tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82315316992846163392024-03-13T18:31:21.829-07:00Caledonian RoadKathrynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13360222093860829874noreply@blogger.comBlogger81125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8231531699284616339.post-8544072202523479332017-05-16T06:14:00.001-07:002017-05-16T06:16:43.395-07:00The Secret to a *Really* Clean House NO ONE TOLD ME!!!!!!!!!<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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I used to think I was a clean and
tidy person. Then I had children, and… not so much. I struggled to keep up
with the basics of dishes and laundry, let alone the deep cleaning that I knew
needed to be done. New checklists and routines only worked for a few days, till
this weekend! Now I have truly discovered the secret to getting a deep cleaned
home, that is guaranteed to stick!! And I’m here to share it with you! Scroll
down to discover this AMAZING secret for yourself!!!!!</div>
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The secret to a <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">really</span> clean home is… CATCH A DISEASE!!!!! (Or bug, virus, parasite, etc)</div>
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Yes, it really IS that simple!</div>
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Here’s how it works:</div>
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(Certain names and details may
have been change to protect involved parties.)</div>
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<ol>
<li>Discover you have said
disease/bug/etc in your home.</li>
<li>Call doctor and obtain necessary
medication; meanwhile, send hubby to the store for antibacterial spray and
wipes.</li>
<li>Wash your hands, and scrub
counters/sinks/obvious germ culprits.</li>
<li>Go online to WebMD and read about
the life span, life cycle, egg laying, and propagation of said infection.</li>
<li>Immediately take shower, bathe
children, wash all sheets, towels, and your entire wardrobe, just in case you
touched it trying to decide what to wear that morning.</li>
<li>Dust whole house and vacuum the
floors.</li>
<li>Chat with your neighbour and swap medical
horror stories.</li>
<li>Return home to wash down all your
walls, steam clean all the floors, and bleach the bathroom, all of it, top to
bottom.</li>
<li>Take another shower.</li>
<li>Fight children into another bath.</li>
<li>Google natural organic remedies
you may not have considered, in case the medicine doesn’t work, and implement
as needed.</li>
<li>Call the doctor regarding his
preferred anti-anxiety medications.</li>
<li>Sit down and enjoy your CLEAN,
GERM-FREE home!!!!</li>
<li>Recheck WebMD, in case there was
anything you missed. Reread about the spread of said disease, & remember
that you have to go outside tomorrow.</li>
<li>Repeat.</li>
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CONGRATULATIONS!!! It’s THAT easy!
From now on, you have a spotless, REALLY clean home (and certified
paranoia)!</div>
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<!--EndFragment-->Kathrynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13360222093860829874noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8231531699284616339.post-36528300234053009412017-04-22T13:51:00.000-07:002017-04-22T13:51:12.939-07:00Family Staycation Days 5 & 6Well here I am, writing the last post in this little series of adventures. What a great week its been with our family! Yesterday (Day 5) has no pictures to show. We found out yesterday morning that we had a chance to catch up with some dear friends, so we spent the day tidying, shopping, and cooking for that sweet reunion! A lovely time for all, but not something quite bloggy!<br />
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Today, however, we made up for it. Like, a lot.<br />
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Let me put it to you this way: Do you remember that list we were working through, courtesy <a href="https://www.wanderlustchloe.com/london-desserts-you-have-to-try/">Wanderlust Chloe</a>? There were six desserts to try. And if you've kept close track of our progress so far, we've had... two. So while the original plan for today had two stops, it turned into four. Four massive desserts in one day! My blood is now syrup.<br />
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First on our list: <a href="https://yolkin.co.uk/">Yolkin</a>. Yes, its a weird name. The founder made macarons regularly, which uses egg whites, and realised she could make ice cream with the remaining yolks. Throw the two together and you have a macaron ice cream sandwich! You can't see from the picture, but they are massive! As big as my fist! We shared a honeycomb flavoured sandwich, and weren't disappointed!<br />
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Then on to Milk Train Cafe, specialising the the Ice Cream Cloud! Soft serve ice cream, covered in any combination of sauces and toppings, surrounded by a cloud of cotton candy, or candy floss, as the Brits call it! If this isn't Instagram worthy, I don't know what is!<br />
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Our little Fishy was a bit hesitant to try it, but warmed up pretty quickly!</div>
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Then since those two were such successes, we decided to head back to Chinatown to <a href="http://www.bubblewrapwaffle.com/">Bubblewrap Waffle</a> to brave that queue. It still looked pretty long, but we were already sugared up, the sun was starting to peek out, and the girls were in top form! We ended up waiting about 45 minutes to get our tasty treat!<br />
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***BTW- I need to give a shout out to the hubs! Halfway into our wait, little Fishy declared she had to go potty (she's been potty trained for a week now). With no bathrooms at any of the teeny shops nearby, I stayed in the queue and sent the hubby down a couple streets to look for a place with a toilet. First attempted cafe disappointed, so he rushed over a couple more blocks to McDonalds, where the signs pointed him to the bathroom... three flights downstairs. So he picked up our double stroller with both girls in it and CARRIED it down, rushing into the bathroom and getting her to a toilet before she burst! A kind hearted stranger took pity on him as he began lifting it for the trek back up the steps. But I'm seriously impressed with his daddy-ness!<br />
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And... all our efforts produced this beauty! A bubble waffle cone with dark chocolate gelato, whipped cream, strawberries, and nutella drizzle! Pretty good, if Mila's reaction is anything to judge by!<br />
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Seriously buzzed at this point, we headed back through the West End to catch a bus back up to Holloway, our own stomping grounds. We had said if we could, we'd head to our final stop on the list, and with Little Fish calling from her stroller "mo keek" (more treats), what were we to do?</div>
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So, we hit <a href="http://mikisparadise.blogspot.co.uk/">Miki's Paradise</a> just 10 minutes away from our house for one of their famous freakshakes! The freakshake revolution isn't new, but we'd yet to try one. I think the idea was a hit! A milkshake, with extra ice cream, whipped cream, a cookie/brownie/cake, pretzels, caramel drizzle... and whatever else they could fit on top! Fishy's eyes lit up as it arrived at our table, and we had to fight to get a sip of it for ourselves!</div>
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She's actually pretty good at sharing, and her daddy loved sharing sips with her!</div>
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Finally, on the edge of a sugar coma, we stopped at the Hub's favourite cheap chinese shop just down from Miki's, as there was no way I'd have the wherewithal to actually cook supper, and headed home. Everyone was happy, everyone was on a sugar high, everyone had fun. Even our tiny Squidge!</div>
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<a href="https://www.wanderlustchloe.com/">Chloe Gunning</a>, you're my new favourite person for providing the inspiration for this week! When you said "6 London Desserts You Have to Try", I'm not sure you meant to try them all in one week, but we loved it! I just may be cursing your name when my daughter is detoxing tomorrow!<br />
<span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: #bd081c; background-image: url(data:image/svg+xml; background-position: 3px 50%; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; background-size: 14px; border-bottom-left-radius: 2px; border-bottom-right-radius: 2px; border-top-left-radius: 2px; border-top-right-radius: 2px; border: none; color: white; cursor: pointer; display: none; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: bold; left: 233px; line-height: 20px; opacity: 1; padding: 0px 4px 0px 0px; position: absolute; text-align: center; text-indent: 20px; top: 4396px; width: auto; z-index: 8675309;">Save</span><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: #bd081c; background-image: url(data:image/svg+xml; background-position: 3px 50%; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; background-size: 14px; border-bottom-left-radius: 2px; border-bottom-right-radius: 2px; border-top-left-radius: 2px; border-top-right-radius: 2px; border: none; color: white; cursor: pointer; display: none; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: bold; left: 233px; line-height: 20px; opacity: 1; padding: 0px 4px 0px 0px; position: absolute; text-align: center; text-indent: 20px; top: 4396px; width: auto; z-index: 8675309;">Save</span>Kathrynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13360222093860829874noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8231531699284616339.post-62965791974214372752017-04-20T06:48:00.001-07:002017-04-20T06:48:17.734-07:00Family Staycation Day 4Well, we took a day off. At least from big events. I'm posting midday even, because we have no plans to go anywhere this evening. The girls slept in (thank you very much!), and are down for a late nap (thanks again!)<div>
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We popped out this morning for a gift for a friend and I snapped a quick pic of our nice shopping centre at The Angel. If you ever feel like looking at a map of London, look for Angel, Islington. It's just a 15 min walk from our place!</div>
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Got a relaxed cup of coffee with some of my favourite people!</div>
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And then some chill time with the Squidge, who is getting more and more expressive all the time! (She's 10 weeks old now!)<br />
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I'm loving this week with my family! I'll keep you posted where we head next!</div>
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Kathrynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13360222093860829874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8231531699284616339.post-84631829879209142332017-04-19T16:00:00.000-07:002017-04-20T06:48:38.066-07:00Family Staycation Day 3<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Well, day three is in the books! We started the morning heading to our favourite out-of-town spot, Trent Park. The hubs scoped out the park on Google maps before we even moved, knowing I'd need some breathing space from the city every so often. It's a massive park with tons of walking trails, a tree adventure course, and lots of space to have a picnic! The bluebells were in season, the clouds scattering the sky and littering the hills with shadows. Just lovely!</div>
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We've had some people ask how we get around with both girls- so here's how: our stroller (called a pushchair) stacks the seats. You can see Fishy sitting in the top seat, and Squidgy is in a carrier that lays down below. But once Squidgy gets older and wants to sit, that seat folds up to be a normal sitting position, and the top seat reconnects down by the back wheels so they sit one above another. It's pretty clever actually. If you want to look it up, the brand is called Phil & Teds. Ours is an older model, but you can get the feeling for it!<br />
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Then after popping home for a quick nap time, we headed out again for the city, Soho, to be exact. Continuing on<a href="https://www.wanderlustchloe.com/london-desserts-you-have-to-try/"> Wanderlust Chloe's recommended list</a>, we first headed to <a href="http://www.bubblewrapwaffle.com/">Bubblewrap Waffle</a> in Chinatown!</div>
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Facebook said it had a long queue, and sadly, we found it too long for our impatient family. What you see here was just under a two hour wait! Considering Bubblewrap also had a sign posting they were out of two of their three ice cream fillers, we decided to put it off for another day and head to another on the list!<br />
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So on to <a href="https://cutterandsquidge.com/">Cutter & Squidge</a> (so aptly named for our crew!) to try one of their famous Biskies-- a sandwich of two cake/cookie pieces filled with a special cream filling! We picked Smore and Pistachio Rosebery and neither disappointed! (Hubby preferred the Smore, while I liked the Pistachio.)<br />
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Fishy wasn't too fussy!<br />
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A potty training accident left this little girl shoeless on this chilly evening, but it didn't get her down too badly!<br />
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Oh, and in case anyone is interested, we sat for a while with Ralph Fiennes standing on the other side of the grass for a while. Still can't get over this city living thing!</div>
<span style="background-color: #bd081c; background-position: 3px 50%; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; background-size: 14px; border-bottom-left-radius: 2px; border-bottom-right-radius: 2px; border-top-left-radius: 2px; border-top-right-radius: 2px; border: none; color: white; cursor: pointer; display: none; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; left: 113px; line-height: 20px; opacity: 1; padding: 0px 4px 0px 0px; position: absolute; text-align: center; text-indent: 20px; top: 6214px; width: auto; z-index: 8675309;">Save</span><span style="background-color: #bd081c; background-position: 3px 50%; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; background-size: 14px; border-bottom-left-radius: 2px; border-bottom-right-radius: 2px; border-top-left-radius: 2px; border-top-right-radius: 2px; border: none; color: white; cursor: pointer; display: none; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; left: 113px; line-height: 20px; opacity: 1; padding: 0px 4px 0px 0px; position: absolute; text-align: center; text-indent: 20px; top: 6214px; width: auto; z-index: 8675309;">Save</span>Kathrynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13360222093860829874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8231531699284616339.post-14580404950265584362017-04-18T15:00:00.000-07:002017-04-18T23:10:50.188-07:00Family Stacation Day 2Woo hoo! Staycation is officially in full swing! London goes in swings weather wise, so we got out to enjoy the sunshine while it's here.<br />
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The first stop was our favourite greasy burger joint-- the kind of place where everything comes in styrofoam boxes and you don't ask too many questions, but get a sloppy burger dripping with garlic sauce that only costs £3.90. Its pretty goid, especially when it sits on a main street right next to a posh burger joint where a simple meal costs £15!<br />
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Takeaway burgers and chips (fries) in hand, we made our way down to Regents Canal, where we walked the towpath, watching the narrowboats and dodging cyclists.<br />
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Our destination: a doughnutterie in Shoredirch. Recently, my mom sent me an article highlighting <a href="https://www.wanderlustchloe.com/london-desserts-you-have-to-try/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=FBSOED00-ongoing">6 London Desserts You Have to Try</a>, and since I have a pretty serious sweet tooth, and hadn't tried any of the treats on the list, we decided to make it a crazy week and see how many we can get to.<br />
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So we headed to Dum Dum Doughnuts, for a sample of their famous cronuts- a baked blend between a croissant and a doughnut. I chose a Zebra-- a mix of chocolate and vanilla pastry filled with chocolate creme and topped with ganache, while the hubs picked Salted Caramel & Lotus (Biscoff), and Fishy nabbed a White Chocolate filled mini doughnut. It was denser than I expected but a yummy treat! And don't worry about the calories- the walk the was about four miles, so I think<span style="text-align: center;"> we balanced out!</span><br />
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Stay tuned for where we are headed next! More deliciousness is on the way!<br />
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<br />Kathrynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13360222093860829874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8231531699284616339.post-61966244954892360332017-04-17T14:00:00.000-07:002017-04-18T23:11:10.475-07:00Family Staycation Day 1Dads in England get two weeks paternity leave upon the birth of each child. Because of timing and visits from our parents, the hubby didn't take all his leave right when baby #2 arrived, so he is taking this week for some rest and family time. We girls are so excited!<br />
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Day 1 was just a rest day. Both daughters managed to have a great night sleep, and not wake up till 8:30, so Mummy and Daddy enjoyed a bit of a 'lie in.' A pot of coffee, sugary breakfast treats, and family play time meant a 'pyjamas till lunch' kind of day.</div>
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Fishy also started a new bedtime routine, including story time with Daddy, and she is now reading The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe for the first time. We'll see how her attention span holds out!</div>
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A nice quiet family day was just what we needed to start off this family week. From here on out, we've got things to do!</div>
Kathrynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13360222093860829874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8231531699284616339.post-39544765264452472892017-01-05T13:28:00.000-08:002017-01-05T13:28:02.076-08:00No Place Like HomeIt's funny. We are now three and a half years into this London adventure and we absolutely love it here- love England, love our friends, our home, our habits. We started our family here (and it's about to grow again!) We have no idea how long we'll stay, but so glad to call it home today.<br />
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And yet, there's something about going back. Back to familiar places and faces. Places where your memories are shared with others you love. Places you were before.<br />
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We were able to go back to the US in November, and squeeze in time with each of our families. The time was too fleeting, but precious, especially now, as it's shared with our daughter. I've included a few of my favourite shots from the trip, but I hope you appreciate my restraint. I cut it down to 20 pics from about 200. It wasn't easy.<br />
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Grandma Prelock shared raspberries straight from the bush!</div>
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And Fishy got to meet kitties for the first time. She loved it. The kitties... not so much.</div>
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Fishy got to meet her cousin, and great grandpas!</div>
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Dancing with Papa</div>
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And LOTS of wrestling with Grandpa Walton!</div>
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And we got to meet this little bundle of laughs!</div>
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And then there's this guy... who always keeps me laughing.</div>
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The view from Grandma and Grandpa Walton's house-- such an amazing place to wake up to!</div>
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Love these two cuties!</div>
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Missing all these happy smiles already!</div>
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<br />Kathrynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13360222093860829874noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8231531699284616339.post-63538076356967569502016-07-13T03:42:00.000-07:002016-07-13T03:42:41.512-07:00The Birthday Girl!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Little Fishy turned one yesterday! I wish I could say the whole day was spent in celebration, but in truth, she was pretty grumpy, which made me pretty grumpy, and when I had to go out in the afternoon, it poured down rain, making for a happy daddy but not a happy mummy. Oh well.</div>
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We had a bit of sunshine in Fishy's smiles though. She perked right up in pretty beads and a tiara (courtesy of Grandma Walton)! However... she was a bit more delicate in her cake smash than I'd anticipated, only picking at the frosting, and eating a bite that I carved out for her.</div>
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Who's daughter is she anyway?!</div>
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Happy Birthday, Little Girl! You light up the lives of all who know you, and we wouldn't trade you for the world!<br />
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Love,<br />
Mummy & DaddyKathrynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13360222093860829874noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8231531699284616339.post-11035719960595657352016-04-20T08:07:00.000-07:002016-04-29T08:46:04.567-07:00Back in the Saddle Again...Hello! It has officially been ages since I last posted. I kinda miss writing, so here's an attempt to start up again.<br />
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But I have good reason for being absent, as most of you know:<br />
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Meet Fishy! (Nicknamed so from in utero, when hubby would tap on my belly and wonder if she heard it echo like fish do in an aquarium). We're kinda growing fond of this little thing, though she does take up some of that free time I used to have. Though if I can find time to blog, I'm obviously not suffering too greatly!<br />
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So, for my first post back from maternity leave, I thought I'd share some of the gems of wisdom I've learned in the vast 9 months of my experience.<br />
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1. Babies like to take you to the edge of your sanity, and just leave you there, hovering, just for their own sadistic pleasure. Whether it's changing up a routine they <i>just</i> settled into, spitting food across the dress you <i>just </i>put on, or making a mess of the only thing you didn't put out of reach...<br />
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Stay strong. Don't give in. Never let 'em see ya weep! Roll up your sleeves, reheat that coffee again, grab a bar of chocolate and get back in there! Which bring me to...<br />
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2. They steal your food. For reals. Doesn't matter what they're eating, even nursing. If you eat it, they want it:<br />
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In this precise picture, I gave Fishy one cracker, and put one in my mouth while I carried her and my coffee cup to the sofa. She held onto her own and literally pulled up and bit mine out of my mouth. Cheeky little thing!</div>
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3. They don't care about toys. Really. They don't. You can set them on the floor with ten different toys scattered about, and they play with the strand of your hair caught in the carpet. (You know, that hair that is STILL shedding with post-pregnancy fervour, even though your doctor swore it would stop six months out!) </div>
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4. They sleep however the heck they want to sleep. I tried so hard to be that good mum who did it right. Back is best. Toe to toe. Yeah... that's a nice thought.<br />
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5. They make liars out of you. I truly believe they listen to everything we say in public just so they can prove us wrong.</div>
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<i><b>Me</b>: Oh no, she's not mobile yet. She just loves sitting and watching.</i></div>
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<i><b>Fishy</b>: Let me throw myself off this chair, at church, in front of the people just asking Mummy if it was safe.</i></div>
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<i><b>Me</b>: Yeah, we're really lucky. She's started sleeping through the night finally.</i></div>
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<i><b>Fishy</b>: Mummy!! Howsabout we get up at 9:00, and 12:00, and 2:00, and 5:00? Yay, Mummy!! Mummy... why are you crying?</i></div>
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6. They eat weird. Okay, so to be fair, Fishy is a great eater. Check out my <a href="https://www.instagram.com/kprelock/">Instagram</a>. She's a trooper! But then there's that time she decided to eat butter....</div>
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7. They'll teethe on anything. Buttons, keys, rocks, you name it- it goes in the mouth. Almost weekly, I am asked, "Does she have any teething toys?" Oh yes, you mean like Sophie the Giraffe, or my silicone teething necklace, or any number of those round plastic things you can put in the fridge?! Why yes, we do have those. Why do you ask?<br />
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8. They don't pose so well for photos. Apparently, Fishy's cousin poses a little too well for photos, cheesing it up anytime she sees a phone/camera. Fishy isn't quite there yet. She still mostly just wants to eat it (see number 7). But trust me, that time when you clear the living room, make a 'studio', get them all dressed up, and start posing.... that's the time they will decide to make absolutely no cute faces whatsoever. So instead of that sweet vintage shot by the rocking horse you imagined, you'll step out of the room for a second, and come back to this shot instead: Fishy having pulled said rocking horse on top of herself, pinned to the ground, whining, with Teddy taken down as an innocent bystander.<br />
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or this:</div>
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9. But they open up a world of humanity. I used to ride the tube and stare at the tops of people's heads as they glared into cell phones, or newspapers, or at best, a book. Eye contact was awkward, and conversation labelled you a foreigner almost immediately. But with Fishy, eyes are opened, smiles unfold, and glimpses of lives are shared. Grandma's and Grandpa's coo, mum's with teens in tow smile knowingly, middle aged clerks in suits reach down and tell me about their little girl at home, and that cool hipster in the leather jacket looks up from his iPhone to tell me its okay if Fishy wants to play with the fringe on the sleeve.</div>
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She opens up the people of this city in a way I never expected, and I love it all the more for her!</div>
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10. They'll steal your heart again, and again, and again. I wasn't one of those mums with the magical tingly love at the very beginning (obviously not enough skin-to-skin bonding at the hospital in the first three hours, eh?!) But the more I'm with her, the more I love her.</div>
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She's full of beans, as the English say, and I know, I know, we haven't even hit the toddler stage yet. But her morning smile makes my day start off right, and when she goes to bed, we find ourselves flipping through my phone looking at her pictures, just because we miss her. And on those nights (okay, most nights), where she's still up for a 3am feed, I linger just a bit before putting her back to bed, looking at those chubby fingers, that double chin, those long dark eyelashes, and I melt for her all over again, because I know these days won't last forever. And I love them while their mine.</div>
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Kathrynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13360222093860829874noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8231531699284616339.post-82446080269867536102015-06-21T01:00:00.000-07:002015-06-21T01:00:06.200-07:00Happy Father's Day, to the men in my lifeHappy Father's Day!<br />
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I'm writing this a day in advance, hoping quite frankly, that I'll be in labor on the real day. If not, I still should be within the next week... bringing yet another generation into this, or rather, these, families-- a granddaughter and daughter to brighten the eyes of the men who are already so dear to me.<br />
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To my father, David. The man who kissed my boo-boos, cuddled me to to sleep, taught me to drive, celebrated my 17th birthday with me in Asia, took me skydiving, and picture taking in a tropical storm....<br />
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The man who walked me down the aisle on my wedding day...<br />
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... and helped rescue me when my firth Thanksgiving turkey failed and required fast cutting and a microwave. (Yes, a microwave!)<br />
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To my dad, the first man to hold my heart.</div>
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Happy Father's Day.</div>
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To my father-in-law, Matt. To the man who also celebrates another birthday today. The man who cried as he gave me his son...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiiH3XNNoJfvGlhSzpjCLfGeANh8hhXxeJlckA3iE3tF-PY9Vj5XGpI2nuiUT7yolExaftPKWllbcLcijB5S-Dzrl_p-le7bzkJfI1rCt_egXg_cp3kGwcCFtvEiZB6o3bOeMZz3MqTEY/s1600/1910156_112007469502_4528004_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiiH3XNNoJfvGlhSzpjCLfGeANh8hhXxeJlckA3iE3tF-PY9Vj5XGpI2nuiUT7yolExaftPKWllbcLcijB5S-Dzrl_p-le7bzkJfI1rCt_egXg_cp3kGwcCFtvEiZB6o3bOeMZz3MqTEY/s400/1910156_112007469502_4528004_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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...who taught me all about 'sausaging'...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhME_aBL5OtUDhpyu1pYTV8Ax5pS_rYdA-LF9mxg4ix_xWChVZnoX18walF8DCvSu1jcOaKy54fWqPkjbujT1aWmiYZ30Cb8Dzeev3r2MZ_prG0EAyHABek9afb0tXX9wC39LSpqwhCRsM/s1600/251936_10150994680138371_1978331008_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhME_aBL5OtUDhpyu1pYTV8Ax5pS_rYdA-LF9mxg4ix_xWChVZnoX18walF8DCvSu1jcOaKy54fWqPkjbujT1aWmiYZ30Cb8Dzeev3r2MZ_prG0EAyHABek9afb0tXX9wC39LSpqwhCRsM/s400/251936_10150994680138371_1978331008_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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... and what little I know about gardening.<br />
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Who taught me how to use a tractor (and lent me the coveralls so I didn't freeze, though he called me a baby for bundling up so!<br />
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The man who has adopted into his family with warmth and love, christened me 'my dearest Kathryn', and never stopped.</div>
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To my dad-in law, who has become a wonderful part of my life and my family.</div>
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Happy Father's Day.</div>
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To my husband, Aaron. The man who swept me off my feet, and almost off the road, with that first Harley ride in a tornado, who drove that Harley five hours in 45˚ weather to visit me at school, who cried when he asked me to marry him as well as when he met me at the aisle, who took me on my first beach vacation for our honeymoon....<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuuX8sDhWGZBeWTiOIacpA5JWIBZ2QyROdjVPt5ODSciQKsrplSK_EtmcJseIUjpQ88pDTbThf2SL2kwDLhCW5cF0SC43HNYLZahvxIMHv-BsRPinkQKbX84swYngozwfNxJEOaSJWHS8/s1600/1910156_117691699502_8336225_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuuX8sDhWGZBeWTiOIacpA5JWIBZ2QyROdjVPt5ODSciQKsrplSK_EtmcJseIUjpQ88pDTbThf2SL2kwDLhCW5cF0SC43HNYLZahvxIMHv-BsRPinkQKbX84swYngozwfNxJEOaSJWHS8/s400/1910156_117691699502_8336225_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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... and across the world on adventures to Germany, Slovenia....<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLWCMeoLy3Y5dLZ5Zp2GCV9OyLIKNwIwnlw6_DNwQDkvJHX9I7p9a3LBLLQlaOkr7OxlqjW9TY3FeIMALk9_0G306gSEdKj6ueroGx38CVTK6t6bXusGm5BGWkmTn46K7BSNrg2QixBQo/s1600/18433_292134789502_4173516_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLWCMeoLy3Y5dLZ5Zp2GCV9OyLIKNwIwnlw6_DNwQDkvJHX9I7p9a3LBLLQlaOkr7OxlqjW9TY3FeIMALk9_0G306gSEdKj6ueroGx38CVTK6t6bXusGm5BGWkmTn46K7BSNrg2QixBQo/s400/18433_292134789502_4173516_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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... Scotland, Portugal, and Paris...,<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiINFMUetKuS77eiPBke0losFtoibUu4A2i1j5NdzLJogLGJYDjsSYi7-uAfOdV2ONRC1lXEMnBgchJJe1kK_m-s5jlhc_OyjisCOBjftLZoKmgFKJ6_5CSXPyrTtaGKIAkDmB8YAqHvLs/s1600/1902832_10152067199929503_433925717_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiINFMUetKuS77eiPBke0losFtoibUu4A2i1j5NdzLJogLGJYDjsSYi7-uAfOdV2ONRC1lXEMnBgchJJe1kK_m-s5jlhc_OyjisCOBjftLZoKmgFKJ6_5CSXPyrTtaGKIAkDmB8YAqHvLs/s400/1902832_10152067199929503_433925717_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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... who brought to this amazing adventure in London...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfyrVutQiYVoNPq0o1E9Ve6YrB4KU4ZY6Nuh2QcjptFU8pWWn7EpHmtauEqs8p_mOd9oaml9tCvSnVhb8qNfQDgIhPgQx9UPvHGJJY39AdK13IxkifgeMuJg61bdFUNokCynSmnOmyqpI/s1600/580366_10151094761139503_193299519_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfyrVutQiYVoNPq0o1E9Ve6YrB4KU4ZY6Nuh2QcjptFU8pWWn7EpHmtauEqs8p_mOd9oaml9tCvSnVhb8qNfQDgIhPgQx9UPvHGJJY39AdK13IxkifgeMuJg61bdFUNokCynSmnOmyqpI/s400/580366_10151094761139503_193299519_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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... and is about to walk with me on our biggest adventure yet.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUVYLECHSDsbHuLKDGa8QZxKiBt4Qdl2YbHqV2pOIhZxNsmFsCeSaJIDR5bljq1VFZyi57VVM1aqKpm9qiVkFuqCqKiHsGJeV_EeLFxSWeAEATFDe0WjldpiEw4BVfTZ5Obb8kxrgesCs/s1600/11024775_10153007870824503_3051442843617364677_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUVYLECHSDsbHuLKDGa8QZxKiBt4Qdl2YbHqV2pOIhZxNsmFsCeSaJIDR5bljq1VFZyi57VVM1aqKpm9qiVkFuqCqKiHsGJeV_EeLFxSWeAEATFDe0WjldpiEw4BVfTZ5Obb8kxrgesCs/s400/11024775_10153007870824503_3051442843617364677_o.jpg" width="285" /></a></div>
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To my husband, and the father of my baby girl.</div>
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Happy Father's Day.</div>
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My life wouldn't be the same without any of you, and I love you all for it.</div>
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Kathrynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13360222093860829874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8231531699284616339.post-34783069139089865852015-06-20T09:04:00.000-07:002015-06-20T09:04:02.183-07:00Beginning a New AdventureWell, I've not written for a long time, but quite frankly, life has been pretty calm, without much to write about.<br />
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I'm quite sure if you're reading this blog, then you know that Baby Prelock is on her way- due any day now. So I've been a bit slower and less adventuresome for the past couple months, but life has still been great- lots of time with friends, and of course, time together while it's just the two of us.<br />
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I've found that while the last month of pregnancy is uncomfortable and at times, just plain hard, it's also really lovely. We've been able to see (and play with) our little girl more than ever, and the shared anticipation and joy at her coming arrival makes for some sweet times in our marriage. Even as I tire of the heartburn, bruised ribs, and countless bathroom trips, each ferocious kick, or belly-bending stretch reminds me that these moments are fleeting, and I'll miss them at some point.<br />
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I'm posting the pictures of us (and the growing bump) on my Facebook wall, but I couldn't not put any photos on here, so I thought I'd put a shot of baby girl's room.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6TOUpkjiX43PaoiJEH2JLZjmpASX-dVDOJSGTbxKCASr6TyrjCq7_-R8eh_kicQIZoeqF68AS9l3SuIVZNin03w1JtcjMvD7URaH8S74YHxVssbJUGC_iwL_dkxz_cRG53w3nQZPPG6s/s1600/picstitch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6TOUpkjiX43PaoiJEH2JLZjmpASX-dVDOJSGTbxKCASr6TyrjCq7_-R8eh_kicQIZoeqF68AS9l3SuIVZNin03w1JtcjMvD7URaH8S74YHxVssbJUGC_iwL_dkxz_cRG53w3nQZPPG6s/s640/picstitch.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The walls are a greige, not pinkish, as they look, but that's about it. On the left hand side is a small futon that can still pull out when we have a full house. It's a tight fit, but I'm pretty proud of what we were able to fit in the this little 5'x10' room! Lots of color, and walls filled with children's literarary illustrations, we can't wait to fill it with giggles and memories.</div>
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Stay tuned-- she won't be long now. Promise!</div>
<br />Kathrynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13360222093860829874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8231531699284616339.post-29381856401161552582015-04-29T09:46:00.002-07:002015-04-29T09:46:51.959-07:00Just Normal Life<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
So life has settled down a bit lately. Our travels have subsided till baby girl makes her appearance in June. But we're still very much enjoying life in London, whilst occasionally venturing outside the city limits. I thought I'd compile a bunch of the random photos that have been filling up my phone lately. </div>
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<h1 class="quoteText" style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-weight: normal; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px 0px 15px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">“It was true, she thought, that the big things awe us but the little things touch us.”</span></h1>
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Bess Streeter Alrich, <i>A White Bird Flying</i></div>
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We spent a morning at the Tate Britain museum, and found this little gem in its galleries. I can't tell you how often college friends, and I mused over this photo and the stories of its time.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjzdJvmVx2qiaXMEb23B1i7B5bA0vQ8pL6Ej2XstL5MMSeM29YsZNtQaadPZ6k1ufnVYHjWjd59nA2Xi-dGaQfYIgAQZB0vycZBuQj26bzbTIYPpXDdZ54qUXP1M5zyBqu8mXgcHByZUU/s1600/IMG_3581.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjzdJvmVx2qiaXMEb23B1i7B5bA0vQ8pL6Ej2XstL5MMSeM29YsZNtQaadPZ6k1ufnVYHjWjd59nA2Xi-dGaQfYIgAQZB0vycZBuQj26bzbTIYPpXDdZ54qUXP1M5zyBqu8mXgcHByZUU/s1600/IMG_3581.JPG" height="478" width="640" /></a></div>
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A few weeks later, we went down to Brighton for the day with some friends. While I've been in England long enough now to not expect the quaintness of Jane Austen's Brighton, I didn't expect it to be a kind of Jersey Shore of England. I saw more blue/green hair than I've ever seen before. I also didn't see Brighton beach. The mist from the sea floated inland about 10 minutes and stayed all day. It was bright and sunny farther in, and back in London, but not on the beach. We briefly saw the outline of the pier, and saw the waves along the shore 20 feet out from the pebbles. That's it.<br />
But I have now been to Brighton. :-)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmyd3xSURAf0rjJ12m2cQJymh1gI1uj-p46ZvXivV_6svsXhI1g7HK4SJD8gRVcvSdApSGMtHjiXB5vcFQ427a0hwh4SY_Tx_iH3raG7z9jmUBj-ZDrKphyPMqGYil33ZAxl-EqFwlXk8/s1600/IMG_3600.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmyd3xSURAf0rjJ12m2cQJymh1gI1uj-p46ZvXivV_6svsXhI1g7HK4SJD8gRVcvSdApSGMtHjiXB5vcFQ427a0hwh4SY_Tx_iH3raG7z9jmUBj-ZDrKphyPMqGYil33ZAxl-EqFwlXk8/s1600/IMG_3600.JPG" height="478" width="640" /></a></div>
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The other week, I opened my curtains one sunny morning to this stunning view, and it's reminder that yes, I do live in one of the biggest, and busiest cities in the world.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij_2QH48rMZozgwbFwsZp2H7DwkPzBXg1yGqlq-J42sIkozrb8PfQIjYNWOTwO3MXcmfPDozI0bMSi5UTsNT9UmgD4Ekerod76tSBw0I9Ypn-TJzjJfWPtNsWY3TLAxIFtXBBqOv_kVUQ/s1600/IMG_3611.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij_2QH48rMZozgwbFwsZp2H7DwkPzBXg1yGqlq-J42sIkozrb8PfQIjYNWOTwO3MXcmfPDozI0bMSi5UTsNT9UmgD4Ekerod76tSBw0I9Ypn-TJzjJfWPtNsWY3TLAxIFtXBBqOv_kVUQ/s1600/IMG_3611.JPG" height="478" width="640" /></a></div>
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A bit of excitement in our routine was the chance to go to a rugby match! We saw the Saracens vs Harlequins (for those of you that know rugby), and I thoroughly enjoyed it! It was similar enough to American football that I could appreciate the basics, though I know I didn't get it all. And I enjoyed it MUCH more than the football (soccer) matches we've been to. Way more chilled and fun!</div>
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But I was amazed at the crowds going into Wembley Stadium. Apparently there were about 70,000 fans-- a record for the Rugby league. It was crazy!</div>
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And then we left the stadium afterwards and hightailed it for the tube, trying to beat the rush. The crowd going in had nothing on the crowd leaving after.</div>
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Here's a small perspective from the stairs going into the tube...</div>
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and if you can see it.... the path on the other side of the bridge is completely packed with people. About 30-40 people across... for half a mile. Just crazy!!!<br />
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But spring is on the rise, and with it, London is showing off its flowery side! I love it!<br />
I actually found this amazing tree (tree? massive bush?) last summer, but forgot about posting it. Two stories of wisteria! And the property was for sale. I wanted to buy it on the spot!<br />
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In March, all the crocuses burst out, defying the cool temps with their bright colour!</div>
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And these beauties have popped up in the park near us! I love spring, and was so happy to find London's parks full of it, not just cement and concrete!</div>
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So thanks for stopping by and sharing some of our little moments. We're enjoying them, and I hope you are too!</div>
Kathrynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13360222093860829874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8231531699284616339.post-71565362713014002782015-03-02T09:22:00.002-08:002015-03-02T09:22:24.650-08:00Living the LifeSo, usually our life here in London is pretty 'normal'. For reals. Yes, its London, but our average week looks a lot like it did when we lived in middle Indiana. We clean, cook, go grocery shopping, have church friends over, get Chinese take-away and a film for a special date night-- yep, we're pretty crazy people.<div>
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Then there are those seasons when life is anything but 'normal', and I almost have to slap myself silly! The last two months have been one of those seasons. Its no indication of any great achievement on our part, nor is it full of the things really most important in life, but the last 6-8 weeks have brought a whirlwind of 'slap me silly' events.</div>
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1. I was able to go with two girlfriends for a 'day out' in Paris. A one night stay in an Airbnb flat, amazing French cuisine, pastries and tarts at Angeline, window shopping through Le Marais ... it was such a fun frivolous adventure- and I loved it! I only came back with a vintage 'granny' sweater, and some sweets for the hubs, but it was still just incredible!</div>
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2. Aaron and I were given tickets to see Ian McDianmid play Shylock in <i>The Merchant of Venice</i>. I really only knew him as the emperor (Senator Palpatine) in Star Wars, and am ashamed to admit in a handful of lines, that's all I saw, and expected him to finish his lines with "my young apprentice." But it was really amazing to be able to see it at The Almeida Theatre.</div>
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3. Stellen Skarsgard (Avengers, Mama Mia, Pirates of the Caribbean, Girl with the Dragon Tattoo) filmed for several days just outside of our flat. Apparently (according to the notice we were given, explaining the hubbub and traffic disruptions), he'll play a conflicted detective in (yet another) crime drama miniseries called River. *Note: this is just the facts, not a public endorsement of any said dramas.* (By the way, did you know that famous actors get their own 'coat valet', who stand just off camera with a parka in January, to cover him up in between takes?)</div>
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Like I said- nothing earth shaking, or of eternal consequence, but fun to think about in that silly, trivial sense. I look at where we are and think, "Really? That's happening, to me, right here?" It's so fun!</div>
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And then, to top it off, my hubby took me for a quick getaway/birthday gift/babymoon to Portugal! A friend's parents live in Cascais, about 40 min outside Lisbon, and were such amazing gracious hosts! A lovely couple who have lived in half a dozen countries over several decades, they were full of amazing stories and tales as they drove us around the countryside, sharing with us a peek of their life. It was amazing!</div>
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On the flight there, we flew over some amazing mountains! (Iberian, Pyrenees?)</div>
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Arriving in Lisbon, we landed in rain, but the clouds parted just in time for sunset! And we were able to spend another day just walking around, seeing a bit of the city. Lisbon is gorgeous-- reminding me so much of San Francisco. From it's bridge (looking just like the Golden Gate) to it's hilly streets lined with colourful homes... it was so charming and so fun to share with the hubs, who's never been to California!<br />
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We stopped in at the Livraria Bertrand.... arguably the oldest bookstore in the world!</div>
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We drove out to Cabo da Roca, the most western point in Continental Europe, which was really fun for the hubby, as he's been to the eastern edge of the continent in Romania and Moldova.<br />
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We saw the Boca da Inferno....<br />
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And we spent quite a bit of time just wandering the beaches and streets of Cascais. It's a tiny little town relying heavily on tourism, but it was just lovely and we enjoyed all of the time we could get there!<br />
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Friends recommended the Jeronimos Monastery... built right around 1500 AD. It was a lovely exhibit of Portuguese architecture.<br />
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We loved our time in Portugal, and hope we can return again someday. The people were charming, our hosts were wonderful, and we are longing for those sandy beaches already!</div>
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So I look at what 2015 has already held... art, theatre, culture, frivolity.... it's been an amazing couple months already. Maybe it's been especially fun as everyone keeps telling us "Enjoy it now, because once the baby comes, life will never be the same." And I think I get that. We are so blessed to be enjoying this phase of life, with its dull normal weeks, and it's weeks of crazy romantic travels and celebrity sightings. We are so blessed to be where we are today, and I don't want to miss a moment. </div>
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But I am so looking forward to this summer, when we get to meet our little girl, to having family visit, and watching our parents turn into grandparents, to establishing new routines as a family, to growing with my husband as parents. Life's seasons are ever changing, and I'm loving the one we are in now, and excited about the next!</div>
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Thanks for joining us on our journey. I hope you're enjoying it as much as we are!</div>
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Kathrynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13360222093860829874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8231531699284616339.post-2420837499867537802015-02-11T02:38:00.000-08:002015-02-11T02:42:12.499-08:00English Miscellany (with Danielle)Once again, I'm looking through old photos I've taken and trying to get caught up on my picture posting. So today has less of a theme- but does include quite a few shots from the time when my friend, Danielle, came to visit in October! But it's mostly a hodgepodge collection. I kind of like it- quirks and oddities in our daily lives!<br />
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Lets see what we have...</div>
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For starters: the hubs and I discovered this awesome little car... parked on the sidewalk... right in front of a sign that says "No Parking". Oh, I love London!</div>
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And on a walk, I looked down a side alley to see this. Where else in the world will you see a random piece of artwork larger than a car (ok, a SmartCar, not a real car) hanging on a building above a dumpster?!<br />
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Oh yeah-- does anyone remember this beauty? On Facebook, I posted <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/business/2014/sep/05/north-london-tiny-275k-house-for-sale-zoopla">this article</a> that boasted the 'world smallest home' selling for £275,000 (that's about $420,000) in Barnsbury, about a 10 min walk from our place. It looks better in their pictures. And I cannot believe the price of real estate around here!<br />
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Change of pace: I LOVE this view! It's on a bridge in the middle of St. James' Park, between Buckingham Palace and Victoria Embankment. You can see the London Eye on the right, and a gorgeous palace-type place, that is apparently, the Royal Horseguards Hotel.<br />
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Buckingham Palace... and the flag is up, which means the Queen was in residence in that day!<br />
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Another of our favourite nights out... walking from the Southbank, through Borough Market, along to the Globe Theatre, and across Millennium Bridge to this spot in front of St. Pauls!<br />
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The view from The Millennium Bridge towards London Bridge and the Shard.<br />
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And the view from the Southbank (on an evening we happened to be attending Julius Caesar at the Globe!)<br />
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All right... back to a bit of reality. Here in England, we have Primark- the clothing equivalent of Walmart. Hence, a wall full of adult footie pajamas. Seriously, people?! Do you wear these?<br />
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Oh yeah- a bit of a theme to some of these pics! I realised I haven't posted many pictures from Danielle's visit. Danielle came in October to squeeze in a bit of a girls trip before wedding the love of her life just a few weeks ago! They're now settled in marital bliss, but I get to remember her 'back when' she was just a fiancee roaming the streets of England!<br />
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We took a couple day trips: the first to Oxford. I posted previously about The Eagle and Child (and the Inklings who met there), as it was the highlight of our day, but the rest of the town is worthy of sharing too!<br />
The Radliffe Camera (camera meaning 'room' in latin).<br />
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I love all the winding passages one finds throughout Oxford.<br />
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And kind of cringe at seeing banks and coffee shops in such amazing old buildings! (Though this could theoretically just be a reconstruction to look old!)<br />
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I want one of these!<br />
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And this spot signifies the place where Ridley, Latimer, (Oct. 16 1555) and later Cranmer were burned at the stake for opposing Catholicism. It is here Latimer spoke the famous words of encouragement: <span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #231a11; line-height: 17.940000534057617px;"><i>"Be of good cheer, Ridley; and play the man. We shall this day, by God's grace, light up such a candle in England, as I trust, will never be put out."</i></span></span><br />
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On another day, Danielle and I took a bus journey out to Bath (pronouced with a long <i>ah...</i> or so I've been told!)<br />
The Bath Cathedral.<br />
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The Royal Crescent... famous for its groundbreaking curved architecture. (I tried to make it panorama, but couldn't get it to work, so you get two pictures.)<br />
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The Weir under Putney Bridge<br />
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I loved these sweet rooftops sticking out through the trees. And, if you look closely, up in the hills, you can see bits of the mansion at the Prior Park Landscape Gardens.<br />
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The first half of our day was grey and dreary, but the clouds parted just in time for sunset, and we realised that the Bath limestone was made for the golden hour.<br />
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Sally Lunn's... which is famous for... wait for it.... its bunns. Considered the oldest house in Bath, it dates back to 1482, though Miss Sally Lunn, a French Huguenot baker, didn't take up residence until the 1600s, when she brought with her a recipe for these large buns.. half bread, half cake, usually cut in half- but eaten in a variety of ways- for savoury sandwiches, to a morning toast, to cinnamon-sweet!<br />
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Just to give you some perspective on how old that is: this is artwork taken from the late 1400s.</div>
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And being French in the 1600s, Sally may have worn something like this:</div>
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Or this:</div>
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When I walk these streets, I lose perspective on how much history has happened here. How many shoes, sandals, bare feet have walked the same streets? What peasants, tinkers, merchants, servants wandered the same alleys? What careers have been built and lost? What families have been grown in times of piece and scattered in times of war? What swords have swung and bombs have dropped? Ultimately, what lives have lived here? What souls walked this path? And how many died knowing Christ?</div>
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I love how small I feel in the history of England. I love how small I feel in modern England- with its mix of slow country life and the urban multi-cultural worlds (plural) of London. When I take the time from my errands and photo shoots, it really is amazing, and I'm so grateful to be here to experience it!</div>
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Kathrynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13360222093860829874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8231531699284616339.post-35358189563350791952015-01-13T02:57:00.000-08:002015-01-13T02:57:35.332-08:00Scotland AdventuresAgain- we're recapping 2014 today on Caledonian Road... and today's adventures take us to the bonny hills of Scotland! The hubs and I snuck up for a long weekend away... spending a day in Edinburgh before staying with some extended family of friends from church. It was amazingly wonderful of them to welcome us in their home, and the highlands of Banchory (I think we were right on the border of the highlands, honestly) were breathtaking! Loved it!<br />
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Edinburgh... a city of ups and downs, winds and alleyways... just breathtaking!<br />
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The hubby took me for an early morning coffee, and then up to Calton Hill to watch the sun come up over the city!<br />
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Then we hired a car and began the drive to Banchory.<br />
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Our friends took us for an afternoon walk up Scolty Hill. It doesn't even count as a mountain in Scotland, but it had me stopping for breath, and the views from the top were incredible!<br />
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The afternoon sun still lit the hillsides, while a wall of rain travelled down the valley between.<br />
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We even got to see a rainbow!<br />
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Remnants of August's heather still dotted the hillside, though we were a month too late to see truly purple hills!<br />
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And the stone walls were covered in moss unbelievably thick! Such a contrast of stark, barren hillsides with rich, overgrown valleys. Breathaking!<br />
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And not bad for a wig too! Especially if you're going for the chia pet look!</div>
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On the way home, we drove through high altitude, dry wind-swept valleys. Honestly, parts of it reminded me very much of my old home in Colorado... driving over Monarch Pass on the way to Gunnison, no guardrails between you and the drops, the fog lower than the treeline, and a barren beauty all around.<br />
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We loved Scotland!<br />
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<br />Kathrynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13360222093860829874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8231531699284616339.post-74878823727290880302015-01-03T13:08:00.000-08:002015-01-03T13:08:07.556-08:00Out-and-AboutingWell, again, I find myself needing to make up for mass amounts of missed posting opportunities. The last couple months have been full of lovely experiences with plenty of photo ops, just not the time (or discipline) to follow through and post about them. So I'll take January to catch up from 2014 and post the pics I have left.<br />
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Here are a few days worth of being out and about.<br />
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Every September (yes, I'm so far behind, I still have pictures from September!) London hosts and 'Open House London' event, where buildings around the city, normally closed to the public, open for one day. Though there are tons of buildings available, the more famous structures have long queues to get in- meaning you have to pick one, maybe two to see in a day. This year, the hubby and I chose to see Lloyds of London (i.e.: the inside-out building!) It was equally as impressive on the inside-- though the 2 hour wait took its toll! :-P<br />
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The view from the bottom:<br />
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The views from the top:</div>
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I can't believe how packed in everything is, and as you can see, there's still more going up!<br />
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Though frankly, at the end of the day: it's still a desk job-- at which you share a 4x6 desk with four other people. Not my cup of tea!<br />
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From the outside- the 'guts' of the building look pretty cool. Elevator shafts on the left, ventilation on the right.<br />
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Right next to Lloyds is Leadenhall market, a covered arcade where parts from Harry Potter were filmed! :-)<br />
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They had a display of books that I kind of loved, kind of hated for how they ruined so many books!<br />
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And we found a 'mini' Gherkin... though it's not really very mini at all...... and its made out of Legos!</div>
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Up the street, about halfway between Lloyds and our home, is Bunhill Fields, a cemetery for non-conformist (ie: not Church of England) pastors throughout history. Here is John Owen (who the hubby is studying for his ThM and hopefully PhD and John Bunyan!<br />
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Right across the street is John Wesley's chapel and home.<br />
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I love that we live here, right next to so much history!</div>
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All right- enough of London for now! I took a day trip with a friend to Manchester. She was looking at the university there so I had the day to tour Manchester myself. Quite frankly, I wasn't too excited. I mean, what's in Manchester? But actually- it was a lovely little city. Reminded me of some of New England's small cities--- maybe Philedelphia?<br />
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And I discovered the John Soanes Museum... a little museum with <i>gorgeous</i> historical reading rooms! I mean, LOOK!<br />
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Ah!!!! Look at these libraries!<br />
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And the sunset lit up the arches of this church so beautifully, I considered it a lovely end to my day.<br />
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I still love my London-- but Manchester's all right too!<br />
<br />Kathrynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13360222093860829874noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8231531699284616339.post-61472078357135065962014-11-11T03:29:00.001-08:002014-11-11T03:42:08.335-08:00A Visit with The InklingsWell, as I took the month of October to focus on the 31 Days Challenge, I feel a bit out of the loop with my normal blog posts. However, October was a very busy month here in the UK, and I have lots to make up. I'm not sure how much I'll get in, as we're traveling again back home for the Thanksgiving holiday, but we'll sneak in a couple posts and see what we can do.<br />
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At the beginning of October, my friend, Danielle, came for a visit. We took a couple day trips during her stay, and one of those days found us in Oxford. Its an absolutely gorgeous city, so rich in history, it's almost mind-boggling! But I think the highlight of the day was our visit to The Eagle and Child, the pub where the Inklings used to gather.<br />
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For those who require a quick lesson, the Inklings were an informal literary discussion group whose most famous members include JRR Tolkien and CS Lewis. I've read differing accounts on the details, of this being the location where <i>The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe</i> was first read, or where perhaps <i>Out of the Silent Planet</i>, still in its infancy, was handed over for inspection, or even where <i>The Lord of the Rings </i>was introduced (apparently, to less than unanimous approval)! The details may be fuzzy, but some semblance of truth remains, and lends to its visitors a spirit of admiration and joy-- as do the writings these men left behind.<br />
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And it was lovely to share this with a dear friend. We may not have written any great prose, nor thought any truly great thoughts, as others before us have, but the time was sweet and the shared memory lovely.<br />
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In his book, <i>The Four Loves, </i>CS Lewis writes on friendship:<br />
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<i>In each of my friends there is something that only some other friend can fully bring out. By myself I am not large enough to call the whole man into activity; I want other lights than my own to show all his facets. Now that Charles [Williams] is dead, I shall never again see Ronald's [Tolkien's] reaction to a specifically Charles joke. Far from having more of Ronald, having him 'to myself' now that Charles is away, I have less of Ronald... In this, Friendship exhibits a glorious 'nearness by resemblance' to heaven itself where the very multitude of the blessed (which no man can number) increases the fruition which each of us has of God. For every soul, seeing Him in her own way, doubtless communicates that unique vision to all the rest. That, says an old author, is why the Seraphim in Isaiah's vision are crying 'Holy, Holy, Holy' to one another (Isaiah 6:3). The more we thus share the Heavenly Bread between us, the more we shall have.</i><br />
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What a sweet description of shared friendships, and what a blessed expectation of our future adoration of the shared Christ!<br />
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<i>"My happiest hours are spent with 3 or 4 old friends in old clothes tramping together and putting up in small pubs." CS Lewis</i></div>
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As Danielle and I left the pub, we passed a small group of tourists asking the staff "at which table the Inklings had sat" to which he quickly replied "Actually, at this table right here. Shall I wipe it off for you?"</div>
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As the Inklings met every week of the term for almost 30 years, (and the pub was renovated the 60s), I sincerely doubted his sales pitch. In fact, probably every tourist in there that day thought they were sitting at that very special table.</div>
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But we certainly enjoyed our table, enjoyed pondering the stories within those walls, and will treasure the memories we took with us as we went on our way into the grey Oxford streets.</div>
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Kathrynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13360222093860829874noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8231531699284616339.post-26760039551233091312014-10-31T03:00:00.000-07:002014-10-31T03:00:12.160-07:0031 Days of Cheap & Free Decor: Day 31- Be Content<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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You know what the absolute cheapest way to decorate your home is? Be content with less.<br /><div>
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I love that I've been given ways to furnish and decorate my home cheaply. I love that the internet and DIY show me how to give old furniture a second life. I want to have a home that is beautiful, calming, welcoming. I want to have a home that people love to visit.</div>
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But a home can also be an idol. And furnishing it and decorating it can be an idol as well. If I continue to always want more, better, newer, cooler... that could still be greed. If I'm worried about what people think when they visit, that could be fear of man. If I'm wanting change all the time (even if it's free), that could be discontentment.</div>
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Check your heart. (As I've realised I need to check mine.) God gives us good things. God gives us earthly joys and pleasures. But check your motivation. Are you building a sweet home to provide joy and comfort for your family and those you have over? Or are you building a cushy little kingdom- to your comfort, your good taste, your diy abilities. What are you hoping for with every project you complete?</div>
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A friend of mine admitted once that as she sat down to start a project, she realised she was already imagining all the great feedback she'd get when she posted pictures online. I've been guilty of the same thing more often than I care to admit.</div>
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Maybe the best thing for your home to put away the paint and the sewing machine, log off Craigslist and ebay, and just sit. Thank God for what you do have. Maybe go for a time without something you know you could get cheaply, to remind yourself that you don't need every creature comfort right away. Look outside your home to the needs of those around you.</div>
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Maybe, for a time, do nothing new, and just be content.</div>
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Kathrynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13360222093860829874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8231531699284616339.post-61101208508628161282014-10-30T03:00:00.000-07:002014-10-30T03:00:11.092-07:0031 Days of Cheap & Free Decor: Day 30- Don't Get GreedyI'm a bit ashamed to admit this is a lesson I've been having to learn lately.<br />
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I've never thought of myself as a greedy person. I'm moved so often that I don't often become attached to things or places. My home has been almost entirely second-hand, and I liked it. I never felt like I had to have designer furniture, or even new. Didn't that at least get me out of the 'greed' category on sin?</div>
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Then came the coffee table incident.</div>
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I love my coffee table- I really do! The problem was that it was like the fourth coffee table I'd had in a month. Or close. When we first came, I used a black Ikea lack table. £5. Easy. It worked, but it was small, and more modern than I like. A couple months ago, someone lent us a small wood table. I liked the look much better, but still, it was more like an end table than a coffee table and we were constantly moving it around to whatever chair we were using. So, using some pallets and wood I found, I made another one (not pictured). I was okay... but an awkward size for our living room, and the pallets were a bit too uneven to sit a drink on. Then I found this, and yay! I love it!</div>
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But it wasn't just the coffee table. It was summer and people were clearing out. So I was picking up Freecycle finds a couple times a week.</div>
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In my mind, every change was an improvement. And they were free. But I realised that I was becoming known for having 'new' things, even if they were second hand. I realised that wanting something better can still be greed, even if it doesn't cost a penny.</div>
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There are some amazing bargains out there. If you have the time and freedom to pursue them- do! Enjoy it! Save your money for better uses and make your home a place of beauty on a budget! But don't let a constant desire for 'more' rule your life. Don't let greed slip in.</div>
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<a href="http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/the-7-deadly-sins-of-diy-212059">** Even Apartment Therapy has decided to write about greed this week!**</a></div>
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Kathrynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13360222093860829874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8231531699284616339.post-28986156652737689832014-10-29T03:00:00.000-07:002014-10-29T03:00:00.686-07:0031 Days of Cheap & Free Decor: Day 29- Bribe Your Husband<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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So this is our guest room. I'm standing in the doorway, and the only thing you can't see in the photo is a 2x3 table with a trunk on it that I use for storage. This room is teenie-weenie.... and higgly-piggly. There's not a right angle in the whole place! As is true with many old London homes, walls, floors, and ceilings are all just slightly askew, meaning that the angles are all a bit wonky. On the end where I'm standing, the room is about five feet wide (152 centimetres). On the far end, where the futon is... well, it's less.</div>
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When I saw this futon on Freecycle, I measured the walls. Right below 140 centimetres. Maybe 137 at the very back, but that would be right up against the radiator, so we could leave a few inches. Perfect fit!</div>
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But when we got it back.... it was no where near fitting! I realised that I had measured the wall at about waist height, not at the floor. The baseboards are each 1.5 cm, and apparently, the walls narrow as they go down. The width at the bottom 130 cm. (To recap, that means there's about 3 in difference from waist height to floor. And there's a 9 in difference from one end of the room to the other!)</div>
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Hoo boy!</div>
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But the darling hubby buckled down, and with an ancient circle saw that we borrowed (no, seriously, it was so old it barely worked at all!), cut down all the slats on the futon base so that it would fit into that end of the room! It took 45 minutes. And that AFTER he'd taken me to pick it up, loaded it in the car, lugged it up to our flat, and assembled it. He's a keeper.<br />
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I know half my home musings would never come true if it weren't for a patient hubby who helps carry paintings, mirrors, and tables down the street, who pulls sofas up to a third floor window with a rope, and who wheels sofas half a mile down the street on a dolly!<br />
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I owe that man a good steak dinner!Kathrynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13360222093860829874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8231531699284616339.post-18298496402277395642014-10-28T02:07:00.001-07:002014-10-28T03:44:34.978-07:0031 Days of Cheap & Free Decor: Day 28- Hold on to Things<div>
I know yesterday's post said not to hold on to things too carefully, to use them and not hoard them in a cupboard. But today I'm talking about when to hold on to things, for a time.</div>
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I'm not talking about keeping something indefinitely just for the sake of never getting rid of it. I'm not a big fan of the 'well <i>someday</i> I might use that' approach. But there are times when, in the midst of changing things around, you do want to keep your options open, and so holding on to something old for a time is a good idea.</div>
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Do you remember the artwork hanging over my sofa?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimLlvosJrQKumKUzUPGnaU3Qmolg7LyqmxZnPCCGpNW7BR9rzsOgRVXkHui-ZpBYqKIayN_UZlsHeIROWLsjWoGq8n9Ix2znuGDfy33B72XUlem3kGAz_zqlFqeeZnoumWNSGYiR7GTH8/s1600/IMG_2421-12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimLlvosJrQKumKUzUPGnaU3Qmolg7LyqmxZnPCCGpNW7BR9rzsOgRVXkHui-ZpBYqKIayN_UZlsHeIROWLsjWoGq8n9Ix2znuGDfy33B72XUlem3kGAz_zqlFqeeZnoumWNSGYiR7GTH8/s1600/IMG_2421-12.jpg" height="478" width="640" /></a></div>
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If you remember, I picked them up from a man who was clearing out his mothers home. These were two of eight pieces I carried home that day. I propped them in the corner for a while, trying to decide which to mount... but I liked a couple of the others. Several of them have huge gilded frames that are amazing... I really want to use them someday. But I can't right now. So they are tucked in the attic, for a time. I won't keep them indefinitely... there's no point. But for now, it's ok. </div>
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Give yourself a break. I'm quite keen on regular purges of one's home, of keeping the clutter down and not storing what you won't use. But there's a balance, and sometimes, it's okay to just put it aside for now.</div>
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*PS- sorry to my email friends who were inundated with today's update. I missed the last two days, as our internet wasn't working, and I've been too busy to get internet elsewhere. I wanted to post the whole series, but I'm sorry for giving you so much junk mail!*</div>
Kathrynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13360222093860829874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8231531699284616339.post-40271751566839292992014-10-27T19:00:00.000-07:002014-10-28T01:59:22.030-07:0031 Days of Cheap & Free Decor: Day 27- Don't Be PreciousI've been amazed at how many British English words are different than American English. Considering its technically the same language, they are SO different. (And that's a whole different post for another day.) But one word I've really enjoyed learning is 'precious'. Yes, I know, we use that word in America, but really only for things/people that are super important or sentimental to us. the English use 'precious' or 'dear' to indicate value, or expense. So I love when the little old lady in my church say this sack of potatoes is 'dearer'. Or when my friend says not to worry about the sweater I dropped food on, because it's not 'precious'.<div>
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I think many of us tend to keep things, especially gifts, as precious. If someone gives us something we love, we save it, not wanting it to break or be ruined. But then I find we don't really enjoy it as we ought.</div>
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I was given this bowl from a friend before I left the U.S.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidnqLBu0os6Svt7np2UwkhmqiFGBUmWF8cfbqKb6DSVreKq5Q1rQsXIzJPBFVfPeEhq3olLJi-5Akwl23y63T13cdX-XDOKjDmQF7ac0ssBZSTgnEnUrMei0-RJwmbQ1uOazSHcNWmU88/s1600/IMG_2462-42.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidnqLBu0os6Svt7np2UwkhmqiFGBUmWF8cfbqKb6DSVreKq5Q1rQsXIzJPBFVfPeEhq3olLJi-5Akwl23y63T13cdX-XDOKjDmQF7ac0ssBZSTgnEnUrMei0-RJwmbQ1uOazSHcNWmU88/s1600/IMG_2462-42.jpg" height="478" width="640" /></a></div>
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I LOVE it! So for a while, I kept it tucked away. But I want to use it. I want to see it! I want to remember the sweet friend who gave it to me, and enjoy its beauty. So now its on my bedside table, holding my jewellery at night. (And I just realised that both the bracelet and the ring in the bowl are gifts as well.) Enjoy the things you have. God has given them to you for a time. You can't take them with you, and you ought not become too attached to material things anyway. So be grateful... send them a picture of their gift in your home. (Or send them the link to your blog when you feature it!)</div>
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But don't keep it precious, hidden away.</div>
Kathrynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13360222093860829874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8231531699284616339.post-32107519261313603202014-10-26T01:49:00.000-07:002014-10-28T01:49:45.512-07:0031 Days of Cheap & Free Decor: Day 26- To Dye ForThis year I experimented with dyeing my own fabric. I didn't use it for decor, technically. I made a skirt. But still, I think the tip is valuable enough to point out.<br />
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I used turmeric and a couple tea bags to get this colour, and sadly, couldn't get a very good picture of it. It's really quite nice..a a bit mottled, with parts being lighter or darker depending on how the fabric took the dye.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJs4Rep61kjKDhHkOPSyo7Gl2eq_pjnsgYzLSmkjOVY8s_hi7QSWGBrY7YsekB1w5JccrkJECoHg-WmmYid4NUS2M0WACfC0sMm6B6Sba26zpMY2ElogXIxl5hSMdtplSs37cmaYdXTtQ/s1600/IMG_2459-41.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJs4Rep61kjKDhHkOPSyo7Gl2eq_pjnsgYzLSmkjOVY8s_hi7QSWGBrY7YsekB1w5JccrkJECoHg-WmmYid4NUS2M0WACfC0sMm6B6Sba26zpMY2ElogXIxl5hSMdtplSs37cmaYdXTtQ/s1600/IMG_2459-41.jpg" height="640" width="478" /></a></div>
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The fabric was a large beige curtain I found on Freecycle.... but I really didn't want a beige skirt. (BORING!)</div>
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Here's a great site for what dyes can be found in your home, or at least the supermarket. Try it-- let me know how it turns out!</div>
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http://pioneerthinking.com/crafts/natural-dyes</div>
<br />Kathrynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13360222093860829874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8231531699284616339.post-35088512478222586522014-10-25T09:00:00.000-07:002014-10-25T09:00:10.014-07:0031 Days of Cheap & Free Decor: Day 25- Ikea<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvyvyxcJx67eZFuKdyyTPQKiluPbvoZmdVIlqoY7nnUyhyphenhyphen_RVAxVU24TG8Bb5NYJ6C47427LRT5qYSQkp9x7mJfWCZij7sxlzgllfO0Mxeern-CTQb9EjuWdHlAYT5OPQwysiTKVkFh_E/s1600/ikea-logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvyvyxcJx67eZFuKdyyTPQKiluPbvoZmdVIlqoY7nnUyhyphenhyphen_RVAxVU24TG8Bb5NYJ6C47427LRT5qYSQkp9x7mJfWCZij7sxlzgllfO0Mxeern-CTQb9EjuWdHlAYT5OPQwysiTKVkFh_E/s1600/ikea-logo.jpg" height="296" width="640" /></a></div>
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I know, I know. I can hear some of you groaning already. But it's definitely worth mentioning in a budget decor blog.<br />
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Ikea tends to one of those places people either love or hate. Well, actually, we all hate it at some point, when we're lost in the kitchen department trying to find our way out of the maze they designed to creative vertigo and confusion in their customers.<br />
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But it can be great. I know they don't have investment pieces that will last generations. But they are pretty cheap... especially for bits and pieces. And with Ikea hacks all over the interweb, there's no reason you should settle for plastic-looking furniture. So stock up on snacks, tuck your head, and take a look. Then get it home, work on your marital communication while you try to assemble said piece, then put your own spin on it!<br />
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Or.... just go and buy lots of candles, frames, and cheap dishes that you don't have to do a thing to.Kathrynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13360222093860829874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8231531699284616339.post-90444372608658252502014-10-24T09:06:00.000-07:002014-10-24T09:13:29.463-07:0031 Days of Cheap & Free Decor: Day 24- Tackle a Project<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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So... my headboard. It's not the best picture ever, but I'm pretty excited about it. This is what it looked like when we got it.</div>
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It's not the worst thing in the world, but since I prefer cozy and warm to sleek and modern, I decided something needed to be done about it.<br />
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Since we happen to work at/live right next to our church, I happened upon an old kneeling prayer bench that hadn't been used for years. They planned to just get rid of it, so I claimed it, and with the hubby's help, cut that baby up, stapled some zip ties to it, and zip tied it to the rails of the headboard. Simple as that! All in all, I think it took two afternoons, and if you look close, you can see where some of our cuts aren't even, all the little things like that. But really, who looks that close anyway? If they do, they're too picky!<br />
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Not bad for a couple hour project, right? Get creative, grab that staple gun, and get going!<br />
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<br />Kathrynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13360222093860829874noreply@blogger.com0