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Monthly Archives: March 2015

we have been busy…

spring break is over half way done.
my nieces were here since sunday.
we have had a lot of fun so far.
i have a big painting project going on at the Craft House… shipping all the aprons & bunting… THANK YOU everyone for all the orders!

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creepy weirdos.

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running for the bus on a snowy morning about two weeks ago.
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those tulips couldn’t have matched my chairs ANY BETTER!IMG_2479
neighborhood watch.

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healthy snack.

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antique store swooning.

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new tulips in red instead of orange.
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scott’s last home game… i hate when basketball season in over.

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both the boys team and the girls team won the 3A Sub State Championship!
the boys didn’t move on any farther unfortunately but the girls won State for the 2nd year in a row!
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talby had a volleyball tournament last week… i think it’s her last for quite awhile.

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this is my running route when i am alone.
kinda… e m p t y.

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#momlife

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craft house porch sitting.

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she likes to go out right around the time dad gets home from work so he can see that she is practicing.
🙂
she’s a smart one!
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sneaking over to the Craft House in my pajamas to take a bath last week.
i put my phone out of reach so i could just focus on my book.
have you read this?
Restless: Because You Were Made for More
I am like… crazy for it.
i am thinking you would love it because it seems MOST of us are searching for MORE out of life?
maybe?
try it and see… i think it’s really good.

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closer than necessary.

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after school snack.
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a big day calls for the power leggings.
it’s possible that they have super hero qualities…
(they are made by Under Armour.  i stalked them all winter and when they went on clearance i snagged them with a coupon on top! BOOM.)

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i went in for a covered button kit….
i came out with all these.

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piano practice and a poser.

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a rare moment with a Rhode Island Red… they are usually so quick!
i caught her though.

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annie and my niece love to play restaurant and they have been playing “Sunflower Sisters” for years.
it’s a very fun tradition!
i ordered the yogurt with strawberries and a coffee.

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we hit the zoo…IMG_3038IMG_3058
this giraffe was loving all the close up attention.
and so were we!
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we stopped at the farm store for a water dish and left with 8 new baby chicks!
and annie reeeeeally wanted a duck.
who wouldn’t?!

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this is Fancy.
the one i picked and insisted we get.IMG_3200
this one is Tiny.

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Waffle is thinking about having a “Fancy” dinner.

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Is it me or does Sundae look like she’s all Beyonce in this picture?
the littler one on the left is Boots.

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Sundae and Fancy.
i am hoping for less roosters than hens this round.

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Wichita has a new trampoline park… Urban Air.
that was totally worth the money for two hours of FUN! (the website has a coupon!)
then lauren met us for lunch and swimming too!
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snack dinner!
i heard “YAY!!! I LOVE snack dinner!” when i called the kids in.
which made me so happy!

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this is a block from my house… a calf was just out on the road.
as i was considering how to help it, i spooked it and it took off back to the farm.

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for our last night with my nieces we had a late night slumber party at the Craft House.
the little girls were shocked when i agreed to a SECOND movie at 10:30 pm!
i said “well this IS a slumber party!”
i painted while they watched.
🙂

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they played SORRY while i made gluten free pumpkin muffins.
to which we all agreed that they were a fail… they tasted like eating a plain sweet potato.
not what we wanted from our pumpkin chocolate chip muffins.
bummer.
at least we had other things to eat!

then we drove them home after our 5 days together…. such a great visit!

i am hoping to work on the paint project tomorrow and all weekend.
Hope Spoken is in a week… not freaking out but yet… totally freaking out.
i am excited about everything!
just nervous about my speaking – and i do not even know what i am going to say yet!
soon… soon… soon.   i can feel it coming together and swirling around in my head.
(thank you jesus!)
but just know that i will cry… if i stood up and gave the weather report i would STILL cry.
it’s just what i do.
i cry.

 

lastly… there is still ONE apron left in the shop.
i love her so much.
i can’t believe she’s left all  by herself… she’s the life of the party for sure.
beverly
maybe she appears too wild in photos?
she is royal blue, spring green and a beautiful bright pink… seriously such a great combo!
the turquoise and the lime green in the floral pattern are perfection!

have a super weekend!
i am DYING to finish my paint project to show the world because you are going to freak!!
it’s completely dreamy and rad.
🙂

must go to sleep now… it’s 12:53…yikes!

 

Flower Patch Farmgirl - Best way to start my day, right here. That bball shot of Talby (?) is so awesome! And I’m going to do snack dinner soon.

Andrea - Meg…I just love seeing peeks into your colorful world…..and your dogs just crack me up! Happy Spring!

Heather - Random thoughts that I can’t post on Facebook because I’m taking a break;

you prompted me to buy tulips yesterday, on the first day of spring

I read 7 last week while on holiday in Cuba and now I’m off FB and a moms board that I’ve been on for 12 years that consistently annoys me. LOL I am now reading A million miles in a thousand years, which you had recommended to me.

s - Totally random but what kind of curling wand is that and does it work as well as it looks like it does???!!

sharon / theprincipledtype.blogspot.com - i believe tulips go with Everything! (that’s my story and I’m sticking with it:))

Amy Woods - Lovely. All.

Stephanie - I LOVE that apron. It was that one, the Ruby, and a couple others that I picked out as my favorites. So if she looks too wild, I guess that’s my taste! Lol.

Kerry - Have you read “Anything” By Jennie Allen? I have it on hold at the library now.

Lynette L. - I love posts like this! You take the best pictures! Your dogs pose so well – mine is always moving so she is just a blur in the pictures I take.

Katherine @ Grass Stains - Meg, when I saw this idea, I knew I had to send it to you. It is SO YOU! I can see you doing this with your girls. 🙂

http://thehousethatlarsbuilt.com/2015/03/diy-painted-shoes-for-st-patricks-day.html/

beth larson - so….did Annie get the duck? So adorbs- and I can’t wait to see your painting project- this was a great post!! xo

ira lee - looks like a ton of fun and if you could just call me before the next week like this, that’d be great!! lol

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sweet potato & black bean chili

i rarely post recipes here any more… i think all the food blogs scare me away from it.
but i made this the other night by throwing things together and it was delish!
and of course chili is not your typical spring-is-coming recipe but i always just blog what is current and THIS is happening in my house right now… 70 degrees outside or not.  🙂  Like i am literally eating a bowl of this… in my pajamas at 2:17 in the afternoon right now.

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i had all of this in pantry so i threw it all together.  🙂

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after you brown the ground beef you can add your onions to the beef to cook or just toss it all in one big pot.
all the ingredients.

i don’t think it’s possible to take a pretty picture of chili…. IMG_0188
but i did clean my stove top just to take these pictures.

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stir it up and let it come to a boil.
then turn down the heat to low, cover it and let it simmer for 30-45 minutes.
When the sweet potatoes are tender then it’s ready.
You can add more spice if you need it.
or more water if it’s too thick.
and if you have a packet of chili seasoning… you could use that instead.

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Of course you can top it with cheese, sour cream & chips if you’d like too.
but just avocados is so good too!

here is the recipe all rainbowed and pretty!

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Nette - Looks delicious – looking forward to try the recipe

Linda - Please don’t stop posting your recipes. My family has fallen in love with your pancake recipe. This chili recipe looks so good.

Mindy - My husband would love this. I make a black bean/ sweet potato chili often but it is a vegetarian version. I love it with cornbread (hello carbs!). I add sour cream on top but your idea of avocado sounds delicious!

Gemma - I’ve always really enjoyed your foodie/recipe posts! We always make your Apple bars in the autumn and your blueberry buckle in the summer months. Please carry on sharing 🙂

Gemma x

Kimberlee Jost - Sounds and looks GOOD!

Rachel - Well, we never got a winter, so I have been living vicariously through winter food. This looks amazing. Thank you for the recipe!

Kristin S - Oh, Meg, this looks delicious! I’m about to embark on a 28-day eating plan that is a beef-once-a-week dealio. Oy. I think the “no dairy” will be the hardest part. BUT I think I’ll try this recipe with ground chicken. Yummy!

sharon / theprincipledtype.blogspot.com - AND avocado on top? licked the screen, died and gone to heaven.

jamie - that looks and sounds so delicious! i know i would LOVE more recipes from you! don’t let all those other food blogs keep you from sharing if that’s what you want to do! and {high five} for cleaning your stove top. not a fun task!

Julie - Looks delicious – definitely something my family will eat come the winter months..

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craft weekend – february

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what a beautiful group of ladies!
they were each so kind to each other and had a happiness about them.
i like meeting all these women each year.
Craft Weekend makes for some great friends!

there was major EPIC swag in february too!
the post about each one is coming later week filled with discounts.

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this is the “christmas morning” part of CW…opening all the swag.
we go over each item sent and talk about the fabulous companies that sent them.
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my sister painted that cow for me.  she oversees all that goes on at the CH.  Moooooo.IMG_2015IMG_2008
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and then we get down to business.
friday night is for new friends, margaritas and ruffle aprons!
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so many decisions to make… fabric patterns and colors and the ribbon… full or a half apron… what other details to add… what time to stop and go to bed… how to sew for the first time (for some).
it’s a big project that takes much longer than it seems like it would.
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kimberlee makes the dessert while we are apron making just after dinner.
like… starts and makes the whole thing right there!
what a gift she is to all of us.
having someone bring you a plate of warm bread pudding just out of the oven… covered in carmel sauce… while you craft is probably in my top ten good things about life.  HA!
this dessert is to die for!

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finished… at 1:00 am.
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The Burlap Bag sent some candles to make The Craft House smell amazing.
you wouldn’t guess but Unicorn Puke smells pretty awesome.
like… starburst?  skittles?  we couldn’t pin point it but it was close to that.

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creme brûlée french toast with homemade raspberry butter… cheesy potatoes and strawberries.
i mean… WHAT!?
amazing kimberlee!
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we were sure that saturday would be freezing but it turned out to be blue skies and sunny!
which made shopping at Bearly Makin’ It and the Mill so much more enjoyable!
i always like to see piles of old things whether it’s locks & sanders or green dishes, potato mashers or scoops.
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the blue sky was much needed!
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Mhairi is die hard… she searched through all those cubbies!

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does anyone need a salt & pepper shaker??
i liked the silver toaster on the second from the bottom… the salt was a piece of white bread and the pepper was dark bread.

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several of these metal gold letters came home with me.
i spelled out  c r a f t  and  f u n.
dianna got M e a t.
ha ha ha… she did! but the M will be displayed separate from e a t   🙂

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sarah was shocked to see a banner from her hometown in this little kansas antique shop!

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those look like happy shoppers!
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there was show-and-tell when we got back.
i love seeing what caught people’s eye.
and it’s sweet how everyone says “ohhhh this is cool! who got this?”
or “i never saw this! i LOVE it!”
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we get right back to crafting on saturday night.
keri taught us how to make string & nail art.
not a quiet craft… but a really fun project!
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i took more pictures but my pictures look weird so this maple leaf is the one i will share.
it is super cute!
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the stamped metal cuff bracelets are so fun to make that we made them again!
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stephanie didn’t want sarah to go home with out her cuff completed so she finished it quickly for her.
new friends are awesome.

 

we made pillow shams too!
we cut circles from scrap fabric and sewed them down in a line on the front side of a pillow.
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every ruffle is awesome!
so much color and happiness.   🙂
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these are the roomies at the big Craft Weekend slumber party!IMG_0149IMG_0150IMG_0095IMG_2153
our friend keri came from california to be a helper & our friend Dianna came from across town to be our helper too!
it was so fun to have friends from near and far!
kimberlee made us such great food all weekend & takes care of all kinds of details.
our helpers keep so busy cleaning up and making sure everyone has what they need.
this month they even fixed a toilet!?!
you never know what might happen at Craft Weekend.

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the california and arizona girls were loving the snow… for a minute.
then they were cold.
🙂

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wishing we were still crafting together girls!
thank you for letting me have the world’s most awesome job!

 

 

if YOU would like to come a Craft Weekend someday…  all the information is HERE.
there is a reeeeeeeally long waiting list but we use a lottery system to pick so everyone has the same chance to get in.
but you will never get a chance if you don’t get on the list.  🙂

 

Also… you and your friends can reserve The Craft House for your own weekend getaway!
All the details on using the house with your friends is HERE.
it’s perfect for a church group… quilting/sewing groups…. crafters… or just a girls getaway.

Susanne - A craft weekend may be added to my bucket list – and I don’t even know how to sew – but you make it look like SO MUCH FUN! (I sewed in home ec once – I made a pair of kids pajamas. I got a C- because she knew I tried really hard.)

Tracey - Would you please, please tell me where you found the nesting doll fabric?

Amy Woods - Swoon. Just swoon.

I’m on the waitlist…but, I’m such an introvert, I’ll probably back out if I ever get picked. I hope I don’t though..back out that is! 😉

Kate @ Songs Kate Sang - Hey beautiful girls! So awesome. Miss you guys. Especially Kim-Burly’s desserts.

leslie - Hi Meg-

Can you do a quick rundown of how you make the name badges. The obvious part is cut scraps and quick stitch together. What I want to know is- do you use a special ink, and does it bleed when wet? Do you stiffen the back and how do you attach the pin (hot glue? hand stitching?). Just curious, they are adorable. Thanks!

Renice - Even before I read which salt and pepper shaker you liked, I was looking for the little toaster. My grandma had a salt and pepper collection and the little silver toaster with white and black slices of bread was always my favorite. Before she died she asked me if I wanted to pick one and that’s the one I picked. I just love it! I noticed a few others she had too. I’d love to search through those antique stores you have there. They look like so much fun!

Pam - I would love to make those aprons with my girl scout troop. Would you email me the measurements for the ruffles, and do you use a premade apron to start with?

thanks a million
pam creech
pea ridge, AR
Troop 5780

tiffany day - So fun! I am on the list and keep trusting/hoping that when my name is picked I will be able to go – it will be perfect timing!

But just so you know, I would LOVE – LOVE – LOVE to come as a helper for sure! I have NEVER used a sowing machine – i know! I am willing to try/learn but honestly – I have a heart to help, no matter where I am – so being a helper at a Craft Weekend would be SO great! Just sayin’ 🙂

also, for the shopping at the flea market – are there arrangements to ship your stuff home?? I would so over buy and not be able to bring it all back in my suitcase!

Love your blog – your IG and well you! So glad I found you on the “internets” 😉

xo
Tiffany

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happy monday.

so far it’s been a good one.
i got myself into workout gear and did my Pump workout.
i really wanted to skip.  but i had skipped the day before so i couldn’t do that again.
i knocked that out of the way and now i’m working at the Craft House.

last week we had the best date night!
and it was for craig’s work… so technically not even a date.

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Avett Brothers came to wichita again!
they are in our top five favorite bands.  (probably in the top two…)
this was our third time to see them in concert.
i was smiling all night.
i love those avett boys.
i just watched a ton of youtube videos trying to find the perfect one but i always end up back to the 15 minute session on NPR.
it’s just my favorite.
the BEST part is Seth at 4:30 (ha ha ha)
they don’t sing it like that on the album but ever since i saw this video a few years ago i insist to craig that it be sung that way in the car and with great volume.
🙂
and at the concert… THEY DID!!!

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and i bought my first concert t-shirt!

wait….that’s not true.
i bought one at a sandi patty concert in 6th grade… i borrowed money from a friend to buy it…and still owe her that money.
and oh how i wish i had a photo!!!
it was a GIANT oversized shirt with i think a rainbow colored scribbly kind of drawing of SP singing.
it went fabulous with my perm and stir-up pants.
i feel like i’ve shared too much….

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anyway…
craig left the next morning for a ski trip with his friends.
i asked for group selfies and he sent me several. 🙂
i have decided the my love languages are (i have several)
1. going to the movies
2. going to concerts
3. group selfies
4. bringing me hot coffee in the morning

HA.
i am so darn happy that he is out having a good time!
he works hard at everything all. the. time.
this guy deserves a break and time to just have fun!

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with him gone i was in charge of getting annie to her first basketball tournament.
oh boy.
the weather was AWFUL and i was a mess but we made it.
i may have even started crying in the car when we finally arrived safely.
i was mad for several hours at the weather but that does no good does it?
annie did great!
i can’t believe the love that has built in my heart for kids basketball in the past 10 years.
i am so grateful for that.
because if i didn’t have it… these tournaments could be great dividers instead of uniters.
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they are 10 years old so everything is still about learning how to play.
everything she said about losing or frustration or missed shots i would answer with some form of:
“you’re learning a lot in every game”
“i liked how you stayed feisty”
“just keep trying”
because you know there are so many parents out there that break your heart at those games.
it’s rough you guys.
they get craaaaazy.
it’s the most bizarre thing to watch go down.

bottom line: she loves basketball.

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this is what happens when you forget to collect the eggs in freezing weather…. bummer.

 

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lastly…. i HAVE to tell you about a big giveaway with Marta over at FourFitSisters.com!
They are giving away a Les Mills Pump program!!!
that’s worth A LOT of money and also… it’s no longer available!
what a super prize!

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Go over to FourFitSisters and enter to win the whole PUMP program!
it’s my favorite workout i have done.
i am getting stronger every workout!
i love knowing i will be strong enough to add all the weight on eventually.
i KNOW IT.

hope your monday is going well.
craft house laundry is half done… planning my meals & workouts for the week… waffle has a haircut today… and a huge list of emails need to be written.

blerg.

 

Mindy - Oh for the love of stir-up pants. I had a red pair that I wore with an over-sized white shirt that had red, blue and green full sized handprints all over it. I seriously hope there are not pictures…I can still hear Sandi Patty talking about wanting to be Barbara Streisand – so funny. My first (and only) concert T-shirt is a Steven Curtis Chapman. I wore it out. Lucky you with your recent concert! Since it is far from Monday I will wish you a happy weekend : )

Melissa - Hey Meg,

I wanted to get your real opinion on this workout. I have been over to their site and I was looking at the Pyro workout. My friend which is an exercise instructor said it was really hard.

Do you really like this one you are doing now?

I am not a fan of exercise, but I feel better when I do it. I need to find an exercise program that I can do five days a week just to stay in shape and be able to eat sweets!

So I would appreciate your thoughts.

Warmly,
Melissa

Michelle Deckert Richmond - Kids sports….where we spend a good chunk of our time. I read somewhere the best 6 words to say to your child….”I love to watch you play.” They smile everytime I say this to them. I have 3 girls in hockey and one girl in horseback riding. Michelle from Canada.

jen - Stir up pants! I totally forgot about those….I wore them A LOT and loved them! And I totally agree with you, some of these parents are CRAZY! My son is 9 and into basketball and some of the parents are jumping up and down screaming at the poor kids. It’s insane.

Barbara (WA) - I always cried at Sandi Patti concerts – and I was already an adult 🙂

jill - I think “stay feisty” is going to be my new life’s mantra =)

Lynn - Use those eggs to make hard boiled eggs. They will peel SUPER easy!

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