tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-55005949189744295392012-02-20T17:44:09.511-07:00Adrian's Crazy LifeBits and pieces of my crazy life - kids, husband, work, stamping, friends, family, and everything that is part of this insanity.Adrian's Crazy Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04463022076036044242noreply@blogger.comBlogger838125http://www.adrianscrazylife.com/2012/02/clutterbugs-painlessly-teaching-kids-to.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5500594918974429539.post-68095771122181487992012-02-20T07:00:00.001-07:002012-02-20T07:00:13.268-07:00Clutterbugs: Painlessly Teaching Kids to Clean Up<Img align="left" border="0" height="1" width="1" style="border:0;float:left;margin:0;padding:0" vspace="0" hspace="0" src="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/i/29287133/0/adrianscrazylife/www"><div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;">Today, we have a treat - a guest blogger, who is only 17 years old! I think you'll enjoy what Alex has to say. </span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;">
<br></span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;">Is it really possible to get kids to put away their own toys? Do children understand how to clean up after arts and crafts, and put everything away CORRECTLY? Will my children ever desire to help mom/dad clean up after the mess they’ve made?</span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;">
<br></span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><img height="490" src="http://www.frigginrandom.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/crying-baby.jpg" style="padding-bottom: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px;" width="490" /></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;">
<br></span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;">If you answered No, to any or all of these questions, it’s time for a cleanup intervention!!</span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<br></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;"><b>Rule #1: KIDS LEARN HOW TO BE ORGANIZED BY DOING.</b></span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;">
<br></span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;">This is not a trap. Kids want to help be a part of the organizing process. They want to tell you where they want their things to go, along with helping to pick out the kind of containers they think would be the most useful to them. (Helpful hint: Keep things in a child’s reach. It’s not easy to clean up when everything is taller than you.) </span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;">
<br></span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;">Example: When I was little, my mom gave us our own cabinet in our kitchen that was a lower cabinet. It was called “The Kid’s Cabinet.” Not only were things easy for my siblings and I to reach, but we decided how we wanted everything placed, so everything was stored correctly the first time!!!</span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;">
<br></span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><img height="383" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z6PVYtyjFjU/TlXVVGLRl3I/AAAAAAAAMDc/S3OOoBw3wu0/s400/Lilleputiens-toy-baskets-at-Jolena.png" style="padding-bottom: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px;" width="364" /></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;">
<br></span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;"><b>Rule #2: KIDS REALLY DO SEEK REWARDS</b></span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;">
<br></span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;">Who doesn’t love a treat after they have done what they’re told? If you’re not into the literal edible treat, then an extra five minutes of TV time, or an added two minutes to stay up is a good option. (Helpful hint: Every child is unique. Their reward should match who they are.)</span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;">
<br></span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;">Example: My sister is the Case-in-Point for a reward seeking personality. If she’s told to do a chore, and gets a reward, such as playing with a friend 10 minutes longer than usual, she is all game. I was an artistic child, so my mom bought “Reward Crayons.” Whenever I helped clean up, or did something really great, she would give me another special crayon (They were sparkly) to add to my art bins.</span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;">
<br></span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><img height="285" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_l5R-K6mIRyU/TN3Hx_iJ36I/AAAAAAAAEdk/k1Umn1ZOfU0/s1600/smarties.jpg" style="padding-bottom: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px;" width="380" /></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;">
<br></span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;"><b>Rule #3: ORGANIZING AND CLEANING ARE NOT PUNISHMENTS</b></span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;">
<br></span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;">As I’ve been babysitting, I have found that the most resistant children are the children who are forced to do extra chores as punishments. A child’s mind places things together. When the equation of chores equals “I’ve done something wrong,” then a child will assume that whenever they have to clean up it’s because they have done something wrong. (Helpful Hint: Do not threaten your child with chores. They are less likely to complete the work, and resist it. Rather offer help with the chore, and make it something you two get to complete together. Spending time with a parent is much more rewarding than being punished with a chore)</span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;">
<br></span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;">Example: I babysat and nannied for this family for years. They punished their children with chores, and therefore I often struggled to have their kids help me with messes. When I realized they correlated being in trouble with chores, I made cleaning and keeping things organized into a game. “Who can get the dishes in the sink the fastest?” Reward: High five. “Who can clean up all the markers and get the crayons put away the happiest?” Reward: Tickle hugs. Once her children realized they weren’t in trouble, and having a good time, they were a lot less resistant to helping me.</span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;">
<br></span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><img height="515" src="http://www.kidactivities.net/image.axd?picture=2009%2F11%2Ffinish+the+olds.jpg" style="padding-bottom: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px;" width="595" /></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;">
<br></span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;">I hope this helps you and your little ones bloggers!! Give Adrian a shout out if you have anything else you know that helps.</span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;">
<br></span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;">All my love,</span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;">
<br></span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;">Alex</span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<br></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;">Bio:</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;">Alex is an exuberant 17-year-old senior who has a love and passion for kids and family. She is currently working on her Nursing Assistant training, and hopes to one day become a Nursing Midwife. She enjoys painting, blowing bubbles, and singing in the shower. She is certified in CPR, and loves babysitting. If you have any questions on how to get your kids involved, or would like to ask her about her babysitting (how much she charges, how far she can travel, etc.), contact her at:</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><a href="mailto:ajgustonrouge@gmail.com" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #1155cc; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;" target="_blank">ajgustonrouge@gmail.com</a><span style="font-size: small;">.</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
<br></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
<br></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/adriansstampclub/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd438/EightDaysDesigns/Adrian%20G/Signature.png" /></a></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://twitter.com/twitadrian"><img height="42" src="http://www.twitterbuttons.com/images/ex/twitter-35a.png" title="By: TwitterButtons.com" width="199" /></a> <span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://www.twitterbuttons.com/">By TwitterButtons.com</a></span> </span></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></div></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><img alt="Delicious" height="10" src="http://l.yimg.com/hr/img/delicious.small.gif" width="10" /><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://www.delicious.com/save"> Bookmark this on Delicious</a></span> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5500594918974429539-6809577112218148799?l=www.adrianscrazylife.com' alt='' /></div>
<div style="clear:both;padding-top:1em;"><a title="Share with AddToAny" href="http://www.addtoany.com/share_save?linkurl=http%3a%2f%2fwww.adrianscrazylife.com%2f2012%2f02%2fclutterbugs-painlessly-teaching-kids-to.html&linkname=Clutterbugs%3a++Painlessly+Teaching+Kids+to+Clean+Up&linknote=via+FeedBlitz"><img height="20" border="0" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/images/icons/addtoany.png" style="border:0;float:left;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-left:3px;margin-right:3px;padding:0" vspace="0" ></a> <a title="Like this page on Facebook" href="http://www.feedblitz.com/f?FBLike=http%3a%2f%2fwww.adrianscrazylife.com%2f2012%2f02%2fclutterbugs-painlessly-teaching-kids-to.html"><img height="20" border="0" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/images/icons/fblike.png" style="border:0;float:left;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-left:3px;margin-right:3px;padding:0" vspace="0" ></a> <a title="Tweet This" href="http://twitter.com/home?status=Clutterbugs%3a++Painlessly+Teaching+Kids+to+Clean+Up+http%3a%2f%2fwww.adrianscrazylife.com%2f2012%2f02%2fclutterbugs-painlessly-teaching-kids-to.html"><img height="20" border="0" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/images/icons/twitter.png" style="border:0;float:left;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-left:3px;margin-right:3px;padding:0" vspace="0" ></a> <a title="Subscribe by email" href="http://feedblitz.com/f?Track=http://feeds.feedblitz.com/adrianscrazylife/www&publisher=21709054"><img height="20" border="0" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/images/icons/emailsubscribe.png" style="border:0;float:left;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-left:3px;margin-right:3px;padding:0" vspace="0" ></a> <a title="Subscribe by RSS" href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/adrianscrazylife/www"><img height="20" border="0" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/images/icons/rss.png" style="border:0;float:left;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-left:3px;margin-right:3px;padding:0" vspace="0" ></a> <a title="View Comments" href="http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=5500594918974429539&postID=6809577112218148799&isPopup=true"><img height="20" border="0" style="border:0;float:left;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-left:3px;margin-right:3px;padding:0" vspace="0" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/images/icons/comments.png"></a> <a title="Follow Comments via RSS" href="http://www.adrianscrazylife.com/feeds/6809577112218148799/comments/default"><img height="20" border="0" style="border:0;float:left;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-left:3px;margin-right:3px;padding:0" vspace="0" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/images/icons/commentrss.png"></a><div style="clear:left;padding-top:10px"><h3>Related Stories</h3><ul><li><a href="http://www.adrianscrazylife.com/2010/08/clutterbugs-living-with-messie.html">Clutterbugs: Living with a Messie</a></li><li><a href="http://www.adrianscrazylife.com/2010/05/are-you-running-homeless-shelter.html">Are You Running a Homeless Shelter?</a></li><li><a href="http://www.adrianscrazylife.com/2012/02/clutterbugs-how-to-organize-your-pantry.html">Clutterbugs: How to Organize your Pantry</a></li></ul></div> </div>Adrian's Crazy Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04463022076036044242noreply@blogger.com1http://www.adrianscrazylife.com/2012/02/smart-money-my-secret-weapon-for.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5500594918974429539.post-34992846806246663842012-02-16T07:00:00.000-07:002012-02-16T07:00:14.503-07:00Smart Money: My Secret Weapon for Finance<Img align="left" border="0" height="1" width="1" style="border:0;float:left;margin:0;padding:0" vspace="0" hspace="0" src="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/i/29241026/0/adrianscrazylife/www"><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I don't pretend to be perfect with my money. I still spend too much on clothes and other impulse purchases, save too little, and don't pay as much on my credit cards as I should. The fact that I have credit card debt at all clearly demonstrates that I don't have my act together as much as I <i>wish </i>I did. <b>However, I make progress on it steadily and I like to think that I've done what I can to prepare us for college, retirement, and various emergencies.</b> That's more than many people are able to accomplish, so I try to share what financial advice I can on my blog. </span>
<br><span style="font-size: small;">
<br></span>
<br><span style="font-size: small;">After I wrote about all the finance-related topics that were rolling around in my head, I started poking around the Internet for inspiration. And I definitely found it. <b>There are a <i>ton </i>of websites and blogs out there offering some great financial advice on every topic from couponing to retirement accounts. </b></span>
<br><span style="font-size: small;">
<br></span>
<br><span style="font-size: small;"><b>The best one I've found is called <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://getrichslowly.org/" target="_blank">GetRichSlowly.org</a>.</b> I've been reading them for a year or so (I signed up for their daily Email updates). </span>One thing I'm smart enough to figure out is when I need to turn to someone smarter than me. <b>In reading their posts, time after time, I've found myself flagging at least a couple of them a week</b> because they had great ideas I wanted to re-work and share with you on my own blog. They have a number of staff writers who cover posts from a lot of different perspectives and they have some great think-out-of-the-box ideas that I really enjoy. One of the most recent ones I enjoyed was from Barry the Irish Polyglot who told us how to<a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2011/08/22/how-to-learn-a-foreign-language-without-spending-a-cent/" target="_blank"> learn a foreign language without spending a cent</a>. It led me to a great free flashcard program called <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://ankisrs.net/" target="_blank">Anki </a>that has helped my son a <i>lot </i>with his Spanish homework.
<br><span style="font-size: small;">
<br></span>
<br><span style="font-size: small;">However, you might want to check it out yourself and if you're smart, you'll sign up for their daily Email list. You might end up just a little richer for it. Here's a link to their "Best of 2011" post. It has a lot of great tips and resources in it. </span><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2011/12/30/the-best-of-get-rich-slowly-2011-edition/" target="_blank">Best of GRS 2011</a>
<br><span style="font-size: small;">
<br></span>
<br><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Come back on Thursdays for my Smart Money posts. If you'd like to see a complete list, just click on the Smart Money label at the end of this post. </i></span>
<br><span style="font-size: small;">
<br></span>
<br><span style="font-size: small;">
<br></span>
<br><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/adriansstampclub/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd438/EightDaysDesigns/Adrian%20G/Signature.png" /></a></span>
<br><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://twitter.com/twitadrian"><img height="42" src="http://www.twitterbuttons.com/images/ex/twitter-35a.png" title="By: TwitterButtons.com" width="199" /></a> <span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://www.twitterbuttons.com/">By TwitterButtons.com</a></span> </span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><img alt="Delicious" height="10" src="http://l.yimg.com/hr/img/delicious.small.gif" width="10" /><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://www.delicious.com/save"> Bookmark this on Delicious</a></span> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5500594918974429539-3499284680624666384?l=www.adrianscrazylife.com' alt='' /></div>
<div style="clear:both;padding-top:1em;"><a title="Share with AddToAny" href="http://www.addtoany.com/share_save?linkurl=http%3a%2f%2fwww.adrianscrazylife.com%2f2012%2f02%2fsmart-money-my-secret-weapon-for.html&linkname=Smart+Money%3a++My+Secret+Weapon+for+Finance&linknote=via+FeedBlitz"><img height="20" border="0" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/images/icons/addtoany.png" style="border:0;float:left;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-left:3px;margin-right:3px;padding:0" vspace="0" ></a> <a title="Like this page on Facebook" href="http://www.feedblitz.com/f?FBLike=http%3a%2f%2fwww.adrianscrazylife.com%2f2012%2f02%2fsmart-money-my-secret-weapon-for.html"><img height="20" border="0" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/images/icons/fblike.png" style="border:0;float:left;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-left:3px;margin-right:3px;padding:0" vspace="0" ></a> <a title="Tweet This" href="http://twitter.com/home?status=Smart+Money%3a++My+Secret+Weapon+for+Finance+http%3a%2f%2fwww.adrianscrazylife.com%2f2012%2f02%2fsmart-money-my-secret-weapon-for.html"><img height="20" border="0" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/images/icons/twitter.png" style="border:0;float:left;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-left:3px;margin-right:3px;padding:0" vspace="0" ></a> <a title="Subscribe by email" href="http://feedblitz.com/f?Track=http://feeds.feedblitz.com/adrianscrazylife/www&publisher=21709054"><img height="20" border="0" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/images/icons/emailsubscribe.png" style="border:0;float:left;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-left:3px;margin-right:3px;padding:0" vspace="0" ></a> <a title="Subscribe by RSS" href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/adrianscrazylife/www"><img height="20" border="0" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/images/icons/rss.png" style="border:0;float:left;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-left:3px;margin-right:3px;padding:0" vspace="0" ></a> <a title="View Comments" href="http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=5500594918974429539&postID=3499284680624666384&isPopup=true"><img height="20" border="0" style="border:0;float:left;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-left:3px;margin-right:3px;padding:0" vspace="0" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/images/icons/comments.png"></a> <a title="Follow Comments via RSS" href="http://www.adrianscrazylife.com/feeds/3499284680624666384/comments/default"><img height="20" border="0" style="border:0;float:left;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-left:3px;margin-right:3px;padding:0" vspace="0" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/images/icons/commentrss.png"></a><div style="clear:left;padding-top:10px"><h3>Related Stories</h3><ul><li><a href="http://www.adrianscrazylife.com/2012/01/is-costco-really-worth-it.html">Is Costco Really Worth It?</a></li><li><a href="http://www.adrianscrazylife.com/2011/12/smartmoney-financial-behavior.html">Smartmoney: Financial Behavior Modification</a></li><li><a href="http://www.adrianscrazylife.com/2011/10/smart-money-re-commerce.html">Smart Money: Re-Commerce</a></li></ul></div> </div>Adrian's Crazy Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04463022076036044242noreply@blogger.com1http://www.adrianscrazylife.com/2012/02/summer-camp-with-sits-girls.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5500594918974429539.post-74911365295839684872012-02-14T23:46:00.000-07:002012-02-14T23:46:23.009-07:00Summer Camp with The SITS Girls<Img align="left" border="0" height="1" width="1" style="border:0;float:left;margin:0;padding:0" vspace="0" hspace="0" src="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/i/29226174/0/adrianscrazylife/www"><div><div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">My dear sweet friends over at the <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://thesitsgirls.com/" target="_blank">SITS Girls</a> are having an extra spectacular giveaway. You see, Tiffany, the head SITS girl is the Director of a kids camp, so they are offering a chance for not one, but two kids to go to a gorgeous camp in Catalina California for a whole week. </span></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
<br></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I've been to three of their live events (so far!) and I've had <i>such </i>a wonderful time with them, I figure it's about time I gave my son a shot at it. He'll even get to bring a friend with him. Maybe even one of my four grandkids - hmmmm. </span></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
<br></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The camp is being held at <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://catalinaislandcamps.com/" target="_blank">Catalina Island Camps</a>. I took a quick tour of the website, and it looks spectacular. They are for boys and girls from 2nd to 11th grade and go from one to four weeks per session in one of the prettiest areas of all California. The camp is held on a gorgeous private beachfront in Catalina and it offers a climbing wall, a ropes course, archery and riflery, wakeboarding, sailing, tubing, kayaking, and paddleboarding. And Mama's little darling would be all over these activities, especially the archery and riflery - he already has earned Scout badges in these areas. </span></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
<br></span></div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IiTtXvOPxis/TztJEQxw5oI/AAAAAAAAHa8/0Vzo_lRknK8/s1600/JustBlake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IiTtXvOPxis/TztJEQxw5oI/AAAAAAAAHa8/0Vzo_lRknK8/s320/JustBlake.jpg" width="209" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
<br></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Blake is the youngest of my 3 boys. He has two much older brothers - ages 22 and 30. I'll tell you, he is pretty darn amazing. When he was in in elementary school, he endured some pretty severe bullying for almost two years. These kids hit him, chased him, tormented him, chanted songs about him in the lunch room, just about everything you can think of. He was completely ostracized by nearly his whole class. I finally had to get the School Superintendent involved to get it to stop. </span></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
<br></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After a situation like that, most kids would end up very uncertain, withdrawn, and even sullen and defensive. Not this kid. You can take this boy anywhere, in any group of people, and he will just jump right in with both feet. He has boundless enthusiasm, doesn't know the meaning of shy and he will talk your leg off at any time day or night on some surprisingly intelligent subjects. </div><div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
<br></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The first time I took him to camp, he was just 7 years old, in 2nd grade. He was going for a whole week and most parents would have been worried about homesickness, but I had a feeling that wouldn't be a problem for Blake. He's about as shy and withdrawn as your average Labrador Retriever puppy! I did make sure that a neighbor of ours was working as a counselor, so he would have someone to go to if he had any problems, but that was about it. I drove him up to the camp, prepared for nerves or tears, but the minute we got there, he was off and playing with a group of kids he'd never seen in his life. I barely managed to grab him long enough to get a kiss goodbye!</span>
<br><div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
<br></span></div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1HUppj8T8o4/TztO7A-bZtI/AAAAAAAAHbE/nCx62-FbDy4/s1600/CourtofHonor+Fall'11+(10).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1HUppj8T8o4/TztO7A-bZtI/AAAAAAAAHbE/nCx62-FbDy4/s320/CourtofHonor+Fall'11+(10).JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
<br></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Today at age 13, he's a <i>very </i>active Scout and an experienced camper. Our Troop camps for a full weekend every month and a week in the summer and he's already earned his year 'round camping badge - twice. Additionally, he is a part of the Order of the Arrow, the invitation-only Scout Honor Society and he does leadership events with them several times a year. </span></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
<br></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">He's already making grandiose plans for his Eagle Project - he'd like to either build an enclosure for an animal in the zoo, or a firepit for the homeless people in the park. He also will be attending his second week-long church Mission Trip where the kids spend a week doing home repairs and other service in a depressed area. This year, they are headed to Joplin, MO for tornado recovery work. </span></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
<br></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I think having a chance to go for a camp experience like this with <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~https://www.facebook.com/catalinaislandcamps?sk=photos" target="_blank">Catalina Island Camps</a>, would be such a treat for him. It would be an experience that he would always remember and enjoy. I'd love for him to have a fabulous opportunity like this. </span></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
<br></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Disclaimer: </span><strong style="background-color: #f7f7f7; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, Verdana; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">I am entering to win a session of <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://www.catalinaislandcamps.com/" style="color: #e12c61; text-decoration: none;">summer camp</a> for a child at Catalina Island Camps from <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://thesitsgirls.com/" style="color: #e12c61; text-decoration: none;">The SITS Girls</a>!</strong></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
<br></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/adriansstampclub/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd438/EightDaysDesigns/Adrian%20G/Signature.png" /></a></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://twitter.com/twitadrian"><img height="42" src="http://www.twitterbuttons.com/images/ex/twitter-35a.png" title="By: TwitterButtons.com" width="199" /></a> <span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://www.twitterbuttons.com/">By TwitterButtons.com</a></span> </span></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></div></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><img alt="Delicious" height="10" src="http://l.yimg.com/hr/img/delicious.small.gif" width="10" /><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://www.delicious.com/save"> Bookmark this on Delicious</a></span> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5500594918974429539-7491136529583968487?l=www.adrianscrazylife.com' alt='' /></div>
<div style="clear:both;padding-top:1em;"><a title="Share with AddToAny" href="http://www.addtoany.com/share_save?linkurl=http%3a%2f%2fwww.adrianscrazylife.com%2f2012%2f02%2fsummer-camp-with-sits-girls.html&linkname=Summer+Camp+with+The+SITS+Girls&linknote=via+FeedBlitz"><img height="20" border="0" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/images/icons/addtoany.png" style="border:0;float:left;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-left:3px;margin-right:3px;padding:0" vspace="0" ></a> <a title="Like this page on Facebook" href="http://www.feedblitz.com/f?FBLike=http%3a%2f%2fwww.adrianscrazylife.com%2f2012%2f02%2fsummer-camp-with-sits-girls.html"><img height="20" border="0" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/images/icons/fblike.png" style="border:0;float:left;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-left:3px;margin-right:3px;padding:0" vspace="0" ></a> <a title="Tweet This" href="http://twitter.com/home?status=Summer+Camp+with+The+SITS+Girls+http%3a%2f%2fwww.adrianscrazylife.com%2f2012%2f02%2fsummer-camp-with-sits-girls.html"><img height="20" border="0" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/images/icons/twitter.png" style="border:0;float:left;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-left:3px;margin-right:3px;padding:0" vspace="0" ></a> <a title="Subscribe by email" href="http://feedblitz.com/f?Track=http://feeds.feedblitz.com/adrianscrazylife/www&publisher=21709054"><img height="20" border="0" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/images/icons/emailsubscribe.png" style="border:0;float:left;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-left:3px;margin-right:3px;padding:0" vspace="0" ></a> <a title="Subscribe by RSS" href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/adrianscrazylife/www"><img height="20" border="0" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/images/icons/rss.png" style="border:0;float:left;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-left:3px;margin-right:3px;padding:0" vspace="0" ></a> <a title="View Comments" href="http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=5500594918974429539&postID=7491136529583968487&isPopup=true"><img height="20" border="0" style="border:0;float:left;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-left:3px;margin-right:3px;padding:0" vspace="0" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/images/icons/comments.png"></a> <a title="Follow Comments via RSS" href="http://www.adrianscrazylife.com/feeds/7491136529583968487/comments/default"><img height="20" border="0" style="border:0;float:left;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-left:3px;margin-right:3px;padding:0" vspace="0" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/images/icons/commentrss.png"></a> </div>Adrian's Crazy Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04463022076036044242noreply@blogger.com0http://www.adrianscrazylife.com/2010/05/are-you-running-homeless-shelter.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5500594918974429539.post-80765785294181094112012-02-13T07:00:00.000-07:002012-02-13T07:00:15.182-07:00Are You Running a Homeless Shelter?<Img align="left" border="0" height="1" width="1" style="border:0;float:left;margin:0;padding:0" vspace="0" hspace="0" src="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/i/29206200/0/adrianscrazylife/www">Take a minute to mentally look around your house and see how many "homeless" items you have taking up space around your house. These can be items that have an established home, but are "vacationing" in another area. Or truly homeless items that don't have a home to begin with. <b>How many of these freeloaders are you willing to put up with?</b>
<br>
<br>Keep in mind that <b>these items are taking up space that is needed for legitimate items,</b> and also clean, open space that is needed for your sanity. And after all, how much is THAT worth?
<br>
<br><b>These items really just represent the postponed decisions in your life.</b> You don't necessarily <span style="font-style: italic;">want</span> them, but you haven't made the time to really sit down and take the time to evaluate them and take the steps necessary to either find them a permanent home, or send them on their way.
<br>
<br>It doesn't have to be a big chunk of time. Even five minutes is enough time to go through a shelf, or a drawer, or a pile of papers sitting in a corner. You can spare five minutes can't you? Shoot, that's one round of commercials during a TV program. <b>And after a few five minute sessions here and there, things will start looking a whole lot better! </b>
<br>
<br>I read a great quote this week <b>"When you clear the clutter out of your life, the stuff you really want has room to show up". </b>
<br>
<br>Think about it. When you clear all the excess clutter in your schedule, you have time to do the fun stuff with your friends and family. When you clear the excess "clutter" from your body, you have room for new, pretty clothes and a more fun and active lifestyle, not to mention a few extra years of time on this earth.
<br>
<br>When you clear the excess clutter out of your home, <b>you are not only freeing up physical space, you are freeing up your time from cleaning as much.</b> You are also freeing up more space that makes it easier to store and use the items you want to have and enjoy using.
<br>
<br>Most importantly <b>you also free up your spirit from the stress and guilt of all that clutter</b>. And honestly, what is it about all that junk that is worth all that hassle?
<br>
<br>I have done countless decluttering missions in my house over the years. Everything from clothes, to toys, books, movies, and papers. I've sent boxes and boxes of stuff to charity and you know what? <b>If my life depended on it, I couldn't tell you 5 things that I've gotten rid of.</b> Honest!
<br>
<br><i>Don't forget to stop back on Mondays for my Clutterbugs series. If you'd like to see some of my previous Clutterbugs posts, just click on the Clutterbugs tag at the bottom of the post for a complete list.</i>
<br><img src="http://i330.photobucket.com/albums/l426/indeliblylex/Adrian/sig2.png" />
<br>
<br><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://twitter.com/twitadrian"><img height="42" src="http://www.twitterbuttons.com/images/ex/twitter-35a.png" title="By: TwitterButtons.com" width="199" /></a>
<br><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://www.twitterbuttons.com/">By TwitterButtons.com</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5500594918974429539-8076578529418109411?l=www.adrianscrazylife.com' alt='' /></div>
<div style="clear:both;padding-top:1em;"><a title="Share with AddToAny" href="http://www.addtoany.com/share_save?linkurl=http%3a%2f%2fwww.adrianscrazylife.com%2f2010%2f05%2fare-you-running-homeless-shelter.html&linkname=Are+You+Running+a+Homeless+Shelter%3f&linknote=via+FeedBlitz"><img height="20" border="0" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/images/icons/addtoany.png" style="border:0;float:left;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-left:3px;margin-right:3px;padding:0" vspace="0" ></a> <a title="Like this page on Facebook" href="http://www.feedblitz.com/f?FBLike=http%3a%2f%2fwww.adrianscrazylife.com%2f2010%2f05%2fare-you-running-homeless-shelter.html"><img height="20" border="0" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/images/icons/fblike.png" style="border:0;float:left;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-left:3px;margin-right:3px;padding:0" vspace="0" ></a> <a title="Tweet This" href="http://twitter.com/home?status=Are+You+Running+a+Homeless+Shelter%3f+http%3a%2f%2fwww.adrianscrazylife.com%2f2010%2f05%2fare-you-running-homeless-shelter.html"><img height="20" border="0" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/images/icons/twitter.png" style="border:0;float:left;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-left:3px;margin-right:3px;padding:0" vspace="0" ></a> <a title="Subscribe by email" href="http://feedblitz.com/f?Track=http://feeds.feedblitz.com/adrianscrazylife/www&publisher=21709054"><img height="20" border="0" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/images/icons/emailsubscribe.png" style="border:0;float:left;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-left:3px;margin-right:3px;padding:0" vspace="0" ></a> <a title="Subscribe by RSS" href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/adrianscrazylife/www"><img height="20" border="0" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/images/icons/rss.png" style="border:0;float:left;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-left:3px;margin-right:3px;padding:0" vspace="0" ></a> <a title="View Comments" href="http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=5500594918974429539&postID=8076578529418109411&isPopup=true"><img height="20" border="0" style="border:0;float:left;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-left:3px;margin-right:3px;padding:0" vspace="0" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/images/icons/comments.png"></a> <a title="Follow Comments via RSS" href="http://www.adrianscrazylife.com/feeds/8076578529418109411/comments/default"><img height="20" border="0" style="border:0;float:left;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-left:3px;margin-right:3px;padding:0" vspace="0" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/images/icons/commentrss.png"></a><div style="clear:left;padding-top:10px"><h3>Related Stories</h3><ul><li><a href="http://www.adrianscrazylife.com/2010/08/clutterbugs-living-with-messie.html">Clutterbugs: Living with a Messie</a></li><li><a href="http://www.adrianscrazylife.com/2012/02/clutterbugs-painlessly-teaching-kids-to.html">Clutterbugs: Painlessly Teaching Kids to Clean Up</a></li><li><a href="http://www.adrianscrazylife.com/2012/02/clutterbugs-how-to-organize-your-pantry.html">Clutterbugs: How to Organize your Pantry</a></li></ul></div> </div>Adrian's Crazy Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04463022076036044242noreply@blogger.com2http://www.adrianscrazylife.com/2012/02/clutterbugs-how-to-organize-your-pantry.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5500594918974429539.post-14635200357624415982012-02-01T07:00:00.000-07:002012-02-01T07:00:11.192-07:00Clutterbugs: How to Organize your Pantry<Img align="left" border="0" height="1" width="1" style="border:0;float:left;margin:0;padding:0" vspace="0" hspace="0" src="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/i/29052380/0/adrianscrazylife/www"><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">This weekend, I decided my pantry was in need of a little tune-up, so I decided to turn it into a photo tutorial for you. </span>
<br><span style="font-size: small;">
<br></span>
<br><span style="font-size: small;">Here is our starting spot. It's been about six months since I re-did it. Yeah, I know I have a lot of junk food - don't judge! Even though I label the shelves and try to keep order, everyone always just shoves stuff in wherever there is room. Typical guys!</span>
<br><span style="font-size: small;">
<br></span>
<br><span style="font-size: small;">This is the upper section where I keep most of the basic staples and items for side dishes. </span>
<br><span style="font-size: small;">
<br></span>
<br><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5yg0NtGbI1E/TyjFSlj907I/AAAAAAAAHZ0/mM4Imn4umaM/s1600/2015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5yg0NtGbI1E/TyjFSlj907I/AAAAAAAAHZ0/mM4Imn4umaM/s320/2015.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
<br>
<br>
<br>On the bottom, there are drawers where we keep our soups and all our little snacks and goodies. They're even more of a mess because the kids get in there and shove stuff all around when they're looking for something or when they're putting the groceries away so they can move onto something more fun like video games.
<br>
<br>
<br><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k1M6_HDSe7M/TyjFZUMUfzI/AAAAAAAAHZ8/y-8H2oQDgWY/s1600/2016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k1M6_HDSe7M/TyjFZUMUfzI/AAAAAAAAHZ8/y-8H2oQDgWY/s320/2016.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WTeu-7IPA5w/TyjFgCw1wEI/AAAAAAAAHaE/z5WHUT3CXa8/s1600/2017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WTeu-7IPA5w/TyjFgCw1wEI/AAAAAAAAHaE/z5WHUT3CXa8/s320/2017.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br>
<br>Here is my starting point - rather than clear out large areas, I start with just one section of one shelf. I just take everything out and put it on a shelf or a chair, just to get some breathing room. Then I start sorting stuff out and grouping it by type. It's important to put like with like so you can clearly see what you have and where to find things. Also, once you get things stacked up and put away neatly, you'll find a lot of additional space.
<br>
<br><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PaNSI7RE850/TyjFmHuRfGI/AAAAAAAAHaM/Xzcpyb-iBYQ/s1600/2018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PaNSI7RE850/TyjFmHuRfGI/AAAAAAAAHaM/Xzcpyb-iBYQ/s320/2018.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
<br>This is about the halfway point, which really only took me about 10-15 minutes to get this far. See I have all my staples and boxed items stacked up, all my spaghetti and beans are neatly stacked in my little bin and see how much clear space I have and how easily I can see things.
<br>
<br><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vJyxGToLdYQ/TyjFsE4jeYI/AAAAAAAAHaU/X-k2kB81iv4/s1600/2019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vJyxGToLdYQ/TyjFsE4jeYI/AAAAAAAAHaU/X-k2kB81iv4/s320/2019.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br>I also threw out a lot of out-of-date items and combined a few things that were in multiple containers. All my baking supplies are up on the top shelf, all my spices and soup mixes are all organized and it's just nice to have so much room and visibility.
<br>
<br><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4AUjez5lzXk/TyjFyI2gyzI/AAAAAAAAHac/gkjomLvmeJE/s1600/2020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4AUjez5lzXk/TyjFyI2gyzI/AAAAAAAAHac/gkjomLvmeJE/s320/2020.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
<br>My snack drawers are all sorted out and organized, so the kids will be able to find items to pop in their lunches, and we can see what snacks need to be replenished when we go shopping.
<br>
<br><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bGK2bpIXmzM/TyjF49uHPfI/AAAAAAAAHak/1kJP7yAcYoE/s1600/2021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bGK2bpIXmzM/TyjF49uHPfI/AAAAAAAAHak/1kJP7yAcYoE/s320/2021.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span style="font-size: small;">Total time spent - about 30 minutes, and it was <i>so </i>worth it. I love that feeling of <i>aaahhh </i>when I open up the pantry and see all that empty space and have everything all organized. </span>
<br><span style="font-size: small;">
<br></span>
<br><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Come back again soon for a fresh dose of Clutterbugs. If you'd like to see more posts on the subject, you can click on the Label below for a complete list of posts. </i></span>
<br><span style="font-size: small;">
<br></span>
<br><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/adriansstampclub/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd438/EightDaysDesigns/Adrian%20G/Signature.png" /></a></span>
<br><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://twitter.com/twitadrian"><img height="42" src="http://www.twitterbuttons.com/images/ex/twitter-35a.png" title="By: TwitterButtons.com" width="199" /></a> <span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://www.twitterbuttons.com/">By TwitterButtons.com</a></span> </span>
<br></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><img alt="Delicious" height="10" src="http://l.yimg.com/hr/img/delicious.small.gif" width="10" /><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://www.delicious.com/save"> Bookmark this on Delicious</a></span> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5500594918974429539-1463520035762441598?l=www.adrianscrazylife.com' alt='' /></div>
<div style="clear:both;padding-top:1em;"><a title="Share with AddToAny" href="http://www.addtoany.com/share_save?linkurl=http%3a%2f%2fwww.adrianscrazylife.com%2f2012%2f02%2fclutterbugs-how-to-organize-your-pantry.html&linkname=Clutterbugs%3a+How+to+Organize+your+Pantry&linknote=via+FeedBlitz"><img height="20" border="0" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/images/icons/addtoany.png" style="border:0;float:left;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-left:3px;margin-right:3px;padding:0" vspace="0" ></a> <a title="Like this page on Facebook" href="http://www.feedblitz.com/f?FBLike=http%3a%2f%2fwww.adrianscrazylife.com%2f2012%2f02%2fclutterbugs-how-to-organize-your-pantry.html"><img height="20" border="0" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/images/icons/fblike.png" style="border:0;float:left;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-left:3px;margin-right:3px;padding:0" vspace="0" ></a> <a title="Tweet This" href="http://twitter.com/home?status=Clutterbugs%3a+How+to+Organize+your+Pantry+http%3a%2f%2fwww.adrianscrazylife.com%2f2012%2f02%2fclutterbugs-how-to-organize-your-pantry.html"><img height="20" border="0" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/images/icons/twitter.png" style="border:0;float:left;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-left:3px;margin-right:3px;padding:0" vspace="0" ></a> <a title="Subscribe by email" href="http://feedblitz.com/f?Track=http://feeds.feedblitz.com/adrianscrazylife/www&publisher=21709054"><img height="20" border="0" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/images/icons/emailsubscribe.png" style="border:0;float:left;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-left:3px;margin-right:3px;padding:0" vspace="0" ></a> <a title="Subscribe by RSS" href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/adrianscrazylife/www"><img height="20" border="0" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/images/icons/rss.png" style="border:0;float:left;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-left:3px;margin-right:3px;padding:0" vspace="0" ></a> <a title="View Comments" href="http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=5500594918974429539&postID=1463520035762441598&isPopup=true"><img height="20" border="0" style="border:0;float:left;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-left:3px;margin-right:3px;padding:0" vspace="0" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/images/icons/comments.png"></a> <a title="Follow Comments via RSS" href="http://www.adrianscrazylife.com/feeds/1463520035762441598/comments/default"><img height="20" border="0" style="border:0;float:left;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-left:3px;margin-right:3px;padding:0" vspace="0" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/images/icons/commentrss.png"></a><div style="clear:left;padding-top:10px"><h3>Related Stories</h3><ul><li><a href="http://www.adrianscrazylife.com/2010/08/clutterbugs-living-with-messie.html">Clutterbugs: Living with a Messie</a></li><li><a href="http://www.adrianscrazylife.com/2012/02/clutterbugs-painlessly-teaching-kids-to.html">Clutterbugs: Painlessly Teaching Kids to Clean Up</a></li><li><a href="http://www.adrianscrazylife.com/2010/05/are-you-running-homeless-shelter.html">Are You Running a Homeless Shelter?</a></li></ul></div> </div>Adrian's Crazy Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04463022076036044242noreply@blogger.com0http://www.adrianscrazylife.com/2012/01/guest-posting-today-appreciating-your.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5500594918974429539.post-64607251352444472002012-01-25T10:54:00.002-07:002012-01-25T10:54:46.696-07:00Guest Posting Today - Appreciating your Teen<Img align="left" border="0" height="1" width="1" style="border:0;float:left;margin:0;padding:0" vspace="0" hspace="0" src="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/i/28967834/0/adrianscrazylife/www"><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Wow, I didn't even realize I was going to be guest posting today. I'm spouting forth over at <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://inbetweenmoms.com/" target="_blank">In Be-Tween Moms</a> about the importance and benefit for <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://inbetweenmoms.com/2012/01/appreciating-your-teenager/" target="_blank">showing appreciation for your teen</a> (works on husbands too, or really just anybody!). C'mon over and have a look. This is a great forum for teen parenting run by my friend Melissa Smallwood. </span>
<br><span style="font-size: small;">
<br></span>
<br><span style="font-size: small;">
<br></span>
<br><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/adriansstampclub/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd438/EightDaysDesigns/Adrian%20G/Signature.png" /></a></span>
<br><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://twitter.com/twitadrian"><img height="42" src="http://www.twitterbuttons.com/images/ex/twitter-35a.png" title="By: TwitterButtons.com" width="199" /></a> <span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://www.twitterbuttons.com/">By TwitterButtons.com</a></span> </span>
<br></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><img alt="Delicious" height="10" src="http://l.yimg.com/hr/img/delicious.small.gif" width="10" /><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://www.delicious.com/save"> Bookmark this on Delicious</a></span> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5500594918974429539-6460725135244447200?l=www.adrianscrazylife.com' alt='' /></div>
<div style="clear:both;padding-top:1em;"><a title="Share with AddToAny" href="http://www.addtoany.com/share_save?linkurl=http%3a%2f%2fwww.adrianscrazylife.com%2f2012%2f01%2fguest-posting-today-appreciating-your.html&linkname=Guest+Posting+Today+-+Appreciating+your+Teen&linknote=via+FeedBlitz"><img height="20" border="0" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/images/icons/addtoany.png" style="border:0;float:left;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-left:3px;margin-right:3px;padding:0" vspace="0" ></a> <a title="Like this page on Facebook" href="http://www.feedblitz.com/f?FBLike=http%3a%2f%2fwww.adrianscrazylife.com%2f2012%2f01%2fguest-posting-today-appreciating-your.html"><img height="20" border="0" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/images/icons/fblike.png" style="border:0;float:left;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-left:3px;margin-right:3px;padding:0" vspace="0" ></a> <a title="Tweet This" href="http://twitter.com/home?status=Guest+Posting+Today+-+Appreciating+your+Teen+http%3a%2f%2fwww.adrianscrazylife.com%2f2012%2f01%2fguest-posting-today-appreciating-your.html"><img height="20" border="0" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/images/icons/twitter.png" style="border:0;float:left;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-left:3px;margin-right:3px;padding:0" vspace="0" ></a> <a title="Subscribe by email" href="http://feedblitz.com/f?Track=http://feeds.feedblitz.com/adrianscrazylife/www&publisher=21709054"><img height="20" border="0" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/images/icons/emailsubscribe.png" style="border:0;float:left;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-left:3px;margin-right:3px;padding:0" vspace="0" ></a> <a title="Subscribe by RSS" href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/adrianscrazylife/www"><img height="20" border="0" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/images/icons/rss.png" style="border:0;float:left;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-left:3px;margin-right:3px;padding:0" vspace="0" ></a> <a title="View Comments" href="http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=5500594918974429539&postID=6460725135244447200&isPopup=true"><img height="20" border="0" style="border:0;float:left;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-left:3px;margin-right:3px;padding:0" vspace="0" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/images/icons/comments.png"></a> <a title="Follow Comments via RSS" href="http://www.adrianscrazylife.com/feeds/6460725135244447200/comments/default"><img height="20" border="0" style="border:0;float:left;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-left:3px;margin-right:3px;padding:0" vspace="0" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/images/icons/commentrss.png"></a> </div>Adrian's Crazy Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04463022076036044242noreply@blogger.com1http://www.adrianscrazylife.com/2012/01/shoulder-surgery-is-pits.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5500594918974429539.post-31997306373130820572012-01-25T07:00:00.000-07:002012-01-25T07:00:07.831-07:00Shoulder Surgery is the PITS!<Img align="left" border="0" height="1" width="1" style="border:0;float:left;margin:0;padding:0" vspace="0" hspace="0" src="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/i/28959079/0/adrianscrazylife/www"><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">One of my friends who read my blog reminded me that I've overlooked something fairly major in my life lately. My husband had surgery a couple of months ago - rotator cuff surgery. I'll tell you, this is about the worst surgery I've ever heard of. </span>
<br><span style="font-size: small;">
<br></span>
<br><span style="font-size: small;">Most surgeries you have, you're pretty sore for a week or two, but then you're able to get up and around pretty well after that. I mean, I had two C-sections with 9 and 10 pound babies, and I still was able to take care of myself, a newborn baby, my husband and our pets in about a week. But shoulder surgery like this is a whole different deal. He had his surgery in mid-October and I think it was nearly Christmas before he was able to even use his arm for even the slightest thing. You have to be sling-bound pretty much 24 hrs a day for about the first 8 weeks. </span>
<br><span style="font-size: small;">
<br></span>
<br><span style="font-size: small;">I sort of thought the doctor was kidding when he told us that before the surgery. Just imagine taking your dominant hand and arm and strapping them to your side. Now you don't get to use them at all for the next two months. For anything. No, not ANYTHING, not even a little sneak to pick up a french fry or balance your cereal bowl. Someone (guess who?) gets to help you shower, dress, put your shoes on, open your pills, fix your meals, drive you around, just about everything! </span>
<br><span style="font-size: small;">
<br></span>
<br><span style="font-size: small;">Even better, you can't lay down. For months. Literally. The poor guy has spent the last 3 months sleeping in the recliner. This weekend was the first time he was able to sleep laying down for more than 2 hours. I tried to sleep in the recliner once when I had bad heartburn. It was pretty comfortable for about the first 3 hours, but after that, I wanted to lay DOWN. I can't imagine how he did that one. Fortunately, I realized BEFORE the surgery that our recliner had a right-handed lever - oops! We managed to find a La-z-y Boy Sofa on Craigslist with a recliner on each end for a whopping $30 bucks! It's butt ugly and pretty worn out, but it's been a lifesaver.</span>
<br><span style="font-size: small;">
<br></span>
<br><span style="font-size: small;">Then there are the exercises. The only way to get the use of your shoulder back is to do these horrible, painful exercises - six times a day starting the day after surgery. I wouldn't wish that on a dog! Even now, they have him lifting weights every day. A whole 2 pounds and he can barely lift it, but that's all the therapist will let him do. </span>
<br><span style="font-size: small;">
<br></span>
<br><span style="font-size: small;">They say he's going to be able to go back to work in a couple of weeks, but I think it's still going to be a part-time, very limited situation for a while. We're just lucky they've managed to hold his job open. He works as a the only welder at this tiny little company that makes truck bodies, but they've been really good about it and have kept his job open all this time. </span>
<br>
<br>Plus we've had a lot of help from our friends and neighbors. I've had to work most of the time through this whole thing, so we've had friends and family who have provided meals for us, helped with his therapy, driven him to appointments, etc. Our son even moved back in to help us with all the stuff Tony can't do - lawn moving, snow removal, carrying heavy things around, etc.
<br><span style="font-size: small;">
<br></span>
<br><span style="font-size: small;">There have been some benefits to having him home all the time though. Once he got his sling off, he's been doing most of the cooking and <i>some </i>of the cleaning. I managed to guilt him into wrapping almost all the Christmas presents. He's been able to make Blake do his homework when he gets home from school. And once he could drive, he's been able to run a lot of my little errands for me - bank, post office, etc. </span>
<br><span style="font-size: small;">
<br></span>
<br><span style="font-size: small;">But on the other hand, it's kind of like retirement - half as much money and twice as much husband! I think he's picked up a major TV addiction. I swear he watches that thing for about 20 hours a day - mostly reruns of old shows, and reality shows like Pawn Stars and Pimp my Ride. Even when I was on maternity leave, I managed to do a ton of stuff and take care of a newborn baby besides. Oh well, guess it's a guy thing. </span>
<br><span style="font-size: small;">
<br></span>
<br><span style="font-size: small;">The weird thing is that we don't really know how he even hurt himself. I think it's a combo of work, bowling, moving furniture and stuff around the house, and working in the yard. He's always digging up sprinkler lines, or trimming trees or some darn thing. It's a wonder he doesn't hurt himself more often! </span>
<br><span style="font-size: small;">
<br></span>
<br><span style="font-size: small;">Word of advice - take good care of your shoulders. Warm up well before sports, and watch yourself on ice. Just like when you buy a new brand of car and find out everyone else is driving it, we've met dozens of people who've had this surgery and some who've even had it in both shoulders - ick! Oh well, we're almost through this and hopefully, he'll take better care of himself in the future. He'd better, or next time he is going to be a rotator cuff/lobotomy combo surgery! </span>
<br><span style="font-size: small;">
<br></span>
<br>
<br><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/adriansstampclub/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd438/EightDaysDesigns/Adrian%20G/Signature.png" /></a></span>
<br><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://twitter.com/twitadrian"><img height="42" src="http://www.twitterbuttons.com/images/ex/twitter-35a.png" title="By: TwitterButtons.com" width="199" /></a> <span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://www.twitterbuttons.com/">By TwitterButtons.com</a></span> </span>
<br></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><img alt="Delicious" height="10" src="http://l.yimg.com/hr/img/delicious.small.gif" width="10" /><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://www.delicious.com/save"> Bookmark this on Delicious</a></span> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5500594918974429539-3199730637313082057?l=www.adrianscrazylife.com' alt='' /></div>
<div style="clear:both;padding-top:1em;"><a title="Share with AddToAny" href="http://www.addtoany.com/share_save?linkurl=http%3a%2f%2fwww.adrianscrazylife.com%2f2012%2f01%2fshoulder-surgery-is-pits.html&linkname=Shoulder+Surgery+is+the+PITS%21&linknote=via+FeedBlitz"><img height="20" border="0" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/images/icons/addtoany.png" style="border:0;float:left;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-left:3px;margin-right:3px;padding:0" vspace="0" ></a> <a title="Like this page on Facebook" href="http://www.feedblitz.com/f?FBLike=http%3a%2f%2fwww.adrianscrazylife.com%2f2012%2f01%2fshoulder-surgery-is-pits.html"><img height="20" border="0" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/images/icons/fblike.png" style="border:0;float:left;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-left:3px;margin-right:3px;padding:0" vspace="0" ></a> <a title="Tweet This" href="http://twitter.com/home?status=Shoulder+Surgery+is+the+PITS%21+http%3a%2f%2fwww.adrianscrazylife.com%2f2012%2f01%2fshoulder-surgery-is-pits.html"><img height="20" border="0" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/images/icons/twitter.png" style="border:0;float:left;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-left:3px;margin-right:3px;padding:0" vspace="0" ></a> <a title="Subscribe by email" href="http://feedblitz.com/f?Track=http://feeds.feedblitz.com/adrianscrazylife/www&publisher=21709054"><img height="20" border="0" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/images/icons/emailsubscribe.png" style="border:0;float:left;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-left:3px;margin-right:3px;padding:0" vspace="0" ></a> <a title="Subscribe by RSS" href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/adrianscrazylife/www"><img height="20" border="0" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/images/icons/rss.png" style="border:0;float:left;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-left:3px;margin-right:3px;padding:0" vspace="0" ></a> <a title="View Comments" href="http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=5500594918974429539&postID=3199730637313082057&isPopup=true"><img height="20" border="0" style="border:0;float:left;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-left:3px;margin-right:3px;padding:0" vspace="0" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/images/icons/comments.png"></a> <a title="Follow Comments via RSS" href="http://www.adrianscrazylife.com/feeds/3199730637313082057/comments/default"><img height="20" border="0" style="border:0;float:left;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-left:3px;margin-right:3px;padding:0" vspace="0" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/images/icons/commentrss.png"></a> </div>Adrian's Crazy Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04463022076036044242noreply@blogger.com0http://www.adrianscrazylife.com/2012/01/is-costco-really-worth-it.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5500594918974429539.post-41563948346688297522012-01-19T07:00:00.000-07:002012-01-19T07:00:10.882-07:00Is Costco Really Worth It?<Img align="left" border="0" height="1" width="1" style="border:0;float:left;margin:0;padding:0" vspace="0" hspace="0" src="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/i/28886052/0/adrianscrazylife/www"><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Every once in a while, I run across an article that is really worth sharing with you. I've mentioned before that <b>I am <i>not </i>a Costco fan</b>. I know there are some savings to be had there, but it just isn't for me. I never once when in there <b>when I didn't spend at least $100-$200 in <i>addition </i>to my regular grocery budget</b> and I had no willpower to resist the movies, books, clothes, and other goodies to be had there.
<br>
<br>But I've always wanted to research it and <b>actually PROVE that it isn't as good a deal as everyone says it is</b>. I've just nevre had the time to do it. However, this blogger did a great job of researching dozens of items and proving <b>exactly which items were better or worse deals</b>. If you are a Costco shopper, you definitely want to have a look at this article over at <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://www.squawkfox.com/2011/04/15/costco/" target="_blank">SquawkBox</a>.
<br>
<br><i>Stop by on Thursdays for my Smart Money posts. To see additional posts on the subject, click on the Smart Money link below for a complete list. </i>
<br>
<br><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/adriansstampclub/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd438/EightDaysDesigns/Adrian%20G/Signature.png" /></a></span>
<br><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://twitter.com/twitadrian"><img height="42" src="http://www.twitterbuttons.com/images/ex/twitter-35a.png" title="By: TwitterButtons.com" width="199" /></a> <span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://www.twitterbuttons.com/">By TwitterButtons.com</a></span> </span>
<br></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><img alt="Delicious" height="10" src="http://l.yimg.com/hr/img/delicious.small.gif" width="10" /><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://www.delicious.com/save"> Bookmark this on Delicious</a></span> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5500594918974429539-4156394834668829752?l=www.adrianscrazylife.com' alt='' /></div>
<div style="clear:both;padding-top:1em;"><a title="Share with AddToAny" href="http://www.addtoany.com/share_save?linkurl=http%3a%2f%2fwww.adrianscrazylife.com%2f2012%2f01%2fis-costco-really-worth-it.html&linkname=Is+Costco+Really+Worth+It%3f&linknote=via+FeedBlitz"><img height="20" border="0" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/images/icons/addtoany.png" style="border:0;float:left;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-left:3px;margin-right:3px;padding:0" vspace="0" ></a> <a title="Like this page on Facebook" href="http://www.feedblitz.com/f?FBLike=http%3a%2f%2fwww.adrianscrazylife.com%2f2012%2f01%2fis-costco-really-worth-it.html"><img height="20" border="0" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/images/icons/fblike.png" style="border:0;float:left;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-left:3px;margin-right:3px;padding:0" vspace="0" ></a> <a title="Tweet This" href="http://twitter.com/home?status=Is+Costco+Really+Worth+It%3f+http%3a%2f%2fwww.adrianscrazylife.com%2f2012%2f01%2fis-costco-really-worth-it.html"><img height="20" border="0" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/images/icons/twitter.png" style="border:0;float:left;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-left:3px;margin-right:3px;padding:0" vspace="0" ></a> <a title="Subscribe by email" href="http://feedblitz.com/f?Track=http://feeds.feedblitz.com/adrianscrazylife/www&publisher=21709054"><img height="20" border="0" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/images/icons/emailsubscribe.png" style="border:0;float:left;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-left:3px;margin-right:3px;padding:0" vspace="0" ></a> <a title="Subscribe by RSS" href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/adrianscrazylife/www"><img height="20" border="0" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/images/icons/rss.png" style="border:0;float:left;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-left:3px;margin-right:3px;padding:0" vspace="0" ></a> <a title="View Comments" href="http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=5500594918974429539&postID=4156394834668829752&isPopup=true"><img height="20" border="0" style="border:0;float:left;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-left:3px;margin-right:3px;padding:0" vspace="0" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/images/icons/comments.png"></a> <a title="Follow Comments via RSS" href="http://www.adrianscrazylife.com/feeds/4156394834668829752/comments/default"><img height="20" border="0" style="border:0;float:left;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-left:3px;margin-right:3px;padding:0" vspace="0" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/images/icons/commentrss.png"></a><div style="clear:left;padding-top:10px"><h3>Related Stories</h3><ul><li><a href="http://www.adrianscrazylife.com/2012/02/smart-money-my-secret-weapon-for.html">Smart Money: My Secret Weapon for Finance</a></li><li><a href="http://www.adrianscrazylife.com/2011/12/smartmoney-financial-behavior.html">Smartmoney: Financial Behavior Modification</a></li><li><a href="http://www.adrianscrazylife.com/2011/10/smart-money-re-commerce.html">Smart Money: Re-Commerce</a></li></ul></div> </div>Adrian's Crazy Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04463022076036044242noreply@blogger.com0http://www.adrianscrazylife.com/2012/01/bloggers-have-fun-at-el-pollo-loco.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5500594918974429539.post-48334495580130040932012-01-15T07:00:00.000-07:002012-01-15T07:00:07.164-07:00Bloggers Have Fun at El Pollo Loco<Img align="left" border="0" height="1" width="1" style="border:0;float:left;margin:0;padding:0" vspace="0" hspace="0" src="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/i/28837956/0/adrianscrazylife/www"><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Just after Christmas I got an invitation I was really excited about. My local bloggers group was sponsoring an event at our local El Pollo Loco. Well, it's not exactly local for me, it's in Lehi, which is about 20 miles from me, but what's a bit of a drive for some good food? </span>
<br>
<br><span style="font-size: small;">When we lived in California, El lPollo Loco was one of our favorite places to eat and we've missed it. So when they invited us to enjoy a delicious complimentary lunch with a great group of our blogger friends, I was <i>there</i>. I even begged to bring my husband because he's missed our trips to El Pollo Loco too. </span>
<br>
<br><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5YE3WlZR3fI/TwqP4WtGqBI/AAAAAAAAHXs/6tI5h6KT0fs/s1600/PolloLoco+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5YE3WlZR3fI/TwqP4WtGqBI/AAAAAAAAHXs/6tI5h6KT0fs/s320/PolloLoco+%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br>This is my darling friend Kathy from <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://www.danishmama.com/" target="_blank">Danish Mama</a> with her two cute kiddos.
<br>
<br><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ykVF-onNb8A/TwqQIPOVoSI/AAAAAAAAHYE/Bomb5wR2D9M/s1600/PolloLoco10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ykVF-onNb8A/TwqQIPOVoSI/AAAAAAAAHYE/Bomb5wR2D9M/s320/PolloLoco10.jpg" width="214" /></a></div>
<br>This was my husband's first blogger event and he thought it was hilarious when we all whipped out our cameras when the food came. I told him it was kind of a rule in the blog world to take pictures of your food so you can blog about it. I don't care if he thought it was funny, this was a meal worth taking a picture of. I had the dark meat special with the corn cake and the best sweet potato fries ever! I also had the flan for dessert which was done just right, very sweet and creamy. I'd forgotten how good their chicken was - it's done in a special fruit juice marinade that makes it delicious without all the fat of frying - you don't find something this yummy at the Colonel place!
<br>
<br><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BUKrS93EC2s/TwqQGW9QQdI/AAAAAAAAHX8/Z52BdRVdS_M/s1600/PolloLoco+%25288%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BUKrS93EC2s/TwqQGW9QQdI/AAAAAAAAHX8/Z52BdRVdS_M/s320/PolloLoco+%25288%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br>Tony dutifully took a picture of his meal too. He went the traditional route with a 3 piece chicken, rice, beans, salsa, and tamales. He gave me a bite of his tamale. I didn't think to order one. I haven't had one since our friends used to make them for us for Christmas - yum!
<br>
<br><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pSbsPfewSwg/TwqP_cw1bTI/AAAAAAAAHX0/6gWbEUbJKFY/s1600/PolloLoco+%25287%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pSbsPfewSwg/TwqP_cw1bTI/AAAAAAAAHX0/6gWbEUbJKFY/s320/PolloLoco+%25287%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br> I'm kicking myself because I didn't think to grab a picture of the two of us while we were there. The closest we got was a closeup of my fancy New Year's nails - gold 'n silver.
<br>
<br><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Hj5D4CWSiuA/TwqQI8CK1LI/AAAAAAAAHYM/XGHCV0ABpo4/s1600/PolloLoco11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Hj5D4CWSiuA/TwqQI8CK1LI/AAAAAAAAHYM/XGHCV0ABpo4/s320/PolloLoco11.jpg" width="214" /></a></div>Tuesdays are the best day to visit El Pollo Loco because KIDS EAT FREE on Tuesdays. Kids 13 and under get a free kids' combo with every regular combo you purchase. That's a great deal and they usually have some special activities for the kids on that night also. Last week, they had Karaoke Night. You don't get that at that "Golden Arches" place - ha! And did I mention the big screen TV with kids movies? That'll keep 'em happy! If you want to bring your sports team, they can even watch their game replay on the big screen TV's. This is a fun place!
<br><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BAUskyL3dnU/TxHE-jXI2yI/AAAAAAAAHYc/vX8NyQHT1Cs/s1600/PolloLoco+%25286%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BAUskyL3dnU/TxHE-jXI2yI/AAAAAAAAHYc/vX8NyQHT1Cs/s320/PolloLoco+%25286%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br>If you're looking to have a fiesta any time soon, they cater as well. I know my friends would enjoy a nice El Pollo Loco spread and I'll bet yours would too. It's muy delicioso!
<br>
<br><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QXyRBJ9ccxs/TxHE3FiozSI/AAAAAAAAHYU/F_wVGSHip6o/s1600/PolloLoco+%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QXyRBJ9ccxs/TxHE3FiozSI/AAAAAAAAHYU/F_wVGSHip6o/s320/PolloLoco+%25283%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br>I'm hoping that they will be able to open more restaurants soon - hopefully closer to me. But for now, the only one is this one here at 88 N. 1200 E State in Lehi, right in front of the Costco. C'mon down and check it out.
<br>
<br>
<br><span style="font-size: small;"></span>
<br><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/adriansstampclub/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd438/EightDaysDesigns/Adrian%20G/Signature.png" /></a></span>
<br><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://twitter.com/twitadrian"><img height="42" src="http://www.twitterbuttons.com/images/ex/twitter-35a.png" title="By: TwitterButtons.com" width="199" /></a> <span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://www.twitterbuttons.com/">By TwitterButtons.com</a></span> </span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><img alt="Delicious" height="10" src="http://l.yimg.com/hr/img/delicious.small.gif" width="10" /><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://www.delicious.com/save"> Bookmark this on Delicious</a></span> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5500594918974429539-4833449558013004093?l=www.adrianscrazylife.com' alt='' /></div>
<div style="clear:both;padding-top:1em;"><a title="Share with AddToAny" href="http://www.addtoany.com/share_save?linkurl=http%3a%2f%2fwww.adrianscrazylife.com%2f2012%2f01%2fbloggers-have-fun-at-el-pollo-loco.html&linkname=Bloggers+Have+Fun+at+El+Pollo+Loco&linknote=via+FeedBlitz"><img height="20" border="0" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/images/icons/addtoany.png" style="border:0;float:left;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-left:3px;margin-right:3px;padding:0" vspace="0" ></a> <a title="Like this page on Facebook" href="http://www.feedblitz.com/f?FBLike=http%3a%2f%2fwww.adrianscrazylife.com%2f2012%2f01%2fbloggers-have-fun-at-el-pollo-loco.html"><img height="20" border="0" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/images/icons/fblike.png" style="border:0;float:left;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-left:3px;margin-right:3px;padding:0" vspace="0" ></a> <a title="Tweet This" href="http://twitter.com/home?status=Bloggers+Have+Fun+at+El+Pollo+Loco+http%3a%2f%2fwww.adrianscrazylife.com%2f2012%2f01%2fbloggers-have-fun-at-el-pollo-loco.html"><img height="20" border="0" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/images/icons/twitter.png" style="border:0;float:left;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-left:3px;margin-right:3px;padding:0" vspace="0" ></a> <a title="Subscribe by email" href="http://feedblitz.com/f?Track=http://feeds.feedblitz.com/adrianscrazylife/www&publisher=21709054"><img height="20" border="0" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/images/icons/emailsubscribe.png" style="border:0;float:left;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-left:3px;margin-right:3px;padding:0" vspace="0" ></a> <a title="Subscribe by RSS" href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/adrianscrazylife/www"><img height="20" border="0" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/images/icons/rss.png" style="border:0;float:left;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-left:3px;margin-right:3px;padding:0" vspace="0" ></a> <a title="View Comments" href="http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=5500594918974429539&postID=4833449558013004093&isPopup=true"><img height="20" border="0" style="border:0;float:left;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-left:3px;margin-right:3px;padding:0" vspace="0" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/images/icons/comments.png"></a> <a title="Follow Comments via RSS" href="http://www.adrianscrazylife.com/feeds/4833449558013004093/comments/default"><img height="20" border="0" style="border:0;float:left;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-left:3px;margin-right:3px;padding:0" vspace="0" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/images/icons/commentrss.png"></a> </div>Adrian's Crazy Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04463022076036044242noreply@blogger.com1http://www.adrianscrazylife.com/2012/01/blonde-jokes-from-my-sister.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5500594918974429539.post-91935193431311665292012-01-14T10:16:00.002-07:002012-01-14T10:16:52.242-07:00Blonde Jokes from My Sister<Img align="left" border="0" height="1" width="1" style="border:0;float:left;margin:0;padding:0" vspace="0" hspace="0" src="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/i/28830582/0/adrianscrazylife/www"><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Just for giggles - here are some funny blonde jokes my sister sent me. Feel free to add your own in the comments. </span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal">
<br></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">She Was Soooooooooooooo Blonde:</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"> -she took a ruler to bed to see how long she slept.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"> -she sent me a fax with a stamp on it.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"> -she thought a quarterback was a refund.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"> -she tried to put M&M's in alphabetical order.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"> -she thought Boyz II Men was a day care center.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal">
<br></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">She Was Soooooooooooooo Blonde:</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"> -she thought Eartha Kitt was a set of garden tools.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"> -she thought General Motors was in the army.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"> -she thought Meow Mix was a CD for cats.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"> -she thought TuPac Shakur was a Jewish holiday.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"> -under "education" on her job application, she put "Hooked On Phonics."</span></div><div class="MsoNormal">
<br></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">She Was Soooooooooooooo Blonde:</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"> -she tripped over a cordless phone.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"> -she spent 20 minutes looking at the orange juice can because it said "concentrate."</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"> -she told me to meet her at the corner of "WALK" and "DON'T WALK."</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"> -at the bottom of the application where it says "sign here," she put "Sagittarius."</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"> -she asked for a price check at the Dollar Store.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal">
<br></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">She Was Soooooooooooooo Blonde:</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"> -she studied for a blood test.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"> -she thought she needed a token to get on "Soul Train."</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"> -she sold the car for gas money!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"> -when she missed the 44 bus, she took the 22 bus twice instead.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"> -when she went to the airport and saw a sign that said "Airport Left," she turned around and went home.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal">
<br></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">She Was Soooooooooooooo Blonde:</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"> -when she heard that 90% of all crimes occur around the home, she moved.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"> -she thinks Taco Bell is the Mexican phone company.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"> -if she spoke her mind, she'd be speechless.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"> -she thought that she could not use her AM radio in the evening.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"> -she had a shirt that said "TGIF," which she thought stood for "Tits Go In Front."</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"> -she thought Grape Nuts was a venereal disease.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal">
<br></div><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: small;"></span>
<br><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/adriansstampclub/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd438/EightDaysDesigns/Adrian%20G/Signature.png" /></a></span>
<br><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://twitter.com/twitadrian"><img height="42" src="http://www.twitterbuttons.com/images/ex/twitter-35a.png" title="By: TwitterButtons.com" width="199" /></a> <span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://www.twitterbuttons.com/">By TwitterButtons.com</a></span> </span>
<br></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><img alt="Delicious" height="10" src="http://l.yimg.com/hr/img/delicious.small.gif" width="10" /><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://www.delicious.com/save"> Bookmark this on Delicious</a></span> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5500594918974429539-9193519343131166529?l=www.adrianscrazylife.com' alt='' /></div>
<div style="clear:both;padding-top:1em;"><a title="Share with AddToAny" href="http://www.addtoany.com/share_save?linkurl=http%3a%2f%2fwww.adrianscrazylife.com%2f2012%2f01%2fblonde-jokes-from-my-sister.html&linkname=Blonde+Jokes+from+My+Sister&linknote=via+FeedBlitz"><img height="20" border="0" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/images/icons/addtoany.png" style="border:0;float:left;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-left:3px;margin-right:3px;padding:0" vspace="0" ></a> <a title="Like this page on Facebook" href="http://www.feedblitz.com/f?FBLike=http%3a%2f%2fwww.adrianscrazylife.com%2f2012%2f01%2fblonde-jokes-from-my-sister.html"><img height="20" border="0" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/images/icons/fblike.png" style="border:0;float:left;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-left:3px;margin-right:3px;padding:0" vspace="0" ></a> <a title="Tweet This" href="http://twitter.com/home?status=Blonde+Jokes+from+My+Sister+http%3a%2f%2fwww.adrianscrazylife.com%2f2012%2f01%2fblonde-jokes-from-my-sister.html"><img height="20" border="0" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/images/icons/twitter.png" style="border:0;float:left;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-left:3px;margin-right:3px;padding:0" vspace="0" ></a> <a title="Subscribe by email" href="http://feedblitz.com/f?Track=http://feeds.feedblitz.com/adrianscrazylife/www&publisher=21709054"><img height="20" border="0" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/images/icons/emailsubscribe.png" style="border:0;float:left;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-left:3px;margin-right:3px;padding:0" vspace="0" ></a> <a title="Subscribe by RSS" href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/adrianscrazylife/www"><img height="20" border="0" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/images/icons/rss.png" style="border:0;float:left;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-left:3px;margin-right:3px;padding:0" vspace="0" ></a> <a title="View Comments" href="http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=5500594918974429539&postID=9193519343131166529&isPopup=true"><img height="20" border="0" style="border:0;float:left;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-left:3px;margin-right:3px;padding:0" vspace="0" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/images/icons/comments.png"></a> <a title="Follow Comments via RSS" href="http://www.adrianscrazylife.com/feeds/9193519343131166529/comments/default"><img height="20" border="0" style="border:0;float:left;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-left:3px;margin-right:3px;padding:0" vspace="0" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/images/icons/commentrss.png"></a> </div>Adrian's Crazy Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04463022076036044242noreply@blogger.com0http://www.adrianscrazylife.com/2012/01/guest-post-teach-your-teen-to-be-smart.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5500594918974429539.post-13034949974962556572012-01-13T07:00:00.000-07:002012-01-25T10:59:11.138-07:00Guest Post: Teach your Teen to be a Smart Shopper<Img align="left" border="0" height="1" width="1" style="border:0;float:left;margin:0;padding:0" vspace="0" hspace="0" src="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/i/28817683/0/adrianscrazylife/www"><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I am guest posting today over at<a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://inbetweenmoms.com/" target="_blank"> In BeTWEEN Moms</a> where I share my method of turning your teen into a smart shopper. It may be the best lesson you've ever taught them. Pop over and check it out.</span>
<br>
<br>
<br><span style="font-size: small;"></span>
<br><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/adriansstampclub/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd438/EightDaysDesigns/Adrian%20G/Signature.png" /></a></span>
<br><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://twitter.com/twitadrian"><img height="42" src="http://www.twitterbuttons.com/images/ex/twitter-35a.png" title="By: TwitterButtons.com" width="199" /></a> <span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://www.twitterbuttons.com/">By TwitterButtons.com</a></span> </span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><img alt="Delicious" height="10" src="http://l.yimg.com/hr/img/delicious.small.gif" width="10" /><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://www.delicious.com/save"> Bookmark this on Delicious</a></span> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5500594918974429539-1303494997496255657?l=www.adrianscrazylife.com' alt='' /></div>
<div style="clear:both;padding-top:1em;"><a title="Share with AddToAny" href="http://www.addtoany.com/share_save?linkurl=http%3a%2f%2fwww.adrianscrazylife.com%2f2012%2f01%2fguest-post-teach-your-teen-to-be-smart.html&linkname=Guest+Post%3a+Teach+your+Teen+to+be+a+Smart+Shopper&linknote=via+FeedBlitz"><img height="20" border="0" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/images/icons/addtoany.png" style="border:0;float:left;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-left:3px;margin-right:3px;padding:0" vspace="0" ></a> <a title="Like this page on Facebook" href="http://www.feedblitz.com/f?FBLike=http%3a%2f%2fwww.adrianscrazylife.com%2f2012%2f01%2fguest-post-teach-your-teen-to-be-smart.html"><img height="20" border="0" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/images/icons/fblike.png" style="border:0;float:left;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-left:3px;margin-right:3px;padding:0" vspace="0" ></a> <a title="Tweet This" href="http://twitter.com/home?status=Guest+Post%3a+Teach+your+Teen+to+be+a+Smart+Shopper+http%3a%2f%2fwww.adrianscrazylife.com%2f2012%2f01%2fguest-post-teach-your-teen-to-be-smart.html"><img height="20" border="0" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/images/icons/twitter.png" style="border:0;float:left;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-left:3px;margin-right:3px;padding:0" vspace="0" ></a> <a title="Subscribe by email" href="http://feedblitz.com/f?Track=http://feeds.feedblitz.com/adrianscrazylife/www&publisher=21709054"><img height="20" border="0" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/images/icons/emailsubscribe.png" style="border:0;float:left;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-left:3px;margin-right:3px;padding:0" vspace="0" ></a> <a title="Subscribe by RSS" href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/adrianscrazylife/www"><img height="20" border="0" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/images/icons/rss.png" style="border:0;float:left;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-left:3px;margin-right:3px;padding:0" vspace="0" ></a> </div>Adrian's Crazy Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04463022076036044242noreply@blogger.com0http://www.adrianscrazylife.com/2012/01/clutterbugs-cut-your-cleaning-time-in.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5500594918974429539.post-86705514362234078262012-01-11T22:51:00.001-07:002012-01-25T10:59:24.630-07:00Clutterbugs: Cut your Cleaning Time in Half<Img align="left" border="0" height="1" width="1" style="border:0;float:left;margin:0;padding:0" vspace="0" hspace="0" src="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/i/28798573/0/adrianscrazylife/www"><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">How much time do you spend cleaning every week? Whatever it is, it is probably more than you need to spend. Time is literally the most precious and irreplaceable thing we have, and I don't know about you, but <b>I can think of 50 things I'd rather be doing than spending mine cleaning the house. </b>
<br>
<br><b>If I could tell you how to clean a bathroom in 12 minutes, would you be interested?</b> And I mean actually clean, not the way my 13 year old son cleans a bathroom in 12 minutes - ick. With his Clean Team method, Jeff Campbell claims his 3 person teams can clean an entire HOUSE in 42 minutes. He should know, his company has cleaned literally thousands of homes over the years and they have studied and refined their methods and now they are passing them on to us. <b>OK, you might not be able to clean your whole house in 42 minutes, but if you can clean it in less than a whole Saturday afternoon, I think you'd still be interested. </b>I certainly was.
<br>
<br>I will share some of the basics of his plan, but if you really decide to give this method a try, you're probably going to want to find one of his books - he's written several. <b>Here's an <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://www.amazon.com/Speed-Cleaning-Jeff-Campbell/dp/0440503744/ref=as_li_wdgt_js_ex?&linkCode=wey&tag=adrcralifblo-20" target="_blank">Amazon link </a>to the one I think is the best one.</b> I bought his books probably 10 years ago and I have incorporated his methods into my cleaning habits. I never quite hit the 12 minute mark on a room, but I know I have speeded up my time considerably.
<br>
<br><b>Basically, speed cleaning seems to come down to two factors - tools and methods.</b> It's really not all that complicated and you can get started in just one day if you like. The main benefit for the tools is to keep everything in one place, preferably right on your body as you move through a room. So Jeff has designed a special Clean Team apron for that purpose. He sells them on his website or you can get something similar from Home Depot. It needs to have several loops for holding spray bottles, and a number of good sized pockets for holding your other tools.
<br>
<br><b>Once you have the apron, it is time to fill it</b>. Start with spray bottles - you will need 3 good, sturdy spray bottles. One of them is to hold what he calls "red juice" - basically 409 or Kaboom, whatever liquid cleaner you use for your non-mirrored surfaces. If you prefer an organic cleaner, you'd probably use diluted vinegar or a vinegar/peroxide solution. This goes on your left apron loop. On the opposite side, of course, goes the "blue juice" - Windex or whatever liquid cleaner you use on mirrors. The 3rd spray bottle is for a weak bleach solution used for getting out stains. I use diluted lemon juice with baking soda as I'm terrified of bleach. Someone dribbled a few drops of it on my hallway carpet and ruined it forever. It's powerful stuff. The bleach bottle goes in a cleaning tray which we'll get to later.
<br>
<br>In the apron pockets, you need the following things - a toothbrush, a plastic paint scraper (or credit card), a razor blade holder, a Magic Eraser - stored in an open ziplock bag held in place with a binder clip, a 2nd ziplock bag (also held with a binder clip) to hold small trash items, and a stack of good sized cleaning cloths - large cloth diapers are ideal. <b>Each item goes in a specific pocket and is always returned to it's same location</b> - that way you can reach for things and find them quickly without digging around.
<br>
<br>When you have an apron stocked like this, <b>just about everything you need for cleaning a room is right on your body enabling you to move efficiently </b>without digging around under the sink for additional cleaning products or tools. However, you will also need a large plastic open carryall with a handle for more specialty items, such as Lime-a-way, cleanser, brushes, furniture polish, and floor cleaner and extra cleaning cloths. You'll also need a good heavy-duty vacuum with a 50 foot extension cord (you plug it in one place and leave it alone), a feather duster (in your back pocket), and a professional quality sponge mop.
<br>
<br>Now for the methods - first of all, <b>everything goes with you into every room, so you have all the tools you need right at hand.</b> Then you enter a room and work in a clockwise path, always <b>cleaning from highest to lowest</b>. That way, you aren't knocking dirt and dust onto the lower surfaces you've just cleaned. You also have to make every move count as you clean each surface and move on to the next area. Use both hands - wipe with one as you move things with the other. Don't rinse until it's clean, and don't clean it unless it's dirty. <b>Get things clean, but don't obsess over cleaning every switch plate and line of grout.</b> That's what slows you down - give it a spritz and a good wipe and move on.
<br>
<br><b>Using the right tools is important.</b> If there is stuck-on gunk on the counter, don't even try to clean it with a cloth, start right in with the plastic scraper. If it doesn't come up easily with that, immediately move to the razor blade, being careful not to scratch the surfaces. Wipe crumbs and dust onto the floor - you will get them on the last step when you vacuum (not sweep!) the floor. Pay attention to what you're doing and <b>track your time with a stopwatch or timer</b>. That will encourage you to move faster the next time.
<br>
<br>For an example, let's say I am cleaning my kitchen. <b>I put my apron on and make sure all my tools are ready and in place.</b> Grab my carryall and take my plugged in vacuum and leave it by the door. To the left of the door is my first stop, the fridge. Take my feather duster and give the top a quick swipe, then use my red juice and cleaning cloths to wipe off the finger prints - done! Move onto the first section of counter. Wipe down the cupboards and back splash with a little red juice and I'm ready to start the counter. Work from left to right and back to front - sweep the crumbs onto the floor, lift and replace each small appliance with my free hand and wipe, wipe, wipe. Trash into my trash apron pocket and anything (spices, dishes, mail) that doesn't belong is moved onto the next area or somewhere out of the way. Done! Stove is next - left to right, back to front, use my toothbrush or scrapers for anything caked on, and liberal use of red juice - or blue juice if it's a shiny surface.
<br>
<br>Yank off the used kitchen towels and lob them over by the door - you'll get them on your way out of the room. Another section of counter and cupboards - treat same as the first and we're halfway done. Spritz a little bleach in the sink and let it work while I use my toothbrush to clean around the faucets and edging. Hopefully you don't have any dishes piled up. If you do, stack them on a section of counter and come back to deal with them later. <b>Now you're halfway done! </b>
<br>
<br>Finish the rest of the counters the same way and move onto the dining room table. Hopefully, it is clear. If not, sweep everything off onto one of the chairs for later attention. Move the chairs back away from the table and whisk broom the seats. Wipe half the table as you're going, then circle around to the other side, wiping the crumbs onto the floor as you go. Use your red juice as needed and refold or swap your cleaning cloths to get a fresh surface. When they're completely used up - lob them over on top of the dish towels to be washed.
<br>
<br>Then finish up with a quick dusting of the desk (we have a desk in our kitchen) and a swipe of the pantry doors. <b>15 minutes and your kitchen is already looking pretty.</b> Time to vacuum. Grab the vacuum and start back in front of the pantry you just finished. Working carefully and quickly, whisk over each section of the floor in a forward, then diagonal motion to make the most of each pass - no need to go back and forth multiple times. Snake around the kitchen in a counter-clockwise rotation, getting under and around the table being careful not to tangle your cord. As you pass the sink, put the plug in and start filling it full of hot water and ammonia (or your preferred floor cleaner) for mopping. Finish your vacuuming and swap the vacuum for your mop. Soak the head well, squeeze off most of the liquid and start at the point in the furthest corner. Mop, mop, mop using your Magic Eraser or scraper for black marks or ground-in mess. Rinse the mop head often, especially after the dirtiest areas - by the door, and in front of the stove/fridge. Leave an exit strip down the center, so you can get out without slipping on the wet floor or getting dirty footprints on your clean floor. And you're DONE! Note the time so that you can improve your speed next time.
<br>
<br><b>This is just a very basic overview of the Clean Team method.</b> To really understand it, you need to read the book. Happily, it's quick and easy reading, with lots of pictures. I buzzed through it in about 30 minutes this last time. I think its time well spent since you will easily knock that 30 minutes off your first week's cleaning and many times thereafter. </span>
<br><i>
<br></i>
<br><i>Come back again soon for a fresh dose of Clutterbugs. To see past posts on the subject, click on the Clutterbugs label at the bottom of this post for a complete list. </i>
<br>
<br><span style="font-size: small;"></span>
<br><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/adriansstampclub/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd438/EightDaysDesigns/Adrian%20G/Signature.png" /></a></span>
<br><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://twitter.com/twitadrian"><img height="42" src="http://www.twitterbuttons.com/images/ex/twitter-35a.png" title="By: TwitterButtons.com" width="199" /></a> <span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://www.twitterbuttons.com/">By TwitterButtons.com</a></span> </span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><img alt="Delicious" height="10" src="http://l.yimg.com/hr/img/delicious.small.gif" width="10" /><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://www.delicious.com/save"> Bookmark this on Delicious</a></span> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5500594918974429539-8670551436223407826?l=www.adrianscrazylife.com' alt='' /></div>
<div style="clear:both;padding-top:1em;"><a title="Share with AddToAny" href="http://www.addtoany.com/share_save?linkurl=http%3a%2f%2fwww.adrianscrazylife.com%2f2012%2f01%2fclutterbugs-cut-your-cleaning-time-in.html&linkname=Clutterbugs%3a+Cut+your+Cleaning+Time+in+Half&linknote=via+FeedBlitz"><img height="20" border="0" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/images/icons/addtoany.png" style="border:0;float:left;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-left:3px;margin-right:3px;padding:0" vspace="0" ></a> <a title="Like this page on Facebook" href="http://www.feedblitz.com/f?FBLike=http%3a%2f%2fwww.adrianscrazylife.com%2f2012%2f01%2fclutterbugs-cut-your-cleaning-time-in.html"><img height="20" border="0" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/images/icons/fblike.png" style="border:0;float:left;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-left:3px;margin-right:3px;padding:0" vspace="0" ></a> <a title="Tweet This" href="http://twitter.com/home?status=Clutterbugs%3a+Cut+your+Cleaning+Time+in+Half+http%3a%2f%2fwww.adrianscrazylife.com%2f2012%2f01%2fclutterbugs-cut-your-cleaning-time-in.html"><img height="20" border="0" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/images/icons/twitter.png" style="border:0;float:left;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-left:3px;margin-right:3px;padding:0" vspace="0" ></a> <a title="Subscribe by email" href="http://feedblitz.com/f?Track=http://feeds.feedblitz.com/adrianscrazylife/www&publisher=21709054"><img height="20" border="0" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/images/icons/emailsubscribe.png" style="border:0;float:left;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-left:3px;margin-right:3px;padding:0" vspace="0" ></a> <a title="Subscribe by RSS" href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/adrianscrazylife/www"><img height="20" border="0" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/images/icons/rss.png" style="border:0;float:left;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-left:3px;margin-right:3px;padding:0" vspace="0" ></a> </div>Adrian's Crazy Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04463022076036044242noreply@blogger.com8http://www.adrianscrazylife.com/2010/07/chaos-cant-have-anyone-over-syndrome.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5500594918974429539.post-82161189817118755432012-01-09T07:00:00.000-07:002012-01-09T07:00:04.177-07:00CHAOS: Can't Have Anyone Over Syndrome<Img align="left" border="0" height="1" width="1" style="border:0;float:left;margin:0;padding:0" vspace="0" hspace="0" src="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/i/28762515/0/adrianscrazylife/www"><div style="color: black;">Does the thought of having people over to your house freak you out? Flylady calls that CHAOS - Can't Have Anyone Over Syndrome. Before I finally embraced her daily cleaning & decluttering routines, I used to do that too.<b> Having guests over was a virtual guarantee of several days of panicky activity</b> as I would run around doing crisis cleaning and yelling at my family the whole time. But now it's no big deal and I have company over all the time. It's so much easier!</div><div style="color: black;">
<br></div><div style="color: black;">I teach a monthly stamp class at my home. I usually have half a dozen women at each class. Even with it being on a weekday after a whole day of work, it's not a big problem. <b>All I really have to do was stick to my daily routines. </b>That takes care of the basics like dishes, laundry, and making beds. Then I use my 15 minute clean-up time to clean one room each morning and delegate another one to my husband when he gets home.
<br>
<br>His TV room was in pretty bad shape, so I'm sure it will take more than 15 minutes, but he will do a great job on it and it will be all set for a week or two. The family room will take longer for the boys to clean, but that's their fault. I swear that my oldest son Matt simply explodes when he hits a room! His keys are in one place, his wallet is in another and his shoes, CD's and magazines are everywhere. I guess that's a teenager for you!</div><div style="color: black;">
<br></div><div style="color: black;">Matt is in charge of floors, so I've had him doing a bit of vacuuming and mopping in different areas every night and my youngest son Blake has been keeping up on the trash and the cat boxes. All I have to do is a bit of dusting, clear some everyday stuff off the kitchen counters and give the bathrooms a quick scrub. Then I can spend a couple of hours this evening setting up the tables and chairs and putting the projects together. <b>Company-ready in almost no time</b>, so I can have a nice evening with my friends. </div><div style="color: black;">
<br></div><span style="color: #6666cc;"><span style="color: black;">This is exactly what I want for my readers.<b> I've spent too many Saturdays frantically scrubbing and cleaning to want anyone else to have to go through that hassle again.</b> With the daily routines I teach, along with proper decluttering and learning how to get your family on board, having friends and family over can be fun and virtually stress-free. </span> </span>
<br>
<br><i>Drop by every Monday for a new Clutterbugs tip. To view previous tips, click the Clutterbugs tag at the bottom of this post for a complete list. </i>
<br>
<br><img src="http://i330.photobucket.com/albums/l426/indeliblylex/Adrian/sig2.png" /><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://twitter.com/twitadrian"><img height="42" src="http://www.twitterbuttons.com/images/ex/twitter-35a.png" title="By: TwitterButtons.com" width="199" /></a>
<br><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://www.twitterbuttons.com/">By TwitterButtons.com</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5500594918974429539-8216118981711875543?l=www.adrianscrazylife.com' alt='' /></div>
<div style="clear:both;padding-top:1em;"><a title="Share with AddToAny" href="http://www.addtoany.com/share_save?linkurl=http%3a%2f%2fwww.adrianscrazylife.com%2f2010%2f07%2fchaos-cant-have-anyone-over-syndrome.html&linkname=CHAOS%3a+Can%27t+Have+Anyone+Over+Syndrome&linknote=via+FeedBlitz"><img height="20" border="0" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/images/icons/addtoany.png" style="border:0;float:left;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-left:3px;margin-right:3px;padding:0" vspace="0" ></a> <a title="Like this page on Facebook" href="http://www.feedblitz.com/f?FBLike=http%3a%2f%2fwww.adrianscrazylife.com%2f2010%2f07%2fchaos-cant-have-anyone-over-syndrome.html"><img height="20" border="0" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/images/icons/fblike.png" style="border:0;float:left;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-left:3px;margin-right:3px;padding:0" vspace="0" ></a> <a title="Tweet This" href="http://twitter.com/home?status=CHAOS%3a+Can%27t+Have+Anyone+Over+Syndrome+http%3a%2f%2fwww.adrianscrazylife.com%2f2010%2f07%2fchaos-cant-have-anyone-over-syndrome.html"><img height="20" border="0" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/images/icons/twitter.png" style="border:0;float:left;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-left:3px;margin-right:3px;padding:0" vspace="0" ></a> <a title="Subscribe by email" href="http://feedblitz.com/f?Track=http://feeds.feedblitz.com/adrianscrazylife/www&publisher=21709054"><img height="20" border="0" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/images/icons/emailsubscribe.png" style="border:0;float:left;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-left:3px;margin-right:3px;padding:0" vspace="0" ></a> <a title="Subscribe by RSS" href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/adrianscrazylife/www"><img height="20" border="0" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/images/icons/rss.png" style="border:0;float:left;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-left:3px;margin-right:3px;padding:0" vspace="0" ></a> </div>Adrian's Crazy Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04463022076036044242noreply@blogger.com3http://www.adrianscrazylife.com/2012/01/stamped-stuff-my-dec-projects.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5500594918974429539.post-53286033151019290052012-01-04T07:00:00.000-07:002012-01-04T07:00:05.915-07:00Stamped Stuff: My Dec Projects<Img align="left" border="0" height="1" width="1" style="border:0;float:left;margin:0;padding:0" vspace="0" hspace="0" src="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/i/28705322/0/adrianscrazylife/www"><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I know it's January already, but I'm just now getting around to loading up the pictures from my December class and even one little straggler from the November class. </span>
<br><span style="font-size: small;">
<br></span>
<br><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-O5fnNe8wg7g/TwPjHnD4R0I/AAAAAAAAHV8/nIdGxynOaMU/s1600/Nov+11+Projects+%25285%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-O5fnNe8wg7g/TwPjHnD4R0I/AAAAAAAAHV8/nIdGxynOaMU/s320/Nov+11+Projects+%25285%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br>This is a cute little 2-4-6-8 box that I love. These are so easy, especially with our new Simply Scored tool to do the score lines. This just takes half a sheet of cardstock and it makes a darling little box for treats or small gifts. I used a bit of retired designer paper, ribbon, and a button to dress it up. My Fun Flowers die is a great way to add a little pop of color to any project.
<br>
<br><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tTV3LmR4xUg/TwPjU_cpO7I/AAAAAAAAHWE/YfRKghwm7V0/s1600/Dec%252711+Projects+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tTV3LmR4xUg/TwPjU_cpO7I/AAAAAAAAHWE/YfRKghwm7V0/s320/Dec%252711+Projects+%25281%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br>At Christmas time, I allow myself to use a little bit of my supply of retired products. It gets a bit too expensive to treat myself to all new stamps and papers every year, but I buy a new little something like the stocking set and matching punch and then combine it with my older stuff. This is some retired paper I had from last year. It is flocked in Real Red velvet and simply adorable. I think the pattern is the same as our vintage wallpaper die. This stocking punch is so cute and I recently treated myself to the curly label punch that I've wanted for quite a while. It fits perfectly with this Holly Jolly greeting and the stitched ribbon ties it all together.
<br>
<br><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3fAbccWszpM/TwPjcO7Pg_I/AAAAAAAAHWM/rrUlVv5m53o/s1600/Dec%252711+Projects+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3fAbccWszpM/TwPjcO7Pg_I/AAAAAAAAHWM/rrUlVv5m53o/s320/Dec%252711+Projects+%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br>Here is another cute box, made out of some non-SU paper I had hanging around that happened to match *perfectly* with our Cherry Cobbler ink and new quilted ribbon. This would be great to have some earrings or a necklace in. (Sorry the pictures are a bit dark, the light was a little wonky and I can't figure out my camera settings.)
<br><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-epol5xEDp2E/TwPjjOZZYSI/AAAAAAAAHWU/utyO9nggLUs/s1600/Dec%252711+Projects+%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<br></a></div>
<br><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-znzfhl278Cs/TwPjx7uc-9I/AAAAAAAAHWk/49Gmmf3uLV8/s1600/Dec%252711+Projects+%25285%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-znzfhl278Cs/TwPjx7uc-9I/AAAAAAAAHWk/49Gmmf3uLV8/s320/Dec%252711+Projects+%25285%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br>This was a project gone somewhat wrong. I had a special gift certificate for my customers at my Christmas class and I was going to put it in this cute little bag, but then it just didn't fit, so I just backed away and decided to use this as a bonus project. I cut the topper out of my Big Note die and then embossed it with my Daisy embossing folder. Then it was easy to just add a bit of candy stripe ribbon and a few little punches to finish it off. I also gave everyone a bag of my retired cards I'd had hanging around my stamp room, one of my 3D project samples, and a pretty sparkly picture frame. Now I'm wishing I'd had sense to get a picture of <i>that </i>- duh! But as usual, I was scrambling to just get ready for my class!
<br>
<br>
<br><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wFHWzcci_T0/TwPj_y3e0SI/AAAAAAAAHW0/alcwyqbfDEc/s1600/Dec%252711+Projects+%25287%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wFHWzcci_T0/TwPj_y3e0SI/AAAAAAAAHW0/alcwyqbfDEc/s320/Dec%252711+Projects+%25287%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br>This isn't a very good picture so you'll have to look close. This is called a Spirelli where you wind this baker's twine around a scalloped circle. It took a while to figure this one out, but it really is a pretty technique. This candy cane paper is a bit of paper I've had around for a while and it was perfect for this project.
<br>
<br>
<br><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kucpzbH_1tg/TwPkpk3eBZI/AAAAAAAAHXk/tup4UzmPCUE/s1600/Dec%252711+Projects+%252813%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kucpzbH_1tg/TwPkpk3eBZI/AAAAAAAAHXk/tup4UzmPCUE/s320/Dec%252711+Projects+%252813%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-size: small;">
<br></span>
<br><span style="font-size: small;">I wish this card had photographed better because I think it's one of the prettiest I've done in a long time. This was my Christmas card for this year and I shared it with my class. I had used up all my Whisper White cardstock making cards for the Troops with the folks at work, so I got a chance to appreciate some of our other specialty cardstocks. The front panel with the holy family is our shimmer white cardstock. It has a tiny hint of glitter bonded right into the paper. The layer just behind it is our glossy white cardstock and I used the Polished Stone technique on it. I love this technique because it looks completely different for each person depending on how they distribute the ink. It's done with a cotton ball, a bit of plain alcohol, and a drop or two of reinker. Then I finished it off with a corner punch of our silver glitter paper.
<br></span>
<br><span style="font-size: small;">
<br></span>
<br><span style="font-size: small;">
<br></span>
<br><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/adriansstampclub/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd438/EightDaysDesigns/Adrian%20G/Signature.png" /></a></span>
<br><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://twitter.com/twitadrian"><img height="42" src="http://www.twitterbuttons.com/images/ex/twitter-35a.png" title="By: TwitterButtons.com" width="199" /></a> <span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://www.twitterbuttons.com/">By TwitterButtons.com</a></span> </span>
<br></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><img alt="Delicious" height="10" src="http://l.yimg.com/hr/img/delicious.small.gif" width="10" /><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://www.delicious.com/save"> Bookmark this on Delicious</a></span> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5500594918974429539-5328603315101929005?l=www.adrianscrazylife.com' alt='' /></div>
<div style="clear:both;padding-top:1em;"><a title="Share with AddToAny" href="http://www.addtoany.com/share_save?linkurl=http%3a%2f%2fwww.adrianscrazylife.com%2f2012%2f01%2fstamped-stuff-my-dec-projects.html&linkname=Stamped+Stuff%3a+My+Dec+Projects&linknote=via+FeedBlitz"><img height="20" border="0" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/images/icons/addtoany.png" style="border:0;float:left;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-left:3px;margin-right:3px;padding:0" vspace="0" ></a> <a title="Like this page on Facebook" href="http://www.feedblitz.com/f?FBLike=http%3a%2f%2fwww.adrianscrazylife.com%2f2012%2f01%2fstamped-stuff-my-dec-projects.html"><img height="20" border="0" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/images/icons/fblike.png" style="border:0;float:left;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-left:3px;margin-right:3px;padding:0" vspace="0" ></a> <a title="Tweet This" href="http://twitter.com/home?status=Stamped+Stuff%3a+My+Dec+Projects+http%3a%2f%2fwww.adrianscrazylife.com%2f2012%2f01%2fstamped-stuff-my-dec-projects.html"><img height="20" border="0" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/images/icons/twitter.png" style="border:0;float:left;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-left:3px;margin-right:3px;padding:0" vspace="0" ></a> <a title="Subscribe by email" href="http://feedblitz.com/f?Track=http://feeds.feedblitz.com/adrianscrazylife/www&publisher=21709054"><img height="20" border="0" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/images/icons/emailsubscribe.png" style="border:0;float:left;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-left:3px;margin-right:3px;padding:0" vspace="0" ></a> <a title="Subscribe by RSS" href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/adrianscrazylife/www"><img height="20" border="0" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/images/icons/rss.png" style="border:0;float:left;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-left:3px;margin-right:3px;padding:0" vspace="0" ></a> </div>Adrian's Crazy Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04463022076036044242noreply@blogger.com0http://www.adrianscrazylife.com/2011/12/clutterbugs-time-to-undecorate.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5500594918974429539.post-52777070452353119062011-12-30T07:00:00.000-07:002011-12-30T07:00:02.605-07:00Clutterbugs: Time to Undecorate?<Img align="left" border="0" height="1" width="1" style="border:0;float:left;margin:0;padding:0" vspace="0" hspace="0" src="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/i/28659891/0/adrianscrazylife/www"><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">OK, my little Clutterbugs, Christmas is officially over - have you made plans to take down your tree and put away the rest of the Christmas clutter? I know there are people who leave it up for months, but you don't want to be one of those, do you? </span>
<br>
<br><span style="font-size: small;">My mother was very superstitious. She believed it was bad luck to leave the tree up into the New Year. I'm not particularly superstitious, but it just seems like a good time to get stuff put away and get my house back in order. Especially as I've been defending my favorite nativity set from my four cats for a month. Last year they beheaded Joseph by knocking him off the mantle and it took me ten minutes to find it. </span>
<br><span style="font-size: small;">
<br></span>
<br><span style="font-size: small;">When it comes to putting away the decorations, there are basically two ways to do it. You can go through the whole house and put it all away at once. That's my method, because I know I'll never get back to it, if I get distracted. OR....</span>
<br>
<br><span style="font-size: small;">If you are short on time, you can devote 15 minutes per day to clear out one room at a time. It just depends on which method works best for you. The main thing is to make a plan and stick to it. </span>
<br>
<br><span style="font-size: small;">I think I will always remember the year, we had a neighbor who had the worst case of ADD ever. First, he waited until right at Christmas Eve to decorate, and then he had a big party and decorated his house up like Disneyland. I mean we are talking <i>clear </i>over the top in a neighborhood where people put up maybe a strand of lights, or a plastic Santa. He had the Winter Wonderland lit up for about a week, then he left them up all through January. And February. And March. He finally took them down in April, but then he only took them down halfway. He left all those expensive decorations lying in piles around his yard clear into summer where they were probably ruined. And the whole neighborhood was laughing at him the whole time. My theory on that is that if you can't be a good example, you'll simply have to be a horrible warning! </span>
<br>
<br><span style="font-size: small;">Make a plan and get those decorations cleared up. </span>
<br><span style="font-size: small;">
<br></span>
<br><i><span style="font-size: small;">Come back on Mondays for a fresh dose of Clutterbugs. If you'd like to see a list of past posts, click on the Clutterbugs label below. </span></i>
<br>
<br><span style="font-size: small;">
<br></span>
<br><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/adriansstampclub/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd438/EightDaysDesigns/Adrian%20G/Signature.png" /></a></span>
<br><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://twitter.com/twitadrian"><img height="42" src="http://www.twitterbuttons.com/images/ex/twitter-35a.png" title="By: TwitterButtons.com" width="199" /></a> <span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://www.twitterbuttons.com/">By TwitterButtons.com</a></span> </span>
<br></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><img alt="Delicious" height="10" src="http://l.yimg.com/hr/img/delicious.small.gif" width="10" /><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://www.delicious.com/save"> Bookmark this on Delicious</a></span> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5500594918974429539-5277707045235311906?l=www.adrianscrazylife.com' alt='' /></div>
<div style="clear:both;padding-top:1em;"><a title="Share with AddToAny" href="http://www.addtoany.com/share_save?linkurl=http%3a%2f%2fwww.adrianscrazylife.com%2f2011%2f12%2fclutterbugs-time-to-undecorate.html&linkname=Clutterbugs%3a+Time+to+Undecorate%3f&linknote=via+FeedBlitz"><img height="20" border="0" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/images/icons/addtoany.png" style="border:0;float:left;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-left:3px;margin-right:3px;padding:0" vspace="0" ></a> <a title="Like this page on Facebook" href="http://www.feedblitz.com/f?FBLike=http%3a%2f%2fwww.adrianscrazylife.com%2f2011%2f12%2fclutterbugs-time-to-undecorate.html"><img height="20" border="0" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/images/icons/fblike.png" style="border:0;float:left;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-left:3px;margin-right:3px;padding:0" vspace="0" ></a> <a title="Tweet This" href="http://twitter.com/home?status=Clutterbugs%3a+Time+to+Undecorate%3f+http%3a%2f%2fwww.adrianscrazylife.com%2f2011%2f12%2fclutterbugs-time-to-undecorate.html"><img height="20" border="0" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/images/icons/twitter.png" style="border:0;float:left;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-left:3px;margin-right:3px;padding:0" vspace="0" ></a> <a title="Subscribe by email" href="http://feedblitz.com/f?Track=http://feeds.feedblitz.com/adrianscrazylife/www&publisher=21709054"><img height="20" border="0" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/images/icons/emailsubscribe.png" style="border:0;float:left;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-left:3px;margin-right:3px;padding:0" vspace="0" ></a> <a title="Subscribe by RSS" href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/adrianscrazylife/www"><img height="20" border="0" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/images/icons/rss.png" style="border:0;float:left;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-left:3px;margin-right:3px;padding:0" vspace="0" ></a> </div>Adrian's Crazy Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04463022076036044242noreply@blogger.com1http://www.adrianscrazylife.com/2011/12/my-crazy-year-in-review.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5500594918974429539.post-73154397205911046212011-12-29T07:00:00.000-07:002011-12-29T09:13:49.374-07:00My Crazy Year in Review<Img align="left" border="0" height="1" width="1" style="border:0;float:left;margin:0;padding:0" vspace="0" hspace="0" src="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/i/28647647/0/adrianscrazylife/www"><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Wow did 2011 go fast! I swear it still feels like it should be about October instead of the end of the year. But you can't argue with the calendar and it gives me a good excuse for reviewing my posts from the year and picking out my favorites. Some are from my Clutterbugs decluttering series, some are from my Smart Money series, and a few are just for fun. Like my blog, it's an interesting mix and you never know what you'll find. </span>
<br><span style="font-size: small;">
<br></span>
<br><b><span style="font-size: small;">January:</span></b>
<br><span style="font-size: small;">
<br></span>
<br><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://www.adrianscrazylife.com/2011/01/clutterbugs-ask-for-what-you-want.html" target="_blank">Ask for What you Want</a>. This is my take on the eternal fight that goes on between cleanies and messies who have to live in the same house. I have some tips on how to deal with it in a respectful way that gets both of you a little bit of what you want. </span>
<br>
<br><span style="font-size: small;"> </span>
<br><b><span style="font-size: small;">February:</span></b>
<br><span style="font-size: small;">
<br></span>
<br><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://www.adrianscrazylife.com/2011/02/clutterbugs-dealing-with-ops-other.html" target="_blank">Dealing with OPS (Other People's Stuff)</a>. I <i>love </i>this one - it's a semi-humorous look at ways you can encourage your spouse and/or children and/or room mates to literally clean up their acts. For instance, I made my sons sing "I'm a Little Teapot" to reclaim some of their valuable items. </span>
<br><span style="font-size: small;">
<br></span>
<br><b><span style="font-size: small;">March:</span></b>
<br><span style="font-size: small;">
<br></span>
<br><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://www.adrianscrazylife.com/2011/03/smart-money-have-backup-plan.html" target="_blank">Smart Money: Have a Backup Plan.</a> This was a post I wrote after we had a rather sudden mass layoff at my company. I wasn't involved in it, but it definitely gave me something to think about. Bad things happen, they happen fast, and you have to be prepared to deal with them. The Japanese earthquake and tsunami happened in that same month and that gave me a lot to think about also. </span>
<br><span style="font-size: small;">
<br></span>
<br><b><span style="font-size: small;">April: </span></b>
<br><span style="font-size: small;">
<br></span>
<br><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://www.adrianscrazylife.com/2011/04/clutterbugs-how-does-clutter-affect.html" target="_blank">How Does Clutter Affect Your Children?</a> After raising two ADHD sons, I became aware of how the clutter in our home affected their behavior and their state of mind. I think there is a strong link between environment and behavior in both children and adults. </span>
<br><span style="font-size: small;">
<br></span>
<br><b><span style="font-size: small;">May:</span></b>
<br><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://www.blogger.com/goog_1782237747"><span style="font-size: small;">
<br></span></a>
<br><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://www.adrianscrazylife.com/2011/05/entitlement-trap-book-discussion.html" target="_blank">Book Review: The Entitlement Trap.</a> This was a review I did of a book by Richard Eyre, a local writer. He and his wife Linda have 9 children and have written some really helpful books on parenting. I worked with Richard recently to come to my son's school to talk to the parents and administrators about bullying and some of the issues they've been experiencing recently. I thought this was a book my readers might be interested in. </span>
<br><span style="font-size: small;">
<br></span>
<br><span style="font-size: small;">
<br></span>
<br><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KDExwCmEpZA/TvlVhb9vPuI/AAAAAAAAHVw/AUzDy9B6Y4Q/s1600/HighlandGames%252711+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KDExwCmEpZA/TvlVhb9vPuI/AAAAAAAAHVw/AUzDy9B6Y4Q/s320/HighlandGames%252711+%25281%2529.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><span style="font-size: small;">
<br></span>
<br><b><span style="font-size: small;">June:</span></b>
<br><span style="font-size: small;">
<br></span>
<br><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://www.adrianscrazylife.com/2011/05/entitlement-trap-book-discussion.html" target="_blank">A Visit to the Highland Games.</a> This is a lighthearted post about my family's annual visit to the Highland Games. That is one of our few traditions of the year and the one bit of heritage I'm able to provide for my sons. </span>
<br>
<br><span style="font-size: small;"> </span>
<br><b><span style="font-size: small;"> July:</span></b>
<br><span style="font-size: small;">
<br></span>
<br><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://www.adrianscrazylife.com/2011/07/clutterbugs-my-top-5-motivational-ideas.html" target="_blank">My Top 5 Motivational Ideas.</a> This is always a subject I am fascinated with - why some people can achieve their goals so easily while others (like me!) can't usually manage to get their efforts off the ground. These are some tips I've gathered over the years that I hope will help you. </span>
<br><span style="font-size: small;">
<br></span>
<br><b><span style="font-size: small;">August: </span></b>
<br><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://www.blogger.com/goog_1782237786"><span style="font-size: small;">
<br></span></a>
<br><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://www.adrianscrazylife.com/2011/08/clutterbugs-taming-paper-tiger.html" target="_blank">Taming the Paper Tiger.</a> Paper is one of the biggest clutter challenges, and it is one of the most requested subjects from my readers. These are my ideas on how to get your paper clutter under control. </span>
<br><span style="font-size: small;">
<br></span>
<br><b><span style="font-size: small;">September: </span></b>
<br><span style="font-size: small;">
<br></span>
<br><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://www.adrianscrazylife.com/2011/09/smart-money-retail-therapy-is-worst.html" target="_blank">Retail Therapy is the Worst Kind of Therapy.</a> This is a little post about the dangers of recreational shopping. I have seen so many people come to grief through the greed of overshopping - including myself at times....</span>
<br><span style="font-size: small;">
<br></span>
<br><b><span style="font-size: small;">October:</span></b>
<br><span style="font-size: small;">
<br></span>
<br><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://www.adrianscrazylife.com/2011/10/smart-money-cut-your-power-bill.html" target="_blank">Cut Your Power Bill.</a> I don't know about you, but my power bill is ridiculous! This is a collection of tips and new technologies that will help you to lower your power bill. </span>
<br><span style="font-size: small;">
<br></span>
<br><b><span style="font-size: small;">November:</span></b>
<br><span style="font-size: small;">
<br></span>
<br><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://www.adrianscrazylife.com/2011/12/blogger-girls-just-wanna-have-fun.html" target="_blank">Blogger Girls Just Wanna Have Fun.</a> That's one good thing about being a blogger - we know how to have a good time and we're a large and friendly group around here. This is just one of many different parties and events I've had the good fortune to attend.</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">December:</span></b></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://www.blogger.com/goog_1907475231">
<br></a></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://www.adrianscrazylife.com/2011/12/they-make-blind-children-see.html" target="_blank">They Make Blind Children See</a>. This is a must-read post for anyone who has a special needs child. It's funny that you don't hear about people quietly working common-sense miracles in obscure little corners of the world, but you hear daily about idiots like Paris Hilton, Lindsay Lohan, and Angelina Jolie. I figured it was time we give the do-gooders a little love. </span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
<br></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">That's about it for 2011. I'll be interested to see what I manage to come up with for 2012 and I hope you will too! </span>
<br>
<br><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://www.mamakatslosinit.com/"><img alt="Mama’s Losin’ It" src="http://i913.photobucket.com/albums/ac331/mamakatslosinit/pink-poodle2.png" title="Mama’s Losin’ It" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
<br></span><span style="font-size: small;">
<br></span>
<br><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/adriansstampclub/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd438/EightDaysDesigns/Adrian%20G/Signature.png" /></a></span>
<br><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://twitter.com/twitadrian"><img height="42" src="http://www.twitterbuttons.com/images/ex/twitter-35a.png" title="By: TwitterButtons.com" width="199" /></a> <span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://www.twitterbuttons.com/">By TwitterButtons.com</a></span> </span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><img alt="Delicious" height="10" src="http://l.yimg.com/hr/img/delicious.small.gif" width="10" /><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://www.delicious.com/save"> Bookmark this on Delicious</a></span> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5500594918974429539-7315439720591104621?l=www.adrianscrazylife.com' alt='' /></div>
<div style="clear:both;padding-top:1em;"><a title="Share with AddToAny" href="http://www.addtoany.com/share_save?linkurl=http%3a%2f%2fwww.adrianscrazylife.com%2f2011%2f12%2fmy-crazy-year-in-review.html&linkname=My+Crazy+Year+in+Review&linknote=via+FeedBlitz"><img height="20" border="0" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/images/icons/addtoany.png" style="border:0;float:left;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-left:3px;margin-right:3px;padding:0" vspace="0" ></a> <a title="Like this page on Facebook" href="http://www.feedblitz.com/f?FBLike=http%3a%2f%2fwww.adrianscrazylife.com%2f2011%2f12%2fmy-crazy-year-in-review.html"><img height="20" border="0" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/images/icons/fblike.png" style="border:0;float:left;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-left:3px;margin-right:3px;padding:0" vspace="0" ></a> <a title="Tweet This" href="http://twitter.com/home?status=My+Crazy+Year+in+Review+http%3a%2f%2fwww.adrianscrazylife.com%2f2011%2f12%2fmy-crazy-year-in-review.html"><img height="20" border="0" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/images/icons/twitter.png" style="border:0;float:left;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-left:3px;margin-right:3px;padding:0" vspace="0" ></a> <a title="Subscribe by email" href="http://feedblitz.com/f?Track=http://feeds.feedblitz.com/adrianscrazylife/www&publisher=21709054"><img height="20" border="0" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/images/icons/emailsubscribe.png" style="border:0;float:left;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-left:3px;margin-right:3px;padding:0" vspace="0" ></a> <a title="Subscribe by RSS" href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/adrianscrazylife/www"><img height="20" border="0" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/images/icons/rss.png" style="border:0;float:left;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-left:3px;margin-right:3px;padding:0" vspace="0" ></a> </div>Adrian's Crazy Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04463022076036044242noreply@blogger.com0http://www.adrianscrazylife.com/2011/12/my-20th-work-anniversary.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5500594918974429539.post-78942119858879013702011-12-26T07:00:00.000-07:002011-12-26T07:00:10.745-07:00My 20th Work Anniversary<Img align="left" border="0" height="1" width="1" style="border:0;float:left;margin:0;padding:0" vspace="0" hspace="0" src="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/i/28605931/0/adrianscrazylife/www"><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I hit a big milestone earlier this month - my 20th anniversary with my company - wow! That is something I never thought I'd say, especially in this day and age, but I MADE IT! </span>
<br>
<br><span style="font-size: small;">The funny thing is, even though this was a HUGE accomplishment for me, at my company, 20 years is literally no big deal. It's almost "new kid on the block" territory, so it was very odd for me. <i>(You notice I don't mention where I work, and that's just a nod to my on-line privacy - it's a big company, everyone is familiar with it, and I don't particularly want to be on their radar. They are a very well-respected company and I really like working for them, but I just don't necessarily disclose that info on-line for the whole world to know.)</i></span>
<br>
<br><span style="font-size: small;">There are several people in my department who have 30 to 35 years and most of them are between 15 and 20 years, so it was just very odd for me. I kind of wanted to make a big deal about it, but everyone was just kind of blah about it. </span>
<br>
<br><span style="font-size: small;">I got an congratulatory Email from my boss of the last ten years (she is in another state), an auto-signed, pre-printed card from the head of my division - <i>I thought that was honestly a little insulting for a 20 year anniversary</i> and then I got a certificate, a lapel pin, and a lucite cube with the company logo and 20 years on it. I don't know what I was expecting - a ticker tape parade or something? But it just seemed a little underwhelming to me. I was like, "Wow, that really makes me want to work another 20 years for these people". </span>
<br>
<br><span style="font-size: small;">The odd thing is that it really is more like my 35th anniversary of working in general. Even though I've been with this place for 20 years, I probably had worked a total of 15 years for a bunch of other companies before that, an average of 2 to 3 years at each one, but they don't count them when you work like that. It's like I tell my husband - he tries to lump me and his first wife together so he can say he's been married for a total of 35 years - hey bud, it's not cumulative. You don't get to add two marriages together for an aggregate total! </span>
<br>
<br><span style="font-size: small;">I know in Utah, I seem like a really odd duck amid all the stay-at-home mommies. I do know a lot of working Mom's, but most of them stayed home when their kids were younger. I just never felt like that was an option for me because my family really counted on my income. And I come from a family of working women, so it never seemed like legitimate possibility for me to not work. My grandmother owned her own business, my mother worked my whole life, my sister is a complete workaholic and all my nieces and cousins worked also, so I don't know if I ever had a role model of that when I was growing up. I wish at other times, I'd made other choices, but the proof is in the pudding. I have 3 amazing boys who are doing wonderfully well, so I guess I must have done something right. </span>
<br>
<br><span style="font-size: small;">I think I just need to disregard all the blah people and just celebrate myself for what I've accomplished. Maybe after the holidays, I'll go out and get a little something special for myself to celebrate my anniversary and if I want to call it my 35th anniversary, I will! But I'm still not gonna let my husband add me together with his ex-wife! </span>
<br><span style="font-size: small;"> </span>
<br><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/adriansstampclub/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd438/EightDaysDesigns/Adrian%20G/Signature.png" /></a></span>
<br><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://twitter.com/twitadrian"><img height="42" src="http://www.twitterbuttons.com/images/ex/twitter-35a.png" title="By: TwitterButtons.com" width="199" /></a> <span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://www.twitterbuttons.com/">By TwitterButtons.com</a></span> </span>
<br></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><img alt="Delicious" height="10" src="http://l.yimg.com/hr/img/delicious.small.gif" width="10" /><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://www.delicious.com/save"> Bookmark this on Delicious</a></span> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5500594918974429539-7894211985887901370?l=www.adrianscrazylife.com' alt='' /></div>
<div style="clear:both;padding-top:1em;"><a title="Share with AddToAny" href="http://www.addtoany.com/share_save?linkurl=http%3a%2f%2fwww.adrianscrazylife.com%2f2011%2f12%2fmy-20th-work-anniversary.html&linkname=My+20th+Work+Anniversary&linknote=via+FeedBlitz"><img height="20" border="0" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/images/icons/addtoany.png" style="border:0;float:left;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-left:3px;margin-right:3px;padding:0" vspace="0" ></a> <a title="Like this page on Facebook" href="http://www.feedblitz.com/f?FBLike=http%3a%2f%2fwww.adrianscrazylife.com%2f2011%2f12%2fmy-20th-work-anniversary.html"><img height="20" border="0" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/images/icons/fblike.png" style="border:0;float:left;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-left:3px;margin-right:3px;padding:0" vspace="0" ></a> <a title="Tweet This" href="http://twitter.com/home?status=My+20th+Work+Anniversary+http%3a%2f%2fwww.adrianscrazylife.com%2f2011%2f12%2fmy-20th-work-anniversary.html"><img height="20" border="0" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/images/icons/twitter.png" style="border:0;float:left;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-left:3px;margin-right:3px;padding:0" vspace="0" ></a> <a title="Subscribe by email" href="http://feedblitz.com/f?Track=http://feeds.feedblitz.com/adrianscrazylife/www&publisher=21709054"><img height="20" border="0" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/images/icons/emailsubscribe.png" style="border:0;float:left;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-left:3px;margin-right:3px;padding:0" vspace="0" ></a> <a title="Subscribe by RSS" href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/adrianscrazylife/www"><img height="20" border="0" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/images/icons/rss.png" style="border:0;float:left;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-left:3px;margin-right:3px;padding:0" vspace="0" ></a> </div>Adrian's Crazy Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04463022076036044242noreply@blogger.com0http://www.adrianscrazylife.com/2011/12/christmas-at-crazy-house-2011-version.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5500594918974429539.post-80531291188044535192011-12-24T07:00:00.000-07:002011-12-24T07:00:03.019-07:00Christmas at the Crazy House - 2011 Version<Img align="left" border="0" height="1" width="1" style="border:0;float:left;margin:0;padding:0" vspace="0" hspace="0" src="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/i/28593866/0/adrianscrazylife/www"><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Christmas is coming along nicely here at the crazy house. it's the day before Christmas Eve and all the presents are bought, wrapped, and are waiting to go under the tree (with four cats, we don't take any chances!) </span>
<br>
<br><span style="font-size: small;">Even though my husband has been off work this winter for his shoulder surgery, thankfully we've been saving up all year for Christmas, so we've actually been in pretty good shape. I have to say, that is so much nicer than putting it all on a credit card and facing those big bills in January. </span>
<br>
<br><span style="font-size: small;">I have to say, I love Christmas, but it's a heck of a lot of work. I take a whole week off around the 10th to get most of it done so I can relax and enjoy myself for the rest of the month. </span>That way I can get all my decorating, shopping, and mailing done. Speaking of decorating, I thought you'd like a peek at some of my special Christmas decor.
<br>
<br>I like to have a pretty color-coordinated tree. <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://www.adrianscrazylife.com/2010/12/christmas-2010-at-crazy-house.html"> Last year</a>, we had the blue, silver, and white tree. This year, we switched back to the candy cane tree.
<br>
<br><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-J67x7oWLMsg/TvVkM_cr5wI/AAAAAAAAHT8/VZP8KGAox5A/s1600/ChristmasDecor11+%252814%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-J67x7oWLMsg/TvVkM_cr5wI/AAAAAAAAHT8/VZP8KGAox5A/s320/ChristmasDecor11+%252814%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Notice the sports themed ornament - my husband is OU all the way! </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The snowman says "Will Work for Freezer Space"</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0wpALH5-dXk/TvVkfwsr2zI/AAAAAAAAHUM/EMqGfJTtTYU/s1600/ChristmasDecor11+%252817%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0wpALH5-dXk/TvVkfwsr2zI/AAAAAAAAHUM/EMqGfJTtTYU/s320/ChristmasDecor11+%252817%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br>See that one with the golf tees in it? This year, my son Matt got that one in honor of my Dad who was a big golfer. That makes him an awesome son, but on the other hand, he also got THIS ornament - in both red and blue to match BOTH trees. Yes, we are the redneck family of our neighborhood!
<br>
<br>
<br><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-u7hAuWfQZWs/TvVkVM7bEdI/AAAAAAAAHUE/JuZG8o58vBM/s1600/ChristmasDecor11+%252815%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-u7hAuWfQZWs/TvVkVM7bEdI/AAAAAAAAHUE/JuZG8o58vBM/s320/ChristmasDecor11+%252815%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br>One of the things I like best is the chance to get out some of the beautiful items I've made over the years. It kind of reminds me of how crafty I used to be BEFORE I discovered the Internet, that is.
<br>
<br><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qNFGZGX72ZQ/TvVmyrRZHOI/AAAAAAAAHUY/rxKrwQGHxb0/s1600/ChristmasDecor11+%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qNFGZGX72ZQ/TvVmyrRZHOI/AAAAAAAAHUY/rxKrwQGHxb0/s320/ChristmasDecor11+%25284%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love my little skaters. I painted those about 25 years ago and they come out every year! </td></tr></tbody></table>
<br><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5Kghb_wsOmY/TvVm9QK8mvI/AAAAAAAAHUg/XT3FmQHDjEE/s1600/ChristmasDecor11+%252810%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5Kghb_wsOmY/TvVm9QK8mvI/AAAAAAAAHUg/XT3FmQHDjEE/s320/ChristmasDecor11+%252810%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Like my cute Santa coasters? </td></tr></tbody></table>
<br><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-czvM-SpOksI/TvVnJzxTc7I/AAAAAAAAHUo/RGxLm4qv4M0/s1600/ChristmasDecor11+%252811%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-czvM-SpOksI/TvVnJzxTc7I/AAAAAAAAHUo/RGxLm4qv4M0/s320/ChristmasDecor11+%252811%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hand painted ornaments</td></tr></tbody></table>
<br><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YL9dcB9Y-ug/TvVjxp6G9dI/AAAAAAAAHTw/3fgh7oPNVmg/s1600/ChristmasDecor11+%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YL9dcB9Y-ug/TvVjxp6G9dI/AAAAAAAAHTw/3fgh7oPNVmg/s320/ChristmasDecor11+%25283%2529.JPG" width="214" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This cross-stitched stocking took me two YEARS to finish. You bet that baby is coming out every year! </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
<br></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
<br></td></tr></tbody></table>Here is my trifecta of nativity sets. I actually have 3 or 4 other sets, but these are my favorites. I probably need a 12 step program or something, but it's only once a year, so I guess I can keep it under control for one month.
<br><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LrAH425lxE4/TvVpAH3xE5I/AAAAAAAAHU0/HcMncEDHLys/s1600/ChristmasDecor11+%25286%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<br></a></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HGGLB3MM3vg/TvVpJW47GOI/AAAAAAAAHU8/Jz-LIZ48IW4/s1600/ChristmasDecor11+%25289%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HGGLB3MM3vg/TvVpJW47GOI/AAAAAAAAHU8/Jz-LIZ48IW4/s320/ChristmasDecor11+%25289%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Last year, our cats "beheaded" Joseph and batted his head all around the living room. This year, we have a motion sensor alarm protecting the mantel. Naughty kitties! </td></tr></tbody></table>
<br><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YoGIzkYButo/TvVpREG7OHI/AAAAAAAAHVE/wa1Qn1M1u08/s1600/ChristmasDecor11+%252819%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YoGIzkYButo/TvVpREG7OHI/AAAAAAAAHVE/wa1Qn1M1u08/s320/ChristmasDecor11+%252819%2529.JPG" width="214" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I remember my oldest son playing with the top set when he was little. He couldn't say Joseph (which was also his middle name) so he kept telling us about Mary and Jofus. He's been Matthew Jofus to us ever since! </td></tr></tbody></table><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1d96CfTh3kE/TvVr7ud68_I/AAAAAAAAHVQ/UIpEEr-eg4Q/s1600/ChristmasDecor11+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1d96CfTh3kE/TvVr7ud68_I/AAAAAAAAHVQ/UIpEEr-eg4Q/s320/ChristmasDecor11+%25281%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<br>This humble little needlepoint mailbox is the key to our whole present delivery strategy. I have a pair of these that I made back before I got married (ancient history!). Our tradition is that each boy will find a note in "their" mailbox that leads them on a helter-skelter trip around the house to discover their "big wow" gift which is hidden somewhere in the house. It's a great strategy for those large, hard-to-wrap gifts like bikes, guitars, and computers.
<br>
<br>This year, Matt's girlfriend Pam is spending Christmas with us, so of course she has to have a hunt of her own. She's going to have to share a mailbox though, 'cuz I lost the pattern for these years ago. And besides, now that I've found the Internet, I think I've lost most of my crafting mojo. That's why I have to hang onto all this old stuff!
<br>
<br><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EZp0vd_Z-S0/TvVtuLl8ipI/AAAAAAAAHVc/QXGCfxqj7bQ/s1600/Tgiving_Karla+%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EZp0vd_Z-S0/TvVtuLl8ipI/AAAAAAAAHVc/QXGCfxqj7bQ/s320/Tgiving_Karla+%25283%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WPaYkhGjdFY/TvVt2F9ANVI/AAAAAAAAHVk/yNUYggPUkzY/s1600/Tgiving_Karla+%25285%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<br></a></div>Naturally, we'll be headed to church for the midnight candlelight service. That's always our special Christmas moment. Fortunately, the weather is supposed to be cold but clear. Think of me as I'm staying up til ONE as usual to stuff the stockings and litter the house with post-it notes for the great present hunt!
<br>
<br>Merry Christmas from us at the Crazy House!
<br>
<br><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/adriansstampclub/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd438/EightDaysDesigns/Adrian%20G/Signature.png" /></a></span>
<br><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://twitter.com/twitadrian"><img height="42" src="http://www.twitterbuttons.com/images/ex/twitter-35a.png" title="By: TwitterButtons.com" width="199" /></a> <span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://www.twitterbuttons.com/">By TwitterButtons.com</a></span> </span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><img alt="Delicious" height="10" src="http://l.yimg.com/hr/img/delicious.small.gif" width="10" /><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://www.delicious.com/save"> Bookmark this on Delicious</a></span> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5500594918974429539-8053129118804453519?l=www.adrianscrazylife.com' alt='' /></div>
<div style="clear:both;padding-top:1em;"><a title="Share with AddToAny" href="http://www.addtoany.com/share_save?linkurl=http%3a%2f%2fwww.adrianscrazylife.com%2f2011%2f12%2fchristmas-at-crazy-house-2011-version.html&linkname=Christmas+at+the+Crazy+House+-+2011+Version&linknote=via+FeedBlitz"><img height="20" border="0" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/images/icons/addtoany.png" style="border:0;float:left;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-left:3px;margin-right:3px;padding:0" vspace="0" ></a> <a title="Like this page on Facebook" href="http://www.feedblitz.com/f?FBLike=http%3a%2f%2fwww.adrianscrazylife.com%2f2011%2f12%2fchristmas-at-crazy-house-2011-version.html"><img height="20" border="0" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/images/icons/fblike.png" style="border:0;float:left;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-left:3px;margin-right:3px;padding:0" vspace="0" ></a> <a title="Tweet This" href="http://twitter.com/home?status=Christmas+at+the+Crazy+House+-+2011+Version+http%3a%2f%2fwww.adrianscrazylife.com%2f2011%2f12%2fchristmas-at-crazy-house-2011-version.html"><img height="20" border="0" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/images/icons/twitter.png" style="border:0;float:left;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-left:3px;margin-right:3px;padding:0" vspace="0" ></a> <a title="Subscribe by email" href="http://feedblitz.com/f?Track=http://feeds.feedblitz.com/adrianscrazylife/www&publisher=21709054"><img height="20" border="0" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/images/icons/emailsubscribe.png" style="border:0;float:left;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-left:3px;margin-right:3px;padding:0" vspace="0" ></a> <a title="Subscribe by RSS" href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/adrianscrazylife/www"><img height="20" border="0" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/images/icons/rss.png" style="border:0;float:left;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-left:3px;margin-right:3px;padding:0" vspace="0" ></a> </div>Adrian's Crazy Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04463022076036044242noreply@blogger.com0http://www.adrianscrazylife.com/2011/12/stamped-stuff-nov-projects-turkey.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5500594918974429539.post-81608461772176790592011-12-23T07:00:00.000-07:002011-12-23T07:00:04.940-07:00Stamped Stuff: Nov Projects - Turkey Nuggets<Img align="left" border="0" height="1" width="1" style="border:0;float:left;margin:0;padding:0" vspace="0" hspace="0" src="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/i/28585892/0/adrianscrazylife/www"><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I know it's a little late for Thanksgiving projects, but these projects were so cute, I just had to share them with you for next year. The idea for this project came from our #1 Demonstrator of the Year for 2011 - Tami White. </span>
<br>
<br><span style="font-size: small;">She has a darling YouTube video showing how to make these adorable and easy <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8rkzSU_PFY8">Turkey Nuggets</a>. I have to say, I can see why she is the demo of the year, she comes up with the cutest projects. </span>
<br>
<br>
<br><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-E8ZvHgQnmIo/TvKpMXFYlLI/AAAAAAAAHQE/MnMXTGOQx1M/s1600/Nov+11+Projects+Revised.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-E8ZvHgQnmIo/TvKpMXFYlLI/AAAAAAAAHQE/MnMXTGOQx1M/s320/Nov+11+Projects+Revised.jpg" width="288" /></a></div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-c-brfNj-lq0/TvKmzFYbBII/AAAAAAAAHP4/QlJ2Rcr4fL4/s1600/Nov+11+Projects+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<br></a></div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MfDmR4q7VBc/TvKhut0ijNI/AAAAAAAAHPs/uv_w3XHQB-s/s1600/Nov+11+Projects+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<br></a></div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VRIlh5BOCEo/TvKhMUqf3bI/AAAAAAAAHPg/ClAtpwbHDrQ/s1600/Nov+11+Projects+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<br></a></div><span style="font-size: small;"></span>
<br><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/adriansstampclub/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd438/EightDaysDesigns/Adrian%20G/Signature.png" /></a></span>
<br><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://twitter.com/twitadrian"><img height="42" src="http://www.twitterbuttons.com/images/ex/twitter-35a.png" title="By: TwitterButtons.com" width="199" /></a> <span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://www.twitterbuttons.com/">By TwitterButtons.com</a></span> </span>
<br></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><img alt="Delicious" height="10" src="http://l.yimg.com/hr/img/delicious.small.gif" width="10" /><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://www.delicious.com/save"> Bookmark this on Delicious</a></span> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5500594918974429539-8160846177217679059?l=www.adrianscrazylife.com' alt='' /></div>
<div style="clear:both;padding-top:1em;"><a title="Share with AddToAny" href="http://www.addtoany.com/share_save?linkurl=http%3a%2f%2fwww.adrianscrazylife.com%2f2011%2f12%2fstamped-stuff-nov-projects-turkey.html&linkname=Stamped+Stuff%3a+Nov+Projects+-+Turkey+Nuggets&linknote=via+FeedBlitz"><img height="20" border="0" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/images/icons/addtoany.png" style="border:0;float:left;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-left:3px;margin-right:3px;padding:0" vspace="0" ></a> <a title="Like this page on Facebook" href="http://www.feedblitz.com/f?FBLike=http%3a%2f%2fwww.adrianscrazylife.com%2f2011%2f12%2fstamped-stuff-nov-projects-turkey.html"><img height="20" border="0" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/images/icons/fblike.png" style="border:0;float:left;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-left:3px;margin-right:3px;padding:0" vspace="0" ></a> <a title="Tweet This" href="http://twitter.com/home?status=Stamped+Stuff%3a+Nov+Projects+-+Turkey+Nuggets+http%3a%2f%2fwww.adrianscrazylife.com%2f2011%2f12%2fstamped-stuff-nov-projects-turkey.html"><img height="20" border="0" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/images/icons/twitter.png" style="border:0;float:left;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-left:3px;margin-right:3px;padding:0" vspace="0" ></a> <a title="Subscribe by email" href="http://feedblitz.com/f?Track=http://feeds.feedblitz.com/adrianscrazylife/www&publisher=21709054"><img height="20" border="0" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/images/icons/emailsubscribe.png" style="border:0;float:left;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-left:3px;margin-right:3px;padding:0" vspace="0" ></a> <a title="Subscribe by RSS" href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/adrianscrazylife/www"><img height="20" border="0" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/images/icons/rss.png" style="border:0;float:left;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-left:3px;margin-right:3px;padding:0" vspace="0" ></a> </div>Adrian's Crazy Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04463022076036044242noreply@blogger.com0http://www.adrianscrazylife.com/2011/12/they-make-blind-children-see.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5500594918974429539.post-62678130126696377552011-12-22T07:00:00.000-07:002011-12-22T07:00:10.037-07:00They Make Blind Children See<Img align="left" border="0" height="1" width="1" style="border:0;float:left;margin:0;padding:0" vspace="0" hspace="0" src="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/i/28575799/0/adrianscrazylife/www"><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I know some people who can do some pretty amazing things. Seriously, amazing things. Like making blind children see. Making children walk who had never walked before. You know, boring stuff like that. </span>
<br><span style="font-size: small;">
<br></span>
<br><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QyfocuXBHNw/TuwaW3Jo3nI/AAAAAAAAHPQ/1CSNz9wapxU/s1600/glenn_color_02.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QyfocuXBHNw/TuwaW3Jo3nI/AAAAAAAAHPQ/1CSNz9wapxU/s1600/glenn_color_02.jpeg" /></a></div><span style="font-size: small;">
<br></span>
<br><span style="font-size: small;">Take this man. Looks a little like Santa Claus, doesn't he? But he gives kids a gift that is much better than mere toys. His name is Glenn Doman and he has devoted his entire adult life to the treatment of brain injured children. Not just his own life, but his wife's life and at least two of his children's lives - (maybe three, I can't remember). That's dedication. He's 90 now and I haven't seen him in a decade or so, but if I know him, he's still at it. You can't retire when you've got so many injured kids and their parents who need you. </span>
<br><span style="font-size: small;">
<br></span>
<br><span style="font-size: small;">I'm sure you're wondering why you've never heard of this program. I am too. Isn't it funny that we live in a world where everyone knows everything there is to know about Lindsay Lohan, Charlie Sheen, and Brittney Spears, but you don't hear about a tiny little place in Philadelphia that is doing these wonderful things. Although they aren't just in Philadelphia any more. They are in Japan and Spain, and about 5 other countries. </span>
<br><span style="font-size: small;">
<br></span>
<br><span style="font-size: small;">Here are some actual numbers - out of 278 blind kids that were seen in a 2 year period, 236 of them are now able to see and 194 of them can see well enough to read. That's an 85% success rate. Sounds too good to be true, but it's not a hoax, or a gimmick, or a scam. What is it? It's a <i>lot </i>of hard work, mostly by the parents of the kids. </span>
<br>
<br><span style="font-size: small;">To get a child to see, the parents do something very simple - they take the child into a dark room and they take a $2 flashlight and they turn it on and off. And on and off. For about five minutes out of every hour. For 10-12 hours a day. 7 days a week. 365 days of the year. Plus a bunch of other exercises - all day, every day. Yes, it is a drastic amount of work. But if your child is facing a lifetime of blindness, how much is too much?</span>
<br>
<br><span style="font-size: small;">Seems completely bizarre doesn't it? No one ever thought to shine a flashlight at a blind child. Why bother if they can't see? But that's just the point. There's a natural law about the body - form follows function. If you run long enough and hard enough, you'll have the body of a runner. Seen Biggest Loser lately? If you do ballet for enough hours of the days for enough years, you'll develop the body of a ballerina. If your brain senses a light shining in your eyes hundreds of thousands of times, it will slowly, gradually build a new pathway to the optic nerves. Weird, huh? But it's worked for all these hundreds of kids. </span>
<br><span style="font-size: small;">
<br></span>
<br><span style="font-size: small;">How do I know these folks? Well, about 10 years ago, when my youngest son was a baby, I found a magazine article that sparked my interest. Then I found one of their books, then I found their website. Eventually, I got on a plane and flew to Philadelphia to spend a week in their program. My son wasn't blind or anything, but I was seeing some things that had me concerned. I was terrified he was autistic or something. Turns out he wasn't, but he did have ADHD and some speech problems. But they took me just as seriously as the parents of the kids with downs syndrome or cerebral palsy and they taught me what to do.</span>
<br><span style="font-size: small;">
<br></span>
<br><span style="font-size: small;">Then I came home and set to work. My son is 13 now, he's in Jr High, he reads on a college level, is pulling mostly A's on his report card, and he's working towards his Eagle Scout badge. I don't think that would have been possible without the help I got at the Institutes for the Achievement of Human Potential in Philadelphia (yes, I HATE the name, but I love the place). </span>
<br>
<br><span style="font-size: small;">For more info on our experience, I have an earlier post on <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://www.adrianscrazylife.com/2009/10/glenn-doman-and-iahp.html">our experiences with IAHP here</a>. You can also go to their website at<a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~ihttp://iahp.org/"> IAHP.org</a> and there are TONS of great information - articles, statistics, books, case studies, etc. Their big focus is on disabled children, of course, but they also have an outstanding school and many great resources for well children as well, so it's information any parent can benefit from. </span>
<br><span style="font-size: small;">
<br></span>
<br><span style="font-size: small;">Check them out - I <i>guarantee </i>they are MUCH more interesting than Lindsay Lohan! </span>
<br><span style="font-size: small;">
<br></span>
<br><span style="font-size: small;">
<br></span>
<br><span style="font-size: small;"></span>
<br><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/adriansstampclub/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd438/EightDaysDesigns/Adrian%20G/Signature.png" /></a></span>
<br><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://twitter.com/twitadrian"><img height="42" src="http://www.twitterbuttons.com/images/ex/twitter-35a.png" title="By: TwitterButtons.com" width="199" /></a> <span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://www.twitterbuttons.com/">By TwitterButtons.com</a></span> </span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><img alt="Delicious" height="10" src="http://l.yimg.com/hr/img/delicious.small.gif" width="10" /><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://www.delicious.com/save"> Bookmark this on Delicious</a></span> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5500594918974429539-6267813012669637755?l=www.adrianscrazylife.com' alt='' /></div>
<div style="clear:both;padding-top:1em;"><a title="Share with AddToAny" href="http://www.addtoany.com/share_save?linkurl=http%3a%2f%2fwww.adrianscrazylife.com%2f2011%2f12%2fthey-make-blind-children-see.html&linkname=They+Make+Blind+Children+See&linknote=via+FeedBlitz"><img height="20" border="0" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/images/icons/addtoany.png" style="border:0;float:left;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-left:3px;margin-right:3px;padding:0" vspace="0" ></a> <a title="Like this page on Facebook" href="http://www.feedblitz.com/f?FBLike=http%3a%2f%2fwww.adrianscrazylife.com%2f2011%2f12%2fthey-make-blind-children-see.html"><img height="20" border="0" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/images/icons/fblike.png" style="border:0;float:left;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-left:3px;margin-right:3px;padding:0" vspace="0" ></a> <a title="Tweet This" href="http://twitter.com/home?status=They+Make+Blind+Children+See+http%3a%2f%2fwww.adrianscrazylife.com%2f2011%2f12%2fthey-make-blind-children-see.html"><img height="20" border="0" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/images/icons/twitter.png" style="border:0;float:left;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-left:3px;margin-right:3px;padding:0" vspace="0" ></a> <a title="Subscribe by email" href="http://feedblitz.com/f?Track=http://feeds.feedblitz.com/adrianscrazylife/www&publisher=21709054"><img height="20" border="0" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/images/icons/emailsubscribe.png" style="border:0;float:left;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-left:3px;margin-right:3px;padding:0" vspace="0" ></a> <a title="Subscribe by RSS" href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/adrianscrazylife/www"><img height="20" border="0" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/images/icons/rss.png" style="border:0;float:left;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-left:3px;margin-right:3px;padding:0" vspace="0" ></a> </div>Adrian's Crazy Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04463022076036044242noreply@blogger.com1http://www.adrianscrazylife.com/2011/12/smartmoney-financial-behavior.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5500594918974429539.post-30262697073573225602011-12-15T07:00:00.000-07:002011-12-16T21:18:03.103-07:00Smart Money: Financial Behavior Modification<Img align="left" border="0" height="1" width="1" style="border:0;float:left;margin:0;padding:0" vspace="0" hspace="0" src="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/i/28495293/0/adrianscrazylife/www"><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">When it comes to your finances, it's kind of like the nature vs. nurture debate. You can have all the financial knowledge in the world, but if you don't have a handle on your behavior, you aren't any better off than someone who doesn't know a mutual fund from a credit union. </span>
<br>
<br><span style="font-size: small;">In fact, I think that behavioral techniques are more important than knowing which investments are best, or which stock broker to use. You can definitely reap some benefits from proper investing, but you can do a lot more damage by out of control behavior. </span>
<br>
<br><span style="font-size: small;">I think we all know the basics - pay yourself first, save 10%, pay your credit cards off every month, spend less than you earn, etc. But those things aren't always easy for everyone to stick to. </span>
<br><span style="font-size: small;">
<br></span>
<br><span style="font-size: small;">The thing is, if you can manage a few of these basic behaviors, you can end up being as financially successful as someone who knows all the secrets of savvy investments. It's kind of like dieting. Everyone goes for all the gimmicks and the quick and easy fixes, but if you can just manage your basic diet and exercise behaviors for long enough, you WILL lose weight - it's inevitable. </span>
<br><span style="font-size: small;">
<br></span>
<br><span style="font-size: small;">So, what are some strategies to to get your financial behavior focused in the direction you need it to go? One thing you can do is to make it a game - set some goals, set some measures, make it highly visible with a big scoreboard and even some prizes you can win. I put big post-it notes on my bathroom mirror to show my credit card balances each month so I can watch them go down, and then I have a big PAID OFF section where I can move them once I pay them off. It's very satisfying to see them every morning as I'm brushing my teeth. </span>
<br><span style="font-size: small;">
<br></span>
<br><span style="font-size: small;"></span>
<br><span style="font-size: small;">Another strategy is to get your friends and family to help you. Share your goals with them and ask them to be your cheerleaders as you take positive steps. You don't have to share the specific numbers with them if you don't feel comfortable, but you can share percentages or just the fact that you've set up an automatic savings plan or created a snowball plan to pay off your credit card debt. Once they understand that you're serious about making changes, they can be really supportive. </span>
<br><span style="font-size: small;">
<br></span>
<br><span style="font-size: small;">Another thing that might be helpful in managing your spending behavior is to create some boundaries to keep the worst temptations at bay. Cancel your catalogs, unsubscribe from store Emails, and stop leafing through the sales inserts in your newspaper. Those things are all very carefully designed by marketing specialists to make items that you may not even need seem completely irresistible. Better yet, write something embarrassing on your store credit cards, so you won't want to hand them over for a purchase. </span>
<br>
<br><span style="font-size: small;">Then once you've made some progress in the behavior area, then you'll have the time to brush up on your investment strategies and give yourself the financial education you deserve. Then you'll really be in the winner's circle! </span>
<br>
<br>
<br><span style="font-size: small;"></span>
<br><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/adriansstampclub/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd438/EightDaysDesigns/Adrian%20G/Signature.png" /></a></span>
<br><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://twitter.com/twitadrian"><img height="42" src="http://www.twitterbuttons.com/images/ex/twitter-35a.png" title="By: TwitterButtons.com" width="199" /></a> <span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://www.twitterbuttons.com/">By TwitterButtons.com</a></span> </span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><img alt="Delicious" height="10" src="http://l.yimg.com/hr/img/delicious.small.gif" width="10" /><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://www.delicious.com/save"> Bookmark this on Delicious</a></span> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5500594918974429539-3026269707357322560?l=www.adrianscrazylife.com' alt='' /></div>
<div style="clear:both;padding-top:1em;"><a title="Share with AddToAny" href="http://www.addtoany.com/share_save?linkurl=http%3a%2f%2fwww.adrianscrazylife.com%2f2011%2f12%2fsmartmoney-financial-behavior.html&linkname=Smart+Money%3a+Financial+Behavior+Modification&linknote=via+FeedBlitz"><img height="20" border="0" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/images/icons/addtoany.png" style="border:0;float:left;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-left:3px;margin-right:3px;padding:0" vspace="0" ></a> <a title="Like this page on Facebook" href="http://www.feedblitz.com/f?FBLike=http%3a%2f%2fwww.adrianscrazylife.com%2f2011%2f12%2fsmartmoney-financial-behavior.html"><img height="20" border="0" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/images/icons/fblike.png" style="border:0;float:left;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-left:3px;margin-right:3px;padding:0" vspace="0" ></a> <a title="Tweet This" href="http://twitter.com/home?status=Smart+Money%3a+Financial+Behavior+Modification+http%3a%2f%2fwww.adrianscrazylife.com%2f2011%2f12%2fsmartmoney-financial-behavior.html"><img height="20" border="0" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/images/icons/twitter.png" style="border:0;float:left;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-left:3px;margin-right:3px;padding:0" vspace="0" ></a> <a title="Subscribe by email" href="http://feedblitz.com/f?Track=http://feeds.feedblitz.com/adrianscrazylife/www&publisher=21709054"><img height="20" border="0" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/images/icons/emailsubscribe.png" style="border:0;float:left;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-left:3px;margin-right:3px;padding:0" vspace="0" ></a> <a title="Subscribe by RSS" href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/adrianscrazylife/www"><img height="20" border="0" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/images/icons/rss.png" style="border:0;float:left;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-left:3px;margin-right:3px;padding:0" vspace="0" ></a> </div>Adrian's Crazy Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04463022076036044242noreply@blogger.com1http://www.adrianscrazylife.com/2011/12/blogger-girls-wanna-have-some-more-fun.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5500594918974429539.post-64240807603775902912011-12-13T07:00:00.000-07:002011-12-13T07:00:14.365-07:00Blogger Girls Wanna Have Some MORE Fun!<Img align="left" border="0" height="1" width="1" style="border:0;float:left;margin:0;padding:0" vspace="0" hspace="0" src="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/i/28464706/0/adrianscrazylife/www"><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I've been having such a good time with my blogger friends this holiday season. First we had this marvelous Halloween party over at Jordan Valley Hospital. We all came in costume and we got to check out their wonderful new doctor's lounge. I guess I must have been having a really good time visiting with everyone because I only ended up with two pictures. It's a shame because we had some awesome costumes. </span>
<br><span style="font-size: small;">
<br></span>
<br><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-f9Vo1ShSSN8/TucA-IaQ-9I/AAAAAAAAHOo/Tp3drbyuXvg/s1600/Blogger+Halloween+Party+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-f9Vo1ShSSN8/TucA-IaQ-9I/AAAAAAAAHOo/Tp3drbyuXvg/s320/Blogger+Halloween+Party+%25281%2529.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Bag of Gumballs</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
<br></td></tr></tbody></table>
<br><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_FKUfViXMw8/TucBFtOQq2I/AAAAAAAAHOw/eRPjWbKDu_U/s1600/Blogger+Halloween+Party+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_FKUfViXMw8/TucBFtOQq2I/AAAAAAAAHOw/eRPjWbKDu_U/s320/Blogger+Halloween+Party+%25282%2529.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jack Sparrow put in an appearance, along with an angry bird, </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and Michelle as an insurance salesman (I think). </td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: small;">
<br></span>
<br><span style="font-size: small;">
<br></span>
<br><span style="font-size: small;">I didn't even get a picture of myself in my costume, which is a shame because I had an awesome spur of the moment costume - sometimes those are the best. I dressed myself up so that practically every inch of skin was covered - hat, gloves, long sleeves, etc. Then I made myself a sandwich board-type sign that said "Nudist on Strike" - hilarious! I even won one of the best costume prizes for it. In fact, I was having a lucky night so I came away with 3 or 4 different prizes. That was sweet - literally - as some of them were candy. </span>
<br><span style="font-size: small;">
<br></span>
<br><span style="font-size: small;">They do have a beautiful lounge for the doctors there at Jordan Valley Hospital. They have nice hotel-like sleeping rooms for the on-call doctors, showers, a gorgeous view of the valley, and all sorts of snacks and beverages to pep up those hard working doctors. Wish I'd been on the ball, I'd had some nice pictures to post. </span>
<br>
<br><span style="font-size: small;">PS: I was whining about not having any pictures of my costume and surprise! I managed to find some out on Flicker thanks to Emily over at IsThisReallyMyLife. Thanks Emi. </span>
<br><span style="font-size: small;">
<br></span>
<br><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J2W8MqyWZN8/TucFqH3UF1I/AAAAAAAAHO4/dTVUuqHicIA/s1600/Blogger+Halloween+Party+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J2W8MqyWZN8/TucFqH3UF1I/AAAAAAAAHO4/dTVUuqHicIA/s320/Blogger+Halloween+Party+3.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">See what I mean?</td></tr></tbody></table>
<br><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0Dneeg7PvBA/TucFqtaShDI/AAAAAAAAHPA/ldlIT-a9ni4/s1600/Blogger+Halloween+Party+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="229" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0Dneeg7PvBA/TucFqtaShDI/AAAAAAAAHPA/ldlIT-a9ni4/s320/Blogger+Halloween+Party+4.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mmmmm, candy</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
<br></td></tr></tbody></table>
<br><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n8zryfgaoYs/TucFrYLcrRI/AAAAAAAAHPI/91f-2mpxxHg/s1600/Blogger+Halloween+Party+5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n8zryfgaoYs/TucFrYLcrRI/AAAAAAAAHPI/91f-2mpxxHg/s320/Blogger+Halloween+Party+5.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love Lindsay's R2D2 costume</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: small;">Then we had the<a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://www.adrianscrazylife.com/2011/12/blogger-girls-just-wanna-have-fun.html"> T-Mobile party</a> last week that was so much fun. The day after that, we had our White Elephant party over at <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://thechocolatedc.com/">The Chocolate</a> in West Jordan. Our blogger ladies have <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=5500594918974429539#editor/target=post;postID=4851179526993017642">partied with them before</a> at their Orem location, I think it was last year with the <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://sassyscoops.com/">Sassy Scoops</a>, right around my birthday in October. We always have a fun time at The Chocolate. </span>
<br>
<br><span style="font-size: small;">It's a cute, tiny little vintage-looking place and they have the most wonderful desserts. However, I always get my favorite item - the Magic Potato. It's almost hard to describe, but it is just wonderful. They take a baked sweet potato, then they whip it up with all sorts of cinnamon, nuts, brown sugar, and other yummy spices, and then throw in a generous handful of crushed pecans and top the whole thing with ice cream. Wow! If you like sweet potatoes as much as I do, it's definitely magic. </span>
<br><span style="font-size: small;">
<br></span>
<br><span style="font-size: small;">The White Elephant party was set up by my dear, sweet friend Kathy over at <a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://danishmama.com/">Danish Mama</a>. </span>
<br><span style="font-size: small;">She got up and made a very heartfelt little speech about how we bloggers support each other that had us all sniffling. Because we really do support each other so much. It's kind of amazing when you realize that just a couple of years ago, I didn't know a soul in the blogging world, but now I've got literally dozens of really neat people that I get together with every few weeks. We take road trips, share hotel rooms, hang out, and have a heck of a lot of fun together. </span>
<br>
<br><span style="font-size: small;">We laugh and we cry, we cheer for each other and we mourn for each other in the hard times, we give each other advice, and sometimes we pitch right in and help out in lots of practical ways. We support each other and promote each other's efforts and passions. Sometimes we buy stuff from each other, sometimes we sell stuff to each other, and lots of times we just give stuff for charities - time, energy, love, money, diapers, school supplies. At one party, we even gave dozens of snuggies for seniors. </span>
<br>
<br><span style="font-size: small;">This time, we all brought packs of diapers to give to Moms who couldn't afford any, 'cuz we've all been there at one time or another. <i>(And our white elephants. I ended up with a fabulous little giftie for my husband that I never would have thought of - a wireless BBQ thermometer.)</i> It's a great community of women (and about 3 guys) and while we fuss and fight with each other sometimes - as girls will do. For the most part, we're pretty damned awesome! </span>
<br><span style="font-size: small;">
<br></span>
<br><span style="font-size: small;">So yes, blogger girls DO just wanna have fun! </span>
<br><span style="font-size: small;">
<br></span>
<br><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/adriansstampclub/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd438/EightDaysDesigns/Adrian%20G/Signature.png" /></a></span>
<br><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://twitter.com/twitadrian"><img height="42" src="http://www.twitterbuttons.com/images/ex/twitter-35a.png" title="By: TwitterButtons.com" width="199" /></a> <span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://www.twitterbuttons.com/">By TwitterButtons.com</a></span> </span>
<br></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><img alt="Delicious" height="10" src="http://l.yimg.com/hr/img/delicious.small.gif" width="10" /><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://www.delicious.com/save"> Bookmark this on Delicious</a></span> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5500594918974429539-6424080760377590291?l=www.adrianscrazylife.com' alt='' /></div>
<div style="clear:both;padding-top:1em;"><a title="Share with AddToAny" href="http://www.addtoany.com/share_save?linkurl=http%3a%2f%2fwww.adrianscrazylife.com%2f2011%2f12%2fblogger-girls-wanna-have-some-more-fun.html&linkname=Blogger+Girls+Wanna+Have+Some+MORE+Fun%21&linknote=via+FeedBlitz"><img height="20" border="0" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/images/icons/addtoany.png" style="border:0;float:left;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-left:3px;margin-right:3px;padding:0" vspace="0" ></a> <a title="Like this page on Facebook" href="http://www.feedblitz.com/f?FBLike=http%3a%2f%2fwww.adrianscrazylife.com%2f2011%2f12%2fblogger-girls-wanna-have-some-more-fun.html"><img height="20" border="0" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/images/icons/fblike.png" style="border:0;float:left;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-left:3px;margin-right:3px;padding:0" vspace="0" ></a> <a title="Tweet This" href="http://twitter.com/home?status=Blogger+Girls+Wanna+Have+Some+MORE+Fun%21+http%3a%2f%2fwww.adrianscrazylife.com%2f2011%2f12%2fblogger-girls-wanna-have-some-more-fun.html"><img height="20" border="0" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/images/icons/twitter.png" style="border:0;float:left;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-left:3px;margin-right:3px;padding:0" vspace="0" ></a> <a title="Subscribe by email" href="http://feedblitz.com/f?Track=http://feeds.feedblitz.com/adrianscrazylife/www&publisher=21709054"><img height="20" border="0" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/images/icons/emailsubscribe.png" style="border:0;float:left;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-left:3px;margin-right:3px;padding:0" vspace="0" ></a> <a title="Subscribe by RSS" href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/adrianscrazylife/www"><img height="20" border="0" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/images/icons/rss.png" style="border:0;float:left;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-left:3px;margin-right:3px;padding:0" vspace="0" ></a> </div>Adrian's Crazy Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04463022076036044242noreply@blogger.com0http://www.adrianscrazylife.com/2011/12/new-embossing-technique.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5500594918974429539.post-83943662523108370462011-12-07T07:00:00.000-07:002011-12-07T07:00:13.212-07:00New Embossing Technique<Img align="left" border="0" height="1" width="1" style="border:0;float:left;margin:0;padding:0" vspace="0" hspace="0" src="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/i/28399071/0/adrianscrazylife/www"><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I just realized I never finished posting the rest of the October projects. This is a fabulous technique I learned from #1 Demonstrator of the Year Tami White. You've seen our fabulous embossing folders. This is our Vintage Wallpaper folder the way it normally looks. </span>
<br>
<br>
<br><span style="font-size: small;"></span>
<br><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-76jmxZcncn4/Tt3SfYp8VvI/AAAAAAAAHOg/wU9QlW7T6Dc/s1600/May+%252711+Projects+%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-76jmxZcncn4/Tt3SfYp8VvI/AAAAAAAAHOg/wU9QlW7T6Dc/s320/May+%252711+Projects+%25284%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a> </div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br></div><div style="clear: both; text-align: left;">However, this is what it looks like when you only use part of the embossing folder. How cool a look is that? And I love this color combo - Chocolate Chip looks great with the fabulous pale Bashful Blue. Throw in some cute two-step flowers and a frilly border and you've got a fabulous card. </div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br></div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br></div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GhR-aZ6KhG8/Tt3PYKoKnrI/AAAAAAAAHOY/XLgaqdqDzDs/s1600/Oct%252711Proj+%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GhR-aZ6KhG8/Tt3PYKoKnrI/AAAAAAAAHOY/XLgaqdqDzDs/s320/Oct%252711Proj+%25283%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/adriansstampclub/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd438/EightDaysDesigns/Adrian%20G/Signature.png" /></a></span>
<br><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://twitter.com/twitadrian"><img height="42" src="http://www.twitterbuttons.com/images/ex/twitter-35a.png" title="By: TwitterButtons.com" width="199" /></a> <span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://www.twitterbuttons.com/">By TwitterButtons.com</a></span> </span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><img alt="Delicious" height="10" src="http://l.yimg.com/hr/img/delicious.small.gif" width="10" /><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://www.delicious.com/save"> Bookmark this on Delicious</a></span> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5500594918974429539-8394366252310837046?l=www.adrianscrazylife.com' alt='' /></div>
<div style="clear:both;padding-top:1em;"><a title="Share with AddToAny" href="http://www.addtoany.com/share_save?linkurl=http%3a%2f%2fwww.adrianscrazylife.com%2f2011%2f12%2fnew-embossing-technique.html&linkname=New+Embossing+Technique&linknote=via+FeedBlitz"><img height="20" border="0" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/images/icons/addtoany.png" style="border:0;float:left;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-left:3px;margin-right:3px;padding:0" vspace="0" ></a> <a title="Like this page on Facebook" href="http://www.feedblitz.com/f?FBLike=http%3a%2f%2fwww.adrianscrazylife.com%2f2011%2f12%2fnew-embossing-technique.html"><img height="20" border="0" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/images/icons/fblike.png" style="border:0;float:left;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-left:3px;margin-right:3px;padding:0" vspace="0" ></a> <a title="Tweet This" href="http://twitter.com/home?status=New+Embossing+Technique+http%3a%2f%2fwww.adrianscrazylife.com%2f2011%2f12%2fnew-embossing-technique.html"><img height="20" border="0" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/images/icons/twitter.png" style="border:0;float:left;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-left:3px;margin-right:3px;padding:0" vspace="0" ></a> <a title="Subscribe by email" href="http://feedblitz.com/f?Track=http://feeds.feedblitz.com/adrianscrazylife/www&publisher=21709054"><img height="20" border="0" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/images/icons/emailsubscribe.png" style="border:0;float:left;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-left:3px;margin-right:3px;padding:0" vspace="0" ></a> <a title="Subscribe by RSS" href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/adrianscrazylife/www"><img height="20" border="0" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/images/icons/rss.png" style="border:0;float:left;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-left:3px;margin-right:3px;padding:0" vspace="0" ></a> </div>Adrian's Crazy Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04463022076036044242noreply@blogger.com0http://www.adrianscrazylife.com/2011/12/blogger-girls-just-wanna-have-fun.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5500594918974429539.post-47651437184151181052011-12-06T07:00:00.000-07:002011-12-06T07:00:13.625-07:00(Blogger) Girls Just Wanna Have Fun<Img align="left" border="0" height="1" width="1" style="border:0;float:left;margin:0;padding:0" vspace="0" hspace="0" src="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/i/28386284/0/adrianscrazylife/www"><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I have to say, bloggers get to have the MOST fun of anyone I know. Look at this fabulous party our local T-Mobile store put together for our local group of blogger ladies.</span>
<br>
<br><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oq18bu83wuQ/Tt3Au4n1r6I/AAAAAAAAHNY/g2fTeNmx27g/s1600/TMobilepics.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oq18bu83wuQ/Tt3Au4n1r6I/AAAAAAAAHNY/g2fTeNmx27g/s1600/TMobilepics.jpg" /></a></div>
<br><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-93WzADOTldI/Tt3AvYcHn-I/AAAAAAAAHNg/6p2qjtpewKA/s1600/TMobilepics2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-93WzADOTldI/Tt3AvYcHn-I/AAAAAAAAHNg/6p2qjtpewKA/s320/TMobilepics2.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QOgEjsgxim4/Tt3AwMfsMNI/AAAAAAAAHNo/hibiFKgwlyk/s1600/TMobilepics3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QOgEjsgxim4/Tt3AwMfsMNI/AAAAAAAAHNo/hibiFKgwlyk/s320/TMobilepics3.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gQKDCiaZa9c/Tt3Awpw_tuI/AAAAAAAAHNw/nTgKCy7MoGw/s1600/TMobilepics4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gQKDCiaZa9c/Tt3Awpw_tuI/AAAAAAAAHNw/nTgKCy7MoGw/s320/TMobilepics4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9Csqd9Wos38/Tt3AxCwGw4I/AAAAAAAAHN4/Aqn9V_50AHE/s1600/TMobilepics5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9Csqd9Wos38/Tt3AxCwGw4I/AAAAAAAAHN4/Aqn9V_50AHE/s320/TMobilepics5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z7rlpn2QpfE/Tt3AxumHYcI/AAAAAAAAHOA/ssasNMY1JEg/s1600/TMobilepics6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z7rlpn2QpfE/Tt3AxumHYcI/AAAAAAAAHOA/ssasNMY1JEg/s320/TMobilepics6.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-01seKpEJOVE/Tt3AyObO2sI/AAAAAAAAHOI/Iqw1w3-JS1E/s1600/TMobilepics7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-01seKpEJOVE/Tt3AyObO2sI/AAAAAAAAHOI/Iqw1w3-JS1E/s320/TMobilepics7.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br><span style="font-size: small;">We had all the compulsory elements for a wonderful party - lots of great food, decorations, cute boys in pink Santa hats, and lots of games and fun giveaways, and then mix in our group of fabulous bloggers. I think we all had a great time, especially the 5 people who won free phones! Sadly, I wasn't one of them, but I did come home with some free goodies anyway. </span>
<br><span style="font-size: small;">
<br></span>
<br><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zEwF_Qt91f4/Tt3C9e5idLI/AAAAAAAAHOQ/gAg-qiMQB3Q/s1600/TMobilepics8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zEwF_Qt91f4/Tt3C9e5idLI/AAAAAAAAHOQ/gAg-qiMQB3Q/s320/TMobilepics8.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-size: small;">
<br></span>
<br><span style="font-size: small;">Here I am with my personal "elf" Garrett. Even though this was a fun party, it was also a great chance to learn more about T-Mobile's products and cell phones and tablets in general. Our elves were very knowledgeable, but I was able to share some info they didn't even know. One of my media contacts told me just last week that they are going to be putting ratings on cell phone apps, just like movies, video games, and CD's. </span>
<br>
<br><span style="font-size: small;">As their holiday gift, here are some tips from T-Mobile. </span>
<br><span style="font-size: small;"> </span>
<br><span style="font-size: small;">Check out these top apps from the Android Market to help get you through the holidays in one piece.
<br>
<br><i>iFood Assistant by Kraft</i>
<br>This app provides daily inspiration, delicious videos, over 7,000 easy recipes & meal ideas, a personal recipe box and a full featured shopping list to help make your life easier and more delicious.
<br>
<br><i>Shopulator</i>
<br>Keep a running tally as you shop of how much you’re spending so there are no surprises at check out. The app makes it easy to stick to your budget, and even offers an option to show the amount remaining.
<br>
<br><i>Pair It! Wine Pairing Guide</i>
<br>Pair It! is a FRESH new way to match food with wine, and vice versa. Simply search Pair It! by wine, food, or ingredient for expert pairing suggestions from Sonoma Wine Country Chef and Wine expert. Pair It! has over 20,000 hand-selected and easy-to-follow pairing suggestions, recipes, and tips.
<br>
<br><i>Bartender Buddy</i>
<br>Bartender Buddy features 700 local and 30,000 + online high quality drink recipes. Whether you're a professional bartender or amateur mixologist, you'll find everything you need in one lightning-fast, super-polished app.
<br>
<br><i>BigOven</i>
<br>Not sure what to do with all those leftovers? Use the BigOven Leftover Wizard and enter 3 ingredients from your fridge or pantry for recipe ideas!
<br>
<br><i>Gift List Manager Pro</i>
<br>With the Gift List Manager Pro application, you can track spending, buying & more. Perfect for Christmas Lists, Gift List Manager is the only app that lets you scan barcodes, take pictures, password protect your list, and share lists over email.
<br>
<br><i>ShopSavvy Barcode Scanner</i>
<br>Use this app to find the best deal while holiday shopping! Aim the camera at any barcode, wait for the beep and ShopSavvy will provide you with a list of online and local prices.
<br>
<br><i>Hot Deals</i>
<br>This app is full of online shopping savings opportunities. It allows you to search for deals across the web based on category, share the deals you find with friends and buy directly from your phone. You might just find bargains on items you didn’t know you needed.
<br>
<br><i>Pageonce Travel</i>
<br>Manage all your travel details in one place with full itineraries at a glance, push notifications when flight information changes, live weather reports, route maps and hotel and car rental information.
<br>
<br><i>Doodle Kids</i>
<br>Flight delayed? Fights in the back seat on the way to Grandma’s place? Check out this free application that gives your child a way to create a work of art on your phone. Not a work of art? That’s okay, just shake your phone to clear the screen and start over.
<br>
<br><i>Family Bee</i>
<br>Track your family tree on the go with ease. Handy for big family gatherings and determining for sure if you have any celebrity cousins.</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">PS: While I was writing this post, I was watching Glee on Tivo. Guess which song they were doing? Yup, Girls Just Wanna Have Fun. Go figure! </span>
<br>
<br><span style="font-size: small;">Pictures courtesy of Stephanie Hansen @ thedailyblarg.com</span>
<br><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<br><span style="font-size: small;">
<br></span>
<br>
<br><span style="font-size: small;"></span>
<br><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/adriansstampclub/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd438/EightDaysDesigns/Adrian%20G/Signature.png" /></a></span>
<br><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://twitter.com/twitadrian"><img height="42" src="http://www.twitterbuttons.com/images/ex/twitter-35a.png" title="By: TwitterButtons.com" width="199" /></a> <span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://www.twitterbuttons.com/">By TwitterButtons.com</a></span> </span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><img alt="Delicious" height="10" src="http://l.yimg.com/hr/img/delicious.small.gif" width="10" /><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://www.delicious.com/save"> Bookmark this on Delicious</a></span> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5500594918974429539-4765143718415118105?l=www.adrianscrazylife.com' alt='' /></div>
<div style="clear:both;padding-top:1em;"><a title="Share with AddToAny" href="http://www.addtoany.com/share_save?linkurl=http%3a%2f%2fwww.adrianscrazylife.com%2f2011%2f12%2fblogger-girls-just-wanna-have-fun.html&linkname=%28Blogger%29+Girls+Just+Wanna+Have+Fun&linknote=via+FeedBlitz"><img height="20" border="0" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/images/icons/addtoany.png" style="border:0;float:left;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-left:3px;margin-right:3px;padding:0" vspace="0" ></a> <a title="Like this page on Facebook" href="http://www.feedblitz.com/f?FBLike=http%3a%2f%2fwww.adrianscrazylife.com%2f2011%2f12%2fblogger-girls-just-wanna-have-fun.html"><img height="20" border="0" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/images/icons/fblike.png" style="border:0;float:left;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-left:3px;margin-right:3px;padding:0" vspace="0" ></a> <a title="Tweet This" href="http://twitter.com/home?status=%28Blogger%29+Girls+Just+Wanna+Have+Fun+http%3a%2f%2fwww.adrianscrazylife.com%2f2011%2f12%2fblogger-girls-just-wanna-have-fun.html"><img height="20" border="0" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/images/icons/twitter.png" style="border:0;float:left;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-left:3px;margin-right:3px;padding:0" vspace="0" ></a> <a title="Subscribe by email" href="http://feedblitz.com/f?Track=http://feeds.feedblitz.com/adrianscrazylife/www&publisher=21709054"><img height="20" border="0" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/images/icons/emailsubscribe.png" style="border:0;float:left;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-left:3px;margin-right:3px;padding:0" vspace="0" ></a> <a title="Subscribe by RSS" href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/adrianscrazylife/www"><img height="20" border="0" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/images/icons/rss.png" style="border:0;float:left;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-left:3px;margin-right:3px;padding:0" vspace="0" ></a> </div>Adrian's Crazy Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04463022076036044242noreply@blogger.com1http://www.adrianscrazylife.com/2011/11/um-what-happened-to-november.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5500594918974429539.post-60873174929861206622011-11-29T23:19:00.001-07:002011-12-02T22:19:55.248-07:00Um, What Happened to November?<Img align="left" border="0" height="1" width="1" style="border:0;float:left;margin:0;padding:0" vspace="0" hspace="0" src="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/i/28351273/0/adrianscrazylife/www"><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">You know your life is moving too fast when you look up and realize you've basically lost an entire month! I looked at the calendar today and did a double take. Whaddya mean it's December already? Holy Crap, didn't we just do trick or treat last week? </span>
<br>
<br><span style="font-size: small;">I think it's just because work has been so insanely busy, but time seems to be flying by at light speed and I seem to be losing entire weeks at a time without 5 uninterrupted minutes to call my own - yikes! </span>
<br>
<br><span style="font-size: small;">I've had about 9 months now of crazy-busy work days and I'm getting pretty tired of it. Work was a little too quiet at the beginning of the year, and I spent a lot of time poking around on the Internet and taking long lunches, but then it swung back the other way and I feel like I'm constantly rushing through 3 things at once just so I can get to 3 other things that I should have done about a week ago. That got old about six months ago, but I don't see it letting up any time soon. </span>
<br><span style="font-size: small;">
<br></span>
<br><span style="font-size: small;">Then I come home and my husband who just had shoulder surgery, is bored from sitting around all day and wants someone to talk to. And then he still needs help getting cleaned up, dressed, fixing meals, etc. And he's cranky because his shoulder hurts and he can't sleep well because he has to sleep in the recliner. Bless his heart, shoulder surgery is the worst! </span>
<br><span style="font-size: small;">
<br></span>
<br><span style="font-size: small;">Blessedly, I do have some vacation time next week. I call it my Christmas Sanity Week. I save a week or so of my vacation time to do all my decorating, shopping, wrapping and mailing my out of town gifts, etc. It's just too crazy even for me to try and do that on top of a 10 hour work day. But before I get to my vacation time, I sort of volunteered to make some cards for the Troops with my group at work. Well, not just <i>some </i>cards - 100 of them to be exact. By Friday. Hmmmm. Fortunately, I've got a few volunteers to help me, but still 100 of them? Yes, that's the <i>Crazy </i>part of Adrian's Crazy Life! </span>
<br><span style="font-size: small;">
<br></span>
<br><span style="font-size: small;">And tomorrow I've got a social media event with T-Mobile. And a Scout meeting. At the same time. Hmmmm. And my husband can't drive yet. Hmmmm. Think I'm going to have to do the drop and run maneuver at the Scout meeting, cuz I'm not about to miss the T-Mobile party. There's going to be food, friends, nice prizes, just my idea of a fun social media event! And then there's the white elephant party on Thursday with the rest of my social media buddies.... And Friday I'm <i>triple </i>booked - Scout flag ceremony, hand out hats & gloves to the homeless (that one was my idea, so I can't get out of it), and then the youth group is going skating at the other end of town at the same time. It's Blake's favorite (because that's where all the cute girls hang out) so I'm sure he'll talk me into it. Remember that movie Duplicity? I think that's what I need, to clone myself or something. But then I'd need an extra car too. </span>
<br>
<br><span style="font-size: small;">Oh and did you have a happy Thanksgiving? We did too, although it was a quiet dinner with just the four of us and Matt's girlfriend. But "Lefty" and I managed to make a nice turkey with all the trimmings (did I mention that he's our main cook? That's been a hard one as I can make about three dishes. Maybe four...) Fortunately, he gets his sling off this week, but he still can't lift more than a few ounces with his bad arm. If someone ever says the words Rotator Cuff Surgery to you - run. Fast. Unless your arm is falling off your body, you do NOT want to do this one. </span>
<br><span style="font-size: small;">
<br></span>
<br><span style="font-size: small;">Anyway, all this is to say that I feel bad that I've been neglecting my poor blog so badly this month. I looked at my posts were lower this month than they've EVER been before in my five years of blogging, but I hope people understand that my heart is pure, my intentions are honorable, but my life is just too full of crazy right now to get the job done! </span>
<br>
<br>
<br><span style="font-size: small;"></span>
<br><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/adriansstampclub/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd438/EightDaysDesigns/Adrian%20G/Signature.png" /></a></span>
<br><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://twitter.com/twitadrian"><img height="42" src="http://www.twitterbuttons.com/images/ex/twitter-35a.png" title="By: TwitterButtons.com" width="199" /></a> <span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://www.twitterbuttons.com/">By TwitterButtons.com</a></span> </span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><img alt="Delicious" height="10" src="http://l.yimg.com/hr/img/delicious.small.gif" width="10" /><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/adrianscrazylife/www/~http://www.delicious.com/save"> Bookmark this on Delicious</a></span> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5500594918974429539-6087317492986120662?l=www.adrianscrazylife.com' alt='' /></div>
<div style="clear:both;padding-top:1em;"><a title="Share with AddToAny" href="http://www.addtoany.com/share_save?linkurl=http%3a%2f%2fwww.adrianscrazylife.com%2f2011%2f11%2fum-what-happened-to-november.html&linkname=Um%2c+What+Happened+to+November%3f&linknote=via+FeedBlitz"><img height="20" border="0" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/images/icons/addtoany.png" style="border:0;float:left;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-left:3px;margin-right:3px;padding:0" vspace="0" ></a> <a title="Like this page on Facebook" href="http://www.feedblitz.com/f?FBLike=http%3a%2f%2fwww.adrianscrazylife.com%2f2011%2f11%2fum-what-happened-to-november.html"><img height="20" border="0" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/images/icons/fblike.png" style="border:0;float:left;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-left:3px;margin-right:3px;padding:0" vspace="0" ></a> <a title="Tweet This" href="http://twitter.com/home?status=Um%2c+What+Happened+to+November%3f+http%3a%2f%2fwww.adrianscrazylife.com%2f2011%2f11%2fum-what-happened-to-november.html"><img height="20" border="0" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/images/icons/twitter.png" style="border:0;float:left;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-left:3px;margin-right:3px;padding:0" vspace="0" ></a> <a title="Subscribe by email" href="http://feedblitz.com/f?Track=http://feeds.feedblitz.com/adrianscrazylife/www&publisher=21709054"><img height="20" border="0" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/images/icons/emailsubscribe.png" style="border:0;float:left;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-left:3px;margin-right:3px;padding:0" vspace="0" ></a> <a title="Subscribe by RSS" href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/adrianscrazylife/www"><img height="20" border="0" src="http://assets.feedblitz.com/images/icons/rss.png" style="border:0;float:left;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-left:3px;margin-right:3px;padding:0" vspace="0" ></a> </div>Adrian's Crazy Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04463022076036044242noreply@blogger.com0