tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-46050686996691888892024-03-13T23:35:04.004-04:00Family, Scrapbooks and Coffee!A day in my crazy life ... its all true.
No stories being made up here ...
hope you get a few giggles out of it!Kristiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08655932728524392350noreply@blogger.comBlogger444125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4605068699669188889.post-31036471463833203122023-07-31T18:00:00.003-04:002023-09-09T20:38:14.025-04:00NEW Disney Mickey Mouse Jack-O’-Lantern Scentsy Bar & Warmer is Coming September 1, 2023!! <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIQeL5SkY3p9yMdP0PuDutVcutvd-WsvHbcYRWkA86jq868HTPPhxZO31yPKxs41qIW866Fy2lsXLL2pu5vJvMYIjPhM7tbTMBhleUWuZD_kqB-smAmjCjnnuaW8X4V-2m_MYZSHMdGQZhdbkDuSyh4GaZzKHOa2gCGB0SICR_JZ_tHG8eXxK1IJ7ii-s/s2015/3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2015" data-original-width="1642" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIQeL5SkY3p9yMdP0PuDutVcutvd-WsvHbcYRWkA86jq868HTPPhxZO31yPKxs41qIW866Fy2lsXLL2pu5vJvMYIjPhM7tbTMBhleUWuZD_kqB-smAmjCjnnuaW8X4V-2m_MYZSHMdGQZhdbkDuSyh4GaZzKHOa2gCGB0SICR_JZ_tHG8eXxK1IJ7ii-s/s320/3.jpg" width="261" /></a></div><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: muli; font-size: 16px;">New! </span><p></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: muli; font-size: 16px;">Add a touch of wonder to your Halloween celebrations! With pumpkin “ears” and a glowing smile, this jack-o’-lantern bears a haunting resemblance to a beloved classic. The warmer is on my <a href="https://needcoffeeplease.scentsy.us/" target="_blank">website</a>, selling for $75. The new scented wax, Frightfully Delightful, (e</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: muli; font-size: 16px;">xtraordinary golden pumpkin illuminated with bright harvest peach and delightful touches of whipped vanilla and brown sugar delivers the thrills of the season) is $6.50 per bar or buy three for $18.50 or 6 for $32.50. </span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: muli; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></p>Kristiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08655932728524392350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4605068699669188889.post-84386594550267379702023-07-30T13:32:00.004-04:002023-07-31T09:45:27.449-04:00Scentsy - F*R*I*E*N*D*S release 8/7/23<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAUy_IMpuGXKy1dCoWrqVRcQTOq9eTGQxj9-ZH6-OyXxZu5SjI0xVxKYNTx09jmSZudw_UeWJQfKrvrWxVNwGUf7ZFEbFTVuVuvK13m9EV5B1pPmxxjffzNLkQFLBtvt86x4bnWErvJn9O2ZPR9B0YQIkMNt44FrwuUR4q0L_MLLl8pCxxx-PB-9Q1IC4/s1280/friends1.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAUy_IMpuGXKy1dCoWrqVRcQTOq9eTGQxj9-ZH6-OyXxZu5SjI0xVxKYNTx09jmSZudw_UeWJQfKrvrWxVNwGUf7ZFEbFTVuVuvK13m9EV5B1pPmxxjffzNLkQFLBtvt86x4bnWErvJn9O2ZPR9B0YQIkMNt44FrwuUR4q0L_MLLl8pCxxx-PB-9Q1IC4/s320/friends1.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span face="Montserrat, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #212529; font-size: 16px;">Pour yourself a cup of nostalgia and let our new Friends™ Collection take you back to days of open mics, comfy couches and so much laughter!</span><p></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212529; font-family: Montserrat, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">Our Friends: Central Perk™ – Scentsy Warmer includes the orange couch and classic series logo. Switch it on to light up the Central Perk™ sign and be sure to look for character names in the rug. You’ll be ready to give Gunther your coffee order, take a seat and get caught up on the latest news.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212529; font-family: Montserrat, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">Keep the coffeehouse vibe going by pairing the warmer with our new Friends™ – Scentsy Bar:</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212529; font-family: Montserrat, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 600;">Double espresso</span> and <span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 600;">freshly brewed coffee</span> create the best coffeehouse mood where moments with friends are sweetened by laughter and <span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 600;">coconut cream</span>.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212529; font-family: Montserrat, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">Here are the purchasing options:</p><ul style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212529; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;"><li style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Montserrat, sans-serif; line-height: 1.4; list-style: inherit; padding-bottom: 1rem;">New! Friends: Central Perk™ – Scentsy Warmer, $80</li><li style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Montserrat, sans-serif; line-height: 1.4; list-style: inherit; padding-bottom: 1rem;">New! Friends™ – Scentsy Bar, $6.50 </li></ul><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212529; font-family: Montserrat, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">Licensed products cannot be purchased using Host Rewards or Perpetual Party Rewards. The Friends™ – Scentsy Bar can be added to licensed 3-packs or 6-packs in Bundle & Save.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212529; font-family: Montserrat, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">The Friends™ Collection will be available starting at 10 a.m. PT Aug. 7, while supplies last</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212529; font-family: Montserrat, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">Party is open now but the Central Perk will not be available until 8/7/23: <a href="https://needcoffeeplease.scentsy.us/party/17566325/central-perk-and-more-aug-2023">https://needcoffeeplease.scentsy.us</a></p>Kristiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08655932728524392350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4605068699669188889.post-792693901206497312023-01-24T14:44:00.002-05:002023-01-24T14:44:20.591-05:00Live Wire - Kelly Ripa <p> </p><div><br /></div><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58635657-live-wire" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px;"><img alt="Live Wire: Long-Winded Short Stories" border="0" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1649651464l/58635657._SX98_.jpg" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58635657-live-wire">Live Wire: Long-Winded Short Stories</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/279100.Kelly_Ripa">Kelly Ripa</a><br />
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5160052686">5 of 5 stars</a><br /><br />
I listened to the audio version of this book -- which has none other than Kelly Ripa narrating her story. <br /><br />The stories she told of her life were so funny and some, as a parent of multiple children who are around the same ages as her children, and also from southern NJ (HEY YO, KEL!), were so relatable. I loved this book - the laughter I got out of it was much better than any book I've read to date, and even the teary parts of kids growing up and going to college - I get it - and realize that since we still have two more pancakes in our nest, (our youngest with a learning disability that had me immediately looking up the Gaynor School,) I won't be able to enjoy a sunset and quiet, natural beauty for about ... ten more years.<br /><br />I came back to edit my review after reading some of the other reviews that were low starred. I am a little younger than Kelly, have the 11s between my eyes - remember her from not only AMC days, pre- Regis and Kelly days, but all the way back to Dance Party USA/Dancin' on Air. Were all of the negative reviews reading and/or listening to this book because they thought they were going to get the scoop on the PRIVATE relationship between Regis and Kelly? I could give a hoot about Regis and got this book for the "Kelly" factor, not the Regis factor. <br /><br />I saw some reviewers complain that it's not a memoir and that Kelly probably had someone else write it for her - um, hello, have you ever read a memoir and thought "this is exactly the story of this person's life"? Nope. Sorry. Everyone has editors and if you listened/read to the afterword you would have known that these "essays" used to be a lot more long winded and thanks to great editors, they're not anymore. And to the people who thought that she was "disparaging" her husband? Do you even have a husband or SO that you spend every minute of every day with? After reading this book, I'm convinced that my husband must be related to Mark Consuleos, minus the Italian part.
<br /><br />Kristiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08655932728524392350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4605068699669188889.post-55666587559772966142021-06-11T17:13:00.001-04:002021-06-11T17:16:01.112-04:00Do you know Scentsy? Do you know Scentsy? I am a Scentsy Consultant!! I have been enjoying Scentsy for years (and years and years) and finally took the plunge into my own Scentsy business two summers ago. Things have been good. Scentsy is fun, sells itself and is not too demanding. I still have four kids, three dogs and a dirty house, but it always smells good!! <div><br /></div><div>My website is: <a href="http://needcoffeeplease.scentsy.us">http://needcoffeeplease.scentsy.us</a> </div><div><br /></div><div>There is always something happening at Scentsy! On Monday, June 14, 2021, between 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. there will be a new release of a Disney warmer!! Mrs. Potts from Beauty and the Beast has been transformed into a luminous full sized warmer (25 watt bulb) and Chip is a mini warmer (15 watt bulb)! There is a Belle-inspired fragrance!! </div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-CvRxRaUp5B0/YMPQeUGYIbI/AAAAAAAACBM/SN9Gs6pmEbQZCX_sAEzFRJSoLsKlOSdRACLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="240" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-CvRxRaUp5B0/YMPQeUGYIbI/AAAAAAAACBM/SN9Gs6pmEbQZCX_sAEzFRJSoLsKlOSdRACLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" width="240" /></a></div><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kzsC_62glR0/YMPQkVkiPgI/AAAAAAAACBQ/G7VR4xZZwsUQYGQyAiMMEQ6IQ7RjJn5FQCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="240" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kzsC_62glR0/YMPQkVkiPgI/AAAAAAAACBQ/G7VR4xZZwsUQYGQyAiMMEQ6IQ7RjJn5FQCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-CmdxJNHeZyI/YMPQtcqJbcI/AAAAAAAACBU/Tw5cbmOBLN4C889uMsfyj6gfEI6Tr3Y_ACLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="240" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-CmdxJNHeZyI/YMPQtcqJbcI/AAAAAAAACBU/Tw5cbmOBLN4C889uMsfyj6gfEI6Tr3Y_ACLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-eAOq6E0KbEw/YMPQ49VflnI/AAAAAAAACBg/8D-JYElcenQzD2zpjZgHAMhlzZfD_1sFwCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="240" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-eAOq6E0KbEw/YMPQ49VflnI/AAAAAAAACBg/8D-JYElcenQzD2zpjZgHAMhlzZfD_1sFwCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Cveiq6OgdCY/YMPRBTUAdSI/AAAAAAAACBo/kPXRov45P7sUw3rpG6Dmryh7ZkRxyxvsACLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="240" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Cveiq6OgdCY/YMPRBTUAdSI/AAAAAAAACBo/kPXRov45P7sUw3rpG6Dmryh7ZkRxyxvsACLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Mp_Kn8SCeSY/YMPRGxnw8jI/AAAAAAAACBs/MxG6SokzccgzTnyFFCO0WWa8OQJ7Itb8gCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="240" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Mp_Kn8SCeSY/YMPRGxnw8jI/AAAAAAAACBs/MxG6SokzccgzTnyFFCO0WWa8OQJ7Itb8gCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3QjGJ4sd4NE/YMPRQrUqY4I/AAAAAAAACBw/jXIHFx4oLTchBd_qoRtHcDoricYlx4ixwCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="240" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3QjGJ4sd4NE/YMPRQrUqY4I/AAAAAAAACBw/jXIHFx4oLTchBd_qoRtHcDoricYlx4ixwCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-rQCBAy3ZIFc/YMPRUz1w36I/AAAAAAAACB0/pEIso8WaP-M4G396EyHL4PFeiDAAK1c3gCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="240" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-rQCBAy3ZIFc/YMPRUz1w36I/AAAAAAAACB0/pEIso8WaP-M4G396EyHL4PFeiDAAK1c3gCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-gqWXx7Z2WQY/YMPRZnoSHiI/AAAAAAAACB8/JGHGnmEy-IMeZgwOdEMiXfNxx3oLqPAjwCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="240" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-gqWXx7Z2WQY/YMPRZnoSHiI/AAAAAAAACB8/JGHGnmEy-IMeZgwOdEMiXfNxx3oLqPAjwCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align: left;">If you'd like to find out more about the Beauty & the Beast Scentsy collection releasing soon, please comment below!! I'd love to help you get your hands on any of these items. They're "while supplies last only" so don't delay in contacting me!</div></div><br /><br /></div><br /><br /></div><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><br />
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<br /></div>Kristiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08655932728524392350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4605068699669188889.post-35385916730611548492020-02-10T09:49:00.000-05:002020-02-10T09:49:46.082-05:00Borgia Confessions by Alyssa PalomboThe Borgia Confessions by Alyssa Palombo releases tomorrow! Read below for an excerpt and reviews of the book, as well as information on Ms. Palombo. <br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; overflow-wrap: break-word; user-select: text; white-space: pre-wrap;">
...I gasped. All of Rome knew of the existence of Cardinal Borgia’s children—Pope Alexander, I corrected myself. It was no secret that many of the other cardinals had mistresses and bastard children as well. But for a pope to acknowledge such children . . . “He brings his children into the Vatican?” I asked, shocked. “He allows them to be known as such, even now that he has been made pope?”
Fabrizia nodded. “It is unusual, indeed. No referring to them as his nephews or nieces, as popes usually do. And you know he keeps a mistress, yes?”</blockquote>
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I gasped again. I had heard the whisperings, but I tried my best to close my ears to such things. Gossip—especially gossip about the Holy Father—was a sin.</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; overflow-wrap: break-word; user-select: text; white-space: pre-wrap;">
Yet my curiosity rose, despite my pangs of guilt. I shall confess this sin after Mass on Sunday, I promised myself. “I . . . he does?” I asked...</blockquote>
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<span style="-webkit-text-decoration-skip: none; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Praise for Alyssa Palombo and THE BORGIA CONFESSIONS</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">"[A] vivacious tale of power and love set in 1492... Excavating the personal relationships and petty disagreements that fueled Pope Alexander VI’s controversial reign, Palombo’s enticing tale will please fans of Sharon Kay Penman." </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">"Under Palombo’s skillful hand, the entangled world of the Borgias comes vividly to life, exposing the dark facets of class structure and the all-consuming greed that comes with ambition--and love. I was utterly engrossed from page one. A colorful and suspenseful novel, </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">The Borgia Confessions</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> is packed with complex characters and political intrigue, and will leave readers hungry for more." </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">–</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Heather Webb</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">, internationally bestselling author of </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Last Christmas in Paris </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">and </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Meet Me in Monaco </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 6pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">“Palombo has crafted a sweeping and surprisingly sympathetic portrait of Cesare Borgia, one of history’s most notorious "bad boys,” and the world surrounding him. [A] dark Renaissance parable about the intertwining of lust and power. If you’re as fascinated with all things Borgia as I am, you won’t want to miss this one!” </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">–</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Kris Waldherr</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">, author of</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> The Lost History of Dreams</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> and </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Bad Princess</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 6pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">"Handsome. Intriguing. Dangerous. Seductive. [This] is everything you want in a book--it's a romance, a page-turner, and a ride deep into the sumptuous and tumultuous time of Renaissance Italy." </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">–</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Crystal King</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">, author of </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">The Chef's Secret</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 6pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">"Alyssa Palombo’s deft and delicate prose makes a gorgeous contrast against the visceral and cutthroat world of the Borgias. Dark and decadent,</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">THE BORGIA CONFESSIONS is mesmerizing from start to finish." </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">–</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Meghan Masterson</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">, author of </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">The Wardrobe Mistress</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Century,serif; font-size: 36pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">THE BORGIA CONFESSIONS</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Century,serif; font-size: 24pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">A Novel</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Century,serif; font-size: 24pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">By Alyssa Palombo</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">The trials of Renaissance Italy play out through the eyes of one of Italy's most powerful men - Cesare Borgia - as well as one of the least powerful - a simple maid. In </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">THE BORGIA CONFESSIONS (St. Martin’s Griffin; on sale February 11, 2020; $16.99)</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">, author Alyssa Palombo brings a story of passion, politics, and class, set against the rise and fall of one of Italy's most infamous families--the Borgias.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">During the sweltering Roman summer of 1492, Rodrigo Borgia has risen to power as pope. Rodrigo’s eldest son Cesare, forced to follow his father into the church and newly made the Archbishop of Valencia, chafes at his ecclesiastical role and fumes with jealousy and resentment at the way that his foolish brother has been chosen for the military greatness he desired.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Maddalena Moretti comes from the countryside, where she has seen how the whims of powerful men wreak havoc on the lives of ordinary people. But now, employed as a servant in the Vatican Palace, she cannot help but be entranced by Cesare Borgia’s handsome face and manner and finds her faith and conviction crumbling in her want of him.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">As war rages and shifting alliances challenge the pope’s authority, Maddalena and Cesare's lives grow inexplicably entwined. Maddalena becomes a keeper of dangerous Borgia secrets, and must decide if she is willing to be a pawn in the power games of the man she loves. And as jealousy and betrayal threaten to tear apart the Borgia family from within, Cesare is forced to reckon with his seemingly limitless ambition.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-decoration-skip: none; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">ABOUT THE AUTHOR</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">ALYSSA PALOMBO is the author of </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">The Violinist of Venice, The Most Beautiful Woman in Florence, </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">and </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">The Spellbook of Katrina Van Tassel</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">. She is a recent graduate of Canisius College with degrees in English and creative writing, respectively. A passionate music lover, she is a classically trained musician as well as a big fan of heavy metal. When not writing, she can be found reading, hanging out with her friends, traveling, or planning for next Halloween. She lives in Buffalo, New York, where she is always at work on a new novel.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">***I received a free copy of this Novel from the publisher in exchange for writing this blog post. I will touch base in a few weeks with my take on the story, as I'll be reading it while Hubs and I are on a cruise shortly. *** </span></span></div>
Kristiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08655932728524392350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4605068699669188889.post-315997532409028362018-05-27T17:10:00.000-04:002019-03-20T09:30:30.398-04:00Joe Joe's Place Animal Rescue in NJAn animal rescue group that we work with (i.e. foster dogs for and volunteer our time with) recently took in a litter of very, very sick puppies. While the puppies arrived appearing healthy, the first one took sick very soon after arrival. It was confirmed that the puppy they called "Princess Diana" had parvo. If you don't know a lot about parvo, it's very dangerous for puppies and it is also very contagious.<br />
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Princess Diana was in the animal hospital in a "critical" condition for a few days. During the course of her hospital treatment, Joe Joe's Place incurred over $5,000 of debt for Princess Diana's care alone. That, added to their existing debt of treating many sick animals over the course of the past few years, puts them in a precarious situation. They are on the brink of having to close their doors - permanently, unless there are thousands of dollars in donations - quickly.<br />
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Joe Joe's Place was formed by my friend, Taryn, after her younger brother passed away in his sleep - for no apparent reason. I wish I could have known Joey as he seems like he was a great person with a huge heart (I see that in his sister too). Having lost a sister recently and a daughter a few years ago (yes, they both still weigh on my heart like it was yesterday) I know how important it is for Taryn and her family to keep Joe Joe's Place moving forward in Joey's memory. In a way, it keeps him close - to all of us, even those of us who never had the chance to meet him.<br />
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A <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/puppy-apocalypse-at-joe-joe039s-place" target="_blank">GoFundMe</a> campaign has been created for Joe Joe's Place and you can find it here: <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/puppy-apocalypse-at-joe-joe039s-place">https://www.gofundme.com/puppy-apocalypse-at-joe-joe039s-place</a>. Even if you can't afford to help right this minute, please share the link - maybe someone that you know has a soft spot for animal rescues or helping someone who has lost a sibling.<br />
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Thank you for your support.<br />
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<br />Kristiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08655932728524392350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4605068699669188889.post-32882081431844598122018-05-19T16:39:00.002-04:002018-05-19T16:39:23.227-04:00Do You Switch? <br />
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Do you switch your fruits in the supermarket? I'm not talking loose fruits like tomatoes or avacados - I'm talking fruits that are packaged - in clamshells - like strawberries. </div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-thN6cbfEUoc/WwCJs0l5C9I/AAAAAAAABjM/OLPfY1siFVoiAY2HX8WITj-CVBc1kEY9ACEwYBhgL/s1600/clamshell%2Bstrawberries.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1000" height="200" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-thN6cbfEUoc/WwCJs0l5C9I/AAAAAAAABjM/OLPfY1siFVoiAY2HX8WITj-CVBc1kEY9ACEwYBhgL/s200/clamshell%2Bstrawberries.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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While Jonah and I were just in the local supermarket, I watched a lady who had strawberries laid out on top of all of the other clamshells and was picking the best ones for her clamshell. Wouldn't you want to go to a farm to pick your own if this is your mission? It's like taking a bouquet of flowers from the floral section apart and only taking the daises or the roses and leaving all the other "leftovers" or "bad" ones for someone else. <br />
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In NJ, we are just coming in to strawberry season. However, it's been wet lately. I'm talking Seattle wet. It's been raining here since Tuesday and *might* clear up tomorrow (for the day) leaving us humid and hot but not to worry, it's going to rain again on Monday and Tuesday. While this does wreak havoc on the berries and the farms and *maybe* this woman couldn't get to the farm for fresh picking because of the rain, mud and berries coming in late ... but I guess I'm just surprised. I didn't know that mix and matching out of a clamshell is allowed.<br />
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<br />Kristiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08655932728524392350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4605068699669188889.post-39087083599843943912018-05-17T09:12:00.002-04:002018-05-17T09:12:26.262-04:00Key West, Florida Anyone? <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-s/03/9b/2f/b6/key-west.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="331" data-original-width="550" height="192" src="https://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-s/03/9b/2f/b6/key-west.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Tell me everything you know about traveling to Key West, Florida! <br />
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We are currently on the search for a couples ("couple") destination for a long weekend away. <br />
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Have you been to Key West? Where have you stayed? Where have you heard is fabulous? <br />
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How do you get there? Do you fly? Do you drive? Do you do both? Will we need a car there or is Uber an okay alternative? <br />
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<br />Kristiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08655932728524392350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4605068699669188889.post-9394725375895397612018-05-14T13:17:00.001-04:002018-05-14T13:17:58.514-04:00Hummingbirds! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uXvrBMZPuZg/WvnErb3cYmI/AAAAAAAABi0/RKvzih8VGOMOCo5IYMfOUk5IpLUmSJTBQCLcBGAs/s1600/MaleHummingbird1-e1488401195344-232x300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="232" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uXvrBMZPuZg/WvnErb3cYmI/AAAAAAAABi0/RKvzih8VGOMOCo5IYMfOUk5IpLUmSJTBQCLcBGAs/s1600/MaleHummingbird1-e1488401195344-232x300.jpg" /></a></div>
I have to admit, I love to watch the hummingbirds in our back yard. Ours aren't the tame ones that my sister in law has though. Ours are pretty aggressive towards each other and afraid of us, even though we're out there near their feeders ... a lot.<br />
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One issue that we have year after year with our feeders is that they get full of ants and hornets, but ants especially. Someone introduced me to an insect guard that you connect to the top of your feeder in order to keep the ants (especially) out! I found a two pack on Amazon (<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/search/ref=as_li_qf_sp_sr_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=needcoffeepls-20&keywords=Hummers%20Galore%20Hummingbird%20Feeder%20Insect%20Guard,%20Ant%20Moat,%202%20Pack&index=aps&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=xm2&linkId=20bb61f58049a925d8c73337500554b1" target="_blank">Insect Guard for Hummingbird Feeder</a>) for very inexpensive! I've also found on Amazon (<a href="https://amzn.to/2rGk3r6" target="_blank">Parasol Ant Moat</a>)<br />
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I think, because it's my birthday today, I'm going to go all out and buy one of each of those and two of these (<a href="https://amzn.to/2KmMHFp" target="_blank">Antique Looking Hummingbird Feeder)</a>. Those will fill up the remaining hooks on our Shepard's posts - and hopefully keep the hummingbirds nicer and well fed out of feeders that are free from pests!!<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">(Amazon affiliate links included) </span>Kristiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08655932728524392350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4605068699669188889.post-36051016099024109202018-05-08T10:26:00.002-04:002018-05-08T12:50:11.821-04:00Trick or Treating in the Magic Kingdom? YES PLEASE! <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-y1riYUZSUI8/WvGzHoFBhII/AAAAAAAABiU/ZrXFxUhO51Y0WCP94wBkarRie0t1FXtKgCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/IMG_0427.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-y1riYUZSUI8/WvGzHoFBhII/AAAAAAAABiU/ZrXFxUhO51Y0WCP94wBkarRie0t1FXtKgCK4BGAYYCw/s320/IMG_0427.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NH1s-GgftMk/WvGzGfyA9BI/AAAAAAAABiA/T9PdGKC8pcgb0AFkzWQZ8vCP7artUDcFgCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/IMG_0459.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NH1s-GgftMk/WvGzGfyA9BI/AAAAAAAABiA/T9PdGKC8pcgb0AFkzWQZ8vCP7artUDcFgCK4BGAYYCw/s320/IMG_0459.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
A few years back, we were able to visit Walt Disney World around Halloween time (we actually came home on Halloween.) We utilized our Disney Vacation Club timeshare, as we always do. (To learn more about owning a piece of the "magic", please visit <a href="http://www.disneyvacationclub.com/">www.disneyvacationclub.com</a>)<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tim & I visiting with Phineas and Ferb</td></tr>
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<span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;">Dates for 2018 Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Pa</span><span style="font-weight: 700;">rty:</span></div>
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Ticket prices vary during the course of the event (they get more expensive as you get closer to Halloween, but start at $75 in advance or $85 at the gate (if still available). You may purchase tickets by calling (407) 939-1782 or online at the Disney website. </div>
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I mean, trick or treating in the Magic Kingdom, a special parade featuring an appearance by the Headless Horseman, characters dressed up in their Halloween costumes - and ghoooosts! The dancing ghosts from the Haunted Mansion entertain, too, during the parade. <img alt="Image may contain: Tim Worrell and Kristie Worrell, night and child" src="https://static.xx.fbcdn.net/rsrc.php/v3/y4/r/-PAXP-deijE.gif" /><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dancing ghosts from Haunted Mansion</td></tr>
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Some items you may need for your Halloween trip: a Halloween grocery type bag (<a href="https://amzn.to/2jFKeup">https://amzn.to/2jFKeup</a>)*, a pumpkin trading pin <a href="https://draft.blogger.com/(https://amzn.to/2rozJ31">(https://amzn.to/2rozJ31</a>)* and maybe even halloween ears!! (<a href="https://amzn.to/2rsFUDb">https://amzn.to/2rsFUDb</a>)* </div>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-small;">AMAZON AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE<br />There are links on this site that can be defined as “affiliate links”. This means that I may receive a small commission (at no cost to you) if you subscribe or purchase something through the links provided that are signaled with *.<br />Family, Scrapbooks and Coffee is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for website owners to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com, audible.com, and any other website that may be affiliated with Amazon Service LLC Associates Program.<br />If you got any questions about this feel free to let me know. </span></span></h4>
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Kristiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08655932728524392350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4605068699669188889.post-81145919179969808802018-03-19T13:29:00.000-04:002018-03-19T13:29:48.910-04:00Almost 2 yearsIt's been almost two years since we lost my sister to suicide. 672 heart wrenching days without her here. Her kids. Her husband. Our mom. Our stepmom. We are all still so, so heartbroken. Sometimes, I feel almost guilty doing daily, mundane things and finding joy. <br />
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A while ago, I had a memory appear on my Facebook from her - from 2013. Not even a month after we lost Darby. Who knows if I was even out of bed yet. But it's funny how something as simple as her telling me that she made "Drunken Pork Chops" that I had pinned and how delicious they were. I think that in her memory, I will share the recipe with you too. <br />
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Pinned from: http://siggyspice.blogspot.com/2010/03/drunken-pork-chops-absolutely.html<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: medium;"><strong><u>Seriously Scrumptious Drunken Pork Chops</u></strong></span><br />
<ul style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px;">
<li>5-6 pork chops- bone-in or boneless, your choice</li>
<li>Salt and pepper to taste</li>
<li>1 bottle of beer (The darker beer the better. I use New Belguim 1554. I would not recommend going as dark as a Guinness though.)</li>
<li>1/2 cup brown sugar</li>
<li>1/3 cup ketchup (I know, I know....but TRUST ME!)</li>
</ul>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13px;">Put a little bit of extra virgin olive oil in the bottom of a skillet. Season the chops with salt and pepper and brown both sides. While pork chops are browning, combine beer, ketchup, and brown sugar in a bowl. Pour sauce mixture over the pork chops and simmer for 40-45 minutes. Remove pork chops and thicken the sauce a bit. In a small cup, combine 1 TBSP of cornstarch in 1/4 cup of water. Stir to combine and add to boiling sauce, whisk so no lumps form. Put pork chops back in the thickened sauce, flip to coat. Serve over mashed potatoes or rice. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13px;">Have your drink and eat it too!</span><br />
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<br />Kristiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08655932728524392350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4605068699669188889.post-62745981891567097382017-11-07T15:02:00.001-05:002017-11-07T15:02:38.776-05:00A Cool COFFEE SVGCheck it out when you have free time - what a great svg for your Cricut to cut!! <span class="st" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #545454; font-family: Roboto, arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 1.4; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;"></span><br />
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https://lovesvg.com/2017/10/coffees-4422/</div>
Kristiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08655932728524392350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4605068699669188889.post-77608184423607046192016-09-13T12:19:00.001-04:002016-09-13T12:19:19.373-04:00Summer of Sloane - Released 5/3/16<pre class="display" style="background-color: white; border-radius: 4px; border: none; box-sizing: border-box; color: #666666; font-family: Raleway-Regular, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 21px; outline: none; overflow-wrap: normal; overflow: auto; padding: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap; word-break: normal; word-wrap: normal;">I received this E-ARC via Disney Hyperion and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I do have to say that I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I "wished" for it on NetGalley and my wish was granted.
I began this book, knowing that it was written for a teen genre. I thought the story was very believable and well written, especially having two teenagers in my house at this point in time. The book is written with those kids in mind.
<a href="http://a.co/6nYZNhJ" target="_blank">Summer of Sloane</a> is a coming of age story for Sloan and is primarily set in beautiful Hawaii. She and her twin brother summer with their mother, who is a doctor in Hawaii, but attend high school in the Pacific Northwest where they live with their father. Because of this rotation, they have friends in both areas -- coming to Hawaii for "this" summer, was already in the works when Sloane got crazy news from her best friend, and her boyfriend.
I enjoyed the back and forth in this book; the story was entertaining and moved along quickly. I even gave it to my teenage daughter to read - she loved it. My daughter is not the quickest reader and tends to get bored easily, as do many teens these days. She plowed through this book like a champ and loved how she "knew" where she was even though we've never even been to Hawaii.
One thing that I may just not be on the cutting edge on was the partying going on in high school While I don't turn my back on such matters, and hope that my kids will call me if they need a ride (as the mother offered on occasion in this book), it was one thing that I gave my daughter a disclosure on when I gave her the book.
I would definitely recommend this book to others. Thank you for the opportunity to read and review Summer of Sloane.</pre>
Kristiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08655932728524392350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4605068699669188889.post-46818977781254582162016-02-02T08:37:00.003-05:002016-02-02T08:37:51.294-05:00Winner!! Release Day of NO ORDINARY LIFEThanks to our random number generator, Lori K. is our lucky winner of a copy of Suzanne Redfearn's No Ordinary Life which debuts today! <br />
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In honor of the release of this fantastic book, I also had the opportunity to interview Ms. Redfearn via email last week. Here is an excerpt of our interview! <br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Although
I've read the book as an advance reader copy, many of my friends have not.
Can you tell us a little about your newest book, No Ordinary Life?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">No
Ordinary Life is the story about a young mom’s struggle to protect her children
from the dangerous world of Hollywood. It was inspired by the idea of delving
into the truth behind the glitz and glamour to discover why so many young actors
struggle. Faye Martin, a young mother of three, has been abandoned by her
husband and is struggling to make ends meet. When the opportunity comes along
for her youngest, Molly, to star on a television show, she jumps at the chance.
It seems like her dreams have been answered until the dark trappings of their
new world are revealed and her life begins to unravel. Her older daughter is
struggling and Molly might be right behind her. Things quickly spiral out of
control, and Faye finds herself needing to make the difficult choice of whether
to continue to navigate the treacherous waters of fame or to give up the money
and prestige and get out. She finally decides only to discover the choice might
no longer be hers to make.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Who
are your literary heroes and why?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">My
first literary hero was Ayn Rand. Her books made me realize that stories can
change you—alter your perspective, make you realize you are not alone in your
ideas and how you perceive the world. Other heroes would have to be Ernest
Hemingway, John Steinbeck, and Bryce Courtenay.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">In
your bio, I read that you spent a few years of your childhood in Medford Lakes.
I live in Indian Mills which is a town adjacent to Medford, to the
east/southeast. What do you remember most about our area? Do you
have any photos from this time in your life? </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Log
cabins. I lived in one and so did my uncle. Other than that, I don’t remember
much.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">What
is the best advice you have ever received? </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Funny
you should ask because I think I might have just figured that out yesterday. I
belong to an artists’ group (an amazing group of Laguna Beach artists who for
some reason include me, the lone author, in their tribe), and yesterday, one of
the women was talking about meeting the Dalai Lama. She and a crowd of hundreds
had gathered to hear him speak. Someone had put a trucker’s hat on his head,
which he graciously did not remove. Anxiously they waited for his inspirational
words of wisdom. She had traveled hours to see him as had most of those around
her. This was a rare appearance, and it was possible he would not visit
California again. He waited for the crowd to quiet, and when he had their full
attention, he looked out and said, “Try,” then he nodded and walked from the
stage. Everyone was befuddled at first then disappointed, and my friend said
she was actually a little pissed. She had taken a day off of work. She had
risen at the crack of dawn. She had waited for hours. Then she explained how
that stupid word has gotten stuck in her head and stayed with her. For months
now, whenever she is in a bad place, struggling with her art or with anything,
that bespectacled round face beneath that trucker’s hat smiles at her and
mutters the word “try” and so she does. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">I'm
a scrapbooker. I love photographing my friends and family and documenting
our memories in a fun way. Do you have any hobbies? </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Oh
my goodness. I am a dabbler. A little of this, a little of that. I like any
form of art, including photography, painting, crafts. I also like to garden and
of course to read. I’m also a sports girl, so I play golf and tennis. I surf. I
ski. I have far too many hobbies and not enough time. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Finally,
do you have a motto, quote or philosophy that you live by? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<span style="color: red; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">“Just keep swimming, just keep swimming,” from <i>Finding Nemo</i>. I sing it to myself almost
every day as I am writing. </span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Thanks for the opportunity to do this review, giveaway and interview! I hope you all take the time to give this book a try. It's available in both paperback and for your Kindle. (You know how I love my Kindle!) Order through this link: <a href="http://smile.amazon.com/No-Ordinary-Life-Suzanne-Redfearn/dp/1455533904/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1454420209&sr=8-1&keywords=No+Ordinary+Life" target="_blank">NO ORDINARY LIFE</a>. </span>Kristiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08655932728524392350noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4605068699669188889.post-59696017074287255632016-01-28T08:13:00.001-05:002016-01-28T09:29:12.665-05:00No Ordinary Life by Suzanne Redfearn - Review and Giveaway! I'm honored to have been selected to read an advance copy of No Ordinary Life by Suzanne Redfearn, which will be released next week, February 2, 2016! In honor of this new release, we're doing a giveaway, you simply need to leave a blog post comment and tell me what the last book you read was. (Having some technical issues with rafflecopter, so we'll do this the old fashioned way!)<br />
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You can view information about No Ordinary Life and even pre-order it at Amazon through this <a href="http://www.amazon.com/No-Ordinary-Life-Suzanne-Redfearn/dp/1455533904" target="_blank">link</a>.<br />
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Next week, in honor of the book's release, I'll have a short interview with Suzanne Redfearn here on my blog. I'm excited about that -- she is originally from New Jersey, and spent a few years very local to my current hometown! <br />
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I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I pride myself on guessing what will happen next in a book. With No Ordinary Life, this didn't happen. I was thrown for quite a few loops. It not only gives a glimpse into the life of a single mother with three kids struggling to keep her family afloat, it gives us a glimpse into being a showbiz family. Although we read the failures more than the successes in the tabloids daily, in this novel, we get a fresh glimpse of how hard it really is on the "inside." No Ordinary Life was a great read, one I was able to complete in a weekend, even with my four kids, three dogs, and hubs! I highly recommend this book!<br />
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<br /><script src="https://widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js"></script>Kristiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08655932728524392350noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4605068699669188889.post-52218741686035218432015-03-13T13:12:00.001-04:002015-03-13T13:12:03.440-04:00It's a little confusing ... that I am constantly posting on FB and Twitter about two separate yet related activities that I'm currently fundraising for. <br />
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One is the Promise Walk for Preeclampsia which will take place this year on May 2, 2015. If you are interested, please join <a href="http://www.promisewalk.org/darbygrace" target="_blank">Darby's Team</a> by clicking on the team name. The Promise Walk raises money for the Preeclampsia Foundation. This helps us spread the word about Preeclampsia, it's warning signs and symptoms. It is my hope that no mothers or babies will continue to die because of this disease. With all of the knowledge in our heads in 2015, there is no reason for mothers and/or babies to continue to die because of complications of preeclampsia. <br />
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The other is a personal fundraiser for a Cuddle Cot. There is more information at this site: <a href="http://www.gofundme.com/cuddlecotfromdarby">www.gofundme.com/cuddlecotfromdarby</a>. <br />
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Both are worthwhile causes: one to help families before tragedy strikes, the other to help heal their hearts if something terrible does happen. <br />
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Questions? Don't be afraid to ask me!<br />
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<br />Kristiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08655932728524392350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4605068699669188889.post-53375726899886781902015-02-23T08:05:00.002-05:002015-02-23T08:05:55.066-05:00It's Been A YearSo much has changed since last January when I posted.<br />
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On May 10, 2014, we welcomed a new little boy into our tribe. Bodie James was born at 5:42 p.m., just 42 minutes after the doctor broke my water. He was born into the world peeing and screaming. Hopefully he will keep that attitude and run with it for the rest of his life. <br />
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We are still raising funds for the Promise Walk for Preeclampsia which will take place in Cherry Hill, NJ on May 2, 2015. If you would like to join Darby's team or make a monetary donation (no amount is too small) the link is: <a href="http://www.promisewalk.org/darbygrace" target="_blank">Darby's Team</a> . We are also gathering donations from companies and individuals for the raffle the walkers' participate in on the day of the walk. Please let me know if you would like to contribute. We've already got a bunch of great prizes - scrapbooking prizes, reading prizes (thank you to <a href="http://suzannewoodsfisher.com/" target="_blank">Suzanne Woods Fisher</a> and<a href="https://www.facebook.com/heathermuziksbooks" target="_blank"> Heather Muzik</a> for those!), kid prizes, food prizes. The raffle this year will be spectacular. <div>
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Another project we've started in Darby's memory is to raise awareness and funds to place a Cuddle Cot in our local hospital, where Darby was born. Here is a link to a local news article that ran last week. <a href="http://www.shamongsun.com/2015/02/16/raising-awareness-easing-grief/" target="_blank">Raising Awareness, Easing Grief</a> . We've also started a GOFUNDME campaign for this endeavor. The link for that is: <a href="http://www.gofundme.com/cuddlecotfromdarby" target="_blank">Cuddle Cot from Darby</a>. This is all in connection with the US Cuddle Cot Campaign. Please take a minute to read the article to learn more about the cuddle cot. </div>
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Our oldest son will graduate from 8th grade this year. Can you believe it? Our oldest daughter has been asked to apply to the National Junior Honor Society this year. It's amazing what she can do when she puts her mind to it. Sweetart is plugging along in the first grade, learning to read with gusto and her math facts are superb. Now if she could just manage to take care of herself instead of all of the other kids in class, it'd be an A+ year. </div>
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Hubs and I visited Mexico with friends in November to celebrate our 15th wedding anniversary. It was beautiful. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We swam with the sea turtles too!<br />
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It was really awesome! </div>
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Will be posting more frequently so that the fundraisers for the Walk and the Cuddle Cot are updated! </div>
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Kristiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08655932728524392350noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4605068699669188889.post-32038208039673960942014-01-31T12:24:00.001-05:002014-01-31T13:48:41.707-05:00South Jersey/Philadelphia Promise Walk for Preeclampsia - Please help support Team Darby <a href="http://www.promisewalk.org/pfpw/teampage.asp?fundid=4392" target="_blank">Team Darby</a><br />
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<br />Kristiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08655932728524392350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4605068699669188889.post-42057110583493865742013-12-15T09:02:00.000-05:002013-12-15T09:02:07.090-05:00Christmas LetterI am in the process (yes, it is a process for me) of sending out our annual Christmas cards. I put my address book away after I did thank you cards for Darby Grace and I am unable to locate it - still. I can only imagine that there is a reason for this (besides my desk is covered in a foot and a half of clutter.) <br />
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Some of the Christmas cards we receive come complete with an updated briefing of what has gone on for a family in the past year. Others, like ours, are just photos. Others yet are simple holiday greetings reminding us of friends near and far. <br />
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I always loved receiving the Christmas letters. Of course, in today's technologically connected world, an old fashioned letter seems outdated. Don't you think? With all of the social media that we're constantly in tune with, we know the goings on of those around us. At least we think we do. <br />
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If I had to write a summary letter of our 2013, it would kind of go like this. <br />
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Our 2013</div>
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Just like that, another year is almost over. Seems almost as quickly as we started 2013, 2014 is looking us in the face. </div>
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In 2013, we saw plenty of action in our family. In the first month of the year, we witnessed the devastating destructiveness of fire as my sister and her family lost everything they owned when their house burned to the ground. We witnessed the power of the social media and our family, friends and community as wave after wave of donations came in for their family. We saw, with renewed eyes, how community bands together in times of trouble. </blockquote>
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In early winter, too, we had a few different foster puppies, including Holiday - the not so much Boxer mix. Throughout the year, we've worked with a rescue group, <a href="http://www.joejoesplace.org/" target="_blank">Joe Joe's Place</a>, to raise awareness and funds for animal rescue. </blockquote>
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We spent the winter and the spring gearing up for Jonah's playing baseball, Ella learning how to play tennis and Piper playing her first ever year of softball. We also spent time gathering our Minnie Mouse themed clothes, blankets and other baby items for the addition of Darby Grace, who was due in early May. </blockquote>
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In 2013, we learned about placental abruption, stillbirth, pre-eclampsia and how to plan a funeral. We said goodbye to our little girl, our kids' baby sister. We again saw the strength of our family, friends and community with so many sending meals for our heartbroken family, making donations to our <a href="http://www.promisewalk.org/pfpw/fundevent.asp?vname=philadelphia" target="_blank">pre-eclampsia walk</a> and sending donations to our church in little Darby's memory. We witnessed, with humbleness, the doctors, dumbfounded by our loss explain how fragile pregnancy, life and death really are. </blockquote>
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Tim & I visited Disney World twice, once in the spring with our fabulous friends for the <a href="https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/events-tours/epcot/epcot-international-flower-and-garden-festival/" target="_blank">Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival</a> and once in the fall with our family to visit during the <a href="https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/events-tours/magic-kingdom/mickeys-not-so-scary-halloween-party/" target="_blank">Halloween</a> season. We took our annual vacation to the Outer Banks of North Carolina in July. We had a fabulous week and our annual family photo shoot with local photographers and friends,<a href="http://www.danielpullenphotography.com/" target="_blank"> Kate and Daniel Pullen</a>. </blockquote>
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Fall of 2013, had our littlest Piper entering kindergarten, Jonah and Ella are both in the our town's middle school. It also brought travel fall ball for Jonah and the girls playing rec soccer. It was a crazy schedule but the kids had a great time playing their sports. We saw their improvement at each and every game and practice. We also learned in the fall that we're expecting another child in the spring. </blockquote>
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It seems that we'll have a busy spring, if we have all the kids playing sports again like they did in 2013. I think we'll try to take it a little easier than we did this year though. We'll sit back and try to enjoy and relax during this pregnancy. Our newest addition, another son, has an estimated arrival window in May, 2014. </blockquote>
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During this Christmas season and into the new year, our family wishes you health, happiness, love and knowing God's grace. </blockquote>
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Kristiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08655932728524392350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4605068699669188889.post-41905364928462117782013-12-10T13:01:00.001-05:002013-12-10T13:01:24.380-05:00Snow Day - December 2013While snow in NJ isn't unusual, snow in early December is not common. Today is the second day in three days we're experiencing snow. On Sunday, forecasters in our area called for a "dusting to an inch" of snow. No one was concerned. This is what we got: <br />
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In our town, we received about 8-10 inches of snow, depending on where you measured. Yesterday, local forecasters apologized profusely for getting it wrong. <br />
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They proceeded to forecast another storm for today. 4-6 inches of snow to accumulate while we'd be in school and at work. All of the schools in the region took the warning pretty seriously since there were many accidents on Sunday from people being caught off guard; schools around the area called the first snow day of the year. This morning, all of our local new stations and even Good Morning America were preempted by local weather reporters out in the snow. While the roads may be slippery, it's now 1 o'clock and the forecast has changed. The new forecast is 1-3" of snow in our area. Again, our weather forecasters failed us. Wonder what they will say this time? Another sorry? (Maybe because I am posting this, the storm will increase in intensity and dump another 10 inches on my complaining behind.)<br />
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The kids will now be in school until June 20, 2014. They are having fun today and we are home safe, but I believe there will be major bellyaching come June when everyone has had it with school, teachers included. <br />
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Hope you are safe, wherever you are. Kristiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08655932728524392350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4605068699669188889.post-19366906025130996612013-09-11T13:09:00.004-04:002013-09-11T13:09:50.965-04:00A Day of Remembrance and ReflectionLast night, our son, who is in 7th grade, had two social studies homework assignments. One was to talk to us, his parents, about what we were doing and thinking when the 9/11 terrorist attacks took place. The other was to watch President Obama talk about what action the US will or will not take against Syria, who is using chemical weapons against it's own people. <br />
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Do you remember where you were on 9/11/2001? What you were doing, what you were thinking? I was home on maternity leave. Our son was six weeks old. I was watching Good Morning America when they interrupted their programming to give word that "something" had happened to one of the world trade centers. They weren't quite clear on exactly what had happened but we watched it unfold together. Me and my friends on GMA. <br />
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I called my husband. I called my mom. I called anyone who would listen at that point to see if they saw what happened. I hugged my infant son even tighter than usual. We found out that one of our friends - my sister in law's sister - who is an airline attendant was on a flight, out of Newark, bound for California. How scary! It was hours before she was able to contact her family to let them know she was okay. She, however, was stuck in CA for a bit until the air travel restriction was lifted. <br />
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I remember being tuned in to the television at all times for the next few days - they were still finding survivors in the rubbles. I remember the pleading families who had loved ones who couldn't be found. I remember the waves of emergency personnel from all over the country flooding into New York City. I remember what a sad time it was for our nation. <br />
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Although we are 12 years from when this tragedy occurred, our hearts are still hurting from the day. We still have memorials being designed and installed to honor the men and women who not only lost their lives as a direct impact of the 9/11 attacks but to honor service men and women and police as well. My husband's company, Beechwood Landscape, was an integral part of a local 9/11 memorial. <a href="http://www.greenindustrypros.com/article/10983513/beechwood-landscape-fallen-heroes-memorial?utm_source=GIP+The+PRO+Report&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=RCL130814005" target="_blank">Beechwood Landscape Fallen Hereos Memorial in Shamong, NJ</a> No matter how many years have passed, it was a wonderful ribbon cutting ceremony for this memorial - no one in this small community forgets. <br />
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9/11/2001 - a day that will live in our hearts forever. I will never forget. Kristiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08655932728524392350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4605068699669188889.post-83579326974439541882013-09-07T12:59:00.005-04:002013-09-07T13:10:30.844-04:00I thinkthat this is going to take longer than I thought. Longer to pull myself together, longer to accept the fact that there will never be any answers for why God let this happen to our family. <br />
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Darby should be posing for a photo today for my scrapbook with one of those funny "Five Months Old" stickers on her chest, giggling for us. All I can think is thank goodness I couldn't decide on ordering ones with her name on them or with a different princess picture for each month. What would I have done if I had to get rid of those too? Thank goodness I am indecisive. <br />
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Today we spent the morning at the soccer fields. First with Sweetart's "munchkin" group then with Twink's 5th and 6th grade team. We were initially late because the girls in our house decided to have meltdowns about a few different things and we just couldn't get out of the door. Then Sweetart fell and skinned her knee when we were not even 5 yards from the van. We were one of the last families to get our uniform. We missed the introduction which told us who the "red" coach was for the day and where she was practicing. We followed the chaos a little bit until I saw a group of "reds" moving towards the left of the fields. We parked our butts by the fence so that we could watch the entire practice. <br />
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A woman with a little boy in a stroller parked about 10 feet from me. I couldn't even look at her and I certainly couldn't look at the baby in the stroller. How much longer is this going to happen? It took me until after the entire practice was over to look at the woman in her face. I knew her!! I felt so rude, so betrayed by my own emotions. All I could say was "how's it going" when we walked by her leaving. <br />
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It never occurred to me that munchkin soccer would have so many babies. How we are at the "old" end of the age spectrum for munchkins. Sweetart is our youngest one playing sports. I drag the older kids with me to her practice. There are families who are still young and their munchkin might be their oldest ... and they bring the babies with them. How am I going to get through this season? <br />
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On a happier note, Sweetart almost gave up 3/4 into the practice but she sucked it up and played the rest of the time so that she could get her snack afterwards. (That's my girl!) And Twink's team tied - 2-2. Last night, the Boy's travel baseball team won their game by one. It's all good. I just need to embrace that goodness today.Kristiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08655932728524392350noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4605068699669188889.post-47293190199944029142013-08-18T10:53:00.000-04:002013-08-18T10:53:51.612-04:00Almost a year - what a changeIt's been almost a year since I last posted. I remember exactly why I stopped posting - and I regret it more than you can even imagine. <br />
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Seems around the 1st week in September, I found myself pregnant. At 39. While I am happily married with three other kidlets, an unexpected pregnancy took me by complete surprise. You see, I was on the pill. I became the .01% of women who become pregnant while taking the pill. <br />
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It took me a while to come to terms with another baby coming but I was happy - we did all kinds of testing to ensure she was healthy. (Get that? We found out we were having another girl - which worked out perfectly since our new house only had enough bedrooms for the three children we had - Sweetart could share her room with the new beebster.) I was once again diagnosed with gestational diabetes, very early on. I was able to keep it in check by eating healthy. <br />
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Our expected due date was my Poppop's birthday, May 15, 2013. One day after my 40th birthday. All systems were go. All was going well ... <br />
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until the fated day ... April 7, 2013. Darby Grace was born into this world a sleeping angel at 35 weeks gestation. Her (my) placenta had abrupted - I bled internally, no outward signs of any problems. Until we got to the hospital and the doctor couldn't find her little teeny heartbeat. Tim and I were - still are - devastated. <br />
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It is my hope that by starting my blog back up, I can make some kind of sense of this heartache. Have a place to vent and find my new normal. I thought it was hard to wrap my head around bringing a new baby home; I have found that it is even harder, much harder, to wrap my head around the fact that our new baby is in Heaven.<br />
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Kristiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08655932728524392350noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4605068699669188889.post-55340543007228117212012-09-21T06:10:00.000-04:002012-09-21T08:28:24.929-04:00Crayola Back to School Giveaway<br />
Recently I received a big box in the mail! Almost as big as a bread box ... maybe bigger! It was full of Crayola products (thanks for the opportunity <a href="http://www.myblogspark.com/" target="_blank">MyBlogSpark</a>!) Inside this box was pure FUN! These products certainly made going back to school bearable in our home.<br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b7LJ1CwIOKI/UFpWK5K17II/AAAAAAAAA-M/1RNL02r7LzM/s1600/58-8174-CoreCrystalEffectsWindowMarkers_g.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="196" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b7LJ1CwIOKI/UFpWK5K17II/AAAAAAAAA-M/1RNL02r7LzM/s200/58-8174-CoreCrystalEffectsWindowMarkers_g.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
We received in our box:<br />
<ul>
<li>Crayola Bright Fabric Markers</li>
<li>Crystal Effects Window Markers</li>
<li>Crayola Window Mega Markers</li>
<li>Wild Notes Index Cards</li>
<li>Wild Notes Sticky Notes</li>
<li>Wild Notes 1 Subject Notebook</li>
<li>Dual-Sided Dry-Erase Board</li>
</ul>
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HeAvAijO9Cw/UFpWLlfbsQI/AAAAAAAAA-U/JFmUVnTsJE0/s1600/58-8623_CoreMarkersFabric10Count.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HeAvAijO9Cw/UFpWLlfbsQI/AAAAAAAAA-U/JFmUVnTsJE0/s200/58-8623_CoreMarkersFabric10Count.jpg" width="143" /></a>Our favorite? It's a toss up!! My son, age 11 in the 6th grade, is all about the Crayola Bright Fabric Markers -- they allowed us to write his name inside of his navy blue baseball hat without any problems. That's a first for us. We are usually trying to put his name in the dark colored hat with pen or something -- and we fail miserably. Daughter, Twink, age 10 in 5th grade, loves the Wild Notes sticky notes and Mega Window Markers. Littlest daughter, age 4, has her favorite too: the Crystal Effects Window Markers. If I had to pick my favorite, I think I would be on Team Crystal Effects Window Markers. They are SO cool. They create a crystallized, ice-like, drawing. It is so neat to draw and watch the colors come to life in crystals. <br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PGHGUT1qJnk/UFpWM4D7QgI/AAAAAAAAA-c/ESgd-M_Lees/s1600/99-3431_EssentialsWildNotesJournal_f3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PGHGUT1qJnk/UFpWM4D7QgI/AAAAAAAAA-c/ESgd-M_Lees/s200/99-3431_EssentialsWildNotesJournal_f3.jpg" width="149" /></a>I took the WildNotes Index cards to work to show off. One of the girls wrote "a stocking stuffer for sure!" and passed the card back to me. Now that's a testimonial if I've ever heard one! <br />
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Crayola is offering a Back to School Pack for one lucky reader. In the winner's fun box will be: <br />
<ul>
<li>Crayola Bright Fabric Markers</li>
<li>Crystal Effects Window Markers</li>
<li>Crayola Window Mega Markers</li>
<li>Wild Notes Index Cards</li>
<li>Wild Notes Sticky Notes</li>
<li>Wild Notes 1 Subject Notebook</li>
</ul>
I've teamed up with a few other great blogs to help spread the word about this fabulous giveaway! A huge thank you to: We're Parents?!, We Think Pink 365, Mama's Mission and Coupon Crazy Sisters! I hope you all take the time to visit them all through the links provided on the Rafflecopter below. <br />
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The contest will open today, 9/21/12 and end on 9/28/12. Winner will be announced after entries verified.<br />
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and ... on with the show!<br />
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<a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/ef4ead10/" id="rc-ef4ead10" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a><br />
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<b>Disclosure: The information, products and additional Crayola
Back-to-School gift pack was provided by Crayola® through MyBlogSpark.</b>
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Kristiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08655932728524392350noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4605068699669188889.post-40713408034293942272012-09-02T10:41:00.001-04:002012-09-02T10:41:20.803-04:00$200 Amazon Instant Bucks G1veaway<h1 align="center">
<b><a href="http://momsvacationspots.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/amazon-200-instant-bucks-giveaway1.jpg"><img alt="" height="286" src="http://momsvacationspots.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/amazon-200-instant-bucks-giveaway1.jpg" title="amazon $200 instant bucks giveaway" width="342" /></a></b></h1>
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<b>Welcome to the $200 Instant Bucks Amazon Giveaway!</b></h1>
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Thank you for stopping by another fabulous event hosted by,</div>
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<a href="http://jennsblahblahblog.com/">Jenn's Blah Blah Blog</a> and <a href="http://divafabulosa.com/">Diva Fabulosa</a>! This time we bring you the <b>$200 Instant Bucks Amazon Giveaway!</b></div>
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Check out our wonderful co-hosts <a href="http://parsimoniouspash.com/">Parsimonious Pash</a>, <a href="http://www.smartysaver.com/">SmartySaver</a>, <a href="http://colleensbooknook.com/">Colleen's Book Nook</a>,</div>
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<a href="http://momalwaysfindsout.com/">Mom Always Finds Out</a>, and <a href="http://mukhangpera.com/">Mukhang Pera</a>.</div>
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<b>We would also like to thank every blogger that is taking part in this event! </b></div>
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We couldn't do this without everyone! Thank you to all our fabulous readers for allowing us to bring you these awesome events! It's because of you that we do what we do day in and day out! <b>A HUGE Thank You to our Amazing Readers!</b></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><span style="color: black; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;">This is my first time participating in such a huge giveaway! I'm excited to be a part of it. Hope that someone from Family, Scrapbooks and Coffee is the big winner! There are so many ways to enter, mostly just "liking" other blogs on Facebook or following blogger twitter accounts. It's a great way to meet fabulous bloggers out there who offer a little bit of everything! </span></span></span></h1>
<b>About our Sponsor:</b>
<a href="http://www.instantbucks.com/index.php?r=jenniferw777" target="_blank">Instant Bucks </a>- If you haven't heard of Instant Bucks, keep reading and we'll fill you in!
Instant Bucks launched in May 2012 in Southern California. Instant Bucks is a consumer loyalty site that offers amazing rewards for completing research surveys, online shopping and so much more! They strive to bring you new daily opportunities to earn online rewards and save money.
Instant Bucks is an online community that rewards you for doing things you're already doing online. Why not get rewarded? With Instant Bucks you'll earn online rewards for completing tasks such as:<br />
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<li>Easy Surveys</li>
<li>Watching Videos</li>
<li>Sampling Products</li>
<li>Shopping Online</li>
<li>Coupon Clipping</li>
</ul>
<a href="http://www.instantbucks.com/index.php?r=jenniferw777"><img alt="" border="1" height="250" src="http://www.instantbucks.com/images_ib/banners/010.gif" width="250" /></a>
There's a variety of ways for you to earn online rewards. They also offer a fast turnaround on rewards and plenty of opportunities for you to earn those awesome rewards.
<b>As a member of the Instant Bucks Community you'll:</b><br />
<ul>
<li>Earn virtual currency called "Instant Bucks"</li>
<li>Refer family and friends and earn. There's no limit on what you can earn from referrals</li>
<li>No limits on reward redemption</li>
<li>High paying offers</li>
</ul>
<b>Once you build up your "Instant Bucks" you'll be able to trade them in for great prizes such as:</b><br />
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<li>Gift Cards - Wal-Mart, Amazon, Restaurant and more!</li>
<li>Hotel Stays</li>
<li>Airlines</li>
<li>PayPal Cash</li>
<li>Shopping</li>
<li>iTunes</li>
<li>Coupons</li>
</ul>
A special thanks to Instant Bucks for making this event possible! They're generously offering one lucky person the chance to win a <b>$200 Amazon Gift Code</b>! <b>Thanks, <a href="http://www.instantbucks.com/index.php?r=jenniferw777" target="_blank">Instant Bucks</a>!</b>
<b>About the Giveaway</b>
Giveaway will run September 1, 2012 12:01am EST - October 1, 2012 at 11:59pm EST. One lucky person will have a chance to win $200 Amazon Gift Code, must be at least 18 years old to enter, and is open to US residents. To enter use the Rafflecopter form below, GOOD LUCK!<br />
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<a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/2d03cb51/" id="rc-2d03cb51" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
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Disclaimer: This blog is not responsible for shipment of prize, nor did I accept any form of payment to promote this event. All entries will be verified.Kristiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08655932728524392350noreply@blogger.com0