tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-84726966613087015472024-03-13T02:10:30.826-07:00Sweet Land of ChaosSara @ CleverPinkPirate.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02102406796526392365noreply@blogger.comBlogger46125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8472696661308701547.post-58871333808935456332011-04-12T22:30:00.000-07:002011-04-13T07:50:48.400-07:00Go, Dog GO! Or sleep, just don't poop<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikPpxPFLDcUHR3ivnlmaO3t9jAMGbKFS2f74HrikDWYDmRXc-rikJs0ekok2muTyNliXJ6kanr5UnpPEvOctVupz39i-rJKDZJ0fw6quS8THVNdD0BK45gekzoAkoVCQDlGjY5r2WeQ44/s1600/DSC05389.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikPpxPFLDcUHR3ivnlmaO3t9jAMGbKFS2f74HrikDWYDmRXc-rikJs0ekok2muTyNliXJ6kanr5UnpPEvOctVupz39i-rJKDZJ0fw6quS8THVNdD0BK45gekzoAkoVCQDlGjY5r2WeQ44/s320/DSC05389.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594936785728699426" border="0" /></a><br />Originally, this waas going to be a Wordless Wednesday post. But surely, this evening deserves a blog. The cute little furball above shall be named "Puppy" throughout this story.<br /><br />Of couse, a normal Tuesday with picking up the kids from school and stopping by the store on the way home. On our way home, we all spot this cute little puppy who we hope is not going to come into the very busy street. However, that is exactly what puppy's intentions were. Gave me a heart attack I swear, millimeters from being hit from the right side of the road. I'm in turning lane, I park it and tell the kids to stay there and I run to stop traffic coming towards me (ya at this point I may have lost my mind) and luckily traffic stops as puppy happily runs across the street. I run after puppy, literally LUNGING and falling on my knees to grab him before he tries to run across again.<br /><br />Puppy is in car and we drive down every street in the area, hoping someone is frantically looking for this cute little pup. We can't find anyone so we agree to take her (as we discovered when we got home) home. The agreement is as follows: We will take her home, post signs tomorrow and hopefully happily reunite her with her family. Everything shall be grand, I hope.<br /><br />We get home and while this pup is so sweet and mild, when she is home she is her active self (I can only assume). I have the kids play with her out back as long as they can, taking her inside and out througout the night to let her go potty. Of course, she does not go potty but runs around like a happy puppy. When Star (our 11 year old dog) sees her, she is NOT happy. She's used to being an only dog, she does not want anything to do with this cute puppy. Puppy though, is excited jumping across, up, down and all around to play with her.<br /><br />Kitty is not happy either (who is about 12 years old) and wants nothing to do with puppy. However, puppy is so excited to see Kitty and wants to play! Even getting swatted a couple times by Kitty. As the night draws to an end, Adrienne says "Well, luckily she has a home". I guess this was a good practice run and shows them that it's a lot of work when a new member joins the family.<br /><br />So back to the image above, she is passed out on my sorted laundry for tomorrow. She looks peaceful and quiet, she will stay that way through the night right? Right?!<br /><br />I've posted on a few pet finder sites and tomorrow we will put up signs. Hopefully we can reunite her with her family.Sara @ CleverPinkPirate.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02102406796526392365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8472696661308701547.post-50276997257469406332011-03-30T19:37:00.000-07:002011-03-30T19:47:49.106-07:00Wordless Wednesday ~ Funky Photo Shoot<img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 166px; height: 249px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3_D4osfg7G66JwJ8E3D_fvsbBDGteONfhqZ4UK__KkApbykjowxEnma6iD7OTUuDCFjYYBWm-RhoQes4O2vpF2rKtw6Oc_hxoVBRcaGFODFLsOqrXK8PMAFN0TkfHhOW_WPbLl_82k0wL/s320/DSC05198.JPG" /><br /><br /><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 160px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy5cCUYHHc9cPrAK2nvzQ6O5pLYRquKNal9l-47RnrFXD2umCwuXZxIPi-KIkl5yCrAEt959XJCpLaA0oVLqcNF84bkedIUjW58dPs4h8Inw8s0VIySMfIM2Aissj5T6QjkD8GgljQ_xA/s320/DSC05195.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590063522187873490" border="0" /><br /><br /><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 142px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-1MMJaly56d_Qni9JDZEJxwXUnhEsLZ5if1iI6_Gs9ap9CPHP8CRX6w1Im_aBzKyiPVPGYeejCfzNyzr5ihomVvmVwN9HrauovxnWGPWl1CjAhI98zvrjCxYvt0qMYMrd2aaZwaOBWMg/s320/DSC05201.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590063515126854530" border="0" /><br /><br /><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 147px; height: 219px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCc3raQ0KPeLxE8Yg5d7ewrMgg7w0DEH9olUlOxE6mYCuszoFcNFhPm919qKOOFszoK0e3ZsEknnX5nWmALWy0p04k7IXiRqRZhoMoP_mf3NW6npv2XJuUXnGidTIQVqmev8t2HRnO2Bo/s320/DSC05205.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590063511089028450" border="0" /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOO5rUnloTfpm4nMgbbruJfMs29gyPwUX2gS91ydoWqt5DkOURWeCmaznWNc-2wfBdUeU0aJ10aA6C_sH_dfzb3QuGH92elRlZid8EU9iIk9KvEFmq_y1-HxL9eLk7PhJ1ImcTjqL6-mw/s1600/DSC05209.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 253px; height: 169px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOO5rUnloTfpm4nMgbbruJfMs29gyPwUX2gS91ydoWqt5DkOURWeCmaznWNc-2wfBdUeU0aJ10aA6C_sH_dfzb3QuGH92elRlZid8EU9iIk9KvEFmq_y1-HxL9eLk7PhJ1ImcTjqL6-mw/s320/DSC05209.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590063505074698242" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 168px; height: 252px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUU_QfUSitgzUtUhjToOHZpIwdEhodA-Imw9xgM1-b7YVEy_USJ9eEXxTTb7Xn_hVMo9F5MadzspkJnq3LgKwvBABav74c9AaFsROyrkPy2wPae7Us9RztO_UeCoiUck4X4ZJDn6zh5W8/s320/DSC05210.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590063494163683538" border="0" /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.angryjuliemonday.com/">I'm linked up at Angry Julie's Wordless Wednesday linky.<br /></a></div>Sara @ CleverPinkPirate.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02102406796526392365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8472696661308701547.post-24719430591311122242011-03-09T21:24:00.000-08:002011-03-09T21:56:46.517-08:00Wordless Wednesday ~ A Windy Day<div style="text-align: center;font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br />What do you do on a windy day in Phoenix? How about a trip to the park with kites, bubbles and a large stick?<br /></span></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI0RhmIBWJZj3fdP6vs83rskF-1Er3Ffe9erXyDCMVXsGHmN-urxs5fRyphq_LwH0oLvX-PZqfNF2S6kzr_rBolGzaxiSGuTG8jhiBPZs8Okcc5oqw1ITmwm0anJ96IXFajeahE4fpQX0/s1600/DSC04930.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI0RhmIBWJZj3fdP6vs83rskF-1Er3Ffe9erXyDCMVXsGHmN-urxs5fRyphq_LwH0oLvX-PZqfNF2S6kzr_rBolGzaxiSGuTG8jhiBPZs8Okcc5oqw1ITmwm0anJ96IXFajeahE4fpQX0/s320/DSC04930.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582323960962771570" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPar4gX7rv3QBcGaDCYpqy_lrMjueagyvP3tx5RzR0RxKuGK0cyVhnlXoyI7t24YjFTUpvQ_9iTIQtC0XaYdjStTd5dVQebgvlEKCu_YvjuhJ7lFbbP2kA3WNG5V9VsY0Dec8YUEOBhvQ/s1600/DSC04913.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 223px; height: 149px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPar4gX7rv3QBcGaDCYpqy_lrMjueagyvP3tx5RzR0RxKuGK0cyVhnlXoyI7t24YjFTUpvQ_9iTIQtC0XaYdjStTd5dVQebgvlEKCu_YvjuhJ7lFbbP2kA3WNG5V9VsY0Dec8YUEOBhvQ/s320/DSC04913.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582323104307984770" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi48FQYOAIDKUEVIIB3k4Qic21bkewgdqcJfzVE_MOqZIOSSSMdLO7TCcMGsDTIoLjRshlgOk6U7MLAPxafkMmZr0gcotnloJPaGf88yf5Ixl6KLELAOtVA4RxbQggjAS4H9H7myn70VHo/s1600/DSC04902.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 254px; height: 170px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi48FQYOAIDKUEVIIB3k4Qic21bkewgdqcJfzVE_MOqZIOSSSMdLO7TCcMGsDTIoLjRshlgOk6U7MLAPxafkMmZr0gcotnloJPaGf88yf5Ixl6KLELAOtVA4RxbQggjAS4H9H7myn70VHo/s320/DSC04902.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582323098013584866" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9oqkHKPP1kVOFoqcps_ixrhVG3bI9A1XnPQaPN7YXewMjylf3JgzP5cKI3uN7Yb6EA0rvdKc6IJRhb4R9Ml5qQT3zOis63dzyCszVS9HIr3C9UZ-LNkqxi9mS-nMwDW6zvyS5LEaK8G8/s1600/DSC04896.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 302px; height: 202px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9oqkHKPP1kVOFoqcps_ixrhVG3bI9A1XnPQaPN7YXewMjylf3JgzP5cKI3uN7Yb6EA0rvdKc6IJRhb4R9Ml5qQT3zOis63dzyCszVS9HIr3C9UZ-LNkqxi9mS-nMwDW6zvyS5LEaK8G8/s320/DSC04896.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582323075980991586" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxAHr3zIFBqBYPIRwinq6m0gCjVOsz4yxlVqEbfdTV_HQ309n133pwv5zQCCqQm78B2LT2Cw-M69HMeB6fOgDqxjWTqEMaOJv8bLVf0qYUfkTeWV3P9RjIrANYzCTud-oxMI9P8SY4ntU/s1600/DSC05011.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 244px; height: 163px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxAHr3zIFBqBYPIRwinq6m0gCjVOsz4yxlVqEbfdTV_HQ309n133pwv5zQCCqQm78B2LT2Cw-M69HMeB6fOgDqxjWTqEMaOJv8bLVf0qYUfkTeWV3P9RjIrANYzCTud-oxMI9P8SY4ntU/s320/DSC05011.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582323067643099490" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD2b9Qg1U3wq_sLY-nAU60O59YaKWOquHyLfTJMo7XlPaYIkc1gagQdCScWqkettYQh3r4ofDuFPx_BBUvjkafljc2rvqYeDV3RCZshqsEjNhFqh8Y_mo4JPrdNOuSmpS3Ij3QOYnT6cA/s1600/DSC04970.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 269px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD2b9Qg1U3wq_sLY-nAU60O59YaKWOquHyLfTJMo7XlPaYIkc1gagQdCScWqkettYQh3r4ofDuFPx_BBUvjkafljc2rvqYeDV3RCZshqsEjNhFqh8Y_mo4JPrdNOuSmpS3Ij3QOYnT6cA/s320/DSC04970.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582323961943685746" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxRDGAWN3kDyQWBE1B5ZPWvTtwwayev-V4FLCNJfvFv85hbi3LsKW0R8b4XcvNREcfPWHhcLgNJSL2fIw5zPqkLn39qJ6r4lq1OnhqZatN-tzzc-ipWW-pv00A2bOPQc0jMxpM1Z0wp0Q/s1600/DSC04984.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 316px; height: 212px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxRDGAWN3kDyQWBE1B5ZPWvTtwwayev-V4FLCNJfvFv85hbi3LsKW0R8b4XcvNREcfPWHhcLgNJSL2fIw5zPqkLn39qJ6r4lq1OnhqZatN-tzzc-ipWW-pv00A2bOPQc0jMxpM1Z0wp0Q/s320/DSC04984.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582323953071754034" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA3aPSy-ZdofhZfBBrXnd4Gta6PJNGT-lWpR9o7Ra3zeirAUKhMZx6oMg7pHqLBDOzsLeqwuZ-xsu5ZLA_sTdaDnoqV2mexX8QcQi_cXFU7E1gp73ZvOriLmfqEqLuhcQui9YxTYiQbkc/s1600/DSC05036.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 187px; height: 280px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA3aPSy-ZdofhZfBBrXnd4Gta6PJNGT-lWpR9o7Ra3zeirAUKhMZx6oMg7pHqLBDOzsLeqwuZ-xsu5ZLA_sTdaDnoqV2mexX8QcQi_cXFU7E1gp73ZvOriLmfqEqLuhcQui9YxTYiQbkc/s320/DSC05036.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582323076613771186" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">*I've linked up at <a href="http://www.angryjuliemonday.com/">http://www.angryjuliemonday.com/</a><br />Check out her blog, she's not that angry ;-)<br /></div>Sara @ CleverPinkPirate.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02102406796526392365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8472696661308701547.post-26755705816032311612011-01-19T20:45:00.000-08:002011-01-19T20:56:35.742-08:00Wordless Wednesday ~ A Snow Holiday<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtQTqJvJgeVbXSZ0QFy1hNL4Apn7WbfY3ncYudX_8fd2gp85cHviE7oUzShXpQckvtDReUpGCcpfj3srF64XDsEgyd7zXk6x3NssLr9HDBaLdUu_epUQYmPbQ5GEgcEjVa_-RjvaHZPWo/s1600/DSC04051.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtQTqJvJgeVbXSZ0QFy1hNL4Apn7WbfY3ncYudX_8fd2gp85cHviE7oUzShXpQckvtDReUpGCcpfj3srF64XDsEgyd7zXk6x3NssLr9HDBaLdUu_epUQYmPbQ5GEgcEjVa_-RjvaHZPWo/s320/DSC04051.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564126482070952546" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh71vvlgPF_cjbgy0SDT2EUawy1dosOACGgBhKvcCZ_c_cgqC3Kxlm4fA-DDyT-xQsXDej-evJET4wsDLWLa0dbaXA2Jin4uLqAVCOW0sXbGpygt1xizvF8bDYCljGid9Pzm6G8Vx_zgDU/s1600/DSC04124.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh71vvlgPF_cjbgy0SDT2EUawy1dosOACGgBhKvcCZ_c_cgqC3Kxlm4fA-DDyT-xQsXDej-evJET4wsDLWLa0dbaXA2Jin4uLqAVCOW0sXbGpygt1xizvF8bDYCljGid9Pzm6G8Vx_zgDU/s320/DSC04124.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564127163314311586" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1UAjQkvwD9Dl6tiX3q32KvYWgLBkJNKKdD80oQm1w6N9D1wKIc92z-MIrEmCOoeY-krp_1cR7AKVMQQh1QeeDS3wC9zCUo55ItrM9EQrTT-nI0raJfeNE2ZYHbbFV_dUGT97REiTVnQk/s1600/DSC04095.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1UAjQkvwD9Dl6tiX3q32KvYWgLBkJNKKdD80oQm1w6N9D1wKIc92z-MIrEmCOoeY-krp_1cR7AKVMQQh1QeeDS3wC9zCUo55ItrM9EQrTT-nI0raJfeNE2ZYHbbFV_dUGT97REiTVnQk/s320/DSC04095.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564127157911427410" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUycYV8jgNe8h8k7y-DFqXvBKqGyaFsGuwoksTxePMP1D0MXKuSYbGP8gWoPfRAjSVSwuSehEY7qBC6-rO2_QS90_XDip9jcG8DJwxBAzw5t29Y9Ye9P1Eu7FqgyNGAELKGnQW7ECcUjY/s1600/DSC04188.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUycYV8jgNe8h8k7y-DFqXvBKqGyaFsGuwoksTxePMP1D0MXKuSYbGP8gWoPfRAjSVSwuSehEY7qBC6-rO2_QS90_XDip9jcG8DJwxBAzw5t29Y9Ye9P1Eu7FqgyNGAELKGnQW7ECcUjY/s320/DSC04188.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564126478458461026" border="0" /></a>(oh yes, he's in the air)<br /><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxfh-zTKr3FmuT5zL0I2KK6T78hYUXXsg893sHz_b4zUP19ZOu3PTwNBHR4xj8n4Qk7zNRl9SiAu0XQbRM5MWBfHEoj_EkR8F-x7K-DiQY5c-mzbuvm9FHtlxN7TOtRC4WMmlKFBxakns/s1600/DSC04112.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxfh-zTKr3FmuT5zL0I2KK6T78hYUXXsg893sHz_b4zUP19ZOu3PTwNBHR4xj8n4Qk7zNRl9SiAu0XQbRM5MWBfHEoj_EkR8F-x7K-DiQY5c-mzbuvm9FHtlxN7TOtRC4WMmlKFBxakns/s320/DSC04112.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564126474895411890" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnzFLhePqAxitDkwC7YxGOzMgUdc3Uzy8a5x9xD70-qpWr6bLBrrfezBVdpKn-AECyfWBsYU18G8RqCN2KsNVFMq2W46ALA0wmjKVxIrP1ZHxgptTc-ZJNRE28HefYzlTj1hJ8KfTZBfM/s1600/DSC04183.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnzFLhePqAxitDkwC7YxGOzMgUdc3Uzy8a5x9xD70-qpWr6bLBrrfezBVdpKn-AECyfWBsYU18G8RqCN2KsNVFMq2W46ALA0wmjKVxIrP1ZHxgptTc-ZJNRE28HefYzlTj1hJ8KfTZBfM/s320/DSC04183.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564126471252592370" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4L3AVZdiCRypelMnPpd1ndJ5W_QgOqxowktvL57zMxr35g7mfSByzk1FiwJ8EDv1ENO0WIuvVfkjNJ7dXyoy0oWgWokTx_cJYkv9nxaGSkro_4zTFh-0QzTBlZHYk2d08qf02hVWJOGY/s1600/DSC04110.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4L3AVZdiCRypelMnPpd1ndJ5W_QgOqxowktvL57zMxr35g7mfSByzk1FiwJ8EDv1ENO0WIuvVfkjNJ7dXyoy0oWgWokTx_cJYkv9nxaGSkro_4zTFh-0QzTBlZHYk2d08qf02hVWJOGY/s320/DSC04110.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564126464387175394" border="0" /></a>Sara @ CleverPinkPirate.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02102406796526392365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8472696661308701547.post-1862864225680188062011-01-19T20:29:00.000-08:002011-03-09T21:52:43.885-08:00One Super Power......<span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" >I've been lacking on my every day posts, by a week and a half. UGH! It's been an eventful week including my house being broken into, but more on that another time. Have you ever played "If you could have one super power"? I'm sure everyone has been asked this fictional question for funsies at least once.<br /><br />Some want invisibility, some one flying powers. If I could have one super power, it would have to be freezing time. I used to be addicted to the show Out of this World when I was younger. I mean how cool, you can put your two fingers together and everything stops! If I can't make more hours in the day then I would just make the world stop for me. I just find it impossible to accomplish everything I want and NEED to accomplish in a day.<br /><br />While my super power wish is pretty much just a fantasy, I suppose I need to find another way to try and tackle everything. Am I trying to accomplish too much? Probably.<br /><br /><br /></span>Sara @ CleverPinkPirate.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02102406796526392365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8472696661308701547.post-6161154141795658902011-01-06T22:02:00.000-08:002011-01-06T22:13:23.993-08:00Boxing up ChristmasI don't know why, boxing up all our Christmas items always makes me a little melancholy. I want to put it all up to get it out of my way but it's like boxing up happiness and not bringing it out for a whole year! I'll admit, I am a Christmas fanatic. Now I don't have any crazy grandma sweaters with Christmas Trees and Kittens on it but our house overflows with decor and Christmas music during the holiday season.<br /><br />So maybe I am sappy, or maybe I just think its a major PITA to box all this stuff up. It's not only boxing it up it's having to organize everything and then pack it all away in the shed. Blah! I'll admit, it's a mixture of all of the above. It's saying goodbye to a year that has ended. It's putting away the Christmas memories of my 10 year old and 6 year old because next Christmas they will be a year older.Sara @ CleverPinkPirate.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02102406796526392365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8472696661308701547.post-32901188904226859682011-01-05T16:19:00.000-08:002011-01-05T16:24:42.779-08:00#CanYouTopThis Challenge ~ Adrienne's Fireplace<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix4A4zZUlEI32IWBPTJ7WOYMs6WddVFTcIQKWM3Kfu2ULU0AQcDXzLpEFjdqg3HbXtv7S3f0V1mACrJB23ww3c3turWNncfxQgc8ZXci11OsCc0U6cbv7p8pYCpCa9US_A8rQN32AttaY/s1600/DSC03323.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix4A4zZUlEI32IWBPTJ7WOYMs6WddVFTcIQKWM3Kfu2ULU0AQcDXzLpEFjdqg3HbXtv7S3f0V1mACrJB23ww3c3turWNncfxQgc8ZXci11OsCc0U6cbv7p8pYCpCa9US_A8rQN32AttaY/s320/DSC03323.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558861672211325106" border="0" /></a><br />There is this challenge called the #CanYouTopThis Challenge that involved an Elmer's Tri Fold Board and my daughter came up with this entry all on her own. She didn't have any help from mom or anyone else, except I bought the board so I guess if she wins she owes me $3.00, Lol jk.<br /><br />So here she is:<br /><br />Hi my name is Adrienne Speckhals I am 10 years old and I made a fireplace with stockings. I used spray paint, markers and a board.<br /><br /><br />Here is where I am putting my entry<br /><ul><li><a href="http://www.mallerysdeals.com/2010/12/08/elmers-canyoutopthis-project-100-giveaway-for-3-winners-ends-1510/" target="_blank">Mallery’s Deals</a></li><li><a href="http://savvychicsavings.com/2010/12/08/canyoutopthis-win-100-for-your-creativity/" target="_blank">Savvy Chic Savings</a></li><li><a href="http://scrapsofmygeeklife.com/scrapbooking/2011-vision-board-example-elmers-canyoutopthis/" target="_blank">Scraps of My Geek Life</a></li><li><a href="http://www.mommy2k.com/2010/12/canyoutopthis-craft-challenge-300.html" target="_blank">Mommy 2K</a></li><li><a href="http://ourcrazyboys.com/2010/12/07/elmers-canyoutopthis-300-giveaway/" target="_blank">Our Crazy Boys</a></li></ul>Sara @ CleverPinkPirate.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02102406796526392365noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8472696661308701547.post-16544294476898587942011-01-04T21:50:00.000-08:002011-01-04T22:01:20.495-08:00Mom's Out for the Count!<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.northsidepediatrics.com/Portals/1/Images/sick%20smiley.gif"><img src="http://ts1.mm.bing.net/images/thumbnail.aspx?q=405049181986&id=b81bbe831cc25bf1ef58ffca699fd737" /></a></div><br />As a mom, there is nothing worse than being sick. Everything in the house just comes to a halt in and mom is just not functional. Today I was became hit with some type of stomach bug where I couldn't even stand, it was brutal. Luckily after a nap and some more hours in bed, I am feeling a bit better. But just for that short amount of time, I felt like I couldn't make things happen. I couldn't cook dinner so Brian had to get take out. I couldn't finish the projects I was working on earlier. I couldn't start the projects I wanted to. I couldn't get out of the house to do the errands I needed to.<br /><br />I'm thankful it was short lived and I hope it's gone! I'm really praying the flu and cold germs skip our house this winter because it is hard when I'm sick but if we're all out of commission, it's even harder and I hate seeing my babies sick! But then it makes me think, I should have a plan in place for when I'm sick. Such as have a pre-made dinner in the freezer that easy to pop in the oven. I should also have my to do list written out so when I am sick, Brian can help me. I also need to get better about taking my vitamins and preventing sickness!Sara @ CleverPinkPirate.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02102406796526392365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8472696661308701547.post-75625306792358744422011-01-03T21:15:00.000-08:002011-01-03T21:29:20.203-08:00Saying Goodbye to 2010 and Not Looking Back!<span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">When you call my grandmothers Voice Mail, at the end of it she cleverly says goodbye in a few different languages:</span><br /><br /></span><pre style="margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><b><b>Sayonara</b></b><br /></span></pre><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-weight: bold;">Adios</span><br /></span><pre style="margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><b><b>Auf Wiedersehen<br /></b></b><b><b>Au revoir</b></b><b><b><br />Arrivederci</b></b></span><br /></pre><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">and</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Goodbye</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">This is how I feel when I think about 2010, see ya! It was an emotional year, I started it out with being laid off but we were able to keep our heads up. We did Disneyland in the Spring and then Brian and I went on a Cruise. In May I went to Bloggy Boot Camp here in Phoenix then traveled to NYC for Blogher in August. This past year I have had the fortunate opportunity to connect with new friends of whom I met online and have had the greatest time building relationships with people and brands.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Later in August is when Brian lost his job of 13 years and things just kinda tanked. It seriously seemed like everything had gone wrong. BUT, I refused to let it bring me down. I refused to give into the negativity and depression (I mean besides the occasional large bowl of ice cream). I know that many may reflect on 2010 and use it to preface their new year, not me. We're starting clean and we've got some positive stuff in the works. I am so glad to say, I am not looking back!</span><br /></span>Sara @ CleverPinkPirate.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02102406796526392365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8472696661308701547.post-88298681279157316522011-01-02T15:29:00.001-08:002011-01-02T15:32:52.475-08:00Just another day on the farm<p><a href='http://lh3.ggpht.com/_vw5HhypE6eE/TSEKPNpR3UI/AAAAAAAABp8/UEpq36XhDn4/2011-01-02%2016.11.26.jpg'><img src='http://lh3.ggpht.com/_vw5HhypE6eE/TSEKPNpR3UI/AAAAAAAABp8/UEpq36XhDn4/s400/2011-01-02%2016.11.26.jpg' /></a></p>The kids enjoyed a day at my mom and dads farm with some horses.<div style='clear: both; text-align: center; font-size: xx-small;'>Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.5</div>Sara @ CleverPinkPirate.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02102406796526392365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8472696661308701547.post-64755881310306657892011-01-01T23:09:00.000-08:002011-01-02T11:06:52.875-08:00I’m Posting every day in 2011!If you have read my post <a href="http://sweetlandofchaos.blogspot.com/2010/12/new-years-resoactoaltions.html">here</a>, you will know that I am going to post a blog every day as part of my new years Resoactoaltions!<br /><p>It won't be easy but it might be fun and a great creative outlet for myself. Therefore I’m promising to make use of <a href="http://dailypost.wordpress.com/">The DailyPost</a>, and the community of other bloggers with similar goals, to help me along the way, including asking for help when I need it and encouraging others when I can.</p>Sara @ CleverPinkPirate.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02102406796526392365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8472696661308701547.post-69016227859765920492011-01-01T22:40:00.000-08:002011-01-01T22:43:18.638-08:00365 Day 1 ~ New Years Day Alone Time<div style="text-align: center; font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/RH36IjSHyE0?fs=1&hl=en_US"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/RH36IjSHyE0?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="385" width="480"></embed></object><br /><br />This week I was blessed to spend a week with all 4 kids on Christmas Break. It's been great but boy is it crazy with 4 kids in a 1300 square foot house when it's cold and rainy most of those days! Watch my video as I sneak out of the house to shoot this vlog.<br /></span></div>Sara @ CleverPinkPirate.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02102406796526392365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8472696661308701547.post-32877763773100322452010-12-31T00:26:00.000-08:002010-12-31T12:25:53.626-08:00New Years Resoactoaltions!<span style="font-size:130%;">I've always known that the New Years brings Resolutions. I mean, most people make them right? I've made a few in the past and they have worked out well. One year I lost 30 pounds by just comitting to eat better and working out more. </span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Well over the years I have also learned the controversy of Resolutions.<br /><br />People Say:<br />"Don't make Resolutions, it's too much pressure to keep them. "<br /><br />Okay then ~<strike> No Resolutions </strike><br /><br />So what goes in place of those Resolutions? Well how about Actions?<br /><br />People Say:<br />"Well if you make an action list, it's just a big list of to-do's. Besides, they aren't actions they are goals".<br /><br />Okay then ~ <strike>No Actions </strike><br /><br />So no resolutions and no actions, we're onto goals.<br /><br />People Say:<br />Well goals are just desires, the true word is intentions. What do you intend on doing this year, not what do you want to do."<br /><br />Oh what the hell, can I just have my resolutions, actions, goals and intentions all lumped into one? Well I say I can by making up a new fancy word: Resoactoaltions!<br /><br />I think if anyone has the motivation to make any Resoactoaltions, they should call it whatever they want. So here we go, my Resoactolations for 2011:<br /><br />Be more organized: I am pretty sure I start out with this resolution every year as Christmas wraps up and I feel like I am drowning in clutter, papers that I've thrown on my desk over the past month because I have been too busy to look at them and the toys in my kids room which I swear are starting an army to take over the house because there are so many.<br /><br />Lose Weight ~ Okay, is this one not on like 60% of women's Resoactoaltions list? And we can blame this one on Christmas too. Because if it wasn't for these blasted sugar cookies, fudge, pie and other goodies that we make or have around the house we would not be feeling like a big fat blog.<br /><br />Be More Active ~ So this is my solution to goal number 2. It's funny, when I was watching my baby nephew I was so much more active I actually made time to hike and get to the gym. Now? I blame it all on um something that clearly isn't my fault.<br /><br />Work on THIS Blog! My other blog has grown and I have neglected this little baby right here! Even if it's just a quick one, I'll do my best to blog everyday. Crap did I really just say that? I swear I'm gonna try!<br /><br />Make More Money ~ I plan on continuing to put my skills and talents to good use and utilizing them to monetize.</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Grow my idea of a Bake it Forward Project to an action ~ More details on this one soon!</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">My ultimate plan to make all this happen is hod myself accountable with a journal and by blogging about it I know I can make these Resoacotlions happen!</span>Sara @ CleverPinkPirate.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02102406796526392365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8472696661308701547.post-20389862619724504992010-11-18T19:39:00.000-08:002010-11-18T20:30:39.668-08:00What Comforts Me...then and now<span style="font-size:130%;">A few months ago you saw a post from me about Brian losing his job. At one time, I viewed a job as comfort and security. At one time, I thought that having a job would mean the world would be right. Our world would continue to go around and everything would be great. It was definitely a wake up call when we were knocked on our hineys and having a job was in fact not what was our security. In fact, it was nothing to us all at that point.<br /><br />As weeks went by we were brought back to a humble reality. Vacations, extra curicular activities and what once seemed to be important purchases were all frivolous and pushed to a further reality. We quickly realized how fast all of those things just didn't matter. What mattered was the little things. We focused on how we could spend time together as a family and how we could do the funnest things around for the least amount of money.<br /><br />It's been a hard couple months with stress, worries and tears. But what brings comfort to me now isn't how much money we have in the bank. It's how lucky I am to be blessed with such an amazing family. I have 2 healthy, smart adventurous kids. It warms my heart to know that my kids and I can have fun bouncing through the fall leaves. We can lay around in our pajamas on a Friday and have a movie night.<br /><br />This past Halloween, we carved pumpkins that we got for a few bucks and that was the highlight of our weekend. We created Halloween costumes for only a few dollars. It was more about the experience, not about the candy or the costumes. What comforts me is knowing my kids understand what it means to be genuine. What it means to be humble. What it means to be family. It brings tears to my eyes that I am so blessed with a fiancee who has been by my side through thick and thin. That my kids understand the true meaning of what family is, and what it means to stick together. It comforts me when my son earns his allowance and hands it to me saying it's okay, he doesn't need it. What comforts me, is love.<br /></span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">“I wrote this blog post while participating in the TwitterMoms and Kleenex blogging program, making me eligible to get a $40 gift card. For more information on how you can participate, click </span><a style="font-style: italic;" target="blank" href="http://sharekleenex.twittermoms.com/about">here</a><span style="font-style: italic;">.” </span>Sara @ CleverPinkPirate.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02102406796526392365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8472696661308701547.post-30694098083124627352010-11-01T23:12:00.000-07:002010-11-01T23:25:50.781-07:00Halloween ~ Pumpkins and Costumes<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcSfwW-i4yWGwJEuOm7HoxK8wtYsN1VCOFZ6MrXsnxAl2yYuTUKjTJNSTi52rqvrUomINJlV0Jvquz3Mx_t3wllh9NggWCycsHCeCPBbF_4Chl2XsEsqj419Q5LQmhtQiWFb6Cuk6oJz4/s1600/DSC02914.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcSfwW-i4yWGwJEuOm7HoxK8wtYsN1VCOFZ6MrXsnxAl2yYuTUKjTJNSTi52rqvrUomINJlV0Jvquz3Mx_t3wllh9NggWCycsHCeCPBbF_4Chl2XsEsqj419Q5LQmhtQiWFb6Cuk6oJz4/s320/DSC02914.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534834007868128482" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU5yiOV8U0R7VlKJsCUuZpIVjpN1bV5mgqwdAEkHVewAk9oHfIzK90IUH5Xps5ByTJGBPUCODqR4gpFbfey3dn2s7NXKgw0drScR30d7HL7SgTBcRnSMPB5PQsv_J1k3OLwF96MV3UE1M/s1600/DSC02913.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU5yiOV8U0R7VlKJsCUuZpIVjpN1bV5mgqwdAEkHVewAk9oHfIzK90IUH5Xps5ByTJGBPUCODqR4gpFbfey3dn2s7NXKgw0drScR30d7HL7SgTBcRnSMPB5PQsv_J1k3OLwF96MV3UE1M/s320/DSC02913.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534833335474880562" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQm8Q1Jo0t4xs4hbuMPIIKxV_IITNuCIZB4x8Yt3Ne-KSXwaGDp0s3n8JaUnXenBoPjcWj58RTGF11sNBDyiRC4diSO2iB4uM9lZ2ZnqqbMXsCWkMDveeCm2Z_Gz7EhgAbv-OOuJECyMk/s1600/DSC02924.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQm8Q1Jo0t4xs4hbuMPIIKxV_IITNuCIZB4x8Yt3Ne-KSXwaGDp0s3n8JaUnXenBoPjcWj58RTGF11sNBDyiRC4diSO2iB4uM9lZ2ZnqqbMXsCWkMDveeCm2Z_Gz7EhgAbv-OOuJECyMk/s320/DSC02924.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534833345288811186" border="0" /></a>Sara @ CleverPinkPirate.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02102406796526392365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8472696661308701547.post-50455929782343255102010-09-22T02:27:00.000-07:002010-09-22T02:51:06.641-07:00Not so Wordless Wednesday ~ Climbing that Hill<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDUObwZBKJ4A5jvlVH88IvBgLo0tc75FaSV6Z_UWk2iO-8k1M-9mqJFsmA8oOuNHYtt_6okGSkxD-Ts6YMqvzdKoaaq9iWDhs9kznWeiYltkeWGggdw7emLAJu9S50ZcRCKz-Fg0RgWM4/s1600/DSC01978.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 176px; height: 264px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDUObwZBKJ4A5jvlVH88IvBgLo0tc75FaSV6Z_UWk2iO-8k1M-9mqJFsmA8oOuNHYtt_6okGSkxD-Ts6YMqvzdKoaaq9iWDhs9kznWeiYltkeWGggdw7emLAJu9S50ZcRCKz-Fg0RgWM4/s400/DSC01978.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519669739580340386" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">I recently took my 1 year old nephew to the park to capture some 1 year photos. The mission proved hopeless in about 5 seconds out of the stroller. This boy just wanted to run around and have fun!<br /></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpE4ST-6zzDHOmNt4A0dBPaLrutrHFDntcZ_mo8l4RY4QXB_hgnlFmQYUEDi6gXJhdjelfpJTioRhWSVrr9fvtTV1cJmPLjT1txmNa-DPWK5Y9CmGsEdU6L8GhrDvmNCfZv3wMIvirfP4/s1600/DSC01977.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 271px; height: 181px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpE4ST-6zzDHOmNt4A0dBPaLrutrHFDntcZ_mo8l4RY4QXB_hgnlFmQYUEDi6gXJhdjelfpJTioRhWSVrr9fvtTV1cJmPLjT1txmNa-DPWK5Y9CmGsEdU6L8GhrDvmNCfZv3wMIvirfP4/s400/DSC01977.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519669736920492210" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">I then thought, well I could turn this into a wordless Wednesday post.<br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDFVW7h0iPUlc_GJ6yaOq6yhUy6eUNGtU_eZV-GwUumxph8t6hrVzDe_PMhes_XNadPsVNc9DhvSLYew9_IVOV-0ElIiECe-ryJUPpOdBmSwORmmH6_m3vPISBGXCBAFEqS0x3H4MwHjM/s1600/DSC01981.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 233px; height: 348px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDFVW7h0iPUlc_GJ6yaOq6yhUy6eUNGtU_eZV-GwUumxph8t6hrVzDe_PMhes_XNadPsVNc9DhvSLYew9_IVOV-0ElIiECe-ryJUPpOdBmSwORmmH6_m3vPISBGXCBAFEqS0x3H4MwHjM/s400/DSC01981.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519669726005743890" border="0" /></a>Baby Ethan started up a hill and my initial thought was "oh this could be bad", but I let him venture up this hill.<br /></div><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoIShgnr_Xv1VWFm7IiiHg8GMEES-vi579OZQxe3zIJjs04Nuk8ETqQy8f8RsEjF8x7SNWomNHQAqyalwqvyOEqedvoJMsUDlYHS3XDolEJhZ5h90K-jmCZcBcR8zecnphebZuBYd2B2U/s1600/DSC01985.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 321px; height: 216px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoIShgnr_Xv1VWFm7IiiHg8GMEES-vi579OZQxe3zIJjs04Nuk8ETqQy8f8RsEjF8x7SNWomNHQAqyalwqvyOEqedvoJMsUDlYHS3XDolEJhZ5h90K-jmCZcBcR8zecnphebZuBYd2B2U/s400/DSC01985.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519668845733257410" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqnT71HGuuAyVgTTtDRuo-XE3bduZihP-NkJ6SORQ3noCH0O1k3W8KZKDY3mEpeHI6bOJz-0VzZptmEsmjR0jhyphenhyphentsVpIrfGDVk_ldeazqoMUK5weA3AYXOOoyYvTU04z6xeHETAWqUSac/s1600/DSC01986.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 343px; height: 230px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqnT71HGuuAyVgTTtDRuo-XE3bduZihP-NkJ6SORQ3noCH0O1k3W8KZKDY3mEpeHI6bOJz-0VzZptmEsmjR0jhyphenhyphentsVpIrfGDVk_ldeazqoMUK5weA3AYXOOoyYvTU04z6xeHETAWqUSac/s400/DSC01986.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519668837809784690" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizlahfRuallxyjnp1350HYUM488Yg3iQR5kowTiehCTqW7SX_c8JiFA4scMg3Csu93Bru27LTvq0EPUdzipd8qN99NL-cvnCHebwZd4T7nMNMBGsjlwfgmXyrRjL_gQUbQB0xvEgw_Yhk/s1600/DSC01992.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 291px; height: 194px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizlahfRuallxyjnp1350HYUM488Yg3iQR5kowTiehCTqW7SX_c8JiFA4scMg3Csu93Bru27LTvq0EPUdzipd8qN99NL-cvnCHebwZd4T7nMNMBGsjlwfgmXyrRjL_gQUbQB0xvEgw_Yhk/s400/DSC01992.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519668833452210818" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLPGJQ8UeHPNBM9Cy_Is_krwzlHt9BDVSJw0s4xnSsfJ7FJzSxffrnbj2Vw_j8ZNf1nKS_wzs5SBa8X2XAGaUQgXkSYCvrEXAOPueBLqJeJ2TYvwOYyhEnes9O9ZCREuhvOyBuUnTiGYw/s1600/DSC01994.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLPGJQ8UeHPNBM9Cy_Is_krwzlHt9BDVSJw0s4xnSsfJ7FJzSxffrnbj2Vw_j8ZNf1nKS_wzs5SBa8X2XAGaUQgXkSYCvrEXAOPueBLqJeJ2TYvwOYyhEnes9O9ZCREuhvOyBuUnTiGYw/s400/DSC01994.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519668829102591426" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv6UwbVm4M_pytlfWAUIgFzMQa1Bi8f1YFz9KATRdftzH56B5Y9FXFI9nF4wZf0rmDPAXrTuecxM_SGDVDoUQacEmF25r6gMSpYBAN3_ZB8xkcoLwSn6j2Q3k-BG2VQBay4Y-ZIHFAToE/s1600/DSC02003.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv6UwbVm4M_pytlfWAUIgFzMQa1Bi8f1YFz9KATRdftzH56B5Y9FXFI9nF4wZf0rmDPAXrTuecxM_SGDVDoUQacEmF25r6gMSpYBAN3_ZB8xkcoLwSn6j2Q3k-BG2VQBay4Y-ZIHFAToE/s400/DSC02003.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519668825414602162" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">As he walked up the hill, just so excited, I thought about his mission. At that moment his mission was to climb that hill. He fell down a few times, he laughed it off and got back up and hiked up to the top. When he got to the top he was so excited. He looked back at me with that excitement of "Look what I did!". He then ran down the hill and onto a new mission.<br /><br />This photo opp now had me reflecting on my own life. What was my "hill" that I was trying to climb. How many times have I fallen? How excited would I be to finally accomplish that mission? Right now, I actually have a few hills. From my losing weight mission to the balancing act of parenting/school/work etc mission and some personal battles I am dealing with these are all hills I am working to climb. I get pretty stressed out sometimes and feel like just throwing my arms in the air and saying "Forget it!" (but probably with an obscenity or two in there). I often get frustrated thinking that my "hills" are just too high to climb.<br /><br />Baby Ethan had me look at life, just a little differently.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Life is about climbing that hill!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht5yA3k5cNOSI2dHz2dc0yhDS7MO8uDTJTZ_DZCMh3E-eiv9RL5bHwLgCnl1_KlPKY2P2kUajkf0-UPKnzjTu5jXbpPDlVHT3MPLmOsV4fBA7ZDWP1T55mS4WhWTNCGRKLh2KsBXX3nrw/s1600/DSC02015.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht5yA3k5cNOSI2dHz2dc0yhDS7MO8uDTJTZ_DZCMh3E-eiv9RL5bHwLgCnl1_KlPKY2P2kUajkf0-UPKnzjTu5jXbpPDlVHT3MPLmOsV4fBA7ZDWP1T55mS4WhWTNCGRKLh2KsBXX3nrw/s400/DSC02015.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519672931025853234" border="0" /></a>Life is about new experiences, scary or not.<br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidT1QNtmcRki_86JLarDxRTp4b0W4FOfuvONX40PihJ68DjEnZgxRxb_VuaR1iAlLYxYoFd52NWjsPl8AMr6ynbmZrUGVvhLsmFsxNBgwfb9W6AecDb-raSEI1hdFgjEyFX-kil70aBGc/s1600/DSC02024.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidT1QNtmcRki_86JLarDxRTp4b0W4FOfuvONX40PihJ68DjEnZgxRxb_VuaR1iAlLYxYoFd52NWjsPl8AMr6ynbmZrUGVvhLsmFsxNBgwfb9W6AecDb-raSEI1hdFgjEyFX-kil70aBGc/s400/DSC02024.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519669751063380882" border="0" /></a>Life is about having fun!<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRBLSsFtrWMJ1RfNarlAmlV_goE_ryzMKRdgmfNhxByQ1kOKlL5froRvcax6o1UuTE0BdhPSLtpFUnMT-fdSbNN34q4XfunOVq-_4ZmfkwqjidyDBpwtWrgSxNSHZlHaWuIMNIqARfTw4/s1600/DSC02033.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRBLSsFtrWMJ1RfNarlAmlV_goE_ryzMKRdgmfNhxByQ1kOKlL5froRvcax6o1UuTE0BdhPSLtpFUnMT-fdSbNN34q4XfunOVq-_4ZmfkwqjidyDBpwtWrgSxNSHZlHaWuIMNIqARfTw4/s400/DSC02033.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519669758051393010" border="0" /></a><br />Life is about resting when we are exhausted from climbing that hill.<br /></div>Sara @ CleverPinkPirate.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02102406796526392365noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8472696661308701547.post-26992671546098697232010-09-21T23:47:00.000-07:002010-09-22T04:23:11.231-07:00I survived Girl Pandamoneum, The Allergy Monster and the Bad News Bear<p>So last week was quite a busy one with a lot of chaos. I really don’t blog on my personal blog enough. It’s not for the fact that I believe no one really reads this blog but I just don’t have time. With this week’s events, I thought surely I have got to blog all of this chaos. So here I am, letting you see a sneak peek into my world.</p> <p>It all started a couple months ago, when I received a deal alert for $10.00 concert tickets with no fees. What?! This deal fanatic can’t pass up something that good. Imagine my disappointment when the only thing in Phoenix was Jonas Brothers. Hmmmm. At that time, my daughter was 9. She isn’t the biggest Jonas fan, in fact her love for them is pretty minimal. She will tell you her favorite band is the Beatles and she really isn’t into the “tween” bands. I’ll be honest, this warms mom’s heart because I’m not into them either. But I decided to buy a few tickets, give her a chance to experience a concert where I know there will be no illegal activity, foul language and a bunch of angry teens pushing eachother. I’m okay with her experiencing this, but let’s just push that back a few years shall we? So I buy the tickets, thinking she’ll bring a friend. I gave them to her on her birthday in August and asked her to invite a friend. After repeatedly asking her if she will invite someone, I never got an answer.</p> <p>Well my welcome to Tween-hood came on the day of the concert around 2:30. Phone Rings:</p> <p>“Mom, can “friend” come to the concert?”</p> <p>I don’t know honey, I would have to talk to her mom, please have her call me.”</p> <p>I hang up the phone and think, well nothing like waiting till the last minute. Phone Rings:</p> <p>“Hi, this is “friends” mom, the girls told me to call.”</p> <p>“Yes, Adrienne has a ticket to Jonas Brothers, would Allie like to go? She can come as long as you are okay with her coming in late.”</p> <p>“You mean, like to school tomorrow?”</p> <p>“Umm well I meant to your house but if you want her to spend the night, that’s okay.”</p> <p>“Oh ya, that’s fine let’s do that.”</p> <p>I’m now thinking, did this mom just pawn her child off on me? Hmmmmm. At this point, she is now giving me the list of 100 things her daughter can not eat. Okay kids, change of plans for dinner, Mcdonalds it is. I’m also thinking well, I am sure that my daughter proposed this as a package deal of spending the night as well so I think I just got suckered again. Great, the house is a mess and that 1 hour nap I had planned on doing before enduring the heat at an outdoor concert with screaming girls is now cancelled. I’m now rushing around to do a quick clean up so my daughter is not embarrassed when I walk in her room and it’s a disaster. Mom is suckered again because daughter knows she can not have friends over with a messy room. Sigh.</p> <p>So on to the Jo Bros concert. I will say, it was not that bad. My dislikes of the concert actually surrounded Disney. Why Disney thinks a late night concert on a school night is a good idea is beyond me. Not to mention they played at an outdoor venue. WHO thought that would be a good idea in the AZ summer really needs a job change. I thought the show was good, for the age group and I think the girls had fun. I got used to the screaming as soon as we sat down and realized it was non stop. These little girls were crazy, some were jumping fences! I mean like 7 year olds. It was crazy and my confession here is that I actually bought a $14.00 margarita. I had to, I really did.</p> <p><br />After surviving the Jo Bros, the next day I treated myself to some Sushi. Some people say God has a sense of humor. I like to think he had that when he decided what I would be allergic too. Growing up, I thought I was blessed. Not a single allergy. That was until the day my little sister acquired Guinea Pigs. I developed asthma and I would not dare hold one because everytime I did, I ended up in the hospital. Hey I was a teen, it took me a couple trys to figure out what the deal was. The bad news with that was I had to share a room with these dang rodents until I moved out at 18. 2 years of pure hell. </p> <p>In my adulthood I developed an allergy to pineapple. But the funny thing about that is I can have pineapple flavoring or even better, cooked pineapple .But if it is raw pineapple, forget it. My tongue breaks out in hives and it sucks. The last allergy I have I actually figured out this year. Cuttlefish. What the hell is a cuttlefish anyways, right? Well one day while enjoying some sushi like I always did, I decided to try something new. Mistake. The allergy took over with watery eyes, swollen throat and itchy skin. Well quickly my memory fades because 2 months later (which was this week). I had the same roll not knowing or remembering that Cuttle Fish was in there. I got to spend my one day off itchy and miserable, waiting for benadryl to take over so I can sleep it off. Luckily, I survived.</p> <p>After a medicated nap and an evening at church, we received a call and it was some bad news. Nothing I will actually tell you guys about but it really, really really sucked. I think the hardest part about being an adult and receiving bad news is having to be the one to figure it all out and carry that happy face so the kids have no idea there is something wrong. After thinking about it and coming up with some solutions, we’re moving on. We’ve swallowed the big ass pill and we’re moving on. Because really we have no choice.</p> <p>So with all this chaos, it really just makes my life so much more interesting and well it gives me something to blog about.</p>Sara @ CleverPinkPirate.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02102406796526392365noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8472696661308701547.post-1521806779112633212010-09-21T23:36:00.000-07:002010-09-22T00:13:44.359-07:00The Big 3-0 ~ Happy Birthday to Me!<div style="text-align: center;"><a id="ctl00_BaseContentPlaceHolder_CategoryProducts1_CartAssociatedProducts1_ProductsDatagrid_ctl15_HyperLinkViewProductImage" href="http://www.partywedding.com/Page.aspx?nid=1&productId=37648&p=30th-birthday-balloons&category=Party-World"><img alt="product" id="productImage" src="http://www.partywedding.com/file.ashx?cid=79047" /></a><a id="ctl00_BaseContentPlaceHolder_CategoryProducts1_CartAssociatedProducts1_ProductsDatagrid_ctl15_HyperLinkViewProductImage" href="http://www.partywedding.com/Page.aspx?nid=1&productId=37648&p=30th-birthday-balloons&category=Party-World"><img alt="product" id="productImage" src="http://www.partywedding.com/file.ashx?cid=79047" /></a><a id="ctl00_BaseContentPlaceHolder_CategoryProducts1_CartAssociatedProducts1_ProductsDatagrid_ctl15_HyperLinkViewProductImage" href="http://www.partywedding.com/Page.aspx?nid=1&productId=37648&p=30th-birthday-balloons&category=Party-World"><img alt="product" id="productImage" src="http://www.partywedding.com/file.ashx?cid=79047" /></a><a id="ctl00_BaseContentPlaceHolder_CategoryProducts1_CartAssociatedProducts1_ProductsDatagrid_ctl15_HyperLinkViewProductImage" href="http://www.partywedding.com/Page.aspx?nid=1&productId=37648&p=30th-birthday-balloons&category=Party-World"><img alt="product" id="productImage" src="http://www.partywedding.com/file.ashx?cid=79047" /></a><br /></div><br />It's official, I am 30 years old. Do I feel any different? Um, no I do not. I remember thinking in my late teens that I knew by the time I was 30, life would be over. Back in my partying days where stayin up till 4 AM was the norm and going "clubbing" was an everyday thing. When birthdays were a big deal and I couldn't wait until I turned 21.<br /><br />Birthdays are now "forgettable" and just another day. Does anyone really make a big deal out of "adulthood" birthdays? I was feeling like I should plan a big "event" for my 30th birthday, I mean this should be a big deal right? If you are a mom, you know planning anything for yourself is nearly impossible. Sometimes birthdays can be fun even as we grow older. But I am not old, my life is not over. It's just um, different. In fact, tonight I am staying up all night long, pulling an all nighter! See I am not old! I could do this! I wish that I had some really great reason to stay up, and well I do but it's not so glamorous. <br /><br />I'll be starting my birthday festivities at 2 AM. I will be waking up my 10 year old. I know, excitement just became shock. When I wake her up we will be celebrating by watching movies, playing video games and making cupcakes. It might not be glamorous but good quality girl time is awesome. Why 2AM? She is having an EEG done at the hospital at 7Am. She must be sleep deprived with only 4 hours of sleep. I know staying up all night and spending a birthday with a sleep deprived child is ideal for everyone, but I couldn't imagine better festivities.<br /><br />After the EEG we will be enjoying some breakfast and then coming home to sleep. Really, it's gonna be a pretty good day.<br /><br />We're praying for some good news, please keep her in your thoughts!Sara @ CleverPinkPirate.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02102406796526392365noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8472696661308701547.post-82260564632412828622010-08-25T21:35:00.000-07:002010-09-22T04:25:10.982-07:00Kinda Wordless Wednesday: Double Digits<div style="text-align: center;"><a target="_BLANK" href="http://www.myfamily.com/isapi.dll/c/content/f/viewproperty/siteid/DMiD/contentclass/PICT/contentid/YZZZZZQS/propertyname/Original/%7E/Img20.jpg"> </a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />Just 10 years ago, you were born at 12:30 in the morning. It seems like these 10 years have gone by so fast, it's hard to believe you are such a beautiful young lady.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_ng7ERHGrJikFUSy1JYPSd9ZsKPv3_8txq8gXpuo0AFGSv7Mtd_PIYPbtQ64wNrNj-CnptEXa_Xld18oOCkbCAKYvsOuBcW9TJMAaZouzlzN7d9y3INFRnYMqVRAalEMpEIVmKQnhrzk/s1600/DSC01694.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_ng7ERHGrJikFUSy1JYPSd9ZsKPv3_8txq8gXpuo0AFGSv7Mtd_PIYPbtQ64wNrNj-CnptEXa_Xld18oOCkbCAKYvsOuBcW9TJMAaZouzlzN7d9y3INFRnYMqVRAalEMpEIVmKQnhrzk/s400/DSC01694.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509573503219416786" border="0" /></a><br />I love you so much and every day with you is such a blessing. You are my sunshine!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Happy 10th Birthday Baby Girl!</span><br /><br /><br />P.S. mom's shameless cupcake plug<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWMPVt3trNdXUKOtuCkhlg5QDPgdYZJM7hGe2Iww6iZRKC4hFuNoDyzDvfM273mxS3IeOS6Be7FAF4AnlpXu1Ol_p8QSD8SYEdRcWsWZ0fVKQQBXa4hAQK9Sv_ZFmqwF9A9M2ZRyKNMxA/s1600/DSC01687.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 220px; height: 329px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWMPVt3trNdXUKOtuCkhlg5QDPgdYZJM7hGe2Iww6iZRKC4hFuNoDyzDvfM273mxS3IeOS6Be7FAF4AnlpXu1Ol_p8QSD8SYEdRcWsWZ0fVKQQBXa4hAQK9Sv_ZFmqwF9A9M2ZRyKNMxA/s400/DSC01687.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509573964357013970" border="0" /></a><br /><a target="_BLANK" href="http://www.myfamily.com/isapi.dll/c/content/f/viewproperty/siteid/DMiD/contentclass/PICT/contentid/YZZZZZQS/propertyname/Original/%7E/Img20.jpg"> </a><br /><br /><br /></div>Sara @ CleverPinkPirate.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02102406796526392365noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8472696661308701547.post-8416001638127809152010-08-24T15:31:00.000-07:002010-08-24T15:41:21.709-07:005 Favorite Family Time IdeasThese are my favorite family time ideas:<br /><br /><ol><li>Wii ~ Love playing games like Lego Starwars and Toy Story 3.</li><li>Puzzles and Boardgames ~ We love to get around the table to do puzzles and games together.<br /></li><li>Camping ~ We like to get outdoors where we can disconnect from technology. Fishing and swimming in the lake are a lot of fun with the kids.<br /></li><li>Swimming ~ It's hot in AZ and we love to cool off.</li><li>Movies ~ Lounging around and watching a movie with some popcorn is a great way to unwind on the weekend.<br /></li></ol><br />About LEGO®:<br /><br />The LEGO Group is a privately held company based in Billund, Denmark. The company is still owned by the Kirk Kristiansen family who founded it in 1932.<br /><br /><br /><br />The LEGO Group is engaged in the development of childrens creativity through playing and learning. Based on the world-famous LEGO brick, the company today provides toys, experiences and teaching materials for children in more than 130 countries. The LEGO Group has approximately 8,000 employees, and it is the worlds fifth largest manufacturer of play materials.<br /><br /><br /><br />Join LEGO® on Facebook at <a href="http:///">http://www.facebook.com/LEGOGames</a><br />LEGO Games Challenge: <a href="http:///">www.legogameschallenge.com</a><br /><br /><br /><em>I wrote this blog post while participating in the TwitterMoms and LEGO blogging program, making me eligible to get a prize pack. For more information on how you can participate, <a href="http:///">http://familytime.twittermoms.com/about</a></em>Sara @ CleverPinkPirate.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02102406796526392365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8472696661308701547.post-79866647286435320892010-08-23T21:41:00.000-07:002010-08-23T21:59:38.118-07:00Shock, Security, Pity Party and the Mental VacationOver the last 3 days, I have taken a mental vacation. Originally we were supposed to head out of town but lets back up to Friday. Friday started like any other school day with rushing around, Brian had texted me and asked if I wanted to meet up for coffee. I assumed we were talking weekend plans or something else surface level.<br /><br />When he called, that is where the shock and lack of security started. He said his boss had called him and he had 30 days to transition out of his job. What?! I just sat there, before I knew it I was crying and was pretty much speachless. I was shocked, no warnings, no lead in just.....that's it. I was laid off due to a medical issue less than a year ago and we truly rely on Brian's income.<br /><br />I don't want to get in the details, we're talking with a lawyer and there really is so much anger towards the company I am not ready to let it all out. But where we went wrong is relying on Brians job as security for our financial being. He'd been with the company 13 years, a manager for at least 7. We counted on him always having this position. In the past year we had been working on being debt free, using our savings to pay off debts. We've been working really hard at getting a brand new house. In the last 3 months we've invested the remainder of our savings in house and car repairs. We thought, we could build our savings up again since we've done this well to now.<br /><br />It was like being hit by a truck, a wake up call saying there is no such thing as security when you rely on others. It really is up to us to create our own security. We had relied on a steady income for so long, we never even thought that we were using the sense of security with the job. I didn't know what to do, we decided we needed a couple days away. We packed up the car Saturday and were ready to head on out. Then, the car does not start. Seriously?! We spent more money on a car battery, we took it as a sign and stayed home. After my short self loathing and pity party I shut off the computer for the weekend.<br /><br />Instead we enjoyed a weekend in, being lazy on the couch and taking the time to clean up the house. I worked on packing up my bags for Be a Good-Girl campaign to donate used goods to others. In the end, we are truly blessed. Our house mortgage is extremely lower than others here in the valley. Our kids are happy and healthy. There isn't anything we are "needing" right now and we know Brian can get a job very soon. I know that there is so much we are blessed with it's hard for me to not recognize that. I am glad I took the mental vacation even briefly. I plan on using the rest of the week to be proactive in so many things.<br /><br />Have you lost a job? How did you deal with it?Sara @ CleverPinkPirate.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02102406796526392365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8472696661308701547.post-20147844250250807962010-08-17T13:07:00.000-07:002010-08-17T13:29:27.831-07:005 Important Lessons Every Kid Should Learn<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" >As my kids get older, I wonder why they haven't learned some important lessons by now. Such as:<br /></span><ol><li><span style="font-size:100%;">Do not put your toys in the toilet. The toilet is not a pool for your boat or your spider-man action hero. Nor will they make it to the ocean in an attempt to flush them there. Please keep bathtub toys to bath tub time.<br /></span></li><li>Do not hit your brother or sister. Hitting your sibling, then saying you did so because there was a bug on them does not fly with mom. Nor does saying it was because you saw a VW or giving them a "hurts donit". Love eachother because in the end, family is all you have.</li><li>Do not attempt to bathe the cat with the water hose. The cat may retaliate in ways you do not want to see. What the cat would love is some gentle pets and an occasional treat. Treat others how you want to be treated.<br /></li><li>Pick up your toys after every use. Because if mom stubs her toe on one or trips because of one, it will not turn out well for anyone in the house. It also prevents them from getting taken away or taking a trip to the dumpster. A clean home is a happy home.<br /></li><li><span style="font-size:100%;">Have Fun! Being a kid may seem hard, but have fun and love it all you can while you are still young!</span><br /></li></ol><span style="font-size:100%;"></span><p style="margin-right: 6pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" >“I wrote this blog post while participating in the TwitterMoms and Nanny<br />McPhee Returns blogging program, making me eligible to get a $50 gift<br />card. For more information on how you can participate, <a target="blank" href="http://nannymcphee.twittermoms.com/about">click here</a>.”<br /></span></p> <p style="margin-right: 6pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" ><br /></span></p> <p style="margin-right: 6pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" ></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" ><br /></span></p>Sara @ CleverPinkPirate.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02102406796526392365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8472696661308701547.post-12676649378178472682010-08-14T23:26:00.000-07:002010-08-14T23:37:43.858-07:00The Kids are Back in School: The Sound of SilenceI'm back from Blogher and also happening this week past week, my kids started school again!<br /><br />I love them dearly and we had such a fun summer, but I was so busy I got off track with my regularly scheduled programming.<br /><br />Now the the kids are in school, I will:<br /><ul><li>Commit to my workout routine. 3 times a week in the gym and/or running.</li><li>Plan and cook more home made meals.</li><li>Connect with my mom friends on a regular basis.</li><li>Increase my blog posts on both blogs, including doing my own challenge of 31 Days to a Better Blog since I fell off the map with that one.</li><li>Enjoy my one day off each week, I will take time each week to do something just for me.</li><li>Work on my wedding plans! Look for my upcoming series on Wedding on a budget that will run on both blogs! P.S I will be looking for guest bloggers and ideas.</li></ul><span style="font-weight: bold;">What do you plan on doing when the kids go back to school?</span>Sara @ CleverPinkPirate.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02102406796526392365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8472696661308701547.post-41646862981437895202010-07-28T00:08:00.000-07:002010-07-28T00:26:50.260-07:00Wordless Wednesday ~ A Somewhat Rainy Day<div style="text-align: center;">We don't get too many rainy days around here lately, the kids wanted to take advantage of this one!<br /></div><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiactehPM2TIWEJ-IDWoAMjQ2t-_5E9CIG7lcdJ-nXlhSluIYyrMD4LwCz5Ut2ST4yAi4D7U2UxXCVW_MCPAvqOUWUQt0IU5eIKDTWtAd9XzC_7SObiWS49m_kbkl0-PtGHXk79zB6j1MU/s1600/DSC00184.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 179px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiactehPM2TIWEJ-IDWoAMjQ2t-_5E9CIG7lcdJ-nXlhSluIYyrMD4LwCz5Ut2ST4yAi4D7U2UxXCVW_MCPAvqOUWUQt0IU5eIKDTWtAd9XzC_7SObiWS49m_kbkl0-PtGHXk79zB6j1MU/s400/DSC00184.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498851853952885506" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgggsMR_7-xJxdm0ZQvNMX2l6QJ0jlJUVwKC4dTRka3fOiMfKMKvtl2S1E55HWgg7yuNbFV9475Wb06zj4dSyxOXzEMkJg9hvQhuEmxJHhG2dkWpuhyphenhyphenIw6yq31X-eLkpsvQxtfDymslsY/s1600/DSC00186.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; 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display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 308px; height: 207px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk7DJY2r52895osWHlj1WUd09p50Cd7ucEtcqKGXrcvag-SKiQs6wweHB1J3aXjd2PHu7uNDP0D9EFrL4_snauH73qMu9jMY_4n1Xic0k3DFodemvVPzDkLfwzGCLTOkIS1JftcTOi2rQ/s400/DSC00175.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498854074530730258" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiF8IFjMRrIU_1cqwKMuTSIcQ4tbChQK_mzp4-DKL3L8U7G8mQq5YC6zcx0VGJnmLr0kKePRKQwmOqok2cdbFRf_J9hGLyD2PCEQJRzCLAh7agJ7pN5BgEr1U8J664qEDoYhrCswifJaE/s1600/DSC00173.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 327px; height: 220px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiF8IFjMRrIU_1cqwKMuTSIcQ4tbChQK_mzp4-DKL3L8U7G8mQq5YC6zcx0VGJnmLr0kKePRKQwmOqok2cdbFRf_J9hGLyD2PCEQJRzCLAh7agJ7pN5BgEr1U8J664qEDoYhrCswifJaE/s400/DSC00173.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498854071620762754" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyPuWRem4-ASAeYRd7Tzk5m8-8tct8tg-dbO5gwqVa0kgmKNaN65Va8oymhcfgQeDV2JcW1IHrtaOb-4jKk551X-od7EB7wfU6rlP8j8VQpTbYXgPtRiIalqxUfq1GfVsVgn0fXICZWl8/s1600/DSC00176.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyPuWRem4-ASAeYRd7Tzk5m8-8tct8tg-dbO5gwqVa0kgmKNaN65Va8oymhcfgQeDV2JcW1IHrtaOb-4jKk551X-od7EB7wfU6rlP8j8VQpTbYXgPtRiIalqxUfq1GfVsVgn0fXICZWl8/s400/DSC00176.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498854059582728834" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVGzGghvYasG6OrsKouQJ5td693uMQ3Ta7WZKl0n39LGMwprbmZ6DCA0lgvWyrXRzapFYBkR8AlES36prh6YlzaeH9GHR6eufo4SZfOBb-8NxlWoKpHa3uifjJ2rZnobw-r-aT0OMbosM/s1600/DSC00193.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVGzGghvYasG6OrsKouQJ5td693uMQ3Ta7WZKl0n39LGMwprbmZ6DCA0lgvWyrXRzapFYBkR8AlES36prh6YlzaeH9GHR6eufo4SZfOBb-8NxlWoKpHa3uifjJ2rZnobw-r-aT0OMbosM/s400/DSC00193.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498854056386756034" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR4ZHLZz8UMT3k639m1npo3kMLG4jnf01fYe9_4jujcbKav5PM4JkijXyrhY8wwC95cTDMEatLpTVIkyls1rqJUpous2-Xh_7Eu5kzuBHuuc2GTfAKlY2w_SNztxxYg_KTQaeeP9nHJM8/s1600/DSC00199.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR4ZHLZz8UMT3k639m1npo3kMLG4jnf01fYe9_4jujcbKav5PM4JkijXyrhY8wwC95cTDMEatLpTVIkyls1rqJUpous2-Xh_7Eu5kzuBHuuc2GTfAKlY2w_SNztxxYg_KTQaeeP9nHJM8/s400/DSC00199.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498851876452314962" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhra5aMAWxNf0308R8W9Qpe-62L7ucrrGmQml4SxR1ukPqotzsAXuUT_8PViWKaDTdBgEL6weIZipvNezwhiFGX_zbUnanx3Ysj4sjgbJDt5FUqlM9_OsVz84Jl18hTMIdJ_j-z7l9DkGI/s1600/DSC00200.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 245px; height: 164px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhra5aMAWxNf0308R8W9Qpe-62L7ucrrGmQml4SxR1ukPqotzsAXuUT_8PViWKaDTdBgEL6weIZipvNezwhiFGX_zbUnanx3Ysj4sjgbJDt5FUqlM9_OsVz84Jl18hTMIdJ_j-z7l9DkGI/s400/DSC00200.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498851861270703906" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I've linked up at <a href="http://www.AngryJulieMonday.com">www.AngryJulieMonday.com</a>, see some other wonderful Wordless Wednesdays there!Sara @ CleverPinkPirate.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02102406796526392365noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8472696661308701547.post-17293347838668270812010-07-22T13:42:00.001-07:002010-07-22T13:57:07.373-07:00NYC and Holiday Roads, Here I Come!In the next few weeks I have a couple of trips coming up. I will be attending Blogher 10 in NYC and doing a Roadtrip with the family to the mountains of AZ for camping. I always find myself scurrying at the last minute trying to get things done. I am determined to start packing at least 1-2 weeks early (which is right about now).<br /><br />I have started making various lists on note cards including dates and categories of what to pack and what we need to bring. I tend to over-pack because I prepare for unexpected instances such as colder weather or the car breaking down. I'm hoping that for NYC I can narrow my choices down since we will be taking a train in but I will be true to form probably and over-pack! I'm also always nervous I will forget something!<br /><br />My packing categories include:<br /><br /><ul><li>Snacks</li><li>Clothes</li><li>Toiletries (makeup, lotions etc)</li><li>Camera Bag (you might not think this needs a category of it's own, but for me it does)</li><li>Emergency</li><li>Entertainment</li><li>Doggy Travels</li></ul>For our camping trip, our dog Star will be attending so it's important that we pack her items too! Treats, dog food, harness, bed etc.<br /><br />The kids will be staying with Grandma when we go to NYC so there is another list to make! I'm hoping to make these next two weeks as least stressful as possible.<br /><br />I'm not really a planner, I'm more of a spontaneous spirit so if you have any traveling tips, please share them!<br /><br />Are you going on any trips soon?<br /><br />What do you do to prepare for a trip?<br /><br />What do you always have to bring when you travel?Sara @ CleverPinkPirate.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02102406796526392365noreply@blogger.com1