tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-215287532024-03-07T04:25:58.931-05:00song of my soulMay the song of my soul be the music of Your heart...Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02046306355404937213noreply@blogger.comBlogger409125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21528753.post-3924076919119003972009-06-20T16:18:00.003-05:002009-06-20T16:20:15.180-05:00We've Moved!!!<span style="font-family: verdana;">My shiny new blog is all set up! Please visit me at <a href="http://songofhersoul.com">http://www.songofhersoul.com</a> and if you're one of the best people in the world (aka people who give me blog link love) be sure to change your links to the new space!<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="http://songofhersoul.com">http://songofhersoul.com</a></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></div>Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02046306355404937213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21528753.post-89886878328865003582009-06-19T03:17:00.003-05:002009-06-19T03:23:45.967-05:00Song of Her Soul<span style="font-family: verdana;">That will be my new blog name, on my very own domain.<br /><br />Just as soon as I figure out all the hosting/moving/fixing/pulling my hair out. Which means it might be a few years.<br /><br />But for now, the domain is mine. Sorry to all <a href="http://krysmh.blogspot.com/2008/09/whats-in-name.html">my bloggy buds who helped me pick a name way back in September</a>. I went with my own suggestion! Boooo, Crystal. Baaaad, Crystal! You'll forgive me, right? *grin*<br /><br />Of course, I haven't been blogging all that much, so it may be a waste of money. But maybe actually <span style="font-style: italic;">paying </span>for it will help me get my butt in gear. I guess we'll see!<br /></span>Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02046306355404937213noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21528753.post-30579003103703457512009-06-18T00:33:00.003-05:002009-06-18T00:37:01.174-05:00On Dr Seuss<span style="font-family:verdana;">I'd like to start collecting children's books. I love Dr Seuss and loved reading them when I was little.<br /><br />What were your favorites? What are your children's favorites?<br /></span>Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02046306355404937213noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21528753.post-78843173004648121982009-06-14T23:22:00.004-05:002009-06-14T23:36:31.184-05:00Meet Horton<span style="font-family:verdana;">Meet Horton.<br /><br />She's an elephant.<br /><br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzeFZN3xZbQgZAgCf5L_8ycaT7tgcMqLPi_oj4P_lp-LCY43-9iyPNTP4hncfz0jErGxkai8AZ_T45tidzK8-yqk_Rr13HX3XiJUHvtPpDFrQU9EiIjyNbUbN3Lrb7d5YN7etUHA/s1600-h/Horton-elephant.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzeFZN3xZbQgZAgCf5L_8ycaT7tgcMqLPi_oj4P_lp-LCY43-9iyPNTP4hncfz0jErGxkai8AZ_T45tidzK8-yqk_Rr13HX3XiJUHvtPpDFrQU9EiIjyNbUbN3Lrb7d5YN7etUHA/s320/Horton-elephant.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347405850748786690" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"><br />See?<br /><br />Yes, <span style="font-style: italic;">this </span>Horton is a <span style="font-style: italic;">she</span>. (Notice all the purple.)<br /><br />I don't think our Horton has heard a Who. Or a What. Or a Why, for that matter. But she <span style="font-style: italic;">has </span>a <span style="font-style: italic;">Where</span>, and that Where is at our house. In our nursery. On the new dresser - that took me months and months to pick - and will belong to our future-adopted-child-to-be. (No, we do not have any news.)<br /><br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaJf8sOVCPI8xPBww7r40RcOXjjVTN3ILVOdAlACruV134Hzs93LSzOABLHX6R9zt3wOjSSygHCzBcrGquLcZztjhIcAJtQTOWAFkTg5N42Tr1eJpq3Sddx4-QoXnJ8dAy0yEVSA/s1600-h/dresser.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaJf8sOVCPI8xPBww7r40RcOXjjVTN3ILVOdAlACruV134Hzs93LSzOABLHX6R9zt3wOjSSygHCzBcrGquLcZztjhIcAJtQTOWAFkTg5N42Tr1eJpq3Sddx4-QoXnJ8dAy0yEVSA/s320/dresser.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347405857321195378" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br />See?<br /><br />(Dustin named her, by the way.)<br /><br />Horton joined our little family a long time ago. She came to us from a <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=21330">cute little Etsy shop</a>. I'm sure I bought her for a baby gift, but for some reason or other did not give her away. I ended up buying something else for the gift, and I don't remember What it was, or for Whom it was even bought. So Horton still resides in our little home, on her very own little Where, just waiting to make a friend.<br /><br />Hopefully our future little Who will love her.<br /></span>Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02046306355404937213noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21528753.post-31652614003088251732009-06-12T03:58:00.003-05:002009-06-12T04:01:41.703-05:00On Open Adoption<span style="font-family: verdana;">Here is an excellent blog post on <a href="http://www.welcometomybrain.net/2008/11/national-adoption-month-open-adoption.html">open adoption</a>.<br /><br />And another one by the same person on what it <a href="http://www.welcometomybrain.net/2006/05/what-open-adoption-is-not.html">is not</a>.<br /><br />There are a lot of misconceptions surrounding open adoption. I know I had several myself going into the process. In fact, I was uncomfortable with it at the beginning of our journey, but just a little ways in I totally had a change of heart and desire it 100%.<br /><br />Good posts. Read 'em!<br /></span>Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02046306355404937213noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21528753.post-88838248445321416332009-06-01T01:10:00.004-05:002009-06-01T01:23:24.867-05:00Dear Baby...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_G7dQebaxCpXt7TsDnXHa9_kARM4v_wmZb44adYhxoR9V2I6VH3VWHPjlSH3Aj-Q9BHVhm9cPOiAbIq64VC2CAHdje5-kL5a6yc0Ww8CnEPRtj1IXm19zCYAV-o_gi8DNavF0_A/s1600-h/baby-journal.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_G7dQebaxCpXt7TsDnXHa9_kARM4v_wmZb44adYhxoR9V2I6VH3VWHPjlSH3Aj-Q9BHVhm9cPOiAbIq64VC2CAHdje5-kL5a6yc0Ww8CnEPRtj1IXm19zCYAV-o_gi8DNavF0_A/s320/baby-journal.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342239234292766210" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">A year or two ago, I found this pretty little journal at Target. I don't really journal, and I had no idea what I would do with it, but for some reason, it caught my eye. It was calling out to me, so despite the fact that I nearly choked at spending almost ten dollars on a blank book, I bought it. It sat on my bookshelf, looking all pretty, this whole time. Still blank. Without a purpose.<br /><br />Tonight, laying in bed with the hubby, I decided to write a letter to our baby. Then my mind flashed over to the pretty little journal, and I knew what I had to do. The journal has now been turned into a Dear Baby book, and in it I will write letters to our child from now, pre-parenthood, until it is filled. I'd love for our child to see how much he or she has been wanted, how often we think of him or her, and how much love we have always had.<br /><br />I wrote the first letter tonight. I thought I'd share it with you. It's special to me, and hopefully someday it will also be special to Baby.<br /><blockquote><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Dear Baby,</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">It's hard to imagine the possibility of missing someone you haven't even met. But I do. Hi, it's me. Your mama. We haven't met yet, but we will. I crave that day like a root thirsts for water to nurture its very soul. To hold you, cuddle you to my chest and feel the rise and fall of your breath, counting and kissing every tiny finger and every tiny toe again and again. I can't wait to sing to you a lullaby and rock your gray skies away. I love you already. Find me quickly, little baby. I miss you so much.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">I think about you often... about your future. What you will look like. Who you will become. Will you grow to be tall? Will you share your daddy's and my love of the arts? Will you excel in sports? Will you want to be a doctor? A preacher? A teacher? A husband or wife... mommy or daddy? I dream so big for you. I have high hopes for you. Whatever it is that you want out of life, I promise to do everything within my power to help you attain it. But right now, <u>my</u> dream is <u>you</u>. So find me quickly, little baby. I miss you so much.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Wherever you are, whoever you are, and whatever you grow up to become, your daddy and I cherish every breath of you. You have us wrapped around your little finger without even having to try. We've been waiting for you and ready for you for a very long time. We've loved you even longer. So find us quickly, little baby. We miss you so much.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Love,</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Mama<br /><br /></span></blockquote></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSSS7nuk93BkGqTZWGW1kVG_Qr12mTIqAljuFbMArZTTyUORdfzDWOW9JrpC3GBPjI7R_klyd6rcJXnSJyRVGr4J9R1W5XjaLIy7D4Wyi8vbv31mbEv3Wl8H2HIpv5CDgt5vw3Dg/s1600-h/dear-baby.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSSS7nuk93BkGqTZWGW1kVG_Qr12mTIqAljuFbMArZTTyUORdfzDWOW9JrpC3GBPjI7R_klyd6rcJXnSJyRVGr4J9R1W5XjaLIy7D4Wyi8vbv31mbEv3Wl8H2HIpv5CDgt5vw3Dg/s320/dear-baby.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342239239512963682" border="0" /></a>Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02046306355404937213noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21528753.post-74389854222981472122009-05-29T14:08:00.002-05:002009-05-29T14:10:58.943-05:00Weekend Promo<span style="font-family: verdana;">2 Belles & a Bead is a member of the most fabulous group on Etsy - SATeam! Our team has a <a href="http://starvingartiststeam.blogspot.com">fabulous blog</a>, and we're having a fabulous <a href="http://starvingartiststeam.blogspot.com/2009/05/sateam-sez.html">secret sale</a> this weekend.<br /><br /><a href="http://starvingartiststeam.blogspot.com/2009/05/sateam-sez.html">Check it out!</a><br /></span>Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02046306355404937213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21528753.post-18043489059560502952009-05-27T19:43:00.002-05:002009-05-27T19:45:35.864-05:00Random Fact of the Day #11<span style="font-family: verdana;">Last night, staring at myself in the mirror, I found about 10 white hairs. I plucked them all.<br /><br />After the deed was done, I noticed that one was white only on the bottom half. The top half that once was closest to my scalp was red.<br /><br />My hair is as indecisive as I am.<br /><br />That is all.<br /></span>Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02046306355404937213noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21528753.post-88481409446617953412009-05-15T23:30:00.003-05:002009-05-15T23:45:22.973-05:00Flower Obsession<span style="font-family:verdana;">My obsession with little glass flowers continues...<br /><br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0vB2K_eID2mo_RdgVrHAEmQN7v7VFahFuxZt2-XxrlBzcesfibLCt1W_RsTN7pDukXg0D_C4j_BM3IxfQk-XXxN6RogReWDQ-XOFn6Puw4ZAQZCBgb-BRa4PNhB1vYUqKChp8IQ/s1600-h/silver-dream4.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0vB2K_eID2mo_RdgVrHAEmQN7v7VFahFuxZt2-XxrlBzcesfibLCt1W_RsTN7pDukXg0D_C4j_BM3IxfQk-XXxN6RogReWDQ-XOFn6Puw4ZAQZCBgb-BRa4PNhB1vYUqKChp8IQ/s320/silver-dream4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336275931076167586" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX096_SkY_b2QmY06UiyuhP1G2vc2jZT_fJdF4xW0VP_iAXrAiubhYU0enqY-Qm94Q6HnhlMQWVhNVN6SMCkk2QRFNqswbwzYSZqVSeqL_DMJ9YRGigXizxmSGUd5RQr3KZs6zew/s1600-h/silver-dream1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX096_SkY_b2QmY06UiyuhP1G2vc2jZT_fJdF4xW0VP_iAXrAiubhYU0enqY-Qm94Q6HnhlMQWVhNVN6SMCkk2QRFNqswbwzYSZqVSeqL_DMJ9YRGigXizxmSGUd5RQr3KZs6zew/s320/silver-dream1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336275932881763442" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0BEmKHhPhq69nHQjMtcj4zVSWmpc-SWfbv7tGkFTM7BaP2Zj8ZYPOKURIIXaraMEjqz7evKnT77mO4FT458s9xgfcripLIaBbow18rc3Y0v4Dkqac4L91b81I-bHUVYgs881W7A/s1600-h/name-flower2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0BEmKHhPhq69nHQjMtcj4zVSWmpc-SWfbv7tGkFTM7BaP2Zj8ZYPOKURIIXaraMEjqz7evKnT77mO4FT458s9xgfcripLIaBbow18rc3Y0v4Dkqac4L91b81I-bHUVYgs881W7A/s320/name-flower2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336275929430296530" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhukbUFjR3X5rKVOnOXvPS7rATmZvYBZmP4v41l5vMGMfJ_SmCLWs8VYKUQZt-ZpdYimcphuo-Vl3CcXYIhEU_GZ46S034D9Vj9sFReeY5oXe492CTQBg_1ZNoL6JBIizGT8g_Jvw/s1600-h/name-flower8.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhukbUFjR3X5rKVOnOXvPS7rATmZvYBZmP4v41l5vMGMfJ_SmCLWs8VYKUQZt-ZpdYimcphuo-Vl3CcXYIhEU_GZ46S034D9Vj9sFReeY5oXe492CTQBg_1ZNoL6JBIizGT8g_Jvw/s320/name-flower8.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336275929642474402" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZrkT-UEKQE_GOU42GTX-TmTHrjz44Qx_6hDmjQK6gfYfn8bYeoZ-bbo-aJXwr3dYtU6XKLf_GA1IfHW6AGrBjwyO9abbdvE9NE8OZ1j1ukSOFKw3velAldeFI-FagHk29AMOkVA/s1600-h/name-flower6.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZrkT-UEKQE_GOU42GTX-TmTHrjz44Qx_6hDmjQK6gfYfn8bYeoZ-bbo-aJXwr3dYtU6XKLf_GA1IfHW6AGrBjwyO9abbdvE9NE8OZ1j1ukSOFKw3velAldeFI-FagHk29AMOkVA/s320/name-flower6.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336275924642554194" border="0" /></a>Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02046306355404937213noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21528753.post-12209041490301263712009-04-09T15:15:00.001-05:002009-04-09T15:16:51.710-05:00Random Fact of the Day #10<span style="font-family: verdana;">I have filed the taxes and am almost caught up on business orders.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Yay!</span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /><br />That is all.</span>Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02046306355404937213noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21528753.post-55188312456378990462009-03-26T00:54:00.002-06:002009-03-26T00:58:54.591-06:00No macro here, sorry...<span style="font-family:verdana;">Sorry, bloggy buds. I'm exhausted and not doing too great right now, so I haven't been much up to blogging lately. I think I need to put off Macro Monday at least until sometime in April, after taxes are done and paperwork is caught up.<br /><br />Last week was of water droplets on a marigold.<br /><br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhti15ltF9fQhi_HzwSn3jMzOPn5nG0TbpVmSd7DS6J0mq_JCmwqQqtrIu06pzRtGZVqAa2R5_bzpXg3oLt5AyxBx8YgvMdRXzEcrcOJrRYq6iTJ36DMkjzHvoaBxijd4uytk5svw/s1600-h/marigold1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhti15ltF9fQhi_HzwSn3jMzOPn5nG0TbpVmSd7DS6J0mq_JCmwqQqtrIu06pzRtGZVqAa2R5_bzpXg3oLt5AyxBx8YgvMdRXzEcrcOJrRYq6iTJ36DMkjzHvoaBxijd4uytk5svw/s320/marigold1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5317387164220503090" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr6QL7E_tuJzv6WCX4MNb7ohHVs6D3mmUS3GMXO9sTJKLlZSdZJNz7fJrq2xJqQP_6YOKcU0ymfv385GbytDhTDmynM54lGINaTeRXUPEAvyPdurLMjSPjIhNvak67Mp7cCjU5TA/s1600-h/marigold2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr6QL7E_tuJzv6WCX4MNb7ohHVs6D3mmUS3GMXO9sTJKLlZSdZJNz7fJrq2xJqQP_6YOKcU0ymfv385GbytDhTDmynM54lGINaTeRXUPEAvyPdurLMjSPjIhNvak67Mp7cCjU5TA/s320/marigold2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5317387173022047570" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Thanks for being patient.</span>Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02046306355404937213noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21528753.post-53639022305099664202009-03-20T12:36:00.002-06:002009-03-20T12:47:59.952-06:00Lessons From a Not-Quite-Two-Year Old<span style="font-family: verdana;">1.) Oatmeal is very exciting, but yogurt meltaway drop thingies are downright blissful.<br /><br />2.) Ceiling fan remotes provide hours of fun. Off, on, giggle... off, on, giggle... repeat.<br /><br />3.) When a camera is pointed at you, grin as big as you can. You're cute and you know it.<br /><br />4.) When a big person grins at you, grin back. Big person will inevitably grin even bigger. (See last part of #3.)<br /><br />Valuable lessons we all should learn, I do believe!<br /></span>Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02046306355404937213noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21528753.post-8199573431551139492009-03-19T00:44:00.000-06:002009-03-19T00:44:00.558-06:00Did You Know?<div style="text-align: center;"><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/cL9Wu2kWwSY&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en&feature=player_embedded&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/cL9Wu2kWwSY&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en&feature=player_embedded&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object></div><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">No, I did not. But... wow.</span>Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02046306355404937213noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21528753.post-55111391228566583542009-03-18T00:14:00.000-06:002009-03-18T00:14:01.165-06:00Bobbing Through the Basil<span style="font-family:verdana;">I found this critter in the garden the other day.<br /><br />Yes, we have a garden already. A raised bed square foot garden.<br /><br />Yes, I have pictures.<br /><br />No, you can't see them.<br /><br />Ok, I guess you can. Later. When I remember to upload them.<br /><br />But for now, you must be satisfied with only the little creepy crawly. You know how I love photographing my creepy crawlies!!<br /><br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxKnZ5H0KiSTf4gOupbjgEeHHuqvDSIJHDh5DZt8MXBPt2yM5ZKpY8ZgT2MNyYtGBPpT4CkhNYPpysRrwDiqAULeoPtTQrAX3bHWSso-1Mqb0SlMLJ0LgpyzW5MFB-EaS7UEbqcg/s1600-h/spiderman.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxKnZ5H0KiSTf4gOupbjgEeHHuqvDSIJHDh5DZt8MXBPt2yM5ZKpY8ZgT2MNyYtGBPpT4CkhNYPpysRrwDiqAULeoPtTQrAX3bHWSso-1Mqb0SlMLJ0LgpyzW5MFB-EaS7UEbqcg/s320/spiderman.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314068756466779874" border="0" /></a>Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02046306355404937213noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21528753.post-1363429471217661932009-03-17T01:38:00.004-06:002009-03-17T01:58:12.450-06:00Macro UnMonday #18<span style="font-family:verdana;">Sorry we're late. My mind is in a thousand different directions these days.<br /><br />Last week's photo was of a bee. I'll have you know that no, it was not a <span style="font-style: italic;">dead </span>bee. It was a <span style="font-style: italic;">dying </span>bee. There is a difference, people! I felt sorry for li'l bee. Poor, poor li'l bee, all dying of unknown causes on my back porch. We like bees. They give us honey. And pollinate our plants so we can eat the fruit. We've had lots of bees in our neighborhood lately. I don't mind really, so long as they don't swarm and/or sting me. This dying little honeybee reminded me of the masses of honeybees that are dying all around the world... a fact that is a little frightening and a lot sad.<br /><br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtNnjedyr4-nReV-NyP96FRytq3SaU96mtruHGlVPphwUcfW32LFRFZmHV0SPt0nCFhe314dN9vSAny2hLq-Yih44sN5yUwU0BOrC60KT9PncwPQ4Y0jEsskNsdwahjF6k4G7S9g/s1600-h/bee2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtNnjedyr4-nReV-NyP96FRytq3SaU96mtruHGlVPphwUcfW32LFRFZmHV0SPt0nCFhe314dN9vSAny2hLq-Yih44sN5yUwU0BOrC60KT9PncwPQ4Y0jEsskNsdwahjF6k4G7S9g/s320/bee2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314062254452699794" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"><br />Anyway, on to this week's photo.<br /><br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMoeXJJw-R14A5D5lCPKbVxRqFaemMpoxpI5krmTWr7UNC-A3miEsalM7zqTjzmbhwf8qJ7lD9sjU6qWLHoyxJv37QfTcMLGhKr1X9Sa69osQ2cprLbteuUR7S2_26mOQ1AvQYjw/s1600-h/macro-monday18.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMoeXJJw-R14A5D5lCPKbVxRqFaemMpoxpI5krmTWr7UNC-A3miEsalM7zqTjzmbhwf8qJ7lD9sjU6qWLHoyxJv37QfTcMLGhKr1X9Sa69osQ2cprLbteuUR7S2_26mOQ1AvQYjw/s320/macro-monday18.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314062265854205026" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Do ya know it? Happy guessing!</span>Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02046306355404937213noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21528753.post-84027281340736809212009-03-09T00:07:00.003-06:002009-03-09T00:07:00.590-06:00Macro Monday #17<span style="font-family:verdana;">We have a winner! Just one this week. Brandy guessed that last week's photo is of zip ties. My husband is a little obsessed with them. He's a zip-tyin' fool.<br /><br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqUHD9O3jSYytU8k8wkxeZHZ5K5WcWMysr4rYPswmodNkLoGcwxbk5Xe4XuMxD_80Y9ke7z1oY0mur7zjkaYcu8wM11AkOWDcBQQv0Dl95TE5blcxGJtWhy9vmAdy0609OPPYuRg/s1600-h/zip-ties1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqUHD9O3jSYytU8k8wkxeZHZ5K5WcWMysr4rYPswmodNkLoGcwxbk5Xe4XuMxD_80Y9ke7z1oY0mur7zjkaYcu8wM11AkOWDcBQQv0Dl95TE5blcxGJtWhy9vmAdy0609OPPYuRg/s320/zip-ties1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311046490934619058" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiZd_AOAssdgoi2QZWmMB3-h0m7UzrWCY481N1S2ODU1dY4a9LY6yLdSOzFCe7WmGvUkvnh3Bs_Z8hn4IU0sqJFI6i50eUyRywtm1766SieUfxev5FCZV4hbS7lbKzPYpzFPWRGw/s1600-h/zip-ties2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiZd_AOAssdgoi2QZWmMB3-h0m7UzrWCY481N1S2ODU1dY4a9LY6yLdSOzFCe7WmGvUkvnh3Bs_Z8hn4IU0sqJFI6i50eUyRywtm1766SieUfxev5FCZV4hbS7lbKzPYpzFPWRGw/s320/zip-ties2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311046498535520530" border="0" /></a><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:verdana;">On to this week...</span><br /><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_2lNsR4bdHtPy1jicJf4kcI_ttFREfvOtznAWoCx1lukbnsX_yiW4rE5AWvP-lJphFu2onHXoxZDefsbUSynlKTPrz9e6AmtZoybwMUvAFCvY21XgyzgWoh6PRxAz5ai88kIcoQ/s1600-h/macro-monday17.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_2lNsR4bdHtPy1jicJf4kcI_ttFREfvOtznAWoCx1lukbnsX_yiW4rE5AWvP-lJphFu2onHXoxZDefsbUSynlKTPrz9e6AmtZoybwMUvAFCvY21XgyzgWoh6PRxAz5ai88kIcoQ/s320/macro-monday17.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311046500933183442" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Is it easy? Do you know it? Good luck!</span>Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02046306355404937213noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21528753.post-33493217202753463122009-03-05T20:56:00.002-06:002009-03-05T20:59:15.925-06:00Random Fact of the Day #9<span style="font-family: verdana;">While showering today, I counted seven bars of soap in our shower. Yes, seven.<br /><br />Four are mine, two are Dustin's, and one is a facial soap bar that we're currently sharing.<br /><br />Excessive? Nah. A girl needs options. Who wants to smell the same every day?<br /><br />That is all.<br /></span>Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02046306355404937213noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21528753.post-70083126475307701502009-03-02T20:20:00.005-06:002009-03-02T20:29:05.684-06:00Macro Monday #16<span style="font-family:verdana;">As you saw, last week was way too easy as well. Sorry, guys. I'm a little off my game lately! I'm sorta running out of ideas too.<br /><br />Anyway, it was the inside of a bubble mailer. I believe Sandra P. and Nicole guessed it exactly.<br /><br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHics4q_13pGTKen0eBfC6iCOm8D4j0OyMZV4c3dwgFZ-iZTzDKg_T_hOsBKdSy7veF3r3-MQXf2PzpoTdTTW2T6CUM0tKEe_4gZntY4TogLJr-lCzP9ShLt6Q78ckRwYVbCPcAg/s1600-h/bubble-wrap1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHics4q_13pGTKen0eBfC6iCOm8D4j0OyMZV4c3dwgFZ-iZTzDKg_T_hOsBKdSy7veF3r3-MQXf2PzpoTdTTW2T6CUM0tKEe_4gZntY4TogLJr-lCzP9ShLt6Q78ckRwYVbCPcAg/s320/bubble-wrap1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308781695320430434" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv2WaabsTs6QsK7p0VDAZkLijWd_DgCjO0NjckM85SstzkGlJsmnfMf9ppiC-IEbmldLPhbWyLsnw3vdKIX9LYi3Y9Vvk9X81eoPRKupwSXDLuKY0lUYVdyY9iQDUk7VWujGLT-w/s1600-h/bubble-wrap2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv2WaabsTs6QsK7p0VDAZkLijWd_DgCjO0NjckM85SstzkGlJsmnfMf9ppiC-IEbmldLPhbWyLsnw3vdKIX9LYi3Y9Vvk9X81eoPRKupwSXDLuKY0lUYVdyY9iQDUk7VWujGLT-w/s320/bubble-wrap2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308781699220735090" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Here is the photo for this week. A little harder maybe? </span><span style="font-family:verdana;">Perhaps</span><span style="font-family:verdana;">! </span><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuCwwUkWh7lS2PA7sBQmAaak-vxJ0S5fRR1Fm0F7zpDNwJDk2JAfLjBx2JOw6PN47uJwrCYBWlxKFFFTeMxeRyZjJceuvNXg0smtF5WT2EGuDtEaYq1I3xcj3zP8htO54Q96MWbg/s1600-h/macro-monday16.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuCwwUkWh7lS2PA7sBQmAaak-vxJ0S5fRR1Fm0F7zpDNwJDk2JAfLjBx2JOw6PN47uJwrCYBWlxKFFFTeMxeRyZjJceuvNXg0smtF5WT2EGuDtEaYq1I3xcj3zP8htO54Q96MWbg/s320/macro-monday16.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308781707513339426" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Figured it out yet? Go ahead, outsmart that macro!<br /><br />Good luck!</span>Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02046306355404937213noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21528753.post-80966437300229517242009-02-27T01:03:00.010-06:002009-02-27T01:43:36.496-06:00Orange you glad?<span style="font-family:verdana;">Finally, a post not titled "Macro Monday..." and not about jewelry. Shocker. I know. I really don't have anything to say these days. Yes, I always say that and then end up writing a novel... but for reals, yo. Most of my time on the computer is spent building and growing our business. It's a full time job, just with no "perks" (yet). I guess that's not entirely true. It has paid for some pretty cool toys. Toys are definitely perks.<br /><br />Today I spent all afternoon working on taxes. The sad part is, I'm not to the actual <span style="font-style: italic;">tax </span>part yet. It took me all afternoon to enter my end of year inventory into my spreadsheet and add up the totals. People, I have <span style="font-style: italic;">too much stuff. </span>Really, does a girl need so many gemstones?<br /><br />Well, yes. Yes, she does. A girl just doesn't want to be bothered with counting them every year for uncle Sam. Uncle Sam is not the nicest of uncles. All he does is take our hard earned money and spend it on crap. He's not very fiscally responsible. And yet <span style="font-style: italic;">I</span> have to be accountable to <span style="font-style: italic;">him</span>. <span style="font-style: italic;">That's all kinds of crazy.</span><br /><br />Speaking of all kinds of crazy... it's been all kinds of crazy windy here. I mean, knock you over windy. Well, knock you over if you're tiny like me. Ok, I have not </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:verdana;" >actually </span><span style="font-family:verdana;">been knocked over, but "knock you over windy" just sounds so much more ominous than plain old "windy". Shoot, <span style="font-style: italic;">everywhere </span>has plain old "windy". How boring is "windy"? But we don't get plain old "windy" here. We get 50 MPH winds on a weekend for no good reason. <span style="font-style: italic;">That's</span> all kinds of crazy.<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Bloggy buds, please take a short break while I drag the recycling bin to the curb. At 1am. Several hours after my husband reminded me to do it (he is out of town, by the way... not a jerk).</span></span><br /></div><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">And we're back.<br /><br />It will be all kinds of miraculous if I awaken to the lack of recyclables strewn all across the neighborhood and threatening stares from our neighbors.<br /><br />Speaking of all kinds of miraculous... the fact that the following photos came out even halfway decent in this all kinds of crazy knock you down wind must indeed be a sign from the heavens. A sign of what, I am not sure.<br /><br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuDLb8Qyzfj5pmqcsmp2lNZa7RlrvwQgwuCJ3XKdLCFnIcxFkFKqZcW24gxW2tz_r_qVv9WKtP9YFv1BIKwxaW9lnumXYdR2O5O60mEkh5IKTWgYlXo7NvnVwHPBq4EQv-agavhQ/s1600-h/mandarin2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuDLb8Qyzfj5pmqcsmp2lNZa7RlrvwQgwuCJ3XKdLCFnIcxFkFKqZcW24gxW2tz_r_qVv9WKtP9YFv1BIKwxaW9lnumXYdR2O5O60mEkh5IKTWgYlXo7NvnVwHPBq4EQv-agavhQ/s320/mandarin2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5307369932317660194" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghS-xm0OFQ_xyRL_59tn-3_U2TIWIPPNa8YhVsSsj_gPpJ-sPBjKoDXJSH-Jdr0qXagmjXz28aPIkq1XQrMipQtRQMAom3z0QbkeP6HntygVnUvmsGChLFV4-o9MfBWlvAofKJkg/s1600-h/mandarin.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghS-xm0OFQ_xyRL_59tn-3_U2TIWIPPNa8YhVsSsj_gPpJ-sPBjKoDXJSH-Jdr0qXagmjXz28aPIkq1XQrMipQtRQMAom3z0QbkeP6HntygVnUvmsGChLFV4-o9MfBWlvAofKJkg/s320/mandarin.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5307369928424489202" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">These are, as I'm sure you guessed, little baby oranges on my little baby mandarin orange tree.<br /><br />*Pauses to relish in the collective aaaawww*<br /><br />Not so awww? The fact that I picked and threw away probably twenty little baby oranges. It was so sad. So very, very sad. I did it only because apparently it's recommended the first few years, so the little baby fruits don't take so much energy from the growing tree.<br /><br />If only I knew this fact when we planted the dang thing <span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">two years ago. </span><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span>No wonder it hasn't grown. But it is prolific!<br /><br />Did you know that little baby mandarin oranges, even when teeny tiny pea sized and still green, smell just like edible full sized mandarin oranges? Oh, so sad having to pick 'n toss them.<br /><br />Did you also know that I can throw little baby mandarin oranges all teeny tiny pea sized and still green over the fence really <span style="font-style: italic;">really </span>far? I probably made some birdies really happy. Well, if they didn't get hit over the head that is.<br /><br />Now orange you glad I blogged?<br /></span>Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02046306355404937213noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21528753.post-24321724334213544582009-02-23T19:57:00.002-06:002009-02-23T20:03:01.337-06:00Macro Monday #15<span style="font-family:verdana;">Okay, okay, okay... so last week was a little too easy. I think everyone guessed correctly!<br /><br />Red onion, indeed. I was making a big pot of black beans the night I photographed the pepper and onion. I bought a red onion specifically with Macro Monday in mind. Maybe I should have stuck with yellow! *wink*<br /><br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi1_wCdvpkMk8IFURMxLR8iUz8EvgalEMd3ZVyMTSReo5cjI1A9A9BeJZ3rGuzRO8kvOQIWhhI3Z012Yrk081DlHlVYRhfMP__rkWk089Q4VQ_lw_1SW1h8mzD-wbMtRK9AmZAzw/s1600-h/red-onion1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi1_wCdvpkMk8IFURMxLR8iUz8EvgalEMd3ZVyMTSReo5cjI1A9A9BeJZ3rGuzRO8kvOQIWhhI3Z012Yrk081DlHlVYRhfMP__rkWk089Q4VQ_lw_1SW1h8mzD-wbMtRK9AmZAzw/s320/red-onion1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306177718820514594" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivgoVenkGf9z6MvG9QxG8PdhwH5eeFXf0xcSaergxxuPPhjBnWSH9Q7SLJG6FeIvy1Kyl21SDV7t3g0DvhRb9BP5dpAzQKjAiNyl2I1dcUFWNhtMoICrj_97zV8nSepzfLrRjyEA/s1600-h/red-onion2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivgoVenkGf9z6MvG9QxG8PdhwH5eeFXf0xcSaergxxuPPhjBnWSH9Q7SLJG6FeIvy1Kyl21SDV7t3g0DvhRb9BP5dpAzQKjAiNyl2I1dcUFWNhtMoICrj_97zV8nSepzfLrRjyEA/s320/red-onion2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306177719242281890" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"><br />I'm afraid that this week is going to be a little too easy too, as I was in a bit of a hurry and didn't get quite close enough. But I guess we shall see!<br /><br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0NIKbRQYPyP0CKD3ns-HAjLdaf6Cv74y3QbqrZmemb5bm50fgWXknL4NzUm2ScYxtpfuVvfEj6EbBqjrxmQGLzBVyLGfgaCZwhqFvwFA28U_TQxmqbMwtVum7e9aDVwBuwKuR6Q/s1600-h/macro-monday15.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0NIKbRQYPyP0CKD3ns-HAjLdaf6Cv74y3QbqrZmemb5bm50fgWXknL4NzUm2ScYxtpfuVvfEj6EbBqjrxmQGLzBVyLGfgaCZwhqFvwFA28U_TQxmqbMwtVum7e9aDVwBuwKuR6Q/s320/macro-monday15.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306177710334932530" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Well there you go... can you outsmart my macro?</span>Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02046306355404937213noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21528753.post-13137220332696036332009-02-18T00:48:00.004-06:002009-02-18T01:05:55.343-06:00My Newest Obsession...<span style="font-family:verdana;">... little bitty glass flowers. Every-freaking-where.<br /><br />What can I say? I guess I'm ready for spring.<br /><br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-EKJ3yTXj5AggQ9xXjlHAg31pY5FZbyrEuCpgS_wRV1zK7GlRF-4dxAJM21y5DdQ16p4LV4m1-dqOoE7M7Yl5Ebhj8YhwolaQ8jc0e5Ithw4UHjO_KCbETvKAJ4G9TOVrjZGt8g/s1600-h/basket3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-EKJ3yTXj5AggQ9xXjlHAg31pY5FZbyrEuCpgS_wRV1zK7GlRF-4dxAJM21y5DdQ16p4LV4m1-dqOoE7M7Yl5Ebhj8YhwolaQ8jc0e5Ithw4UHjO_KCbETvKAJ4G9TOVrjZGt8g/s320/basket3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304026674829739362" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=21208212">Tiny Terrace Collection - Pocket Full of Pansies in Blue</a></span><br /><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP9ON4qvum_hAoZF2q4z3_BAfC_NEnp3iWV28n1Qwfkxi-7yUSoJVXUHp9DMokrZRVaZBJk6pVqKeYj84WWrobl-eFzrxIzicAHOD7SR31Bte9-JJQN6PzA5Mrkq1x0Un_nzGdeA/s1600-h/copper-disc-flower6.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP9ON4qvum_hAoZF2q4z3_BAfC_NEnp3iWV28n1Qwfkxi-7yUSoJVXUHp9DMokrZRVaZBJk6pVqKeYj84WWrobl-eFzrxIzicAHOD7SR31Bte9-JJQN6PzA5Mrkq1x0Un_nzGdeA/s320/copper-disc-flower6.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304026681973388546" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:85%;" ><a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=21166312">Tiny Terrace Collection - Little Poppy Pendant in Copper and White</a></span><br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhek_kQZjypzQHMX5QymkUsvWvzKztHJ0OKwg3-eWe-kmrOOQ5AJacLUTV9zraHu25Feji1blgvnmBnimsh5COQ5oEs_JSyNrd9CoK2Yw95h3VDPB5XYsfvHyKpR5fKoc7HRtKpYw/s1600-h/silver-disc-flower11.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhek_kQZjypzQHMX5QymkUsvWvzKztHJ0OKwg3-eWe-kmrOOQ5AJacLUTV9zraHu25Feji1blgvnmBnimsh5COQ5oEs_JSyNrd9CoK2Yw95h3VDPB5XYsfvHyKpR5fKoc7HRtKpYw/s320/silver-disc-flower11.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304026685988632130" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=21166392">Tiny Terrace Collection - Little Poppy Pendant in Silver and White</a><br /></span></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGhyphenhyphenU4cg5pANTbwgGb5GMWANcdij5nY-dJXISzvRqftrkRY6PZ2kV4_CaN-mHloDesCGADdYyxTGSVmYX6udE9sA2monqiLuVwICJZKKuiSz9j57sW9M7h1G0wt1gGO9EBkkSX-Q/s1600-h/branchnecklace2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGhyphenhyphenU4cg5pANTbwgGb5GMWANcdij5nY-dJXISzvRqftrkRY6PZ2kV4_CaN-mHloDesCGADdYyxTGSVmYX6udE9sA2monqiLuVwICJZKKuiSz9j57sW9M7h1G0wt1gGO9EBkkSX-Q/s320/branchnecklace2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304026679607884802" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=20479749">I am the Vine... - Sterling Silver Necklace</a><br /></span></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXaoZbatn0uoVAMHLTWMudifD3Tl8ib_wLExHZ04XZvCeZ0OI9ZCs1EWCR_Ocgs3OSqUjrpmeKafSra1-W2OysBTMNg6bQL6Rji3t4IN3IaSlwHGOncvMcCdAZ_vDFNVytVUL6uw/s1600-h/branchearrings1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXaoZbatn0uoVAMHLTWMudifD3Tl8ib_wLExHZ04XZvCeZ0OI9ZCs1EWCR_Ocgs3OSqUjrpmeKafSra1-W2OysBTMNg6bQL6Rji3t4IN3IaSlwHGOncvMcCdAZ_vDFNVytVUL6uw/s320/branchearrings1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304026676968279346" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=21186339">I am the Vine... - Sterling Silver Earrings</a><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /><br /><br />Maybe I like them cause I can't kill them.<br /><br />Oh wait. I guess that's not true. I did kill a few... apparently glass flowers do not like the 1400+ degree heat of a torch. They sort of explode. I don't recommend trying that.<br /><br />I do recommend wearing them, however, as they are just darling. Dontcha think?<br /></span>Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02046306355404937213noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21528753.post-80346677981140087022009-02-16T06:49:00.003-06:002009-02-16T06:59:38.374-06:00Macro Monday #14<span style="font-family:verdana;">A few of you got kiiiinda sorta close, but not really.<br /><br />Sorry, peeps. No alien skin. How about another macro of the item? I took two and had to choose:<br /><br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbaM254QM7G8Q9Qs1zLZ8ki0D1Ns9rE6Amvf3czGa0l_-mJV6LLyNRr66HNglfCBHeQupKJwbDBlallsd9nEzheA-E58OBY1g4LGpVlTcL1ZPUIIas3XUXQrVyuCK-_IaDUBAoBQ/s1600-h/macro-monday12.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbaM254QM7G8Q9Qs1zLZ8ki0D1Ns9rE6Amvf3czGa0l_-mJV6LLyNRr66HNglfCBHeQupKJwbDBlallsd9nEzheA-E58OBY1g4LGpVlTcL1ZPUIIas3XUXQrVyuCK-_IaDUBAoBQ/s320/macro-monday12.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303377642934717330" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"><br />Does that help?<br /><br />Here is the rest of the original photo:<br /><br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCl4bdIT0_ADehlC1BuYIDHncfdGha5cFwwRQsHjKVhlwxexKztwIbVD4nGSph8UOK9CDMOxUnYFf1tEbJRNUwotf0OYr40IY78MELOngHR4Of2ze4H7RGNGelfSzcbRlMCzK_rA/s1600-h/bell-pepper2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCl4bdIT0_ADehlC1BuYIDHncfdGha5cFwwRQsHjKVhlwxexKztwIbVD4nGSph8UOK9CDMOxUnYFf1tEbJRNUwotf0OYr40IY78MELOngHR4Of2ze4H7RGNGelfSzcbRlMCzK_rA/s320/bell-pepper2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303377638269758514" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"><br />Got it yet?<br /><br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy-gJfXNc6KsAKxMkbQ0ApYJXBAVNGIaAM3OB5c3S_tjUVRsiTvmQBZA8eoQ4vxSt4VIyLmZPHpDr0kukN-YpVkpS-GCdzZ4fdOMjbwN2Uzl8CuQuqUtf99-pk9WKLPEo1AXq5jg/s1600-h/bell-pepper3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy-gJfXNc6KsAKxMkbQ0ApYJXBAVNGIaAM3OB5c3S_tjUVRsiTvmQBZA8eoQ4vxSt4VIyLmZPHpDr0kukN-YpVkpS-GCdzZ4fdOMjbwN2Uzl8CuQuqUtf99-pk9WKLPEo1AXq5jg/s320/bell-pepper3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303377645283315650" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"><br />It's the inside of a bell pepper! Oh, the nastiness! I really, <span style="font-style: italic;">really </span>hate bell peppers. I always have. They have always made me want to gag. Their flavor is quite offensive to my palate for some reason or other. I feel the same way about celery. All other veggies, I'm fine with.<br /><br />Up this week:<br /><br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyZByORn_O_sT-rCnOOh4KIU-4gmTolbK8RZkVuC4iqUEXBI-cGIN_Wj70YJ0Ahqk4_y-1BE4546NjWRoZi5CbuGpPrRKrlnHjGB8135eUsGQmY6IB5AYETDJj87WbhrHmQcsPLA/s1600-h/macro-monday14.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyZByORn_O_sT-rCnOOh4KIU-4gmTolbK8RZkVuC4iqUEXBI-cGIN_Wj70YJ0Ahqk4_y-1BE4546NjWRoZi5CbuGpPrRKrlnHjGB8135eUsGQmY6IB5AYETDJj87WbhrHmQcsPLA/s320/macro-monday14.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303377644748552626" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Let's see how you do this time. Can you outsmart my macro? Good luck!<br /></span>Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02046306355404937213noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21528753.post-78289708313187683832009-02-14T11:51:00.000-06:002009-02-14T11:53:14.965-06:00Random Fact of the Day #8Signs that you are a chocolate addict:<br/><br/>You are walking out the door, on your way to Lowe's, Circuit City, and any other store your husband decides to drag you to... but before you get out the door, you find yourself running back to the kitchen and stuffing a bag of Hershey kisses into your purse. <br/><br/>You find yourself holding it up, proudly, and declaring it your "snack". <br/><br/>Cause heaven forbid you go a few hours without chocolate bliss. <br/><br/>That is all. <br /><div class="iblogger-footer"><br clear="all"/><p style="text-align:right;font-size:10px;">[Posted with <a href="http://illuminex.com/iBlogger/index.html">iBlogger</a> from my iPhone]</p><br/></div>
Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02046306355404937213noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21528753.post-66147322873720911132009-02-12T17:19:00.002-06:002009-02-12T17:22:49.252-06:00Random Fact of the Day #7<span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-style: italic;">To my fellow inhabitants of planet earth, and beyond:</span><br /><br />I love babies and I used to love the idea of carrying and birthing one. That ship has long sailed. I no longer desire to be pregnant. Whether that disappearing desire is my own doing or God's, I don't know, but the fact remains that it is gone and I am <span style="font-style: italic;">glad</span>.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">I want a baby, not a pregnancy.</span><br /><br />I need lots of support and encouragement as we seek to get that baby <span style="font-style: italic;">through adoption. </span><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">I've moved on... why can't you?</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">That is all.</span>Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02046306355404937213noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21528753.post-8162196483939633802009-02-09T23:34:00.002-06:002009-02-10T00:38:44.245-06:00Macro Monday #13<span style="font-family:verdana;">Sorry it's so late this week!<br /><br />Several of you were right last week. The photo was of a rubber texture sheet used for metal clay. Pretty much a stamp, just large and without a wooden backing. Or any backing, really. This particular one leaves a bamboo texture. It's really cool... I should use it sometime.<br /><br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT5IjkggULt8FA6BdS-JG6YtjJ7_U868RGfDiF6sQ0l8ly0ItXKrdthrNJy2g-QmVoFAhjHWTaovXAk8apWImToHakafFzOD6oDQBNHIvDNoWtxrC1oFECqBPVxpYFXxjtkny66Q/s1600-h/rubber-stamp1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT5IjkggULt8FA6BdS-JG6YtjJ7_U868RGfDiF6sQ0l8ly0ItXKrdthrNJy2g-QmVoFAhjHWTaovXAk8apWImToHakafFzOD6oDQBNHIvDNoWtxrC1oFECqBPVxpYFXxjtkny66Q/s320/rubber-stamp1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301053472418882082" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjOCKDB9wnsHW8SBzyxqigvGzi-a6b-3tbmcK8zoLrLUFcCrsXrZS5fKG7lsarfDmdBs-Aa3ZOLsNwZNtt7R_vH_IDuWan8YQilzxH7bgI0od4APZc6D30hg_-9wdeL9M5kCEeeA/s1600-h/rubber-stamp2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjOCKDB9wnsHW8SBzyxqigvGzi-a6b-3tbmcK8zoLrLUFcCrsXrZS5fKG7lsarfDmdBs-Aa3ZOLsNwZNtt7R_vH_IDuWan8YQilzxH7bgI0od4APZc6D30hg_-9wdeL9M5kCEeeA/s320/rubber-stamp2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301053474698076866" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"><br />This week's photo is a little tricky. A little noisy too. Sorry.<br /><br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9DuanBqYtwWVuutpyWk546zPRGCYDqd5iLT-b9ejS0FGTMjZOJC_iEmxBMEgIvjnSErF0hueymE5ZiEnW8LI9w_DRGFtE5iw9QiI8Xf2fe1dyvFV77GoajcUuJyDRHIKDdRQOPw/s1600-h/macro-monday12-2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9DuanBqYtwWVuutpyWk546zPRGCYDqd5iLT-b9ejS0FGTMjZOJC_iEmxBMEgIvjnSErF0hueymE5ZiEnW8LI9w_DRGFtE5iw9QiI8Xf2fe1dyvFV77GoajcUuJyDRHIKDdRQOPw/s320/macro-monday12-2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301053473328168850" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Can you outsmart my macro? </span><span style="font-family:verdana;">Go on, give it your best shot!</span>Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02046306355404937213noreply@blogger.com10