tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-84547895252747852772024-03-13T10:14:47.183-04:00From Emma to EmmiNew last name. Same old Emma.ErinMSWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06221683395988276699noreply@blogger.comBlogger271125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8454789525274785277.post-42174050931596572412012-01-31T09:51:00.000-05:002012-01-31T09:51:13.810-05:00And We're BackIt looks like I've still got a few followers lurking around. So I just wanted to give you all a head's up that I'm back to blogging again. You can find me over at <a href="http://www.webecomesthree.blogspot.com/">We Becomes Three</a>, where I'll be documenting our adventures in getting pregnant. Not THOSE kind of adventures, you sickos. Just the ups and downs, trials and tribulations...all that good stuff that goes into deciding to have a baby at the ripe old age of 32-almost-33. I hope you'll join me! ErinMSWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06221683395988276699noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8454789525274785277.post-1327990907014438452011-10-03T09:03:00.001-04:002011-10-03T09:05:59.676-04:00Swan SongWe threw that term around quite a bit this weekend at our house. It was kind of a disappointing weekend for us, I have to admit. We hosted our annual Oktoberfest party on Saturday. We had invited about 60 people. We had positive responses from about 24. 8 showed up. Of those 16 who didn't show up, only 8 notified us earlier in the day that they couldn't make it. <br />
<br />
So Matt and I decided that this year was the Swan Song for our Oktoberfest party. Why should we bother to make the effort when no one else does? It was a lot of work and a lot of money that we invested into that party, only to be pretty let down when no one showed up. <br />
<br />
But that's not really the point of this post - to bitch about our lack of guests at our Oktoberfest party. The point of this post is that this will be my blogging Swan Song. I have really enjoyed blogging for the last (almost) 2 years, but I kind of feel like my blogging juices are running dry. I rarely have time to write, or topics that I want to write about. And while I like the Man-Candy Mondays and the Oh, How Pinteresting Wednesdays, I don't want to be one of those bloggers who only blogs the memes. But I don't feel enough creativity to keep it going. <br />
<br />
So I'll be signing off. I just feel like lately I've been neglecting my blog, and the pressure that I keep trying to put on myself to be a "better" blogger is just kind of silly. I never set out to be a regular, long-time blogger, and rather than try to force myself to be something that I'm not, I'm just going to let go. <br />
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I still plan to read all of your amazing blogs. My Google Reader is chock-full of all your wonderful-ness. Thanks for always reading. And all the comments. Although I was not a comment-responder most of the time, I swear that I really did appreciate each and every one of your comments. <br />
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Take care, my bloggy-friends. Come follow me on <a href="http://pinterest.com/emma2575/">Pinterest</a>, if you want! ErinMSWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06221683395988276699noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8454789525274785277.post-59363371446079122192011-09-28T08:52:00.001-04:002011-09-28T08:54:37.287-04:00Oh, How Pinteresting!No theme this week. Just randomness. I'm too preoccupied with a) getting all my work done so I'm not leaving my colleagues with a lot of stuff to do when I'm off on Friday, b) getting our house ready for Oktoberfest, and c) getting rid of this stupid cold that I caught yesterday. Seriously, guys, my throat is killing me. And my nose won't stop running. I am pretty sure I slept for about an hour last night. Most of the night, I was lying awake, trying not to swallow and cut the hell out of my throat with the razor blades that someone apparently shoved back there. <br />
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So, for purposes of trying not to think too much today, here is just a random smattering of some stuff I pinned recently!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F_PZ3rLO_rk/ToMXTfMEipI/AAAAAAAACD4/AuRuHUqQKNY/s1600/108455413_yeZcldj5_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" kca="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F_PZ3rLO_rk/ToMXTfMEipI/AAAAAAAACD4/AuRuHUqQKNY/s320/108455413_yeZcldj5_c.jpg" width="305" /></a></div>I love that each little tab-thingie (technical term, you know) is more lyrics from the song. Hysterical.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-I_WQQ2piAbs/ToMXUClTpvI/AAAAAAAACD8/nKf7Rd0sgZY/s1600/110239132_hV9yXb3T_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" kca="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-I_WQQ2piAbs/ToMXUClTpvI/AAAAAAAACD8/nKf7Rd0sgZY/s320/110239132_hV9yXb3T_c.jpg" width="250" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kDhdbmBy-4Y/ToMXVCk3VII/AAAAAAAACEA/W8ry8KpzNLM/s1600/202004607_U8eZqckg_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" kca="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kDhdbmBy-4Y/ToMXVCk3VII/AAAAAAAACEA/W8ry8KpzNLM/s320/202004607_U8eZqckg_c.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>I <em>knew </em>it!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yvuaIkunGgA/ToMXWSMBUyI/AAAAAAAACEE/-TK518aKr6o/s1600/207613084_zdtDWse8_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="201" kca="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yvuaIkunGgA/ToMXWSMBUyI/AAAAAAAACEE/-TK518aKr6o/s320/207613084_zdtDWse8_c.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Nerdy kitty!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B7oVC1o9G8c/ToMXXuuUJiI/AAAAAAAACEI/XHJFw6Asq6E/s1600/226739933_YSUaMJZl_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" kca="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B7oVC1o9G8c/ToMXXuuUJiI/AAAAAAAACEI/XHJFw6Asq6E/s320/226739933_YSUaMJZl_c.jpg" width="226" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-i2FWcrv6MdM/ToMXYpfvr6I/AAAAAAAACEM/x9iCKRzBf60/s1600/231212514_mHjpxWyT_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" kca="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-i2FWcrv6MdM/ToMXYpfvr6I/AAAAAAAACEM/x9iCKRzBf60/s1600/231212514_mHjpxWyT_c.jpg" /></a></div>So these <a href="http://postertext.com/products/wonderful-wizard-oz">posters</a> are so freaking awesome, and I really really want one. The columns that make up the background? Yeah, those are <em>all</em> the words from the novel. The entire book is printed on that poster. How amazing is that?<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PixmXx8LV-0/ToMXZhO__VI/AAAAAAAACEQ/p8guuxqSW4M/s1600/240087395_UwIycLup_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" kca="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PixmXx8LV-0/ToMXZhO__VI/AAAAAAAACEQ/p8guuxqSW4M/s320/240087395_UwIycLup_c.jpg" width="215" /></a></div>I am completely in love with this nursery. I really want to do an "alphabet" theme for my baby shower. Whenever that happens.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UTtivwG6AIA/ToMXarGz71I/AAAAAAAACEU/RU2jIUq9-Ow/s1600/242970261_yQm2p4lj_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="279" kca="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UTtivwG6AIA/ToMXarGz71I/AAAAAAAACEU/RU2jIUq9-Ow/s320/242970261_yQm2p4lj_c.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-310pRmX8fgs/ToMXb9LKQWI/AAAAAAAACEY/_HM1E3BEfQk/s1600/245447351_C2UXycnm_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" kca="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-310pRmX8fgs/ToMXb9LKQWI/AAAAAAAACEY/_HM1E3BEfQk/s320/245447351_C2UXycnm_c.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>I may have to make our future pregnancy facebook-official with a photo like this. I just love it.<br />
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Link up with Michelle over at <a href="http://www.thevintageapple.com/">The Vintage Apple</a> to see lots more pinning!ErinMSWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06221683395988276699noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8454789525274785277.post-58059890607931773872011-09-21T08:49:00.000-04:002011-09-21T08:49:53.177-04:00A Few of My Favorite...Geez, I have neglected the blog a bit recently. I realized today I haven't done a 10 Day You in weeks. And I missed Man-Candy Monday this week (again). And I haven't done a Oh, How Pinteresting Wednesday in weeks, either. So...this week's <br />
<br />
<br />
<center><a border="0" href="http://thevintageapple.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="google" border="0" src="https://sites.google.com/site/michellevintageapple/files/pinterestingwed.png" /></a></center><br />
<br />
Are just a few of my favorite things. People, movies, music, sports...whatever. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YBGgtLnaMMM/TnnYz_fjdJI/AAAAAAAACDY/ax4e8KWO3mw/s1600/23544587_68zJSs9v_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" hca="true" height="239" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YBGgtLnaMMM/TnnYz_fjdJI/AAAAAAAACDY/ax4e8KWO3mw/s320/23544587_68zJSs9v_c.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Death Cab for Cutie</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-14ILCn2q3pU/TnnY1Ri7pDI/AAAAAAAACDc/pvSmjrNYcf0/s1600/65061812_fa3Ovodr_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" hca="true" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-14ILCn2q3pU/TnnY1Ri7pDI/AAAAAAAACDc/pvSmjrNYcf0/s320/65061812_fa3Ovodr_c.jpg" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Friends</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uw5hY4Bm1CI/TnnY2rOiokI/AAAAAAAACDg/iHqcaaG8fHY/s1600/73253819_VHtVJ8E5_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" hca="true" height="275" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uw5hY4Bm1CI/TnnY2rOiokI/AAAAAAAACDg/iHqcaaG8fHY/s320/73253819_VHtVJ8E5_c.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So You Think You Can Dance - the Butt Dance!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4yqar54fFFU/TnnY4PE4IJI/AAAAAAAACDk/5MHkWPAE6fQ/s1600/75048334_iKDye5CS_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" hca="true" height="204" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4yqar54fFFU/TnnY4PE4IJI/AAAAAAAACDk/5MHkWPAE6fQ/s320/75048334_iKDye5CS_c.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Batteries Not Included</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L7l9TpqA6xo/TnnY52bGo9I/AAAAAAAACDo/M-U6zMjYNrg/s1600/199605894_2ApXfaSO_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" hca="true" height="239" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L7l9TpqA6xo/TnnY52bGo9I/AAAAAAAACDo/M-U6zMjYNrg/s320/199605894_2ApXfaSO_c.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Pitt Growl Towel. I miss being a part of the Panther Pitt</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hO5W0qnALGM/TnnY7RVKFZI/AAAAAAAACDs/CZL_h-bQz-k/s1600/219886640_0apG1ipL_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" hca="true" height="230" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hO5W0qnALGM/TnnY7RVKFZI/AAAAAAAACDs/CZL_h-bQz-k/s320/219886640_0apG1ipL_c.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steelers Football. Hines Ward.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-e4zxnYdSfd4/TnnY9J5BVkI/AAAAAAAACDw/Ua5bWSGgPlg/s1600/199647866_82DxEi5i_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" hca="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-e4zxnYdSfd4/TnnY9J5BVkI/AAAAAAAACDw/Ua5bWSGgPlg/s1600/199647866_82DxEi5i_c.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Michigan Football. Charles Woodson.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4QpHpmGgTrI/TnnY-nlsnqI/AAAAAAAACD0/APfitB2ucsE/s1600/219887225_Y91EmIpR_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" hca="true" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4QpHpmGgTrI/TnnY-nlsnqI/AAAAAAAACD0/APfitB2ucsE/s320/219887225_Y91EmIpR_c.jpg" width="252" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Savion Glover.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>If you haven't seen <em>Batteries Not Included,</em> you really should. It's 80s cheese, but super sweet and a lot of fun. And you should <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FZxfRpL5GVo&feature=related">check out</a> <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DpIu-R-1ej0">some</a> <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0XOwA0fc-dQ&feature=related">videos</a> of Savion Glover tap-dancing. He's <em>amazeballs</em>, you guys. I got to see him in person in his Broadway show <em>Bring in 'da Noise, Bring in 'da Funk,</em> and I was absolutely, totally, completely in awe. The guy has more talent in his pinkie than I ever could in 25 lifetimes combined. Have you seen <em>Happy Feet?</em> That's him doing the taps for <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xd-2AioUtvo&feature=related">Mumble</a>.<br />
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The Panther Pitt is what we affectionally call the Student Section at Pitt home games. I loved going to the games, and I miss it terribly. Matt and I keep talking about going out for a game, but it just never works with our schedule in the fall. <br />
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And yes, I live in Pennsylvania, grew up surrounded by Penn State fans (blech!), and went to Pitt. But I am a Michigan football fan. It hasn't been easy in the past few years, but - hey - we are nothing if not loyal. Charles Woodson is - hands down - one of the best players to ever grace the field at UM Stadium, if not the game of football. He's incredible. Along with Desmond Howard, Jason Avant, Tom Brady, Chad Henne, Braylon Edwards....just to a name a few. Michigan's produced some pretty stand-out players!<br />
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<em>*all photos from my <a href="http://pinterest.com/erin_iacavone/things-i-love/">Pinterest</a></em>ErinMSWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06221683395988276699noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8454789525274785277.post-20274871358879626322011-09-18T15:40:00.000-04:002011-09-18T15:40:03.289-04:00More Projects<a href="http://emmatoemmi.blogspot.com/2011/09/is-it-possible-to-be-nesting.html">Yesterday</a>, I told you that I was going a little bit, um, nuts around the house. Today, I finished my final project. For now. I'm still convinced I'm going to repaint our kitchen and paint the cabinets. Some day...<br />
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This was my inspiration picture.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://d30opm7hsgivgh.cloudfront.net/upload/69434203_X1G1cH11_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://d30opm7hsgivgh.cloudfront.net/upload/69434203_X1G1cH11_c.jpg" width="224" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/69434203/">from</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>I went to Michael's and checked out the canvas/styrofoam. Both were considerably out of my price range in the 12x12 or even 9x9 options (even 12x12 styrofoam was $5 a piece - no thanks!). I had just about given up, when I came across some hidden packages of 4 6x6 canvases, on sale, for $12. I picked up 2 packages, plus an extra single 6x6 (also on sale for $3). I went nuts in the scrapbook paper aisle. No, literally, I went nuts. There were so many options, I had no idea what direction to go in. I really like the monocromatic look in the inspiration photo, but they didn't have enough paper in one color that I really liked. So, after about 35-45 minutes of picking paper, putting it back, picking it up again, laying it out in the store....I decided to mix it up a little.<br />
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I got it all home, and since the canvas is wrapped around and stapled into wooden frames, I thought I could do the same. I got out the stapler, and, lo and behold, it worked! I wrapped most of them last night, then hung them this morning (after running back out to A.C. Moore to get the picture hangers, oops!).<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-97seSyPj_fI/TnZI0hWFo6I/AAAAAAAACDQ/ckMSmwBsKEo/s1600/003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-97seSyPj_fI/TnZI0hWFo6I/AAAAAAAACDQ/ckMSmwBsKEo/s320/003.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Iot7YbmlvdQ/TnZI1FKEK3I/AAAAAAAACDU/AxTx6fVqfs4/s1600/004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Iot7YbmlvdQ/TnZI1FKEK3I/AAAAAAAACDU/AxTx6fVqfs4/s320/004.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
I'm really happy with the way the whole thing turned out. Hanging them was kind of a PIA, but it was worth it.<br />
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Matt got home today and loves all the new decor. Yay!ErinMSWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06221683395988276699noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8454789525274785277.post-80070093085430633022011-09-17T20:14:00.000-04:002011-09-17T20:14:45.690-04:00Is it Possible to be Nesting...When you're not even pregnant? Maybe it's all the time I've been spending on Pinterest? I don't know. I just don't know how to explain it, but I am just completely obsessed with decorating and crafting. I'm redecorating our entire living room. And doing it completely DIY.<br />
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I've recently been feeling like we need to make our home more "grown up." We've had photographs on nearly every single surface in our home since we moved in. Not that I don't love photographs. But it was starting to feel very dorm room to me. Not 30-something married couple home.<br />
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So, this weekend, while Matt's in Hershey and I'm stuck at home on-call, I took matters into my own hands. I went to Michael's, Target, and the dollar store, and stocked up on decorations - hurricane glasses, candles, scrapbook paper, canvases, wreaths, flowers, spray paint....all kinds of good stuff. Wanna see what I've been up to? I got a lot done today, so I'm super-excited. Tomorrow, I'll show you what I get done tomorrow.<br />
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Up first, a project I worked on a few weeks ago. My anniversary gift to Matt. I know that paper is the modern traditional first anniversary gift. And I was going to go full tradition. But I fell in love with this idea<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://d30opm7hsgivgh.cloudfront.net/upload/80481705_fgtv43bD_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://d30opm7hsgivgh.cloudfront.net/upload/80481705_fgtv43bD_c.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/80481705/">from</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>...and so I'm bending the rule a little. Technically, I know, canvas is fabric, not paper, but since I painted on it, I treated it like paper, therefore....it's paper.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-u2W90JO-Mlc/TnUxht7qwnI/AAAAAAAACC4/SQH9o2d0GGY/s1600/003+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-u2W90JO-Mlc/TnUxht7qwnI/AAAAAAAACC4/SQH9o2d0GGY/s320/003+%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
I painted lyrics from our wedding song on a 12x12 canvas. 12 lines, 1 inch each. I have just the spot in our bedroom that we'll hang it, too. I hope he likes it as much as I do.<br />
<br />
Ok, so here's what I worked on today. First up, I really wanted to do something about our door. We have some seasonal wreaths, but our autumn was is totally falling apart. I pinned this a few months ago, and finally decided to tackle it.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://d30opm7hsgivgh.cloudfront.net/upload/134739639_I8k3ruhd_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://d30opm7hsgivgh.cloudfront.net/upload/134739639_I8k3ruhd_c.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/134739639/">from</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>I got the wreath and flowers from Michael's. And instead of getting numbers, I got a letter. I don't have the "I" painted yet, but I edited it in so you get the general gist of what I have here.<br />
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Ok, next? We used to have a chalkboard/magnet board/key holder hanging on the wall next to our front door. I was really starting to hate it. It looked messy and I just couldn't stand it anymore. So, after seeing pictures like this on Pinterest...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://d30opm7hsgivgh.cloudfront.net/upload/203342926_sCWS3NQv_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://d30opm7hsgivgh.cloudfront.net/upload/203342926_sCWS3NQv_c.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/203342926/">from</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>I picked up some scrapbook paper, and dug out some old, unused frames. I printed out the letters, using various fonts, and attached them to the scrapbook, then threw it in the frame. I bought the shelf at Target, and the flowers are from our closet.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TFQeZnB_L30/TnUxnKOo6MI/AAAAAAAACDA/kKanCczdDdo/s1600/007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TFQeZnB_L30/TnUxnKOo6MI/AAAAAAAACDA/kKanCczdDdo/s320/007.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-o9VTUP9UW9c/TnUxnt5A0CI/AAAAAAAACDE/2R5rkTOIOGw/s1600/008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-o9VTUP9UW9c/TnUxnt5A0CI/AAAAAAAACDE/2R5rkTOIOGw/s320/008.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
I really love it. I sent Matt a photo of it and he's thrilled. Yay!<br />
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Last but not least, our new fall centerpiece. I totally loved these pictures.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/191644062/">from</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://d30opm7hsgivgh.cloudfront.net/upload/82003971_DnFIXqqS_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://d30opm7hsgivgh.cloudfront.net/upload/82003971_DnFIXqqS_c.jpg" width="256" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/82003971/">from</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>I got the hurricanes from Michaels and the candles from the dollar store. Unfortunately, I couldn't find candy corn or whole nuts anywhere (I know, can you believe it?!). As I wandered around the aisles of Target, I had an epiphany...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vumm_-82-aw/TnUxmi_dbHI/AAAAAAAACC8/B2fjlKHprEQ/s1600/005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vumm_-82-aw/TnUxmi_dbHI/AAAAAAAACC8/B2fjlKHprEQ/s320/005.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Reese's Pieces! They're automatically fall-colored, and they're made my Hershey! Bonus! So I put together this little tablescape, and I really like it. Tomorrow, I'm going to roll the two brown pillar candles in epsom salt so they get all sparkly and pretty, like this one!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://d30opm7hsgivgh.cloudfront.net/upload/132278646_hkuo44xe_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://d30opm7hsgivgh.cloudfront.net/upload/132278646_hkuo44xe_c.jpg" width="310" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/132278646/">from</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>One more project that I started today and hope to finish tomorrow. I'll show you that one soon! <br />
<br />
Have you ever had a transition period in your house?ErinMSWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06221683395988276699noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8454789525274785277.post-8210926499080967872011-09-12T14:07:00.000-04:002011-09-12T14:07:31.713-04:00Man-Candy MondayBeen a while, hasn't it? Yeah, sorry about that. It's Man-Candy Monday again, and this week, I'm bringing back a blast from the past. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hnG5sCWX0ck/Tm5HdsLwSoI/AAAAAAAACCg/pHDxrwTblh0/s1600/sf1.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" nba="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hnG5sCWX0ck/Tm5HdsLwSoI/AAAAAAAACCg/pHDxrwTblh0/s1600/sf1.bmp" /></a></div><br />
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Scott Foley. Matt and I were watching the season finale of <em>True Blood</em> last night, when all of a sudden...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mQxh10r44_U/Tm5Hjiqmw8I/AAAAAAAACCw/jop8XlXDEDw/s1600/sf5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" nba="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mQxh10r44_U/Tm5Hjiqmw8I/AAAAAAAACCw/jop8XlXDEDw/s1600/sf5.jpg" /></a></div><br />
...he appeared! And I couldn't help myself, I blurted out, "Noel!" Because no matter what other roles he goes on to play, he will always be Noel Crane to me. <br />
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<strong><em>Scott Foley</em></strong><br />
<br />
Once worked at Mrs. Fields cookies. At the time, he was so broke, he lived on the leftovers.<br />
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Was married to Jennifer Garner (they met when she played his high school girlfriend on <em>Felicity</em>). In 2003, they divorced. He is now married to Marika Dominczyk and they have a baby girl.<br />
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Notable roles:<br />
Cliff Elliot, <em>Dawson's Creek</em><br />
Roman Bridger, <em>Scream 3 </em>(he was nominated for a Teen's Choice Award for Choice Sleazebag for this role)<br />
Noel Crane, <em>Felicity </em>(he was cast as Ben, but they couldn't find anyone for Noel, so they asked him to take the role of Noel so they could find a different Ben)<br />
SSG Bob Brown, <em>The Unit</em> <br />
Jeff, <em>CougarTown</em><br />
Patrick Devins, <em>True Blood</em><br />
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I'm anxious to see how his role peters out on <em>True Blood.</em> Too bad I have to wait until next year now! UGH!<br />
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Link up and enjoy the pretty boys!<br />
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<script src="http://www.linkytools.com/thumbnail_linky_include.aspx?id=106522" type="text/javascript" ></script>ErinMSWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06221683395988276699noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8454789525274785277.post-70474869406257873182011-09-11T18:04:00.000-04:002012-09-11T09:19:43.483-04:009/11/01.My last semester of college. About to graduate. About to go out into the world. So excited.<br />
<br />
I woke up and took a shower. In my towel, I went down into our living room to turn on the tv and check the weather forecast. My usual Tuesday routine. Only this time, I turned on the weather channel to a quick local report, then "But we'll get you back to New York, now, since we know you're all wondering about that" <i>Wondering about what?</i> They switched over. The first tower was on fire. <i>What the...? Put on CNN.</i> The second I found CNN, the second tower exploded. In that instant, I knew - our country was under attack. A gut feeling. I just sensed it. One plane is an accident. But two? That's pure malice.<br />
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I was glued. I missed my first class while I watched the towers fall. Finally, I got dressed and drove to campus. Went to class. No one could pay attention. Professor dismissed us in 20 minutes. I went back home. My roommates were there. We sat, together, in our little house, watching the news all day. I called my sister - she's fine. I called my dad - he's fine. I couldn't get through to my mom, who was traveling. She finally called me. She's fine, just "worried about my little social worker and her big heart." It was true. I was devastated. All that loss. All that fear. All those poor families. I burst into tears. My roommates and I cried together.<br />
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The days that followed were sad. Scary.<br />
<br />
The weeks that followed were confusing.<br />
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The years that followed have been sad. Scary. Confusing.<br />
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10 years later, and the images have no less affect on me than they did that day. I weep for the families who still mourn. My heart swells with pride in the policemen and firefighters who drove in while everyone else ran out. <br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="345" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/eanv5XRjwLg" width="560"></iframe>ErinMSWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06221683395988276699noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8454789525274785277.post-59004739590576696872011-09-08T19:08:00.001-04:002011-09-08T19:09:33.707-04:00Hershey in my HeartNot sure if you've heard the news, but Central PA is under water, you guys. <i>Lots </i>of water. <i>Feet</i> of water. Here are a few pictures from around Hershey, my hometown. My heart aches every time I look at them.<br />
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Hershey is surrounded by a few very small creeks. Small creeks that have now completely overflowed and spilled into...well, all of Hershey. I spoke to my dad last night, and he said downtown Hershey is basically an island - you can't get in, can't get out.<br />
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Here are some pictures from Hershey Park. And ZooAmerica, which is the small zoo attached to the Park. The zoo staff actually had to euthanize 2 of the buffalo yesterday because they were drowning. The flooding started so quickly, they couldn't get them out in time. They thought euthanizing them would be more humane then letting them drown.<br />
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This is a road I took every single day of my life while I lived in Hershey. It's literally falling apart.<br />
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And this is pictures from my in-laws' house. The first is of the "road" out front. The second is of the parking lot of the KinderCare day care next door. And their driveway. In between the two, is a storm ditch that is about 8 feet deep. It was meant to hold up to a 100-year flood. Fail!<br />
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Matt's parents' basement flooded. And their sewer backed up into the basement. ICK. My mom and step-dad, and my dad, are all safe and have no damage. My friends are all ok. Thank God. This is completely unprecedented for Hershey to have this much flooding.<br />
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Sending love, prayers, and virtual hugs to all our friends and family in the area....ErinMSWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06221683395988276699noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8454789525274785277.post-27175132178829847052011-08-29T11:52:00.000-04:002011-08-29T11:52:54.793-04:00HurricanesSo everyone knows the East Coast got hit by Hurricane Irene this weekend, right? If you live on the East Coast, you pretty much couldn't get away from the coverage. I have read around the interwebs that people were "sick" of hearing about it, that the storm was overhyped and underwhelming, that everyone on the East Coast overprepared. Some people even called us sissies. Crybabies. Drama Queens.<br />
<br />
Whatever. I'd take overprepared over underprepared any day of the week.<br />
<br />
As I sat in our house on Saturday, listening to the rain beat down and the wind blow against the siding, I could not help but be reminded of our honeymoon and our adventures with <a href="http://emmatoemmi.blogspot.com/2011/01/honeymoon-what-we-did-post-hurricane.html">Hurricane Tomas</a>. I remember being absolutely terrified during Hurricane Tomas. And I think a lot of that was because we had no way of knowing what was happening, how long it was supposed to be happening...it was all a big mystery. <br />
<br />
In St Lucia, we woke up on Saturday morning to a phone call telling us our zip-lining excursion had been cancelled because a tropical storm had hit the island and they wanted to make sure the lines were still intact and safe for use. Made sense, so we just rescheduled for later in the week. We stepped onto our balcony to survey the scene. It was wet. And windy. There were already palm leaves on the ground. So we headed over to breakfast and tried to get a better handle on what was going on. The staff seemed to be fine. We ate and then thought we'd borrow the laptop and check our email. And <em>that's</em> when we found out it was a hurricane that had taken up residence on the island, not a tropical storm that had already blown over. But the staff was still acting like nothing was happening. So we went back to our room to do some reading on the balcony.<br />
<br />
Around lunchtime, we got hungry, so we made our way over to the Bayside, only to find that most of the resort was hanging out in the Mirage, playing games and watching movies. And drinking. So we sat down and joined them. The storm continued to intensify outside, but still - no announcements, no warnings, nothing. We heard through chatter among the guests that Hurricane Tomas had intensified to a Category 2 storm, and had slowed down to just about 10 miles per hour, which basically meant it was just sitting on top of the island. An island which had not had a direct hit from a storm in 30 years. An island that had in no way, shape, or form prepared for this storm. An island full of people who had either heard the warnings and ignored them, or who had never heard the warnings in the first place. <br />
<br />
By the time the storm blew over, it was clear that the people of St. Lucia had not prepared. Even some of the resorts, especially down at the Southern end of the island, where the devastation was nearly total, were completely unprepared to handle the aftermath of a hurricane. Travelers were stranded, forced to find shelter elsewhere. Left without electricity. Left to basically fend for themselves until help arrived. No communication. <br />
<br />
On the other hand, this past week we were inundated with warnings about Irene. We spent days before boarding up our homes, putting away our outdoor furniture, stocking up on water and bread and flashlight batteries. When the storm hit Saturday evening, Matt and I had every candle in the house out and ready to go. Every flashlight in the house ready to go, with replacement batteries nearby. Our cell phones and my laptop were fully charged. We had a case of bottled water, 2 loaves of bread, plenty of PB&J, and a few cans of tuna and baked beans (gas stove still works in the event of a power outage!). We felt prepared.<br />
<br />
I'm not gonna lie and say it didn't get scary. Saturday night we had 4 separate tornado warnings in about 90 minutes. How did we know that? Because we were lucky and didn't lose power and saw it on our tv. [BTW, did you know that emergency broadcast messages will interrupt On-Demand movies? I had not before Saturday, and was so thankful for that.] So I started to cry and freak out, because tornadoes scare the ever-living shit out of me. But then I got up, cleaned out our coat closet, got out some extra pillows and blankets, and we had our tornado shelter ready to go had we needed it. Thankfully, we didn't. But we were prepared, and just knowing that made me feel better. Knowing that we knew how we would get food and water over the next few days if things got bad made me feel better.<br />
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Preparation is everything. And yes, maybe we all panicked a bit more than we should have. But hindsight is twenty-twenty, and I, for one, would much rather be able to look back and laugh at myself for overstocking water than look back and be sorry that I blew the whole thing off. ErinMSWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06221683395988276699noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8454789525274785277.post-74441172441367425432011-08-24T08:48:00.000-04:002011-08-24T08:48:58.445-04:00Party PlanningEvery year, Matt and I host an Oktoberfest party. It started the year we moved into our house as a house-warming party. But since we held it during the traditional Oktoberfest dates, we called it an Oktoberfest party, and we've been doing it ever since. Except for last year, since we were kind of busy getting married. <br />
<br />
Anyway, I'm already planning away for this year's party. Now that we're married and grown-up, I'm ready to class it up a bit. In the past, I've barely decorated, mostly just putting out food and booze and letting our guests take over the house. This year, I want to make it look pretty. I want it to scream FALL PARTY. <br />
<br />
So, linking up with Michelle at the Vintage Apple for...<br />
<br />
<br />
<center><a border="0" href="http://thevintageapple.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="google" border="0" src="https://sites.google.com/site/michellevintageapple/files/pinterestingwed.png" /></a></center><br />
<br />
...here are some of my thoughts for this year's Oktoberfest!<br />
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I love the thought of these lining the steps into the house, or along our new retaining wall...<br />
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Every year, there are a few specific dishes that our guests can count on. Brats cooked in beer, onion, and pepper. Soft pretzels (I cheat and buy them from Philly Pretzel Factory). Corn and olive dip. Oktoberfest-style beers (which just happen to be my favorite style of all). Two years ago, I found a recipe for a reuben dip. I know technically reubens are considered Irish, but since they have saurkraut in them, I consider them part-German. Like me! <br />
<br />
 <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EpQTwrQsqGM/TlTxMANPfnI/AAAAAAAACA8/2Uv2V7FwpL0/s1600/134448024_QqaHDXvO_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" qaa="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EpQTwrQsqGM/TlTxMANPfnI/AAAAAAAACA8/2Uv2V7FwpL0/s1600/134448024_QqaHDXvO_c.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/reuben-dip/detail.aspx">Reuben dip recipe</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>It was a <em>huge </em>hit, so I'm definitely adding it to the regular cast of characters. I usually also make a few desserts, once of which is always Crack(er) Cookies, which are easy, cheap, and addictive. And somewhere in there, I throw in a pumpkin-themed recipe. Usually a dessert, like two years ago I made pumpkin brownies. I wasn't too impressed with them, though, so I'm looking for a new recipe. I just might put out this dip.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_kV2TqBfwgM/TlTxJkz9vyI/AAAAAAAACA0/8t_9_w1IKFM/s1600/106703841_tUKP5pfJ_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" qaa="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_kV2TqBfwgM/TlTxJkz9vyI/AAAAAAAACA0/8t_9_w1IKFM/s320/106703841_tUKP5pfJ_c.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Pumpkin-Fluff-Dip/Detail.aspx">Pumpkin Fluff recipe</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>So that's it! Our Oktoberfest party in a nutshell. I can't wait to host it again this year!<br />
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<em>*all images from my <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/emma2575">Pinterest</a></em>ErinMSWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06221683395988276699noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8454789525274785277.post-65128094203217330442011-08-23T15:08:00.000-04:002011-08-23T15:08:56.714-04:00Earthquake!I'm sure most of you heard by now that the East Coast had a bit of a shaky start to the afternoon. 5.9 magnitude earthquake in Virginia, felt all the way from North Carolina up through Maine! Wow!!! <br />
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We felt it here in Philly. I was in a staff meeting and suddenly the whole row home was swaying back and forth. Definitely a creepy feeling. I heard from my sister, who lives in Baltimore, and she said they're fine. Her husband was at home and their house is intact. But their kitty, Brady, is freaking out. Poor little man.<br />
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I hope everyone on the East Coast is safe and sound!ErinMSWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06221683395988276699noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8454789525274785277.post-29245834763141289082011-08-22T15:51:00.000-04:002011-08-22T15:51:27.898-04:00Man-Candy MondayI re-watched <em>Life As We Know It</em> yesterday. Despite my dislike of Katherine Hiegel, I enjoyed this movie. Sure, it's predictable and corny and whatever. But every now and then, you need corny and predictable in your life. At least, I do. My job is unpredictable and frustrating enough as it is, I don't need complicated movies to make me think more. I sometimes forgot how freaking hot Josh Duhamel is. But really, like, whoa. <br />
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<strong>Josh Duhamel</strong><br />
<br />
Born Nov 14, 1972 in Minot, North Dakota<br />
Dad is an ad salesman and mom is a teacher<br />
Has 3 younger sisters<br />
Married to Stacy Ferguson, aka Fergie (Black Eyed Peas) since Jan 10, 2009<br />
<br />
Best known roles:<br />
Messer, <em>Life As We Know It</em><br />
Major Lennox, <em>Transformers</em> series<br />
Nick Beamon, <em>When In Rome</em><br />
Danny McCoy, <em>Las Vegas (</em>tv show)<br />
Tad Hamilton, <em>Win a Date with Tad Hamilton</em><br />
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I mean, don't you just want to crawl into that bed with him?! <br />
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Link up and <strike>wipe the drool off your chin</strike> enjoy the scenery!<br />
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<script src="http://www.linkytools.com/thumbnail_linky_include.aspx?id=103346" type="text/javascript" ></script>ErinMSWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06221683395988276699noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8454789525274785277.post-43339643708028810922011-08-21T15:30:00.000-04:002011-08-21T15:30:21.265-04:0010 Day You<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9HT3ZrBOVC8/TlFaQHNiduI/AAAAAAAACAE/WVO-KfGMUNo/s1600/10-days-you-challenge.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9HT3ZrBOVC8/TlFaQHNiduI/AAAAAAAACAE/WVO-KfGMUNo/s1600/10-days-you-challenge.png" /></a></div><br />
1. <i>The Perks of Being a Wallflower</i> - Stephen Chbosky. I can't even tell you the ways I love this book. It just speaks to me. They are making a movie, and Emma Watson (aka, Hermione Granger) is playing Sam. I'm half excited and half scared to see how this turns out.<br />
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2. <i>The Book Thief - </i>Markus Zusak. I just finished this recently and I could not believe how much I enjoyed it. As I reached the end, I wanted it to keep going. <br />
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3. <i>The Lovely Bones</i> - Alice Sebold. Some people think it's really dark and weird that I like this book as much as I do. But I love Ms. Sebold's interpretation of what heaven is. <br />
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4. <i>Harry Potter</i> series - J.K. Rowling. I wanted to pick one of the books, but I just couldn't. Each book is so amazing because of it's interaction with the other books. Each book builds and develops the other books. <br />
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What are your favorite books?ErinMSWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06221683395988276699noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8454789525274785277.post-12038556620795043032011-08-19T13:49:00.000-04:002011-08-19T13:49:00.098-04:00Front Porch RenovationSo Matt and I tackled one of our big projects this year. When we moved into the house, the front of the house had some enormous bushes out front that completely hid the house. <br />
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We had found an incredible deal on a 10-piece patio furniture set so we put the small table and two chairs out front. But if you sat out there, you couldn't see anything. Some people might like the privacy. We didn't. We like to people-watch. If we want privacy, we sit out back. For years we talked about tearing out the bushes out front. Then they started dying, and we decided it was time to act. Matt cut down all the bushes himself. It was hard work, and in the end, we had 30 bags of lawn waste lined up on our front curb. CRAZY! <br />
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We called a couple of landscaping companies and got some quotes. The first company that came out...well, it's been over a month, and we still don't have a quote. Real good business practices, guys! The second company we really liked. They gave us a quote within 2 days, and it was a <i>great</i> quote. So we booked with them. We got the quote on Tuesday. They started/completed the project the following Monday and Tuesday. And we love the work.<br />
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We are totally thrilled with the results. But now that it's done, we realize we want more. With the new wall up, it is now <i>painfully</i> obvious how much the existing brick/slate wall leans. And the stairs look like crap now. So we want to bring them back and have them knock down and rebuild the stairs to match the retaining wall. We will probably also ask them how much it would be to put pavers on the porch, although that might be overdoing it. We're thinking next Spring, maybe?<br />
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We've been in our house for 4 years and we're just finally getting around to this. How long did it take you to do your big house projects? ErinMSWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06221683395988276699noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8454789525274785277.post-89420519041877205952011-08-18T14:44:00.000-04:002011-08-18T14:44:25.093-04:00HeadlinesSome news stories that caught my eye...<br />
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<a href="http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/roundhouse/Target-in-Facebook-murder-for-hire-case-shot-dead.html">Facebook Murder-For-Hire</a> Are people really this dumb? Did this girl actually think that she could get away with posting an offer to pay someone to kill her "baby daddy" on her facebook wall and no one would notice? The sad part is, even though by the time he actually was killed, she was behind bars already. Which means either someone else took on the "I'll pay you a stack to kill him" bit, or some idiot didn't realize she was already behind bars and needed the money. <br />
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<a href="http://www.philly.com/philly/columnists/marc_lamont_hill/127921088.html?submit=Vote&mr=1&oid=6&127927018=Y&pid=127927018&cid=8500281">Flash Mobs</a> Marc Lamont Hill, you are a moron. There are so many ways in which you are dead wrong that I can't even believe the Inquirer published this nonsense. All that aside though, my main argument is this: What about <em>my</em> right to walk down the streets of this city and not get nervous when I walk past a pack of teenagers? Doesn't that count for anything? <br />
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<a href="http://bleacherreport.com/articles/803639-2011-nfl-predictions-philadelphia-eagles-possibilities-of-an-undefeated-season">The Eagles</a> I hate living in this area during football season. Eagles fans drive me crazy. They are the most fair-weather fans I've ever seen. One good game? Everyone loves them. One bad game? Everyone hates them. And now, with expectations of a "perfect" season after all these free agents they just picked up, a lost game is going to be horrific. It almost makes me want to move. I don't understand it. If you're going to be a fan, be a fan. I lived in Pittsburgh for 15 months. Now <em>those</em> are fans. Win or lose, they love their Steelers. Philly fans are just obnoxious.<br />
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<a href="http://www.cnn.com/2011/US/08/16/new.york.911.memorial/index.html?iref=allsearch">9/11 Responders</a> This makes me want to cry. These first responders saved countless lives in the days following 9/11/01. Now you're going to sit there in your big offices and pretend like they don't exist? How dare you! <br />
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<a href="http://www.cnn.com/2011/HEALTH/08/17/amoeba.kids.deaths/index.html?iref=allsearch">Brain-eating Amoebas</a> GROOOOSSS!!!!!<br />
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<a href="http://money.cnn.com/2011/08/18/news/economy/bachmann_gas_prices/index.htm">Michelle Bachman</a> Really? You, single-handedly, will control the crude oil market and cause those prices to drop? You, single-handely, are an idiot.ErinMSWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06221683395988276699noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8454789525274785277.post-39025266819910214362011-08-17T09:00:00.000-04:002011-08-17T09:00:05.425-04:00More RandomnessYippee! It's Oh, How Pinteresting Wednesday!<br />
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<center><a border="0" href="http://thevintageapple.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="google" border="0" src="https://sites.google.com/site/michellevintageapple/files/pinterestingwed.png" /></a></center><br />
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I'm going to subject you to more of my randomness. I surely hope you don't mind, dear readers.<br />
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Remember I mentioned I've been fantasizing about redoing our kitchen? This is the kitchen I've put together in my head.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ij8bDCsu18M/Tku4mBFBqSI/AAAAAAAAB_I/dTg84oRymiY/s1600/117594575_7bODdeuw_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" naa="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ij8bDCsu18M/Tku4mBFBqSI/AAAAAAAAB_I/dTg84oRymiY/s320/117594575_7bODdeuw_c.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cL9rLYh6Oc0/Tku4goMxS0I/AAAAAAAAB-8/8FKd3WzNClY/s1600/60306756_Mw6MCnfc_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" naa="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cL9rLYh6Oc0/Tku4goMxS0I/AAAAAAAAB-8/8FKd3WzNClY/s200/60306756_Mw6MCnfc_b.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">except in turquoise. i have a new-found obsession with turquoise.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nDHMYhQBFG4/Tku4kwcHPBI/AAAAAAAAB_E/Fw9DhImTc9s/s1600/117523824_ou8cP1D4_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" naa="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nDHMYhQBFG4/Tku4kwcHPBI/AAAAAAAAB_E/Fw9DhImTc9s/s320/117523824_ou8cP1D4_c.jpg" width="224" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-X6XOKnQwkKQ/Tku4dnllyrI/AAAAAAAAB-w/DVaxsbGFOIs/s1600/21952902_FDO4EGXn_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" naa="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-X6XOKnQwkKQ/Tku4dnllyrI/AAAAAAAAB-w/DVaxsbGFOIs/s1600/21952902_FDO4EGXn_b.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I need a friend to have a baby soon so I can get a cake like this.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bc7_0uYmbMI/Tku4qlOoKdI/AAAAAAAAB_U/7gIc7OmeOhs/s1600/113747749_OlY3d3c0_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" naa="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bc7_0uYmbMI/Tku4qlOoKdI/AAAAAAAAB_U/7gIc7OmeOhs/s1600/113747749_OlY3d3c0_b.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I am in love with this nursery. And this rug. Not that they really go together. But, they kind of do...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-K3bJ3MhBCGQ/Tku4n5lgs2I/AAAAAAAAB_M/d6VNpB_tY5U/s1600/118511298_GfODLZrB_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" naa="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-K3bJ3MhBCGQ/Tku4n5lgs2I/AAAAAAAAB_M/d6VNpB_tY5U/s1600/118511298_GfODLZrB_b.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kgDuK-15okg/Tku4houH44I/AAAAAAAAB_A/y4XhYqu0Vbg/s1600/110210597_oMkN6Njq_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" naa="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kgDuK-15okg/Tku4houH44I/AAAAAAAAB_A/y4XhYqu0Vbg/s1600/110210597_oMkN6Njq_b.jpg" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div>Is it wrong that I want to hang this in my office?<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TmwdNn5zAqI/Tku4ph6VuaI/AAAAAAAAB_Q/qDXgdU3_d5Y/s1600/111157294_UJdRNkdN_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" naa="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TmwdNn5zAqI/Tku4ph6VuaI/AAAAAAAAB_Q/qDXgdU3_d5Y/s1600/111157294_UJdRNkdN_b.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Last but not least, can you name all the movies quoted in this poster?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7g_xknKKEks/Tku4fStjeGI/AAAAAAAAB-4/E6kwEIzlGaM/s1600/55646171_lPV5f1wC_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" naa="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7g_xknKKEks/Tku4fStjeGI/AAAAAAAAB-4/E6kwEIzlGaM/s1600/55646171_lPV5f1wC_b.jpg" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Link up with Michelle at The Vintage Apple! Have fun with it!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><em>*all images from my <a href="http://pinterest.com/emma2575/">Pinterest</a></em></div>ErinMSWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06221683395988276699noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8454789525274785277.post-24140342571381299892011-08-16T15:44:00.000-04:002011-08-16T15:44:17.217-04:00A Little RandomnessI haven't blogged much lately because, well, there isn't really much on my mind. Work has been relatively quiet (since getting all those <a href="http://emmatoemmi.blogspot.com/2011/08/social-work-is-pinteresting.html">psych placements</a> out last week). We had a pretty low-key weekend. I just haven't had much to say, I guess. But there are a few thoughts flying around in this little brain of mine, so I'm just going to subject you to my complete and utter randomness. Enjoy/sorry.<br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">~ A few months back, one of our vendors brought me an orchid. You can kind of see it in this picture.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ALpG2hsSQEc/TbXhwzRFIII/AAAAAAAABhM/4TKbHPV-5ls/s1600/042511165927.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" naa="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ALpG2hsSQEc/TbXhwzRFIII/AAAAAAAABhM/4TKbHPV-5ls/s320/042511165927.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div>She brought it because I was having a rough week. And because she's a sweetheart. About a month ago, all the flowers fell off and it's been sitting looking dead on my desk since then. Just last week, though, we found these:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sZOlBQvUCtA/Tkq_JHPcnGI/AAAAAAAAB-o/VRAXsgSfB64/s1600/081611150352.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" naa="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sZOlBQvUCtA/Tkq_JHPcnGI/AAAAAAAAB-o/VRAXsgSfB64/s320/081611150352.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
New little sproutlings! Yippee!!<br />
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~ We saw <em>Horrible Bosses</em> on Saturday. It was hilarious, you guys. Seriously. I laughed out loud. A lot. Even Matt laughed out loud. And he never laughs out loud at movies. You should see it.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/mh9cG5dzs-U" width="560"></iframe><br />
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~ I don't know if you've heard or not, but Philly has been having this little <a href="http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2011/aug/8/mayor-talks-tough-to-black-teens-after-flash-mobs/">problem</a> with <a href="http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2011/08/16/philadelphias-flash-mob-fallout-getting-attention-overseas/">flash</a> <a href="http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2011/08/flash-mobs-riots-prompt-debate-about-social-media-crackdown.html">mobs</a> recently. Only, they're not the fun everybody-break-into-dance-at-the-same-time kind of flash mobs. If it was that, I woudn't call it a problem. These are teenagers are converging on an area in the city and basically inciting violent riots. People are getting injured and robbed. It's scary. Mayor Nutter has instituted a curfew. This weekend, he hosted a bowling party in Center City. After he left, a kid got shot while walking home. As far as I'm concerned, the kids who are participating in these need to go to jail, and their parents should be fined. Cuz I'm telling you, if my kid were involved and I had to go pick him up from jail (not that that wouldn't be reason enough for me to ground him forever) but then I got a $250+ fine on top of that? Kid would never see the light of day again, except to come to and from school. One of my favorite quotes regarding the flash mobs, from Mayor Nutter: "I don't care what your economic status is in life, you do not have a right to beat somebody's ass on the street. None." Tell 'em, Nutter.<br />
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~ I am fantasizing a lot lately about redoing our kitchen. It is in no way, shape, or form something we can do right now. We just spent a good chunk of money on redoing our front porch (did I show you that yet? I didn't, did I?). We are saving for our anniversary trip to Orlando in October. We are saving to do more to our front entrance (I'll explain when I show what we've already done). We are saving for baby-time. We are saving for the babymoon that I say we're taking to Atlanta to see my gorgeous friend Abriel, her husband Dave, their awesome baby Cal, and her incredible <a href="http://emmatoemmi.blogspot.com/2011/08/consigning-my-dress.html">new store</a>. But I really want to redo our kitchen. I want to repaint the walls a bright turquoise. I want to replace the cabinets. I want to redecorate with fun, funky stuff. I want to make it about 10 square feet bigger (ok, that part definitely can't happen).<br />
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~ Money scares me. And this whole up-and-down nonsense with the economy terrifies me. We have been kind of lucky recently because even though Matt's company cut their hours down company-wide in January to 32 hours per week, he has had enough work to do to work 40 hour a week, and even got some overtime the past 2 weeks. Instead of going out and having fun with that "extra" money, though, we are shoving it right into savings.<br />
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~ Speaking of savings, we just switched banks. Matt had his checking and our disposable savings with TD Bank and my checking and our no-touch savings was with ING. TD Bank's interest rates sucked, and Matt was ready to get out of there. ING just got bought out by Capital One, and I hate Capital One, so I wanted to move my money. We chose to go with Ally. Not every bank is right for every person, but Ally works for us. Their interest rates, even for their checking accounts, are among the best in the business. Not to mention, they refund <em>all</em> your ATM fees at the end of the month. Bonus!<br />
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~ I think I finally decided what to give Matt for our anniversary. Yes, I'm aware that our anniversary is 2+ months away. I'm a planner. What of it? Maybe if you're nice to me, I'll share my idea with you. ErinMSWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06221683395988276699noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8454789525274785277.post-65733061436741745172011-08-14T14:04:00.001-04:002011-08-14T14:13:08.129-04:0010 Day You<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-87WwyRMZ25c/TkgJUSis84I/AAAAAAAAB-g/UK6xGhB6pjY/s1600/10-days-you-challenge.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-87WwyRMZ25c/TkgJUSis84I/AAAAAAAAB-g/UK6xGhB6pjY/s1600/10-days-you-challenge.png" /></a></div><br />
Oh boy, this is gonna be tough.<br />
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1. Chicken puttanesca. Chicken sauteed with olives, capers, and cherry tomatoes. I love me some salty food, and this dish is just packed with it. Most recipes call for green olives, but I make mine with kalamata. It is delicious. I'd never had it until I randomly came across a recipe for it. And now I'm hooked. Usually, I guess, it's served with pasta, but I usually serve mine with brown rice. Yumm...<br />
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2. Pizza. A good slice of plain or pepperoni pizza is always delicious, but I like being adventurous, too. Chicken basil pesto? Definitely. Chicken bacon ranch? Absolutely. Hawaiian? Bring it. As long as the crust is thin and somewhat flexible (especially with the plain pies - must fold it in half!), and the sauce (if it's a regular pie) is not too sweet and just a little bit spicy...I'm in.<br />
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3. Ravioli alle noci. Ie, ravioli with walnuts. O. M. G. I had this at a tiny little restaurant in Florence, Italy, while there with my sister. We were hungry one night and started wandering around our neighborhood near the hostel. We stumbled upon this little restaurant and I ordered this, thinking it sounded interesting. It was the best meal I've ever had. No, really. I wish that we had written down the name of the restaurant, but we didn't. It's something like Di Pepe. I have tried to replicate the recipe from memory, but have always failed. It's close, but no cigar.<br />
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4. Creme brulee. Dudes, this dessert is amazing. The texture. The crunch. The sweetness. The creaminess. I die.<br />
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5. Steak. A good, medium rare, perfectly seasoned steak can make me melt. Our engagement dinner will forever be one of the best meals I've ever had. Not just because I was basking in the glow of the beautiful diamond Matt had slipped on my finger not 3 hours earlier. I mean, I realize that I probably could have eaten a grilled cheese sandwich and been happy. But this dinner. Oh my God. We ate at Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steakhouse in Philadelphia. I got a filet, medium rare. It was the most perfect steak I've ever eaten in my life. One of our friends got us a gift certificate for a wedding gift, and I honestly can't believe we haven't been back yet <br />
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<i>*all images from google</i><br />
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<i>Edited to Add: I thought I'd try to search again for that restaurant in Florence, and wouldn't you know? I found it! It is called <a href="http://www.pizzeriadapepe.it/">da Pepe</a>! Holy crap, I'm so happy I found it! If you are ever in Florence, you must - MUST! - go to this restuarant!!</i>ErinMSWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06221683395988276699noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8454789525274785277.post-63561418133296896402011-08-10T09:08:00.000-04:002011-08-10T09:08:46.885-04:00Social Work is PinterestingIn many ways, it feels like "Oh my God, it's only Wednesday?! Could this week <em>be </em>any slower?" But then I opened up my blogger dashboard and there was Michelle at the Vintage Apple with this week's Oh, How Pinteresting Wednesday. What?! It's Pinterest day already!? <br />
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<center><a border="0" href="http://thevintageapple.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="google" border="0" src="https://sites.google.com/site/michellevintageapple/files/pinterestingwed.png" /></a></center><br />
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I've had a long week so far, and I feel like it's just going to continue that way. Saturday night is the full moon. It is a well-known fact among hospital workers (and probably mos mental health workers) that full moons bring out the crazy in people. Already this week, I have had 3 psych placements. And we're still 4 days from the actual full moon! Psych placements are a problem not because you have to deal with patients who are psychotic and/or depressed and/or suicidal. The patients I can handle. It's the bureaucratic bullshit that it takes to get them placed. Getting a note from a psychiatrist that includes a full mental status exam and the <a href="http://faculty.fortlewis.edu/burke_b/Abnormal/Abnormalmultiaxial.htm">5-Axis</a> diagnosis. Calling the insurance company, speaking to a live person, and obtaining an authorization, within 24-hours of when that psychiatry note was completed. Finding an available bed at the appropriate level of care. Arranging transportation. AND, if the patient is being involuntarily committed, getting all of this done within a reasonable timeframe so that we don't have to take the case to court and get the committment extended. [In Pennsylvania, an initial involuntary committment, called a 302, is for 72 hours. After that, you either have the patient agree to treatment (a 201) or you have to take it to court to get it extended, which is then a 303 and lasts for 5 days.] <br />
<br />
It's time-consuming and annoying. Yesterday, I spent probably 7 hours of my day doing all of that for 2 patients. One did not get approval from the insurance company until 5pm, at which point it was too late to look for a bed. The other ended up not having any insurance after all, and we had to have him cleared for discharge to home. It is an incredibly frustrating feeling to spend 7 hours doing something, and have it all go to shit. <br />
<br />
Anyway, in light of that, and in light of my post last week about how proud I am to be a social worker, this week's pins are all about my career.<br />
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First some funny ones. Because, really, if you can't laugh at this stuff sometimes, it'll drag you down...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MRt2Wb-GBR4/TkKAoQVc0pI/AAAAAAAAB-I/Z4jXFFfBJCk/s1600/74637707_DZTU8gCB_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" naa="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MRt2Wb-GBR4/TkKAoQVc0pI/AAAAAAAAB-I/Z4jXFFfBJCk/s1600/74637707_DZTU8gCB_c.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cFsM4rxBigg/TkKAtPBGGpI/AAAAAAAAB-Q/wgaEI6SG8bY/s1600/74654257_6jdFxzjA_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" naa="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cFsM4rxBigg/TkKAtPBGGpI/AAAAAAAAB-Q/wgaEI6SG8bY/s320/74654257_6jdFxzjA_c.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Now, here is what social work is about...<br />
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And finally, this isn't about social work per se, but Jane Addams basically invented social work, so here's a nod to her...<br />
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Link up and join the pinning good times!<br />
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<em>*all images from my <a href="http://pinterest.com/emma2575/social-work/">Pinterest</a></em>ErinMSWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06221683395988276699noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8454789525274785277.post-20987824806955399822011-08-09T08:15:00.000-04:002011-08-09T08:15:03.924-04:00Consigning My Dress<a href="http://emmatoemmi.blogspot.com/2011/05/what-to-do.html">Remember</a> when I couldn't decide what I was going to do with my dress? Well, I decided. <br />
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Neither of those things. One of my very best friends and bridesmaids is opening up a bridal consignment store in Atlanta, and I'm giving my dress to her! Remember BM Abriel?<br />
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She has worked in the bridal industry for a long time. She has a degree in business, and wanted to do something with all her years of education. So, she decided to combine her two loves and open up her own shop! She is partnering with an already-established store in Charleston, and opening up a second store under the same name. <br />
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I am so unbelievably excited for her and proud of her. So I decided, to show my support, I'd donate my dress to her shop. She is really excited about it, and I'm so happy to be able to help her out!<br />
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If you know anyone in the Atlanta area who needs a wedding dress, tell her to check out <a href="http://fabulousfrocksofatlanta.com/">Fabulous Frocks</a>, opening in just a couple of weeks! <br />
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Now, I just have to get it cleaned...ErinMSWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06221683395988276699noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8454789525274785277.post-4500936147048902022011-08-08T09:37:00.000-04:002011-08-08T09:37:08.680-04:00Man-Candy MondayIt's that time again! And as Rescue Me closes out its run on tv, I am saddened to realize that my days of <strike>staring longingly</strike> watching the many hotties on a weekly basis is also winding day. *tear* I already showed you the adorable-ness that is Steve Pasqual, but this next firefighter is just all-out heat.<br />
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Daniel Sunjata<br />
<br />
Born December 30, 1971<br />
6'1"<br />
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Best known roles:<br />
Franco Rivera, <em>Rescue Me</em><br />
Brad, <em>Ghosts of Girlfriends Past</em><br />
James Holt, <em>The Devil Wears Prada</em><br />
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Link up with Leeann at Join the Gossip to check out some more hotties. Go on - start your Monday off with a smile! <br />
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<script src="http://www.linkytools.com/thumbnail_linky_include.aspx?id=101503" type="text/javascript" ></script>ErinMSWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06221683395988276699noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8454789525274785277.post-4509940726155774812011-08-07T17:11:00.001-04:002011-08-07T17:13:24.958-04:0010 Day You<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4jfRknp_XH8/Tj75O5uJ7gI/AAAAAAAAB9E/wqZp0IJFlY4/s1600/10-days-you-challenge.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4jfRknp_XH8/Tj75O5uJ7gI/AAAAAAAAB9E/wqZp0IJFlY4/s1600/10-days-you-challenge.png" /></a></div><br />
1. Sydney, Australia - Hands down, my favorite place on the planet. Beautiful city, friendly people, yummy food. I went there once when I was 16, with People to People student ambassador program. 32 students, 4 chaperones. I went again when I was 20 with my mom and sister. Both times we started down South and made our way up to East Coast. Canberra-Sydney-Brisbane-Gold Coast-Cairns, with a camping trip into the Outback on my first trip. <br />
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2. Paris, France - Lovely, historical, fancy. Sweet Paris. My sister and I squeezed so much into our 2 days there and I feel like we could have easily spent 2 weeks. I definitely want to go back.<br />
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3. Charleston, South Carolina - Matt and I went here for a friend's wedding 2 years ago, and I instantly fell in love. I am absolutely determined to retire here one day. I love old Southern cities, with all their Southern charm and friendliness, and Charleston does not disappoint. It is chock-full of the typical Southern beauty - old churches, delicious food, gas lamps, pretty parks. <br />
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4. Hershey, Pennsylvania - Chocolatetown, USA. Home. I grew up in Hershey and will always be a Hershey girl at heart. Matt and I will probably end up back there at some point in our lives. It is a small town but has big-city appeal - an amusement park (Hershey Park), a major concert venue (Hershey Park Stadium and the Giant Center), an AHL hockey team (Hershey Bears), Broadway-style theater (Hershey Theater)...it's got a lot of opportunities! Plus, it's 3 hours from New York, DC, and Pittsburgh, 2 from Philly, and 1 from Baltimore. Have I sold you yet?<br />
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5. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania - I went to grad school here, and it's where I really felt my life had started. I moved there on my own, knowing not a soul there. I made friends, found a job, got a degree...I built an actual life. It broke my heart to leave it. I wish I got back there more often than I do, but every time I set foot in that city, it feels right. Also? Go Steelers!<br />
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6. Madrid, Spain - May 2004, I went on a little trip through Europe. I flew to London and spent time in London and Dublin by myself. I took the Chunnel Train to Paris, where my sister flew in to meet me. We spent two weeks traveling around France and Italy, then headed to Barcelona. I instantly loved Barcelona. It has such a wonderful, pulsating energy. And then I got robbed. I was pickpocketed on the train and lost my credit cards, 300 euro, and my passport. Gone. I felt destroyed. We had planned to go to Madrid, anyway, and we had to to get to the American Embassy. And Madrid saved me. Madrid made me feel safe. Madrid reminded me that I am strong and I can survive.<br />
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<i>*all images from my <a href="http://pinterest.com/erin_iacavone/places-in-my-heart/">Pinterest</a></i>ErinMSWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06221683395988276699noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8454789525274785277.post-59906506273965135702011-08-06T18:07:00.000-04:002011-08-06T18:07:53.231-04:00Second Best Night Everrrr...Last night, Matt and I went to see Death Cab for Cutie. It was the second best night of my life. I can officially die happy now. I've been wanting to see Death Cab for probably 5 years now. First they weren't on tour, and then they weren't on tour in the US. Finally, they came back to the States this year. And <i>finally</i> I was able to get tickets. They played in June at the Trocodero and I wasn't able to get tickets - they sold out during the presale. So when I found out they were coming back to Philly, I joined the fanclub so I could get in on the presale action.<br />
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It. Was. Awesome. My expectations were sky-high, and the band more than lived up to them. Not only was the band great, but the venue was awesome. It was our first time seeing a show at the Mann, and I really wish we'd known about it years longer - it is a beautiful venue! Just a street away from a kind of crappy part of the city, but it's right in Fairmount Park, surrounded by trees and museums. Cities are funny that way, aren't they? The venue is all open, but parts are covered, and if you venture to the top of the hill, you get a tremendous view of the city!<br />
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Anyway, the show was great. Frightened Rabbit opened for them. I'd never heard of them, but I definitely intend to download some of their music. Think Mumford & Sons, only harder. Great stuff.<br />
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Then, Death Cab took the stage. I was so freakin giddy. They put on a great show. Ben Gibbard is quite funny! And they played forever! They started at 8:30 and played almost right up till 11. 24 songs. Here's the setlist.<br />
<blockquote>I Will Possess Your Heart > Crooked Teeth > We Laugh Indoors > Movie Script Ending > Doors Unlocked and Open > Long Division > Grapevine Fires > Codes and Keys > Summer Skin > I Will Follow You Into the Dark > You Are a Tourist > The New Year > 405 > Underneath the Sycamore > Title and Registration > Soul Meets Body > Stay Young, Go Dancing > Cath... > We Looked Like Giants > Marching Bands of Manhattan</blockquote><blockquote>Encore: Portable Television > Expo 86 > Sound of Settling > Transatlanticism</blockquote>They played all my favorites. When we got through the whole show and they hadn't played "Sound of Settling," I was a little heartbroken. I was thrilled when it showed up in the encore. Jumping all over the place like a moron. Lovin it.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Frightened Rabbit</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the set</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ben at the piano</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I heart thee, Ben Gibbard</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t4scDelv7MI/Tj22_MSDeSI/AAAAAAAAB84/YmjenB-_HTE/s1600/013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t4scDelv7MI/Tj22_MSDeSI/AAAAAAAAB84/YmjenB-_HTE/s320/013.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
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Here are a couple of videos I took, too. First is "I Will Follow You into the Dark." Ben gave us all permission to take a seat and enjoy the song. It was just him and his guitar. Lovely.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/viOjAUnMdU0?hl=en&fs=1" width="425"></iframe><br />
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The second is "Stay Young, Go Dancing," which is my other favorite song, other than "Sound of Settling." I was too busy jumping around to be able to record that one, ha ha.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/8p_P6Rbmedg?hl=en&fs=1" width="425"></iframe><br />
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If you're not a fan of Death Cab for Cutie, you should be. And I'm sorry for boring you with this post. (c: ErinMSWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06221683395988276699noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8454789525274785277.post-87199894832378198142011-08-04T18:37:00.000-04:002011-08-04T18:37:32.771-04:00BooksI just finished reading <i>The Book Thief.</i><br />
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If you haven't read this book, go out and buy it. Now. Stop reading whatever you're reading and get this.<br />
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The story is about a girl who is growing up in Nazi Germany. I know what you're thinking - been there, done that. I promise you, this book is different. The narrator is Death. It is crazy interesting and intriguing. Death has actual thoughts. Death has feelings. About death. About carrying people's souls on.<br />
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But that's not even what makes the book so incredible. It's the writing. The author uses amazing imagery. The similes he choose to use to describe things are just...wow.<br />
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<blockquote>"Up high, in the window, her face appeared like a white flag with moist eyes and an open mouth. Her voice was like suicide, landing with a clunk at Liesel's feet." -pg.390</blockquote>Amazing, right?! I'd love to quote more, but I don't want to give much away.<br />
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Please. Do yourself a favor and read this book. Give it a chance - it's a little tough in the beginning but it is so so so worth it.ErinMSWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06221683395988276699noreply@blogger.com1