tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-87399999246862825332024-03-05T06:26:08.837-05:00Muddy Boots and PearlsDocumentation of my journey through life including weight loss, trying new things and finding happiness.Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10347379582689290366noreply@blogger.comBlogger113125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8739999924686282533.post-68748869739340688282012-05-20T22:03:00.001-04:002012-05-20T22:05:09.167-04:00Weekend in Lake PlacidIn February I spent an unseasonably warm weekend with my boyfriend in one of my most favorite places inside the Adirondacks - Lake Placid.<br />
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We spent our weekend in a suite at the Best Western of Lake Placid which was nestled right on the actual Lake Placid (not to be confused with Mirror Lake which the shopping district traces the coast of. The goal of the weekend was to simply relax, enjoy eachother's company and to take advantage of a "buy one night - get one free" coupon that I had gotten a few months ago at a <a href="http://www.adksports.com/">Adirondack Sports and Fitness</a> show.
The weekend was filled with good food, good shopping and good adventure.<br />
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The highlight of the weekend was taking advantage of the Olympic Sites Passport. If you don't already know - Lake Placid was host to the winter Olympic Games twice, once in 1932 and again in 1980. Although I've visited Lake Placid multiple times for shopping, hiking and general amusement I haven't actually visited any of the Olympic venues. I decided this was the chance to do so.
The passport only set us back $30 each and granted us free and discounted entrance to most of the Olympic Venues.<br />
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We arrived Friday and visited the Olympic Museum which is inside the Olympic arena where the "<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miracle_on_Ice">Miracle on Ice</a>" occurred. Normally $6/person to enter it was small but packed with all kinds of memorabilia, videos, sports gear and information on the games in Lake Placid, past games and sporting events within the games. The streets were busy and so was the arena as there was a big college hockey championship going on as well as the Youth Can/Am games. We were basically the only people in Lake Placid that weekend with no interest in watching hockey!
Saturday and Sunday had some of the most amazing weather for the month of February. NY was blessed with an extremely mild winter - we got little to no snow back home and Lake Placid didn't have much to boast about either. The High Peaks were covered and skiing was still passable on Whiteface (although it was the last weekend and people were literally skiing on patches of snow about 2 feet wide) but this was a winter for the record books. I believe the temperatures ranged in the 70s and maybe even 80's that weekend. A perfect weekend for outdoor siteseeing!<br />
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We started with the ski lifts, which if you've read any of my hiking entries, chances are you've seen them from a distance when I post pictures of the summits of various High Peaks. This was the first time I got to see them up close and personal. I'm not sure of the normal cost per person to enter the ski lifts and to take the elevator to the top - but it was included in our passport and the blue skies made for perfect views of Lake Placid and the surrounding High Peaks.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi0ESD40-k0yJEsPgSnxAkOiwqo6k49i-UZdbKDNa-meTx6-ssRxiGKXoMmatdu00eQZyLQ4jEYwHFFU8IPuNv4TZ6_oGOfLRKkEu5B7XygOruS5YKpamHS55fuPcy2vMHriUVRTNHxhK5/s1600/Lake+Placid+Feb+2012-001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi0ESD40-k0yJEsPgSnxAkOiwqo6k49i-UZdbKDNa-meTx6-ssRxiGKXoMmatdu00eQZyLQ4jEYwHFFU8IPuNv4TZ6_oGOfLRKkEu5B7XygOruS5YKpamHS55fuPcy2vMHriUVRTNHxhK5/s400/Lake+Placid+Feb+2012-001.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Next on the agenda was going to the sports complex to tour the bobsled/skeleton grounds. While at the sports complex, visitors have the opportunity the actually ride in a bobsled on the track. It is costly at $80/person, but with the passport you could get a 20% discount. Bobsledding is one of my favorite winter sports and riding the bobsled track is something I've always wanted to do so I dropped the $60 and went for a ride. Yes, it was less than a minute, yes it was expensive - but boy was it worth it. The bragging rights alone are worth it - I rode on an Olympic bobsled track and lived to tell the tale. For my efforts I was given a shirt, pin and "team picture". My boyfriend wasn't so quick to to take the ride so I did it alone.<br />
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After paying your fee - you're taken to the top of the track Chevy Suburban style. You're fitted for a helmet and then you're placed into your bobsled with two team mates (who ride all day with visitors) and anyone else in your party. In this case another person who was going solo was with me. Before you know it you're wisked down the shoot - you stop and you're pulled off to the side for your picture and pin. It was short and sweet and I'd do it again.
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Click <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=whmQll3gaeU">here</a> to see the video.<br />
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To finish up our day of Olympic sight seeing we headed over to Whiteface Mountain to ride the ski lift. If I remember correctly it was the last skiing weekend of a pretty terrible ski season so the mountain was pretty packed with people getting their last chance to go down the mountain on a combination of slush and mud. It was a really enjoyable gondola ride, and is normally $19/person but was included in our passport. I'm not sure if it was something I'd necessarily pay $19 for - but it was a nice relaxing ride and it took about 5 minutes (give or take) to get to the lookout (not necessarily the summit of the mountain).
I will say that Whiteface is on my list of High Peaks to hike this summer and riding up the gondola to only get to a lookout and seeing the summit so far away made me question my sanity in wanting to make that hike!
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Visiting the Olympic sites was really enjoyable for me, especially as someone who is kind of an Olympic fanatic. I can't believe of all the times that I've visited Lake Placid I hadn't actually gone to any of the sites - I can't think of a better weekend to have done it. The passport was well worth the $30 and provided a full day of entertainment.
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On a personal note: I realize that I haven't posted in over 6 months - eep! How time flies. I have many Adirondack adventures to share with everyone and have many more coming up. I am still hoping to focus this blog more on my Adirondack Adventures (and even those outside of the park), but I'll still continue to post on a personal level as well. I'm looking forward to sharing more about this weekend and other past adventures with you! Happy trails!Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10347379582689290366noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8739999924686282533.post-67657501077480650402011-12-27T05:00:00.001-05:002011-12-27T05:00:39.610-05:00Slim-Fast 3-2-1 Plan
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<p>This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of <a rel='nofollow' href='http://app.socialspark.com/disclosure_clicks?oid=6986189'>Slim-Fast</a>. All opinions are 100% mine.</p>
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Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10347379582689290366noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8739999924686282533.post-38332834407899929372011-12-24T19:38:00.000-05:002011-12-24T19:38:22.578-05:002011 Review Extravaganza July-September<center><a href="http://www.emmymom2.com/"><img src="http://i855.photobucket.com/albums/ab115/Emmymom/2011%20Blog%20Pictures/2011buttonblue200.jpg" /></a></center><br />
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I'm back to do another installment of the 2011 Review Extravaganza. I still can't believe how fast this year went by, and I can't really believe how much I did!<br />
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During the summer I created a "To-Do List" and got quite a few things crossed off of it, in July I...<br />
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Donated blood for the first time in 6 years. I've since donated again and have an appointment to donate on January 3rd.<br />
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<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2EdyOyHZvi7tfbyQOJ_HXlwT0mNVxb-tqiNuUm3pVs3qV0QNwCElVB4_73Uehcd6Jg0V85-LLeTMs3tD7V5ZCTTzWzevOS43Rnmm5cWIcjl_Gt2irXYnsAFpP4LHIgJ9V7A5Mut8el1zX/s320/IMG-20110630-00112.jpg" /> <br />
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I participated in a Flip Flop Swap hosted by <a href="http://thetexasdarlings.blogspot.com/">Becca</a>.<br />
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<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3y-FtZNaKnLOy-bOD8sWUoLAOgTUotuYpCrOYEy9wzHffFa9xdIlsWaJjluizg55aHgekTJKOamJiNzDLSoZulQWwESAZ0WXnOuenJBLCu0zFgknyitSb_I6G0qw-vW5c3xLu69y3q8ic/s320/IMG-20110630-00114.jpg" /> <br />
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I watched all Harry Potter movies in one weekend and I attended our local rodeo.<br />
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Of course I also rode my bike and poked fun of my friends who swealtered in Texas and Oklahoma in 100+ degree heat for some ridiculous number of days.<br />
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I also had lots of fun at a fancy RV resort kayaking with one of my BFFs and reading up on camp rules...<br />
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<img alt="DSCF0992" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Z6M3JWGMa6k/Ti4YGIKALwI/AAAAAAAAALs/ZeVUxCnhnBY/DSCF0992_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" /> <br />
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August came and went with a few highlights...<br />
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JP won The Bachelorette<br />
<img 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" /> <br />
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I tried my hand at running and realized I have issues with shin splints<br />
<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCzKgtyoO8gi-UGPIuNWzHOwZ_cPYtRvpVKUF94idJMUARhKyLicPHbIxMC6a70JqC6wxbrvkvFIp5Cs73Qrtc_DfLfzc-CSrGYQIFBsr6uVQu0Qtg30oyGHhABRWju8KLckWeUvpNw9Hq/s320/IMG-20110803-00175.jpg" /> <br />
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I started tracking my food again for weight loss<br />
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<img alt="IMG-20110804-00178" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-pJFODe7oL2g/TjtsrpJi9-I/AAAAAAAAANM/q2S6jbd0N7o/IMG-20110804-00178_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" /> <br />
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Celebrated a birthday, did my first giveaway AND my first sponsored blog post!<br />
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I found a kitten on my porch...<br />
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<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl2x4uks_aivt7ZAHsxG5bjqM0P9g-DEfqjc055jGeYZJFykYLUDFQE_lvEYJuLtvco2z5zjzBQgbxOyY8ZJsp6P5clw_wKR6PIJiAP4G3pPmiBu-1CZWT09KG_i_Q2MdIjszkFKtafOlL/s320/IMG-20110818-00195.jpg" /> <br />
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He's doing wonderfully at his home BTW, his name is Felix and he has a lot of furry friends with the Cat Lady.<br />
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I hiked my first two High Peaks with my BFF Alison!<br />
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<img alt="DSCF1033" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-9yg54UU8by4/TlQpzYMZqRI/AAAAAAAAAQA/BgywE4B_AgI/DSCF1033_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" /> <br />
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And visited my most favorite place in New York (Lake Placid)<br />
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<img alt="DSCF1054" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-4-E8F0RMg8I/TlQp5X3IzXI/AAAAAAAAAQg/jm3w6IgXBsU/DSCF1054_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" /> <br />
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I also hiked my third High Peak and the next day Hurricane Irene hit the High Peaks region and devastated areas where we had just spent the previous day...<br />
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<img alt="DSC00026" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-n-vVabWV50E/Tl1tUQw2DBI/AAAAAAAAARY/pCzF2mom_YA/DSC00026_thumb%25255B8%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" /> <br />
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<img alt="DSC00070" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-wFwjCzvD_Mo/Tl1tmN0bvVI/AAAAAAAAASo/r7ZqIg7KHeI/DSC00070_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" /> <br />
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September wraps up this week's post in which I started to become a fail blogger.<br />
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Firstly I confessed my love for Pinterest but my hatred for creepy baby pictures...<br />
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<img height="224" src="http://andidiamond.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/tampa-baby-newborn-photography.jpg" width="320" /> <br />
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I received my first VoxBox from<a href="http://infuenster.com/"> Influenster</a><br />
<img alt="DSC00172" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-3bTgnrfWbro/Tm1IKZ03f1I/AAAAAAAAAUw/oQaNnsq1gvg/DSC00172_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" /> <br />
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I debuted my new name AND my gorgeous new layout thanks to my dear friend <a href="http://www.jfamforlife.com/">Vanessa</a><br />
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And I did my last High Peak hike of the summer as soon as they reopened the trails that were closed down from Irene. This was also the scariest of all the hikes I did this past summer!<br />
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<img alt="DSC00136" height="298" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-5SGgczbLFeI/TnvyVxv7shI/AAAAAAAAAZw/QU_O5Z9oly4/DSC00136_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="400" /> <br />
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These are the best months for hiking as the mud is dry (with the exception of our last hike of the season) and the bugs are gone. It's sad to think I haven't hiked since the end of September, there's definitely been opportunities to do so.<br />
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How I miss these summer months and can't wait for them to come back!!<br />
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Speaking of summer, my new job entails assisting the director of my program in planning and executing the organization's summer day camp. Summer of 2012 could be the most stressful or the most super fun summer of my life!Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10347379582689290366noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8739999924686282533.post-12662450268751828702011-12-20T20:25:00.000-05:002011-12-20T20:25:25.246-05:00NYC New York Color Liquid Lipshine ReviewMany of you already know that I'm an active <a href="http://www.influenster.com/">Influenster</a> member. If you're not sure what Influenster is feel free to check out my blog post <a href="http://muddybootsandpearls.blogspot.com/2011/09/influenster-august-voxbox-talk-to-us.html">here</a> or just go ahead and visit their site!<br />
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I recently received my second VoxBox and and going to be reviewing a couple of the products over the next week or so. <br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><img height="200" src="http://www.influenster.com/images/com_influenster_badges/active_hvb.gif" width="198" /> </div><br />
In time for the holiday season, Influenster sent out Holiday VoxBoxes to several of its members. One product that was included was <a href="http://www.newyorkcolor.com/">New York Color's</a> Liquid Lipshine in Nude York City.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="NYC New York Color Liquid Lipshine" height="202" src="http://www.influenster.com/media/k2/items/cache/5288462d048e0d3f60f64bb84cff6df4_XL.jpg" width="320" /> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs4pRlfpEcb0M-RnX0ysim6rcA6orK0bYB3RNTdXOeZefAvxAjvudFalK7ZVyIPe9kXFOd6osQ457SxUQhsnJaORgLPrPtSnYkBeU3FmZ1N8BTAkUzXWzPbX6R6dUMNM9SFePCSASRyatq/s1600/lipshine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs4pRlfpEcb0M-RnX0ysim6rcA6orK0bYB3RNTdXOeZefAvxAjvudFalK7ZVyIPe9kXFOd6osQ457SxUQhsnJaORgLPrPtSnYkBeU3FmZ1N8BTAkUzXWzPbX6R6dUMNM9SFePCSASRyatq/s1600/lipshine.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As you can see it looks like an opaque brown, which turned me off at first, but once I applied it I was pleasantly surprised by the color. It's sheer and shimmery and exactly what I love in a lip gloss!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheGxz8nyMJ931LAZ1aiNaG83-ePZ92QFq08lHxQyMU4eSAnG_qzXU9guLkRblIu9YMo_dOQt42nyHZeULXCh1q-HBztj_sfgJm4-gln-NSoPxDhme4PxUTqcCjn_wD64Ip5N13KY-y5SBc/s1600/IMG-20111220-00327.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="219" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheGxz8nyMJ931LAZ1aiNaG83-ePZ92QFq08lHxQyMU4eSAnG_qzXU9guLkRblIu9YMo_dOQt42nyHZeULXCh1q-HBztj_sfgJm4-gln-NSoPxDhme4PxUTqcCjn_wD64Ip5N13KY-y5SBc/s320/IMG-20111220-00327.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I kind of associated NYC products as a cheap drug store brand of make up and didn't really look beyond their nail polish so I was a little apprehensive about what kind of quality I was going to be getting with this product. Again, I was pleasantly surprised as this lip gloss is not sticky, has a nice fragrance and makes my lips feel soft even after the gloss has worn off (I've tried some glosses that are actually drying). </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The only downside to this product is that the gloss doesn't seem to last very long so I find that I reapply frequently and I also am not overly thrilled with the wand. The wand is really flexible which to me makes me feel like I don't have as good control over it as I'd like (it almost feels like the gloss is going beyond my lips).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">All in all I feel as though I've tried many lip glosses of all prices and brands and I think I would rank this towards the top. It was comparable (and in some cases better) to the department/specialty store brands at a fraction of the price. I will definitely be taking a closer look at the NYC displays when looking to purchase make up in the future.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.newyorkcolor.com/">New York Color</a> products can be found at CVS, Rite Aid, Target, Wal*Mart and other popular stores and range from $.99-$4.99. I received this product complimentary to test through Influenster's VoxBox program. Interested in being an <a href="http://www.influenster.com/">Influenster</a>? Go to their website and sign up for your own free account!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10347379582689290366noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8739999924686282533.post-16259539735573707272011-12-20T13:06:00.002-05:002011-12-20T13:07:04.978-05:002011 Review Extravaganza: April-June<div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i855.photobucket.com/albums/ab115/Emmymom/2011%20Blog%20Pictures/2011buttonblue200.jpg" /> </div><br />
I'm back to participate in the 2011 Blog Review Extravaganza hosted by some of my favorite bloggers!<br />
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This week we're looking back at April through June...<br />
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Luckily I was flying full steam ahead in the blogging world and am able to go back and look at my blog for a refresher. Also at this point I had finally settled on where I was going to host my blog which is right here on Blogger (I used WordPress initially).<br />
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April...<br />
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I don't really remember much about April except for THE WORLD'S BIGGEST WEDDING CELEBRATION EVER!!!<br />
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I took the day off, and I stayed up to watch the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge tie the knot. Oh and then I had an awesome princess party afterwards. It was one of the happiest days of my life. For real. Don't judge.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtV-qvk8dXjJy44f8_WtAuhdduKmBJOjfseTIjEEfSYCwRgGmC4V09RLIwZCO0ievhqxt-8LBLRnTwg0RC7n1wmgg3IDmKYNLp6l2qD-6JRnD_SeeDuHbtlgDZIyORO7Vfas7rksWtnLRp/s320/5669816556_988c510246_o.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrOMjcJOfTGH72DlvUj5oGfVxIpw7e6cR0f7yiERD9oKEc7q9hRlqMoWbO4JwjX2kPTJVj141LLMUYPfpuRDZLcM2YVf_CdFvVTD2Y_8DiL5kMtJoL83jJvYTUzBlO_J4SZx8TNNDE00mb/s320/DSCF0928.JPG" /> <img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiKFVyo0ZD1qTRMASeGf_riiv1pWDAoGCjw2FpAFZuVSmkKHoFgze37e8aFY7DIX4BB013hmST1vikD1-2XSdWiWMNv23bEtDJxQN9o-yGc-gz9FSwRv-yqsD_J0Y8z6SpD6-MEnGCeiMq/s320/DSCF0929.JPG" style="text-align: -webkit-auto;" /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPZmvZSKnSyjFVfJUq4PsqZbIb1O5CiDDWvNpGKvXHoYuio-oxa3Z3O_nTkBIjoWTBd8gvIaqvMdzVegQ3ZXg5TXMI80g73hMuJpWQsXl_pKsrS803XGqilVydBGk3bLOmHZ33H0n861VZ/s320/DSCF0930.JPG" /></div><br />
Also in April, but not nearly as exciting...<br />
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The 2011 Summer Adirondack Sports and Fitness Expo<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkT5jFI8CXBfu7pEc2ROl5xGiaNXPzpoLOLKsIBsD370PzzYVgBvGKKJw_ZCIi2s8EwoZt2YcyoY6k3zoo-iupjal_MGeYxRbSdQdn_6Ytg6OtDrFxNyTcM6_dGX4RYOL4MezYNJBcQBj_/s320/aliamber2.png" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">And I did a lot of biking</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho_YlhP_xrnG3dQLU0d-C8B-uoeXoUc0fpypsCoVMz4Ypcu9PtLWT_wZbXcZYzpdAcFJXgH5AXXaoAlsDpc3YTn1Rr29hK6k1znip1n7zEhEp9-GlNYgOzvvUZQpUhM4oUHXn59E63ePQg/s320/IMG-20110410-00531%25282%2529.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGd1XHpks9nnns6g5szqOkAk5f2KSggCvgU_mauyqqnrdCZ0kBL3djwgrui5yyAhjFQmfNtSka_CR6VJJCmZkcmBesDOL0g001a-A9Dog70OMN7DpQrxBoX3iOFpN2taPQMn641meJ4Lat/s320/IMG-20110421-00018.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">May - </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">In May I continued biking, and ate a lot of ice cream while biking</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrwQF1dxFLXYvwpyw1DVPVPc6YsGJzoutZukQY593IePfDGKHSQMB5IuqkNJv14RTCax-lwQiKQ9OiSfRHUzeRsQEHlxg_JJCk8_3WKPpi6SrXlMSTzgFePgC5TXqkqxlfhUUPBOnKJqyk/s320/IMG-20110511-00053.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">I also started my extended biking trips to Lake George</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlelZQMmq68KFhyu04GtwkF5vnaUSHRilB4g3i0CTeBEu97Ia4PgsfOsml-Bn2ruXiKXHl5t53CkNlSqWOTeAvR2nDyvMgKfkbDSk6zWZMcCnSfP4S8_fwjCBuLaOAAec9gg7sTHh-adIJ/s400/DSCF0934.JPG" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Hines Ward won Dancing With the Stars</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><img 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" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">I became an official member of the Adirondack Mountain Club</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWZL0ytgoId6boB-IZVS-DXO7j9QbhbsDHTFzJ1JzDKY3n4z_4rlZfNK1sZ5E7Q8dGPOeOHhcjmPXUiHRpUzJI75OFi9CrNtN8uGT8ESU_iM1rzZfOeJMOBZXBxKdLHelujxws5yvkFUu5/s400/IMG-20110525-00074.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">I hid out from religious door knockers in my bathroom</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi03hFIJrrmppNAHfre0hCFZztMz9Y2_twNrmlJHtQr-j0G5hdpOpcy23mCe0rwnYJVL_TO0It2WDqBQ3A4eRbNGqAgljOig4kqzVq7dCPlpjpWnGL1-2U2Irjt_SRa7T1e0dN9_vU9FMWr/s320/IMG-20110525-00072.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">And I went to camp in Newcomb for the Memorial Day weekend and hiked Goodnow Mountain while there. It was buggy, muddy and rainy, but it was one of the best weekends in the whole year.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaq8eBKOXoeHgXxgeehzBBLPkVJyDj_5egY2c34AQJi9FsJIxZ0Tyia8QU0HuLh9vKtqaazhDx-RTOk7fDFgDCZZamEq8IHMaeFXMynWru-qX_l8K4P-17SmcsE0Imp1Kdx8T8rmyb9yxx/s640/DSCF0967.JPG" /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">I'd say the biggest part of May was reaching my halfway goal with TOPS. I lost 30.75 pound and almost 21 inches total since January. This was a blessing and a curse. It was at this time that I basically stopped attending TOPS meetings (for various reasons) and stopped really watching what I was eating. However, I was still active, thus I maintained my loss (give or take five pounds) until fairly recently.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">June -</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">I did even more biking</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjexXxkgm5bkgLotQ8aQdg21SPeJtTyqESP4sZ5-wvWMHzAjr6Ue_OD4nYUtWfGT5HULLtJrfd1uAgFNYA4sUPIZ1uigOhdYLaixWdf4G_AmPk442w0zvDye0H298yY7ebDwh0KbkNn7CGO/s640/DSCF0985.JPG" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">I got crafty and made this for my friend's birthday</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlef9wglIKnodSZ5IJJIJQfUCGj0Jjc7IxYlia0Z8PG62x3XR9u1cEuhVW2jExfAHaRMkwkbuElxRjorqqKih-NQSFXpfV1rZyIqr9JnIgR1ThlXKsAvKa3wEOIY71Pe6KBPI1xYSG71HP/s400/IMG-20110611-00081.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">I hiked a small local mountain</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYl2bN-5qA6z-VR1YJh8bCubhndhEC1EJxUgWHdX32W4yj1pkVU96v-Db0tR8DlhtvmSuAoQIfSKT9y0CecCD4BnhI8Fy3FavSAzLsUxbbE53FfbqMb-gWCYic068TTWsOTj7oYhZFZDrz/s640/DSCF0979.JPG" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">And lastly, I lost one of my uncles which was difficult for me to deal with. I still think about him often, and really am feeling for my aunt who is about to spend her first Christmas without her husband.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">All in all I'd say April-June were pretty good months. Lots of activity, lots of great weather and lots of bike riding, haha.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Here in Upstate New York we had a really harsh winter and it seemed like I waited forever to be able to start hiking again and to be able to enjoy the nice weather. As I sit here freezing and dreading the upcoming winter, I can't help but smile looking back at some of these pictures and thinking about how fast it all went by. Why can't the winter go as quick as the summer does??? Oh I hope it does!<br />
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<br />
</div>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10347379582689290366noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8739999924686282533.post-44236430088458898872011-12-13T20:12:00.001-05:002011-12-13T20:14:33.921-05:00Talk To Us Tuesday: New Job EditionSo a few Tuesdays ago I announced that I had finally gotten a new job! Goodbye boring desk job for an obnoxious family owned company and hello job in a field that I care about and enjoy with a well known national organization.<br />
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I'm going into my third week on the job and I must say I'm LOVING it. My days are broken up to where I'm spending some time in the office doing administrative work and the other half is spent out in the field doing work. While out in the field I get to interact with my staff and the kids that attend our program. My days are flying by, I can't believe it's been almost three weeks already! I love the bustling of it, the meetings, the check lists and the phone calls. I thrive off of it.<br />
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The people are great, my direct supervisor and I have been working really well together and I've been enjoying getting to know him. I share my office with two other girls, both seem like really good people. Our CEO knows my name and actually has conversations with me...it's amazing. I'm so thrilled that I've been given this opportunity.<br />
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I know it's not always going to be sunshine and daisies, but I also know that I've been working longer days than normal and I'm OK with it which is HUGE. I always said that I would never work salary again because I didn't like the idea of having to work at any minute of any day for any number of hours but this is different. I actually WANT to be there, I WANT to produce good quality work. It's been a long time since I've actually cared about what I'm doing at work.<br />
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So anyway, enough of my bragging. I'm happy with where I'm at...so much so that I'm actually considering getting a little tree for my apartment with my first paycheck on Thursday (I don't really decorate for Christmas) - crazy! :)<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i855.photobucket.com/albums/ab115/Emmymom/HiRes.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Today I'm linking up with the lovely ladies <a href="http://confessionsfromanimplusiveaddict.blogspot.com/">IA</a> and <a href="http://seriously-shawn.blogspot.com/">Shawn</a> for Talk To Us Tuesday!</div>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10347379582689290366noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8739999924686282533.post-19003114973152670652011-12-11T22:42:00.000-05:002011-12-11T22:42:02.251-05:002011 Review Extravaganza!In efforts to be a better blogger and to support some of my favorite bloggers, I am linking up with the 2011 Review Extravaganza. Of course I'm late in getting my first post up, but better late than never I suppose. ;)<br />
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In all honesty I can't remember what happened in the first few months of 2011. I actually started blogging back in February of 2011 after being inspired by some weight loss blogs that I read about on Yahoo. I do still follow some of those blogs, but for the most part I've shifted from a weight loss blog to a lifestyle blog.<br />
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Anyway, some bullets of January, February and March of 2011:<br />
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*I started attending TOPS (Taking Off Pounds Sensibly) meetings in an effort to lose weight. In total I lost 32 pounds by May while on the program, but I've gained about half of it back. We won't go into those details though.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbn135mXNa4eWW7X6dN-gwwqR7vHn-m40z0-tpk-QQX0eZ5E5J_gUqjoPa4bHwgW9LoOVFgazpsdWSJnqh33uzIFKDQ9o0OFGOkP_QTA09lPxcyCSrlpVx9TEZZkTltDLd66XJt4RSwRTr/s1600/IMG-20110222-00277.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbn135mXNa4eWW7X6dN-gwwqR7vHn-m40z0-tpk-QQX0eZ5E5J_gUqjoPa4bHwgW9LoOVFgazpsdWSJnqh33uzIFKDQ9o0OFGOkP_QTA09lPxcyCSrlpVx9TEZZkTltDLd66XJt4RSwRTr/s320/IMG-20110222-00277.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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*I participated in a Post Card Swap that was hosted by a message board that I've been an active member of since 2002. In total I received 20 something post cards in the mail from all over the world.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFiKqIIfRUC6_B4G6eLXK6fpEDdjNM_itgFUoa8trSRwQRgwlxTaCAmtprNglVqNtxP9MY2vEilYv5iCFA8I4E2Wf1Gg0ZTJjRDT0HlBVUrHPFK-63vcKIGYTkRnBkV5yVs4DMDuQPgi1x/s1600/untitled.bmp" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFiKqIIfRUC6_B4G6eLXK6fpEDdjNM_itgFUoa8trSRwQRgwlxTaCAmtprNglVqNtxP9MY2vEilYv5iCFA8I4E2Wf1Gg0ZTJjRDT0HlBVUrHPFK-63vcKIGYTkRnBkV5yVs4DMDuQPgi1x/s320/untitled.bmp" width="320" /></a></div><br />
*I started participating actively in a few blog link ups - although I don't participate in any of them anymore for various reasons, I am thankful for them because they led me to some of my best blogging friends.<br />
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*I participated in my first ever Polar Plunge with my BFF Alison<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHZ069ArM23iuqXwhFinKx_5lz5gi4nf8GdS65ax48KKb5H_Q2WN8LgfKrzvgLlresxM3eVhw6Ljxgv_NhDYZLJjuVoMYfvfJC_i3YyfdxpMrEaKbFPXY0Ale-zzg3wZr-pG9t8OUFZXGx/s1600/030.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHZ069ArM23iuqXwhFinKx_5lz5gi4nf8GdS65ax48KKb5H_Q2WN8LgfKrzvgLlresxM3eVhw6Ljxgv_NhDYZLJjuVoMYfvfJC_i3YyfdxpMrEaKbFPXY0Ale-zzg3wZr-pG9t8OUFZXGx/s320/030.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">*I participated in my first blog swap where I met the wonderful <a href="http://mysocalledchaos.com/">Angie</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img height="239" src="http://amberlyadventures.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/fort_edward-20110321-00426.jpg?w=535&h=401" width="320" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">*During these three months I was obsessed with The Bachelor and <a href="http://www.youngandrelentless.com/">Connie's</a> amazing recaps. I sure hope she does it for Ben this season.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And that's about it. Since most of my blogging was diet/food based at this time I really only updated on life stuff if it was really important/excited and that's where these things all fall. I really enjoy looking back at all my pictures, I still need to be better about taking more of those! Hopefully the spring and summer months will prove to me more interesting. I can't believe 2012 is almost here!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img src="http://i855.photobucket.com/albums/ab115/Emmymom/2011%20Blog%20Pictures/2011buttonblue200.jpg" /></div>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10347379582689290366noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8739999924686282533.post-65563592992186905912011-11-22T17:18:00.000-05:002011-11-22T17:18:47.331-05:00Silence is golden, but I think it's gonna kill me now...Don't you love rediscovering songs that you used to love?? My title is the opening liner to "Breathing" by Lifehouse. Not an old song by any means, but a goodie. Thank goodness for <a href="http://www.spotify.com/">Spotify</a>, I love building onto my collection!<br />
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I very much appreciate the e-mails and comments that I've received over the past couple of weeks inquiring about where I've been. I am here, I am ok. :) I've been trying to get around to some of my favorite blogs, but it's been spotty at best. In all honesty I've been struggling with a bit of writer's block/lack of time/laziness.<br />
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I've broken my silence because I have some wonderful news to share with you! Some of you already know, but I have snagged myself a new job! The most joyful part of this news?? I actually earned a week of vacation at my current job on November 1st that I HAD to use up (since they don't cash it out) and I've been on vacation since last Thursday. All in all, I'll be working a total of four days at my old job before starting my new one next Monday. What a brilliant deal! :)<br />
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So a little bit about the job I've accepted...I will be the Assistant Director of the after school and summer day camp program for the local branch of a well known organization. I have my degree in childhood education and have been in and out of the day care field since I was in college. I've always enjoyed that field, but unfortunately unless you're in the administrator role you're not going to be making much more than $10/hr (and that's on the high end). I was thrilled when I saw the ad for this job and less than thrilled with my interview performance. Imagine my excitement when I got the call to be offered the position! I'm so excited, I feel like I'm finally in a career role. The biggest thing that I'm most excited about is to be out of the small, family-owned, private business field. I've spent many years at several and I've found the lack of red tape, procedures and policies to weigh on me. I LIKE STRUCTURE AND ORDER and those are things you don't get at businesses like I've been at in the past.<br />
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This position has better pay than what I'm making now, AMAZING benefits and I think the Director of the program and I are going to get along really well. I'm thrilled to be working with such an upbeat and positive seeming person (let's just hope it's not an act, eep!) as opposed to the miserableness that I've been working with for the past year.<br />
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So I'm here, I can't promise that I'm going to be better about posting here in the next week or so but I will most definitely try. In the meantime I hope everyone is enjoying getting ready for the holiday (except for my few Canadian friends whooooo, well I'm not sure what you all do on our Thanksgiving, probably nothing like we do on yours, haha) and for those of you with threats of yuck winter weather or have already had it are staying safe and warm!<br />
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<br /><center><a href="http://confessionsfromanimplusiveaddict.blogspot.com/"><img src="http://i855.photobucket.com/albums/ab115/Emmymom/HiRes.jpg" /></a></center><br />Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10347379582689290366noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8739999924686282533.post-65705242682796385672011-10-25T15:56:00.000-04:002011-10-25T15:56:42.589-04:00Swapoween!Yes! I'm FINALLY getting around to blogging about my <a href="http://www.mysocalledchaos.com/2011/10/swapoween.html">Swapoween</a> experience!<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><img height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGN-z6RarSIFcStjlacYpqYJEMpK2MomojC4mqrANs2IRGK0CrGOByxeqnHL256EniUeHOdvhpipEFaolPoDIt4Y2hBpd0DHjwUjd4Cm4UqlL7Z2zWYJ3sj4puh7UKSCcgd3W_7QRopS-r/s320/swapoween2.jpg" width="320" /></div><br />
This Halloween themed swap was hosted by two lovely gals, <a href="http://www.mysocalledchaos.com/">Angie</a> and <a href="http://artemishi.blogspot.com/">Beth</a> and they did a wonderful job with organizing it! Plus, it was a great idea. :)<br />
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Anyway my partner was Megan and you can see what I sent her <a href="http://www.ramblingsofacrazymomma.com/2011/10/my-swapoween-partner-is-awesome.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+ramblingsofacrazymomma%2Fuzag+%28Ramblings+of+a+Crazy+Momma%29">here</a>!<br />
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Megan did a great job putting a package together for me, I was so excited - it's like Christmas in October!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtEmbD3P6yfl6rdZfzFhuZIY2rdmgMZ2tek2H2rWoT2nZXEKotQIfJqfFBUvhouUwK6Ee__DVa02HLUkYhk13jFQ2fN5VxfbMLml9DneyZ_l7bpYpP0kGBvlOkRXxRWtddHshp5pIUKnF-/s1600/DSC00245.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtEmbD3P6yfl6rdZfzFhuZIY2rdmgMZ2tek2H2rWoT2nZXEKotQIfJqfFBUvhouUwK6Ee__DVa02HLUkYhk13jFQ2fN5VxfbMLml9DneyZ_l7bpYpP0kGBvlOkRXxRWtddHshp5pIUKnF-/s400/DSC00245.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Included in my little package is:<br />
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<ul><li>Spider tea towel</li>
<li>Two potholders </li>
<li>Glittery witch candle, which although the candle holder part didn't make it I had perfect little Bath and Body Works candles that fit in place!</li>
<li>A pumpkin candle</li>
<li>Cookie cutters</li>
<li>Candy filled witch</li>
</ul><div>And most importantly a home made costume! I'm not quite sure what the costume is of, but I do know one part of it is a beard which cracks me up AND keeps my face warm, lol I should've gotten a picture of it, but alas it's taken me long enough to get this post up so no picture.</div><div><br />
</div><div>My favorite item is the witch, because she poops candy and cackles, haha She's also pretty cute:</div><div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioCn0mNGUXAznt74jn6qUa4dZtxc987zlzYCqNYIVYs1cQ6L5l9-gCsvbxJdUd1cG0GfAEaQty6AmYAIyLg1ixV1Xa0KIcdMAu2TGeMUnFjQ93ijyZnIyFEia9yAU__7NKarxhfkumTTte/s1600/DSC00246.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioCn0mNGUXAznt74jn6qUa4dZtxc987zlzYCqNYIVYs1cQ6L5l9-gCsvbxJdUd1cG0GfAEaQty6AmYAIyLg1ixV1Xa0KIcdMAu2TGeMUnFjQ93ijyZnIyFEia9yAU__7NKarxhfkumTTte/s320/DSC00246.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Thank you Megan for your great package. I had so much fun shopping for yours and even more fun opening mine! :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In other news - I've kind of had some major life changes and not necessarily good ones. So I've been lax in posting. However I will update you on the job situation...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I have an interview for one job on Friday and I had a phone interview today for another job which I'll get a phone call towards the end of the week to set up an actual interview for NEXT week.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I learned a lot about that job today in the phone interview, it has a lot of PROS and only one CONish item (the hours), but it's not enough of a con to make me not want the job. It is salary and I said I'd never do salary pay again...but sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do. The benefits are awesome and it sounds like a job that I would really love doing.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I'm anxious to learn more about the other job on Friday, at this point however I don't see wanting one more than the other. I want them both, really, really, really bad!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I'd be fibbing if I said I wasn't nervous about the interview. I don't really have nice interview clothes so against my better judgement I've been trying to find something with money that I don't actually have. On the other end, I hate clothes shopping and haven't actually found anything so the credit card hasn't melted yet. I also get nervous about explaining the situation from when I was a day care director for about 4 months last year. I left abruptly (but on good terms) after 4 months and choose to not list the day care of my immediate supervisor on my resume for professional reasons. I always worry people see that as something bad, realistically I do it to avoid being cornered into talking bad about that center and it's owner.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So I'm nervous, but excited about these job prospects and I'm hoping that one if not both approach me with offers because I could really use something positive right now. Positive thoughts bring positive things, right?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Let's hope so!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Not only am I linking up with the Swapoween post, but I'm linking up with <a href="http://confessionsfromanimplusiveaddict.blogspot.com/">IA</a> and <a href="http://seriously-shawn.blogspot.com/">Shawn</a> for Talk To Us Tuesday!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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<center><a href="http://confessionsfromanimplusiveaddict.blogspot.com/"><img src="http://i855.photobucket.com/albums/ab115/Emmymom/HiRes.jpg" /></a></center>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10347379582689290366noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8739999924686282533.post-82192849965116214792011-10-19T08:55:00.000-04:002011-10-19T08:55:24.292-04:00What I Ate Wednesday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: left;">Greetings friends of blogging nature! :)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">When I first started blogging I started doing it as a weight loss thing, obviously because of recent changes including my layout and blog name I've come quite far from the dieting aspect of my blog. Although it got tiring posting my meals each and everyday I still see where it holds accountability, not to mention I love reading about what other people eat. I think in general it's the foodie in me. :)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">For the first time ever I'm linking up with What I Ate Wednesday hosted by Jenn over at <a href="http://www.peasandcrayons.com/">Peas And Crayons</a>! I always stalk Jenn's blog on Wednesdays to check in and see what kind of creations people are gobbling up. I'm kind of a silent participant although sometimes I leave various people comments and I've found some great blogs through it. So today I've decided to start participating! Today I'm documenting what I ate yesterday (Tuesday).</div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg6Hu-OHlMOUAl9SWuOPFpD9kfH9U2L3crGT-S91tXRcsoggW7xa_mF2tdKfLNm7wIS8cLfVG7peirP6qoOWi_r9ZGh8Yie0oLUo1JEZOvoGOOjSNfjpmCZ-u6hMEsYM5qUuJcU49rQAST/s1600/IMG-20111018-00279.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg6Hu-OHlMOUAl9SWuOPFpD9kfH9U2L3crGT-S91tXRcsoggW7xa_mF2tdKfLNm7wIS8cLfVG7peirP6qoOWi_r9ZGh8Yie0oLUo1JEZOvoGOOjSNfjpmCZ-u6hMEsYM5qUuJcU49rQAST/s320/IMG-20111018-00279.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Breakfast (pre-gym @ 5:15) - 2 Scrambled eggs and no sugar added Carnation Instant Breakfast. Monday I was STARVING ALL DAY. I'm not sure what the cause was, if it was that I didn't eat a big enough breakfast, if it was working out in the AM...either way I hated it. I went to the store to find something to supplement with my pre-gym meal and the carnation breakfast drink seemed to fit the bill. My only concern is the dairy, when I first started dieting I drank a cup of milk with every dinner, but I found it to be the source of some really bad breakouts on my chin. So I'm going to try this out for now...the good news is I wasn't hungry all day yesterday like on Monday. <b>If anyone knows of any kind of high protein/low calorie drinks/bars I could add to my pre-gym breakfast, feel free to share!</b> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY7AySSgQO8KuplEfGe9wwpBv6zi2F-UFQa-q-576RIfNJ40QjEL4p4FIiH3ItvjgyYBRAnVcpE2q4viyXiopa7mR6_C49G1jetreweDcguP5ZFcbHlJp02VqZuMgV9WtgFS-uJih4iH20/s1600/IMG-20111018-00281.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY7AySSgQO8KuplEfGe9wwpBv6zi2F-UFQa-q-576RIfNJ40QjEL4p4FIiH3ItvjgyYBRAnVcpE2q4viyXiopa7mR6_C49G1jetreweDcguP5ZFcbHlJp02VqZuMgV9WtgFS-uJih4iH20/s320/IMG-20111018-00281.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">AM Snack (9:30) - Banana and Blue Acai/Blueberry Green Tea. I don't drink tea unless it's unsweetened iced black tea, but I keep reading about the benefits of green tea for weight loss so I couldn't not include it in my new regime. I don't really drink it hot (more like luke warm/cold...I'm just not a hot beverage person!) but it is a nice pick me up to go with my morning banana.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicpEFLeFNlLpDw9TCLfydpy6Q6CxFXXZ9xMLWFMbZc2aQzOSBTcFz5FJTV-14L6gojVfV4BFFK-JMhOPhM0j6wYRoWegpPr-9kpsM7LgKchGy9xAWTRdNv6JloBqPwXqP7NzsNG-3izaua/s1600/IMG-20111018-00280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicpEFLeFNlLpDw9TCLfydpy6Q6CxFXXZ9xMLWFMbZc2aQzOSBTcFz5FJTV-14L6gojVfV4BFFK-JMhOPhM0j6wYRoWegpPr-9kpsM7LgKchGy9xAWTRdNv6JloBqPwXqP7NzsNG-3izaua/s320/IMG-20111018-00280.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Lunch (12:00) - Lean Cuisine. Lean Cuisines are my crutch. Being a single person, if I cook my own meal of spaghetti and meatballs I end up eating enough for 3 and then I get sick of the leftovers. I know they're not that great for me, but they work for lunch or dinner. I had this with a not pictured side salad and fat free italian dressing.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ1v7gIxBqAfmqKyA2NYFWpGVH1zu8ISDcWCvaSksGo3E4BrMEVuD_1Mi6gWV_XerixMKvSwXZTFiIV5hg74G7LKUteZFN2fY7L6wM2WAjGuGEALRvRG_uBId3SfKjbmqvvOy9wrGiSPNs/s1600/IMG-20111018-00282.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ1v7gIxBqAfmqKyA2NYFWpGVH1zu8ISDcWCvaSksGo3E4BrMEVuD_1Mi6gWV_XerixMKvSwXZTFiIV5hg74G7LKUteZFN2fY7L6wM2WAjGuGEALRvRG_uBId3SfKjbmqvvOy9wrGiSPNs/s320/IMG-20111018-00282.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">PM Snack (3:00) - A small (really quite small!) gala apple and a skim milk string cheese. I don't eat apples by biting into them, I actually cut this up and put it back together with a rubber band.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxUFhfiMX-HfZMo5Y2HLRqdY9XnzOW_Boa-DDrfWYLqyISimcSz-WzXi6ZRC5Woc3jtTGVoEJkkQoG8NOo-xjZ1y0AnLnHC_mwoThDqG3YxiZzSHQAuGkJa3PyYO-cnDxEIO6pCACSmOo6/s1600/IMG-20111017-00278.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxUFhfiMX-HfZMo5Y2HLRqdY9XnzOW_Boa-DDrfWYLqyISimcSz-WzXi6ZRC5Woc3jtTGVoEJkkQoG8NOo-xjZ1y0AnLnHC_mwoThDqG3YxiZzSHQAuGkJa3PyYO-cnDxEIO6pCACSmOo6/s320/IMG-20111017-00278.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Dinner (5:00) - Brown rice, broccoli and cheese steamer and a sliced turkey and cheddar sausage. This kind of looks like a mess, but it was AMAZING! This was the first time I've tried the sausage so I was a little nervous, but it was so good and it was a really filling dinner.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Dessert (not pictured) - 1/2 Edy's Yogurt Blends ice cream.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So there you have it - if you wanna share your eats, click the button below and link up! Happy Wednesday!</div><br />
<br />
<center><a href="http://www.peasandcrayons.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f210/klutzycutie16/wiawphotobutton.jpg" /></a></center>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10347379582689290366noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8739999924686282533.post-70995549679561933032011-10-18T08:50:00.000-04:002011-10-18T08:50:55.285-04:00Job HuntingSo you may or may not know, I've been looking for a new job. I won't go into much detail, but I'm basically unhappy with where I am and am looking for something that is more in a field of my interest. I currently work a desk job in an industry that I have no interest in. I took the job because I was DESPERATE to get out of a really bad situation and this was the first thing that offered me OK pay to come up.<br />
<br />
In November I will have spent a year at my current job, and it's been a year too long.<br />
<br />
Sometimes I feel kind of bad because the reality is I've had more than a handful of jobs since I've graduated from college. In some cases I moved up or tried furthering a career path and it either just wore me out too fast, or was just not a good situation for me and I would move on. I'm afraid now that I've been looking for a while for something else, that people are taking my inability to stay in a job for more than a year as something bad.<br />
<br />
I don't necessarily see it as that. I've learned a lot from all those jobs. I consider myself versatile, dependable and self motivating. In all the jobs I've had since college, I've called off once, I help where help is needed and the customers (most of them) are my best friends.<br />
<br />
Last week two job prospects in the field that I ideally would like a lifelong career in (child and family services/child care services/education) popped up. I hate getting so excited about them, but I'm so well qualified for both of them, I can't help but think my chances of nailing at least one of them is really good. <br />
<br />
I touched up my resume and perfected cover letters and now I'm just hoping. Hoping and praying that I can get an interview for each of these positions, and hopefully be offered a position. The waiting game is what is killing me. One of the jobs is accepting resumes until this Friday, so I have to wait until at least next Monday before they start calling and scheduling interviews and the other one didn't have a deadline...so who knows???<br />
<br />
All I want is a job where I'm not surrounded by negativity, backwards business management and something that I can call a career. Something where I'll be happy for the next 40 years.<br />
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That's not too much to ask for, is it??<br />
<br />
<b>Tell me, how long have you been with your current job and are you happy with it??</b><br />
<b><br />
</b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><i>I'm linking up today with the fabulous <a href="http://seriously-shawn.blogspot.com/">Shawn</a> and <a href="http://confessionsfromanimplusiveaddict.blogspot.com/2011/10/talk-to-us-tuesday-6.html">IA</a> for their weekly Talk To Us Tuesday event. No rules and no guidelines, just a chance to make some new friends! Enjoy!</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br />
</i></div><br />
<center><a href="http://confessionsfromanimplusiveaddict.blogspot.com/"><img src="http://i855.photobucket.com/albums/ab115/Emmymom/HiRes.jpg" /></a></center>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10347379582689290366noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8739999924686282533.post-17481864281032236822011-10-17T20:42:00.001-04:002011-10-17T20:43:15.269-04:00Yes, I did that.I apologize for all the confusion with my domain switch over. Had I known it was going to be such a pain I wouldn't have done it! Believe me, it's as confusing for me as it is for all of you. I'm concerned there's just one box that needs to be checked or one setting that needs to be turned on to make it all easier for you guys. If anyone knows anything, please let me know! I appreciate everyone's patience, it appears as though right now what you need to do is unfollow me and the re-follow me. I'll totally understand if you can't be bothered (I don't blame you), but I will miss you! :)<br />
<br />
This weekend I used my free Fright Fest ticket from when I donated blood and went with my BFF Alison (my hiking buddy). Unfortunately we got there late, and it was rainy, but we still had fun. Fright Fest is the Halloween event that The Great Escape puts on (a Six Flags theme park in Lake George). I didn't get as many pictures as I wanted, but it's always a lot of fun. The Great Escape can easily be a money sink and it's not really a big hit with many local people, but I won't lie, I love it. If you know what to do you can save a lot of money. For example, you can't bring food into the park, but you don't need to stay in the park to eat either. You could pack a lunch or snacks and leave it in the car and leave to eat, or you could just go to a local restaurant and come back. With a paid admission you can always leave and come back.<br />
<br />
Right now they're actually having a really good deal, a season pass for $50 when you buy four. For a family or a group of people willing to go in on it together, it's a really great deal. In the summer time there's a great water park (which is getting new water slides next summer, hooray!) and there's just a lot of fun things to do there. I don't know, like all other touristy things in my area, I'm all about it.<br />
<br />
Anyway, here are some pictures I got...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYY1LYRxXhcfUX-quz-eTFYKFZGTl00ZDYLp1riGnKpHFHLHCLPkajLVQjG_lhnosm25mmzcKXxRBYQlMR5mfhgG6OE0FspozEVZjYyPd7_Viro7Q_WCF7Q57C4ajdNshCXivEMlMWxz9o/s1600/DSC00223.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYY1LYRxXhcfUX-quz-eTFYKFZGTl00ZDYLp1riGnKpHFHLHCLPkajLVQjG_lhnosm25mmzcKXxRBYQlMR5mfhgG6OE0FspozEVZjYyPd7_Viro7Q_WCF7Q57C4ajdNshCXivEMlMWxz9o/s400/DSC00223.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYqDDMJE3qEJovbMCRJVSEA_NB-yTQM5rLdovdG_zOqwrWz6sz-Ou_c9FQPdtwhjmm2KLxp0zwLjI7cDh4ul1-ZMXP3WIpCZZMJUQ92WqDgNcVyVBAZmpt45jtgETkrV-aPiRP1e0WT2YM/s1600/DSC00222.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYqDDMJE3qEJovbMCRJVSEA_NB-yTQM5rLdovdG_zOqwrWz6sz-Ou_c9FQPdtwhjmm2KLxp0zwLjI7cDh4ul1-ZMXP3WIpCZZMJUQ92WqDgNcVyVBAZmpt45jtgETkrV-aPiRP1e0WT2YM/s400/DSC00222.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Now - I like to ride rides, but I'm a complete wuss when it comes to roller coasters and anything way high up, for example I would never ride that roller coaster on the right (The Boomerang) nor would I even come close to considering getting on that tall tower on the left (Sasquash). In fact, that ride gives me anxiety just looking at it, haha However I did something really big and I went on the Pirate Ship! I'm sure most of you know what I'm talking about when I say that ride name, but here's a picture of one in case if you don't know (via Google):</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img src="http://onesickmother.typepad.com/.a/6a00e54f937a85883400e554ca3e8e8833-320wi" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Yup, living on the edge here! I'm a water park kid, I'll slide down any waterslide, but you won't catch me hanging upside down on a roller coaster.</div><br />
Of course I also braved the ever so dangerous Merry Go Round...check out those zombies!!!!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimBJm9WAIsUqfULaHlL7sh1N0JuX8cqtmbk762m1KLwJh8sJe0XLaksK080XJJH5i7_gFTwehYTTU2i1kwRhWQVwdyrMNg1NH77gY2Ie0SWxip3rRcZQ8slTQGSkPPQ9Cewb_i-IxBodnW/s1600/DSC00243.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimBJm9WAIsUqfULaHlL7sh1N0JuX8cqtmbk762m1KLwJh8sJe0XLaksK080XJJH5i7_gFTwehYTTU2i1kwRhWQVwdyrMNg1NH77gY2Ie0SWxip3rRcZQ8slTQGSkPPQ9Cewb_i-IxBodnW/s640/DSC00243.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
I think because of the rain a lot of the zombies were hiding out inside. I seem to remember in years past there were a lot more of them wandering around and scaring the crap out of me.<br />
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Another part of the event is Skull Manor the haunted house. I've gone through it several times over the years and they do a pretty good job of updating it so it's not quite the same each year. They also do a good job of jacking up the price to get into it each year too (hint to any locals who've found my blog, if you have a Price Chopper Advantage card you can get in for $7 instead of $9!). I'm always nervous going in, aside from one part, it was pretty calm this year. Or maybe I'm just getting used to it? We were also the last group to go through, and we were with this mom and two middle school aged girls who were hysterical. And the characters were kind of taunting the one girl the whole time, which kept them off us older folks, haha<br />
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So what are some other things I've been doing??<br />
<br />
This morning I did this:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju5LcPPKCQlWru6NXkyZQhW0cfssZiIcEH2OUf_GkvOvCjINUlaWya591jOCtKAN-4q1VUg0mtTN5v3QklU17fVjRimqIgySM7Zul_7LrQhx7RQuZhOUC4MFaoGe1AfpJujpn102c64c5u/s1600/IMG-20111017-00277.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju5LcPPKCQlWru6NXkyZQhW0cfssZiIcEH2OUf_GkvOvCjINUlaWya591jOCtKAN-4q1VUg0mtTN5v3QklU17fVjRimqIgySM7Zul_7LrQhx7RQuZhOUC4MFaoGe1AfpJujpn102c64c5u/s400/IMG-20111017-00277.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
I went to the gym and yes that's right, I said THIS MORNING. As in, BEFORE THE SUN CAME UP. In fact, this was AFTER I had done a 45 minute work out, it was still dark out!!!<br />
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I'm trying something out, I think that working out in the AM will work out better for me and it wasn't terrible today (even though my allergies were beating the snot out of me and I had a sinus headache from the minute I woke up) - there were even other people there, can you believe it?! I'm hoping to keep up with it, I strive to be one of <i>those</i> people. The downside to this? I was basically starving all day, I'm not sure if I can truly point my finger at working out in the morning as the cause of that...but I'm going to for now. ;)<br />
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This afternoon while at work I bought one of <a href="http://www.erincondren.com/store/index.php?cPath=129_956">these</a>:<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><img height="200" src="http://www.erincondren.com/calendar/planner1112/images/hero.gif" width="164" /></div><div style="text-align: left;">You know, one of the Erin Condren Life Planners. The planner that me and several of my bloggy friends have been drooling over. The planner that's $50 a pop. Thanks to my bloggy friend <a href="http://mccallclan.blogspot.com/">Stephanie</a> for posting a great deal via <a href="http://www.zulily.com/invite/ahougham689">zulily.com</a>, I got my life planner for $25!!! I'm so thrilled and I cannot wait to get mine in the mail (although it seems it's going to take a while). </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">When I got home, I had this waiting on my porch!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD2BXQS3RCSHz_h-xUmyMR4lEixSvZHYh4Pr0DBpSAmVcsbVlZ92ljXTkX_z8g3iVZm84jikPNrk-Nt6VOo94exBsENdaMIv7ybKgru5dOYq_7DsBQc5NW_0lAuJwvuguYb7WG8KZq1QK-/s1600/DSC00244.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD2BXQS3RCSHz_h-xUmyMR4lEixSvZHYh4Pr0DBpSAmVcsbVlZ92ljXTkX_z8g3iVZm84jikPNrk-Nt6VOo94exBsENdaMIv7ybKgru5dOYq_7DsBQc5NW_0lAuJwvuguYb7WG8KZq1QK-/s320/DSC00244.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My <a href="http://ambersmusingcorner.blogspot.com/2011/09/its-swapoween_25.html">Swapoween</a> package arrived! And no, the cream cheese sandwich did not come on my porch, haha. However, you will have to wait until later in the week to see the contents! ;) Thanks <a href="http://www.ramblingsofacrazymomma.com/">Megan</a> for the great package!!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Lastly, I did not take this picture, but it was on the Lake Placid's Facebook wall this morning:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6fMq9OjshMd4zRwpcWU6GcabZfI6IBTx6WqzxyvGd93GYE9Y25KgySpoZDBgb7JO0uMghhP3PR_AebcJCO1bdhmKANwVzRStKBUa9J5BanUZpEQBHwIWoXhnrgHdFa1ZHYyn6MjQtCGoI/s1600/298394_10150377698776649_104507786648_8521722_404582404_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6fMq9OjshMd4zRwpcWU6GcabZfI6IBTx6WqzxyvGd93GYE9Y25KgySpoZDBgb7JO0uMghhP3PR_AebcJCO1bdhmKANwVzRStKBUa9J5BanUZpEQBHwIWoXhnrgHdFa1ZHYyn6MjQtCGoI/s400/298394_10150377698776649_104507786648_8521722_404582404_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Yup, you're looking at snow on that mountain there. That mountain that looked like this less than a month ago...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img alt="DSC00118" height="300" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-_r2vtWs02TM/TnvyMnU-4QI/AAAAAAAAAZA/9kY00Xpfdi8/DSC00118_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="400" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">High Peak hiking season is officially over and it's really sad. We knocked out 4 in two months, which isn't terrible considering our schedules, but we wanted to get 6 in so we didn't reach our goal. There's still good hiking to be had down here in the Lake George area, so hopefully we'll get some good ones in before it's REALLY the end of the season.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Tell me, what time of day do you prefer to work out? </b></div>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10347379582689290366noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8739999924686282533.post-52721246514027291662011-10-16T20:02:00.000-04:002011-10-16T20:03:24.961-04:00I've finally made the move!I'm no sure how this effects readers or any other blog reading device you use, but I have changed my domain to <a href="http://muddybootsandpearls.blogspot.com/">muddybootsandpearls.blogspot.com</a> (yea, I'm too cheap for my own domain).<br />
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Hopefully it doesn't confuse you all too much!Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10347379582689290366noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8739999924686282533.post-56749180365965054842011-10-07T09:49:00.000-04:002011-10-07T09:49:52.613-04:00A Few Fantastic Things and FAFFantastic thing #1: <br />
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Yesterday I donated blood! I always get nervous about donating blood. Not the needle or the process itself, I don't care about that, but being <i>accepted</i> to donate. I'm always afraid my iron will be too low or I'll have a fever or something. Luckily today I did not have that issue. I was exhausted today so I was embracing the bed and trying to squeeze in a nap while donating. Of course just as I was drifting off a girl came over and asked if I was ok - she thought I had passed out, ha.<br />
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I walked away with a lot of SWAG! A free ticket to the Halloween thing that they do at the theme park, a $12.99 oil change and some other coupons. Oh and I took an extra bag of Cheez-Its as they're a weakness of mine. I'll be eligible to donate again on December 1st.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvOaUsWaubgPIeBEJEjkEL1Wo7VgzZkT6kAV3wPTYNwD6Vn4jTMDmrqtel7fQrNBznFI19WGYbbyw4xO1A37PjARa_3LnyEuSQTUCGvzu3b2nqYHvrt5D0Mg06u5wW8SOsR2fZiwgSHq4s/s1600/IMG-20111006-00266.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvOaUsWaubgPIeBEJEjkEL1Wo7VgzZkT6kAV3wPTYNwD6Vn4jTMDmrqtel7fQrNBznFI19WGYbbyw4xO1A37PjARa_3LnyEuSQTUCGvzu3b2nqYHvrt5D0Mg06u5wW8SOsR2fZiwgSHq4s/s320/IMG-20111006-00266.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Fantastic thing #2:<br />
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Tuesday this gorgeous flower arrangement was delivered to my desk at work!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEtGBTs88gm5YM65ECkDNO7INNaKnvxGqdUKNG9_ll0sVUkKLKN4bRIuhGYdl_xs7LXNOWBGgavNGDRxhNTUujNLc43-ccZbEcZ19wkX1apfIHLMgdbC0LbH4Zv8YNoXbz8K3PuQ7GHvTF/s1600/IMG-20111004-00264.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEtGBTs88gm5YM65ECkDNO7INNaKnvxGqdUKNG9_ll0sVUkKLKN4bRIuhGYdl_xs7LXNOWBGgavNGDRxhNTUujNLc43-ccZbEcZ19wkX1apfIHLMgdbC0LbH4Zv8YNoXbz8K3PuQ7GHvTF/s320/IMG-20111004-00264.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The picture doesn't do it justice. The roses are huge and are so vibrant, that lily on top is GINORMOUS! And it's all arranged in a ceramic pumpkin which is kind of hard to see.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">They were delivered to me courtesy of my guy friend because he was kind of in the dog house (and for realsy deserved to be). I couldn't keep him there after receiving these. :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Fantastic thing #3:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I got around to decorating my porch for fall. I don't do a whole lot of decorating because I don't have the money to do it most of the time, but I love mums so it seems that every year I feel the need to buy some. I have to say I'm pretty pleased with the end result, although they are already looking a little worn because we've had frost a couple of times this week. In particular the white ones which came from WalMart (don't ask) - the red ones are gorgeous though (got those from the local nursery). I especially love the little girl scarecrow. :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhua24497tNWAFrZTLnQL1gLv58CGKtxnDgINIZoZzO1CGqA1KWSqr7nt7OFvzOU2WKFrLUueGw8lhhlfIvV2l6zueCXnQH9wRzZTJer5OTTXfoEbOP4UNR2JuHwZpGRmo6DyclJxd5oklg/s1600/IMG-20111007-00267.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhua24497tNWAFrZTLnQL1gLv58CGKtxnDgINIZoZzO1CGqA1KWSqr7nt7OFvzOU2WKFrLUueGw8lhhlfIvV2l6zueCXnQH9wRzZTJer5OTTXfoEbOP4UNR2JuHwZpGRmo6DyclJxd5oklg/s400/IMG-20111007-00267.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Kind of Fantastic thing #4:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Checking in for Fat Ass Friday</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><b style="color: #333333;">Starting weight:</b><span style="color: #333333;"> 192</span><br />
<b style="color: #333333;">Last weigh in:</b><span style="color: #333333;"> 166.4</span><br />
<b style="color: #333333;">Current weight:</b><span style="color: #333333;"> 166.6</span><br />
<b style="color: #333333;">Weight +GAIN / -LOSS this week</b><span style="color: #333333;">: +.2</span><br />
<b style="color: #333333;">Total weight lost:</b><span style="color: #333333;"> </span><b><span style="color: red;">25.4 lbs</span></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I actually did really well with my diet and exercise this week, and was quite a bit down at the beginning of the week, but I use donating blood as an excuse to eat normally and I did. Since I'm always afraid of being denied because of low iron I eat a lot of pasta and steak and beef the night before and the day of my donating. I also didn't go to the gym when I probably could've at least walked on the treadmill last night, but I was really exhausted.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Excuses much?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">At least I basically stayed the same which I'll take over a serious gain any day.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.brandyatyoudontknow.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vPBp10kCIUk/TTW1RRin3-I/AAAAAAAAFTI/qPqVS-jMcJM/s400/fat_ass_friday.gif" /></a></div>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10347379582689290366noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8739999924686282533.post-80381135329576075072011-10-04T10:12:00.000-04:002011-10-04T10:12:07.943-04:00Talk To Us TuesdayI've not been a very good bloggy friend and linking up with the one of my favorite bloggers, the fabulous <a href="http://confessionsfromanimplusiveaddict.blogspot.com/">IA</a> and <a href="http://seriously-shawn.blogspot.com/">Shawn</a> for their weekly blog link up. Well today is the day, and it's going to happen again and again (get it, get it??? I know <a href="http://stevenandsararichins.blogspot.com/">Sara</a> does!). Oh and I have to say you must go read their posts in particular, they've been spending the last week or so together and from what I've read I've gathered that IA should probably go visit an AA meeting and Shawn wears Depends. :)<br />
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Anyway, I've been wanting to do a post about this since the gruesome discovery last week because I'm just totally baffled by it. Today marks the perfect day to do so.<br />
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I buy bananas. A lot of bananas. I buy them because they're cheap, with the size I buy they're about 100 calories, they keep me full and they allow me to get a fruit serving in each day. Oh and I can usually buy a bunch and have them last me a week. Key word being USUALLY.<br />
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Last week I bought a bunch, I believe on a Monday. They were still slightly green, but edible. I came home from work on I think maybe Wednesday or Thursday to this:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvkDu-KsSORzhC1nQ0EadZXg5MlNeY2AgHH16mVjvHbUX6fF9FfZGnJ4I2uDfvzYFqZNGUtWjRlf8OZRRAlQE9kSayCLR3LxrDcvEz6VvId1rzPjOumQ7_UEUFQVOQVDVW9qy9AayygEoN/s1600/IMG-20110930-00263.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvkDu-KsSORzhC1nQ0EadZXg5MlNeY2AgHH16mVjvHbUX6fF9FfZGnJ4I2uDfvzYFqZNGUtWjRlf8OZRRAlQE9kSayCLR3LxrDcvEz6VvId1rzPjOumQ7_UEUFQVOQVDVW9qy9AayygEoN/s400/IMG-20110930-00263.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
What.<br />
The.<br />
Hell.<br />
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For one, why only the bottoms of the bananas???? And why on only two???<br />
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And how did it happen so fast? I mean literally in the span of 8 hours the tips of these bananas went from yellow to black!<br />
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How does that happen?!<br />
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I considered just slicing them up to the black part and still eating them, but I couldn't bring myself to do it. Something was obviously terribly wrong with these bananas to only have had the last inch of the banana completely rot in less than a day. I most likely would've been poisoned by eating them, so I threw them out. Before you yell at me through your screen for being so wasteful, I only threw out the two obviously poisoned ones, I did eat the other one.<br />
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In other news, I just got an e-mail from the Coach Factory Outlet indicating that there is going to be a gigantic exclusive invite only online sale tomorrow at 2PM.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="special preview" height="400" src="https://a248.e.akamai.net/f/248/41008/14d/ig.rsys3.net/responsysimages/coach/20111004_Factory_Online_Emails/20111004_Factory_Online_Teaser/main_20111004.jpg" width="388" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">I went to the site. I fell in love with several of the bags. I need a new bag for the winter. My ATM card will probably be hidden under my mouse pad so that I can place an order while "working". I've had a surplus of cash lately, may as well spend it on a purse that's way too expensive....right?</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;">Right.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;">Got something to say? Go on and click the button to link up!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
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<center><a href="http://confessionsfromanimplusiveaddict.blogspot.com/"><img src="http://i855.photobucket.com/albums/ab115/Emmymom/HiRes.jpg" /></a></center>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10347379582689290366noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8739999924686282533.post-63075829020962045732011-10-03T07:41:00.000-04:002011-10-03T07:41:57.460-04:00The Great Adirondack Moose Festival<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ARs7F8WW294/Toj95szP1mI/AAAAAAAAAaY/ld7UtqZJGyY/s1600-h/DSC00180%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DSC00180" border="0" height="365" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-yU8Wn0Z8l6Q/Toj96HlsaLI/AAAAAAAAAac/A98epU4bdac/DSC00180_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DSC00180" width="487" /></a><br />
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A couple of Saturdays ago my guy friend and I ventured out to Indian Lake to attend the 2nd Annual Moose Festival. I wasn't quite sure what to expect, but I knew most if not all the events were going to be totally free and the Adirondack Museum which is about 15 minutes from Indian Lake was also free that day so if the festival was a bust we could at least visit the museum. Indian Lake is a hamlet in the middle of the Adirondack Park (almost quite literally dead center). It's about an hour drive from Glens Falls.<br />
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We got up early and headed out around 9 to make it there around 10:15ish. Coming into Indian Lake there is Byron Park which just appears to be a small playground/boat launch and possibly a beach? We stopped there first because they were having logger demonstrations, a small quilt show and more importantly a logger breakfast!<br />
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I'm always super jealous of people that can make such awesome pancakes as mine always come out either super thick or not done. I don't quite get what my problem is.<br />
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Anyway, the pancake breakfast was $2 and well worth it!<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHO0u8bJK3W_N5ByfV7hzmyfucArvcL8JrHtyfp7osaLN1Xlr6eYQ_E830exSH3jdZDZntWadkA22dxbbjJlRGmhYJuhdfWRCtY9nJ827HEEQ_Ui5-INmFPp-8FeQ8MqxiScvQt0EAfmo3/s1600-h/IMG-20110924-00261%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG-20110924-00261" border="0" height="365" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-lZw02cyoAbA/Toj97NWicBI/AAAAAAAAAak/S3HzQRKW6Xc/IMG-20110924-00261_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG-20110924-00261" width="487" /></a><br />
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While headed to the breakfast we were told to come back and try the sawing exhibit but it had gotten pretty busy when we were done, so we just snapped some pics. I loved that the guy looked like a hardcore logger, haha<br />
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<span id="goog_1828209689"></span><span id="goog_1828209690"></span><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-jhpwkwyVrWs/Toj98EgBy1I/AAAAAAAAAao/0wXaJJR_IYI/s1600-h/DSC00176%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DSC00176" border="0" height="361" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4S-Ij5h0KT6aL_CSJ8-yKbfC7lqhzsPHjB9nLRbiqHJ3impStgT11VR_gHKs7H2tXpl5kmrFWMymOq3VGdEYBV5Ea97TEZpBIht4iAGvVhfX1yj7eZ78nk8RiHow4ioNhSuEjrTgYViSc/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DSC00176" width="482" /></a><br />
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It was a pretty dreary day, but Abanakee Lake was so calm, it was like a perfect mirror.<br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-PQkhFlrdYzo/Toj99XmwKuI/AAAAAAAAAaw/uXHiAfe-o9g/s1600-h/DSC00173%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DSC00173" border="0" height="359" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-wrWfngGwPQk/Toj99iobwZI/AAAAAAAAAa0/xjQ4vx7ciTs/DSC00173_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DSC00173" width="479" /></a><br />
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-khDwhbmfvSc/Toj9-XPQtbI/AAAAAAAAAa4/kGKJQss5wlw/s1600-h/DSC00179%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DSC00179" border="0" height="357" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-m4bJRRAOQps/Toj9-gJ7D_I/AAAAAAAAAa8/so4IJNulGMg/DSC00179_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DSC00179" width="476" /></a><br />
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The Moose Festival was simply a celebration of moose. There are about 1200+ moose in the Adirondacks and the population is growing. Indian Lake has several popular moose hang outs, although the closest thing I saw to a live moose that day was all the wooden cutouts that were scattered around the town.<br />
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-mkmNYvOuEOQ/Toj9_6hhfCI/AAAAAAAAAbA/OxJNzj7IdxU/s1600-h/DSC00178%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DSC00178" border="0" height="355" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-7E-lRMphKiE/Toj-AezpzEI/AAAAAAAAAbE/iUipmkoStkY/DSC00178_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DSC00178" width="473" /></a><br />
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In town there were a few tents set up with vendors giving out information and selling moose crafts. It started to rain at this point and it was hard to stay comfortable because it was still warm (especially in the tents) but we didn't want to get wet so we were wearing our hoodies. A few of the shops in town were having sales so we stopped in one or two of those. We stopped in the Chamber of Commerce to pick up a map of the self guided tour and decided to ride out the rain until the moose lecture at the theater which wasn't until 1:00.<br />
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-d7NZTM5doLw/Toj-BS4wODI/AAAAAAAAAbI/6rWq7bz71Fs/s1600-h/DSC00181%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DSC00181" border="0" height="353" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-gh0RVzpVuL4/Toj-BzpCeLI/AAAAAAAAAbM/7uv5s05xGiA/DSC00181_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DSC00181" width="470" /></a><br />
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To anyone that doesn't do so already, I highly suggest always visiting the visitor center or chamber of commerce at any town you may not be familiar with. There's always such a wealth of information and the people are always super excited to tell you about the area. Maybe someday I can get a gig in one...<br />
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The self guided tour was a nice drive, the topic of discussion for most of it was percentage of leaf change and how we thought the moose probably ventured off to another town to avoid the paparazzi.<br />
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We came back into town to attend a lecture given by the Department of Environmental Conservation on...you guessed it, moose! It was a really great lecture, but then again I love everything moose so I'm sure to me it would be. :) We also found out that there's a moose hanging out in Glens Falls as we speak! I've yet to see him though. This moose was hanging out outside of the theater where the lecture was…<br />
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-BMwiMqnfW8Q/Toj-DHjPehI/AAAAAAAAAbQ/IXn4Fptutxs/s1600-h/DSC00182%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DSC00182" border="0" height="348" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Y4lWtBj77PY/Toj-DrdFp7I/AAAAAAAAAbU/IEZoAmamg-4/DSC00182_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DSC00182" width="464" /></a><br />
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After the lecture we skipped over to the Indian Lake Tavern where they were having some beer/wine sampling. At this time the sun had come out and the rain stopped! The only beer I hadn't tried of the three that they were serving was a special brew that the Lake Placid Brewery had made and the name escapes me. Both of us were unimpressed, it tasted like a mix of Bud Light and Coors Light.<br />
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Around 1:30 we decided we had done all the moosetivities there was to do and decided to head to the museum.<br />
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The Great Adirondack Moose Festival was a great small town event that I'm sure will gain more popularity as time goes on (and as our moose population grows!). I could definitely see this becoming something that I would attend each year. It was held both Saturday and Sunday, although it seemed that most events were held Saturday. I liked that we were able to enjoy the museum in the same day as I'm not sure that 2-3 hours of moosetivities would have warranted an hour drive north.<br />
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We did NOT go to any of the local restaurants and I wish we did. We were hungry on the way back and we could've stopped in Indian Lake or North Creek for food but instead we went home and had Golden Corral?! Not very good adventure planning on my end, but there's always next year! We did stop along the drive to take more pictures.<br />
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-L7Aa5XOEByk/Toj-EdtlPCI/AAAAAAAAAbY/cK6YYx8Zzn0/s1600-h/DSC00206%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DSC00206" border="0" height="363" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ZLEdfrwaH3U/Toj-E1tHi6I/AAAAAAAAAbc/yqPiwep6hD4/DSC00206_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DSC00206" width="484" /></a><br />
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-AMBHB0hskqI/Toj-F6hR4kI/AAAAAAAAAbg/e1zqrE-ydC0/s1600-h/DSC00208%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DSC00208" border="0" height="362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk-Ou-UNCuVMpf4ikcTergEBFy5snmaCN37b3_L0CgQB8WH228yi6DPKijGO09-dDq1QNgUT09hqQ53dMt4FfGLx1MALFyGKqf9xdg8KZ0xvtUC-HGAZjoZjcgqKExlFZOOScspgAoJd30/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DSC00208" width="483" /></a><br />
I thought this sign was totally random, it was a state sign that talked about The Adirondacks and you’re only able to read half of it because of everything growing around it. It’s the first time I ever saw a state landmark sign talking about the park.<br />
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On the way back we saw BALLOONS! You can kind of see them in this picture…<br />
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-3ZfArGg_kDg/Toj-HCpiCyI/AAAAAAAAAbo/KT1kzrwx0gA/s1600-h/DSC00209%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DSC00209" border="0" height="369" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-mBqjHBUW1-o/Toj-HTMQmHI/AAAAAAAAAbs/AVpYFdMNgvY/DSC00209_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DSC00209" width="493" /></a><br />
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This was also the same weekend of the Adirondack Balloon Festival. I'm not a huge fan of the balloon festival, the parking is bogus and I feel like once you've seen one hot air balloon up close you've seen them all, but I can't help to always get a little giddy inside when I see them in the air. Especially so many of them!<br />
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Stay tuned for a review of our Adirondack Museum trip!Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10347379582689290366noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8739999924686282533.post-76378864053181052872011-09-30T09:20:00.000-04:002011-09-30T09:20:21.716-04:00Fat Ass Friday<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As promised, I'm going to start linking up with Brandy's Fat Ass Fridays again. I'm pretty sure Brandy isn't doing the link up this week because she's busy with working and playing at the fair, but I wanted to check in anyway. :)</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.brandyatyoudontknow.com/" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vPBp10kCIUk/TTW1RRin3-I/AAAAAAAAFTI/qPqVS-jMcJM/s400/fat_ass_friday.gif" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So I had to shuffle through my posts to find my last reported weigh in which was back on August 17th. I weighed in at 168. So current stats are as follows:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"><b style="color: #333333;">Starting weight:</b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;"> 192</span><br />
<b style="color: #333333;">Last weigh in:</b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;"> 168.0</span><br />
<b style="color: #333333;">Current weight:</b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;"> 166.4</span><br />
<b style="color: #333333;">Weight +GAIN / -LOSS this week</b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;">: -1.6 lbs</span><br />
<b style="color: #333333;">Total weight lost:</b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;"> </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">25.6 lbs</span></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">So I've pretty much fluctuated between 165-170 over the past few weeks, but now I'm committed. I'm committed to losing another 25 pounds and keeping it off. To further understand the difference between "committed" and "interested" in weight loss, I suggest you read <a href="http://fatinsuburbia.blogspot.com/2011/09/weight-loss-true-confession-tuesday.html">this post</a> by my friend over at Fat in Suburbia. She's referring to the book <i>100 Days of Weight Loss</i> by Linda Spangle.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">Anyway, I was definitely committed when I started this journey back in December of last year but around Memorial Day I lost interest. I was no longer committed, I wasn't even interested! Over the past month or so I've become interested again, interested in getting the rest of the weight off, interested in being able to hike as well as the little trail runners I see on the mountains, interested in being able to wear cute clothes, interested in getting back all those great habits I had 6 months ago. </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">But I never really "committed".</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">I'm committed now damn it! I had a great week. I stuck within my calorie range, I stayed away from Diet Coke, I put in good workouts at the gym and even set up walking dates with my friend Jenn, we did five miles on the track on Tuesday (we also had a lot of catching up to do, haha)!</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">The good news is I'm finding this easy, just as easy as it was when I started it and that's good. That means I can get back into the routine.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">So here's to losing another 25 pounds!</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><br />
</span></span></span>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10347379582689290366noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8739999924686282533.post-22026864319163386472011-09-28T21:52:00.000-04:002011-09-28T21:52:24.013-04:00What would you have done???Ok so - I feel the need to blog, and I do have a couple of things on the back burner, but they're not quite ready to go yet.<br />
<br />
So today I wanted to share with you an experience I had...<br />
<br />
I went to an area library today and was meandering around. I decided that I needed to use the restroom so I went to the closest one in which there was an balding person of average height in front of me, kind of looking at the women's room door/sign. I assumed this was a man who I guess was trying to figure out what side he should go in as for some people, this is a very difficult decision to make.<br />
<br />
After quickly opening the door and looking into the bathroom, he decided that was the bathroom to use and the door closed behind him.<br />
<br />
That's right.<br />
<br />
HE WENT INTO THE WOMEN'S ROOM.<br />
<br />
I didn't know what to do!<br />
<br />
Do I go in and say, "Uhmmm...I'm not sure if you noticed the sign that you were staring directly at before coming in here, but this is the ladies room."<br />
<br />
Or would I say something along the lines of, "Doesn't the lack of urinals in this room tip you off that you might be in the wrong place?"<br />
<br />
Should I run and tell someone?? Do I just go in and pretend he's not in there?!<br />
<br />
I decided to just turn around and duck behind the shelves of DVDs and stalked bathroom, because well...maybe it WASN'T man, maybe it was a woman with an unfortunate hair condition. I had to know, so I waited.<br />
<br />
The door opened, and I looked...<br />
<br />
Yup, it was a man. And adult middle aged man, who then went over to the fish tank yo chat with some kid (who I assume he was with).<br />
<br />
Does this happen???? Does this for real happen??<br />
<br />
It did happen once to me when I attended a beer and wing festival a couple of years ago. Anything that serves an unlimited number of beer and wings at a nominal fee will result in a men's bathroom line that is actually far longer than the women's. Of course we were drunk, so we thought it was funny then.<br />
<br />
This time? I thought it was totally bizarre.<br />
<br />
So, what would you have done?? Go ahead and share any funny public restroom stories that you have!Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10347379582689290366noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8739999924686282533.post-47406159815847484562011-09-26T11:42:00.000-04:002011-09-26T11:45:54.984-04:00Hiking Trip: Wright PeakPICTURE HEAVY POST<br />
<br />
So a couple of Saturdays ago I had another hiking adventure that I’m just now getting to posting about! Go ahead, slap my hand.<br />
<br />
This was the first weekend the Eastern High Peaks Region was reopened since Tropical Storm Irene. There was a lot of damage caused by flooding to this part of the Adirondack Park. Because there wasn’t a lot of information about the condition of many of the trails we decided to do something within our skill level and what we’ve been working on time wise. We narrowed it down to Wright Peak.<br />
<br />
Facts:<br />
Ranked #16 of 46<br />
Elevation: 4580’<br />
Trail head: From <a href="http://adk.org/">Adirondack Mtn Club (ADK)</a> High Peaks Information Center (HPIC)<br />
Travel time from Glens Falls (with detour through Elizabethtown): ~1.5 hrs<br />
<br />
This was the first time that I’ve gotten to visit the ADK’s property in Lake Placid. You may or may not know, but I am a newer member of the club, I joined back in April. I haven’t gotten to really participate in any of the club’s outings but I’ve attended some of the lectures and have enjoyed some of the other benefits of being a member. This property includes the HPIC, the Adirondack Loj (for overnight stays) and campgrounds. It also provides parking for 200+ cars and access to many trails including access to the popular Van Hovenberg trail which can take you to many of the popular High Peaks, including Wright. Adirondack Loj Rd was closed after the storm because the main bridge on the road was washed away…it actually stranded 30 visitors of the loj for a few days! As of our trip, this was the condition of the bridge:<br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-opt0CAWgQkQ/TnvxzdYDL5I/AAAAAAAAAVI/wWwom1YVN_s/s1600-h/DSC00165%25255B26%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DSC00165" border="0" height="517" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijIRjOV9bDTHJvxidSROyO1hnLMDTtOxh38U4ZsylY9N5bAqBO9aoFSYkUV-YR4nIKnhik9ffJ9kGdGt-NeWhJeybSuL_0hBPWiMeESqWtasPiD1T7CLGcl6a1nHjA1rbVIsFn6APWhpo7/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DSC00165" width="690" /></a><br />
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There is a fee to park at the HPIC. For ADK members it’s $5, for everyone else it’s $10. There is a discount for parking after 1PM although I forget how much it is.<br />
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-lAIDlDEVI5Q/Tnvx2h1dJuI/AAAAAAAAAVQ/bcFhC3gdg7A/s1600-h/DSC00162%25255B13%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DSC00162" border="0" height="520" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-U0AiKWnjls4/Tnvx3a_OvEI/AAAAAAAAAVU/vdt9033yOi8/DSC00162_thumb%25255B10%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DSC00162" width="693" /></a><br />
<br />
So a lot of people will combine the trip of Wright Peak with Algonquin, which is the second highest peak of the 46. We decided NOT to do that for a couple of reasons, 1) we were unsure of what kind of blowdown or other messes we were going to run into 2) we wanted to keep it simple 3) realistically speaking, we are not ready for Algonquin, it’s one of the hardest High Peaks.<br />
<br />
We were quite pleased with our decision! We started off right around 8AM, it was still quite chilly, I thought I saw frost on the grass along Adirondack Loj Rd but I’m thinking it was probably just dew since their first frost warning didn’t actually come out until the weekend after. The trail starts following blue markers along the Van Hovenberg Trail. This part of the trail you can tell is really well maintained and has many bridges and man made steps to use along the way. There was a lot of evidence of blowdown, flooding and general storm mess but I was really impressed with how clear the trail itself was. The trail was pretty muddy while we were going up, but due to the crowds (it was quite busy) coming down was worse. I’ve hiked in worse mud, but mud in general is kind of an annoyance to a hiker…well to me anyway.<br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-HZQCoxtpDFQ/Tn_R7dSsCWI/AAAAAAAAAX8/jBG_VR6LWjQ/s1600-h/DSC00164%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DSC00164" border="0" height="299" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Rjp0Lah_BSg/Tnvx5V84DpI/AAAAAAAAAYA/i8DIV80jm8k/DSC00164_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DSC00164" width="400" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-JVfo2lHqjwU/Tnvx60qtjYI/AAAAAAAAAYE/22rARHDuA-Q/s1600-h/DSC00163%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DSC00163" border="0" height="528" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-NPU-Winwfd4/Tnvx-gISdAI/AAAAAAAAAYI/yOjW0GU0gks/DSC00163_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DSC00163" width="704" /></a><br />
Bears! Make noise, don’t run!<br />
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-pfQj0u223TY/TnvyAF9GgUI/AAAAAAAAAYM/dcR5DS0WrbM/s1600-h/DSC00104%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DSC00104" border="0" height="524" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-jvvWavgXEBg/TnvyBKRmiPI/AAAAAAAAAYQ/Hvg2xrgm8k8/DSC00104_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DSC00104" width="699" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-XuJ_3qH5Ias/TnvyB8qTzTI/AAAAAAAAAYU/ozks_J2KsGY/s1600-h/DSC00103%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DSC00103" border="0" height="421" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-1trXIn_SilA/TnvyCEc6dlI/AAAAAAAAAYY/rdcrgIE2wSo/DSC00103_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DSC00103" width="316" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-toHbvzeKAXM/TnvyDh5qcwI/AAAAAAAAAYc/MZHshPah0c8/s1600-h/DSC00107%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DSC00107" border="0" height="480" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-uTkEPOwUCUc/TnvyEUy_vzI/AAAAAAAAAYg/GkwjXt6nuxc/DSC00107_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DSC00107" width="640" /></a><br />
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Eventually the trail stops following blue markers and switches to yellow markers. While going along there are several points of crossing small streams, although this could’ve been more frequent because of the amount of water in the area. There is one definite river crossing, where there was a small waterfall to see! Beyond this the trail became really rocky, again because of the abundance of water there were a lot of small running streams going down the rocks, but I’m not sure if that would be an occurrence during a dry period.<br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-CBDxtDzbi-g/TnvyGOR0O8I/AAAAAAAAAYk/KC_wZX72NEY/s1600-h/DSC00160%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DSC00160" border="0" height="523" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-18z0D4HdL7I/TnvyG378p8I/AAAAAAAAAYo/HGftGzHEhr8/DSC00160_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DSC00160" width="697" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-d7EVzyRnYvo/TnvyIT6s3qI/AAAAAAAAAYs/1yQodtbIKRY/s1600-h/DSC00155%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DSC00155" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoXT7WOgtYAwDWo6Bko6h9JqzLPIH1KF4cbbuk74qI2v9z9MdDxW7HLvVVqDshPQ0IpXg89McdZKVVIjKBtx9bvCw9WKZv3ObbJmwHK2fGemtWbeEmKxKjlBcnL3SFd-_6qzvsc3hJmLRa/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DSC00155" width="640" /></a><br />
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We reached the peak a little bit before 11:30, about a 3 hour hiking time, which we thought was quite good for us. There were a lot of people on the trail, which can really cause a lot of stress on my end because I’m a “nervous” hiker. Since this is the same trail to Algonquin, most people were headed that way so we lost a lot of people at the junction. Once past the junction for Wright Peak it became more and more steep and eventually became total rock. There were definitely a couple of points where I really needed to stop and think and get some assistance to climb the rock (I’m a really terrible rock climber). Something I really need to work on getting over as I continue the journey to being a 46er. This summit was in an alpine zone so you need to be careful to follow the yellow blazes and stay inside the rocked trail and off of any of the vegetation.<br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-x1BZnR-EUPQ/TnvyKVL0n1I/AAAAAAAAAY0/twAauQF78RQ/s1600-h/DSC00146%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DSC00146" border="0" height="480" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-5fqHdMetZdg/TnvyK7L6pEI/AAAAAAAAAY4/C0zE3uD_6eI/DSC00146_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DSC00146" width="640" /></a><br />
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This was difficult and scary for me, it took me a good 2-3 minutes more to get to the official summit than my BFF Alison but we both made it!<br />
Lunch Time!<br />
<br />
<ul><li>Peanut butter and crackers<br />
</li>
<li>Apples<br />
</li>
<li>Monster Trail Mix<br />
</li>
<li>Banana</li>
</ul>This wasn’t the best hiking lunch…I didn’t realize I didn’t have bread until the morning when I went to pack, I did however have a pepperoni and cheese stick combo on the way up, but was definitely hungry towards the way down (yes I had more food, but I don’t like stopping to eat on the way down, I’m stubborn like that).<br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-uaPr7ZImObs/TnvyL8nDEPI/AAAAAAAAAY8/0-j0ro-2NkU/s1600-h/DSC00118%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DSC00118" border="0" height="480" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-_r2vtWs02TM/TnvyMnU-4QI/AAAAAAAAAZA/9kY00Xpfdi8/DSC00118_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DSC00118" width="640" /></a><br />
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This is the neighboring Algonquin Peak. It’s so much taller, and so much more steep! It was kind of neat, you could actually see people going up and some people at the top! Luckily our peak was SUPER quiet. I think the entire time we were up there we only saw 4 other groups, made for good lunching, picture taking and resting. One of us even decided to nap a little bit…<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAp_1zAUAuIRanbkJSo1MpvjRSJ2lBAE_bNBu3f2jTo3kk4c-e83OWav3WJwekgayQrt55uWUwEP4hJsSRJzzDVb5fqAs7S5eJOaq2XgHJ1el-6BKhjCBWYZA2FJtZueor6C70fPC3imo0/s1600-h/DSC00133%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DSC00133" border="0" height="480" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-GJyT_JmhaWA/TnvyOg1oX7I/AAAAAAAAAZI/elcMJ5pjqoE/DSC00133_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DSC00133" width="640" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQXNqsNxF35P9MOWpVyYEHG25hv9mix4x4G85n5DHj9oFBysuaO3bvBT5UbTv7fdbPuyT4cpkeT2MxcjBoUET_kPrUq-EwJHf8M33Y2zn9PHcpZlisCfpOEbhyphenhyphenjFU91Lc81fe369pxEiSN/s1600-h/DSC00119%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DSC00119" border="0" height="479" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/--97gcxW3t3Y/TnvyQH616kI/AAAAAAAAAZQ/lDQvxYvDv0s/DSC00119_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DSC00119" width="640" /></a><br />
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Mt Colden from the summit. It has many slides on it including a new one created by Irene.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUrJjrERUyl2lYEqCXrcAQydMJjybumlMb-nJHN8-A5HRAv28fdGttftq3fMcrmI5h_tp-0e0mUiwfgfZ_oIx1NWJO1uzvN4wZn9bqK0IGckqulng7Aj3YkQP1k97COUR7c684cwhdcCfJ/s1600-h/DSC00124%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DSC00124" border="0" height="480" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-M6lV23wj1ss/TnvyRVjTrgI/AAAAAAAAAZY/sCpDZSPxZL4/DSC00124_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DSC00124" width="640" /></a><br />
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This is Cascade and Porter from Wright. It’s funny, I didn’t think I’d ever be able to name these peaks but it’s starting to get easier and easier…at least to pick out the ones I’ve done <img alt="Winking smile" class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-winkingsmile" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-hKAqXIURJo0/TnvyRv8YFQI/AAAAAAAAAW4/ge2vSmtST0U/wlEmoticon-winkingsmile%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none;" /> The smaller pictures don’t really give you the full effect, but you can start to see the leaves changing. There was a predicted 3% change in the leaves for this weekend, we’re headed into prime “Leaf Peeping” season so our next trip should really have some amazing leaf colors in the pictures.<br />
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-DVzQLWqWX4I/TnvyShYp2II/AAAAAAAAAZc/nQxeEHQJQJ0/s1600-h/DSC00125%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DSC00125" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhszZmtzfZ7wzg__37LJyataDi5EeRNbajNNRovMHT9DBI3iDSc2mzWUwU0Y1wDQlpXI7utxe11vckkrTPRsQAg3xS90ZDXc8zu3PW6uYiBpfsHWRuGa1-8rf7otyQ_Og4ZeRJW4KhcUpE-/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DSC00125" width="640" /></a><br />
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A view of Heart Lake and you can see Lake Placid in the background…if you look real hard you can see the ski jumps. The tall peak in the back is Whiteface. Algonquin also had a new slide from Irene, you can see it here in this picture to the left. Notice it’s not quite as smooth as the others:<br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-2QuYTUSRJyw/TnvyUHw8GgI/AAAAAAAAAZk/Q2_Z5x0RcUA/s1600-h/DSC00131%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DSC00131" border="0" height="480" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-YeUSPgFKINg/TnvyU9EZrwI/AAAAAAAAAZo/QbGaMjk4Nf8/DSC00131_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DSC00131" width="640" /></a><br />
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People climb and ski these slides VIA bushwacking, I guess they get to name them if they’re the first ones to venture them. Gratuitous summit shots!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDH_3YjfUj_k6ntsZz5x0_3LZBZ23NXyeaDBivohIAR2YtartRLX9FadC-dF76w1zORNYSWVBe-eRebKdHpfQOmmauLhmpqHHaYgJHvoivvXGY8S1IHoKiT-1uTXhyphenhyphen_9b5MFyk-ihfB7P-/s1600-h/DSC00136%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DSC00136" border="0" height="479" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-5SGgczbLFeI/TnvyVxv7shI/AAAAAAAAAZw/QU_O5Z9oly4/DSC00136_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DSC00136" width="640" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh88O0YBBGzC0W9AAp3LYz14r5sWuRxNElbtvcRuac1mM3-us2kDuxP8RC_kP_fpXZlk8RwxkCG8WUcGNz1eE2lcFs1DUgesloqS0BuY8UlwQXGnaDrTY8EkkkyZR2jQj5f-hEP6fHmocCx/s1600-h/DSC00135%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DSC00135" border="0" height="479" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-nnKhwIzM59s/TnvyXKXI40I/AAAAAAAAAZ4/d0DRsl6zp9Y/DSC00135_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DSC00135" width="640" /></a><br />
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The summit was chilly, which was to be expected. My bangs are dumb looking because of me sweating (prior to getting to the summit). Premade Chex Mix muddy buddies (or puppy chow as I know it) is not nearly as good as when you make it yourself FYI. In the 60’s Wright Peak was the site of a deadly plane crash. I’m taking this from memory, but I believe there were 4 individuals who perished. They flew from the Plattsburgh Air Base (which has since closed) and were doing a practice flight. We found a sign that directed hikers to a commemorative plaque and to the peak although we weren’t successful in finding the plaque. We did however find a few remnants from the crash:<br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-2WKgkffhb2Q/TnvyYsu31WI/AAAAAAAAAZ8/FMwrQX2Loao/s1600-h/DSC00142%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DSC00142" border="0" height="480" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-lPTHN4Py-jQ/TnvyZV9_e-I/AAAAAAAAAaA/zMxWHYv-1KY/DSC00142_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DSC00142" width="640" /></a><br />
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-4Gehn99pvdk/Tnvyas7AEfI/AAAAAAAAAaE/DAimCjH3-x4/s1600-h/DSC00143%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DSC00143" border="0" height="479" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpNpZKG6dPupolt8t0AL5LPnn5uDSVrAE4DYbuk4Btwx_Swiz5JB7lwYDAPlDQ5NPCC_kLIyyXSHfwBatbn-DN-VxWYetT4S_gLwB60OEpDA9XyToVPSQR6O0JrX7c9PkE2j3X1DEcaMVd/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DSC00143" width="640" /></a><br />
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Ok so, going down was scary. I mean, the scariest it’s been of any of our hikes. So scary that I slid down the summit mostly on my bum…I ruined my favorite pair of hiking pants by doing this (don’t think that tiny hole in my rear is going to stop me from wearing them though)…<br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-QaxMg89UYUI/Tnvyc8DCVQI/AAAAAAAAAaM/ciBfbGcDLxw/s1600-h/DSC00147%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DSC00147" border="0" height="479" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-QVSLSNQJodQ/TnvydeGxAMI/AAAAAAAAAaQ/wsc3TY99nRg/DSC00147_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DSC00147" width="640" /></a><br />
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Once past this point the trail going down was quite enjoyable. It did take us longer to get back down, we spent about an hour and half at the summit and didn’t get back to the trail head until 4. So it took us about a half hour longer to get down, it didn’t feel like it though. This was by far my most favorite trail to go down, with the exception of sliding down the summit of course. <br />
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We made it back to the trailhead around 4:00 with several other groups. My big thing after a long hike like this is wiping myself down with baby wipes and I usually like to at the very least change my pants and get out of my hiking shoes and socks. Of course today I really needed to get out of my pants since I wore a hole in them, haha After changing and cleaning up we visited the HPIC where I picked up the latest issue of <a href="http://www.blogger.com/adirondacklife.com">Adirondack Life</a> and we made our way into Lake Placid for dinner! On the way back home we stopped in Keene to patron a couple of the businesses, although we wanted to go into Keene Valley it seemed that the road was closed. We were a little nervous to go beyond the sign and into the hamlet.<br />
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Since our trip Rt 73 has reopened and so have many other trails. Our next trip is going to be next weekend where hopefully I’ll get some pictures of the colorful leaves!Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10347379582689290366noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8739999924686282533.post-83536805038502783032011-09-26T10:01:00.001-04:002011-09-26T10:01:54.837-04:00Cell Phone Plans - No More!
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Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10347379582689290366noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8739999924686282533.post-25905405733515165462011-09-25T14:32:00.000-04:002011-09-25T14:32:58.471-04:00It's Swapoween!!!!Two super awesome bloggers are hosting one of the most fun swaps I've ever seen this month! A Halloween themed swap!<br />
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Halloween is my favorite holiday not in the summer season so I'm super thrilled I found this swap. It's no surprise that <a href="http://www.mysocalledchaos.com/">Angie</a> and <a href="http://artemishi.blogspot.com/">Beth</a> would be the ones to come up with such an awesome swap. :) In fact, Angie was my very first swap partner, and I couldn't have asked for someone better!<br />
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I know you want to play along too so here are the deets:<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arimo; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><b>Your objective, should you choose to accept:</b></div><div style="text-align: left;">Fill a box full of <b><span style="color: orange; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Halloween themed goodies</span></b> for your partner. This can be anything-decorations, candy, costume type things, etc! They can be purchased items, or handmade items-just make sure it's a package you yourself would love to receive! </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Who can particpiate:</b></div><ul style="line-height: 1.4; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0.5em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 2.5em; padding-right: 2.5em; padding-top: 0px;"><li style="margin-bottom: 0.25em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-indent: 0px;">US Residents</li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0.25em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-indent: 0px;">Active Bloggers (Must post at least once a week)</li>
</ul><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Cost:</b></div><div style="text-align: left;">Your package should be anywhere from $25 to $40 before shipping. We don't want anyone to feel like they got the short end of the stick or have anyone break the bank-so please stay within those guidelines.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Shipping:</b></div><div style="text-align: left;">It's up to you how you package and send it, however <b>tracking numbers are mandatory</b> this time. Tracking numbers are usually only about 70 cents extra, and they really help us figure out what happened if a package takes longer to come or doesn't show up. <i> (I personally prefer the flat rate mailing boxes from the post office, because it doesn't matter how heavy it is-it's the same price!)</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Dates:</b></div><ul style="line-height: 1.4; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0.5em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 2.5em; padding-right: 2.5em; padding-top: 0px;"><li style="margin-bottom: 0.25em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-indent: 0px;"><b>Signups Start:</b> September 21st, 2011</li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0.25em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-indent: 0px;"><b>Signups End:</b> September 28th, 2011</li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0.25em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-indent: 0px;"><b>Partners Received:</b> October 1st, 2011</li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0.25em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-indent: 0px;"><b>Packages Mailed: </b>October 8th or 10th, 2011</li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0.25em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-indent: 0px;"><b>Packages Received:</b> October 15th, 2011 (roughly)</li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0.25em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-indent: 0px;"><b>Blog Posts up:</b> October 21st, 2011</li>
</ul><div><br />
</div><div>So now that you know all that, visit either Angie or Beth and sign up! I can't wait to be assigned my partner!</div><div><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.mysocalledchaos.com/2011/09/its-swapoween.html" target="_blank"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGN-z6RarSIFcStjlacYpqYJEMpK2MomojC4mqrANs2IRGK0CrGOByxeqnHL256EniUeHOdvhpipEFaolPoDIt4Y2hBpd0DHjwUjd4Cm4UqlL7Z2zWYJ3sj4puh7UKSCcgd3W_7QRopS-r/s320/swapoween2.jpg" /></a></div>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10347379582689290366noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8739999924686282533.post-46046789321228369502011-09-23T08:55:00.000-04:002011-09-23T09:06:22.522-04:00The Big Reveal!Welcome to Muddy Boots and Pearls!!!!<br />
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<center><a href="http://ambermusingcorner.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src="http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa470/jfamforlife/For%20Amber/Button.png" /></a></center><br />
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You may need to update your reader to reflect the domain name change (but I'm really not sure). I'm going to do an official change over in the next day or two to: <a href="http://www.muddybootsandpearls.blogspot.com/">www.muddybootsandpearls.blogspot.com</a><br />
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And I have a button, a real button that you can put on your blog!!! <br />
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So hop out of your reader for a second and stop by to see my AWESOME new layout, compliments of the wonderful Vanessa over at <a href="http://www.jfamforlife.com/">JFamForLife</a>!<br />
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Vanessa is working on getting a degree in graphic design and I have to say I think she picked the right field! She was an absolute joy to work with, we have been working on this for a couple of weeks now and I felt completely comfortable telling her what I did and didn't like, what I was looking for and what direction I wanted to go in. She really nailed it! Go visit her, say hello and I do think she is looking to do this as a small side business, so if you're looking to revamp your blog definitely ask her about it!<br />
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I initially started this blog as a weight loss blog and as you all know I haven't really been focusing in on that realistically and blog wise. Realistically, I'll get back on here in the next couple of weeks. Blog wise you'll see me participating again in <a href="http://www.brandyatyoudontknow.com/">Brandy's</a> Fat Ass Friday, but that will really be the extent of it. I'm not going to be posting each day what I eat or my exercise or anything like that (although it's been quite a long time since I've even done that).<br />
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So what has my blog become? It's become a reflection of me! It's become a place where I can share my life with some great friends that I've made along the way. It's also become a place where I get to brag about the things I do in my area and within the Adirondack Park. Ideally, I would like this to be a good reference point to anyone who hikes or visits my area. <br />
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So I hope you all like the changes and will continue to find enjoyment out of my posts. I appreciate your patience as I get things up and running and more importantly I appreciate all of hard work that <a href="http://www.jfamforlife.com/">Vanessa</a> put towards making this.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.jfamdesigns.blogspot.com/"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa470/jfamforlife/Blog%20Stuff/JfamDesignbutton.png" /></a></div>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10347379582689290366noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8739999924686282533.post-46551153669358795692011-09-22T11:07:00.000-04:002011-09-22T11:08:58.048-04:00Bloggy AwardsSo over the past month or so, I’ve been given SEVERAL bloggy awards! I’ve decided I need to bite the bullet and complete my tasks at hand and more importantly show recognition to the great bloggy friends that awarded me and then pass the awards on!<br />
This is in no particular order:<br />
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The Versatile Blogger Award!<br />
<img alt="versatile blogger" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-d4o5gfdP8YM/Tk0rYf76IlI/AAAAAAAACjk/c6NsbMdvmy8/versatile%252520blogger_thumb.png?imgmax=800" /><br />
I was given this award by TWO of my favorite bloggers.<br />
<a href="http://jills-world.blogspot.com/">Jill</a> is a super sweet Canadian chick who cracks me up with her “Single Girl Files” posts and is doing a really great job with her bride’s maid dress diet. Go on over and root her on, just ignore the fact that she occasionally posts about this gross bologna and macaroni and cheese meat and POUTINE. GROSS!!<br />
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<a href="http://rspetersonfamily.blogspot.com/">Steph</a> is also a super sweet girl. Sometimes I think she’s a little too hard on herself, but I think we all are from time to time. She’s gorgeous and she’s addicted to Monster energy drinks. She just started a new job, so go on over and root her on too!<br />
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One Lovely Blog Award!<br />
<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ74W4oIUiENrN4q9JHrVMKlzdts1YeEG6gSoW81KHGv1w62U1u_mOqK8G6iqhfMLbJhCYsf2zZxRVCN-A07KTboCfjXld56Xv_8z9A-dCBxhJ436par4BDouCayt4TZWi4ZiJkBcK3hY/s1600/One_Lovely_Blog_Award.jpg" /><br />
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This was given to me by <a href="http://covertocoverandbetween.blogspot.com/">Nay</a>. This particular award was a surprise because I hadn’t been following Nay! I’m shocked to think that there are people out there reading my blog, who I haven’t reached out and grown a friendship with. Needless to say I was so excited to get this because it gave me a new bloggy friend. In general I’ve had a lot of new visitors lately and I’m thrilled with it! Anyway, I’ve been reading Nay’s blog lately and she’s a doll, so go on over and say hello.<br />
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Lastly, <br />
The Liebster Award!<br />
<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWfNBSr1oJZ2w0DA8O0yxA_hTOG1GncDECvS9pNK-8UWWPMUOINcETiNu82qlIKP_bJaYApG0-06k2CMSPC4xh9U3xJu39LSjVTni4t38iVFgJzie6VbqvVbNQnN3nO2USaiBKKWNKri4/s1600/liebster_blog_love_blog_award1_thumb4.jpg" /><br />
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My friend over at <a href="http://fatinsuburbia.blogspot.com/">Fat In Suburbia</a> handed me this. She’s currently going through a weight loss journey and although she ALSO can be hard on herself, I think she does a really great job of staying focused and keeping herself in touch with her goals and is a great inspiration to myself and others.<br />
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Ok so, there’s a lot of rules to these awards. The first two require you to post seven random things about yourself, so here it goes!<br />
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1) My most favorite actor and biggest celebrity crush is Jake Gyllenhaal. I mean, look at this smile:<br />
<img alt="Jake Gyllenhaal" height="297" src="http://i2.listal.com/image/815390/936full-jake-gyllenhaal.jpg" width="198" /><br />
He’s gorgeous. ‘Nuff said.<br />
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2) I LOVE moose. And penguins. And cats. But mostly moose. This weekend I’m attending The Great Adirondack Moose Festival. Ooooooohhhhhyeaaaaaa<br />
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3) I only ever check Facebook on my phone. Seriously. And the only reason why I EVER check Facebook is because there’s an alert telling me there’s something I need to check. I’m not a fan of Facebook, I mostly use it for information on my interests and area businesses.<br />
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4) I don’t like wine. Everyone I know loves it and sips it nightly – I can’t do it. The most I do with wine is wine tasting at a store, I will usually buy some cheese or something from the store other than the wine. It’s gross, what can I say? I’d rather have a beer.<br />
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5) I tend to get onto one song and listen to it a million times and then get totally sick of it. Like I’ll actually burn a CD with a few songs so that I can listen to that ONE song over and over again in my car. Right now it’s “Save Me San Francisco” by Train.<br />
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6) I’m a museum/tourist attraction junkie. Even if it’s an attraction I’ve been to multiple times before, or it’s something in my own area. I can’t help it, I probably should’ve went to school to be a museum curator or something along those lines. This weekend I’m hoping to go to one of my favorite museums, this will be like my 5th time visiting this museum in my life.<br />
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7) I made the most amazing macaroni and cheese on Sunday. If you don’t already know, I don’t cook. I mean, I FIX meals, but I don’t COOK them. Does that make sense?? Anyway, it was AMAZING, I was quite pleased with myself especially with a mac and cheese because the roux can really make or break your dish…<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkBHOFTT8A9lq9vAyuiQRBMopAkT2yks9c9qa5X4ePxfUzL5M_7su-5TpCmpPrdiMUQatQg8uZscDf2VyDdamkrQfS2SVANTK6K9d-bU_am6FH2YYjDhGcQYLoKw7Qbzqy4McnCsaSoBMM/s1600-h/IMG-20110918-00259%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG-20110918-00259" border="0" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTR-KXWVZQHcLXdNzyDCgT-9YrGoGZN5QAr6o1z5O4c5WDFYvTnkyCt3M6KuLYZEzJPxqUAaH9ascSV1atrIn5y7VWsbEY7t43N_5oBVce4Tivgfa0GvRt3Tc86xzB9bgVqVhOe4TPGCqP/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG-20110918-00259" width="344" /></a><br />
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And yes, I paired it up with a giant chunk of STILL WARM french bread from the grocery store, because, what better way to pair carbs and cheese with a side of carbs and butter??<br />
By the way, I simply typed into Google, “best macaroni and cheese recipe” and this is what I got. Thank goodness for Google!!!<br />
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So now I’m supposed to give these awards to other blogs I read. I’m going to make this more simple on myself by just referring to the latest award I got which was the Liebster Award. The official rules for the Liebster Award:<br />
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<i>The Liebster Blog Award is designed to bring additional recognition to those bloggers with less than 200 followers. If you receive the award, you should link back to the blogger that nominated you and nominate five more blogs.</i><br />
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<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWfNBSr1oJZ2w0DA8O0yxA_hTOG1GncDECvS9pNK-8UWWPMUOINcETiNu82qlIKP_bJaYApG0-06k2CMSPC4xh9U3xJu39LSjVTni4t38iVFgJzie6VbqvVbNQnN3nO2USaiBKKWNKri4/s1600/liebster_blog_love_blog_award1_thumb4.jpg" /><br />
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So here are my choices!<br />
1) <a href="http://mrshocuspocus.blogspot.com/">Ashley</a> is one of my most favorite bloggers ever. We bonded over our love of Panera’s French Onion soup and it seems like everyday she posts I find something else we have in common! She’s thoughtful, creative and she has one of the sweetest pups ever (Milo). I simply adore Ashley!<br />
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2) <a href="http://stevenandsararichins.blogspot.com/">Sara</a> of course is also another one of my favorite bloggers. Sara is one of my first bloggy friends, and we clicked instantly! She’s an amazing mom of FIVE kids, I don’t even know how she has time to brush her hair let alone blog, craft AND keep up with all of our favorite shows. She’s great, and what I love most about her? She keeps it real, she’s not afraid to hold anything back, including her feelings on BYU sports! <img alt="Smile" class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-smile" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrx6N4RIBFbj3kzOqpDEWZhrgmBjidPhZgee9bLpIW7Y99mnqHQfZTNXXOVDDJld2ngrfRnLeBF1TqQH2jHLp8GX8Uioy_vSBwH6klhQ-2WWOe6mVORlnLMbYwZBpgo5_GmtpQDnMTR_J2/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none;" /><br />
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3) <a href="http://featheringthecrownest.blogspot.com/">Kate</a> is another awesome mommy of two beautiful little girls. Again, she amazes me on how she keeps it all together. She’s super smart (she’s a doctor/scientist/teacher extraordinaire) AND super crafty. <br />
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4) <a href="http://www.jfamforlife.com/">Vanessa</a> has been a great bloggy friend. We often times will e-mail each other when I’m at work and it helps to kill the time (I kind of live vicariously through her SAHM status). She’s a sweetheart and she has the most adorable kiddos. Another fun fact? She used to live in my area…now only if that were the case now! D’oh! Did I mention she gave me this awesome gift of helping me revamp my blog? Oh yes she did! And the big reveal is happening soon!<br />
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5) <a href="http://dixie-creek-farm.blogspot.com/">Sarah Kate</a> amazes me in so many ways. Firstly, it seems like she’s had the worst of luck over the past few months. I mean her CHIMNEY got blown off by lightning!! HER CHIMNEY! Throughout all of it, she has kept her chin up. She always has positive things to share and bring out of a situation. Not to mention she’s also this super awesome runner, chicken farmer and most importantly, mom. What’s not to love?<br />
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Each of these girls are really special and I’ve so much enjoyed the friendships that I’ve cultivated with them (as well as several other bloggers that didn’t meet the under 200 followers criteria). I hope you’ll take the time to visit them and say hello and maybe make a new friend for yourself!Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10347379582689290366noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8739999924686282533.post-7228781861704535372011-09-21T11:26:00.000-04:002011-09-21T11:26:14.737-04:00A change is brewing...Hi friends!!!!<br />
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I've missed you all terribly! But the good news is I'm getting back into my usual routines and will be here to stay for a long, long time.<br />
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I have many things (well, a few) to post on, but the most exciting thing that's happening this week is a CHANGE in my blog! My good friend <a href="http://www.jfamforlife.com/">Vanessa</a> has been working super hard and has come up with a great new design for my blog. Of course with a new design comes a new name and I'm thinking a new domain as well!<br />
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I'm really excited about the new road I'm going down with my blog, and I hope you'll continue to follow along and share your stories with me. :)<br />
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Now I'm off to see what some of you have been up to! Happy Wednesday!Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10347379582689290366noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8739999924686282533.post-5281802202636150832011-09-13T18:52:00.000-04:002011-09-13T18:56:17.618-04:00Influenster August VoxBox: Talk To Us TuesdayA couple of weeks ago I received an e-mail from Influenster asking me if I’d be interested in participating in their August Naturals VoxBox. Of course I immediately replied saying I’d be thrilled to participate. Saturday I got my package in the mail and I wanted to not only share with you what I got, but share the community that allowed me to participate in something like this!<br />
If you don’t already know, <a href="http://influenster.com/">Influenster</a> is an online community where users can read and post product reviews. Users can then use their “influence” via blogging, YouTubing, Facebook or whatever form of digital networking you prefer to promote various companies and products. As a user you create a profile and unlock “badges” that show off your lifestyle. It’s a user friendly site and provides a lot of great information on a great range of products. As an active user you have the opportunity to qualify for various VoxBox opportunities. A VoxBox is a package that includes FULL SIZE products for you to try and review. <br />
And that’s it!<br />
I signed up for Influenster a couple of months ago and kind of forgot about it. I honestly don’t remember how I came across it, I wasn’t expecting anything out of it so imagine my surprise when I got the e-mail asking me to participate in the Naturals VoxBox. I’m assuming I qualified for the Natural VoxBox because I’ve unlocked the “Green” Lifestyle Badge (Note: You’re only allowed to unlock 5 of the 15 available Lifestyle Badges so you need to pick the ones that best represent you. This also means don’t unlock the “Metro” one like I did accidently, as that’s for men<img alt="Smile with tongue out" class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-smilewithtongueout" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-k3BzPKuiAUo/Tm1IHA1DEqI/AAAAAAAAAUY/zKRgK7-LC1I/wlEmoticon-smilewithtongueout%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none;" /> ). I believe they send out approximately 500 VoxBoxes each month.<br />
Below are some pictures of my VoxBox!<br />
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-XGCIVez70XU/Tm1IHwGdN4I/AAAAAAAAAUc/myEu-hfe-Ig/s1600-h/DSC00170%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DSC00170" border="0" height="375" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ob2KpwQy_kQ/Tm1IISolzAI/AAAAAAAAAUg/R9N-2AbUa1A/DSC00170_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DSC00170" width="498" /></a><br />
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-oZ9i_oeZoAM/Tm1II3Wkj1I/AAAAAAAAAUk/4s95pF2IdbE/s1600-h/DSC00171%25255B12%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DSC00171" border="0" height="375" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Zkfr8ujkneU/Tm1IJYE7xfI/AAAAAAAAAUo/6Q5Z_tJUx_I/DSC00171_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DSC00171" width="498" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy6tEsUpItUN8opBt3hwgSorS2YRZp7X80m1HWHwUTrzK1OhJ1K_Xsp8efcLz9dm8cBaq0u0L4gCc5_PloKU4lAmdKZf-yh6qpWU-EefOes3VrlI_kMFJ7uX-Yte2gri0kh0f-cUg4CTNC/s1600-h/DSC00172%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DSC00172" border="0" height="377" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-3bTgnrfWbro/Tm1IKZ03f1I/AAAAAAAAAUw/oQaNnsq1gvg/DSC00172_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DSC00172" width="501" /></a><br />
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No, the Dunkin Donuts iced tea didn’t come with the package. <img alt="Winking smile" class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-winkingsmile" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-M20wgudZS5A/Tm1IKoQHQ7I/AAAAAAAAAU0/t-D0kT2auqU/wlEmoticon-winkingsmile%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none;" /><br />
Including in my package was:<br />
<ul>
<li>Food Should Taste Good chips in Multigrain flavor</li>
<li>Jason Natural Soothing Aloe Vera hand soap</li>
<li>Natural Dentist Healthy Gums rinse</li>
<li>Derma E Very Clear cleansing scrub</li>
<li>Wen Cleansing Conditioner</li>
<li>ProBar Halo snack bar</li>
<li>Juice Beauty lip color</li>
<li>Avalon Organics lip balm</li>
</ul>
This package is worth over $80 and I got it for FREE simply by promising to take the time to review the items and share my opinions with people in my life. Pretty sweet deal, right??<br />
First thoughts…<br />
I ate the chips and loved them. I’ve seen them in the stores, but avoided them BECAUSE they’re multigrain. I tend to not like the texture of multigrain flavored foods, but these tasted just like tortilla chips with the perfect hint of salt. All natural, Gluten Free, No GMOs and low in cholesterol. Loved them!<br />
I’m super excited to be trying Wen. I used it today and am already in love, I’m going to give it a few more days to get the full effect, but the scent (Sweet Almond Mint) is AWESOME.<br />
Loving the Avalon Organics lip balm, but I don’t have anything bad to say about that brand in general. They have a great line of products.<br />
The Natural Dentist rinse is cool and refreshing, a nice addition to my dental hygiene routine.<br />
I’m not sharing this with you because I’m being compensated (I’m not), I’m sharing this with you because I LOVE getting packages in the mail for free. I love sharing my opinion and I love reading what others have to say about products I’m interested in trying (seriously, I spent three days reading reviews before deciding on what camera to buy recently). You all as my bloggy friends have influence, you have influence through your blogs, Facebook pages and Twitter pages. It’s a no brainer to visit the site and set up a profile so you too can enjoy the benefits of being an “Influenster”.<br />
So I think in about a week or so I’m going to do a Vlog about my package with more definite reviews and information on the products. So check back for that!<br />
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I'm choosing this to link up with <a href="http://confessionsfromanimplusiveaddict.blogspot.com/">IA</a> and <a href="http://seriouslyshawn.com/">Shawn</a> for their new blog link up in hopes that more people get to take advantage of this great opportunity! Got something to share?? Slap their super cute button on your post/blog and link up each week!<br />
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<center><a href="http://confessionsfromanimplusiveaddict.blogspot.com/"><img src="http://i855.photobucket.com/albums/ab115/Emmymom/HiRes.jpg" /></a></center>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10347379582689290366noreply@blogger.com8