tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-48352526169304966302024-03-12T22:09:02.107-04:00fully:undividedtracking our family's trip back to lifeN.S.K.&E.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10237829162464070535noreply@blogger.comBlogger84125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4835252616930496630.post-57201657565442724552012-09-26T21:15:00.000-04:002012-09-26T21:16:33.945-04:00It is finishedIt's been a while - just over a year to be precise. A lot has happened, more than we can convey right now. But, there's enough time tonight, before we crash into the oblivion of a deep, peaceful sleep, to share a few pictures:<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wtGHBOjAltk/UGOnwa1lb2I/AAAAAAAAAqg/nr2Lj5-V3Tg/s1600/Nicole+loan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="207" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wtGHBOjAltk/UGOnwa1lb2I/AAAAAAAAAqg/nr2Lj5-V3Tg/s400/Nicole+loan.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Nicole's account with Sallie Mae website after submitting the final of many, many payments.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-maG-pfkVdHk/UGOn9FFxCtI/AAAAAAAAAqo/Ofx-pgeEF2w/s1600/Receipt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="342" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-maG-pfkVdHk/UGOn9FFxCtI/AAAAAAAAAqo/Ofx-pgeEF2w/s400/Receipt.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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And, Sam's account with Department of Education after submitting the final of many, many, many payments.<br />
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We did it. We did it. We did it!N.S.K.&E.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10237829162464070535noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4835252616930496630.post-70510587117949001122011-09-23T21:58:00.001-04:002011-09-23T21:58:57.171-04:00We're back...You won't believe what we've accomplished these past couple months. First and foremost, Elsie is 1! WTH. How did that happen?!<br />
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I actually finished making her a happy birthday banner and this sweet crown made from a thrifted sweater. The highlights of my year as I actually got to do some crafting. Oh, and <a href="http://www.maizehutton.com/matryoshkadoll.html">this </a>was made for her present. It was also made from a part of that same sweater, as well as a couple others. It's freakin' cute.</div>
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Secondly, we did it! <a href="http://nsrule.blogspot.com/2011/04/life.html">We set a goal way back when,</a> and we did it. Early I might add. Just, FYI, I'm pretty good at setting close to insurmountable goals and then being disappointed when it doesn't pan out (as Sam so endearingly notes). I also would like to point out that not only did we meet this insurmountable goal, but we "freekin' rocked it." We paid off my graduate school loans in the amount of roughly $25,000 since April. We are now down to about $65,000. This whole thing is seeming a bit more doable. </div>
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We would love to hear from you if you somehow stopped by and are on this journey with us. </div>
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It feels good to make progress.</div>
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N.</div>
<br />N.S.K.&E.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10237829162464070535noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4835252616930496630.post-47997578532400231642011-06-03T21:54:00.000-04:002011-06-03T21:54:24.791-04:00Lonely.I'm not sure how to write this. I don't want to sound pathetic or pitiable. I don't feel that way, I just feel sad and I miss my friends. Seriously, we pretty much don't see people anymore. We hang out with the family weekly but other than that pretty much everyone has been abandoned. Not on purpose. I want all you friends to know, we had no idea that we would be unreachable.<br />
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For the past week or two it's consumed me. I'm afraid doing this, this crazy 2 year journey of intensity towards paying off debt, is going to cost us our friendships. I am usually the social director of our marriage. I am too tired, with all my new duties w/ 50-60 hour work weeks to get anything done once I'm home. It makes me sad since what I'd like to be doing is connecting with the people I love. This lack of contact becomes clear when I meet up with friends after a long absence and realize I've missed weeks or months of their lives and them mine. Ugh. I am not built to live in superficial relationships. I thrive on community and intimacy.<br />
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This is going to be harder than I thought. Anyone want to do <a href="http://www.daveramsey.com/fpu/home/ictid/lmbb%5FFPU/">this</a> crazy journey with us? We could use the camaraderie. We make a mean rice and beans.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-slrg7DSBTXY/TemPn38lROI/AAAAAAAAAqA/_gIk3MAUSBI/s1600/DSC_0048.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-slrg7DSBTXY/TemPn38lROI/AAAAAAAAAqA/_gIk3MAUSBI/s400/DSC_0048.JPG" width="265" /></a></div><br />
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n.N.S.K.&E.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10237829162464070535noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4835252616930496630.post-53602676966185730512011-05-29T22:11:00.000-04:002011-05-29T22:11:12.907-04:00Hard CoreWe are in the thick of it. I know what you're saying, "You just started, how can you be in the thick of it?" But we are. I've got one more day of a 6 day in a row work week (where 2 of those days included 10 hour days). We are in the THICK of it. June is going to be hard core. It's pretty much 6 day work weeks for me all month. Once July rolls around I'm going to start a new job. Yes, a third job. It's at a skilled nursing facility (which I've never worked at before, which means new paperwork and learning the system...ugh...more stress) about 35 miles away from home. It's guaranteed hours weekly, and let's just say, they made the offer too good to refuse. We're in the thick of it.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VqAp-XMHdFw/TeL6kxMR7JI/AAAAAAAAApw/XH4sn2Hbn-4/s1600/DSC_0019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VqAp-XMHdFw/TeL6kxMR7JI/AAAAAAAAApw/XH4sn2Hbn-4/s320/DSC_0019.JPG" width="212" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-433hBX3bhJ4/TeL6nu3hQ0I/AAAAAAAAAp0/z4Pm1g3J2MY/s1600/DSC_0067.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-433hBX3bhJ4/TeL6nu3hQ0I/AAAAAAAAAp0/z4Pm1g3J2MY/s320/DSC_0067.JPG" width="212" /></a></div>Sam called me while I was at work today and said "I was listening to <a href="http://www.daveramsey.com/home/">Dave</a> this afternoon and I just want you to know that you're hard core. Going from 2 days a week to full-time was a huge change and I appreciate you're willingness to do this for our family." I appreciate him loving on me but really, this is totally a team effort. Basically, we never have days off together anymore. We can't. It's a waste of too much money. I know that sounds ridiculous but daycare is expensive so if I can work on a day when there are no daycare expenses I need to do it. Secondly, Sam has taken up a huge amount of household responsibility. Since I'm really not home anymore Sam has picked up the grocery shopping, laundry, diaper washing and most of the cooking responsibilities. As difficult as it is for me to be away from my family (it's not how I'm built...I don't want to be a working mama. I yearn to be home and be a homemaker) it is such an amazing feeling to come home to an amazingly cooked meal, happy children and a satisfied husband who kisses me hello and then says "we had a great day together."<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zOCxK6Nnmcg/TeL6tj5S81I/AAAAAAAAAp4/Lb_v-liYC2Y/s1600/DSC_0011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zOCxK6Nnmcg/TeL6tj5S81I/AAAAAAAAAp4/Lb_v-liYC2Y/s320/DSC_0011.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>We're functioning in the THICK of it. We can do this. I tell Sam "you're hard core." He says "you know why I'm hard core, because I do this (pointing to the amazing dinner he's come up with) in this piece of shit kitchen." Yes, I quote.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Faz8upNU73E/TeL7rkkqxhI/AAAAAAAAAp8/AKeQFvNz454/s1600/DSC_0009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Faz8upNU73E/TeL7rkkqxhI/AAAAAAAAAp8/AKeQFvNz454/s320/DSC_0009.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I wanted you to witness the piece of shit kitchen. We've already decided that when we're debt free this will be the first room we'll save for to gut and re-do. Oh the beautiful thoughts. <a href="http://pinterest.com/nkrule/kitchen/">Here</a> is my beginning ideaboard. Any ideas?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">n.</div>N.S.K.&E.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10237829162464070535noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4835252616930496630.post-80879810186176938382011-05-10T21:13:00.001-04:002011-05-10T21:14:45.174-04:008 is less than 9I've been trying to update the title up there. The one that is more than $90,000. I've been trying, but I can't remember how to update file formats and SaveAs commands to get platforms to talk friendly to each other. I've been trying to post our new title, the one that is just under $90,000 - the one with an 8 leading the long march.<br />
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Our shift has been interesting. April was furious and startling - a cycle of dinner times and bed times and cleaning times and very little down times. We have commented to each other, more than once, that we are living exactly the life we never wanted to live - busy, and fractured and, least palatable of all, focused on money. Even as I sent off our extra payment to the loan sharks tonight, it struck me how much I dislike how much we have been thinking and talking and working for money. Nevertheless, this is the cost of our decisions: to live for a while with discomfort and distress. I am thankful for the opportunity to embrace them both.<br />
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Kedzie has entered the WHY? phase of his verbal journey. When I am walking out the door to work, or when Nicole is pulling a 3-day weekend stint, he'll often ask "Where go, papa?" To work. "Why?" Because I made some short-sighted decisions and I want to make them right. Our future is too full of possibility to do anything else. "Oh. Bye, papa. La you." I love you, too, Kedzie. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-U6GTbUZQogE/Tcnhpe2ptJI/AAAAAAAAApk/luAYlhY5EQU/s1600/DSC_0099.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-U6GTbUZQogE/Tcnhpe2ptJI/AAAAAAAAApk/luAYlhY5EQU/s320/DSC_0099.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>N.S.K.&E.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10237829162464070535noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4835252616930496630.post-28927815532659474452011-05-10T12:39:00.001-04:002011-05-10T12:42:24.455-04:00Mama's DayI never thought a day could be so perfect. It's funny how when you go into something without expectations...perfection.<br />
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The day began when my <s>husband</s> personal chef had eggs betty (a play on eggs benedict from <a href="http://www.tupelohoneycafe.com/">this</a> restaurant) with local asparagus from the farmer's market, canadian bacon from our <a href="http://www.hickorynutgapfarm.com/index.php">meat CSA</a>, and homemade biscuits from <a href="http://www.howtocookeverything.tv/">here</a>. Needless to say it started out quite yummy.<br />
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Next we spent the morning playing baseball with our son (if that's not Americana...) and laying under the shade of our new trees.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q9GetFrQ_7Y/TclpH7-m9eI/AAAAAAAAApM/0Ah16Bd9EYo/s1600/DSC_0020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q9GetFrQ_7Y/TclpH7-m9eI/AAAAAAAAApM/0Ah16Bd9EYo/s400/DSC_0020.JPG" width="265" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-l7AYejCZpHg/TclpLLCwgDI/AAAAAAAAApQ/YY3G525jtmg/s1600/DSC_0027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-l7AYejCZpHg/TclpLLCwgDI/AAAAAAAAApQ/YY3G525jtmg/s400/DSC_0027.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--CS1-8BQ0GY/TclpPNBxywI/AAAAAAAAApU/lpznxJM5iQo/s1600/DSC_0047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--CS1-8BQ0GY/TclpPNBxywI/AAAAAAAAApU/lpznxJM5iQo/s400/DSC_0047.JPG" width="265" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I get this face a LOT.</div><br />
The whole afternoon was spent with family: Sam's brother and family and his parents. We went to our community park and had a picnic. It was glorious. It's walkable from our house through a little wooded trail and henceforth will keep us from ever living in the city again.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-baW_0hJAFCI/TclpcomXlHI/AAAAAAAAApc/aQ2qs-SuAGI/s1600/DSC_0101.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-baW_0hJAFCI/TclpcomXlHI/AAAAAAAAApc/aQ2qs-SuAGI/s400/DSC_0101.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Gammy & the babies.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KUJirXOkocs/TclphjOuwxI/AAAAAAAAApg/73nVhnfzfDE/s1600/DSC_0076.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KUJirXOkocs/TclphjOuwxI/AAAAAAAAApg/73nVhnfzfDE/s400/DSC_0076.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ngo_5aHK8aU/TclpXCtvu9I/AAAAAAAAApY/rNMeu4eo5Xw/s1600/DSC_0083.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ngo_5aHK8aU/TclpXCtvu9I/AAAAAAAAApY/rNMeu4eo5Xw/s400/DSC_0083.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Classic mama's day photo, blurry and all. I love it.</div>N.S.K.&E.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10237829162464070535noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4835252616930496630.post-15924225173237103842011-04-26T21:12:00.001-04:002011-04-26T21:16:29.625-04:00Freebies.So, I know y'all probably know this already but Netflix is rad. Yes, rad. So, we're trying to pinch pennies as much as possible, as you might be aware. On Tuesday nights I usually abandon Sam and my children and head to <a href="http://westashevilleyoga.com/">yoga class</a>. While I love most things about this such as, getting out of the house with some adult time, and furthering my yoganess, the whole paying money for the class is a bummer. Tonight I opted to see what yoga class Netflix might have on its "watch instantly" list. <a href="http://movies.netflix.com/WiMovie/Crunch_Super_SlimDown/70044451?trkid=2430625#height1335">This</a> one was awesome. My abs are still burning. (Which isn't saying much I guess. When one allows said abs to be stretched to oblivion for 2 years and then barely does anything to get them back; I hardly feel I can complain.) Basically, I need to get back on the exercise train. Mostly for myself and my health but a little bit because I'm a physical freakin therapist and I feel like a bit of a hypocrite. No longer.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mscytxkWpeI/TbdsrRLbfSI/AAAAAAAAAo8/-V5oD1aLXLU/s1600/DSC_0030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mscytxkWpeI/TbdsrRLbfSI/AAAAAAAAAo8/-V5oD1aLXLU/s400/DSC_0030.JPG" width="265" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--RbGMxGZxiY/TbdtCj7yNhI/AAAAAAAAApA/zF-WuCdtosA/s1600/DSC_0028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--RbGMxGZxiY/TbdtCj7yNhI/AAAAAAAAApA/zF-WuCdtosA/s400/DSC_0028.JPG" width="265" /></a></div><br />
Any ideas for freebies?<br />
N.<br />
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In other news Kedzie is now in a big boy bed. He's not my baby anymore. All those women in the grocery store are right, they really do grow up fast.N.S.K.&E.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10237829162464070535noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4835252616930496630.post-15664238815188479522011-04-25T20:48:00.000-04:002011-04-25T20:48:24.157-04:00Jailbird...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WRe5mAcHx-g/TbYT9IADdwI/AAAAAAAAAos/Xn1yA4qehU0/s1600/IMG_0738.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WRe5mAcHx-g/TbYT9IADdwI/AAAAAAAAAos/Xn1yA4qehU0/s400/IMG_0738.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
No, she didn't get arrested. She had us worried for a few days (and sleepless nights) at home and finally when Monday rolled around we decided to head to the MD. Her pediatrician (4 days prior) had diagnosed her with asthma/reactive airway disease and she'd been on steroids (oral and inhaled) all weekend. Nothing seemed to be working and she constantly sounded like a 95 year old frail woman with pneumonia. Not good. Anyway, long story short, she was breathing with great difficulty and a nebulizer treatment did nothing for her in the office so off to the hospital we went. Thank God for family, Kedzie had a grand ol' time with his cousins while Sam, Elsie and I hung out in the hospital. Scary, institutionalized bed and all.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_8CFkseLD3o/TbYUxAJoLFI/AAAAAAAAAow/HBhevL5-giY/s1600/IMG_0741.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_8CFkseLD3o/TbYUxAJoLFI/AAAAAAAAAow/HBhevL5-giY/s400/IMG_0741.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BaySDbBKYw8/TbYU0mIyJiI/AAAAAAAAAo0/Speua6hnyvA/s1600/IMG_0739.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BaySDbBKYw8/TbYU0mIyJiI/AAAAAAAAAo0/Speua6hnyvA/s400/IMG_0739.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">She's doing fine. We really only stayed about 6 hours and they let us out. They monitored her O2 saturation and she maintained well. Her respiratory rate decreased and she calmed down a bit once she took a nap in the<a href="http://www.becobabycarrier.com/"> Beco</a>. (She was having none of that bed). </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So, a bit scary but made us all thankful that she doesn't have cystic fibrosis or any number of chronic diseases that went through our heads. As Kedzie said to his auntie when we heard we were all coming home to have dinner with everyone, "Elsie happy now?" Elsie is happy now.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">n.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>N.S.K.&E.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10237829162464070535noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4835252616930496630.post-81151667654906947922011-04-06T20:51:00.000-04:002011-04-06T20:51:52.353-04:00The Basement Wins.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YHADsv_kBQA/TZ0KJGcFv6I/AAAAAAAAAog/GuIDL87Lg6I/s1600/DSC_0049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YHADsv_kBQA/TZ0KJGcFv6I/AAAAAAAAAog/GuIDL87Lg6I/s400/DSC_0049.JPG" width="265" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bcUf1Ik-S10/TZ0KgJSGHXI/AAAAAAAAAoo/OCRv4oiNqC0/s1600/DSC_0058.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bcUf1Ik-S10/TZ0KgJSGHXI/AAAAAAAAAoo/OCRv4oiNqC0/s400/DSC_0058.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>So, small hiccup. About two weeks ago, Sam and I both noticed a small wet spot on the carpet that's in the spare bedroom in the basement. I chalked it up to the dog peeing there (I'm not sure why now that I look back on it...he does NOT just pee willy-nilly in the house). Sam, luckily, didn't easily let it go. Come to find out we had a leaky pipe that needed to be repaired immediately. The water had been leaking for a few weeks, it had soaked the floor and seeped under the carpet in the bedroom next door to the utility closet. Long story short, we got it fixed, pulled up the carpet and got everything nice and dry. We totally thought we'd lucked out. Not that big of a problem and we thought we'd salvaged the carpet. We'd just need to clean it and we'd be in business for a renter.<br />
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Then, Murphy, (as <a href="http://www.daveramsey.com/">Dave</a> says) knocked on our door. A few nights ago, Sam poked his head down the steps because he thought he heard something. Yeah, he did hear something. A burst pipe with water shooting EVERYWHERE. A couple inches of water coated our basement floor, many of our packing boxes with many of our belongings, and the carpet is dead. I'm not really into mold so the carpet, along with a few of the walls/drywall has to go.<br />
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It's fixed. Everything's OK. It really only cost a few hundred dollars (so far) but mostly, the basement is going to take a bit more work than planned. I'm OK with it. The basement, in its current state, is one of THE ugliest places I've ever been in. It needs some love. I'm learning to be as frugal as possible thanks to these sites. Check them out. Sweet inspiration.<br />
<a href="http://www.younghouselove.com/">Young House Love</a><br />
<a href="http://www.bowerpowerblog.com/">Bower Power</a><br />
<a href="http://barefootinthekitchen.blogspot.com/">Barefoot in the Kitchen</a><br />
<a href="http://ana-white.com/">Ana White</a><br />
And thanks to <a href="http://sarahlookingin.blogspot.com/">Sarah</a>: <a href="http://manvsdebt.com/">Man vs. Debt</a><br />
Happy perusing. Try to not be inspired.<br />
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That's where we're at. There will be before and after pictures.<br />
n.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7qEbdlvmURM/TZ0J0W9UL2I/AAAAAAAAAoc/At9P5rWnaHQ/s1600/DSC_0095.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7qEbdlvmURM/TZ0J0W9UL2I/AAAAAAAAAoc/At9P5rWnaHQ/s400/DSC_0095.JPG" width="265" /></a></div>N.S.K.&E.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10237829162464070535noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4835252616930496630.post-9073229058801004172011-04-03T21:01:00.000-04:002011-04-03T21:01:01.588-04:00Life...We've been diligently working towards our goal this last payperiod. I've been working a lot more so our life has been much less like I'm a stay-at-home mama and more like a full-time working mama. This seems to have taken a toll on more than just the expected. Mostly, though, it's difficult to come home, make dinner, pack lunches, clean up dishes, put babies to bed and have any time for each other. And do it all again the next day.<br />
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I can hear you..."wah, wah, wah." I know. Our life is blessed and I am thankful for this moment of sleeping babies, a husband (who played house husband all weekend) who is currently tending to our household needs by folding laundry, and a nice chunk of change to show for all this hard work.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_5Ljea6nCPE/TZkRaz3HpeI/AAAAAAAAAoU/khZKf8kECHw/s1600/DSC_0270.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_5Ljea6nCPE/TZkRaz3HpeI/AAAAAAAAAoU/khZKf8kECHw/s400/DSC_0270.JPG" width="265" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Kedzie 8 months</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HPnYcTq_cm4/TZkRkKAwOKI/AAAAAAAAAoY/EDKCBonNyBM/s1600/DSC_0234.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HPnYcTq_cm4/TZkRkKAwOKI/AAAAAAAAAoY/EDKCBonNyBM/s400/DSC_0234.JPG" width="265" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Elsa 7 months</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">So, this totally goes against Dave Ramsey philosophy, but I think we're gonna hold onto the money until:</div><div style="text-align: left;">1. we figure out what we're going to do to the basement in order to get it in rentable shape. We don't think this will take very much. Replace the windows, clean the carpet, new shower curtain and LOTS of organization. We're hoping to not have to throw too much cash into it but if we can get it fixed up and rentable by August we will be quite pleased with ourselves.</div><div style="text-align: left;">2. We're totally going to save enough to pay off my graduate student loans, which is a whopping $24,000. I know, ridiculous. That loan is currently our highest monthly payment of around $240. Basically, when we get that baby paid off we'll have $240 extra dollars per month. Awesome. That's what <a href="http://daveramsey.com/">Dave</a> calls a Debt Snowball. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">I'm not sure it's possible, but I'd love to be able to pay that baby off by my birthday. I'm not sure there could be a better present. Goal is set, it's out there in cyberspace. October 12th, here we come!</div><div style="text-align: left;">n.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div>N.S.K.&E.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10237829162464070535noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4835252616930496630.post-42080579348919776222011-03-23T21:21:00.000-04:002011-03-23T21:21:11.968-04:00We've probably earned thatIt's a surprise to none of you, I'm sure, that we are at this point - this do-over, start-again, once-more point. We are dramatic people, people of passion, we know that and acknowledge that, and dramatic people tend to act in fits and starts. We deserve your skeptical glances, we've earned your doubtful sighs.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-0Mtr0SYYQaI/TYqaafNpcmI/AAAAAAAAAoI/PzMtSjWSRV4/s1600/Rule_298_BW_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-0Mtr0SYYQaI/TYqaafNpcmI/AAAAAAAAAoI/PzMtSjWSRV4/s320/Rule_298_BW_edited-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>But, people of passion, once steered and provided the tools for the task, are also capable of crazy, passion-driven things. This year behind us has served as both rudder and depot. We find ourselves another year into our lives but still unable to live the lives we want, the lives we are called into, because of the choices we've made to jump into our holes of debt. We also, however, have a system in place that, with the addition of more than a little determination, perhaps even a lot of passion, equips us to plunge headlong into the task. We've mastered the art of cash-living in a plastic world. We've tweaked and tuned our spreadsheets and charts. Now, it's just a matter of choosing and changing; saying yes to living with less. When all is said and done - and it will be said and done because it must be said and done, we have too much living to live to let it be otherwise - our hope is to lift our heads from our work and realize that we are free, not only free of this load but really, wholly free. I don't think anyone can earn that; that is grace.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-HUaBZwKT56g/TYqcDtdPHaI/AAAAAAAAAoM/YBSLTK62u-k/s1600/IMG_0697.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-HUaBZwKT56g/TYqcDtdPHaI/AAAAAAAAAoM/YBSLTK62u-k/s320/IMG_0697.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
So, I come to you <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><a href="http://nsrule.blogspot.com/2009/10/we-are-embarked.html">again</a></span>, dear friends, to seek your support, your solidarity. Sigh all you'd like in the privacy of your homes, glance skeptically, just do it behind our backs. I'm not asking for financial contributions or standing dinner invitations, I'm asking for encouraging pats on the back, a shared understanding that it is difficult to change a lifestyle but that change is possible and good. We definitely have not earned that, your support, but we're hoping for a bit more grace.<br />
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Like I said, we're dramatic people. Thanks for loving us anyway.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-enkqziSi6k8/TYqcOxwKLAI/AAAAAAAAAoQ/9QBUH4VH0fs/s1600/IMG_0724.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-enkqziSi6k8/TYqcOxwKLAI/AAAAAAAAAoQ/9QBUH4VH0fs/s320/IMG_0724.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>N.S.K.&E.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10237829162464070535noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4835252616930496630.post-58442820705320102312011-03-21T20:50:00.002-04:002011-03-21T20:54:52.527-04:00Change is in the air...We're back! And in normal Rule fashion we're diving in head first.<br />
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Spring is here, and that makes us itchy for change. What we've been doing just doesn't work anymore. We're "sick and tired of being sick and tired" as <a href="http://www.daveramsey.com/home/">Dave Ramsey</a> so lovingly puts it. I've been crunching numbers...we can do this. We've moved, we're still living out of boxes and our current bedroom has got to be the ugliest bedroom on the planet, but I don't care. No more expensive house projects. I will live in that ugly room for 3 1/2 years until that last debt is paid off. We can do it.<br />
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I've recently started a new job that has me in my car driving quite a bit. I, not realizing what I was in for, loaded up the iphone (which is now a glorified ipod...more on that later) with about 25 podcasts of the <a href="http://www.daveramsey.com/radio/about-the-show/">Dave Ramsey show</a>. I've plowed through about 12 of them already. I'm ready to start over. Sam and I have both realized that when we thought we were doing the Dave Ramsey plan, we were slowly working up to the Dave Ramsey plan. We were not intense and intense is what it takes to make this work.<br />
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We're intense. We've got a plan and we're sticking to it. Some realizations:<br />
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<ol><li><b>We can't have everything and we're not entitled to anything.</b> Just because other people live a certain way does not mean we can or are entitled to. We have got to pay off those student loans before we can choose our lifestyle.</li>
<li><b>"We've got to live like no one else so that later we can live like no one else." </b>Yes, Dave said that. It's so true, though. So, we live without cable tv, we don't go out to dinner, we rent out our basement for some income...we do those things now so that we can be who we want to be as a family later.</li>
<li><b>I didn't spend $25,000 in student loans to be a stay-at-home mama.</b> Yeah, it sounds a bit harsh but it's true. When the $25,000 is paid in full, than I can justify staying home. I don't plan on working ALL the time but I need to work more to bring up our income level to create that gigantic debt bomb we need per payperiod. And then, I can be home with my loves...</li>
</ol><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-nNGZiExTdgA/TYfvaHFJsyI/AAAAAAAAAn4/iv8d-_QPr74/s1600/DSC_0082.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-nNGZiExTdgA/TYfvaHFJsyI/AAAAAAAAAn4/iv8d-_QPr74/s400/DSC_0082.JPG" width="265" /></a></div><div><br />
</div><div>Part of our plan: (yes, it includes haircuts by mama).</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-w8Gi1g6wq7s/TYfuOhtuJ8I/AAAAAAAAAnw/mWnKf1Y-iQc/s1600/DSC_0118.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-w8Gi1g6wq7s/TYfuOhtuJ8I/AAAAAAAAAnw/mWnKf1Y-iQc/s400/DSC_0118.JPG" width="265" /></a></div><ol><li><b>$93,000 (our new total) paid off in 3.5 years </b>= roughly $1020 per payperiod.</li>
<li><b>Rent out our basement by June. </b>We've got some fixing up to do down there but here's hoping some reliable person finds it too good a deal to pass up.</li>
<li><b>Nicole works more. </b>More income = more debt bomb.</li>
<li><b>Live on less.</b> No more iphone. I'm mourning already. We got rid of our at&t plan and switched to us cellular allowing us to get rid of our home phone, too. (at&t cell phones don't work well in the woods). We're getting rid of direct tv. We're cutting our budget down to bare bones and attempting to live on Sam's salary only. This shouldn't be that difficult as family's often live on less. No more eating out. No more frivolous spending. Really, we're broke. You can't have $93,000 in debt and live like you're rich. It's ridiculous. It's going to be difficult...but it has to be done.</li>
<li><b>No more house projects</b>. I keep telling myself, once those debts are paid off, it'll be so easy to save up for a project and get it paid for with cash. It'll take no time at all because our income will be so much larger without those pesky loans. Small projects will still be happening but I have got to contain myself and learn to decorate on a very, very, very tight budget. Another challenge, I can do it!</li>
</ol><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-j3OHwfgW0rk/TYfx3l2r4lI/AAAAAAAAAoA/nGPgQC6rfIY/s1600/DSC_0310.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-j3OHwfgW0rk/TYfx3l2r4lI/AAAAAAAAAoA/nGPgQC6rfIY/s400/DSC_0310.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-H7ASvk3szj0/TYfyCDqDw0I/AAAAAAAAAoE/NqioLA8Sen4/s1600/DSC_0187.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-H7ASvk3szj0/TYfyCDqDw0I/AAAAAAAAAoE/NqioLA8Sen4/s400/DSC_0187.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We'd love to hear what ya'll have to say. Crazy? Brilliant? Somewhere in-between? Any good ideas?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">n.</div><div><br />
</div></div>N.S.K.&E.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10237829162464070535noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4835252616930496630.post-85617674496690764292010-11-04T14:37:00.000-04:002010-11-04T14:37:22.516-04:00Time flies...Has it really been almost 2 months...crazy what a newborn, renting a home, buying a new home, packing, unpacking and DIYing a new house will do to your free time. Whew.<br />
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We did move. We're loving it. We're about a 10 minute drive from downtown Asheville and while it's been weird to not be able to walk to a coffee shop or live in a city center, we're loving the amenities the woods offer.<br />
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Here are some recent pics of life:<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">before:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_zWK-5aGP72Q/TNL6Iywu2rI/AAAAAAAAAnE/52T2kjQY8iw/s1600/DSC_0043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_zWK-5aGP72Q/TNL6Iywu2rI/AAAAAAAAAnE/52T2kjQY8iw/s320/DSC_0043.JPG" width="212" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">after:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_zWK-5aGP72Q/TNL6gu54TyI/AAAAAAAAAnI/hDcGEi7Pv5Y/s1600/DSC_0219.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_zWK-5aGP72Q/TNL6gu54TyI/AAAAAAAAAnI/hDcGEi7Pv5Y/s320/DSC_0219.JPG" width="212" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Its astonishing how 1 project can make someone else's house, feel like my home.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_zWK-5aGP72Q/TNL65mjXHoI/AAAAAAAAAnM/7dSwXlXlDXw/s1600/DSC_0218.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_zWK-5aGP72Q/TNL65mjXHoI/AAAAAAAAAnM/7dSwXlXlDXw/s320/DSC_0218.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Next up, the front door. Ugh, black. How inviting, right? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_zWK-5aGP72Q/TNL7ZfiZ2oI/AAAAAAAAAnQ/6FlT7KExuQE/s1600/IMG_0604.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_zWK-5aGP72Q/TNL7ZfiZ2oI/AAAAAAAAAnQ/6FlT7KExuQE/s320/IMG_0604.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Elsa, almost 3 months old already.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_zWK-5aGP72Q/TNL7tA5k_EI/AAAAAAAAAnU/LsG7ePisHoM/s1600/DSC_0211.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_zWK-5aGP72Q/TNL7tA5k_EI/AAAAAAAAAnU/LsG7ePisHoM/s320/DSC_0211.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Halloween 2010</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_zWK-5aGP72Q/TNL7-gDBaiI/AAAAAAAAAnY/01rTmqhzgrw/s1600/IMG_0620.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_zWK-5aGP72Q/TNL7-gDBaiI/AAAAAAAAAnY/01rTmqhzgrw/s320/IMG_0620.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Hiking from the backyard is a beautiful thing.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zWK-5aGP72Q/TNL8UQ-_B-I/AAAAAAAAAnc/QiISA4e14MM/s1600/IMG_0577.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zWK-5aGP72Q/TNL8UQ-_B-I/AAAAAAAAAnc/QiISA4e14MM/s320/IMG_0577.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zWK-5aGP72Q/TNL8khj5lOI/AAAAAAAAAng/93MA5IpMkgA/s1600/DSC_0015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zWK-5aGP72Q/TNL8khj5lOI/AAAAAAAAAng/93MA5IpMkgA/s320/DSC_0015.JPG" width="212" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Seriously, where did he get those eyes?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So, we're doing well. Just ridiculously busy with house projects, unpacking and returning to work. We're trying to slow down a bit now that we live in the "country." It doesn't seem to be working so well, when all I want to do is work more so we can save for that next project! We'll keep you posted on before and afters as they happen and the return to paying off debt...no, we haven't forgotten about Dave Ramsey! But, it sure is nice to have some space!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">n.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>N.S.K.&E.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10237829162464070535noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4835252616930496630.post-17073299643968105182010-09-21T15:35:00.000-04:002010-09-21T15:35:06.682-04:00Life as usual...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">What we've been up to...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zWK-5aGP72Q/TJkFrwoCw-I/AAAAAAAAAlo/5sMM1MM29Qo/s1600/IMG_0453.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zWK-5aGP72Q/TJkFrwoCw-I/AAAAAAAAAlo/5sMM1MM29Qo/s400/IMG_0453.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The Mountain State Fair with family...if only they had rat race (shout out to AK fair)<br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_zWK-5aGP72Q/TJkF04yhZlI/AAAAAAAAAlw/6GYJeYwness/s1600/DSC_0005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_zWK-5aGP72Q/TJkF04yhZlI/AAAAAAAAAlw/6GYJeYwness/s400/DSC_0005.JPG" width="266" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_zWK-5aGP72Q/TJkF04yhZlI/AAAAAAAAAlw/6GYJeYwness/s1600/DSC_0005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zWK-5aGP72Q/TJkF-encDhI/AAAAAAAAAl4/_CeMF-Uhds0/s1600/DSC_0014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zWK-5aGP72Q/TJkF-encDhI/AAAAAAAAAl4/_CeMF-Uhds0/s400/DSC_0014.JPG" width="266" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zWK-5aGP72Q/TJkGJqlLACI/AAAAAAAAAmA/o_hVKUoJfs0/s1600/DSC_0029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zWK-5aGP72Q/TJkGJqlLACI/AAAAAAAAAmA/o_hVKUoJfs0/s400/DSC_0029.JPG" width="266" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_zWK-5aGP72Q/TJkGPEtQH-I/AAAAAAAAAmI/TWAetxm-tYs/s1600/DSC_0063.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_zWK-5aGP72Q/TJkGPEtQH-I/AAAAAAAAAmI/TWAetxm-tYs/s400/DSC_0063.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Growing & smirking...<br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_zWK-5aGP72Q/TJkGdziJZjI/AAAAAAAAAmQ/kOBlS9SPxKU/s1600/DSC_0002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_zWK-5aGP72Q/TJkGdziJZjI/AAAAAAAAAmQ/kOBlS9SPxKU/s400/DSC_0002.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The <a href="http://www.wildwnc.org/">nature center</a> with friends...<br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zWK-5aGP72Q/TJkGmg4zjkI/AAAAAAAAAmY/jfab-P_-rgg/s1600/DSC_0054.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zWK-5aGP72Q/TJkGmg4zjkI/AAAAAAAAAmY/jfab-P_-rgg/s400/DSC_0054.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">clowning...<br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_zWK-5aGP72Q/TJkGrUYng7I/AAAAAAAAAmg/R-5BMa3W-uk/s1600/IMG_0463.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_zWK-5aGP72Q/TJkGrUYng7I/AAAAAAAAAmg/R-5BMa3W-uk/s400/IMG_0463.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">sliding...<br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_zWK-5aGP72Q/TJkGzBEkS-I/AAAAAAAAAmo/PalnKnmeJn8/s1600/IMG_0470.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_zWK-5aGP72Q/TJkGzBEkS-I/AAAAAAAAAmo/PalnKnmeJn8/s400/IMG_0470.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">cooking compost scraps...<br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_zWK-5aGP72Q/TJkG-rBSmTI/AAAAAAAAAm4/wKeWLtBEOnY/s1600/DSC_0018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_zWK-5aGP72Q/TJkG-rBSmTI/AAAAAAAAAm4/wKeWLtBEOnY/s400/DSC_0018.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">spackling holes with elsa in tow.<br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_zWK-5aGP72Q/TJkG393LL2I/AAAAAAAAAmw/F6lYda7dC3Q/s1600/DSC_0007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_zWK-5aGP72Q/TJkG393LL2I/AAAAAAAAAmw/F6lYda7dC3Q/s400/DSC_0007.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">we've rented our house & move to our new pad October 9th. We're beyond excited.</div>N.S.K.&E.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10237829162464070535noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4835252616930496630.post-77164449531074445882010-09-07T14:12:00.000-04:002010-09-07T14:12:49.121-04:00We LAAFFed togetherThe Annual <a href="http://lexfestasheville.com/">LAAFF</a> fest proved to be fun as always this past weekend. The weather was gorgeous and we all had a great time watching the bike jousters and the balloon bender.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zWK-5aGP72Q/TIaADnpaGII/AAAAAAAAAlA/O2F-Jvskx78/s1600/IMG_0438.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zWK-5aGP72Q/TIaADnpaGII/AAAAAAAAAlA/O2F-Jvskx78/s320/IMG_0438.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_zWK-5aGP72Q/TIaAJZdkkoI/AAAAAAAAAlQ/5Ub-1sIjHAs/s1600/IMG_0444.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_zWK-5aGP72Q/TIaAJZdkkoI/AAAAAAAAAlQ/5Ub-1sIjHAs/s320/IMG_0444.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Kedzie's balloon Elmo.<br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zWK-5aGP72Q/TIaALFYIK_I/AAAAAAAAAlY/ORJauywXE74/s1600/IMG_0445.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zWK-5aGP72Q/TIaALFYIK_I/AAAAAAAAAlY/ORJauywXE74/s320/IMG_0445.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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PS: Did we mention we're buying a house and closing October 1st? We <s>can</s> will pack all of our belongings and rent our current house in (less than) a month!N.S.K.&E.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10237829162464070535noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4835252616930496630.post-33029430506456338692010-08-31T13:09:00.002-04:002010-08-31T13:13:21.209-04:00Apple Picking 2010So, I know what you're thinking. "Apple picking? It's barely September and the weather hasn't been below 80 in months." Sure, it's not ideal weather, and there was no hot apple cider and homemade donuts while sitting in the barn cozied up around the wood stove, but the apples are still really tasty. Even tastier when you take your children and nieces and make a family outing of it.<br />
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Truth is, we haven't got time any other weekend. We're under contract on a house. Yes, we took the plunge, and for a mere $300 more mortgage per month we're getting 3 1/2 times the house. We're psyched, but there's so much to do Sam and I giggle (we don't want to panic) anytime we think about it. How in the world is all of this going to get done? (We're keeping our current house and turning it into a rental...lots of little projects to finish up...Sam's already started). Thankfully, we have lovely friends and family who have already offered to do whatever it takes...like taking our kids for an hour so that we can pack without interruptions, or bringing us food, or making sure we get all our stuff from this house to the new house. All this to say, it was either pick apples now or perhaps, don't pick apples this season. If you know me, the latter was not an option. (Although I did give up making applesauce this season, as Sam kindly pointed out...something's gotta give).<br />
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The house is in a neighborhood called Bent Creek about 10 minutes from West Asheville. While we're sad about leaving our little community, we're excited about the opportunity of a new one. We have <a href="http://megeliday.blogspot.com/">great friends</a> who just moved there and we're excited about being next to them again.<br />
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Without further ado, here are some adorable pictures of our family...my heart swells when we all do things together. What lovely times.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zWK-5aGP72Q/TH01QY0E3DI/AAAAAAAAAjg/8n9ESJClbB0/s1600/DSC_0010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zWK-5aGP72Q/TH01QY0E3DI/AAAAAAAAAjg/8n9ESJClbB0/s400/DSC_0010.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_zWK-5aGP72Q/TH01dMgUb-I/AAAAAAAAAjw/lKaE9Q_PIEc/s1600/DSC_0029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_zWK-5aGP72Q/TH01dMgUb-I/AAAAAAAAAjw/lKaE9Q_PIEc/s400/DSC_0029.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_zWK-5aGP72Q/TH01W7DPwZI/AAAAAAAAAjo/1P3K9fuz18w/s1600/DSC_0020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_zWK-5aGP72Q/TH01W7DPwZI/AAAAAAAAAjo/1P3K9fuz18w/s400/DSC_0020.JPG" width="266" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_zWK-5aGP72Q/TH01hQODvzI/AAAAAAAAAj4/GMVbNWfhYbQ/s1600/DSC_0044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_zWK-5aGP72Q/TH01hQODvzI/AAAAAAAAAj4/GMVbNWfhYbQ/s400/DSC_0044.JPG" width="266" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_zWK-5aGP72Q/TH01l3UsULI/AAAAAAAAAkA/eYeAYXZ6qGs/s1600/DSC_0062.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_zWK-5aGP72Q/TH01l3UsULI/AAAAAAAAAkA/eYeAYXZ6qGs/s400/DSC_0062.JPG" width="400" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_zWK-5aGP72Q/TH01rGNLzhI/AAAAAAAAAkI/LiO6kjno-mo/s1600/DSC_0067.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_zWK-5aGP72Q/TH01rGNLzhI/AAAAAAAAAkI/LiO6kjno-mo/s400/DSC_0067.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_zWK-5aGP72Q/TH01yC-v7JI/AAAAAAAAAkQ/ErYmx_qlbl0/s1600/DSC_0074.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_zWK-5aGP72Q/TH01yC-v7JI/AAAAAAAAAkQ/ErYmx_qlbl0/s400/DSC_0074.JPG" width="266" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_zWK-5aGP72Q/TH012h0-c1I/AAAAAAAAAkY/wUn3XVvcl0E/s1600/DSC_0088.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_zWK-5aGP72Q/TH012h0-c1I/AAAAAAAAAkY/wUn3XVvcl0E/s400/DSC_0088.JPG" width="266" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_zWK-5aGP72Q/TH016AIwByI/AAAAAAAAAkg/fQEqLQ48dTo/s1600/DSC_0055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_zWK-5aGP72Q/TH016AIwByI/AAAAAAAAAkg/fQEqLQ48dTo/s400/DSC_0055.JPG" width="400" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zWK-5aGP72Q/TH019lt_BpI/AAAAAAAAAko/Xpf6Ytj2Zlk/s1600/DSC_0107.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zWK-5aGP72Q/TH019lt_BpI/AAAAAAAAAko/Xpf6Ytj2Zlk/s400/DSC_0107.JPG" width="266" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_zWK-5aGP72Q/TH02BnrFcTI/AAAAAAAAAkw/r_GscZCfXjo/s1600/DSC_0113.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_zWK-5aGP72Q/TH02BnrFcTI/AAAAAAAAAkw/r_GscZCfXjo/s400/DSC_0113.JPG" width="400" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_zWK-5aGP72Q/TH02GMBW2KI/AAAAAAAAAk4/QsUUjPTOCNY/s1600/DSC_0133.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_zWK-5aGP72Q/TH02GMBW2KI/AAAAAAAAAk4/QsUUjPTOCNY/s400/DSC_0133.JPG" width="266" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It was a good weekend.</div>N.S.K.&E.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10237829162464070535noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4835252616930496630.post-19973254638252798142010-08-21T20:24:00.000-04:002010-08-21T20:24:07.077-04:003 plus 1<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Six days into his life:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_zWK-5aGP72Q/THBgdz_oZdI/AAAAAAAAAjA/UpiP8POHRCQ/s1600/DSC_0034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_zWK-5aGP72Q/THBgdz_oZdI/AAAAAAAAAjA/UpiP8POHRCQ/s320/DSC_0034.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Six days into her life:<br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_zWK-5aGP72Q/THBhSNsw0yI/AAAAAAAAAjI/B6oo2ed0o7U/s1600/DSC_0070.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_zWK-5aGP72Q/THBhSNsw0yI/AAAAAAAAAjI/B6oo2ed0o7U/s320/DSC_0070.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Elsa Dorothy was born just short of August 12. While there may be a resemblance to her older brother as a newborn (excepting her olive skin and absence of the trademark Rule 7-head) her arrival was all together different. Planning on a multi-day marathon session similar to Kedzie's labor, Nicole skillfully managed a Wednesday of on-again/off-again contractions, resting, eating, preparing. The storm mounted through the evening, until it took a dramatic turn after she felt a pop deep down inside. Looking back, I wish my response had been something, anything other than: "Are you sure you didn't just pee?" With intense contractions lining up on top of each other, we somehow coordinated our late-night babysitter for Kedzie, our midwives on call, and the 3-mile drive to the hospital. "Love," she told me through gritted teeth, "the bumps are really, really awful." </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After wrangling a wheelchair at the emergency room and cajoling a hospital employee to help Nicole get to Labor and Delivery, I raced to park the car and make it up to the fourth floor. Armed with her ancient wisdom and sensitive intuition, Kirstin, our sister-in-law and midwife, had made it to the hospital in time to prepare a room and the nursing staff. Six minutes after arriving on the ward, with one intense push, Nicole delivered Elsa into the arms of her aunt. I am still speechless. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The past 10 days have been similarly intense. It is, as they say, different with two. Gone are the hours of sitting beside my bride staring into the eyes of a newborn as she nurses. Instead, we are tag-team wrestlers bouncing between a toddler and his new partner. More than time management, though, we are learning how to love our children fully and freely. It is not a question of having enough love, it is only a process of learning how to express it. It is a good lesson to be learning.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Things will change, I'm sure, when I return to work at the end of the month. But, for now, and I'm trying really, really hard to live right now, these are the greatest days of my life. I am grateful.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_zWK-5aGP72Q/THBt17p08AI/AAAAAAAAAjQ/pnDefJHjfJg/s1600/DSC_0035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_zWK-5aGP72Q/THBt17p08AI/AAAAAAAAAjQ/pnDefJHjfJg/s320/DSC_0035.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div>N.S.K.&E.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10237829162464070535noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4835252616930496630.post-81376880898268894522010-07-31T15:32:00.001-04:002010-07-31T15:34:36.950-04:00Lots of words.As we unloaded the cache from our weekly trip <a href="http://nsrule.blogspot.com/2010/04/nurture.html">the market</a>, the grocery and the still surprising <a href="http://www.amazingsavingsmarkets.com/">secondary market wunderkid</a>, I commented that Saturdays are when we hit the reset button around here. By the weekend, our small fridge is little more than a cooler for ketchup, a shriveled carrot or two, some yogurt starter and some leftover steak from the tacos on Thursday. The bathroom is long past time for a scrub. The dog hair is ready to sweep up and spin. On special reset days, like this one, as the rain falls and breaks the heat of a difficult summer weather pattern, Nicole and Kedzie are both able to embrace meaningful naps (Kedzie, at the time of this writing, is approaching 3 hours and 10 minutes), and I can rest in a quiet moment that is so hard to find during the week.<br />
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It seemed like a good day to hit the reset button on this little journal as well.<br />
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When we <a href="http://nsrule.blogspot.com/2009/10/we-are-embarked.html">embarked</a> on this blog, our hope was to take this trip with you beside us. I don't know how many of you there are, it doesn't matter really. The point was to expose our hopes and failures and commitments and joys and fears, to be accountable and buttressed by the publicity of this very public place. Then, life happens.<br />
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But, finally after 33 years, I'm beginning to understand that life is for living not for reacting to. This little blog is a mini-representation of how I chose to live my life - intentionally pursuing community, remaining vulnerable and honest and open. I must, I am painfully aware, make that choice every day. So, be it.<br />
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Now, let me catch you up on a few things:<br />
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1. Nicole is just about ready to pop. She's struggled through one of the hottest summer's on record, limped after an energetic toddler and held together a home with grace and beauty. It's safe to say, 38 weeks into this pregnancy, it's been a challenging second-go. She's amazing. We'll keep you posted on the results. If anyone has tips on how to help a sensitive, mama-centric 20-month-old adjust to a whole new life, we're all ears.<br />
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2. Interest rates are low. Really, really low. When we jumped into this journey, we settled into the notion of settling into this tiny house for the long haul. There was, I will admit, a bit of self-congratulatory arrogance when I explained to family and friends that our 780 square feet was more than enough - look at families the world over...we're living in luxury. Our mortgage is such that we can be a family free of anxiety while still working toward our goal of being a family free of debt. Interest rates, though, are really, really low. The thought of finding a home that could be ours for decades rather than years, one that could let our friends sit on something other than the bed in our living room, is a nice thought. As the real estate market is prone to do, we're nervous that in 10 years, when we're debt free "things" will have "recovered" and we'll be priced out. But, if we find a house now, our debt bombs will be much, much less and our debt load much, much more. We spend a lot of time at night looking at each other saying "arrrrrgggghhh."<br />
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So, friends, walk beside us. What do you think? What would you, a piece of our sacred community, have us do? Let's hit this reset button together.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_zWK-5aGP72Q/TFR5xYtsvDI/AAAAAAAAAi4/48Q5lwZxinE/s1600/Rule_347_crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_zWK-5aGP72Q/TFR5xYtsvDI/AAAAAAAAAi4/48Q5lwZxinE/s320/Rule_347_crop.jpg" /></a></div>N.S.K.&E.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10237829162464070535noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4835252616930496630.post-75496208801450343992010-06-01T11:20:00.002-04:002010-06-01T11:25:13.282-04:00Strawberry Season!So, last week was strawberry week at the Rule household. Kedzie and I went to the farmer's market and picked up 2 gallons of strawberries from a "local" farm in nearby South Carolina. The town is really only an hour drive, so I consider that local. (Compared with the usual Florida or California berries found in our supermarkets). I knew I wanted to freeze some and also make some jam.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_zWK-5aGP72Q/TAUcBHZumvI/AAAAAAAAAiQ/AmfBLpsyhxs/s1600/DSC_0001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_zWK-5aGP72Q/TAUcBHZumvI/AAAAAAAAAiQ/AmfBLpsyhxs/s400/DSC_0001.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">These buckets started out heaping...Kedzie and I had already gotten into them a bit.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_zWK-5aGP72Q/TAUcEnLNAMI/AAAAAAAAAiY/VU4NZ0XRMX0/s1600/DSC_0006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_zWK-5aGP72Q/TAUcEnLNAMI/AAAAAAAAAiY/VU4NZ0XRMX0/s400/DSC_0006.JPG" width="266" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Self-portrait of me and baby 2 canning in my grandmother's old apron. I am always very nostalgic for her whenever I put food up.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zWK-5aGP72Q/TAUcR8GqaXI/AAAAAAAAAig/QQOI9icejBM/s1600/DSC_0004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zWK-5aGP72Q/TAUcR8GqaXI/AAAAAAAAAig/QQOI9icejBM/s400/DSC_0004.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Pre-wash of strawberries in <a href="http://www.tryfit.com/">Fit</a> fruit wash. Since we can't afford a large amount of organic strawberries, this is my attempt at cleaning as much residue off these bad boys as possible!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zWK-5aGP72Q/TAUcV88u-hI/AAAAAAAAAio/vWB-98I0OdI/s1600/DSC_0009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zWK-5aGP72Q/TAUcV88u-hI/AAAAAAAAAio/vWB-98I0OdI/s400/DSC_0009.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Here's the after picture of our booty. A gallon of frozen strawberries, 6-7 pints of strawberry freezer jam and a small bowl of cut up strawberries (for Kedzie and) for strawberry shortcake that was to be devoured that night. To freeze the strawberries so that they could be taken out of the freezer one berry at a time, they were washed and dried and then placed in the freezer on these cookie sheets. Once frozen solid, we put the strawberries in old yogurt containers we've been saving through the winter. So far, so good. As for the freezer jam, I simply followed the recipe found on the insert of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Sure-Jell-Premium-Fruit-Pectin-1-75-Ounce/dp/B001E50XBQ">Sure-jell low sugar</a> recipes. The pink box is the one that we prefer as it's a low sugar recipe that still jells nicely. Easy peasy and so delicious. Everyone who tries it, raves about how fresh the jam tastes. It's true, it beats cooked jam in my book.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">To make the shortcake we usually follow <a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/recipe/strawberry-shortcakes?backto=true&backtourl=/photogallery/strawberry-recipes#slide_4">this</a> recipe (we omit sugaring the strawberries as we like it a bit more fresh) but we had some leftover scones that we crumpled up, put sliced strawberries on top and then whipped up some cream. So fresh, simple and scrumptious. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_zWK-5aGP72Q/TAUcaK0wWkI/AAAAAAAAAiw/-pJIa2L0WYE/s1600/DSC_0011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_zWK-5aGP72Q/TAUcaK0wWkI/AAAAAAAAAiw/-pJIa2L0WYE/s400/DSC_0011.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Sam's parents have a huge mulberry bush in their backyard that is currently overflowing with fruit. I'm thinking Kedzie and I might head out there this afternoon and do some picking and eating and, perhaps, some jam making.</div><br />
Oh, and this morning we worked on <a href="http://www.soulemama.com/soulemama/2010/05/on-the-laundry-line.html">this homemade money saver</a>. I'm about to use it for the first time on some cloth diapers. I'll let you know how it goes. We used <a href="http://www.drbronner.com/DBMS/OBBA05/BabyMildOrganicBarSoap.htm">Dr. Bronner's baby Castille soap</a> so it would be unscented. I love scent in my laundry but little Kedzie's skin is very sensitive. We thought we'd keep it simple! Oh, and the washing soda (found in the recipe) can now be found at Ace Hardware on Merrimon Avenue, the lovely lady said she'd had two people special order it (including us) and will now be carrying it on the shelves! All you Asheville people who want to make your own laundry detergent, now's your chance!<br />
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n.N.S.K.&E.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10237829162464070535noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4835252616930496630.post-5823619633060463132010-05-28T17:35:00.000-04:002010-05-28T17:35:55.989-04:00this week in a moment<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Trebuchet, 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">[a friday ritual: the week captured in a single moment to pause and remember always. something that made us smile, reflect, love more fully]...inspired by <a href="http://www.soulemama.typepad.com/" style="color: #999999; text-decoration: none;">soulemama</a>.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_zWK-5aGP72Q/TAA3HfUWNQI/AAAAAAAAAiI/UxkJvzlVAkE/s1600/DSC_0028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_zWK-5aGP72Q/TAA3HfUWNQI/AAAAAAAAAiI/UxkJvzlVAkE/s400/DSC_0028.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Trebuchet, 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><br />
</span></span>N.S.K.&E.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10237829162464070535noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4835252616930496630.post-13534597253768773922010-05-21T14:04:00.000-04:002010-05-21T14:04:59.578-04:00this week in a moment<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Trebuchet, 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">[a friday ritual: the week captured in a single moment to pause and remember always. something that made us smile, reflect, love more fully]...inspired by <a href="http://www.soulemama.typepad.com/" style="color: #999999; text-decoration: none;">soulemama</a>.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zWK-5aGP72Q/S_bK1TR_n4I/AAAAAAAAAiA/DXosREcU4rI/s1600/IMG_0376.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zWK-5aGP72Q/S_bK1TR_n4I/AAAAAAAAAiA/DXosREcU4rI/s400/IMG_0376.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">p.s. if you don't have <a href="http://hipstamaticapp.com/">this</a> app, you might want to think about investing.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>N.S.K.&E.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10237829162464070535noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4835252616930496630.post-88029723103145949982010-05-19T13:39:00.001-04:002010-05-19T13:41:48.432-04:00The Perks of PregnancyToday was my test for gestational diabetes. At <a href="http://newdawnmidwifery.com/">New Dawn</a>, pregnant women get a choice. Option 1: fast for 12 hours, come in and drink a super sweet orange drink and then get your blood drawn an hour later. Option 2: fast 12 hours, get blood drawn, go out to eat wherever you want and indulge in as sweet a breakfast as you want, come back in 2 hours later and again get your blood drawn. Needless to say, both pregnancies I've went with option 2.<br />
<br />
This year Sam took the morning off work and finally got to go to one of the prenatal visits with us. After 20 or so minutes of drawing blood (I'm a difficult stick), we headed downtown to <a href="http://www.tupelohoneycafe.com/">Tupelo Honey</a>. Most people have heard of this restaurant, even if they don't live here. Tourists don't leave Asheville without eating here. Usually, Sam and I opt for something else as the line is around the block most days and hours. Today, we walked right in a got a table. Good start for a fasting pregnant woman.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_zWK-5aGP72Q/S_Qg8hE2zxI/AAAAAAAAAhg/DBP4Kf7kv24/s1600/DSC_0006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_zWK-5aGP72Q/S_Qg8hE2zxI/AAAAAAAAAhg/DBP4Kf7kv24/s400/DSC_0006.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It was delicious. I gorged on the homemade black raspberry jam and biscuits along with a large glass of OJ (I threw in some protein here and there). I think the happiest out of our bunch was Kedzie who ate an entire biscuit (loaded with jam) and then got the kids order of sweet potato pancakes (once again loaded with jam). He was a sticky mess.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We had to wait a couple hours before I could get my blood drawn, so we walked around town a bit. Lovely day with my lovies.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_zWK-5aGP72Q/S_QhrJitXMI/AAAAAAAAAho/5lCxo87-E0E/s1600/DSC_0009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_zWK-5aGP72Q/S_QhrJitXMI/AAAAAAAAAho/5lCxo87-E0E/s400/DSC_0009.JPG" width="266" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_zWK-5aGP72Q/S_Qh7NTN9NI/AAAAAAAAAh4/gkEsT5NwczE/s1600/DSC_0033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_zWK-5aGP72Q/S_Qh7NTN9NI/AAAAAAAAAh4/gkEsT5NwczE/s400/DSC_0033.JPG" width="400" /></a><br />
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</div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zWK-5aGP72Q/S_Qh2cZxTGI/AAAAAAAAAhw/NVQdZtdVBlM/s1600/DSC_0013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zWK-5aGP72Q/S_Qh2cZxTGI/AAAAAAAAAhw/NVQdZtdVBlM/s400/DSC_0013.JPG" width="266" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">hope your day is lovely.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">n.</div>N.S.K.&E.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10237829162464070535noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4835252616930496630.post-9000838392794941222010-05-12T13:36:00.000-04:002010-05-12T13:36:57.280-04:00homemade food is good.As Kedzie naps and my house fills with the sweet aroma of homemade granola, I had this overwhelming urge to share this recipe with you all. It's a recipe that Sam got from one of our friends (thanks Heidi) who got the recipe from a summer camp she worked at. It doesn't sound too spectacular at first, but then you make it and tweak it to fit you, and then it ends up being your favorite breakfast. Mine includes a bit of plain yogurt, fresh fruit and a sprinkling of chocolate chips...you CANNOT go wrong.<br />
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Let me just preface this by saying, I was not a granola eater. Never. It was always way too crunchy and not quite delicious enough. It had raisins (yuck) or weird seeds I just wasn't interested in consuming. Then, Sam made this. It doesn't get all stuck together, it has just the right amount of sweet and salty and is only packed with outrageously good for you things. Give it a whirl and let me know what you think.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_zWK-5aGP72Q/S-rk8Rs4ewI/AAAAAAAAAhI/E84N4QpAD3k/s1600/DSC_0001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_zWK-5aGP72Q/S-rk8Rs4ewI/AAAAAAAAAhI/E84N4QpAD3k/s400/DSC_0001.JPG" width="400" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zWK-5aGP72Q/S-rlAGOsNDI/AAAAAAAAAhQ/nVBxBQEuThs/s1600/DSC_0002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zWK-5aGP72Q/S-rlAGOsNDI/AAAAAAAAAhQ/nVBxBQEuThs/s400/DSC_0002.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Oh, and as you can see from the picture of the granola roasting in our turkey roasting pan, this recipe makes a lot. 1/2 it or give some away. As for the two of us, we keep it in a huge mason jar and run out every 3-4 weeks. Kedzie's even started to enjoy it (now that he has some molars!).<br />
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GRANOLA (adapted from recipe from <a href="http://www.cpbc.com/">Covenant Point</a>):<br />
<br />
Mix all of the following ingredients together:<br />
3 oz. brown sugar<br />
7 oz. slivered almonds<br />
2 oz. sesame seeds<br />
4 oz. sunflower seeds<br />
2 oz. flax seeds (we added this)<br />
1/2 oz. wheat germ (I've omitted this when I didn't have any on hand)<br />
5 oz. shredded coconut (we use unsweetened and the granola is still plenty sweet)<br />
1/2 T. salt<br />
1 t. pure vanilla extract<br />
1 t. pure almond extract<br />
1/2 cup water<br />
1/2 cup salad oil (we've used evoo and canola oil, both are delicious...we've stuck with canola lately to keep costs down)<br />
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Once all this is mixed then add:<br />
1 lb. 5 oz. rolled oats (the original recipe calls for quick oats but we use regular rolled oats without a problem)<br />
<br />
Spread the mixture on pans 1/2 inch deep. (Like I said, we use the turkey roasting pan and I think it might be deeper than 1/2 inch). Bake at 300 degrees for 1 hour (usually takes 1 1/4 hours for my thickness of granola) or until golden brown. Stir every 15 minutes while baking.<br />
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Hope you enjoy!<br />
n.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zWK-5aGP72Q/S-rlJEyYbBI/AAAAAAAAAhY/E8_9-WJRPYw/s1600/DSC_0011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zWK-5aGP72Q/S-rlJEyYbBI/AAAAAAAAAhY/E8_9-WJRPYw/s400/DSC_0011.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>N.S.K.&E.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10237829162464070535noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4835252616930496630.post-22203514388559172172010-05-11T12:47:00.000-04:002010-05-11T12:47:33.683-04:00First HaircutFirst, let me just say, I didn't think it'd be as difficult a decision as it was. I mean, boys need haircuts, right? Those sweet curls and baby soft hair lasted for 17 months...but recently the humidity and sweaty head got me thinking more seriously about a haircut.<br />
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Sam needed one also, so we headed to our local <a href="http://blueribbonsalon.com/">salon</a> and got both boys matching appointments. (No, Kedzie was not allowed to indulge in the free pabst...although, you'll see he did enjoy his first sucker).<br />
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BEFORE:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_zWK-5aGP72Q/S-mHNH5n6UI/AAAAAAAAAgA/yxWH8KqVJwM/s1600/DSC_0021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_zWK-5aGP72Q/S-mHNH5n6UI/AAAAAAAAAgA/yxWH8KqVJwM/s320/DSC_0021.JPG" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_zWK-5aGP72Q/S-mHRATyYII/AAAAAAAAAgI/EvxS5uHlE-Q/s1600/DSC_0051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_zWK-5aGP72Q/S-mHRATyYII/AAAAAAAAAgI/EvxS5uHlE-Q/s320/DSC_0051.JPG" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_zWK-5aGP72Q/S-mH1rGwntI/AAAAAAAAAgY/MtVjrUjWfb4/s1600/DSC_0057.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_zWK-5aGP72Q/S-mH1rGwntI/AAAAAAAAAgY/MtVjrUjWfb4/s320/DSC_0057.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">DURING: (note the rad retro barber chairs)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_zWK-5aGP72Q/S-mHxe7i_UI/AAAAAAAAAgQ/VWqp_dy-fq4/s1600/DSC_0067.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_zWK-5aGP72Q/S-mHxe7i_UI/AAAAAAAAAgQ/VWqp_dy-fq4/s320/DSC_0067.JPG" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_zWK-5aGP72Q/S-mH9m8qT1I/AAAAAAAAAgo/Y3YXBSy4ZjM/s1600/DSC_0076.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_zWK-5aGP72Q/S-mH9m8qT1I/AAAAAAAAAgo/Y3YXBSy4ZjM/s320/DSC_0076.JPG" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_zWK-5aGP72Q/S-mH4nv4yCI/AAAAAAAAAgg/P_zTYlzDx80/s1600/DSC_0079.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_zWK-5aGP72Q/S-mH4nv4yCI/AAAAAAAAAgg/P_zTYlzDx80/s320/DSC_0079.JPG" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_zWK-5aGP72Q/S-mICEbst_I/AAAAAAAAAgw/HNSF1xI-N8U/s1600/DSC_0073.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_zWK-5aGP72Q/S-mICEbst_I/AAAAAAAAAgw/HNSF1xI-N8U/s320/DSC_0073.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">AFTER:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_zWK-5aGP72Q/S-mJFlzJG3I/AAAAAAAAAhA/fEARdB2uoNo/s1600/DSC_0081.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_zWK-5aGP72Q/S-mJFlzJG3I/AAAAAAAAAhA/fEARdB2uoNo/s320/DSC_0081.JPG" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_zWK-5aGP72Q/S-mJCtU2NdI/AAAAAAAAAg4/E-LgnurZJ0k/s1600/DSC_0093.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_zWK-5aGP72Q/S-mJCtU2NdI/AAAAAAAAAg4/E-LgnurZJ0k/s400/DSC_0093.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Such a little man now. When I'm out in public with him I have to do a double take and make sure he's my child...I'm so used to the back of his head being full of curls.</div>N.S.K.&E.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10237829162464070535noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4835252616930496630.post-4779849108667544602010-05-01T21:06:00.001-04:002010-05-01T21:06:28.729-04:00Square in Squares Gender Neutral Baby Quilt<div style="float: right; margin-left: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/alissacrafts/3400369076/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3551/3400369076_66ceb2e35c_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/alissacrafts/3400369076/">Square in Squares Gender Neutral Baby Quilt</a><br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/alissacrafts/">handmadebyalissa</a></span></div>This quilt is so super duper sweet and eye pleasing. I LOVE it. <br /><br />I may have to work on one of these for the coming bun in the oven. That is, if the nesting ever starts happening. (our house is such a mess, I'm completely overwhelmed). Or...it would look super cute on Kedzie's new big boy bed (the bed he'll be moving into when the baby needs a crib...hopefully?)<br clear="all" />N.S.K.&E.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10237829162464070535noreply@blogger.com0