, "Stefanie!" Sure enough, when I turned the corner and entered the room, there she was on the couch - with Dan hugging her close. Stefanie now lives in California with her husband, Thomas, so this was a very unexpected surprise.
Saturday, October 22nd Dan and I slept in until about 8:15 a.m. doesn't sound like much but I was actually ready to get up long before that.
The morning and early afternoon was spent baking, cooking and shopping for last minute items. That evening we were joined by Dan's other sister, Mandy, and her fiance, Cale. As the evening progressed we were also joined by Dan's Uncle Ralph and Aunt Diane. Before dinner we enjoyed appetizers like carmel apple dip and apples as well as baked brie with a cranberry sauce with tasty crackers. Dan's father started a bonfire outside and the guys played beans bags.
For dinner we had our choice of homemade potato soup or chili in a sour dough bread bowl from Panera Bread. Everything was delicious!
After dinner, most of us (well, everyone except Dan's mom, Carol) went to Wisconsin Feargrounds in Waukesha. We did the same thing last year - except there were three haunted houses and a maze. This year we opted to save a few bucks and just do the main haunted house - Morgan Manor. Our wait was rather long this year. Last year we waited about 10-20 minutes to enter the first haunted house, but this year there was quite the line and our wait extended to over 1 and 1/2 hours! No matter, we made the most of the situation and enjoyed each other's company - as well as the company of the occasional ghoul who walked among the winding line.
It felt like it took us about 15 minutes to walk through the haunted manor. It was really crowded so our group of eight ran into other groups along the way. Dan took the front and I stood closely behind him. Whenever we started to run into another group Dan would slow down so that we could get some distance and give the monsters a chance to "reset" for our own personal scare. However, that usually resulted in the group behind us running into us. Oh well, it was still a good time! Each monster put a lot of effort into his/her character and it was rather entertaining - one sad little girl/ghoul really wanted me to be her mommy.
After we survived our venture through Morgan Manor we continued home. Back at the house Carol had a large cupcake waiting for Cale in honor of his upcoming birthday. She also had chocolate dishes filled with frozen pumpkin concrete - from Culvers. We sat around the table and laughed about the events that took place within the haunted house. It was a great way to end the evening!
Sunday, October 23rd Dan and I got ready to go home so that I could get home in time for work. Stefanie joined us. Since their parents were heading to Las Vegas later that day (a business trip for their dad, mini vacation for their mom) Stefanie took their mom's car and came down with us. I rode down with Stefanie and drove by himself. Stefanie and I had a great talk the whole way home.
After a quick lunch at home I departed for my shift at Williams-Sonoma. Aside from one annoying customer - whom I had to be pulled from - it was a rather easy shift. Dan and Stefanie hung out all afternoon and even stopped by the mall to visit me.
After work I met up with Dan and Stefanie and we had dinner at La Mex - yum! That evening Stefanie suggested that we rent Justin Bieber: Never Say Never - and we did. Heads up! Watch with caution... you will get Bieber Fever! Seriously though, what a sweetheart! He has a great story and this documentary-style film, filled with personal home videos of Justin and his family, really gave me a lot more respect for this little heartthrob pop singer.
All in all, it was a great weekend and I really didn't want it to end. Stefanie will be going back up to Wisconsin this morning but we'll get to see her again this weekend when when her and I go bridesmaid dress shopping with Mandy. Can't wait!
Thursday, October 20, 2011
I'm Pro-Life
I saw this on Facebook this morning and thought that it was worth sharing...
A worried woman went to her gynecologist and said, "Doctor, I have a serious problem and desperately need your help! My baby is not even 1 year old and I'm pregnant again. I don't want kids so close together."
So the doctor said, "Ok and what do you want me to do?"
She said, "I want you to end my pregnancy, and I'm counting on your help with this."
The doctor thought for a little, and after some silence he said to the lady, "I think I have a better solution for your problem. It's less dangerous for you too."
She smiled, thinking that the doctor was going to accept her request.
Then he continued, "You see, in order for you not to have to take care of 2 babies at the same time, let's kill the one in your arms. This way, you could rest some before the other one is born. If we're going to kill one of them, it doesn't matter which one it is. There would be no risk for your body if you chose the one in your arms."
The lady was horrified and said, "No doctor! How terrible! It's a crime to kill a child!''
"I agree," the doctor replied. "But you seemed to be OK with it, so I thought maybe that was the best solution."
The doctor smiled, realizing that he had made his point.
He convinced the mom that there is no difference in killing a child that's already been born and one that's still in the womb. The crime is the same!
If you agree, please SHARE. Together we can help save precious lives!
Love says, "I sacrifice myself for the good of the other person." Abortion says, "I sacrifice the other person for the good of myself."
By: Life is Dangerous: Let's Ban It
You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb.
Psalm 139:13 New Living Translation (NLT)
A worried woman went to her gynecologist and said, "Doctor, I have a serious problem and desperately need your help! My baby is not even 1 year old and I'm pregnant again. I don't want kids so close together."So the doctor said, "Ok and what do you want me to do?"
She said, "I want you to end my pregnancy, and I'm counting on your help with this."
The doctor thought for a little, and after some silence he said to the lady, "I think I have a better solution for your problem. It's less dangerous for you too."
She smiled, thinking that the doctor was going to accept her request.
Then he continued, "You see, in order for you not to have to take care of 2 babies at the same time, let's kill the one in your arms. This way, you could rest some before the other one is born. If we're going to kill one of them, it doesn't matter which one it is. There would be no risk for your body if you chose the one in your arms."
The lady was horrified and said, "No doctor! How terrible! It's a crime to kill a child!''
"I agree," the doctor replied. "But you seemed to be OK with it, so I thought maybe that was the best solution."
The doctor smiled, realizing that he had made his point.
He convinced the mom that there is no difference in killing a child that's already been born and one that's still in the womb. The crime is the same!
If you agree, please SHARE. Together we can help save precious lives!
Love says, "I sacrifice myself for the good of the other person." Abortion says, "I sacrifice the other person for the good of myself."
By: Life is Dangerous: Let's Ban It
You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb.
Psalm 139:13 New Living Translation (NLT)
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Upcoming Bridesmaid Dress Shopping
Sometime within the next couple of months I am going to go bridesmaid dress shopping with my sister-in-law, Mandy. That means I am on a time crunch to drop a few pounds/inches so I can look fabulous in this amazing dress...
Mandy gave us bridesmaids 14 dress styles and 2 colors to chose from. My favorite color, between the two, is called amethyst. Depending on your computer monitor, you may not see it for what it really is - dark purple. Not black.
So put the two together and that it the dress that I am shooting for. I am so excited! I have been wanting a dress this style for some time. Even Dan said, "Hey, that dress looks like something you've been trying to find, isn't it?" For someone who doesn't have the best memory, I was certainly impressed when he said that.
Mandy gave us bridesmaids 14 dress styles and 2 colors to chose from. My favorite color, between the two, is called amethyst. Depending on your computer monitor, you may not see it for what it really is - dark purple. Not black.
So put the two together and that it the dress that I am shooting for. I am so excited! I have been wanting a dress this style for some time. Even Dan said, "Hey, that dress looks like something you've been trying to find, isn't it?" For someone who doesn't have the best memory, I was certainly impressed when he said that.
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