tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-76209626667010503872024-02-18T23:49:27.607-08:00CREATIV ALLAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08108638673828901743noreply@blogger.comBlogger131125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7620962666701050387.post-41535038673968062013-08-08T11:54:00.000-07:002013-08-11T12:09:24.915-07:00Going to Ieperfest<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU3mv7fYSMcy5Kh9izLo_TRDW6IzEgfZXZUxgIVMFyq9TOZRSGiB9V_8rWKh3nPnnPLazQp6Uw8TzmMUVrNpDdz5XKeIrHPwsF5ou3PR5mkTcMdIrgaW9NoOpp020icHuHzp48gpd6wpJc/s1600/ieperfest-2013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU3mv7fYSMcy5Kh9izLo_TRDW6IzEgfZXZUxgIVMFyq9TOZRSGiB9V_8rWKh3nPnnPLazQp6Uw8TzmMUVrNpDdz5XKeIrHPwsF5ou3PR5mkTcMdIrgaW9NoOpp020icHuHzp48gpd6wpJc/s320/ieperfest-2013.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08108638673828901743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7620962666701050387.post-11201580763477615452013-08-06T12:38:00.000-07:002013-08-11T12:09:24.912-07:00Color scheme<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Did some work on paint</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_mMpUtA3aVyy7kiOaIjm2UcuRFaUDBOo1huLDfVx1YghTpmYOh8GRm_F7LII_AtVpmJJw5A40N5Uahu7ZaKf2hLKhdJ137k9agSTmgGL3AAiibVFuce53-gLOuq9yMHFXY57EJZkbdmNu/s1600/colors.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_mMpUtA3aVyy7kiOaIjm2UcuRFaUDBOo1huLDfVx1YghTpmYOh8GRm_F7LII_AtVpmJJw5A40N5Uahu7ZaKf2hLKhdJ137k9agSTmgGL3AAiibVFuce53-gLOuq9yMHFXY57EJZkbdmNu/s320/colors.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08108638673828901743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7620962666701050387.post-65119952848515714012013-08-06T11:35:00.000-07:002013-08-11T12:09:31.411-07:00It's alive , alive!!!!! Video time....So the battery is charged and he started without problems :) . The carburators still need to be synchronized and tested if the jets are right..... Can't wait to testride this thing...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><object class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="http://i1.ytimg.com/vi/_td_4lmFRyI/0.jpg" height="266" width="320"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/_td_4lmFRyI?version=3&f=user_uploads&c=google-webdrive-0&app=youtube_gdata" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/_td_4lmFRyI?version=3&f=user_uploads&c=google-webdrive-0&app=youtube_gdata" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08108638673828901743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7620962666701050387.post-82979861903341193352013-08-05T09:15:00.000-07:002013-08-05T13:44:38.505-07:00Best week ever!<p>Good Monday to you all! Wow, it’s been a total whirlwind of a week! I’m not sure I’ve ever packed more into seven days in my life. </p> <p>Bear with me as I share a little bit of it with you today – it’s been an wonderful, overwhelming, lovely week and it really couldn’t have gone much better! </p> <p>First up – Haven 2013! For those of you who don’t know, Haven is a conference dedicated to DIY and decor bloggers specifically. It’s the first of it’s kind because we (the team) knew there was a need for it – and a few years ago we decided it was time to make it happen!</p> <p>This was our second year and it was even better than the first!: </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-eMxLynlnuc4/Uf_PTgyZG3I/AAAAAAAAfSw/c9dEDXhLX3M/s1600-h/IMG_7137%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Haven confererence " border="0" alt="Haven confererence " src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-RROcELoGEhQ/Uf_PUQsj25I/AAAAAAAAfS4/gNmvcBabWtM/IMG_7137_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="550" height="411" /></a></p> <p>This is about half the group – all together we had about 450 attendees (that includes sponsors) so it was much bigger than last year. I’m not sure we’ll go too much bigger because we love the feel of this size – we still want everyone to feel like they have a chance to meet most everyone. </p> <p>It was just a great week, really. We were just so happy with how it all turned out and are all so thrilled and humbled by it all! There was a lot of learning – I have a HUGE to do list written down – but most of all it’s just so amazing to hang out with people who totally <em>get </em>what you do. </p> <p>We goofed around plenty: </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ULrIBFHXaMw/Uf_PVGFv1UI/AAAAAAAAfTA/JvIEgWUFOwY/s1600-h/Haven%252520conference.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-o87MPphJP58/Uf_PV13wtpI/AAAAAAAAfTI/Uc3EMeVeyso/Haven%252520conference_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="290" height="389" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-aMhyuk9QLmE/Uf_PWb-aGBI/AAAAAAAAfTQ/ei__RwWcqJ8/s1600-h/IMG_7183%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-bwdYfispUZk/Uf_PXRcTjnI/AAAAAAAAfTY/B5Ql3hI2l-c/IMG_7183_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="290" height="386" /></a></p> <p>It’s hard not to with these ladies. I laughed, a LOT. ;) </p> <p>But most of all, like always, I walked away having learned so much from just chatting with other bloggers throughout the week. I was so happy to see old friends: </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Ie1d259RnGo/Uf_PYSBsFwI/AAAAAAAAfTg/IhKwOSJKN3I/s1600-h/Haven%252520Conference%252520%2525282%252529%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Haven Conference " border="0" alt="Haven Conference " src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-IWg-mK3oAUA/Uf_PZHaAAUI/AAAAAAAAfTo/zTfO60ZZ4BU/Haven%252520Conference%252520%2525282%252529_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="550" height="422" /></a></p> <p>And meet plenty of new ones, even though I’ve “known” them for years: </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ttGeB98tK1Y/Uf_PZ0Dh8yI/AAAAAAAAfTw/fWx2SKAiRxY/s1600-h/IMG_7123%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="blogging conference" border="0" alt="blogging conference" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-vBmqI-cE8tw/Uf_Pas5gyHI/AAAAAAAAfT4/oFlRoK61_z0/IMG_7123_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="550" height="411" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-uzv9ZpAiov4/Uf_Pb0UP_5I/AAAAAAAAfUA/nXTxCZN6WqA/s1600-h/IMG_7178%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="haven conference" border="0" alt="haven conference" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-GUCTogJkW9A/Uf_PcsD8CoI/AAAAAAAAfUI/27eiS3GXQD8/IMG_7178_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="550" height="502" /></a></p> <p>As always, I didn’t get nearly enough pictures. I know took one with many of you and I’d love a copy! (Or we have a <a href="http://www.flickr.com/groups/haven2013/">2013 Flickr</a> account going, so you can load them there!) </p> <p>It was an honor to have been a part of it again this year and to work with some amazing women: <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-d-vA8TTLL_M/Uf_PdbmP3SI/AAAAAAAAfUQ/AVPgtDJ2M8I/s1600-h/Haven%252520conference%252520planning%252520team.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Haven conference planning team" border="0" alt="Haven conference planning team" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-oD1zHuqRU-k/Uf_PetL6dcI/AAAAAAAAfUY/56Y2TMkFmPw/Haven%252520conference%252520planning%252520team_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="550" height="518" /></a></p> <p>Our event planner, Kristin, isn’t in that pic but she is a rock star – there is NO way we could do this without her. </p> <p>Next year’s conference is already booked for July in Atlanta! We’ll share details soon. :)</p> <p>So I got home from the conference, slept for a few hours and then moved on to the next adventure…the NKOTB concert: </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-cK9DXM0gTjs/Uf_PfgF_VOI/AAAAAAAAfUg/9eWbIYCMsxM/s1600-h/IMG_7229%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-XhgqSz90F3c/Uf_PgF9sfMI/AAAAAAAAfUo/YpF26ArzRTM/IMG_7229_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="665" /></a></p> <p>I know I’m a little <em>teensy bit</em> biased, but <strong>DANG</strong>, they put on a great show! I was exhausted just from attending. </p> <p>This time they were joined by Boys to Men (they were fantastic!) and 98 Degrees and the place was packed!: </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-mkblvKWPm0k/Uf_Pg5f0l1I/AAAAAAAAfUw/GCg4tU7nFU0/s1600-h/IMG_7234%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Jm9KFQ_nEdE/Uf_PhidZ3YI/AAAAAAAAfU4/KYHr5WZv4aw/IMG_7234_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="550" height="732" /></a></p> <p>It is absolutely electric. And LOUD. Grown women can SCREAM. </p> <p>My hubby’s cousin hooked us up with some incredible seats – six rows off the floor: </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-s5QofRIGVCU/Uf_PiUjjokI/AAAAAAAAfVA/hHkoXUmGx9E/s1600-h/IMG_7276%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><font color="#4c4c4c"></font><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="NKOTB tour" border="0" alt="NKOTB tour" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Hmezqdll5ss/Uf_PjM7c0gI/AAAAAAAAfVI/VfC-0Qawgc0/IMG_7276_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="546" height="413" /></a></p> <p>We had one of the best views there! Excuse my Farah hair by the way. I’m bringing the 70’s back. Apparently. </p> <p>Yet again, I came home, got a few hours of sleep and then this morning we were up bright and early for a <em>very </em>special appointment. </p> <p>Today we learned we’ll soon have a grandson. :) Yes, I’m going to be a grandma – my stepdaughter (23) is due in December and we found out this morning it’s a boy. It was very emotional and sweet and they had a room full of family and friends there to find out the big news. Our son is THRILLED. :)</p> <p>We are just so happy she and the baby are healthy and doing well.  I haven’t mentioned it yet just because I kind of feel like this is their story to tell, not mine. I will of course share more as we get closer to the due date and will most likely share a few pics over time, but I want to respect their privacy and desires too. </p> <p>I can’t wait to meet this sweet boy!!</p> <p>So, yes, I think I will set some kind of record as the youngest grandma ever. Especially being 27 and all. Or something. </p> <p>Well…there’s my week in a nutshell. See, a little crazy huh? But every bit of it makes me so incredibly thankful – I am <strong>so</strong> grateful for this life I live. I am a lucky woman. A lucky woman who is off to take a nap for six hours or so. ;) </p> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08108638673828901743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7620962666701050387.post-39692992446851711532013-08-03T09:58:00.000-07:002013-08-13T12:23:28.824-07:00The next generation!!??<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdjXAY05LGlkUQOSnarZYneGMSO4tDEEFv97iI6JINJeHxqtpXrPrg5ZRBqQJEe2lt9XV46rs91QUdIsYlnUZ4ngqxto-KCA3XvlkApsMNuw4VxDX8e6yb6HYGIAeFlJf3rmRRf436IWoO/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdjXAY05LGlkUQOSnarZYneGMSO4tDEEFv97iI6JINJeHxqtpXrPrg5ZRBqQJEe2lt9XV46rs91QUdIsYlnUZ4ngqxto-KCA3XvlkApsMNuw4VxDX8e6yb6HYGIAeFlJf3rmRRf436IWoO/s320/1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHbEOsYZlMZTqWHBR83j2Ql02byqlTdnkP8kVDb8zcILXnoLQJEVPyV7-CgtEzjSWNROqFHezR0RPjkjhb5s8xlSRGKpbGFzq0gbcFjGTQFnY3Xy-H59CTvgB989I0kBZ5uRfcU2I4_dbA/s1600/2013-08-03+10.37.00.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHbEOsYZlMZTqWHBR83j2Ql02byqlTdnkP8kVDb8zcILXnoLQJEVPyV7-CgtEzjSWNROqFHezR0RPjkjhb5s8xlSRGKpbGFzq0gbcFjGTQFnY3Xy-H59CTvgB989I0kBZ5uRfcU2I4_dbA/s320/2013-08-03+10.37.00.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOWNKpZtjC4shdMjQcg2i2BPW1T1jMK9xXULSWvJ_IvAVerr_afjKxo4wdJ41jc2lIARqaPv6XBzLZAUJYhELK1X1ydDRXvK6wtuv9J4hW3CJIGT9jICzRa9-Dzi6iFqlqfajw8RFLft98/s1600/2013-08-03+10.36.38.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOWNKpZtjC4shdMjQcg2i2BPW1T1jMK9xXULSWvJ_IvAVerr_afjKxo4wdJ41jc2lIARqaPv6XBzLZAUJYhELK1X1ydDRXvK6wtuv9J4hW3CJIGT9jICzRa9-Dzi6iFqlqfajw8RFLft98/s320/2013-08-03+10.36.38.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbQR5HzkEK5gmoFGhp1AKFkkXPiBl_7jWQMRipyojLn91rg80UYOPq0LRm1tyRculhlBVtVwmjcvE-lzfGpep_g6jmtI_K0kgwl7GE_78oAG1XzsEwxD5CeA9sPiXD4xfP9zOiCMa2A7O4/s1600/2013-08-03+10.36.45.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbQR5HzkEK5gmoFGhp1AKFkkXPiBl_7jWQMRipyojLn91rg80UYOPq0LRm1tyRculhlBVtVwmjcvE-lzfGpep_g6jmtI_K0kgwl7GE_78oAG1XzsEwxD5CeA9sPiXD4xfP9zOiCMa2A7O4/s320/2013-08-03+10.36.45.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRPtDWB5yA4zSOFyHcmXarfLmoy0xo2KoAOTyknJcMaoShAhxL5u2tWrcDGbuxV4olz5AL3xRAlpqncc9gQCsWqlF4VahHoaJbKu1wEwj0YfmRY2FpNer1deToKDrSFy75-mOyM7CdZver/s1600/2013-08-03+10.36.52.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRPtDWB5yA4zSOFyHcmXarfLmoy0xo2KoAOTyknJcMaoShAhxL5u2tWrcDGbuxV4olz5AL3xRAlpqncc9gQCsWqlF4VahHoaJbKu1wEwj0YfmRY2FpNer1deToKDrSFy75-mOyM7CdZver/s320/2013-08-03+10.36.52.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08108638673828901743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7620962666701050387.post-40816902195523497072013-08-02T06:30:00.000-07:002013-08-05T13:44:38.522-07:00July in review and no-spend August<p>Hello everybody, happy Friday to you! I hope you’ve had a great week – I’m still at the Haven Conference and having a blast! Well…I hope I am anyway. I wrote this before I left. ;)</p> <p>I’ll be back next week with some more DIY, but for now I’m reviewing the big posts from July and I have a fun little announcement at the end that I’m getting excited about. :) </p> <p>First up last month I shared how I tackled my first true <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2013/07/building-lego-house.html">floating shelves</a>: </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-x-ZdNSGJZ58/Ufiad0H4WxI/AAAAAAAAfPY/VskAxtNPJ3w/s1600-h/Legoshelves3.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DIY floating shelves" border="0" alt="DIY floating shelves" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-56lzyuuouYM/UfiaevZBrDI/AAAAAAAAfPg/rsRP-FBLBHw/Legoshelves_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="793" /></a></p> <p>These are great storage for some of the Bub’s Lego sets – I love having them on display but these also get them out of the way. </p> <p>Next I shared the details on the <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2013/07/ikea-vanity-and-more-powder-room.html">powder room redo</a>: </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-O9S69eLrDlE/UfiafIuA_9I/AAAAAAAAfPo/G584yi_Qmc4/s1600-h/ikeahemnesvanity3.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="ikea hemnes vanity" border="0" alt="ikea hemnes vanity" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Jyl4d1Z54v4/Ufiafv1i29I/AAAAAAAAfPw/s9yUz5X3jyk/ikeahemnesvanity_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="751" /></a></p> <p>I covered the sources and details for everything in the room, so if you had questions on anything it should be answered there!</p> <p>I did a little organizing (and prettifying) in the dining room – those skinny little cabinets <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2013/07/dining-room-pretty-organization.html">hold a TON of stuff</a>: </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Ib0Cma3wf_Q/UfiagIWs0QI/AAAAAAAAfP4/JtReIJrwBNw/s1600-h/diningroomorganization6.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="dining room organization built ins" border="0" alt="dining room organization built ins" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-gOqsOm0PT4c/UfiaguIpfLI/AAAAAAAAfQA/U31pOhdh4M8/diningroomorganization_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="751" /></a></p> <p>I’m so glad I decided to incorporate that closed storage in the built ins!</p> <p>I shared more about our latest RV trip and the <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2013/07/roughing-it.html">little cabin in the woods</a> that we stayed in:</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-bfq2V2yi9vk/UfiahHY_KCI/AAAAAAAAfQI/mGuZEXAcATc/s1600-h/IMG_6791_thumb13.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="cabin in woods" border="0" alt="cabin in woods" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-7zONiHQhuhM/UfiahtxyktI/AAAAAAAAfQQ/ES3akOzOvGE/IMG_6791_thumb1_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="665" /></a></p> <p>Many of you asked the name of the cabins/RV park and it’s called <a href="http://www.neshonoclakeside.com">Neshonoc Lakeside</a> in LaCrosse Wisconsin. :) </p> <p>Next up I showed you a FUN new DIY product – painters tape that comes in shapes!:</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-b79e5BSPziA/UfiaiKD2oTI/AAAAAAAAfQY/rT0mhVKvcjQ/s1600-h/IMG_6020_thumb14.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="chevron painters tape" border="0" alt="chevron painters tape" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-2Y0HX86tsGU/Ufiaiil6_fI/AAAAAAAAfQg/OvkYfzz3pfQ/IMG_6020_thumb1_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="450" height="676" /></a></p> <p>This is the <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2013/07/a-touch-of-chevron.html">first chevron</a> in our house and it <em>may</em> be the last. We’ll see – I’m still not hooked. I do like this little touch of it though. It’s staying for awhile at least! </p> <p>Next up I hope to use the wave version of the shape tape. ;) </p> <p>I shared my plan for our mud room redo in <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2013/07/the-mud-room-plan.html">this post</a>, including some lovely inspiration pics: </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-HColCjDQUc8/UfiajPZ4lfI/AAAAAAAAfQo/Fg2582Iusj0/s1600-h/0c382810fedc9658761c27402721f8d5_thu%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="white mud room wood floors" border="0" alt="white mud room wood floors" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-PtghBh0KsIw/Ufiajn3vs6I/AAAAAAAAfQw/LcN602cnO4M/0c382810fedc9658761c27402721f8d5_thu%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="751" /></a></p> <p>Drool. </p> <p>I was busy working on our master bedroom in July and I shared more about our new bed <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2013/07/our-new-bed-and-bedroom.html">here</a> and the how-to on the tufted headboard <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2013/07/diy-tufted-headboard-tutorial.html">here</a>: </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-odDI7vxSClQ/UfiakGgf_hI/AAAAAAAAfQ4/5_trXKqbgmc/s1600-h/DIYtuftedheadboard3.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DIY tufted headboard" border="0" alt="DIY tufted headboard" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-LqM8LbKRWsk/Ufiaks1pRBI/AAAAAAAAfRA/JKyQjs4VveA/DIYtuftedheadboard_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="751" /></a></p> <p>I’ve made a few more changes in there since and I’m SO pleased with how the room is coming together! Our bed is still my favorite part. ;) </p> <p>Last week I shared the ways I deal when cash is low. I’ve learned over the years it’s a horrible feeling and I’ve always had a few <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2013/07/when-money-is-tight.html">tried and true methods</a> to keep my spirits up: </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-W_xu9eXX7TA/UfialEOwCbI/AAAAAAAAfRI/nm9O2zt0t8w/s1600-h/cleaningoutthecar3.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="cleaning out the car" border="0" alt="cleaning out the car" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-KzGoVjFeKng/UfialrkBkaI/AAAAAAAAfRQ/hBJYbClWdxo/cleaningoutthecar_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="550" height="262" /></a> I loved your thoughts too – there were some great ideas in the comments! </p> <p>This week I shared how <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2013/07/growing-hydrangeas-not-killing-them.html">I’m not killing my hydrangeas anymore</a>: <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-gKypGHXRc34/UfiamZ3E2vI/AAAAAAAAfRY/v01pM7-HP-Y/s1600-h/header%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="how to grow hydrangeas" border="0" alt="how to grow hydrangeas" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-uuYsX945rFE/Ufiam2COVmI/AAAAAAAAfRg/OwTF3Ekg5o0/header_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="751" /></a></p> <p>I’ve made a concentrated effort to learn more about them and it’s paid off! </p> <p>So I’m excited about August! This month I’ve decided to do another “no spend” month. I first did this a couple summers ago and actually quite enjoyed it! I have <strong>so</strong> many projects that need to be finished up, so many spots that need decluttering, and I just enjoy trying to work with what we already have. </p> <p>So this month I won’t spend any cash on DIY or decorating projects. I have one that we’ve scheduled that will probably happen, more on that later. But otherwise I hope to stick to only what we’ve got! I hope you’ll be inspired! </p> <p>Take care all and have a great weekend! :) </p> <p>*P.S. As soon as I get back from Haven we head out for the NKOTB concert. </p> <p><em>AWW. yeah. </em></p> <p>Can’t wait!!</p> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08108638673828901743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7620962666701050387.post-34383466312144343902013-08-01T12:43:00.000-07:002013-08-13T12:23:28.823-07:00Suzuki intruder caferacer<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I didn't work on the gs today but changed the headlight of the intruder caferacer</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9creFEvIO5rlX5bI5s4miSoPMzAI2m-dGL9IfB507nS3dqo_Oagd9_YsgLAmmXBX9wDGHDbJsXMjnF3AhjgVCFNpUdvpgQKs0TKsEYSwtRbwD3OFxFpjPRTdBbAYLMX_7ibNa-y6nH-LM/s1600/2013-08-01+18.42.43.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9creFEvIO5rlX5bI5s4miSoPMzAI2m-dGL9IfB507nS3dqo_Oagd9_YsgLAmmXBX9wDGHDbJsXMjnF3AhjgVCFNpUdvpgQKs0TKsEYSwtRbwD3OFxFpjPRTdBbAYLMX_7ibNa-y6nH-LM/s320/2013-08-01+18.42.43.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisnYR_E695goSQYTRv-FDRXJwvjBD_EiLBFqr085rEENJJ-kW0Zr898Ax0xPsbM6keqlxzUi_Ew1Aw2MjkcBvV2Hv1UHJyoTRg0kec1dU27MtDU-7-fKCvTjj7bZlokrr7jhdwkydUV7jq/s1600/2013-08-01+18.42.48.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisnYR_E695goSQYTRv-FDRXJwvjBD_EiLBFqr085rEENJJ-kW0Zr898Ax0xPsbM6keqlxzUi_Ew1Aw2MjkcBvV2Hv1UHJyoTRg0kec1dU27MtDU-7-fKCvTjj7bZlokrr7jhdwkydUV7jq/s320/2013-08-01+18.42.48.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEFGkSInyJ1-BUn7OO3dF9ZysCAAN61c8Es4PnfWDzEy9FNtMVU3XRWuzsvfm4zaSMXq0W4T2S2iRKYuzXdr_cYG_MDuE67muQmEUT4BK2_jcokdjVxCPp7c4gEHSfUBfrYNYDm_Bk4LR6/s1600/2013-08-01+18.43.01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEFGkSInyJ1-BUn7OO3dF9ZysCAAN61c8Es4PnfWDzEy9FNtMVU3XRWuzsvfm4zaSMXq0W4T2S2iRKYuzXdr_cYG_MDuE67muQmEUT4BK2_jcokdjVxCPp7c4gEHSfUBfrYNYDm_Bk4LR6/s320/2013-08-01+18.43.01.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh1pRk8sBh8gLHTceHTaBRKnkxrobCq3ArkDyg3M800ibb1SxFKBMdmSHjnCNN-Q-yB9fW1PbEvMt-kCcLjxeswAAu55ScKxTMMgJAfee7POLZ9Ak6dDMUlDHq7UtcpW7Dw5DYzae9NbQg/s1600/2013-08-01+18.43.15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh1pRk8sBh8gLHTceHTaBRKnkxrobCq3ArkDyg3M800ibb1SxFKBMdmSHjnCNN-Q-yB9fW1PbEvMt-kCcLjxeswAAu55ScKxTMMgJAfee7POLZ9Ak6dDMUlDHq7UtcpW7Dw5DYzae9NbQg/s320/2013-08-01+18.43.15.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08108638673828901743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7620962666701050387.post-12308387459276327812013-07-31T06:06:00.000-07:002013-08-05T13:44:38.534-07:00Staircase nook<p>Hey hey all! Well, it’s about that time! I’m off to Atlanta today to prepare for the Haven Conference that starts tomorrow. It’s been a year of planning and I can’t even believe it’s already here! SO excited to see everybody. </p> <p>So I finished up a quick little project this week that I’ve been meaning to do for months. Or a year. A year and a few months. </p> <p>We have a little ledge/nook/cut out spot in the basement staircase that has been sitting half way done for that year and a few months: </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-lielkTpB2KA/UfiR-8qncaI/AAAAAAAAfMw/To4BRFL_X2g/s1600-h/IMG_6137%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-YRYtLlWHZ_c/UfiR_nGMdHI/AAAAAAAAfM4/SMKv5fgmfJA/IMG_6137_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="550" height="366" /></a></p> <p>You may remember that I installed a <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2012/08/diy-wood-planked-wall.html">wood wall</a> on the main wall in the staircase about this time last year. I still LOVE that wall. So very much. </p> <p>Before we had the basement finished the wall next to it going down the steps had a weird cement wall bump out thing. Instead of drywalling all the way up I asked them to make it a little ledge instead. They installed a wood piece that I was planning on painting later, hence the stain spatter I didn’t worry about: </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-C4jTk8JTRfA/UfiSABAAdqI/AAAAAAAAfNA/BfBSeWdMz80/s1600-h/IMG_6139%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-2I8ZMW-D9ps/UfiSAnu0R2I/AAAAAAAAfNI/tb82EdbdlWc/IMG_6139_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="550" height="366" /></a></p> <p>But since then I’ve decided I wanted it stained instead. I’m kind of obsessed with the look of the dark wood against the gray blue walls (Marina Gray by Ben Moore) and white trim down there. </p> <p>So I needed to sand off that stamp and the stain dots: </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-uxbTveUKLU4/UfiSBenBvxI/AAAAAAAAfNQ/NdRBW6sTNek/s1600-h/IMG_6141%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="sanding before staining " border="0" alt="sanding before staining " src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-FJwZIR-vS5s/UfiSBzGShEI/AAAAAAAAfNY/wh3-TLT-WHc/IMG_6141_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="400" height="600" /></a></p> <p>It just took a few seconds and I was ready to go – then I taped everything off with my Frogtape really well. I find it’s hard to keep stain from going everywhere since it leaks easily and spatters all over the place. (It could be the operator, who knows.): </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-8Q2ipkWs79I/UfiSCXt4HXI/AAAAAAAAfNg/d0cp5LyTYzw/s1600-h/IMG_6143%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="prepping for stain" border="0" alt="prepping for stain" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-KfuF2qoDyTs/UfiSDJtbVvI/AAAAAAAAfNo/UXpqzzSmuLE/IMG_6143_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="333" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-yFeVYO4MtIw/UfiSDewM5CI/AAAAAAAAfNw/84eo2LDxTYI/s1600-h/IMG_6145%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-CG2cIWXtH4Q/UfiSEIQSZeI/AAAAAAAAfN4/CjxCHbCfdrk/IMG_6145_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="450" height="676" /></a></p> <p>After I wiped everything down well (and let it dry), I grabbed my dark walnut stain and went at it: </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-hDaKYqTnKGI/UfiSEggC18I/AAAAAAAAfN8/X_17NVuyjrI/s1600-h/IMG_6151%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="how to stain" border="0" alt="how to stain" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-7uk_Q_J-uJY/UfiSFE-eR_I/AAAAAAAAfOE/iTDPdzZfryI/IMG_6151_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="550" height="366" /></a></p> <p>Remember when you stain to work quickly and to keep the “wet edge” – if it dries at all during the process you’ll see where you left off. OH, and wear gloves!! Trust me – no matter how hard I try I always end up with stain on my hands. </p> <p>I let it sit for a few minutes and wiped the excess off. I only usually do one coat – I find that’s plenty for the color I want. </p> <p>While it dried I started hanging the frames I’ve had leaning there forever. Most of them are pics from the Macy’s Thanksgiving parade/NYC trip I showed you <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2012/02/family-in-family-room.html">here</a>, but there was one collage my stepdaughter gave us last Christmas (so sweet!) that I wanted to include too.</p> <p>Here’s a little tip when hanging pics that have two hangers instead of one – just tie a piece of string or wire between the two: </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-0J-IXO8h1I0/UfiSFm_SjSI/AAAAAAAAfOQ/ApxA71QCKnk/s1600-h/IMG_6154%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="hanging picture without a level" border="0" alt="hanging picture without a level" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Bc3OvXGtEPw/UfiSGZdKnZI/AAAAAAAAfOY/wIHIvW4ZyJ0/IMG_6154_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="550" height="366" /></a></p> <p>Then hang that on the the nail. SO much easier. I mean, sometimes what you’re hanging is heavy enough you’ll want two nails, but most of the time I find one is just fine. And this way you don’t have to worry about measuring, finding a level, all that stuff. Ain’t nobody got time for that. </p> <p>Like all of my gallery walls, I just kind of put stuff here and there – yes, that meant a few extra holes in the wall but they’re tiny. The wall will survive: </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-QTNB89M5od8/UfiSGwtalzI/AAAAAAAAfOg/JGSha1FcDbI/s1600-h/IMG_6159%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="matching frames gallery wall" border="0" alt="matching frames gallery wall" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-7XIzmeDn6fg/UfiSHauoFmI/AAAAAAAAfOo/ihgU5ku_RFY/IMG_6159_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="751" /></a></p> <p>I was trying to use frames that I had on hand and I liked the (mostly) matching frames, so I didn’t go crazy trying to fill empty spaces. The “S” we’ve had for years and it perfectly filled one spot that was bugging me. </p> <p>The ledge has plenty of room for accessories, but for now I just left a couple candlesticks we had here before (they ended up on there because I was too lazy to take them all the way to the storage room): </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-L9zYTScpaRE/UfiSIGZTsyI/AAAAAAAAfOw/h9q2V09vc2M/s1600-h/IMG_6160%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="matching frames gallery wall " border="0" alt="matching frames gallery wall " src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-QQyf9JoOvXY/UfiSIlMCAvI/AAAAAAAAfO4/gu6NKsKkAL4/IMG_6160_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="751" /></a></p> <p>They are fake candles and they operate on a timer, so it’s kind of cool to have that little glow as we walk down at night. </p> <p>It was a quick project and I think it turned out pretty cute! I love how it looks with the planked wall: </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-HpWlPpv6PAw/UfiSKJDe4CI/AAAAAAAAfPA/vYdljHem2OM/s1600-h/IMG_6161%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="wood planked wall " border="0" alt="wood planked wall " src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-1X1vhaf49dI/UfiSKjffWwI/AAAAAAAAfPI/MK641TBo0RM/IMG_6161_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="550" height="826" /></a></p> <p>Next up in this space – touch up the wall and ceiling paint and install chunkier baseboards. Maybe I’ll tackle those in another year. Baby steps. </p> <p>So are you loving gallery walls? I am and I don’t think they’re going anywhere soon. It’s such a personal, easy way to fill wall space! And remember you can find frames at Goodwill for super cheap and spray paint them. One color for all of them will unify frames no matter their design.  </p> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08108638673828901743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7620962666701050387.post-51983227532738803262013-07-30T12:22:00.000-07:002013-08-13T12:23:28.826-07:00We can stop....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> Today I finished the rear brake set up. Thursday I'm gonna hook up the wiring.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXumYshSDT6xo2vdr3H3BOLfOTJP15YDyWRPF9uNUVf72Bd3afBem7AIwDfqLgZmg_o3F7VmG4-GxRXUsA3AtCNoynmkIWp-byGpJXnQP5g_PuYrfQb0tG_0YHOd50s2KR3BinGBiGmin_/s1600/2013-07-30+18.35.23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXumYshSDT6xo2vdr3H3BOLfOTJP15YDyWRPF9uNUVf72Bd3afBem7AIwDfqLgZmg_o3F7VmG4-GxRXUsA3AtCNoynmkIWp-byGpJXnQP5g_PuYrfQb0tG_0YHOd50s2KR3BinGBiGmin_/s320/2013-07-30+18.35.23.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3dkpjr_NgpjHkShn58fj6tmyaxh6-FHOYZkNbkv8KToIAHOjq0KBPIVe-fYVVMFeiuwKtRsYdzKqJmtm4GO87e5TXOxPqi1XQ28mzKse0geLO1UsqlQVI9uLo4CHhZ0qQDuc5cBjhdGkM/s1600/2013-07-30+18.35.43.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3dkpjr_NgpjHkShn58fj6tmyaxh6-FHOYZkNbkv8KToIAHOjq0KBPIVe-fYVVMFeiuwKtRsYdzKqJmtm4GO87e5TXOxPqi1XQ28mzKse0geLO1UsqlQVI9uLo4CHhZ0qQDuc5cBjhdGkM/s320/2013-07-30+18.35.43.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_iLPhc6k1_dvsYo_OYtSt9iNO43xPXG0ugXI5AyTdfAEfagZw2HQLCzD-Wn4iNirM5AVimtH6XRk0et4CKfPeMoJRByK6DRtqxhDGbpLbG_ta9CfIK5IULSPB-aFmNxKkV8Gyho5Mo76G/s1600/2013-07-30+18.36.06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_iLPhc6k1_dvsYo_OYtSt9iNO43xPXG0ugXI5AyTdfAEfagZw2HQLCzD-Wn4iNirM5AVimtH6XRk0et4CKfPeMoJRByK6DRtqxhDGbpLbG_ta9CfIK5IULSPB-aFmNxKkV8Gyho5Mo76G/s320/2013-07-30+18.36.06.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU_dLwGjltwin850fbgdquhM0wD93Unh8x0_ouc8LnHa1m_ERQFK7QtkDpQULbOMYIeu4qCwBthYI0dhB2JyzQi2b3YxxFiDry6eKl3eX5hbbWQ-394HdyjuCrOCUDjO9DESyU76jHjrng/s1600/2013-07-30+18.37.16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU_dLwGjltwin850fbgdquhM0wD93Unh8x0_ouc8LnHa1m_ERQFK7QtkDpQULbOMYIeu4qCwBthYI0dhB2JyzQi2b3YxxFiDry6eKl3eX5hbbWQ-394HdyjuCrOCUDjO9DESyU76jHjrng/s320/2013-07-30+18.37.16.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08108638673828901743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7620962666701050387.post-26404492491328468732013-07-30T10:20:00.002-07:002013-07-30T10:20:19.385-07:00When Is It The Right Time To Change Management Jobs?<div id="article-content" style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Since the economic decline of 2008 and 2009, many old jobs have
been lost, while other new ones have been created. While the economy has
improved a little of the last few years, many managers are still
probably very cautious of making big career decisions. On one hand it
may be best to stay where you are, but the alternative is to change
management jobs and find a better role. In this article we will explore a
few tips on what to do.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<strong>You Feel Like You Are No Longer Being Involved In Key Decisions</strong></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
One
of the most important parts of any change management job is that you
have input in important decisions. This is because it will ultimately be
down to you to deliver the results. If you feel that your department
director and other bosses are no longer helping you be successful by not
involving you in key decisions, then it is most likely time to step
away from that role. You may be on the verge of being ousted, or it
could be a sign that the leadership of the company is unsure about how
to move the business forward. Either way, take it as a sign to change
management jobs.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<strong>You Are Being Sidelined To Less Important Tasks</strong></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Do
you feel as if your role is becoming less important to the overall
success of the business? Did you used to have control of a key source of
income for the firm, but now you are in control of something that isn't
very important? It may be time to change management jobs. This is
because moving you aside to a less important role suggests the company
leadership does not think you are able to lead the most important part
of the business. If the firm is also not doing to well in the current
economic climate, then it may have to restructure in the future and make
cuts to less important projects or products. Unfortunately this may
mean you could be one of the first to go.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<strong>You Are Offered A New Opportunity For Self Development For Less Money</strong></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
This
can be a difficult decision. On the one hand taking a new role at a new
business can help grow your career by giving you additional challenges
which will help you moving forwards, however you would be earning less
money for it. This could become frustrating, but if you have low
overheads at home, then it should be considered. A short term drop in
income might hold you back if you are looking to change management jobs,
but if it can improve your career opportunities in one to two years
time and may lead to better chances of a promotion, then go for it!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
All
in all, it's important to not just take in to account short term
changes to your job and lifestyle, but also the long term. It would be a
good idea to do some research into what skills are recommended for your
career choice. This might be something you had only last looked at when
you initially entered the job market, which could be several years ago.
Nevertheless, it's always good to refresh your knowledge and expand
your skill set to grow your career opportunities.</div>
</div>
<div style="overflow: hidden; text-align: justify;">
<br />
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08108638673828901743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7620962666701050387.post-86500819074520577192013-07-30T10:19:00.004-07:002013-07-30T10:19:29.101-07:00Shocking Employee Feedback<div id="article-content" style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
So, how am I doin? Former NY mayor Ed Koch popularized the
question during his famous walks around town. What happens when you ask
your employees for feedback about your performance? They tell you how
wonderful you are but then when they get a survey or some other
anonymous way of expressing their opinion, they surprise you with some
negative, even shocking feedback. It's now clear that on some topics
they are just not able to honestly discuss face-to-face. It can really
hurt, especially when you feel you want people to be honest with you.
But wishing does not make it so.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
What is your next step? Your mind
can conjure up all kinds of understandable reasons why they were not
honest with you face-to-face. But their lack of honesty is a fact and
you have got to decide how you will respond. Wasn't it easier when you
were not "the boss"? You can ignore it and hope it doesn't cause you any
trouble. You can criticize the survey and discredit the results. Or,
you can design a strategy so that over time, being honest with you
face-to-face is easier, less painful for them. If that is the way you
decide to go, here are six strategies that always help to develop honest
communication.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Admit your mistakes. Acknowledge that you make
some mistakes that may at times put your employees in a difficult place.
Apologize. This makes you more human and easier to approach with good
news and bad.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Listen to your employees. Be sensitive to their
communication both verbal and non-verbal. Sometimes they may say one
thing one time but act in a very different way. This is an opportunity
to let them know that you are paying attention... completely. You care
about what their experience is and you want to make it as positive as
possible. Demonstrate your willingness to change personally and also to
change the conditions of work.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Solicit the opinion of your
employees. Be strategic... don't start out by asking them their opinion
on something that might be hard for them to answer. Make it easy for
them to share their true opinion. Sometimes you can announce in advance
what you would like to hear about. That way they can prepare what they
want to say ahead of time.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Mine for negativity or varied opinion.
When their opinions seem overwhelmingly unanimous, it's a good clue that
not everyone is being honest. Push the issue. "Surely, some of you must
have a different opinion."</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Don't punish bad news or challenge
it... or argue with it. In fact, when things go wrong, or when mistakes
are made, it can be a real opportunity to change and learn. So, welcome
and celebrate the reporting of bad news.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Finally, get to know
people personally. When you know and like someone personally, it is
easier to be understood. Begin every staff meeting with some personal
sharing of some kind; everyone invited to participate including you.
People are always in charge of how much personal information they share
in the workplace, but encourage it. Over time, this sharing bonds a
group together in remarkable ways. Positive personal relationships can
be the breeding ground for honesty, so the next time that anonymous
staff satisfaction survey comes around, there will not be any surprises.</div>
</div>
<div style="overflow: hidden; text-align: justify;">
<br />
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08108638673828901743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7620962666701050387.post-89692701419399687002013-07-30T10:18:00.001-07:002013-07-30T10:18:44.404-07:00Strategic Way to Implement Virtual Change<div style="text-align: justify;">
In today's world when everything and everyone is on a virtual
platform, it is important to look at the issue of change management as
it relates to a virtual environment. Have you wondered why it is
difficult to implement change for a client with a wide spread
geographically placed team? Has it occurred to you that the challenge is
intrinsic to the methodology in use for this process and also in the
agent of change? Let us take some steps back and evaluate how we would
implement change in a traditional setting;</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
1) First conduct an initial assessment
<br />2) Analyze results and develop plan
<br />3) Implement change
<br />4) Evaluate implemented change
<br />5) Post-change support and maintenance</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
With the
aforementioned, change seems to be pretty straight forward with the
vision of completeness. Now consider the same for a virtual team, it is
almost impossible to do an assessment of the team on a clear cut
platform to capture all aspects of the team and to draw up a concise
report or data upon which to act.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
It is non-mistaken that as a
change agent, you would need to have some form of contact with team
members to understand the kind of group dynamics that exists to ensure
that efforts bring about needed results. However, when dealing with a
virtual team, time should not be the deciding factor of evaluation of
project success. This is because it will take time and initiative to get
various team members to fully buy into the change process and also to
fully engage all member participation.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
In as much as we understand
the distance between the parties to effect and affect change, there is a
need to apply intuition and innovation in the methodology and strategy
for virtual change. The question in your mind at this point is "How do I
implement a virtual change process?"</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
One method that has always
worked for me is survey. In this case the use of concise terminologies
that are not ambiguous to the end party to ensure you capture their
point of view regarding the change process. After which you can ask
open-ended questions to which helps to build the empathy needed to fully
understand the challenges of the affected parties.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Another method
would be to hold a web based session using one of the internet
platforms available with the key players and drivers of change in the
organization. This will give everyone the opportunity to get to
understand their role in the implementation process and build
accountability. At this point, consistency and communication is the
bridge between success and failure in implementing virtual change.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
It
may seem unachievable in the beginning, but the more you engage in
change implementation processes the better it you master the art of
working with people to effect change and attain results.</div>
<div style="overflow: hidden; text-align: justify;">
<br />
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08108638673828901743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7620962666701050387.post-69983177062286449932013-07-30T10:17:00.001-07:002013-07-30T10:17:23.833-07:00Writing Standard Operating Procedures<div id="article-content">
Standard Operating Procedures, or SOPs, are a staple in the
manufacturing world. It's not just factories either; pretty much
everywhere you go there are formal instructions available. SOPs are a
way to communicate the best way to perform a task. Having a single
optimum instruction can improve the quality of products and services as
well as reduce cost and time. You may therefore think that SOPs are
embraced by most businesses. From my experience however it appears that
they are left to languish. This does not need to be the case, and by
using teams of two to write and maintain SOPs you can realise greater
benefits from your instructions.<br />
Firstly, you need to consider who
your team of two will be. Please make it someone who is going to use
the instructions. Many businesses use one team to write the instructions
and a different team to execute the instructions. In some cases this
may because of the technical knowledge required to define the optimum
sequence of the steps. Having someone in the background to verify the
steps from a technical perspective can help negate this issue. The real
power of engaging with the people who perform the tasks is exactly that -
engaging. There are many benefits to helping your staff to engage more
with the business, but defining the best way to perform their tasks is a
great way to do it. If the people who perform the task write the SOP
then there will be a better chance that the process is adhered to
(providing it is technically correct of course).<br />
Next, having two
perspectives can bring with it greater insight. When you get one person
to write the SOP you get one point of view. There may be a number of
different ways to complete a task and the question then becomes 'what is
the best way?' Of course if the SOP becomes a contentious issue it
might be necessary to go back to the entire team with the various
proposals for the best process, but it rarely gets this far in most
cases. Having two people combine their skills and knowledge into one
instructional document therefore can help you define the best possible
sequence of steps. In your quest to develop processes that are as good
as they can be this is a great opportunity.<br />
Thirdly, when you have
a small team (of two) writing your SOPs there is another opportunity
with regards to day to day working. SOPs are great as long as they are
being followed. When they sit on a shelf and aren't being acted upon
then their worth is minimal. People seem to have a natural tendency to
adjust and deviate from the original process steps over time. Whether
this is due to an increased workload and people are trying to find a
shorter route, or whether there is a lack of understanding, deviation
needs to be controlled. Making SOPs part of the working day is one of
the 'close out' tasks of creating SOPs. The team you choose to write the
SOPs need to be conscious of integrating SOPs with working life. Making
them accessible and part of the day to day working (standard meetings,
timetables etc...) is vital to make the instructions work.<br />
Standard
Operating Procedures can be wonderful tools or a burdensome admin task.
Getting a team of two to inject reality and optimisation into your
instructions can give them a boost. Helping your team to follow a single
best way of working can bring tangible results to your business and
should not be underestimated. Getting the instructions to become part of
the day to day and not rot on a shelf (or hard drive) is paramount if
you want results. Engaging with your team via this practical writing
approach can make a real difference and I urge you to review the state
of SOPs today.<br />
</div>
<div id="article-resource">
Giles Johnston is a Chartered Engineer who delivers business
improvement projects for businesses that need higher productivity,
improved profits and less chaos!</div>
<br />
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08108638673828901743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7620962666701050387.post-14932919488132725792013-07-30T10:16:00.001-07:002013-07-30T10:16:25.750-07:00Four Things To Consider When Looking To Rent Office Space For Your Business<div id="article-content">
For business owners, running a company means always having a long
list of goals and achievements in mind. What's a top priority for many
savvy entrepreneurs? Growing the business. For executives in any
industry, having a healthy organization that consistently grows in
market share is one of the best ways to ensure long-term, sustainable
health.<br />
While corporate growth is never a bad thing, it's
important to note that it does come with a few byproducts that warrant
consideration. Things such as adding staff to manage more clients and
even expanded core competencies to ensure customer satisfaction usually
come into play as a business broadens its reach. What's another
important factor to consider as a company extends its operational
empire? Office space.<br />
<strong>Understanding The Key To Successfully Sourcing The Right Office Space For Your Company</strong><br />
Whether
moving out of a home office space, or looking to move from one
corporate building to another, finding the right leasing options for any
company can play a key role in the ultimate success of an organization.
If you're currently considering sourcing new office space options for
your thriving company, it's important to keep these four critical
factors in mind to ensure that your company's new home feels like a
perfect fit.<br />
<strong>Set your budget: </strong>Leasing office
space should be much like purchasing a home or renting an apartment --
you need to have a firm grasp on what you can afford before moving
forward with the search. Analyze your cash flow to determine how much
more you can comfortably spend on your corporate leasing upgrade while
still having the liquidity to conduct business as usual.<br />
<strong>Square footage: </strong>All
too often, corporate leaders of growing organizations assume that their
expanding companies will continue to do so indefinitely. The result?
They lease office space that eventually proves to be far too big for
their needs. Carefully strategize your expected growth over the length
of your proposed lease to find a place that suits your needs now and
gives you needed room to grow without costing you too much in
potentially wasted square footage.<br />
<strong>Think location: </strong>Every
business region has a corporate location hub where businesses thrive.
Where's yours? Once you have an answer to this question, this is the
area you localize your search to ensure that your business has easy
access to clients, major highways and an extensive range of other
features and perks.<br />
<strong>Shop around: </strong>Don't just
settle for the first leasing option you find to simply be done with the
search process. Yes, walking through multiple buildings can take up time
and feel overwhelming; however, the payoff is more than worth it. Being
able to compare floor plans, building amenities, lease plans and other
benefits is the only way for you to make an informed final decision that
truly enhances your organization's operational abilities.<br />
Keeping
these four important considerations in mind when sourcing viable office
space for your company can help ensure a seamless move that effectively
helps you broaden your business empire!<br />
</div>
<div id="article-resource">
DynaCom, a leading provider of superior Naperville office space,
offers business owners floor plans with a wide range of features,
benefits and amenities for a perfect corporate fit. If you're looking
for a new business home, <a href="http://www.dynacomcenter.com/about-us/" target="_new">DynaCom</a> can help. Visit <a href="http://www.dynacomcenter.com/" target="_new">www.dynacomcenter.com</a> to see current listings today!<br />
</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08108638673828901743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7620962666701050387.post-23446927276865105092013-07-30T10:15:00.003-07:002013-07-30T10:15:33.739-07:00If You're The Independent Contractor Are You Liable - Or Are They Liable?<div id="article-content">
Exactly how will you stand in terms of the topic associated with
liability, as an independent contractor? It is a subject which does not
get as much recognition as it really should from professionals,
nevertheless it really is an element that could very well be a problem
if they fail to protect themselves in the outset, or look closely at the
wording and terminology of any kind of agreement they sign.<br />
In
English law there is something called "vicarious liability" specifically
where specific standards have to be satisfied in establishing whether
an individual organisation is really liable for damages or otherwise.
Basically it's been determined that personnel of an organisation may be
included in their own employer's liability, as they were carrying out
work "under the direction" of the employer when performing the
assignments, if this should lead to an accident of some sort.<br />
Typically
the part that has particular significance to the 3rd party contractor
is usually that terminology alone is not going to necessarily provide
protection. As an example, although you may call yourself some sort of
freelance contractor and you have signed a legal contract saying so
together with another company, the legal court could find differently in
some instances.<br />
Within the case generally known as Ferguson
versus John Dawson and Partners [Contractors] Limited, 1976, it was
subsequently revealed that a certain point of control was there
concerning the agency and the actual freelance contractor. Quite simply,
specific factors represented the relationship was definitely one of
employee - employer, instead of what was initially indicated.<br />
All
of it comes down to control. Accountability may be enforced if an
employer dictates precisely what work has to be accomplished and
precisely how it must be done. If particularly explicit instructions are
given through the organisation itself to the freelance contractor this
tends to symbolise a clear causal link should any incident lead to harm
on the whole.<br />
As a result, pay very close attention to the actual
fine print imposed by the company you sign into any contract to serve.
If perhaps it seems very micro-managerial in essence then it could be
considered as, basically, an employee - employer association.<br />
Hunt
for the best independent contractor services that you can secure and
additionally ask these folks for their respective advice pertaining to
the actual terminology and wording as part of your long term contracts.
You have to be very straightforward about the arrangement from the
standpoint associated with liability, to be able to get the proper sort
of insurance protection and to govern yourself correctly. Similarly, you
ought to be sure the enterprise you do business with is entirely sure
on their position. You could point out that it is all fine and dandy to
be "covered" by their insurance policies in case there is a mistake of
some sort, but this sort of uncertainty or confusion may lead to major
problems down the line and may also result in a breaking down of any
relationship between both of you. This is why it's best to pay
especially close attention to virtually all elements of any agreement
you enter into and to be clear on your role as well as potential events
in the foreseeable future.<br />
Legislation is a fluid thing and
generally there are repeated tests of an employer - employee connection
and the actual standing associated with the independent contractor. As a
result, only work with businesses that present you with independent
contractor services in which they stay in touch with these "potential
tests" and understand how regulations might or might not be in process
of change.<br />
</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08108638673828901743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7620962666701050387.post-41516796111901023102013-07-30T10:14:00.001-07:002013-07-30T10:14:28.400-07:00In The Matter Of Taxes, Be Sure That It's Fair And Reasonable<div id="article-content" style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
In a democratic nation we must always champion our own
legislative systems. We might dislike the way that politicians behave on
many occasions and even wonder how any kind of business gets done
within the halls of Parliament at any time. But we must believe in the
longer term that our practices and systems are actually a considerably
better alternative to the ones from various other nations around the
world. After all, we've seen the way in which unrest inside all the
Middle East keeps causing considerable disruption and it is realistic to
say that there are far fewer opportunities in most of those countries
to engage any sort of freedom of choice.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
It really is true to
suggest that while we regularly feel that we are "overtaxed" in the UK,
we all do have the opportunity to shape our own futures to a major
degree and also to work on our own should we desire to. Absolutely
nothing is like having that freedom to build your very own operation if
you're a completely independent contractor, answering at least in basic
principle, just to yourself while you aim to earn an income and take
care of your future. We shouldn't forget that in lots of nations where
they are going through upheaval along with considerable restrictions
upon liberty, typically the tax obligation even so is out there.
Certainly it's a whole lot easier to accept it whenever you pay tax,
knowing that you have far more liberty on the whole when compared with
most of these other places.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Living in Britain as some kind of
freelance contractor however it is really incredible how often you
actually hear stories that "terrible things are afoot" from people who
hope to limit as opposed to broaden freedom of choice. Much too
frequently we see instances where people look to try and clamp down on
any increasing surge inside the ranks belonging to the 3rd party
contractor across the country.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
One of the "approaches" utilised by
these individuals is generally a charge involving tax evasion. One way
or the other, they would bring us to imagine, that private contractors
aren't forking over nearly as much income tax as they ought to. However
this is not verified by figures. Quite aside from what might be referred
to as a growth in the volume of suspected tax evasion instances within
the country, we are actually seeing a decline. The HMRC has in fact made
available statistics that demonstrate that the volume of suspected tax
evasion scenarios investigated by their own teams dropped by 16% between
tax year 2011/2012 to 2012/2013. Now this translated into a decrease of
almost 600 incidents to a modern-day low of just 2888.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I'm sure
we're all agreed that even two thousand eight hundred and eighty eight
is simply too many, although we need to get this in perspective because
it is a strong point to put forward when we're faced with a crazy
assertion that - in some manner - private contractors promote taxation
problems.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Obviously the best umbrella companies work far above any
kind of suspicion involved with tax evasion and will not connect with
buyers who do business marginally in this respect. That's why the best
umbrella companies have no issues in relation to standing up against
virtually any opposition, decisively defending the sector while making
it clear that all those talks about tax evasion in this particular
sector are just overkill.</div>
</div>
<div id="article-resource" style="text-align: justify;">
John Jennings, periodic freelance copy writer for <a href="http://www.payrize.com/" target="_new">Payrize</a>
is broadly celebrated as an influential supporter of innovative
independent contractor services and is also routinely pursued for his
own incredible ideas about the very best umbrella companies. To continue
reading => </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08108638673828901743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7620962666701050387.post-56700604667949404562013-07-29T08:55:00.000-07:002013-08-05T13:44:38.544-07:00Growing hydrangeas (not killing them)<p>Hey heyyyy! How was your weekend? Have I mentioned how wonderful our weather has been? One or 50 times? Yeah. It’s been awesome. 51. </p> <p>I’ve been spending SO much more time outside this summer, I’ve truly enjoyed this season. I’ve been planting a bunch of new things, transplanting some, just enjoying our outdoor space and the flowers. </p> <p>I wrote last summer about my pathetic hydrangeas and how I was the pretty much the worst hydrangea parent EVER. <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2012/05/hydrangeas-hate-me.html">They hated me</a>. I’ve learned a ton about them since and figured I’d share my new knowledge. (So many great tips in the comments of that post!)</p> <p>Mine still have a long way to go, but I as long as we don’t have a scorching summer next year, I think they’ll do even better. It’s SO exciting to see them actually grow and bloom this summer! Seriously a thrill after I’ve worked so hard to help them along.</p> <p>They were sad and pathetic last year, really. The biggest surprise I got a few weeks ago were the start of blooms on my limelight hydrangea. I’ve had it three years people – not one bloom till now. Here is was last summer and now: </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-QB6QpYD6pk8/UfaP7FY4F5I/AAAAAAAAfF4/QzRS-2aCfwg/s1600-h/IMG_1147_thumb%25255B1%25255D%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="how to grow hydrangea" border="0" alt="how to grow hydrangea" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-XtprHPf0VFM/UfaP7_4_GuI/AAAAAAAAfGA/poE1vO9w_oQ/IMG_1147_thumb%25255B1%25255D_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="290" height="348" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-f79lvFGS304/UfaP8geoCzI/AAAAAAAAfGI/WpXVvaqIwug/s1600-h/decor-steals-Feed-grain-sack-fabric-rolls%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="limelight hydrangea" border="0" alt="limelight hydrangea" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-RjTJn-XfvzM/UfaP9DtcN4I/AAAAAAAAfGQ/D3qEtYq1yQM/decor-steals-Feed-grain-sack-fabric-rolls_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="290" height="387" /></a> </p> <p>It’s now FILLED with beautiful white blooms! They’re all only about half way done too, so in a week or two it will be full of puffy white flowers: </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-rw-n_3rZLe4/UfaP9shVElI/AAAAAAAAfGY/qvv4yMk4rtE/s1600-h/IMG_6103%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="limelight hydrangea" border="0" alt="limelight hydrangea" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-GswNeWtG7hM/UfaP-JU-JsI/AAAAAAAAfGg/7jiHJqvElgs/IMG_6103_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="751" /></a></p> <p>So here’s the first piece of advice – the sleep, creep, leap saying is true. Most plants I have planted follow this – the first year they don’t do much, the second the come along a little bit and the third they leap! I got this guy on clearance at the end of the season two summers ago and last year you can see that it grew, but didn’t do much else. </p> <p>The third year (this year), it has doubled in size and is full of blooms. I think with hydrangeas you just need to have patience. Which is hard when you buy one full of blooms and then it poops out on you. </p> <p>Here’s another biggie – you will see hydrangeas <em>everywhere</em> in full sun all the time – I see them at restaurants, stores, churches, drive throughs – everywhere. But mine did horribly in full sun:  </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-PLd_FrQqxF0/UfaP-n4D0LI/AAAAAAAAfGo/TDTWVeaZycI/s1600-h/IMG_1148_thumb%25255B6%25255D%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="full sun hydrangea" border="0" alt="full sun hydrangea" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-yAE-_2JXOMI/UfaP_Z_T3zI/AAAAAAAAfGw/G_3KH0Cs9MM/IMG_1148_thumb%25255B6%25255D_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="200" height="265" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-wVV9LyZtY-o/UfaP_ivPqgI/AAAAAAAAfG4/xiicKBpjQdg/s1600-h/IMG_1150_thumb%25255B2%25255D%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="full sun hydrangea" border="0" alt="full sun hydrangea" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-3okv0o6JVsQ/UfaQAPrtRrI/AAAAAAAAfHA/Hv1VLsGNSY4/IMG_1150_thumb%25255B2%25255D_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="190" height="229" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-RVa8os3rqt4/UfaQApd5heI/AAAAAAAAfHI/UK-noHn19s8/s1600-h/IMG_1152_thumb%25255B6%25255D%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="full sun hydrangea" border="0" alt="full sun hydrangea" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-RP3-Ihyo5Bk/UfaQBOzDzVI/AAAAAAAAfHQ/muytDgXL_Oo/IMG_1152_thumb%25255B6%25255D_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="190" height="263" /></a> </p> <p>I showed you these last summer – I’d had them for two or three years at that point? Not one had ever bloomed, they all barely grew, it was just sad. Sad sad SAD. </p> <p>Now those three look like this: </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-3hh3mNfkoGA/UfaQB710ErI/AAAAAAAAfHY/DAlFzVOvgFw/s1600-h/IMG_6105%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="how to grow hydrangeas" border="0" alt="how to grow hydrangeas" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-3_i1OOn0sRg/UfaQCTZ_GJI/AAAAAAAAfHg/xwVplS-wjDQ/IMG_6105_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="550" height="366" /></a></p> <p>The one on the left has grown a TON from where it was (it was the smallest one) but it’s still not blooming. The other two have done great! They just don’t have a ton of blooms right now because I cut so many of them a few weeks ago. ;) </p> <p>These are the mophead variety, and they have really strong, beautiful leaves too: </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-xSY3g0PJ9EU/UfaQCy9IquI/AAAAAAAAfHo/jmHQ7ejvk8w/s1600-h/IMG_6108%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="mophead hydrangea" border="0" alt="mophead hydrangea" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-4EgeSh5uN_A/UfaQDsHv0WI/AAAAAAAAfHw/4UC25iORGqI/IMG_6108_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="290" height="435" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-mmc0SPyjIoA/UfaQEMmPG8I/AAAAAAAAfH4/RYIDg-93H0Q/s1600-h/IMG_61092%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="growing hydrangeas" border="0" alt="growing hydrangeas" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-6j5xvVL8Ydo/UfaQElbFEEI/AAAAAAAAfIA/aC3S4-loQEE/IMG_61092_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="290" height="436" /></a></p> <p>The leaves on that pink plant are especially hardy, dark and pretty. </p> <p>Tip two – they do best in morning sun and afternoon shade (or dappled shade). Mine in afternoon shade (these above) do even better than those in the back that get the dappled shade. If you are having problems getting yours to grow – try moving them to a spot where they’ll get some rest from the heat in the afternoon. </p> <p>I found some PeeGee trees on clearance a couple years ago and was so excited – they are basically a hydrangea tree. The year I planted them they did great for the rest of that season, but last year they looked like butt, like the rest of mine: </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ndLAyDh1nUc/UfaQFDccedI/AAAAAAAAfII/rbzvIf1m7c0/s1600-h/IMG_1156%25255B3%25255D%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Pee Gee hydrangea" border="0" alt="Pee Gee hydrangea" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-3xa6EEIqmRo/UfaQGG6PF5I/AAAAAAAAfIQ/1EsAgISfgKk/IMG_1156%25255B3%25255D_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="400" height="601" /></a></p> <p>Now, they are amazing!!:</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-cewJmdrZHOE/UfaQGhE0ukI/AAAAAAAAfIY/qtDvbTOjJFA/s1600-h/IMG_6113%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Pee Gee hydrangea blooming" border="0" alt="Pee Gee hydrangea blooming" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-VmJ4Z2VhFeA/UfaQHTHokzI/AAAAAAAAfIg/jSIPGFCTlrQ/IMG_6113_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="752" /></a></p> <p>They are both blooming and full and doing great. </p> <p>Here’s the thing (tip three) – hydrangeas need MEGA water. I mean, it’s in their name. :) Last summer was the complete and total opposite of this one here in Indiana – super hot, drought conditions – it sucked. This year we had a really wet early summer and it’s helped tremendously. </p> <p>I just watch my plants – if they start to wilt at all I know they need water. They need a lot of it, but watch how you water them too. I’ve got one mophead that has a fungus on the leaves (it hit one of my peonies too) because we’ve gotten so much rain. If you can, water them at the base of the plant (not with a sprinkler) so the water goes right to the roots and doesn’t sit on the leaves. (The fungus will not really hurt the plant so I’m cutting off those leaves and letting it be. If it had happened earlier in the season I would have used something on it.) </p> <p>The Pee Gee tree is a paniculata hydrangea, like the limelight I first showed you. These two have the more cone shaped flowers: </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-IXqOt4vzkMA/UfaQHw4QCnI/AAAAAAAAfIo/QAEE-hZUkRE/s1600-h/IMG_6116%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="pee gee hydrangea bloom" border="0" alt="pee gee hydrangea bloom" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-9Q5D3okd_wU/UfaQIQttloI/AAAAAAAAfIw/qB7rzX6hvZo/IMG_6116_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="751" /></a></p> <p>I much prefer the big round blooms, but these are beautiful too. They turn the most beautiful pink/green in the early fall – they are just gorgeous! I used them in <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2011/09/deck-reveal.html">this post</a> a couple years ago: <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-NngDPKW2tDQ/UfaQJAg6YYI/AAAAAAAAfI4/-kbfSjUPXY4/s1600-h/IMG_6739_thumb%25255B2%25255D%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="pee gee hydrangea fall " border="0" alt="pee gee hydrangea fall " src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-KG8TtAjEdcU/UfaQJq8FrSI/AAAAAAAAfJA/awpZ_-f3lT4/IMG_6739_thumb%25255B2%25255D_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="550" height="390" /></a></p> <p>Aren’t they pretty? </p> <p>I have about ten hydrangea plants out back now, and this one was my most recent addition: </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-SN-UhvHN1cs/UfaQKVplekI/AAAAAAAAfJI/Cvj9wvJ37Ic/s1600-h/photo%25255B4%25255D.png"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="pink hydrangea mophead" border="0" alt="pink hydrangea mophead" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-sNTtfsa_Vm4/UfaQLed1xYI/AAAAAAAAfJQ/sTi0RpYpCkA/photo_thumb%25255B5%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="500" height="564" /></a></p> <p>I shared it on <a href="http://instagram.com/thriftydecorchick">Instagram</a> – it was in full bloom when I got it and looked amazing! This plant was HUGE (I got it at a local nursery) and was $30 something dollars – you can find them half that size for the same price, so make sure to go big! </p> <p>Those flowers are now done and are turning brown but the plant is doing great: </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-zwyyJ48UtZA/UfaQMO57BuI/AAAAAAAAfJY/MUKriqTiazg/s1600-h/IMG_6118%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="pee gee hydrangea" border="0" alt="pee gee hydrangea" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Ux0nkA5MBi4/UfaQMs84iJI/AAAAAAAAfJg/9tsQ3MOkPLA/IMG_6118_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="550" height="366" /></a></p> <p>You can see my two PeeGee trees better here – they start to droop a bit as the blooms get bigger. (The one on the left is ahead of the other one by about a week.) </p> <p>That brings me to another tip (number four?) – plant them in early summer or late fall if at all possible. It’s a lot of upkeep to keep them healthy and hydrated if you plant in the heat of mid-summer. I think the best time would be early summer so you can enjoy the blooms all season, <em>but </em>you can get some killer deals on them later in the fall, so it’s a hard call. I also think if you plant in the early summer you’ll have a better chance at a healthy, blooming plant the next year, since it has more time to get settled. </p> <p>That huge mophead above was blooming pink when I bought it and the guy at the nursery said they will turn blue in our soil unless I changed the acidity. I have others that are blooming pink so I don’t know if it’s just this type? I was happy with that though because I have white, purple and pink and wanted blue: </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-zyskmfqtoec/UfaQNL_KJRI/AAAAAAAAfJo/K0qBiDF-u4A/s1600-h/IMG_61202%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="blue hydrangea" border="0" alt="blue hydrangea" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-lH3dFjnB_rY/UfaQN1icvgI/AAAAAAAAfJw/bemRQCdLKUk/IMG_61202_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="450" height="676" /></a></p> <p>He was right! ;) The new blooms are blue. </p> <p>Behind that one is a climbing hydrangea I planted last year: </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-kBF97yBuUS8/UfaQOe-2cvI/AAAAAAAAfJ4/KEG-L7C8Xkk/s1600-h/IMG_6122%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="climbing hydrangea" border="0" alt="climbing hydrangea" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-OPdR177ZiEQ/UfaQPOdR_gI/AAAAAAAAfKA/jocBAq_UpkY/IMG_6122_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="450" height="676" /></a></p> <p>Again, the plant is doing great, but not a bloom in sight. It’s not going to bloom this year at all, I can tell. I’m moving that one to a different spot soon so we’ll see how it does there. </p> <p>Around the corner from those are a few more – mostly mopheads and one surprise lacecap: </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-haIRloi7I4g/UfaQPtnZXuI/AAAAAAAAfKI/EZaT12lHeYo/s1600-h/IMG_6128%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="lacecap hydrangea" border="0" alt="lacecap hydrangea" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-W6dpZA_KoW0/UfaQQGAPE-I/AAAAAAAAfKQ/iGWBehMJy4o/IMG_6128_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="290" height="436" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-5Z67ucWNa78/UfaQQpfeo4I/AAAAAAAAfKY/5BOUtuaH_5k/s1600-h/IMG_6127%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="lacecap hydrangea" border="0" alt="lacecap hydrangea" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-jOKyfyqKbJM/UfaQRMPxMUI/AAAAAAAAfKg/wCN8kSPhdAk/IMG_6127_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="290" height="436" /></a>  </p> <p>This is why you want them to be blooming when you buy. The lacecaps are more delicate – they have little bitty flowers that grow in the middle of the more traditional looking blooms. They are beautiful, but I just prefer the bigger fluffy ones. I am excited to see how these look when they are all blooming though! </p> <p>Here’s my final big tip – I don’t prune my hydrangeas and they have done great this year. I mentioned <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2013/05/tour-of-our-garden.html">earlier this year</a> that I had pruned them and I misspoke a bit – I just (mostly) took all the dead wood off. </p> <p>This can be tricky because sometimes it’s hard to tell between the normal and dead wood. Most hydrangeas bloom on dead wood – so you want to keep those ugly sticks like mine had last summer: </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-PLd_FrQqxF0/UfaP-n4D0LI/AAAAAAAAfKo/KqGC0tJEG44/s1600-h/IMG_1148_thumb%25255B6%25255D%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="hydrangea grow on old wood" border="0" alt="hydrangea grow on old wood" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-yAE-_2JXOMI/UfaP_Z_T3zI/AAAAAAAAfKw/BvE2k7CTTvk/IMG_1148_thumb%25255B6%25255D_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="250" height="332" /></a></p> <p>But I think it helped mine a ton to pull the dead wood out – they just shot up when I did that. I don’t know if it was just coincidence with the timing, but it seemed to help. I just pulled the dead stalks out of the plant – it will give easily if it’s dead. If it doesn’t, leave it. </p> <p>I did trim down the Pee Gees just a bit though – just some of the tips that were total toast. And it seemed to work! I did this in May of this year – I’ve heard that’s a good time to do it if you’re going to. So I won’t cut them down this winter, and at best I’ll do a tiny bit of pruning next May, but that’s it. Otherwise I’ll leave them alone. </p> <p>So that’s about it – I’ve learned a lot over the past year! I was determined because hydrangea are one of my all time favorites and I LOVE having them to cut and bring inside: </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-03Vhwb3L7PU/UfaQSmgyU0I/AAAAAAAAfK4/bDSvMYn2y6U/s1600-h/IMG_6014%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="pink white hydrangea" border="0" alt="pink white hydrangea" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-H21gzrWy-40/UfaQTKUPJUI/AAAAAAAAfLA/EoELhIDcyig/IMG_6014_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="450" height="676" /></a>  <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-wIq1Y3DZ6Vo/UfaQT4kMuqI/AAAAAAAAfLI/813BnN2lfGY/s1600-h/photo2%25255B4%25255D.png"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="mophead hydrangea pink white purple" border="0" alt="mophead hydrangea pink white purple" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-DiR2wAYOQeQ/UfaQUlBBKgI/AAAAAAAAfLQ/1jPMHmu5ELA/photo2_thumb%25255B5%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="450" height="504" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-RfKv7-WC4DI/UfaQVSWZOgI/AAAAAAAAfLY/rSRgQqX6ARs/s1600-h/IMG_5953_thumb%25255B1%25255D%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="hydrangea in wood box" border="0" alt="hydrangea in wood box" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/--ZOe01EGTOI/UfaQV7bz5EI/AAAAAAAAfLg/QkxxFhlFnFs/IMG_5953_thumb%25255B1%25255D_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="550" height="366" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-vs1Lfwqz5ic/UfaQWfkpcDI/AAAAAAAAfLo/Ut_7CfQ1wfo/s1600-h/IMG_5971_thumb%25255B4%25255D%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="dresser as entertainment center" border="0" alt="dresser as entertainment center" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-rM7NABj_KlE/UfaQW5taQcI/AAAAAAAAfLw/3vcbfXDNfnc/IMG_5971_thumb%25255B4%25255D_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="751" /></a> </p> <p>Mine still have a long way to go – most are still tiny compared to a mature plant. But they are doing SO much better than the past. I think I’ve finally figured out how <strong>not </strong>kill them! Bonus!</p> <p>Here’s a few other tips: </p> <blockquote> <p>- If your climate is too warm for hydrangeas, consider the Pee Gee tree. It loves full sun so it should do better for you. </p> <p>- You can change the color of your blooms with some stuff from the nursery or hardware store, or there are DIY methods too. (I’ve heard nails, pennies, etc.) The color of your blooms depends on the acidity of your soil. (Other than the white ones – those can’t be changed.)</p> <p>- It seems like they are high maintenance, but once established hydrangeas are easy to take care of – they just need WATER. </p> <p>- You know those planted hydrangeas you find in the spring/early summer at grocery stores? Yeah, they aren’t really meant to be planted. I had no idea! Go <a href="http://www.hydrangeashydrangeas.com/foil.html">here</a> to read more about that. I still think my one plant that isn’t blooming may be one I got from the grocery that I planted years ago. If it doesn’t bloom next year I’ll replace it. </p> </blockquote> <p>I hope that helps any of you who have struggled with growing this beautiful plant! Again, I’m no expert but I’m getting there. ;) I think the change I made that made the biggest difference was where I planted them – the afternoon shade is key, at least at our house. </p> <p>Are you a hydrangea lover? Any great tips I’ve missed? Have you tried and failed at these? </p> <p> </p> <p>**For more on that DIY wood trough with the flowers in our family room go <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2011/07/diy-trough-thingy.html">here</a>! </p> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08108638673828901743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7620962666701050387.post-78059799738789531222013-07-27T04:58:00.000-07:002013-08-15T10:58:27.332-07:00Going to vlamrock<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil3Nuw_wqe3-WVC-2AuWcVBnBa59AB3wbfUW3Upc8DfTryDzsdgxJsjfPYlrZsJ_siNTJEBC8vj7AbBOHLPeHG2w8NgoNian4rGWHmy-dUoKekL7v_ZdpsVpc13dEdF02-q6zDs9UaEROW/s1600/Vlamrock+2013+934643_459021177513698_1751775.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil3Nuw_wqe3-WVC-2AuWcVBnBa59AB3wbfUW3Upc8DfTryDzsdgxJsjfPYlrZsJ_siNTJEBC8vj7AbBOHLPeHG2w8NgoNian4rGWHmy-dUoKekL7v_ZdpsVpc13dEdF02-q6zDs9UaEROW/s320/Vlamrock+2013+934643_459021177513698_1751775.png" width="226" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08108638673828901743noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7620962666701050387.post-55350318397476583862013-07-26T12:47:00.000-07:002013-08-15T10:58:27.329-07:00Shifter<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZo783lrwWvxE1v3XfjNgRfr2zWzLxaX1xeIWJ6OJz15Arx0oY3xfxR-pKJTLWz_WdfoIHq4EkOJ6BF9Le4vwqUo9-fKyms9PbxRXiiFk58_mSkoAEyYomQ0EWjpH3fNrAX4API1cVRRWY/s1600/2013-07-26+15.10.53.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZo783lrwWvxE1v3XfjNgRfr2zWzLxaX1xeIWJ6OJz15Arx0oY3xfxR-pKJTLWz_WdfoIHq4EkOJ6BF9Le4vwqUo9-fKyms9PbxRXiiFk58_mSkoAEyYomQ0EWjpH3fNrAX4API1cVRRWY/s320/2013-07-26+15.10.53.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLZBLXUtYUHMPgaDw1is9Xk8ARcXHiMEXsE6YoKMQeIcnM6jXjNRNn8JmrIkyGghdxXoD5v73p67j8egToUZZnP7L0AgxnxRbordHWOru_-k2w8nnXCZXc10ZPjL4f25U1NlyP4yUCHZgD/s1600/2013-07-26+15.11.07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLZBLXUtYUHMPgaDw1is9Xk8ARcXHiMEXsE6YoKMQeIcnM6jXjNRNn8JmrIkyGghdxXoD5v73p67j8egToUZZnP7L0AgxnxRbordHWOru_-k2w8nnXCZXc10ZPjL4f25U1NlyP4yUCHZgD/s320/2013-07-26+15.11.07.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08108638673828901743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7620962666701050387.post-8755138540603158482013-07-26T10:36:00.000-07:002013-07-26T10:42:44.647-07:00American Civil Religion: Never Leave the Country Without It (a photo essay on God, liberty, and democracy in the American passport)<b>Brantley Gasaway</b><br /><br />As I recently discovered when I renewed my passport, the State Department completely redesigned the American passport in 2007. Our post-9/11 world necessitated this update, as the new passport contains security features that include a computer chip with the owner's digital image and biographical information. Yet the State Department not only incorporated new technology. It also replaced the bland interior pages that had faint state seals in the background with striking images and quotations in support of the passport's theme: "American Icon."<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbw4oUHT_xiJbPD28wdf1VzFc_15JyDr6duyeAyfaFSNrXdR1XI6vuFlvv8HDOuzaRCm209bcEcqUTP-QA5Is0HjPqZlAUIIpHeLpxjPzzH0Rf5cp5WJmfQAaHX0iJPOmG4U2BAcczYDrw/s1600/Us-passport.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbw4oUHT_xiJbPD28wdf1VzFc_15JyDr6duyeAyfaFSNrXdR1XI6vuFlvv8HDOuzaRCm209bcEcqUTP-QA5Is0HjPqZlAUIIpHeLpxjPzzH0Rf5cp5WJmfQAaHX0iJPOmG4U2BAcczYDrw/s200/Us-passport.jpg" width="137" /></a></div><br />And, indeed, what stood out to me is that the passport can serve as an icon of American civil religion. As Raymond Haberski has demonstrated in his recent <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/God-War-American-Civil-Religion/dp/0813552958/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1351850818&sr=8-1&keywords=god+and+war" target="_blank">God and War: American Civil Religion since 1945</a></i> (discussed on our blog <a href="http://usreligion.blogspot.com/2012/11/roundtable-review-of-god-and-war.html" target="_blank">here</a>), civil religion operates as a broad, malleable set of myths concerning the relationship between the American experience, God, and metaphysical national ideals such as liberty, equality, and justice. Civil religion inspires, justifies, and even sanctifies sacrifices made on behalf of these ideals.<br /><br />Unlike the previous spartan version, therefore, the new passport has more than a utilitarian purpose. It stands as a type of public text and symbol. It offers a civics lesson about the nature of our country and its citizens. Together, the writing and the pictures tell a patriotic story, a myth, centered around the God-given blessings of liberty and democracy embodied by the United States. For those of you who have not seen the new passport (or have not examined it recently), I reproduce much of it below:<br /><br />The inside cover cites our national anthem to herald our country as "the land of the free and the home of the brave." The initial page contains the first of two quotes from Lincoln's Gettysburg Address to evoke the need to sacrificially defend democracy.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv1DtM-O9oe3M1AN_DQv0hK8YWVUIQjlfXHVH2ClmqL7nKPTjIdIFe2DYSOb3Nz0LNTseJTkxP5KRP6_CsNjepVTes5sFWNEXTqx_VaM0s94sOReL_MhXJENiiAhq-9IJI9LDnSbymcNHR/s1600/New+inside+cover.tiff" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="459" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv1DtM-O9oe3M1AN_DQv0hK8YWVUIQjlfXHVH2ClmqL7nKPTjIdIFe2DYSOb3Nz0LNTseJTkxP5KRP6_CsNjepVTes5sFWNEXTqx_VaM0s94sOReL_MhXJENiiAhq-9IJI9LDnSbymcNHR/s640/New+inside+cover.tiff" width="640" /></a></div><br /><a name='more'></a><br /><br />Pages 2 contains the holder's photo and information, while page 3 puts the holder's signature below the American eagle, flag, and preamble to the Constitution.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgddf8s-dnzYHRWfOagLBFwPhYQpN-_ZPKTeO6Py6oU1Woq3VfDUoJwy2abLMne5i3zLNuWCQIxUb4O64mHUqHRpaB2cBUmEUfQD3uKTRB0SAP1_k_JSlZ5OaIaUCouUIQR8Qrp7tkVwmjh/s1600/New+3+eagle.tiff" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="499" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgddf8s-dnzYHRWfOagLBFwPhYQpN-_ZPKTeO6Py6oU1Woq3VfDUoJwy2abLMne5i3zLNuWCQIxUb4O64mHUqHRpaB2cBUmEUfQD3uKTRB0SAP1_k_JSlZ5OaIaUCouUIQR8Qrp7tkVwmjh/s640/New+3+eagle.tiff" width="640" /></a></div><br />After several pages of logistical information, the visa pages begin with George Washington's idealistic hope for the new nation and images of the United States' initial claims of liberty and independence…<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTAaidGJdSCDrfa1K7GgdXQRPH_wwVZaqNZSzdCtnxh8kCux2DAqqsop_B4zBJmb7mg9-A1u-VXK6-BES1Y6tBEBV3CfUAGS3HZ30EUr9LNe3_uzGBYRxg0tKqpYrRfVZy5WfYoc4hN-P2/s1600/New+8_9.tiff" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="465" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTAaidGJdSCDrfa1K7GgdXQRPH_wwVZaqNZSzdCtnxh8kCux2DAqqsop_B4zBJmb7mg9-A1u-VXK6-BES1Y6tBEBV3CfUAGS3HZ30EUr9LNe3_uzGBYRxg0tKqpYrRfVZy5WfYoc4hN-P2/s640/New+8_9.tiff" width="640" /></a></div><br />…followed on Pages 10 and 11 with the lines in the Declaration of Independence regarding the inalienable rights with which the Creator endows people.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQhUF-8kUkAj3XQXwl3nMtrfyWllpHpZcNKK90EusWh8eVQ-aRrDoRvVhv7je9gAGXBIiQvxiUN0wAz9QBrPe5m-J9WRsPUQZMUhYDJ-2kn-soCHEikXsCe5A9UVW4c7ioIpam7Yvf-Lpw/s1600/New+10_11.tiff" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQhUF-8kUkAj3XQXwl3nMtrfyWllpHpZcNKK90EusWh8eVQ-aRrDoRvVhv7je9gAGXBIiQvxiUN0wAz9QBrPe5m-J9WRsPUQZMUhYDJ-2kn-soCHEikXsCe5A9UVW4c7ioIpam7Yvf-Lpw/s640/New+10_11.tiff" width="640" /></a></div><br />Pages 12 and 13 appear aspirational, with a quote from Martin Luther King, Jr. that asks God to allow America to be true to the "great dream" of 1776.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzIFbVOLig-3kSnPoq72SBpUQQmR7W6P-Ub2KMDINKOrK7xz2HpemSQuOqdp5kJSROfjvglVkEfhThs02l9oGMqIL5AcJPihkudko_0n-o0EoWoKOkrV2eZ7jlSyiqm9xdaJMpRL1gkfoK/s1600/New+12_13.tiff" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzIFbVOLig-3kSnPoq72SBpUQQmR7W6P-Ub2KMDINKOrK7xz2HpemSQuOqdp5kJSROfjvglVkEfhThs02l9oGMqIL5AcJPihkudko_0n-o0EoWoKOkrV2eZ7jlSyiqm9xdaJMpRL1gkfoK/s640/New+12_13.tiff" width="640" /></a></div><br />Similarly, on pages 16 and 17, a statement from Dwight D. Eisenhower seems to warn against American hypocrisy (perhaps this quote would have been better placed in conjunction with the one on pages 26-27).<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9t0EyNPzVfCiZEAjmni5tNTVXiH3vl0gsW-ANFFz9hMpJ1wXhHHJkZIgbO_sT-dg3PzjDXGG5BjQjGQ3ObMY_O3yWk9A_CiPbjGcXdw7MAy_HQzpveWM9rW_sP4UkEX22Hcrc-nhBMd0T/s1600/New+16_17.tiff" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9t0EyNPzVfCiZEAjmni5tNTVXiH3vl0gsW-ANFFz9hMpJ1wXhHHJkZIgbO_sT-dg3PzjDXGG5BjQjGQ3ObMY_O3yWk9A_CiPbjGcXdw7MAy_HQzpveWM9rW_sP4UkEX22Hcrc-nhBMd0T/s640/New+16_17.tiff" width="640" /></a></div><br />Pages 20 and 21 contain a 1869 inscription from Utah's Promontory Point (where the transcontinental railroad was completed) asking God to "continue the unity of our country"--a poignant request in the immediate aftermath of the Civil War.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXJhTrNEtYlkCRnmbKP-SaIea6HiovC6UwwN3wj9wzCGJtEWgMBdMEMLg2sGWbVTF1lN4EysI39miIOots7v175HGznMZPAdiG_2wNglhFGfYoCF5YpDhjOFBEow-DnHbWhyphenhyphenHmSl4rrHl5/s1600/New+20_21.tiff" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXJhTrNEtYlkCRnmbKP-SaIea6HiovC6UwwN3wj9wzCGJtEWgMBdMEMLg2sGWbVTF1lN4EysI39miIOots7v175HGznMZPAdiG_2wNglhFGfYoCF5YpDhjOFBEow-DnHbWhyphenhyphenHmSl4rrHl5/s640/New+20_21.tiff" width="640" /></a></div><br />Against the backdrop of the Statue of Liberty, pages 24 and 25 cite <a href="http://cooperproject.org/about-anna-julia-cooper/" target="_blank">Anna Julia Cooper</a> (an African-American educator, scholar, feminist, and civil-rights activist) in claiming that the cause of freedom is a birthright of all people--regardless of race or class. (Alas: Cooper is the only woman quoted in the passport.)<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1h9m8F_CGAsm-zw-X8XZlhFxi8PwpsIaVXBfVOMaBaPyXFOJdRuygPBUjpp_rRgQp6rNYTUVsx0GKwD7aWF-VE3g-M6lRw8paEvDzwru3hoq216yQSMw2H3yq3jsaGoi0-LWkSNJ5KQq0/s1600/New+24_25.tiff" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1h9m8F_CGAsm-zw-X8XZlhFxi8PwpsIaVXBfVOMaBaPyXFOJdRuygPBUjpp_rRgQp6rNYTUVsx0GKwD7aWF-VE3g-M6lRw8paEvDzwru3hoq216yQSMw2H3yq3jsaGoi0-LWkSNJ5KQq0/s640/New+24_25.tiff" width="640" /></a></div><br />The following pages, 26 and 27, contain John F. Kennedy's promise to every nation that the United States will "pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, in order to assure the survival and success of liberty." This promise carried extra resonance when the new passport was issued during the presidency of George W. Bush.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTyBu8yQtWx5uJQvKuJjGpuFxP0zdVmC21pdLxRXknEXKBcHbz7dle29VE1CJtwGQBR954xv3mA1oKpsxCFpt9KbH3uSgHeZMcMfPdUPm83lEgolK2rcj-D3eFrvgJvzOOidWe3uZzd6Fx/s1600/New+26_27.tiff" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTyBu8yQtWx5uJQvKuJjGpuFxP0zdVmC21pdLxRXknEXKBcHbz7dle29VE1CJtwGQBR954xv3mA1oKpsxCFpt9KbH3uSgHeZMcMfPdUPm83lEgolK2rcj-D3eFrvgJvzOOidWe3uZzd6Fx/s640/New+26_27.tiff" width="640" /></a></div><br />Several pages later, on 32 and 33, the passport includes a call by the nineteenth-century Texan patriot and statesman Jose Antonio Navarro to sacrifice one's life if necessary to defend "the American banner."<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHMpo9Rd56X5qP7YASepxouIS70VbhzSZ9qbDb_RL1ARDUDTxsS1PSCgqfFwbfvXPc1fv6eDi4GrPBOhgCMtJYht3OMTjpRsukr6qHkTUTQG99n04J6Fii7JS74Uc4e6CkCgYSFKy3MWsc/s1600/New+32_33.tiff" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHMpo9Rd56X5qP7YASepxouIS70VbhzSZ9qbDb_RL1ARDUDTxsS1PSCgqfFwbfvXPc1fv6eDi4GrPBOhgCMtJYht3OMTjpRsukr6qHkTUTQG99n04J6Fii7JS74Uc4e6CkCgYSFKy3MWsc/s640/New+32_33.tiff" width="640" /></a></div><br />The second quotation from Lincoln's Gettysburg Address--his claim that soldiers had not died in vain but rather had sacrificed themselves "that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom"--is on pages 34-35.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDSai9AoZjOZzwv-Y7PDAgcNE60jh6eVbQEgY5NTibOnem48GMmjucFPfaTk7G2qsxLFZjPT_RJ_lOAxo_ND-G2k5Tyfdy0jf8wOkDvROBvgYC_TdqzqoU2M-j9o8DM9D2LB3_vzB8efj-/s1600/New+34_35.tiff" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="468" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDSai9AoZjOZzwv-Y7PDAgcNE60jh6eVbQEgY5NTibOnem48GMmjucFPfaTk7G2qsxLFZjPT_RJ_lOAxo_ND-G2k5Tyfdy0jf8wOkDvROBvgYC_TdqzqoU2M-j9o8DM9D2LB3_vzB8efj-/s640/New+34_35.tiff" width="640" /></a></div><br />Pages 38-39 and 46-47 contain respective quotes from well known Protestant ministers Harry Emerson Fosdick and Henry Ward Beecher concerning democracy and liberty.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjilQxvQRPzc9knoeDb7eTGjEFE2bPz3cykwH0TseeG3ZPHsiByAgKb3OWZ_Ysv6iNUBvu2hjQ1dXDphRR2Wi8_pxY4IjqDH10FYEdyHkBAcHCzh-X0qptQAY6ZqIBfRgLUEFIdi-nhndYM/s1600/New+38_39.tiff" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjilQxvQRPzc9knoeDb7eTGjEFE2bPz3cykwH0TseeG3ZPHsiByAgKb3OWZ_Ysv6iNUBvu2hjQ1dXDphRR2Wi8_pxY4IjqDH10FYEdyHkBAcHCzh-X0qptQAY6ZqIBfRgLUEFIdi-nhndYM/s640/New+38_39.tiff" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTfUra8HO6ebsWxdLih59sdHS0bOe10K64qyMG_a8ojQFUWT8DbhFHaiMtoVQ1gvjL7TGeelM5-Tm0XDs5PaJQGeNlDp39XudbBaJL9rFO3lYf86gra1llJ2rYlKuIO0z2sgoT25FKsl1X/s1600/New+46_47.tiff" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTfUra8HO6ebsWxdLih59sdHS0bOe10K64qyMG_a8ojQFUWT8DbhFHaiMtoVQ1gvjL7TGeelM5-Tm0XDs5PaJQGeNlDp39XudbBaJL9rFO3lYf86gra1llJ2rYlKuIO0z2sgoT25FKsl1X/s640/New+46_47.tiff" width="640" /></a></div><br />Finally, the passport closes on pages 50-51 with a simplistic quote from Thomas Jefferson that surely warms the heart of <a href="http://www.npr.org/2012/08/08/157754542/the-most-influential-evangelist-youve-never-heard-of" target="_blank">David Barton</a> and his fans: "The God who gave us life, gave us liberty at the same time."<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq5oif_dDwzRgzqQEaW9zrrkIsqyKXB61M-CjbTyfXwinXYGDQJum0OG-JA1dtqh_IYvqgiNRufcJfX4iOzR7F6FS5e9Av616xCs7JaGs6nKH1AdRDPp8XQjCYr9Pk8V7thAjRHhxGe4cD/s1600/New+50_51.tiff" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq5oif_dDwzRgzqQEaW9zrrkIsqyKXB61M-CjbTyfXwinXYGDQJum0OG-JA1dtqh_IYvqgiNRufcJfX4iOzR7F6FS5e9Av616xCs7JaGs6nKH1AdRDPp8XQjCYr9Pk8V7thAjRHhxGe4cD/s640/New+50_51.tiff" width="640" /></a></div><br />While I do not want to overstate the case, I believe that the passport suggests a potentially powerful narrative of civil religion. I can only imagine the reaction of foreign officials who are forced to confront these patriotic images and claims as they process the entrance of American citizens to their countries. In fact, I plan to ask what (if any) reaction one of these harried officials has to it during my next international trip. Let me know if you do the same.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08108638673828901743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7620962666701050387.post-26411452593601560672013-07-26T08:37:00.000-07:002013-08-05T13:44:38.556-07:00When money is tight<p>I don’t know about you, but there have been times in my life when money was T.I.G.H.T. I mean, on the floor of the car, reaching under the seats, trying to find a dollar in change to get enough gas to get me home or to work. (That’s when gas was cheap!) ;)</p> <p>I learned a few BIG things over those years – one, not having money is one of the scariest, most unsettling feelings <strong>ever</strong>. It makes you feel completely out of control of your life. But I realized there were certain things I could do that would make me feel like I had control again and doing those things would help <em>tremendously</em>. </p> <p>Although things are different for me now, there are certainly still times when cash is low – we are adjusting to a definite change since my hubby has <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2013/05/bittersweet.html">retired from teaching</a>. We planned for it and know things will even out so it’s not a scary situation, but it’s easy for those feelings of fear creep back in. It’s silly because my situation is completely different from years ago, but when the bank account goes low and the budget is spent for the month, I can’t help but feel that again, just a little. I will for as long as I live – you just don’t forget that feeling. :)</p> <p>There are a few things that I’ve always done at times like that – and each of them gives me a sense of having control over my life. The first one may sound a little unusual – but it’s always worked for me. </p> <p>I clean my car. :) </p> <p>Now, my car is the thorn in my organizational side. It is just a space that easily gets messy and full of STUFF and I let it get out of control all. the. time. My husband does too. Maybe it’s the creative side of us? ;) </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-jven6KujrJk/UfKXtT2QJTI/AAAAAAAAfD8/bTy6IjTEM5g/s1600-h/car%252520disaster_thumb%25255B2%25255D%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="car disaster " border="0" alt="car disaster " src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-SGr3pQIhB6o/UfKXuP5hEiI/AAAAAAAAfEE/ATnQYHADuyQ/car%252520disaster_thumb%25255B2%25255D_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="550" height="262" /></a></p> <p>Back in the day it was my mom’s car that I would do this with, but I would gather up change from around the house (or the car!) and drive to the car wash place and use their vacuum. I know you can do this at home and save a couple bucks, but for me it’s always getting out and driving there that helps too. When you don’t have any cash you’re not getting out as much so the drive was usually <em>much</em> needed. </p> <p>I did this the other day and it ALWAYS makes me feel better – just throwing trash away, vacuuming the whole thing – it seriously works! If you are extra ambitious you can get even more detailed with it and maybe clean the outside (at home with the hose). But I’m rarely that good. ;) </p> <p>It’s just a little thing but to this day it makes me feel better!</p> <p>Depending on the state of your car, the next one goes hand in hand, and it’s to <strong>purge</strong>. Or decrapify as I like to say. If you’re like me you’re not always totally on top of stuff around the house when you’re feeling down about something. And again…I think what’s most important when money is tight is to feel like you have control over your home and life. </p> <p>Going through the closets, the cabinets, the clothes and losing a few pounds of stuff feels SO GOOD. I cannot stress how amazing it feels when you see a pile ready to go out the door: </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Y0C7XFQ38tc/UfKXuuI3SHI/AAAAAAAAfEM/8M9Y5HVXJlY/s1600-h/IMG_3236%25255B3%25255D%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="purging stuff out of the house" border="0" alt="purging stuff out of the house" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-rFNfYQQCQZw/UfKXvU82McI/AAAAAAAAfEU/L8qmHEVKNXU/IMG_3236%25255B3%25255D_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="550" height="366" /></a></p> <p>Maybe this is just me? All I know is it makes me feel <em>so</em> accomplished, so light and ready to conquer the world. </p> <p>I wrote a post years ago about <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2010/05/what-do-you-do-with-stuff.html">what to do with all that stuff</a> too – you may just make some cash from that pile! I break it down into a few different areas – consignment, donation and recycling. </p> <p>And finally, one that goes hand in hand with purging – organizing what’s left. Like decluttering, it won’t cost you anything! I mean, of course you can always add pretty baskets or organization, but most of the time just reassessing what you already have is enough:  </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-nOKWlYmLpSw/UfKXv9VWV7I/AAAAAAAAfEY/G4rH872cxCE/s1600-h/IMG_2600_thumb%25255B1%25255D%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="messy coat closet" border="0" alt="messy coat closet" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-To3oNx2KBdM/UfKXwqLuc3I/AAAAAAAAfEk/UnFlF4yvisw/IMG_2600_thumb%25255B1%25255D_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="250" height="503" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-spe7sjH73Qo/UfKXxMCwZqI/AAAAAAAAfEs/pyE-Fy-X8F0/s1600-h/IMG_2766_thumb%25255B2%25255D%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="organized coat closet" border="0" alt="organized coat closet" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-xsXNru92Lbo/UfKXx7l3_dI/AAAAAAAAfE0/PsDATOy2RJQ/IMG_2766_thumb%25255B2%25255D_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="320" height="491" /></a>  </p> <p>You can get creative with scrap wood, shoe or diaper boxes – whatever! Make labels with your printer or <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2011/03/paper-organized.html">paint chips</a> or <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2009/02/free-i-tell-you.html">scrapbook paper</a> – it doesn’t have to be fancy! </p> <p>Next month my plan is to get the house decluttered once again! I want to get it done before school gets going in full gear and before the birthdays and holidays later this year. I’m so motivated right now – I don’t know why but I feel like it’s spring instead of late(ish) summer. I have this desire to clean out and organize the whole house! </p> <p>So what do you do when funds are low? Do you have any go to projects like my car clean out? Like I mentioned, I learned over the years that, for me, the way to fight the fear that comes with financial stress is to figure out something that makes me feel like I have power over my life – and all of these things do that for me, whether money is tight or not! </p> <p>Have a GREAT weekend!!</p> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08108638673828901743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7620962666701050387.post-14505723306214246662013-07-25T10:24:00.000-07:002013-08-15T10:58:27.327-07:00Rear control set update<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIoFjV3oAWcrAJV802hLXWQFqGzhll6KyLlDIAxzpwJdv4J8wKsLboaD7uGQYE3NGLRc8dVh6FENg7Q9rKXo_X58d2Iq79G8wGSGtxfIeDpk_cjkpuzg8VGYIMNTAqS3N84jVTqy86oFr5/s1600/2013-07-25+15.20.16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIoFjV3oAWcrAJV802hLXWQFqGzhll6KyLlDIAxzpwJdv4J8wKsLboaD7uGQYE3NGLRc8dVh6FENg7Q9rKXo_X58d2Iq79G8wGSGtxfIeDpk_cjkpuzg8VGYIMNTAqS3N84jVTqy86oFr5/s320/2013-07-25+15.20.16.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08108638673828901743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7620962666701050387.post-40837654162499649432013-07-25T08:45:00.000-07:002013-07-25T08:45:08.909-07:00DEMO PMR SMPN 7 CIMAHI<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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PERTOLONGAN PERTAMA</div>
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MELEWATI HALANGRINTANG ( PPDG)</div>
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TANDU TUTUP MATA</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08108638673828901743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7620962666701050387.post-67581610860034605112013-07-25T05:00:00.000-07:002013-07-26T10:42:44.657-07:00Much More than Salem: America Bewitched<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibjjCHbaTRlJ4qIuVwsVQDjOB4QfWPrUh5qhsYZ3lWrrrgXQJQ7j5ALvmqLsN7kai3FWMOY-vQFl1nDv6Q8zVdhQ1mN1sdVI6RUS0OXSJtGfkQod9AGf-aIJ5NaP_AjWa9ANk88HR8Mw/s1600/GWCable_Creole+Slaves+Songs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibjjCHbaTRlJ4qIuVwsVQDjOB4QfWPrUh5qhsYZ3lWrrrgXQJQ7j5ALvmqLsN7kai3FWMOY-vQFl1nDv6Q8zVdhQ1mN1sdVI6RUS0OXSJtGfkQod9AGf-aIJ5NaP_AjWa9ANk88HR8Mw/s320/GWCable_Creole+Slaves+Songs.jpg" width="178" /></a><b>Emily Suzanne Clark</b><br /><b><br /></b>In the early hours of the morning on January 5, 1895, Mrs. Baptiste, “a colored woman,” found “a small black coffin” in front of her residence in New Orleans at Royal Street and Caffin. Once Baptiste realized what was on her stoop, a large crowd of residents congregated at her house and “considerable excitement prevailed.” Sergeant Hevron of the Fifth Precinct arrived and “took charge of the box.” With a hatchet he pried off the coffin’s lid and inside revealed “several candles, a wire mask, and a shirt made out of a oat sack” arranged in such a way as “to represent a body.” For her part, Baptiste was “badly frightened” of the coffin since she “terms herself a voudou.” Her own house had been raided by the police before and “a lot of snakes in bottles, bones, and bundles of letters from her victims” had been uncovered. While it was unknown who placed the coffin at her door, it was clear that they meant her harm. (Story and quotes from “A Voudou Victim. A Coffin on the Doorstep Creates a Sensation,” 6 January 1895, <i>The Daily Picayune</i>; image from George Washington Cable, "Creole Slaves Songs," <i>The Century Magazine</i>, April 1886).<br /><br />Stories like this, of people seeking supernatural powers to work their will, proliferate throughout American history. As Owen Davies’s recent book <a href="http://global.oup.com/academic/product/america-bewitched-9780199578719;jsessionid=F0BF3FC72DF207D85A9B3EC987C21BB7?cc=us&lang=en&" target="_blank"><i>America Bewitched: The Story of Witchcraft After Salem</i> (OUP, 2013)</a> demonstrates, America’s relationship with witchcraft did not conclude with Salem in 1692. <i>America Bewitched</i> is an enjoyable read, and one that served as a nice break from working on my <a href="http://emilysuzanneclark.wordpress.com/research/" target="_blank">dissertation</a>. The book is geared towards a popular audience and so it reads at a pleasant pace with little theory. The chapters are full of story after story of witches and witchcraft in American history from the seventeenth century through the twentieth. The bulk of the prose is narrative surrounding these stories, which range from entertaining or funny, but are more often tragic and gruesome. <br /><a name='more'></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGShEOSyC20SlIX1F6QpNwCpbT2Lu1rWjaTiv6iY8ZR7EqNxMerBtGBQpLCw5Zgp7gL15JB8yZi6BlQy9z7bfXjNfSzoVfm0T0jKeQu4f7MogIZiyDNbH6-GJjLcg6rb1cSoO_iZvWxw/s1600/America+Bewitched.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGShEOSyC20SlIX1F6QpNwCpbT2Lu1rWjaTiv6iY8ZR7EqNxMerBtGBQpLCw5Zgp7gL15JB8yZi6BlQy9z7bfXjNfSzoVfm0T0jKeQu4f7MogIZiyDNbH6-GJjLcg6rb1cSoO_iZvWxw/s320/America+Bewitched.jpg" width="211" /></a>As a book written for a wide audience, the book is not argument driven, but this does not mean that it makes no contributions. One of the book’s main strengths is Davies’s attention to the interactions and overlap between the witchcraft beliefs, practices, and fears of early Euro-Americans, recent immigrants, Africans and African Americans, and Native Americans. The porous nature of ideas regarding witchcraft illuminates the realities of what happens when various groups live close together in towns, on plantations, and in tenements. The result is a fascinating tale with a myriad of actors. Additionally, Davies covers witchcraft in all different places and spaces—Alaska; the West; New Orleans; western Pennsylvania; Santa Fe; Norfolk County, Virginia; Galveston, Texas; San Francisco; Memphis; and the Five Points of New York City. Davies finds accusations, folklore, and court cases involving witchcraft from all across the country, dispelling any notion that “superstitious” people are found in any one kind of place or one kind of community. <br /><br />Davies chose to organize the book thematically rather than chronologically, though the final chapter concludes with Wicca. Those interested in religion and law will find Chapter 3, “The law” and Chapter 7, “Insanity,” of particular interest for Davies’s attention to how court cases involving witchcraft accusations proceeded, how slander cases often resulted from accusations, and how some murder trials of supposed witches helped shape the insanity defense. Material culture scholars too will find much in <i>America Bewitched</i>’s pages, including witch balls, feather wreaths stuck in pillows, tree plugs, and amulets. And anyone interested in cultural interactions and exchanges will find the whole book worth reading. <br /><br />My main complaint with the book (outside of not liking the cover, and yes, I know that’s a bit of a trite gripe) is its lack of a definition of witchcraft. From my read, witchcraft is understood to mean what his historical subjects take it to mean, which is not inherently a scholarly move with which I disagree. But it obscures how and why certain practices were taken to be witchcraft in one time period. It also leaves me wondering why certain practices might be witchcraft and others not. Were all appeals to the supernatural witchcraft? Mesmerists and Spiritualists were perhaps accused of witchcraft in the newspaper, but Davies writes that “the [news]stories were not always concerned with witchcraft per se, but the actions of mesmerists and spiritualists” too (90). It seems as though Davies had a particular understanding of witchcraft in mind, and this reader would have liked to seen it clearly in print. This could clarify why Davies felt the need to speculate on certain topics, such as whether or not certain “witch murderers” may have suffered from real mental illness or disorders. <br /><br />Davies states that “we should not consider all such magical practices as timeless and static,” and this statement, along with Davies’s book, open a space for another book: one that interrogates how and why the category of witchcraft has changed in American history. Davies’s definition of witches does identify some helpful markers for the reader. “Motivated by the disruptive forces of spite and envy,” he says of witches, “they were troublemakers, the spreaders of sickness, sowers of discord” (67). As such, witchcraft is always a negative thing in Davies’s narrative, until witches are reinvented in the later twentieth century by Wiccans. <br /><br />Davies does provide a nice breakdown of the three main “sorts of witches” one finds in American history: the outsider witch, the conflict witch, and the accidental witch. Accusing someone of witchcraft could do political work for the accuser, could serve as a strategy in feuds, or could be the result of some unhappy coincidence. All three of these categories underline an important strength of Davies’s work: his attention to the cultural interactions of his subjects. I wonder if centering the book’s focus on the story of witches in America, rather than witchcraft, might have been a clearer organization. Regardless, <i>America Bewitched</i> is an enjoyable read and covers a wide geographic and temporal spectrum. It could work well either in sections or in whole in various American religious history classes. Students will appreciate its readability and vast array of stories. And it helps demonstrate the numerous ways communities in the U.S. interact with and influence one another.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08108638673828901743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7620962666701050387.post-20659678388439315472013-07-24T12:50:00.000-07:002013-08-16T12:12:21.256-07:00footpegs/rear controls<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Back from the trip means back to the shop. I started working on the rear footcontrols.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4IgxK8gnvVuBizRJDOc_hXs8dhZCdm40m5_8wInAqxKPANgKEjDPCAq_egydxqj71h7Uz-C0pfGSCF2Vgj-fGr4n5sN7afaKX5N1f1msBpNkTD5rGOl449wognyb14MuYI_oOz8J1td-w/s1600/P7241114.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4IgxK8gnvVuBizRJDOc_hXs8dhZCdm40m5_8wInAqxKPANgKEjDPCAq_egydxqj71h7Uz-C0pfGSCF2Vgj-fGr4n5sN7afaKX5N1f1msBpNkTD5rGOl449wognyb14MuYI_oOz8J1td-w/s320/P7241114.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3a2aQ088v0MEslzlgR4uCl-JhIIOM0-emewt7qF91JgAWrNx0zCcFmAqin3uhQMbR5PBw5Hnsq-sqkh6yt8l6HHIKfzoAk9qXRt3oA75uzWqjNHQCplpkd7zW1mgi7cmUCtAHEO6Yl5vK/s1600/P7241115.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3a2aQ088v0MEslzlgR4uCl-JhIIOM0-emewt7qF91JgAWrNx0zCcFmAqin3uhQMbR5PBw5Hnsq-sqkh6yt8l6HHIKfzoAk9qXRt3oA75uzWqjNHQCplpkd7zW1mgi7cmUCtAHEO6Yl5vK/s320/P7241115.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08108638673828901743noreply@blogger.com0