tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14974239954839814872024-03-05T23:36:02.627-08:00Thanks to CoffeeA lifestyle blog about coffee, life in Alaska, and photography!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07629448774815503090noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1497423995483981487.post-56453295339328646102016-09-13T16:58:00.002-07:002016-09-13T16:58:31.932-07:00Lifestyle Shoot: Diana<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07629448774815503090noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1497423995483981487.post-9332951382256243172016-08-08T14:39:00.000-07:002016-08-08T14:39:57.361-07:00Not Everybody Can Have Your HeartI titled this "Not Everybody Can Have Your Heart" because I just had a discussion with my mother in law about men who have incredibly loving and kind hearts, like my husband. We had a deep talk about how "nice guys" tend to give their heart out to anyone who needs it, almost like it's on loan, and how hurtful that can be to their women.<br />
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Let me explain myself to the nice guys who might stumble upon my words.<br />
<h3>
You don't need to help everybody. </h3>
I know that it seems like if you have the ability to help, it's wrong to ignore someone in need. But let me have you ears for a moment, men, because I'd like to tell you what I think from my perspective. Sit down; have some coffee. Let's get real.<br />
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There will be people in your life that don't deserve your heart. I know that it's huge, and I know that it's so jampacked with love that it feels like it might burst. I know that you probably have more kindness in your eyeballs than most people have in their whole bodies. BUT. There are people who prey on men like you. I feel like I should be more specific: there are women who WILL prey on men like you. Assistance and kindness and a helping spirit is such an amazing quality to have, but when abused (as in, helping everyone, no matter what) and overly used, it becomes a character flaw.<br />
<h3>
Helping every single person is not your job. </h3>
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<b>When you get into a relationship, there are things that will become out of reach. There are situations that are no longer any of your business. Let me tell you a story. </b><br />
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Bob was a plumber by trade and had two children with his wife, JoAnn. He and JoAnn were highschool sweethearts, former homecoming king and queen, and they made beautiful children with their combined good looks.<br />
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One day, a few years into his marriage with JoAnn, Bob got a call from a woman (who we'll call Nancy) whose pipes had burst in the night due to a frost and she needed an emergency trip. Bob got up at midnight and went over to assist Nancy, who was beside herself with worry and sat in tears the whole time he worked. After he'd finished working, she offered him a cup of coffee as a thank you and feeling like he couldn't say no, Bob accepted. They sat and chat.<br />
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To Bob, this meant nothing. He arrived home around 3am and JoAnn rolled over to the smell of perfume and coffee. She quieted her overactive imagination and went to sleep.<br />
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The next week, Bob received another call from Nancy, who was having plumbing issues with her upstairs toilet. He stopped by, fixed it up, and was again offered coffee. Still feeling like he would be rude if he refused (besides, there's nothing wrong with two people chatting), he accepted. They chatted well into the evening about Nancy's divorce and how hard life was for her and Bob went home to JoAnn. When asked, Bob told JoAnn everything without shame because his sweet heart felt he had done nothing wrong.<br />
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Technically, he hadn't.<br />
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But JoAnn was hurt.<br />
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She had cooked him a dinner. She had waited for him. She had gotten the children ready for bed by herself and cleaned the house. While she felt unreasonable, she couldn't help the feelings of jealousy rising up in her.<br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>"Why can't another plumber help her?"</i><br />
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Bob was offended by JoAnn's question. He was just doing his job, right?<br />
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But let me ask you a question:<br />
Is it Bob's job to sit and chat with Nancy after he finished plumbing? No. Was it his job to be a sounding board for another woman going through a divorce? No. Was it his job to fix her plumbing? Yes. Could he have referred it to someone else, since he was married and she was getting to personal with him? <i>Absolutely.</i><br />
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Did she deserve to have a little piece of his kindness and heart? Definitely not. But his wife certainly did, and she didn't receive it that night.<br />
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Bob had no business going over to Nancy's after the first experience he had there. Returning was his error and it hurt his wife to know he was spending time with another woman who was divorced, unhappy, looking for happiness, and finding it in her husband.<br />
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When your kindness begins to hurt your family, regardless of what is "really happening", rethinking must be done. It doesn't matter what you intend. It doesn't matter what you meant. <i>Nancy was still interpreting Bob's kindness for interest. </i><br />
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I love the kindness in your heart. I'm just asking you to give it wisely and I'm asking you to not show your heart to everyone. A heart is much more personal than a body, but we're more likely to hand our hearts out than our bodies, right? Protect your heart, let your family protect your heart with you, and understand that when you feel like someone is hurt unjustly, it's probably because in your kindness you didn't notice how much you were hurting someone else.<br />
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You don't have to help everyone. But please, please, please don't lose your kindness. It's beautiful.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07629448774815503090noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1497423995483981487.post-12947924579523979042016-08-01T14:43:00.002-07:002016-08-01T14:43:46.725-07:00Downtown PhotoshootYesterday, Justin and I took ourselves downtown to get some photos for my blogs/endeavors and also to Pokemon hunt! We both caught some awesome new Pokemon and actually got some GREAT photos. I wanted to share those with you!<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07629448774815503090noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1497423995483981487.post-13985775997921144182016-07-25T14:26:00.000-07:002016-07-25T14:27:21.909-07:00Photoblogging: Volume II<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Guess who is one already?! She is now twelve months and two days and I'm just blown away. </div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07629448774815503090noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1497423995483981487.post-58339042529936375582016-07-01T02:01:00.000-07:002016-07-01T02:01:49.760-07:00July GoalsHey everyone! I decided to write out my goals this month after totally failing at doing anything of progress last month... whoops. So here are my July goals, since it's already THE FIRST OF JULY. Omg. :/ It feels like yesterday I was giving birth to Diana, who will be a year old this month!<br />
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<li><b>1. Host 3 webinars. </b></li>
<li><b>2. Co-host one chat. </b></li>
<li><b>3. Stay consistent with my social media all month long.</b><br /><i>Never let my Tailwind run out<br />Never let my Twitter go a day without a new tweet<br />Never let a day go by without posting to Instagram<br />Never miss a day of posting on Facebook</i></li>
<li><b>4. Start a bullet journal for blogging.</b></li>
<li><b>5. Finish the Conquer Kit for AWC.</b></li>
<li><b>6. Gain my first coaching client.</b></li>
<li><b>7. Make $500 from SWtS.</b></li>
<li><b>8. Make $1,000 from W3.</b></li>
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I think that's plenty of goals for a month! AWC = Allie Williams Co. and SWtS = She Wears the Sun, a clothing store I'm opening this month. W3 = Williams3 Gaming, a gaming customization store my husband and I own together.<br />
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What are your goals?<br />
xoxo, AllieAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07629448774815503090noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1497423995483981487.post-23721225390154486082016-06-16T14:30:00.000-07:002016-06-16T14:30:57.809-07:00$100 Starbucks Gift Card Giveaway<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxvXg3QYs4EfJd5duBVKujua2Bl8xq5myhdEnaybNidVN5kFjrqspr9dlcRRVurqKGkZUO1XhFnlfKvrXdFCtWBaiK0nmkzuEwsld4WFKpE8y-CYbGdfhw758xLr3S3b2HnTu-KEiwkj8/s1600/image1+%25284%2529.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxvXg3QYs4EfJd5duBVKujua2Bl8xq5myhdEnaybNidVN5kFjrqspr9dlcRRVurqKGkZUO1XhFnlfKvrXdFCtWBaiK0nmkzuEwsld4WFKpE8y-CYbGdfhw758xLr3S3b2HnTu-KEiwkj8/s320/image1+%25284%2529.JPG" /></a><br />
It's no secret that I love Starbucks. I'm currently reading Leading the Starbucks Way and I'm LOVING it. Their business model is phenomenal and the way they treat their customers like family is just amazing in 2016 with all these cold, automatic customer service experiences. <br /><br />So today, I'm giving away a $100 Starbucks gift card! Thanks to Oh My Gosh Beck! for organizing the giveaway! If you want to win, keep reading!<br /><br /><b>Prize:</b> $100 Starbucks Gift Card<br /><br /><b>Giveaway organized by:</b> <a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://ohmygoshbeck.com/&sa=D&ust=1466114827446000&usg=AFQjCNF9GKwUSbAvqQ56bMJECq0iP6rm-w">Oh My Gosh Beck!</a> (Please email becky@ohmygoshbeck.com with any questions.) <br /><br /><b>Rules: </b>Use the Rafflecopter form to enter daily. Giveaway ends 6/30 and is open worldwide. Winner will be notified via email.<br /><br /><i>Are you a blogger who wants to participate in giveaways like these to grow your blog? <a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.ohmygoshbeck.com/current-blogger-opps/&sa=D&ust=1466114827448000&usg=AFQjCNEJSign1OriW0RBa6fKH7ML7JI7YQ">Click here</a> to find out how you can join a totally awesome group of bloggers!</i><div class="c1" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 1.5; padding-bottom: 18pt;">
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<a class="rcptr" data-raflid="97fa2529936" data-template="" data-theme="classic" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/97fa2529936/" id="rcwidget_wznz0yl6" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
<script src="https://widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js"></script>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07629448774815503090noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1497423995483981487.post-20527818046049034172016-06-13T11:04:00.001-07:002016-06-13T11:04:46.981-07:00Photoblogging: Volume II'm hoping to get back into photoblogging. I really pulled away from it for a long while, and I miss it. I used to photograph Diana all the time, and now I get a few photos of her per month. Here are some of the latest photos that I HAVE managed to take lately. (More to come later this month!)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEYaayv2-_8l50sEs5cIzApVGbIh0el4muIlT8YcuEF-lbm_0oY3QxOZkL0WtcJSHfWVeE1nHLElgZLpks1DFQcPCNW6qh9V6Af1DQ42iOqHG_FTizkOKpIAnwcwjiGMjmA7LiarjfPPU/s1600/IMG_8315.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEYaayv2-_8l50sEs5cIzApVGbIh0el4muIlT8YcuEF-lbm_0oY3QxOZkL0WtcJSHfWVeE1nHLElgZLpks1DFQcPCNW6qh9V6Af1DQ42iOqHG_FTizkOKpIAnwcwjiGMjmA7LiarjfPPU/s1600/IMG_8315.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb87sWz0vqKym1Y4B7I0gD_mkj69RLHt5RcCW4qsCtVYnzR2Zc-CVyFwieArLRbkoPleCgKMNNTRCwCCTdqfk53lC0hqAWeGFeJ5VtZkri-_Yz-e3a6yDEiVQEd0ngaOxPl8gNTIafBIc/s1600/IMG_8295.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb87sWz0vqKym1Y4B7I0gD_mkj69RLHt5RcCW4qsCtVYnzR2Zc-CVyFwieArLRbkoPleCgKMNNTRCwCCTdqfk53lC0hqAWeGFeJ5VtZkri-_Yz-e3a6yDEiVQEd0ngaOxPl8gNTIafBIc/s1600/IMG_8295.jpg" /></a></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07629448774815503090noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1497423995483981487.post-63529592273700793672016-06-13T02:06:00.001-07:002016-06-13T02:06:27.016-07:005 Things I've Learned From Six Months of Marriage<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMRt0AAJv5qBsg6b_G0q0CvhMuksTSxb9B3wuK4aasIErzQuIGhfMCyDMm1KFwFbm80VEga-BqseY7c5tnwMaEshDGeYZS1xcvg4ORs8LUb8cOT-kbmA9aIBo-rgTk1D_-pQpeSvRd78g/s1600/wedding.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMRt0AAJv5qBsg6b_G0q0CvhMuksTSxb9B3wuK4aasIErzQuIGhfMCyDMm1KFwFbm80VEga-BqseY7c5tnwMaEshDGeYZS1xcvg4ORs8LUb8cOT-kbmA9aIBo-rgTk1D_-pQpeSvRd78g/s200/wedding.jpg" width="200" /></a>My husband and I have officially been married for about seven months now. It's weird - at times it still feels like we're just dating. Marriage is a lot harder, though, and I'm reminded of that especially on laundry days. ;) Here are 5 things I've learned in the past six months of marriage.</div>
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1. If I don't pick up that sock, it's likely to remain there until Jesus returns.</h2>
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<i>Seriously</i>. I just pick up the sock now.</div>
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2. I couldn't imagine lifing without my best friend at my side. </h2>
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Lifing - yes, it's a word; I just decreed it so. I couldn't imagine doing it without Justin. He's just the left to my right, or the cookie to my chocolate chip! I was always a loner throughout life, and I thought I'd probably never get married and have kids. Look at me go: both of those in one year! (I wonder what I'll do next year... hahaha)</div>
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3. Combining finances was our mountain - it's GOT to be downhill from here!</h2>
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Oh. My. Goodness. Finances were seriously the roughest part of cohabitation and cohesion. We tried to kind of shove everything together and basically squeeze one shoe onto both our feet, and it didn't work. We took it slow and we're STILL working on budgets and learning how each other views money and savings, but we're a little better about it now.</div>
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4. Agreeing on goals is difficult. Don't underestimate it.</h2>
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Goals have always been a giant part of how I plan out my life. I'm a huge goal-setter and I'm a goal-digger, for realz. When Justin and I got married, he actually had a point in his life for about three or four months where he just struggled to have any goals. He was so concerned with providing for our little family that it consumed him. He no longer thought about ten years from now and focused on TODAY only, EVER. It was incredibly frustrating! I'm really grateful we got over that hump and are now discussing our goals almost daily. Agreeing on them can be rough, but the more you talk, the more you understand, right?</div>
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5. It's very easy to take each other for granted. </h2>
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Honestly, most of the time I forget to ask him about his day. It's hard to remember that he had a day outside of my own, and that I haven't been with him for the past 9 hours. We text constantly, so taking time out to ask the caring questions can be hard to remember. </div>
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<b>What's something you've learned from marriage or the marriage of your friends/family members?</b></h2>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07629448774815503090noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1497423995483981487.post-41382859746618883782016-03-01T02:32:00.000-08:002016-03-01T02:32:09.971-08:00Project Lead Kindly + Giveaway<div dir="ltr">
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<div style="text-align: justify;"> As bloggers, we use a lot of words. We have realized that WORDS are POWERFUL and we have decided to use our words for good and spread a message about a great cause...</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">Today, I wanted to introduce you to <a href="http://www.projectleadkindly.com" target="_blank">Project Lead Kindly</a> and their 2016 Pregnancy Shelter Hop.</div>
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Project Lead Kindly is a nonprofit organization that assists mothers & children affected by domestic violence and homelessness. They are also on a mission to encourage, inspire, and remind everyone that we ALL have the potential to serve & "lead kindly," no matter our circumstances. Each year, Project Lead Kindly provides a BIG service project to the community. Last year, they organized a <a href="http://www.projectleadkindly.com/2016/01/2015-christmas-project.html" target="_blank">children's book drive.</a>This year, we are raising money for Project Lead Kindly's 2016 Pregnancy Shelter Hop. We will be assisting 5 different shelters throughout California that house homeless, pregnant mothers and their children. We will be donating newborn necessities to:<a href="http://www.theharvesthome.net/" target="_blank">Harvest Home</a>, <a href="http://preciouslifeshelter.org/" target="_blank">Precious Life Shelter</a>, <a href="http://www.casateresa.com/" target="_blank">Casa Teresa</a>, <a href="http://www.angelswayhome.com/" target="_blank">Angels Way Maternity Home</a>, and <a href="http://www.elizabethhouse.net/" target="_blank">Elizabeth House</a>. We will also be throwing two events to assist the mothers serviced by Elizabeth House & Angels Way Maternity Home.
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<h2>How you can help!</h2>
<div>While the events are local to California, we wanted to find some way for the amazingly supportive online community to help out! We've set up a GoFundMe with a goal to raise $1000 for Project Lead Kindly:</div>
<div><a href="http://www.gofundme.com/PLKshelterhop" target="_blank">www.GoFundMe.com/PLKshelterhop</a></div>
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<div><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-4704" src="http://www.beawarriorqueen.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/12804185_10207707526433899_1218166114_n-600x600.jpg" alt="12804185_10207707526433899_1218166114_n" width="600" height="600" /></div>
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<div>All funds donated will go to Project Lead Kindly & help:</div>
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1) provide these necessary items for the mothers & their babies at all 5 shelters,
2) throw the events for the mothers from Elizabeth House & Angels Way,
3) help spread the Lead Kindly message (the reminder that ALL have the potential to do good and to be an example to others, no matter what trials they face) to these women who need to be encouraged & reminded of their worth & potential and that they are cared for!
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</span>Please consider donating even $1 to the cause. Every little bit helps. In addition to donating, if you want to share the cause with us, please:</div>
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<div>1) take the image below</div>
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<div>2) share it in your own blog post and social media</div>
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3) encourage others to join our initiative & donate!
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You can also email <a href="mailto:projectleadkindly@gmail.com" target="_blank">projectleadkindly@gmail.com</a> your blog post link so they can share it with others!
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<div>And if you don't have a blog, but simply want to share the cause, we encourage you to take the image & share it on social media! We have a goal of $1000, and if we all use our words together, we can reach it!</div>
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<div>We also wanted to include a fun giveaway as a thank you for your support! This giveaway is sponsored by the bloggers and not Project Lead Kindly directly.</div>
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<div><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-4699" src="http://www.beawarriorqueen.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/bloggers-leading-kindly-600x600.png" alt="bloggers leading kindly" width="600" height="600" /></div>
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<h2>The prizes:</h2>
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<div>Raewyn will be giving away a $25 Starbucks gift card and ad space on <a href="http://www.beawarriorqueen.com" target="_blank">Be a Warrior Queen</a>.</div>
<div>Pam will be offering ad space on <a href="http://www.hodgepodgemoments.com" target="_blank">Hodge Podge Moments</a></div>
<div>Emilie and Laura will be offering ad space on <a href="http://www.burkedoes.com" target="_blank">Burke Does</a></div>
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<h3>Check out our giveaway hosts:</h3>
<div><a href="http://www.beawarriorqueen.com" target="_blank">Be a Warrior Queen</a> // <a href="http://mamaspluscoffee.squarespace.com" target="_blank">Mamas Plus Coffee</a> // <a href="http://www.hodgepodgemoments.com" target="_blank">Hodge Podge Moments</a> // <a href="http://www.coastiecouple.com" target="_blank">Coastie Couple</a> // <a href="http://www.coffee-n-ink.com" target="_blank">Coffee n Ink</a> // <a href="http://www.wanderingforevermore.com" target="_blank">Wandering Forevermore</a> // <a href="http://www.ramblingsofafakeredhead.com" target="_blank">Ramblings of a Fake Redhead</a> // <a href="http://www.thedahliascene.com" target="_blank">The Dahlia Scene</a> // <a href="http://www.motherhoodthroughmyeyes.com" target="_blank">Motherhood Through My Eyes</a> // <a href="http://www.theblushingmama.com" target="_blank">The Blushing Mama</a> // <a href="http://www.themotherhoodjourney.com" target="_blank">The Motherhood Journey</a> // <a href="http://www.burkedoes.com" target="_blank">Burke Does</a> // <a href="http://www.thepetitemrs.com" target="_blank">The Petite Mrs</a> // <a href="http://www.absolutemommy.com" target="_blank">Absolute Mommy</a> // <a href="http://andthenlife.com/" target="_blank">And Then Life</a></div>
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<h2>How to enter:</h2>
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<div><a class="e-widget" href="https://gleam.io/ErUWl/bloggers-leading-kindly-giveaway" rel="nofollow">Bloggers Leading Kindly Giveaway</a></div>
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Any little bit helps! If you want to find out more information about Project Lead Kindly, visit <a href="http://www.projectleadkindly.com/" target="_blank">www.projectleadkindly.com</a></span>
Thank you so much for leading kindly with us!
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</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07629448774815503090noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1497423995483981487.post-5241544025883308222016-02-17T17:14:00.003-08:002016-02-17T17:14:15.359-08:00Summer Goals<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg4Mwu6R2Q84cKWLvCalZf_fLbUx0sEXuGvVaO1wqkl8NYADtNhA4WIVntbpcqgsmb4N_lKva9fsol9W2txjatD8-PvOw0AqSkBBZVSgizLXMfaW7vIuwZEfBUVD1mBZqu6s8AwUoZydw/s1600/IMG_3589.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Palmer, Alaska" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg4Mwu6R2Q84cKWLvCalZf_fLbUx0sEXuGvVaO1wqkl8NYADtNhA4WIVntbpcqgsmb4N_lKva9fsol9W2txjatD8-PvOw0AqSkBBZVSgizLXMfaW7vIuwZEfBUVD1mBZqu6s8AwUoZydw/s1600/IMG_3589.png" title="Palmer, Alaska" /></a></div>
I can't wait for the summer. Alaska in the summertime is incomparable to any other place I've ever been (Honduras... Argentina... Mexico... any state in the lower 48). The weather is beautiful, the days are FOREVER long, and the scenery? I can't even describe it. My description would fall really freaking flat.<br />
<br />
Also, the photo above is in Palmer, Alaska. Beautiful, right? This is just a normal summer day!<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Here are my summer (outdoor) goals:</b><br />
<br />
<i>Run the Mayor's Half Marathon</i><br />
<i>Hike Crow Pass (again)</i><br />
<i>Bike the entire coastal trail</i><br />
<i>Kayak on Mirror Lake</i><br />
<i>Run up Flat Top (this was a goal last year too... but #pregnancy)</i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqPZ9WJ4crAPulxb2cEOeok3FpN7anJOrWy3pMYUE83hUilTU1zAsz3nd3HEPcWZe7kknjPQyWh_2agbwIajPXfQbre-aF2oJCZeFfGHMkTO_Vv8PlmvAnPam5BxYTWeFUiOI9O9fKwJI/s1600/botannical.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Alaska Gardens" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqPZ9WJ4crAPulxb2cEOeok3FpN7anJOrWy3pMYUE83hUilTU1zAsz3nd3HEPcWZe7kknjPQyWh_2agbwIajPXfQbre-aF2oJCZeFfGHMkTO_Vv8PlmvAnPam5BxYTWeFUiOI9O9fKwJI/s1600/botannical.png" title="Alaska Gardens" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8wOJ5bS6nbrm-LrzNsTWMO8jOavhH0Fd4sfr6gGffAFIWghsEarX9chgTVnNOjjVv_f1nnAzUnARpwCozQNiOs4gn_kdRsXXCAAWVwfQ-nPpX4LEVHaxwjCmBpZFxX42o3tGCyqadbgc/s1600/flowers.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Alaska Flowers" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8wOJ5bS6nbrm-LrzNsTWMO8jOavhH0Fd4sfr6gGffAFIWghsEarX9chgTVnNOjjVv_f1nnAzUnARpwCozQNiOs4gn_kdRsXXCAAWVwfQ-nPpX4LEVHaxwjCmBpZFxX42o3tGCyqadbgc/s1600/flowers.png" title="Alaska Flowers" /></a></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07629448774815503090noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1497423995483981487.post-71468580492376786572016-02-16T20:50:00.003-08:002016-02-16T20:50:37.379-08:00Why I Refuse to Apologize for My Language (especially on Facebook)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdqLCW2e38zzQfbQCywc0hXUOWfUOhagc51rTDht8-idF4XwfJuRSK6fRv_MI1Oqs9Nez4LYU_-m-yuc9uDM7Hedr1JZFBFlwhCJEAVmy7IpEikXA37b-Jw3Q1q-hhQqQtin98jc5jFYs/s1600/apologize3.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Why I Refuse to Apologize for My Language" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdqLCW2e38zzQfbQCywc0hXUOWfUOhagc51rTDht8-idF4XwfJuRSK6fRv_MI1Oqs9Nez4LYU_-m-yuc9uDM7Hedr1JZFBFlwhCJEAVmy7IpEikXA37b-Jw3Q1q-hhQqQtin98jc5jFYs/s1600/apologize3.png" title="" /></a></div>
<br />
Lately, I've been seeing a lot of posts on Facebook that go something like this: "Sorry for the language, but..." or "This person cusses a lot, so sorry about that, but you should watch it if you like funny people doing funny things." I've also encountered people who have confronted me about using language on my Facebook page because "my kids are your Facebook friends."<br />
<br />
Well, maybe your "kids" shouldn't be on Facebook. I say this in the gentlest way possible, because I know it's hard - as a mother, I don't want Diana to be subjected to anything the world has to throw at her until she's good and ready. But that looks more like me filtering what she's exposed to than trying to control the people around her.<br />
<br />
I won't ever apologize for the use of "damn" or "shit" on my Facebook page because that is my space. For me. I don't have a Facebook for everyone else - I have a Facebook for me. Because I enjoy having a Facebook. I upload photos of Diana, connect with other new moms, play games, and I like a ton of pages.<br />
<br />
I walked on eggshells for YEARS after being confronted about my language because I felt the right thing to do was obey the person who confronted me. And then, a few days ago, I was sitting in my living room chair and the memory came upon me and I had such a strong sense of irritation. At first I didn't know why, but as I dug deeper (something I've been trying to do lately - be more intentional about everything and due to that, find out why I feel certain ways about certain things) I realized that I was irritated and rubbed the wrong way because I am going to be 26 this year.<br />
<br />
<b><i>I am not 13. </i></b><br />
<b><i>I am not 17. </i></b><br />
<b><i>I am not your child.</i></b><br />
<b><i>I am not even a child at all. </i></b><br />
<br />
I am an adult. And I will choose to behave - in my own space - how I see fit. I won't come into your space and criticize you for posting too many pictures of David Beckham with no shirt (not that that offends me), so don't come into mine and try to control my language.<br />
<br />
As a Christian, I fought for a long time against using profanity because I felt that it was wrong. While you won't ever catch me using His name in vain, you also won't catch me pretending to be something that I'm not just for you.<br />
<br />
Not sorry.<br />
<br />
I feel like I should end this post with a smiley face so that I don't get berated.<br />
<br />
So here you go:<br />
<br />
:)Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07629448774815503090noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1497423995483981487.post-49720084781100849972016-02-05T09:37:00.003-08:002016-02-05T09:37:32.448-08:00Letter to My Little: Love + Compassion<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHJL2Ah6dlyoqSIkX-DdvG3LwJy_sBfU5IizZW9HZaUizykzrEv1WHvT8GNY_iIyKCXyGutXlE3JjRqEZ4zbgikimT1HN_-jhdztWTJFka1nYC8mwfW2EmSR5JAuhu9iYBWCmuezqVpPs/s1600/IMG_7372.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHJL2Ah6dlyoqSIkX-DdvG3LwJy_sBfU5IizZW9HZaUizykzrEv1WHvT8GNY_iIyKCXyGutXlE3JjRqEZ4zbgikimT1HN_-jhdztWTJFka1nYC8mwfW2EmSR5JAuhu9iYBWCmuezqVpPs/s1600/IMG_7372.jpg" /></a></div>
Dear Diana,<br />
<br />
Someday, something is going to happen that will cause feelings of bitterness to arise in your heart. It will be something small - someone else got the last donut at your school's fundraiser or you didn't get the part of Snow White for the biggest play of the year - but it will feel giant to you. These feelings are commonplace and nothing extraordinary - but honey? These are so dangerous. Bitterness, even in the smallest doses, steals the joy away from your heart a tiny bit at a time, until one day you might wake up and feel that there is nothing left to be happy about.<br />
<br />
What do I do, you ask? How can I avoid these feelings of irritation for others who have it better or don't appreciate what they got? Compassion, my sweet girl. Compassion leads to love. And trust me when I say this: love is what will carry you through the world on the wings of gentleness and a warm heart. I promise you that with love and compassion in your heart, the world will always be a fantastic place, because every trial that you encounter will be so much easier to overcome.<br />
<br />
Moving past the rejections and the heartache and the heartbreak will be much less difficult with a little bit of love and compassion. Please listen to what I'm saying, Diana. Love never fails. I hope that 1 Corinthians 13 is a lamp unto your feet forever, and that you show each and every person you encounter the SAME love and all that compassion that you have in your giant heart. You're amazing. Keep being you, daughter.<br />
I love you.<br />
<br />
xoxo Mama<br />
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.beawarriorqueen.com/letter-little-love-compassion/" target="_blank">You can read Raewyn's Letter To My Little here.</a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07629448774815503090noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1497423995483981487.post-42732152613084457292016-02-03T07:00:00.000-08:002016-02-03T07:00:14.894-08:00Black & White Going Away Party<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We said goodbye to our amazing worship pastor on Sunday. After 8 long years, it's really sad to see him go. He's the energy and enthusiasm of the worship team - dancing and praising with his whole body on stage. At first, having grown up so conservative, I was really taken aback at his method of praising, but after a couple years of watching him and getting to know him on a personal level (he officiated our wedding), I'm going to greatly miss worshiping with him.<br />
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I took all these photos in color and edited them to be black and white. Lots of them are blurry because everyone was moving around so much, but I kept them even so because they're pretty special. The last one of Justin hugging Mark with Diana in his arms is just so sweet.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07629448774815503090noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1497423995483981487.post-74086957677663316732016-02-02T22:50:00.001-08:002016-02-02T22:55:43.619-08:00Coffee Date IV<h2 style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><i>If we were on a coffee date...</i></b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWrnsqpOvABISVZI1YLaDkCcHvl6NPJ78WRc0vE64RP73GWG-xBthA_nMtISbiTnyRAZTpxPLkf3JH7TcSbsM2phdfrq59WgH3qe8Ua5s1MeErW3N9AfP4bEwP1u97jlGkUXn4_yH690M/s1600/IMG_6736-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWrnsqpOvABISVZI1YLaDkCcHvl6NPJ78WRc0vE64RP73GWG-xBthA_nMtISbiTnyRAZTpxPLkf3JH7TcSbsM2phdfrq59WgH3qe8Ua5s1MeErW3N9AfP4bEwP1u97jlGkUXn4_yH690M/s1600/IMG_6736-2.jpg" /></a></h2>
// I would tell you I get to take this girl's photos again! I'm really excited. She's going to be posing with her horse and I couldn't be happier to be around horses again. I've missed them terribly. Sometimes the missing them even hurts.<br />
<br />
// I would say I've been hustling my butt off lately. I'm almost burnt out completely... I have bit off too much and I'm afraid I'm going to fail all of it because of everything I'm committed to. I really wish I had someone here to support me and go to coffee with me and talk blog stuff and strategize and help me schedule. I'm really flailing around by myself without someone to physically encourage me.<br />
<br />
// I'd probably mention I just learned to use Canva and I'd have to say - it's making my life a hell of a lot easier. I actually have time to write content now because I'm not too busy designing and obsessing over the design. <a href="http://downrainylane.us12.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=70df5ff6f46fe0ca6aca7beb3&id=cef2716b0d" target="_blank">The Blogging Bestie mini course</a> design was done with Canva and looks GREAT. I've been considering making small videos with tutorials on Canva, Photoshop, and Illustrator and posting them on a YouTube channel. Maybe also some blogging videos.<br />
<br />
// I would tell you my faith has been really, really minimal over the past month or so. It's like I had a great month in December, but then in January I completely stopped picking up my Bible or even caring to read it. I'm very discouraged and feeling somewhat empty.<br />
<br />
// We'd probably talk a bit about how big Diana is getting and how, as she gets older, I get less and less time to myself. I actually thought it would get easier as she aged, but instead, she's now following me from room to room. Or crawling so fast that I can't leave her in a room with anything she can't have. Which is everything in this house.<br />
<br />
// I'd tell you that I am more overweight than I have ever been in my life and because of it I feel pretty crappy all the time. I have no energy or desire to work out in the evenings, plus it's dark and cold (in the 20's) by the time Justin gets home and can watch the baby. During the day, I have no idea what kinds of things to do to get into shape with a 6 month old on my hands. Any ideas?<br />
<br />
// I would probably gush a lot about how excited I am to move out of Alaska. I cannot WAIT to be able to go outside without my nose hair hurting!<br />
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<i><b>If we were at coffee, what would you tell me?</b></i></h3>
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<div align="center"><a href="http://heartnatured.com/new-here/coffee-date-linkup/" rel="nofollow" title="Heartnatured" target="_blank"><img src="http://heartnatured.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/coffee-date-link-up-2-4.jpg" alt="Heartnatured" style="border:none;" /></a></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07629448774815503090noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1497423995483981487.post-9371039028040311912016-01-26T20:15:00.005-08:002016-01-26T20:38:42.321-08:00Windsurfing: Alaska<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKjXxI_5rRNULpjH8g0qYFvS6nXXPZKTsAmgYU_jwMg7ISqEP1xxeD7hC8DYfurIxQnILwbaVetjOnpvV4BUY5AtuqcPY3K2MxPsUQ5Blc8PK5j2mfz7HHgqmipIJi6wPHzZSYg-quHGU/s1600/IMG_5887.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKjXxI_5rRNULpjH8g0qYFvS6nXXPZKTsAmgYU_jwMg7ISqEP1xxeD7hC8DYfurIxQnILwbaVetjOnpvV4BUY5AtuqcPY3K2MxPsUQ5Blc8PK5j2mfz7HHgqmipIJi6wPHzZSYg-quHGU/s1600/IMG_5887.jpg" /></a></div>
These photos are actually from about five months ago. Maybe four. I had to leave the house - to escape - my mind was going crazy from being cooped up and I was still mourning the loss of my life as I had known it. Parenting is no joke - having a baby changes everything. I never knew it would change me at my core though; like, I figured yeah, I'll stop working, I'll stay home, our situations will change. I never stopped to consider how my heart would change. It's been 6 months of home-stay and I'm still mourning my old life. Getting up and going to the coffee shop when I felt like it is a luxury I no longer have. To go to the grocery store is such an ordeal that I'll eat ramen for six days in a row for every meal just to avoid braving the store with the baby. <br />
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When I saw these guys out windsurfing in the bitterly cold wind, I had to pull over on one of the most dangerous highways in the US just to watch them. (The Old Seward Hwy) As their surf sails caught air and picked them up many feet off the water and they came crashing down onto the surface, only to catch a little wave and jump it, I felt a sense of peace wash over me. This was like life. We catch air, we crash, but we land it. We end up in the water sometimes and have to get back onto our surf boards, but all that work pays off when you feel the wind fill out your sails and you're lifted high off the water. The sense of accomplishment is so much headier than you thought it would be; all the sludge from the day falls off of your body and your smile returns.</div>
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Keep pushing forward. Keep getting back on that surfboard. It's hard, but it's so worth it.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07629448774815503090noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1497423995483981487.post-67582703152868218252016-01-25T00:34:00.000-08:002016-01-25T00:35:16.286-08:00Coffee Date III<div>
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<b><i>If we were on a coffee date...</i></b></div>
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I would tell you I was the most scared for my life that I have ever been last night when we got a 7.1 earthquake near Anchorage. I yelled for Justin to wake up, grabbed the baby from the crib, and we huddled in a doorway, praying pretty hard! I didn't enjoy it, guys. Not one bit. I would rather deal with the tornadoes of Texas than the earthquakes of Alaska!</div>
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I would tell you that I have a blog design client and that it makes me VERY happy to be doing freelance work! I enjoy running Pink Heart Media and making blog graphics for people. (I made the ones for Thanks To Coffee.) </div>
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I would mention that I found my Nintendo 3DS and I'm kinda excited to binge-play it in bed later tonight. I used to play Mario Brothers a lot right before bed and it hecka calmed my nerves before sleep.</div>
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I would tell you that there are BIG things in store for the Warrior Queen movement, and that if you didn't know what that was, you should <a href="http://beawarriorqueen.com/" target="_blank">check it out</a> right away. Women supporting women? Yes please.</div>
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I would probably talk a lot about how I miss having a cat. They just make life so much better.<br />
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You'd probably have to tell me to not drink so much coffee because I can't stop twitching...or talking too much. And in return, I'd tell you that my daughter has been waking up every ten minutes for the past two nights and Justin and I have been switching out to care for her and I can't stop now because if I do, I might fall apart into a thousand tiny pieces. Or weep. Either way, coffee is saving my butt.<br />
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I'd share that I finally made a sale on my Etsy shop! It's been up for about a week and a half and I thought that nobody was paying attention to it, but boom! A sale was made randomly this afternoon and I just happened to log into my Outlook to check my email and saw the notification. I definitely was super excited! Also that the head of the concierge department of Nerdy Girl (essentially the VA department) hired me on to be a virtual assistant. I can't even express to you how happy it makes me!<br />
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<b><i>If we were having coffee, what's the most important thing you'd tell me?</i></b><br />
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<a href="http://heartnatured.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="Heartnatured"><img alt="Heartnatured" src="http://heartnatured.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/coffee-date-link-up-2-4.jpg" style="border: none;" /></a><br />
To read my other two Coffee Date posts, visit <a href="http://downrainylane.com/" target="_blank">Down Rainy Lane.</a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07629448774815503090noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1497423995483981487.post-72406245023927480802016-01-23T12:17:00.001-08:002016-01-23T12:17:12.738-08:00Lessons in Life<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Yzh55ogxNU4lXg41NBhdU3B9mi0WQ1ZeT4uWE3sOH5xyu-hlZfJakwoZ5iNv2mX0kQnaR3LZ96m4vTDE9JtpJd4j4NEKID5wADqYWKilnocah9eezWlf1nI4qM54yrXkZwoxSo-z_lk/s1600/january.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Yzh55ogxNU4lXg41NBhdU3B9mi0WQ1ZeT4uWE3sOH5xyu-hlZfJakwoZ5iNv2mX0kQnaR3LZ96m4vTDE9JtpJd4j4NEKID5wADqYWKilnocah9eezWlf1nI4qM54yrXkZwoxSo-z_lk/s640/january.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
January was full of ups and downs. Lots of them. It was mostly chaotic, with a few peaceful moments that I happened to catch on camera. My precious baby girl is already six months old... I just can't believe it. I'm so overwhelmed by her beauty every single day.<br />
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Things I've learned in January:<br />
- You need very little money to get by.<br />
- Ramen noodles are great options for very tight budgets!<br />
- Alaska isn't so bad; it's my outlook that makes it awful.<br />
- I miss my family.<br />
- How to ask for help.<br />
- How to receive graciously.<br />
- I'm very bad at committing to anything.<br />
- Webinars rock.<br />
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What did you learn in January? Was it a good or bad month for you?Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07629448774815503090noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1497423995483981487.post-9895818807995281212016-01-22T08:53:00.003-08:002016-01-22T08:53:38.943-08:00Thanks to Coffee<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRBLfNJ51j07rrRE7Fc5q5TvyMNNu-FiOJ9zqJXabQ_dwizSYoeTXpXJOB261qqXof81ewKX5Xsc9l78qqNQAumqm_7s71XgSaSkCx80YlktAT-ufN2_pi_4wE8iPIuhyphenhyphenQ34NvLSUvGwA/s1600/IMG_6937.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRBLfNJ51j07rrRE7Fc5q5TvyMNNu-FiOJ9zqJXabQ_dwizSYoeTXpXJOB261qqXof81ewKX5Xsc9l78qqNQAumqm_7s71XgSaSkCx80YlktAT-ufN2_pi_4wE8iPIuhyphenhyphenQ34NvLSUvGwA/s640/IMG_6937.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
So this is my first time using Blogger since probably 2006... did I just age myself? Shut up haha.<br />
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I'm not quite sure how to use this platform, so bear with me while my blog looks like crap. I'm figuring it all out again. I blog over on Down Rainy Lane too, but I really needed a personal spot - a retreat, an oasis, a mental spa - where I can truly type out my feelings and post pictures and all that good stuff without intruding on DRL's brand. I love coffee, so that's why it's called Thanks to Coffee.<br />
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This blog will be beauty, lifestyle, and photography based! I refuse to choose a particular niche because I did that with DRL and so I have to be very specific over there, but here I can just say what I'm feeling! No schedules, no deadlines, nothing.<br />
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I hope you're more ready for 2016 than I am....I'm definitely dragging my feet. I don't want to admit that another year passed without me accomplishing ANY of my dreams. Just to be clear, my dreams include traveling to Europe, starting a small coffee cart on a street corner, and taking jumping lessons on horseback. It's a hefty list - let's hope I can make them HAPPEN in 2016!<br />
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Here's to the New Year, and here's to a great blog.<br />
xoxo<br />
AAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07629448774815503090noreply@blogger.com6