tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36342738360089867522024-02-02T04:47:17.835-05:00Frugal GracePersonal blog featuring content related to home, family, frugal living, eco-friendly lifestyle, children, teens, marriage, Christianity, couponing, lyme disease, chronic lyme, epstein barr, EBV~Melindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07932486174263212809noreply@blogger.comBlogger253125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3634273836008986752.post-82234382121488979402017-07-10T18:25:00.001-04:002017-07-10T18:27:39.029-04:00New gel pens - whoop whoop!! <span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>In the past few years, I've become obsessed with adult coloring books, and my choice of pen is always a good gel pen. The colors just seem to POP more with gel pens than regular markers or crayons. So I'm THRILLED to get to try out <span style="background-color: white; color: #444444;"><a href="http://h5.sml360.com/-/32jlk">BIC® Gel-ocity® Quick Dry Gel Pen</a>s thanks to <a href="http://h5.sml360.com/-/32jlk">Smiley360!</a></span></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://h5.sml360.com/-/32jlk"><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">Click here</span> </a>to learn more about these awesome pens and sign up to try new items before they hit the stores through Smiley360! </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Need more to entice you? Check out these specs:</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box;">BIC</b>®<b style="box-sizing: border-box;"> Gel-ocity</b>®<b style="box-sizing: border-box;"> Quick Dry Gel Pens - The Smear Stops Here! </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Fast drying ink!</span></div>
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<li style="box-sizing: border-box; list-style-type: square; margin-bottom: 10px;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Dries up to 3x faster* for less smearing* </span></li>
<li style="box-sizing: border-box; list-style-type: square; margin-bottom: 10px;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Super smooth writing retractable gel pen</span></li>
<li style="box-sizing: border-box; list-style-type: square; margin-bottom: 10px;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Comfortable full grip barrel</span></li>
<li style="box-sizing: border-box; list-style-type: square; margin-bottom: 10px;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">0.7 mm medium point</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Buy Now at <a href="http://bit.ly/2syLDpo" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #15a0e2; outline: none; text-decoration-line: none;">ShopBic.com</a> and <a href="http://bit.ly/2tyURDm" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #15a0e2; outline: none; text-decoration-line: none;">Learn More</a> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Like BIC on <a href="http://bit.ly/2uv44Ni" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #15a0e2; outline: none; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Facebook</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i style="box-sizing: border-box;">*vs. BIC</i>®<i style="box-sizing: border-box;"> Gel-ocity</i>®<i style="box-sizing: border-box;"> Original based on average dry times of blue, black and red. Individual dry times may vary by color</i></span></div>
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<br />Melindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11832138929309997926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3634273836008986752.post-6064811197159282902017-05-31T20:48:00.002-04:002017-05-31T20:49:59.192-04:00Holy Lost-a-Year, Batman!<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So...somehow I seem to have gone over a year without posting on this blog - make that 2 years! In my defense, it's been a VERY busy couple of years here! We gained THREE new grandbabies in that time, which I am LOVING! My son married a lovely young lady who had a 2 year-old (now 4yo), my stepson and his wife had a son, and my daughter had a son! So now we have FOUR grand-blessings that are absolutely the lights of our life! We couldn't love them more if we tried. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I was also diagnosed with Chronic Lyme Disease and have been in and out of treatment for that, which I may talk about more here as time goes on. It's been a whirlwind of learning new terms, more medical jargon that I thought I'd EVER use (even working for a doctor!), and vacillating between feeling horrible and "Eh, ok" depending on the hour/day. More on that later...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Anyway, just thought I'd pop over and see if this blog was still here (thanks for holding my spot, Google!) and say hi to those still hanging around. I'm seriously amazed that I'm still getting hits here after this long of a break! *mindblown* Anyway, thank you!!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" style="font-family: "Times New Roman";" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85775/mpayne9205/53a3a230278874cab3b34409e3147fdc.png" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px;" /></a></span>
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<br />~Melindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07932486174263212809noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3634273836008986752.post-9557966737554356042015-01-05T12:39:00.002-05:002015-01-05T12:47:44.969-05:00Hello, Mornings!<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I'm a total night-owl. I seem to get a burst of energy around 10pm, which doesn't make for great mornings-after! I can lay in bed and read until 2-or-3am with absolutely no problem. Of course, that means I am certainly NOT getting up at any decent hour. I'm very well aware of how important sleep is, and that I </span><b style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><u>really</u></b><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> need to use my time more wisely - which means</span><i style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> not</i><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> sleeping until 9 or 10am and rolling into work at noon.</span><i style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> (don't hate me because I have flex hours!)</i><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I'm kind of </span><i style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">so over </i><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">making New Years Resolutions, but I AM going to try to make better use of my time in 2015. I found this awesome resource that I'm hoping will help. I plan to use my blog to document this process, as well as my other 2015 goals <i>(not resolutions!) </i>including completing more craft projects, my Goodreads Challenge of 50 books for the year, maybe learning some new crafts, finishing some Pinterest projects, and some super-awesome family stuff coming this year! *squeeee!* Oh! And my new <b><i>Dollar Tree </i></b>obsession <i>(did you know how much amazing stuff you can get there??)</i></span><br />
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<b><span style="color: red; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Join me and the other Hello Morning! ladies if you'd like to get your mornings started on the right foot in 2015. Leave a comment and let me know that you've joined so I can keep an eye out for ya!</span></b><br />
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<a href="http://hellomornings.org/"><img alt="HelloMornings" src="http://www.hellomornings.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Christian-Community.png" title="HelloMornings" width="200" /></a></span></center>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Here are some of their <a href="http://www.hellomornings.org/category/motivation/15-transformational-tips/" target="_blank">tips for making the most of your mornings</a>. </b></span><br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85775/mpayne9205/53a3a230278874cab3b34409e3147fdc.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>~Melindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07932486174263212809noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3634273836008986752.post-31514221106279718782014-07-15T12:20:00.001-04:002014-07-15T12:33:04.442-04:005 bucks free + tons of organic goodies!<div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 19px;">I've found a new go-to for ALL of my supplements, vitamins, organic staples, cleaning products and more! C</span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 19px;">oconut oil that's even better than Aldi! *gasp* </span></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: red;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 19px;">And you get a </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 19px;">$5 coupon when you use<span style="font-size: large;"> <a href="http://www.swansonvitamins.com/referral/friend.html?id=07348dbd-b5ae-4820-b2aa-6b59412f7cf0" target="_blank"><i>this link</i></a> </span>- love that!</span> </span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">They have pretty much <b><i>everything</i></b> you'd ever want (<em>and
lots of products that are vegan, gluten-free, etc...) </em>and tons of specials every week to save even more, get free products... I could go on and on. But just check it out for yourself!</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.swansonvitamins.com/referral/friend.html?id=07348dbd-b5ae-4820-b2aa-6b59412f7cf0" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2HbVDOCq8INOLS4WY3Txo6b0YV3KEhcZkNbCohacGc2QEEwjS1e0v43iGHxNV0bAoE8EC5YXA9nVdYJ78H-yc8BHKW-ezlIdwUf3MIhxJyfh8BBE035H2ddDyQ48LMCLG9MA4SRQ8lhjA/s1600/swanson.bmp" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85775/mpayne9205/53a3a230278874cab3b34409e3147fdc.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>~Melindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07932486174263212809noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3634273836008986752.post-80628080469624872202014-07-03T18:24:00.003-04:002014-07-03T18:35:19.042-04:00Peppermint Patties for Trim Healthy Mamas! THM-S<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: purple; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>I attended an essential oil party awhile back and the hostess had these AMAZING peppermint patties made from coconut oil, dark chocolate, honey, and peppermint essential oil. I wanted to try and recreate them and make them THM-friendly, cutting out the honey. It was surprisingly easy, and tastes just as delicious and refreshing!</b></span><br />
<span style="color: purple; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Here's how:</b></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Ingredients: </span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">* 85% dark chocolate (or Skinny Chocolate, of course) - melted<br />* 1 cup Coconut oil (melted)<br />* Peppermint extract<br />* Stevia and/or Xylitol - I use <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0019LPM0C/ref=oh_details_o02_s00_i01?ie=UTF8&psc=1" target="_blank">NuNatural Pure Stevia Extract powder </a></span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><u>Directions:</u></span></b></h3>
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<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #141823;">1. Mix the coconut oil with a few drops of peppermint extract </span></span></b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px;"><span style="color: blue;"><i>(or peppermint essential oil if you prefer & are well aware of how to use EOs </i></span></span><i style="color: blue; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px;">safely in the kitchen!)</i><i style="color: #141823; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; font-weight: bold;"> </i><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: blue;"><i><br /></i></span><span style="color: #141823; font-weight: bold;">2. Add stevia to taste. </span><span style="color: red; font-weight: bold;">Play around with the taste until it's how you like it.</span></span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">3. Put the coconut oil mixture into candy molds or mini muffin tin. I found adorable little ice trays with silicone bottoms that make it super easy to pop these yummy treats right out when they're all done! </span></b></div>
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<b style="font-size: 13.63636302947998px;"><u><span style="color: red; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">There are several ways you can do this, but I find this method works best:</span></u></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">** Spoon a bit of chocolate in cup first, put in freezer to set up (around 30 minutes).<br />** Add a bit of the coconut mixture on top of that, put back in freezer to firm up.<br />** Add more chocolate on top, put back in freezer or fridge.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">When firmed up well - pop out and store in an airtight container in the fridge. Enjoy!</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">You can also make these in mini-muffin tins with the paper liners, </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">but I just think these are TOO cute!</span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhqonVP8cv-5zRfvGx81pUEoLRcLAVQ2WAGKm9UoLjDyZjMrIfttPSpvPD52OFIRaYy_Ii8AdEUaH-FXjrl1dtr1-I-IQbmh2_dAv2-F7CszUJph6ty4lQ6JZ_owstnta0mm3SDpg5_-qV/s1600/d4dd3e869b8b89c3dccebdbeefe24fe2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhqonVP8cv-5zRfvGx81pUEoLRcLAVQ2WAGKm9UoLjDyZjMrIfttPSpvPD52OFIRaYy_Ii8AdEUaH-FXjrl1dtr1-I-IQbmh2_dAv2-F7CszUJph6ty4lQ6JZ_owstnta0mm3SDpg5_-qV/s1600/d4dd3e869b8b89c3dccebdbeefe24fe2.jpg" /></a></div>
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<i style="color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.563634872436523px;">Photo courtesy of </i><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17.563634872436523px;"><span style="color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><i>anniegoss/candy/</i></span></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85775/mpayne9205/53a3a230278874cab3b34409e3147fdc.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>~Melindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07932486174263212809noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3634273836008986752.post-7336017098580694662014-06-30T18:54:00.001-04:002014-06-30T18:54:54.529-04:00My Trim Healthy Mama Discovery<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="color: purple;"><b>"This was both encouraging and entertaining! </b></span></i><span style="color: purple;"><b><i>(Do you have a blog or other writing venue? If not, you should consider it!)" </i></b></span></div>
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That was a reply I got to a <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/trimhealthymamas/" target="_blank">Facebook</a> post this weekend, and is the reason I am writing this now. Sometimes the <i><span style="font-size: x-small;">least</span></i> little encouragement is all we need, right ladies? And this one touched my heart deeply, as I love writing but seldom make the time to do it (<i>as you can easily see by this blog right here</i>!). <br />
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So about 4 weeks ago, I stumbled upon something that seems to - thus far - been pretty life changing! I fell down the Google Rabbit Hole and landed at <a href="http://www.trimhealthymama.com/" target="_blank">Trim Healthy Mama</a>. This book/page has apparently been around for a couple of years now, and since I'm always looking for the next <i>get-thin-quick</i> scheme, it's downright amazing that I never heard of it before. Or maybe that's exactly <b>WHY</b> I never heard of it before now. Our God, He does work in mysterious ways...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimeg1-vF6458mXVB4Yqy4K0vJuo6vZnU6kdYVVYvqpgkc95UaT2qN-r9xA73M93a5s6chfe_2OGw4cS_oH5oeqEVEJDY8te3xW2yynGsjBuFpi6oBHiMTnK1GxXviLYNk3i6ZvJ7jSo8ds/s1600/angel-emoticon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimeg1-vF6458mXVB4Yqy4K0vJuo6vZnU6kdYVVYvqpgkc95UaT2qN-r9xA73M93a5s6chfe_2OGw4cS_oH5oeqEVEJDY8te3xW2yynGsjBuFpi6oBHiMTnK1GxXviLYNk3i6ZvJ7jSo8ds/s1600/angel-emoticon.jpg" /></a></div>
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<b><i>Anyway</i></b>, I started loosely following it and below is a post I made on their Facebook page the other day. I hope it encourages someone else out there. <br />
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<b><span style="color: #073763;">For you ladies who are discouraged and frustrated the scale, who are trying so hard and not seeing those numbers move.... Take your measurements!!! I actually went up on the scale this past week and was not a happy camper at. all. I did, however, take my measurements when I started loosely following THM about 4 weeks ago.</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #073763;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #073763;">I do pretty good most days, but still slip in meal-skipping (there's just too much to eat! what kind of "diet" is that?! ) and doing some accidental crossovers, but doing "ok" considering I just got the book 2 days ago. Well, I decided this morning that I'd check my measurements and see if this was really working at all - ya know, other than the better sleep, more energy, skin clearing up, and better moods. </span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #073763;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #073763;">I "de-robed" (aka, got nekkid), grabbed my measuring tape and a note pad and went to work. I looked at the numbers I wrote down after each measurement and thought "Ugh. Still huge." (not remembering my previous ones, they are in my MyFitnessPal phone app).</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #073763;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #073763;">Opened the app to enter the numbers and compare... To my astonishment - down .2" on my neck (bigggg deal, I thought. Blah. Better than nothing though, right? Hrmph.)...</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #073763;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #073763;">Continued on...1.5" on my waist... Wait. What? But the scale said I <u>gained</u> weight!</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #073763;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #073763;">2" on my hips. About that time my jaw hit the floor and I did a little jig, right there in the bathroom, all by myself. </span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #073763;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #073763;">So to those, like me, who have been slaves to the number on the scale - remember this:</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #073763;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #073763;">Scale - 5 letters, starts with S</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #073763;">Satan - 5 letters, starts with S.</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #073763;">Both are LIARS!</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<b></b><br />
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<b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCQ431EXg9FzEWz1akwxzQ_HzmcRBv6iGFCL72PqCq5Wg94GrTPEjgg9LfrinM3skdQBlDX2EG8zfS1xrqSKgulS51HKU_vt7KMrWg-WbUig56DpzfFxXv7RbxoBZVB8jWWUG64st5mQO2/s1600/wink.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCQ431EXg9FzEWz1akwxzQ_HzmcRBv6iGFCL72PqCq5Wg94GrTPEjgg9LfrinM3skdQBlDX2EG8zfS1xrqSKgulS51HKU_vt7KMrWg-WbUig56DpzfFxXv7RbxoBZVB8jWWUG64st5mQO2/s1600/wink.jpg" /></a></b></div>
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~Melindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07932486174263212809noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3634273836008986752.post-5276354406313326332014-05-06T11:04:00.003-04:002014-05-06T11:09:26.147-04:00Monogram all the things!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Zg6bgFdXDSpySHsp3QHl-KUOVLSreYtZH8278fYlujYBx5nnE9-rCr9tP2KPOplRgA-gaC4elddJd3wBzBvrfYrFLnmjuTk-9OoyOSy5qvwmsbnlZ4d-zoMtxt48k2ilqXJF8r0OYyFX/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Zg6bgFdXDSpySHsp3QHl-KUOVLSreYtZH8278fYlujYBx5nnE9-rCr9tP2KPOplRgA-gaC4elddJd3wBzBvrfYrFLnmjuTk-9OoyOSy5qvwmsbnlZ4d-zoMtxt48k2ilqXJF8r0OYyFX/s1600/images.jpg" height="200" width="152" /></a></div>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<b style="line-height: 21.46666717529297px;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">**BIG NEWS!!** </span></b></h2>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 21.46666717529297px;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>I am so pleased to annouce that I'm now partnered with <a href="http://www.lilybeanandbaxter.com/partner/mpayne/" target="_blank">LilyBean & Baxter</a> for items that I'm not able to embroider for you myself. You can order any of their awesome items online and have them shipped directly to you or a friend - all at great prices! Check out all the <i><u>HOTTEST</u> </i>gifts now at <a href="http://www.lilybeanandbaxter.com/partner/mpayne/" target="_blank">LilyBean & Baxter</a>. </b></span></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.lilybeanandbaxter.com/partner/mpayne/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4VKFPVj8RSBGPFU8KktPn3OHDB9rR4NobeXfaBGtVf3u3tTY8HInODB6rxCaT0D53jA1NzumLW-WcTPGVU3aOXR2by6g3PKw0W-KrRihpBmBPkqexI8jfGx7zHWq30I_rV1Wb97-RQ3zd/s1600/TeacherApprec_home(1).jpg" height="232" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85775/mpayne9205/53a3a230278874cab3b34409e3147fdc.png" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px !important;" /></a>~Melindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07932486174263212809noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3634273836008986752.post-90676721245990048742014-04-16T11:57:00.001-04:002014-04-16T12:04:10.831-04:00Hearing God's Voice?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7AIqYeyXfRh9I_d_GH1EdQXC3iDh_as0izbzaJY5wzN4NfA2szN9RwMToFxwkBrX6uBcj-2aEyiAdUMYP5KP5pv-mZUOworaYukbi39TRGty0T-0eGAjxEIHGqxsjme2i95jjSTOpzGnI/s1600/download.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7AIqYeyXfRh9I_d_GH1EdQXC3iDh_as0izbzaJY5wzN4NfA2szN9RwMToFxwkBrX6uBcj-2aEyiAdUMYP5KP5pv-mZUOworaYukbi39TRGty0T-0eGAjxEIHGqxsjme2i95jjSTOpzGnI/s1600/download.jpg" /></a></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Wow, it's been a loooooooong time since I blogged! </span><span style="font-family: Arial;">This morning I was looking online for a photo of <a href="https://www.lproof.org/aboutus/BethMoore/default.htm%E2%80%8E" target="_blank">Beth Moore</a> (<i>ok, in the interest of full disclosure, it was for my Instagram #wcw ... I do love me some Beth Moore teaching and I think she's super stylish!</i>) In my searching, I happened upon a blog by a
woman who disagreed with Mrs. Moore's statements that she's "</span><em style="font-family: Arial;">heard God's
voice</em><span style="font-family: Arial;">" and went on to condemn her for being a "</span><em style="font-family: Arial;">false teacher</em><span style="font-family: Arial;">"
because she claims to have heard from God directly. Of course, the writer also used the most unflattering picture of Moore she could find to hammer home the point... *smh* </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial;">The author of this blog
used examples from Moore's teachings:</span> </div>
<div>
<span style="color: purple; font-family: Arial;"><em>God spoke to my heart one Saturday
morning while I was preparing for Sunday school: "My child, in between more
intense rests, I want to teach you to take Sabbath moments."</em></span><br />
<span style="color: purple; font-family: Arial;"><em><br /></em></span></div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;"><span style="color: purple; font-size: small;"><em>"I’m gonna tell you something right now, Beth, and boy you write this
one down, and you say it as often as I give you utterance to say it . .
."</em> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;"><span style="color: purple; font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial;">I remember being a "baby" Christian and wondering about
people who "<em>heard God</em>". I wondered if I would ever have that type of
relationship, that I would be able to hear His voice as clearly as my
own. Frankly, I never thought it would happen and I kinda thought those who
said they heard from Him were possibly ...(whispering) *<span style="font-size: x-small;">a little on the crazy side</span>*. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Then it happened. When my then-boyfriend/now-husband had
a massive heart attack at age 37. I was at the hospital in the middle of the
night, waiting alone in a little - very cold - room outside the cath lab for the
doctor to come tell me what was going on. I was shaking and crying and praying
"<em>Please don't let him die. Please don't let him die</em>." over and over and
over again. I remember it being <b><u>SO COLD</u></b> in that little room! After a few
minutes, as I sat there with my head in my hands, rocking back and forth and
praying - I felt what I can only describe as the warmest blanket being wrapped
around my shoulders and a voice saying "<em>It's not his
time</em>."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial;">I was startled. I jerked my head up, looked around, and
saw the empty room. I got up and walked to the door, looked up and down the
deserted hallway....no one was there. I had just heard - and felt -
<strong>God</strong>. I'm as sure of this as I am that I have 10 fingers and 10 toes. No one will ever convince me that it was anything less than God speaking
to me, and it brought a comfort that I can't put into words.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial;">My question is: why is it so hard for someone to believe
that this happens? Especially a person who, like this blogger, says that they
are a devout Christian who studies the Bible regularly? <strong><span style="color: red;">John 10:27-28
ESV says "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them..."</span></strong> I believe
this verse is as true today as it was in Biblical times, when Jesus himself
spoke to the disciples and the crowds in His human body. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Since that moment 12 years ago when I heard God speak in
the hospital, I've felt/heard Him speak many more times on various situations in
my life. I think the thing that separates those who hear God and those who
don't is a FAITH that He can and will speak to us - if only we will listen.
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Arial;">What do you think? Have you heard God's voice in your own life? Or do you think those who do are faking it and are "false teachers"?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85775/mpayne9205/53a3a230278874cab3b34409e3147fdc.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>~Melindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07932486174263212809noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3634273836008986752.post-4298154215148279732013-10-10T06:46:00.001-04:002013-10-10T06:48:31.832-04:00As so she returns....<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">If anyone is still out there,
I'm still alive! My "blogging challenge" was a colossal failure
earlier in the year - I think when I put pressure on myself it just makes my
internal 4 year-old scream "<b><i>NO! Not gonna do it!!</i></b>" or
something.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i> *shrug*</i></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br />
</span></i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">So after a Spring...and Summer...of basically no writing at all -
I've decided that maybe I need to return to this outlet of expression. I
love writing, I rarely do it for various reasons, but it's one of my great
loves and frankly - I'm not getting any younger so why not?</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br />
I'm not sure where this blog is headed, but I'm hoping to get back to
expressing more spiritual matters that are on my heart. Whether anyone sees them or not is of no real consequence, though I hope I can encourage someone out there along the internet superhighway (<i>who remembers that one??</i>). </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">God seems to be reminding me daily of
P<span style="background: white;">hilippians 4:8 - </span></span><i><span style="background: white; color: purple; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">... whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right,
whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is
excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.</span></i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<i><span style="background: white; color: purple; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">This is my new goal. </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
</div>
<ul>
<li><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">No pressure to blog daily. </span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">No pressure to organize every inch of my home (</span><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">though that needs some work, as well!</i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">). </span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">No pressure to produce a Pinterest project on a regular basis (</span><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">really, who was I kidding with that one??</i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">)</span></li>
</ul>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><b>Just this...</b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh8UI7Ov1BpaR4IuqZNLnuO7itNlDkeU5Wjyr_PWP2-OzKnglTyLnn8lQ1LcicWR0FsiiL9dz5eDmk6xA7oGzyLb5_DG7z_92zx84Mhl3v0k1idhSUU93bW2ix_XLa0_DfDWNc-cWIm2Y0/s1600/643902_359965344085156_471334850_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh8UI7Ov1BpaR4IuqZNLnuO7itNlDkeU5Wjyr_PWP2-OzKnglTyLnn8lQ1LcicWR0FsiiL9dz5eDmk6xA7oGzyLb5_DG7z_92zx84Mhl3v0k1idhSUU93bW2ix_XLa0_DfDWNc-cWIm2Y0/s1600/643902_359965344085156_471334850_n.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85775/mpayne9205/53a3a230278874cab3b34409e3147fdc.png" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px !important;" /></a>~Melindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07932486174263212809noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3634273836008986752.post-70311825570067197432013-05-17T08:46:00.002-04:002013-05-17T08:55:01.409-04:00FREE Customized Photo Grocery Tote!<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">As
an added bonus if you’re a new customer </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">you’ll get 40 free prints as
well!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">This offer is valid through 6/15/13.</span></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85775/mpayne9205/53a3a230278874cab3b34409e3147fdc.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a></div>
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~Melindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07932486174263212809noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3634273836008986752.post-2223069930721080792013-04-08T11:25:00.004-04:002013-04-08T11:30:47.016-04:00This is no Pinterest Post.<br />
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I decided last week that my laundry room/pantry needed a makeover, or at least needed to not look so incredibly depressing and cluttered. So I went to my local Dollar Tree <i>(the mecca of cheap storage containers) </i>and got to work on it this morning.</div>
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<span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"><span class="userContent">It quickly occurred to me that
all those **<span style="color: #38761d;">perfectly</span>** organized room pics on Pinterest must be by fake "<i>normal women</i>" on fake blogs created by companies like the
Container Store and Ikea to boost sales. </span></span></div>
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<b><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"><span class="userContent">It also occurred to me that I will never have such a picture perfect room. </span></span></b></div>
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<span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"><span class="userContent"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"><span class="userContent">But I made some progress! It took all of 30 minutes and </span></span></div>
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<span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"><span class="userContent">I'm much happier when I walk in there already. </span></span></div>
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<span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"><span class="userContent">I still have a lot more I want to do in there - but this was a simple morning project that made a huge difference <i>(even with a terrible allergy headache!)</i></span></span></div>
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<span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"><span class="userContent"><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Before -<i> <span style="font-size: large;">A</span>ck!!! </i></b></span></span><i></i></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg1s3Xq6aKZm9G5xelKwtVwham-Wij3FYLgBd0hyphenhyphenTOpQ2cOOzCzS1xvLvuMlP1SR5muKyNsT2PnLN8Lyyvjgf5Hq5WgGni-NNHeXmZXlpMYXKOZ6Kxa6bWBWLE-WVhFJ-mTlCpjNN6Rqrk/s1600/IMG_20130408_092158_321.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="162" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg1s3Xq6aKZm9G5xelKwtVwham-Wij3FYLgBd0hyphenhyphenTOpQ2cOOzCzS1xvLvuMlP1SR5muKyNsT2PnLN8Lyyvjgf5Hq5WgGni-NNHeXmZXlpMYXKOZ6Kxa6bWBWLE-WVhFJ-mTlCpjNN6Rqrk/s320/IMG_20130408_092158_321.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm2ODv3ISAFuVxP0dxdEb8ej0pA-UGYv2jO1So7i0pmZJ975b_8ORGx0csZQ-MyRlLZeSGj8m5rrODHeP4Ie0dBGN5RHHukWCmFIhu5q-Cg915fcF1LAcT6UabDO4P3kZxkzTpqYQ4pnMN/s1600/IMG_20130408_092158_321.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></i></div>
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<span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"><span class="userContent"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>After -<i> Ahhhhhhh!</i></b></span></span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAa-rB5enMk4An1QvG-2OVrJc4OpOX3DdGfIvnfF33edGdKaoCyu3GM2sniLWknjXgD3Z-q5pVwZL9EZvXXgEkzN74gQkJpURFiYFfG1VbQlMpM2eCznzs-Jp3Wnz3Zk9lW4KEWqN_5DAx/s1600/IMG_20130408_102913_694.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAa-rB5enMk4An1QvG-2OVrJc4OpOX3DdGfIvnfF33edGdKaoCyu3GM2sniLWknjXgD3Z-q5pVwZL9EZvXXgEkzN74gQkJpURFiYFfG1VbQlMpM2eCznzs-Jp3Wnz3Zk9lW4KEWqN_5DAx/s320/IMG_20130408_102913_694.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"><span class="userContent"><b><i> <span style="color: #38761d;">Green = Food (extra canned goods)</span></i></b></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"><span class="userContent"><b><i>Also got all my new gluten-free stuffs (flours, quinoa, rice, etc in airtight containers)</i></b></span></span></span><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"><span class="userContent"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></i></b></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"><span class="userContent"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #bf9000;"><span style="font-size: small;">Yellow = not edible (cleaning products, air fresheners, etc)</span></span> </span></i></b></span></span></span></span></div>
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<img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85775/mpayne9205/53a3a230278874cab3b34409e3147fdc.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" />~Melindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07932486174263212809noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3634273836008986752.post-44091068245420666942013-02-12T13:38:00.000-05:002013-02-12T13:39:12.460-05:00"The best laid plans of mice and men" ...and women with embroidery machines!<br />
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Well, my <a href="http://frugalgrace.blogspot.com/2013/01/52-in-52-pinterest-challenge.html" target="_blank">52 in 52</a> isn't coming along as I'd planned. I keep getting orders for embroidered items and have no time to work on any other crafts! Not the worst problem to have, mind you. </div>
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But here are a few things I've done in the past 4 weeks. I have tried some new techniques and embroidering on different types of fabric, etc.</div>
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A little "thank you" gift for my very first paying customer: </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdBxUdcg5-5-hRpcxs6Tn_EgBKrGPftNk8P36YVyxehBYndpktUVu205CmI35KAbMbAxmGCJu-M7GySIR9OdPtPY4yBugmrDWjKF67aLkha_T5IrzSIZLncSUEV3U9UpPToGxTYDv0gfzl/s1600/2013-02-08_22-45-42_258.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdBxUdcg5-5-hRpcxs6Tn_EgBKrGPftNk8P36YVyxehBYndpktUVu205CmI35KAbMbAxmGCJu-M7GySIR9OdPtPY4yBugmrDWjKF67aLkha_T5IrzSIZLncSUEV3U9UpPToGxTYDv0gfzl/s320/2013-02-08_22-45-42_258.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
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<b>The items she first ordered (she's since ordered more, so I guess she liked them!): </b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRuoz9OEcwqzUHrOnGYS7hv4oPhDdb7-zX-bpkI2NzOXm5aM5KEVDnIth6f41fkZwUVMMaMjOk3ALwAbDme7UMm8RZC4AKkuiFcvQ5OwPLOYhP2YmJfP3bJN65GfmqhclriznXIVg9uPZb/s1600/482432_428593017219680_55601310_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRuoz9OEcwqzUHrOnGYS7hv4oPhDdb7-zX-bpkI2NzOXm5aM5KEVDnIth6f41fkZwUVMMaMjOk3ALwAbDme7UMm8RZC4AKkuiFcvQ5OwPLOYhP2YmJfP3bJN65GfmqhclriznXIVg9uPZb/s1600/482432_428593017219680_55601310_n.jpg" /></a><br />
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<b>Dishtowel sample - a local shoppe may start carrying them!</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj_lpMBL6semoahIRQSEdDYOTl5KnuVapBNvfZddEsJoqusmvqVO57crcpJxl3kcLAi3XOwhz3ZZ5gft5M4ZvZHbSJOIR2wRx988McXu_EsSLNmbXUkU7uAMcuBW2abRNhg18UTGhZ9_ZI/s1600/374249_428614317217550_1906699902_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj_lpMBL6semoahIRQSEdDYOTl5KnuVapBNvfZddEsJoqusmvqVO57crcpJxl3kcLAi3XOwhz3ZZ5gft5M4ZvZHbSJOIR2wRx988McXu_EsSLNmbXUkU7uAMcuBW2abRNhg18UTGhZ9_ZI/s320/374249_428614317217550_1906699902_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I also made my grandson a <i>few</i> Valentine's shirts and a monogrammed cap.</div>
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I have more orders this week to work on <i>(4 shamrock shirts & a 1st birthday outfit that includes shirt/tutu/diaper cover/leggings)</i>. Hopefully I'll get around to doing a different type of craft before too long! </div>
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But for now I'm still enjoying playing around with my new toy. </div>
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<img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85775/mpayne9205/53a3a230278874cab3b34409e3147fdc.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" />~Melindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07932486174263212809noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3634273836008986752.post-88317073759389822902013-01-31T13:38:00.001-05:002013-01-31T13:45:05.960-05:00The End of an Era <br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">The past month has been rough. I failed my Blog
Challenge, but I'm giving myself a pass and looking forward to getting back to
it, and my crafts, in February. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
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<i>Nana & Popoo - circa 1930's </i><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglt8LY5rPEYIRYmsY04oaGd4NSzj7nIo1oxpnxaOoK6fV_sfvMdomnOFJwLJ1d0aRgCFhl43Lw9FCrWUEvQhYlZ8op4JVorHja-XvEMSLkKn43j_qfhZJ2S-EunWUQvnkcQM1HBCH95nZq/s1600/1217_129811377185579_592616244_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglt8LY5rPEYIRYmsY04oaGd4NSzj7nIo1oxpnxaOoK6fV_sfvMdomnOFJwLJ1d0aRgCFhl43Lw9FCrWUEvQhYlZ8op4JVorHja-XvEMSLkKn43j_qfhZJ2S-EunWUQvnkcQM1HBCH95nZq/s1600/1217_129811377185579_592616244_n.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial;">On Saturday, January 19, I got the call that my Nana
wasn't well. She had taken a turn for the worse after battling an infection for
a couple of weeks. I guess because we'd been through this so many times, we all
kind of assumed she'd pull through again. But we sat with her in shifts
throughout the weekend, as she slowly declined. She was unable to speak, but
would moan and blink in answer to questions. We would gather around her room
during the day and chat with one another and encourage Nana as best we could. I
had the night shift, and spent many hours in remembrance of the times I'd spent
with her when she was well. I watched her and listened to her breathe, and it
reminded me of when my children were babies - that anxious listening and
watching their chest heave up and down... </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span>I wouldn't have been anywhere
else.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">My beautiful grandmother passed away on January 21 at the
age of 102. People keep saying <i>"You're so lucky you had so much time with
her."</i> But I wonder if it makes the grief worse because we <i>did </i>have so much
more time than most people do? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">She was a beautiful woman, always. My sister and I wrote
<a href="http://www.cittyfh.com/obituaries.php?id=495&op=view"><b>her
obituary</b></a> and I can't really add any more at this point other than
to say that I miss her so much already. I want to write about much she touched my life, but I need more time to process and put it all into words. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">She was like a 2nd mother to me, since
mine was a working/single mom for much of my early years. Nana taught me so
many things that I will carry in my heart for the rest of my life - from how to
cook things that every Southern woman should have in her recipe repertoire, to
how a lady should never leave the house without lipstick and her hair <i>just
so</i>... </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><i>(I try to remember the lipstick & hair, but sometimes a girl has
to run to the Walmart without them...I'm sure she'd understand.)</i></span><br />
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<span style="color: magenta; font-family: Arial;"><b>Rest in Peace, Nana...knowing you
touched many and truly LIVED life. </b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf16j8WiDxOoGOuBfQp4PCpncqH9SER8ssU6fvLrPQkiw70SnOWttDRsCCovEiMPsvafZbJfUvkCNAi_AIrkxldjdRQlZKtR4FOW_qEb5eiTZetePHSFbqNcrK5xrxC_BBJovaat24SWSU/s1600/734716_129263910573659_1171167688_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf16j8WiDxOoGOuBfQp4PCpncqH9SER8ssU6fvLrPQkiw70SnOWttDRsCCovEiMPsvafZbJfUvkCNAi_AIrkxldjdRQlZKtR4FOW_qEb5eiTZetePHSFbqNcrK5xrxC_BBJovaat24SWSU/s320/734716_129263910573659_1171167688_n.jpg" width="257" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: magenta; font-family: Arial;"><b> <i style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black;">Nana & Popoo - December, 1989 (the last week of his life) </span></i></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: magenta; font-family: Arial;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85775/mpayne9205/53a3a230278874cab3b34409e3147fdc.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a>~Melindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07932486174263212809noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3634273836008986752.post-13700792479873609742013-01-31T12:22:00.001-05:002013-01-31T12:22:38.989-05:00Blog Fail<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://frugalgrace.blogspot.com/2013/01/farts-and-blogging-and-embroidery-oh-my.html" target="_blank"><b>January 2013 Blog Challenge:</b></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><img border="0" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh81HfHcMEw58HGComz-GcyNmQTiIAMEkbZANSsC6o14h0GP_iOKBdHMOVkA3vglWo7VCMFxvWgDm1zCERtvtui5YWTF0nZOMpjlS9lv49bzrvMoPicmMYUcx0oSC2TWyhDXsFo1_5osaBT/s320/fail.jpg" width="320" /> </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Will try to do better in February! </b></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85775/mpayne9205/53a3a230278874cab3b34409e3147fdc.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a>~Melindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07932486174263212809noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3634273836008986752.post-74227792608460253982013-01-13T08:41:00.005-05:002013-01-13T08:46:52.005-05:0052 in 52 - Pinterest Challenge!<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">My sweet friend, Jessica, had a great idea for 2013: <b><a href="http://52pinterestprojects.blogspot.com/2013/01/1st-project.html" target="_blank">52 Pinterest Project in 52 Weeks</a></b>! This, combined with <b><a href="http://frugalgrace.blogspot.com/2013/01/farts-and-blogging-and-embroidery-oh-my.html" target="_blank">my resolution</a></b> to finish more projects and start new ones that make me happy, inspired me to do the same. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">So, without further ado - here are my first two projects for the first 2 weeks of the year. The first is a custom embroidered onesie that my stepdaughter requested I make for a shower gift. I think it turned out pretty cute!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCy-OTpWIrwB3Xotdj2Fj0lmNMQ73g9SPGQYcvjTmfkJELStxRaREhEb-OJ_XoZnXZSy8j0yPKyXRO7tmFqLURnPeAeTEHCKUpVYXi5wR9tiS3RSoPwMJECglh9RLMCx5KffQtTZeO6XsC/s1600/2013-01-12_13-05-05_130.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCy-OTpWIrwB3Xotdj2Fj0lmNMQ73g9SPGQYcvjTmfkJELStxRaREhEb-OJ_XoZnXZSy8j0yPKyXRO7tmFqLURnPeAeTEHCKUpVYXi5wR9tiS3RSoPwMJECglh9RLMCx5KffQtTZeO6XsC/s320/2013-01-12_13-05-05_130.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Her friend wanted the same design for her toddler - so here's that one:</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6xGqGZMbupEc8oFPRH0eUAXDVhY5QPV69KOcSh9IpzoJGzgBX_iWWz6Dbmd2gQrOUKB7OzPER9Mk5cNLI5CWGCiPIwFgOWHskmsVtN44T29zf3a_nxZBMwodhDXZ_GENGRouIAr42WKNE/s1600/2013-01-12_13-59-59_104.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6xGqGZMbupEc8oFPRH0eUAXDVhY5QPV69KOcSh9IpzoJGzgBX_iWWz6Dbmd2gQrOUKB7OzPER9Mk5cNLI5CWGCiPIwFgOWHskmsVtN44T29zf3a_nxZBMwodhDXZ_GENGRouIAr42WKNE/s320/2013-01-12_13-59-59_104.jpg" width="297" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b>The second</b> project was a few burp cloths I made for some brand new babies. It's so nice having younger moms for friends so I can indulge my love of fabricrafts and spoil their wee ones at the same time!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqwnZLhAK4ihmdh7tmgD6z48IwTUTe0xoK_S1CBLVB8IR9zAl333f7-SrytON4EHL97r6OhihJKTcWXnGsv34mRlt6jRSUGaYDft8LnOFmKoCNp-Dlhj18AAUo_brroIERXz1gOs8SkpSr/s1600/2013-01-12_19-12-24_67.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqwnZLhAK4ihmdh7tmgD6z48IwTUTe0xoK_S1CBLVB8IR9zAl333f7-SrytON4EHL97r6OhihJKTcWXnGsv34mRlt6jRSUGaYDft8LnOFmKoCNp-Dlhj18AAUo_brroIERXz1gOs8SkpSr/s320/2013-01-12_19-12-24_67.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">My next Pinterest Project will not be embroidery. Need to mix it up, right? I think I'll try the twine-wrapped-soup-cans since I've been saving the cans and need some cute storage containers.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: purple;"><span style="background-color: purple;"><b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple;">Tune in next time to see what I come up with! And thanks, Jessica, for the inspiration!!</span></span></span></b></span></span> </span></div>
<img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85775/mpayne9205/53a3a230278874cab3b34409e3147fdc.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0px none ! important;" />~Melindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07932486174263212809noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3634273836008986752.post-29075249259094307002013-01-06T12:42:00.000-05:002013-01-06T12:42:42.504-05:00Resolutions and such...<br />
<b>.4</b> pounds lost in 5 days. No, not four pounds - <i>point-four-pounds</i>. <b> .4</b> -- not even a whole pound. I've lost the equivalent of a standard portion of chicken. <span style="color: #990000;"><b>: / </b></span><br />
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I should be happy the scale moved downward, and I'm trying - I <i>really</i> am. But it's so hard when my hubby, who has NOT counted <u>every bite</u> he's put in his mouth for the past 5 days <i>(which I have),</i> nor has he worked out at all <i>(which I have just a tiny bit</i>) - has lost <b>7.5 lbs</b> in the same amount of time! Oh well, he has more to lose - at least that's what I am making myself think. But doggonit!! I want to lose 7.5 lbs in 5 days!!<br />
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Ok, hissy fit over.<br />
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I have been working on some embroidered burp cloths for some new babies at church, but I can't post the pics yet since their mommies may see them and that would ruin the surprise. So you'll just have to trust me - I am making progress on my <a href="http://frugalgrace.blogspot.com/2013/01/farts-and-blogging-and-embroidery-oh-my.html" target="_blank">F.A.R.T.S. mission</a>.<br />
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Until there is more to report...<br />
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<img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85775/mpayne9205/53a3a230278874cab3b34409e3147fdc.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0px none ! important;" />~Melindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07932486174263212809noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3634273836008986752.post-25768231390691707662013-01-03T10:15:00.005-05:002013-01-03T10:20:08.760-05:00FARTS and Blogging and Embroidery - Oh my!<br />
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<b>Well, so much for THAT. </b></div>
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I decided that I was going to do
a 31 day blog challenge in January, to get past my Blogger Block and back on
track. It's now January 3rd and well, here's my first post of the year! (<i>I
don't count the deal post yesterday, that's just copy & paste stuff...I want
to get back to really delving into real, important - to me -
stuff</i>)<br />
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I got some inspiration from my sweet hubby and more again this morning from <a href="http://beingfrugalbychoice.blogspot.com/2013/01/farts-month-3.html">F.A.R.T.S.</a>
- yes, you read that right (<i>you may insert joke about combining the two here)</i><br />
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<span style="color: purple;"><b>F</b>rugal</span></div>
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<span style="color: purple;"><b>A</b>ctions </span></div>
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<span style="color: purple;"><b>R</b>elated </span></div>
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<span style="color: purple;"><b>T</b>o</span></div>
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<span style="color: purple;"><b>S</b>ustainability</span><br />
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<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Today, the F.A.R.T.S. post says: </span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">"</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><i>Learn a new useful skill that also brings you joy</i>." </span></b><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">For my birthday/Christmas, hubby TOTALLY AND COMPLETELY shocked me by giving me an embroidery machine! I literally was so shocked and excited that I hugged the box when I opened it. My mom later asked "<i>Did you hug him first?</i>" Umm...well....not <i>first. </i>The box was closer, he was standing across the room...that's my story and I'm sticking to it. Don't worry, I showered him with hugs and kisses after I let go of the machine. :) </span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Anyway, it's the Brother SE400 and it's<i> <b style="color: purple;">FAB-U-LOUS</b></i>. So the useful skill I plan to master in 2013 is - obviously - embroidery. I've made a couple of bibs for my great-nephew & grandson, but only using simple built-in fonts that came preloaded on the machine. I've since downloaded about a gajillion designs for both embroidery and applique. (<i>I'm still afeared of applique, so I need to really work on tackling that.)</i></span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Any blogger friends do machine embroidery? I plan to post some pics of projects here and hopefully the quality will improve greatly over the next 12 months. </span><br />
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<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">What useful skill do you want to learn in 2013? </span></b></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><i> </i></span><span style="color: purple;"> </span></div>
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85775/mpayne9205/53a3a230278874cab3b34409e3147fdc.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a>~Melindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07932486174263212809noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3634273836008986752.post-45033822966132754412013-01-02T12:22:00.002-05:002013-01-02T12:23:22.283-05:00FREE Workout Mix MP3 Album!<br />
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<a href="http://workoutmusic.com/brita" target="_blank"><img alt="biggest-loser" height="180" src="http://www.commonsensewithmoney.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/biggest-loser.jpeg" width="180" /> </a><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">You can download <a href="http://workoutmusic.com/brita" target="_blank">The Biggest Loser Workout Mix MP3 Album for free</a> right now. Just use the coupon code <b>FREEBL4</b> at checkout to get this freebie. No credit card require to claim this one.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><u>Here are the titles included in this album</u>:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Hey Soul Sister (HumanJive Remix)<br />
Half of My Heart (CPR Remix)<br />
Cooler Than Me (CPR Remix)<br />
If We Ever Meet Again (CPR Remix)<br />
Wavin’ Flag (Ronnie Maze Mix)<br />
Dynamite (CPR Remix)<br />
Undo It (CPR Remix)<br />
Ridin’ Solo (HumanJive Remix)<br />
I Like It (CPR Remix)<br />
Young Forever (CPR Remix)<br />
Somebody To Love (HumanJive Remix)<br />
Alejandro (HumanJive Remix)<br />
California Gurls (HumanJive Remix)</span></div>
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Thanks, <a href="http://centslessdeals.com/2013/01/free-the-biggest-loser-workout-mix-top-40-hits-vol-4.html/" target="_blank" title="Centsless Deals">Centsless Deals!</a></div>
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~Melindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07932486174263212809noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3634273836008986752.post-49615273681195604552012-11-29T06:00:00.004-05:002012-11-29T06:31:01.259-05:00Blogger Block & a Request from Readers<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSWzNtEMlGI8CKfT-3cCvWK9Xvf3sYk240Ujros63-10sJRkeoer73Tl6l3lmg5_V7qb9WdEo8GCOJ7reK350xBAD23_QbQVS5E1ZTksXQtiZBPge2sbxh0iOOkyXmG-n0c57qROjP0T3M/s1600/blog+block.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="201" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSWzNtEMlGI8CKfT-3cCvWK9Xvf3sYk240Ujros63-10sJRkeoer73Tl6l3lmg5_V7qb9WdEo8GCOJ7reK350xBAD23_QbQVS5E1ZTksXQtiZBPge2sbxh0iOOkyXmG-n0c57qROjP0T3M/s320/blog+block.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b>I'm suffering a severe case of Blogger Block. </b><br /><br />I haven't blogged anything substantial in...well, I can't remember how long it's been. I've posted deals and coupon match<b><span style="font-size: small;">-</span></b>ups, but really, I feel like that's just redundant given how many "deal" blogs are out there already.<br /><br />My brother, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/jon.knight.391?ref=ts&fref=ts" target="_blank">Jon</a>, told me once to look at the highest rated entry I have and "write about that!" (for those that don't blog, you can see how many people read each particular entry) Well, the post that got the most hits of all time was "<a href="http://frugalgrace.blogspot.com/2010/11/homemade-dogfood-for-health-savings.html" target="_blank">Homemade Dogfood for health & savings!</a>" <span style="font-size: small;">And <span style="font-size: small;">f</span></span>rankly, that's about all I have on that topic. <span style="font-size: small;">: /</span> <br /> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">T</span>he 2nd <span style="font-size: small;">most-viewed was a<span style="font-size: small;">n entry abo<span style="font-size: small;">ut seeing my father for the first <span style="font-size: small;">time in 32 years. Talk about a change-up in topics!</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<b>So, I face the questions that I'm sure all bloggers do at some point: </b><br />
* What do you, as readers, want me to blog about? <br />
* Do you want me to blog about anything?? <br />
* Do I just blog "from the heart" - which is what I'm feeling led to do - and open myself up to being virtually vulnerable about some personal stuff now & then? <br />
* Or do I shut the whole thing down (which I really don't want to do simply because I put a LOT of hours into building this site over the years!!!)<br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000;"><b>Comments on this are obviously welcome and appreciated!</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85775/mpayne9205/53a3a230278874cab3b34409e3147fdc.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0px none ! important;" /></a> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.hypersmash.com/">HyperSmash.com</a><br /> </span></span>~Melindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07932486174263212809noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3634273836008986752.post-54156036387416850832012-10-24T11:30:00.000-04:002012-10-24T11:30:35.754-04:00Fun new stuff in the works!<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-decoration: none;"><a href="http://bit.ly/smileybloggercircle" target="_blank"><img alt="Smiley360" height="125" src="http://smiley360.com/images/button-blogger-circle.png" width="125" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I'm excited to announce that FrugalGrace is now part of the </span><a href="http://smiley360.com/?refid=97039%20" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;" target="_blank">Smiley360</a><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> Blogger Circle! What does this mean for you as readers? More FREE STUFF! Keep an eye out for giveaways and more right here at FrugalGrace!</span><br style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;" /><br style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">If you aren't yet a member of Smiley360, you should </span><a href="http://smiley360.com/?refid=97039%20" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;" target="_blank">sign up</a><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> to review new products before they hit the shelves and offer your feedback. I've been a member since their inception and gotten some awesome freebies to review! Just </span><a href="http://smiley360.com/?refid=97039%20" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;" target="_blank">click here</a><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> to sign up for your free account! </span></div>
~Melindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07932486174263212809noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3634273836008986752.post-79002277849327476682012-09-11T06:45:00.004-04:002012-09-11T06:50:29.834-04:00Like a Black Friday deal in September!<h6 class="uiStreamMessage userContentWrapper" ft="{"type":1,"tn":"K"}" align="center"><img src="http://s3.grouponcdn.com/images/site_images/2494/4600/IMAGE_New-England-Technology-HP-dm1-3010_grid_6.jpg" style="display: block; opacity: 1; width: 440px; height: 267px; position: relative; top: -15px; left: 0px;" height="267" width="440" /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:180%;"><span class="messageBody" ft="{"type":3}"><span class="userContent"><span style="color:#006600;">If you're in the market for a new laptop (or maybe a Christmas gift) this is a <i>great</i> deal! </span><br /></span></span></span></h6><h6 class="uiStreamMessage userContentWrapper" ft="{"type":1,"tn":"K"}" align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;"><a href="http://www.groupon.com/l/uu7440216"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">CLICK HERE</span></a><br /></span></h6><h6 class="uiStreamMessage userContentWrapper" ft="{"type":1,"tn":"K"}" align="center"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:180%;"><span class="messageBody" ft="{"type":3}"><span class="userContent">Look on the sidebar for "Online Deal Notebook PC"<br /><br /><span style="color:#ff0000;">Only $279 for HP Pavilion Entertainment Notebook PC with WiFi and 3G/4G Connectivity ($599 List Price).<br /></span></span></span></span></h6><h6 class="uiStreamMessage userContentWrapper" ft="{"type":1,"tn":"K"}" align="center"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:180%;"><span class="messageBody" ft="{"type":3}"><span class="userContent"><span style="color:#ff0000;">Free Shipping!</span></span></span></span></h6><p><br /></p><p><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85775/mpayne9205/53a3a230278874cab3b34409e3147fdc.png" style="border: 0 !important; background: transparent;" border="0" /></a></p>~Melindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07932486174263212809noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3634273836008986752.post-29252515557006466812012-09-06T06:04:00.002-04:002012-09-06T06:05:45.380-04:00The American Way of Eating .... cheaper! <p> </p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in" align="CENTER"><a name="il_fi"></a><img src="http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQ9P3Ds15iIc3_t8aIVEwcKwxbLcXB27A9_7s1c5cyGgOKhT53Vvg&t=1" name="graphics1" border="0" height="139" width="199" /> </p> <p><a name="btAsinTitle"></a><span style="font-size:100%;">I just finished reading a book called <a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-American-Way-Eating-Undercover/dp/1439171955">The American Way of Eating: Undercover at Walmart, Applebee's, Farm Fields and the Dinner Table</a> and I'm thinking more and more about WHAT I put into my body, and my family's. Most people think it costs more to eat healthier, but that is simply not true!I highly recommend this easy read if you want to learn more.</span> </p> <p><span style="font-size:100%;"><a href="http://piedmontlocalfood.com/">Shopping locally</a> is always the best bet in the long run, for MANY reasons <i>(the food is MUCH fresher, you're supporting local farmers, less dependence on fuel to transport food, getting organic for much less than big stores!</i>). </span> </p> <p><span style="font-size:100%;">But did you know that you can also find coupons for healthy products to use at your local grocer or health-food store online? Check out the latest organic and natural coupons and deals here:</span></p> <h3 class="western"><span style="font-size:100%;"><strong><u>Coupons and Freebies:</u></strong></span></h3> <ul><li><p><span style="font-size:100%;"><a href="http://www.twiningsusa.com/pantry/?" target="_blank">FREE Twining Tea Samples</a> (Organic Included) </span> </p> </li></ul> <ul><li><p><span style="font-size:100%;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/enjoylifefoods?v=app_10339498918&ref=ts" target="_blank">$0.55/1 Enjoy Life Product </a></span> </p> </li></ul> <ul><li><p><span style="font-size:100%;"><a href="http://coupons2.smartsource.com/smartsource/index.jsp?Link=QNRAXD3TVRTF4" target="_blank">$1/ Jones Dairy Farm Sausage Product </a></span> </p> </li></ul> <ul><li><p><span style="font-size:100%;"><a href="http://www.traditionalmedicinals.com/mothersmilk/" target="_blank">$1/1 Organic Mother’s Milk Tea </a></span> </p> </li></ul> <ul><li><p><span style="font-size:100%;"><a href="http://goveggiefoods.com/goveggie.html" target="_blank">$2/1 Galaxy Veggie Cream Cheese Alternative </a></span> </p> </li></ul> <ul><li><p><span style="font-size:100%;"><a href="http://www.commonsensewithmoney.com/coupons.com" target="_blank">$0.75/3 Larabar, Uber, or Jocalat Bars </a></span> </p> </li></ul> <ul><li><p><span style="font-size:100%;"><a href="http://midatlanticcountryfarms.com/?page_id=237" target="_blank">$3/$15 Mid Atlantic Country Farms Chicken</a></span> </p> </li></ul> <ul><li><p><span style="font-size:100%;"><a href="http://www.woodsonandjames.com/coupons/" target="_blank">$5/$25 Woodson and James Angus Beef</a></span> </p> </li></ul> <ul><li><p><span style="font-size:100%;"><a href="http://www.preciouscheese.com/" target="_blank">$1/1 Precious Galbani Cheese </a></span> </p> </li></ul> <ul><li><p><span style="font-size:100%;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/8thcontinentsoymilk/app_297823040253544" target="_blank">$2/1 8th Continent Soy Milk</a></span> </p> </li></ul> <ul><li><p><span style="font-size:100%;"><a href="http://www.commonsensewithmoney.com/coupons.com" target="_blank">$1/2 MorningStar Farms Veggie Food Products </a></span> </p> </li></ul> <ul><li><p><span style="font-size:100%;"><a href="http://www.commonsensewithmoney.com/coupons.com" target="_blank">$1/1 Willamette Valley Delicious Granola Chips, 6.2 oz </a></span> </p> </li></ul> <h3 class="western"><span style="font-size:100%;"><strong><u>Store Deals:</u></strong></span></h3> <ul><li><p><span style="font-size:100%;"><strong>Earth Fare</strong>: <a href="http://www.earthfare.com/Welcome-Home.aspx" target="_blank">Free lb. of Cole Slaw with $5 Purchase</a>. Register or log into your “Welcome Home” account to print coupon. Coupon is valid through Sunday, September 9, 2012. </span> </p> </li></ul> <ul><li><p><span style="font-size:100%;">Find the list of <a href="http://www.thethriftymama.com/tag/whole-foods/" target="_blank">Whole Foods deals and coupon match ups</a> over at The Thrifty Mama! </span> </p> </li></ul> <h3 class="western"><span style="font-size:100%;"><strong><u>Amazon Deals:</u></strong></span></h3> <ul><li><p><span style="font-size:100%;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000HVX6NK/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000HVX6NK&linkCode=as2&tag=comsenwitmon-20" target="_blank">Sea’s Gift Natural Korean Roasted and Sea Salted Seaweed Snack (pack of 24)</a> for only $16.14 or $0.67 per bag after Subscribe & Save! Thanks, <a href="http://savingnaturally.com/2012/08/seas-gift-natural-korean-roasted-sea-salted-seaweed-snack-0-67-0-17-oz-bgas/" target="_blank">Saving Naturally</a>! </span> </p> </li></ul> <ul><li><p><span style="font-size:100%;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002FBY3YG/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B002FBY3YG&linkCode=as2&tag=comsenwitmon-20" target="_blank">Ms. May’s Gluten Free Strawberry Trio Bar (pack of 24)</a> for only $21.47 or $0.89 after Subscribe & Save! Thanks, <a href="http://savingnaturally.com/2012/09/mrs-mays-gluten-free-vegan-strawberry-trio-bar-0-89-1-2-oz-bars/" target="_blank">Saving Naturally</a>! </span> </p> </li></ul> <p><br /></p><p><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85775/mpayne9205/53a3a230278874cab3b34409e3147fdc.png" style="border: 0 !important; background: transparent;" border="0" /></a></p>~Melindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07932486174263212809noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3634273836008986752.post-77259492768483145052012-09-02T11:51:00.006-04:002012-09-02T12:08:25.895-04:00Here he is!<div align="center"><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;"><b><span style="color:#000099;"><span style="font-size:180%;">Our grandson, Jack Lawson!<br /><br /></span></span></b></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF0dxeKdHOD9uT13iID5xxsKBR9zI0atcNj1S2Enc_i8kBnmDVyetxd30eCco-Vf9OFVwqBrrYQPh-uJ9ocAnkrMUlHpDF2VCMgu6gB3y8WdyZNyS63Xs-mBTOXyvIOKGp42K-bAly8Kxn/s1600/IMAG1226.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 191px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF0dxeKdHOD9uT13iID5xxsKBR9zI0atcNj1S2Enc_i8kBnmDVyetxd30eCco-Vf9OFVwqBrrYQPh-uJ9ocAnkrMUlHpDF2VCMgu6gB3y8WdyZNyS63Xs-mBTOXyvIOKGp42K-bAly8Kxn/s320/IMAG1226.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5783610500400106802" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:180%;"><b><span style="color:#000099;">With Meme on his "birth" day!</span></b></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><b><i><span style="color:#ff0000;">and</span></i></b></span><br /><br /></div><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;"><b><span style="color:#000099;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWbKF1hN0pZcb8wA1uDT-GAk7a40GN7ttnzIVIQVI44C-tvta2ZNGR4b2p_pBRulbhzrahDMDnhdXkjNyl-Nh2SQRPJ07NhUvfjWat75yIZVs2EyGBHtNh1LViEfjZ8AdMiGdoIbIu9gST/s1600/2012-09-01_17-15-55_82023.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 180px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWbKF1hN0pZcb8wA1uDT-GAk7a40GN7ttnzIVIQVI44C-tvta2ZNGR4b2p_pBRulbhzrahDMDnhdXkjNyl-Nh2SQRPJ07NhUvfjWat75yIZVs2EyGBHtNh1LViEfjZ8AdMiGdoIbIu9gST/s320/2012-09-01_17-15-55_82023.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5783609601613893234" border="0" /></a></span></b></span></div><p align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;color:#000099;"><b>8 weeks old on 9/1/12!</b></span><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85775/mpayne9205/53a3a230278874cab3b34409e3147fdc.png" style="border: 0 !important; background: transparent;" border="0" /></a></p>~Melindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07932486174263212809noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3634273836008986752.post-49025534037242121432012-08-30T08:08:00.008-04:002012-08-30T12:00:53.687-04:00Cutting back on Sugar? You NEED this deal!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFlLhJ_Vc3tEvSswBWPVTwn56gTZpG1YmPM5KI88MVw-ie8hU2Jl9_U3b3sLrWc2g0yhUVO2Ql-4ZLfZ3wFIygPXV4OXI6eNJ4OEq2D1QbvxAy1gzLr1zADzxiAGHbpf__mP7uf71b3NDD/s1600/NuNaturals-NuStevia-White-Stevia-Powder-739223001562.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 109px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFlLhJ_Vc3tEvSswBWPVTwn56gTZpG1YmPM5KI88MVw-ie8hU2Jl9_U3b3sLrWc2g0yhUVO2Ql-4ZLfZ3wFIygPXV4OXI6eNJ4OEq2D1QbvxAy1gzLr1zADzxiAGHbpf__mP7uf71b3NDD/s200/NuNaturals-NuStevia-White-Stevia-Powder-739223001562.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5782438249709279666" border="0" /></a><b><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">For my friends who are watching sugar intake but don't like artificial sweeteners (or if you do like them, but want something better):<br /><br /><span style="color:#ff0000;"><a href="http://tinyurl.com/8p8qczo">Go here</a></span>, sign up for your free account, and search for "NuStevia" ("NuNaturals uses the special, highly concentrated Stevia extract, NuStevia™ from which the bitterness of the extract has been removed. NuStevia™ is a natural plant extract.")<br /></span></b><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><b><br />Even better: You get $10 off your first order! (check email after you sign up). This makes the 12oz canister only $4.12 + shipping $4.99 = $9.11 total. (<a href="http://www.ebates.com/rf.do?referrerid=Yn%2BOi6jMN3sHpykaNOGi5w%3D%3D">go through ebates</a> and get 4% cash back!)<br /><br />Sound like a lot for sweetener? I got mine on 8/11 and have barely made a dent in it after using it every day, several times a day for different things! I only need 1/4 tsp for a big cup of coffee, 1/4cup for a gallon of sweet tea. And this is THE best tasting sweetener I've found - EVER. Absolutely no aftertaste and, dare I say, even better than real sugar in my opinion! I seriously love it so much I had to share. :)<br /></b></span></span></span><p><b><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85775/mpayne9205/53a3a230278874cab3b34409e3147fdc.png" style="border: 0 !important; background: transparent;" border="0" /></a></span></b></p>~Melindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07932486174263212809noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3634273836008986752.post-54661899457390884562012-08-15T17:04:00.005-04:002012-08-15T17:16:49.443-04:00FREE Gymboree Body Suit and free shipping deal!Since we have a baby grandson now (as of 7/7/12 - Happy Birthday, Lawson!), I was thrilled to see this deal today!<br /><br />Just go <a style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);" href="http://gymboree.com/freebodysuit" target="_blank">HERE</a> and fill out the form to access an online or in-store coupon! The coupon is valid for a FREE Gymboree bodysuit with any $10 purchase redeemable in stores or with free shipping at<span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://gymboree.com/freebodysuit" target="_blank">Gymboree.com</a>! Your coupon will be sent to the email address you enter in the form. <p>Here are some tips from reading others comments:</p> <p>If you receive emails from Gymboree already, make sure to use another email address. If you have trouble redeeming the online coupon for free shipping refresh your page and enter again. </p> <p>Thanks <a href="http://hip2save.com/2012/08/15/gymboree-free-bodysuit-7-95-value-free-shipping-with-any-10-purchase-awesome-deals/" target="_blank">H2S</a></p><p><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85775/mpayne9205/53a3a230278874cab3b34409e3147fdc.png" style="border: 0 !important; background: transparent;" border="0" /></a></p>~Melindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07932486174263212809noreply@blogger.com0