tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-41709712735305984962024-03-19T06:22:02.375-05:00The State Of AmandaAmandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10676725373723326503noreply@blogger.comBlogger278125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4170971273530598496.post-56923601902243384092012-04-05T00:05:00.002-05:002012-04-05T00:08:23.111-05:00New Friends and Fucking It UpSo I made some new friends tonight. Some good, and some not so good. All in all I am ready for a new chapter in my life. Whatever that brings. Thank you to all my friends and new friends for being there for me.Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10676725373723326503noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4170971273530598496.post-24860545640074499902011-11-13T16:59:00.006-06:002011-11-13T17:13:26.162-06:00I'm Still HereSo, I let my domain thestateofamanda.com expire. It was a tough and hard decision to make. I don't blog that often anymore and just don't care anymore. I still have the blog, just not the cool .com. Anyway, that said, it has been a long time since I've written. Last time I posted, I said I was going to quit Facebook...again. Well, that didn't last long. But here's an update on what's been going on since my last post (listed in no order in a random format).<br /><br />I got a promotion at work. I am Catalog Marketing Manager with 5 people under me. It's pretty new, since June. I'm still getting used to it and learning a lot.<br /><br />Frank and I went to Mexico in September with our friends Todd and Kristi for 5 days. We stayed at Valentin Imperial Maya. Same place we stayed in 2010.<br /><br />All 3 dogs got shaved and now wear sweaters. It's pretty cute.<br /><br />I went to Chicago to visit my friend Missy and to see her adorable twin babies Maxim and Mia.<br /><br />I started getting Microdermabrasion facials for anti-aging.<br /><br />Frank and I are considering getting a pool. We are pretty close to making the decision and leaning towards yes.<br /><br />I am slowly easing my way into crafting.<br /><br />I have been cooking a lot.<br /><br />Oh, I am back in school. That is a pretty big one. I plan on going again in the spring. I register next week for that.<br /><br />I broke down and hired a maid service but hate spending the money. Just don't have the time to clean the house with school and work. Plus I hate to do it.<br /><br />I think that's pretty much it. At least that is all that comes to mind right off. I said it would be random and in no order, like my thoughts...lol!<br /><br />Anyway, hopefully I will post more often. I am on pinterest and twitter too so follow me there. @stateofamanda for both!<br /><br />Cheers!Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10676725373723326503noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4170971273530598496.post-56003852101894427192011-07-01T21:31:00.015-05:002011-07-01T22:08:47.177-05:00Facebook...It's Not Me, It's You<div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixPhz6BORJjbyLNDwvReTCJQXpIEFTdk8pfxOhf_6CIK8Zz4d0aVq7ss2OlIi6Y1hnjkct7DEZpUzsvdFvUKew8ijrdq83WjguWPBB1cx4VJv9zu-eUWcRIlXjhs_IOJxbUHg_15Dt7AU/s1600/no-facebook.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 201px; height: 99px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5624581410600718738" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixPhz6BORJjbyLNDwvReTCJQXpIEFTdk8pfxOhf_6CIK8Zz4d0aVq7ss2OlIi6Y1hnjkct7DEZpUzsvdFvUKew8ijrdq83WjguWPBB1cx4VJv9zu-eUWcRIlXjhs_IOJxbUHg_15Dt7AU/s320/no-facebook.png" /></a><br />I have deactivated my Facebook before, but never for long and I never really had a reason to. However. It has become out of control. I didn't have a lot of friends on there, but I had close to 200. I had a lot of good family, friends, old acquaintances from school, and co-workers. Here is how my decision to deactivate came to be:<br /><br />1. Family. When I have to find things out about my family via Facebook, there is a communication problem.<br /><br />2. Friends. I have the phone number and email address of everyone I truly care about. I need to spend more time growing those relationships in person, at least by phone at a minimum.<br /><br />3. Acquaintances. I think it's cool to re-discover friends who you went to Elementary school with, but I don't know you anymore...nor do I care what your children are doing.<br /><br />4. Co-workers. Need I say more? I was recently promoted to a Management position in my company. As a 36 year old Marketing Manager, I need to start separating myself from the "party crowd" at work. One thing I have noticed, is that the few managers at work I was friends with on Facebook, never post, never update, and are not friends with very many other co-workers.<br /><br />I know some of those reasons may sound kind of mean, but the place I am coming from really isn't mean. I am just over it. Too much shared information and I don't feel like having to edit my settings for each group of people, etc. <br /><br />I will still use Twitter and you can follow me @stateofamanda. You also know how to reach me if you are getting this email (obviously). I will also post to my blog more often with pics and updates about what I have going on, etc. <br /><br />I also know I will miss out on stuff, but I will do my best to stay up to date with everyone. Just don't forget about me!<br /><br />Love to all,<br />Amanda</div>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10676725373723326503noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4170971273530598496.post-90085095817351007892011-05-19T20:27:00.018-05:002011-05-19T21:24:40.301-05:00Jamaican Me Crazy!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBiNbIkjK7ObIS7anal8a9-iIoSmpb6KxG9k1lKLG3lSKFswXHrpRt9JIazcAzZqBhYz1C4jPqev8iSb2DKTSTS16OZNKXXPlQ-jAy1aNnUim6o1NA3NYMGrDv61X8U099ub3ORB3NfZc/s1600/DSCF1340.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBiNbIkjK7ObIS7anal8a9-iIoSmpb6KxG9k1lKLG3lSKFswXHrpRt9JIazcAzZqBhYz1C4jPqev8iSb2DKTSTS16OZNKXXPlQ-jAy1aNnUim6o1NA3NYMGrDv61X8U099ub3ORB3NfZc/s320/DSCF1340.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608610746591645378" /></a><br /><br /><strong>Trip Report: Jamaica, May 2011</strong><br /><br />I just posted pics on facebook from our recent trip to Jamaica, so I'll spare adding them to this post too. I didn't take too many pics. I really didn't feel like carrying my camera around. Plus we never take pics of ourselves so oh well.<br /><br /><strong>Day 1:</strong><br />We awoke at 4AM...and after drinking my through Miami from Dallas we arrived in Montego Bay, Jamaica. We had an hour-ish drive to the resort in Runaway Bay. We stayed at the Gran Bahia because it touted 5-stars. However, it was more like 2-3 starts to our discovery. After checking in and doing some exploring, we were zonked. Thought about doing Room Service, but there was no menu. Since we didn't have reservations at the "special" restaurants, we got dressed and it was off to the buffet. We are not buffet people and it wasn't even a "good" buffet. Back to the room to passout early.<br /><br /><strong>Day 2:</strong><br />We slept late. Woke up around 11. Headed to the pool for some lounging. I read then waded in the pool...repeat. It was much needed. That night we had dinner at the hibatchi restarurant onsite. So with 8 other (and foreign) strangers at the table, I started to cry. I cried because I missed home. Mostly, I missed my babies (my 3 poms). I think it was hormonal or a big stress releiver. Not sure though.<br /><br /><strong>Day 3:</strong><br />SCUBA DIVING!!! We went on a 2 tank dive both at 90ft and it was AMAZING! I have never seen so much sea life in one dive and the reefs were full of life. It was like the earth had just been flooded. The reefs were so lush. This was a milestone for me considering I just started diving again last year after almost a 10 year hiatus because of a diving accident. I was very nervous, but determined, and now crazy proud of myself! We finished the day at the pool sunning and reading. We ended the night with a lot of champagne and a dinner at their "fancy-men-must-wear-long-pants" restaurant. We got drunk and full and walked out before desert was full. We tipped the waiter of course, but to me it still felt like we were walking the check.<br /><br /><strong>Day 4:</strong><br />The plan was to go diving again. This time it was supposed to be some wrecks. However, we slept in. But that was way ok with me. It's vacation! Do as the day takes you! Anyway, we decided to hit the beach and do some sunning and reading there instead of the pool. It was nice, but far from the room and restaurant. We closed up shop, had lunch and finished the day at the pool until a rain shower came in around 3PM. Nap time! Then dinner!<br /><br /><strong>Day 5:</strong><br />Departure Day. Turns out 5 days is the perfect amount of time for a nice get-a-way. We normally do 8 days, but this was good. We plan on doing another short trip in the fall with friends!<br /><br /><strong>All in all, my take on Jamaica is:</strong><br />Beautiful water<br />Great diving<br />Amazing mountains<br />So-so resorts<br />Not great food<br />Lazy, non-people friendly staff<br /><br />If I never hear another Bob Marley song, that would be too soon. I swear that is the ONLY thing that was played in the cabs on in transit to and from resort and at the resort. I swear that country has one CD on repeat. <br /><br />We got back on Monday and did a stay-cay for 2 days to gradually get back in the swing of things. I did laundry, grocery shopped, and got a pedi the day after we got back. Additionally, I got a facial to repair my skin from all the sun and cleaned the house. We also went and saw THOR. Which I am still not convinced Thor's brother is Johnny Weir and Thor's friends are a really bad version of the Black-Eye Peas. Oh, I almost forgot...I got a Nook Color and took it with me this trip and it not only was a space saver, but I was able to read 4 magazines and 4 books!<br /><br /><strong>I read:</strong><br />Water For Elephants<br />Bethenny Frankel-A place of Yes<br />Maria Menounos-The EveryGirl's Guide to Life<br />Something Borrowed (yes like the movie)<br />Cosmo<br />Martha Stewart Living<br />Glamour<br />Redbook<br /><br />Some serious reads, right? Aside from Water For Elephants, I love reading mindless beachy books. And speaking of Water For Elephants...OMG. Not sure I will be able to see the movie without crying. Good book.Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10676725373723326503noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4170971273530598496.post-54977138745579612192011-02-11T18:53:00.012-06:002011-02-11T19:31:09.762-06:00Life 2.0<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPQph6dnzY6cmVnAZnM7dO7jMEHfXuARYWoW7S05T-XX5U0xUmsQ8uLWW2JHmPYGSFDcFrkf1GiP3xKulY8vcwNAmHyCx3nOlOnPb4W3tvm-6GhfxbGxfApQ8O_5zzDj-ocUZ8ASWs4Ck/s1600/cheers.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 317px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPQph6dnzY6cmVnAZnM7dO7jMEHfXuARYWoW7S05T-XX5U0xUmsQ8uLWW2JHmPYGSFDcFrkf1GiP3xKulY8vcwNAmHyCx3nOlOnPb4W3tvm-6GhfxbGxfApQ8O_5zzDj-ocUZ8ASWs4Ck/s320/cheers.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572605959745628146" /></a><br />My last Twitter post read "T-minus 3 days until total sterility...and no more pain. Life 2.0, guess I need to figure out what's next.". After a 6 year battle with infertility, cysts, endometriosis, and now fibroids, I'm getting fixed. It is bitter sweet, but it shouldn't be. I have already made peace with not having children, but the finality of it is making it kind of hard. I am still going through with it and still feel good about my decision to do this, but I am only human to question my life and what's next. <br /><br />First, let me explain. I am not having a hysterectomy. Close, but no. I won't be going into early menopause (which I am sure would quickly end my marriage), and I get to keep pretty much all my original plumbing. Sorry if this is T.M.I. The procedure is called <a href="http://www.novasure.com/" target="new">Novasure</a>. It's a quick and easy in office kind of party. I will get to be anesthetized and will have a short and sweet recovery.<br /><br />The question still remains...what's next? OK, so no kids (which was already kind of a done deal), just me. Just me and Frank and my cute as pie 3 Pomeranians. There is still some fulfillment needed here people. I still need to make my mark and have a purpose!!!<br /><br />I have decided I am going to pour myself into my job and spend more time obtaining the body I have wanted for a long time and even more importantly, to be the best me I can be. I want to travel for work. I am the perfect person for this. No children to take care of, I am well traveled, and I am (although shy at times) pretty good with people skills. And that's just the beginning of what I want to accomplish. I want to tone up my body and be as healthy as I can be. None of which will happen over night, but will. It will happen.<br /><br />I still respect my friends children and would do antything for them if ever needed because I am always a good friend. If you know me, you know I'm not a bitch...at heart. So here's to life 2.0. May the next half be WAY BETTER than the first half.<br /><br />Cheers!Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10676725373723326503noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4170971273530598496.post-79225759857504665092010-11-12T18:39:00.010-06:002010-11-12T19:02:48.637-06:00Biggest Challenge Ever<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMPQ_sRv0eMpgumNZUILcDgGx6J0JG8SNP-ekGT-DESF3-2nDduXLqezau0Wn3LKl-KPspy7YLiN6nFqPN69ORN2JMlFysOdquOJjxuxmvGrxIX567G4g6FTH0FzKvFfcezqKtEb4SZk8/s1600/ShoppingGirl.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 205px; height: 220px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMPQ_sRv0eMpgumNZUILcDgGx6J0JG8SNP-ekGT-DESF3-2nDduXLqezau0Wn3LKl-KPspy7YLiN6nFqPN69ORN2JMlFysOdquOJjxuxmvGrxIX567G4g6FTH0FzKvFfcezqKtEb4SZk8/s320/ShoppingGirl.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538831652500027938" /></a><br />I decided I am going to not buy any clothes between now and December 2011. I mentioned this to some girls at work and it didn't go over well. The common responses were "I could NOT do that!" and "No way you can pull this off!". But I'm going to try. I have a feeling I will have a lot more money every month and I will be able to pay off my Macy's card. I am excited about this challenge. It doesn't mean I won't be able to have any fun, girls. Don't fret. I will still allow myself to buy accessories. Here is the plan.<br /><br /><strong>Not allowed: </strong> <br />*Pants <br />*Shirts <br />*Skirts <br />*Dresses <br />*Shorts<br /><br /><strong>Allowed: </strong> <br />*Purses<br />*Jewelry<br />*Shoes<br />*Scarves<br />*Other misc. accessories<br /><br />AND Gifts don't count!<br /><br />So, I think this is going to be a good thing. I am actually excited to see if I can do this. Wish me luck!!!<br /><br /><em>Disclaimer: I might have to buy clothes if I get pregnant, but unless you've been under a rock and you know me, you know that will not happen.</em>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10676725373723326503noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4170971273530598496.post-31290363803659324742010-09-25T21:47:00.004-05:002010-09-25T22:18:00.356-05:00Amazing Man - Amazing Legacy<OBJECT id=BLOG_video-af1c0084a52e4fb3 class=BLOG_video_class width=320 height=266 contentId="af1c0084a52e4fb3"></OBJECT><br />*music by Pearl Jam - Just BreatheAmandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10676725373723326503noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4170971273530598496.post-35185654390375011862010-09-25T17:51:00.005-05:002010-09-25T18:06:12.159-05:00Loss Part 2<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUDoX3PkbWRhArVMRWRi10IdVpOC0z7k8edIDsRca-ej5NFQaAjgnANtRnmItfakk6cOdKMf7h_xELNDRCSr-DaoINQtF9lom1uisMiB9bXuJrUjELmTsmpXWMbN_LJE9p-JrMoZIst14/s1600/Kids+in+1980.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 196px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUDoX3PkbWRhArVMRWRi10IdVpOC0z7k8edIDsRca-ej5NFQaAjgnANtRnmItfakk6cOdKMf7h_xELNDRCSr-DaoINQtF9lom1uisMiB9bXuJrUjELmTsmpXWMbN_LJE9p-JrMoZIst14/s200/Kids+in+1980.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520991225279448514" /></a><br />It's sad that it takes losing someone to think of past memories. We should think of people and fond memories all the time. Some of my favorite memories of Pappaw are going over to his house with all my family and eating dinner and hanging out. Pappaw would always get out his guitar and sing old country songs. Some of my Uncles and my Aunt Margaret (who has an amazing voice) would join in. There were other times where me and my cousins would spend the night and sleep on the pull-out sofa staying up late watching Sunny and Cher or some old show from back in the day. I have several more memories than that too, obviously. I am so greatful to have such a large family that can share all these memories with.Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10676725373723326503noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4170971273530598496.post-45249564715584480812010-09-24T22:15:00.008-05:002010-09-24T23:00:00.169-05:00Loss Part 1<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnBtQ1zzf4rjmFWee5JsSE-8C4C4dcWdaLauBBjfP9HE8hgyFs9ZDbcM5eL8IsoAkAwIgmiwbNZ8NZhqZJGsxBWoIBxbrXzjWVecJqy5ua30x5kRoMBlfTLO6i3qtfVhRArt6aAm7MqXU/s1600/1947+Picture++Dad.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 192px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnBtQ1zzf4rjmFWee5JsSE-8C4C4dcWdaLauBBjfP9HE8hgyFs9ZDbcM5eL8IsoAkAwIgmiwbNZ8NZhqZJGsxBWoIBxbrXzjWVecJqy5ua30x5kRoMBlfTLO6i3qtfVhRArt6aAm7MqXU/s320/1947+Picture++Dad.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520695516472114610" /></a><br />I have lost people in my life and each one has been hard. But I lost my Pappaw last night and it has hit me harder than any loss I have had. It happened last night around 8:00. He had been in the hospital off and on with pneumonia and was finally placed in a rehab facility to start getting better. Over the past few years he had become all too familiar with hospitals. However, each time he went in he would bounce back. He was a fighter. A strong man. It was just too much for him last night. My Aunt called me and told me to get to the hospital last night because my Mom needed me there. I knew it wasn't good. Not 5 minutes after I arrived, the Nurse led us back to "the room" and the Doctor came in to deliver the news. I was so glad I could be there for my Mom and my Aunt (who I lovingly refer to as my 2nd Mom). They let us come in and see Pappaw to say our good-byes. I knew he had only been gone for a very short time, and I don't know what I expected to see. But it was surreal. As more family arrived, we all stayed in the room with him until the funeral home arrived. The strongest person there was my Mammaw. She didn't shed a tear. I think she felt it was her place to keep her cool and make everyone feel better by telling stories and joking. That's just like her. <br /><br />I have so many memories of spending time with both my Mammaw and Pappaw. It seems like yesterday......Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10676725373723326503noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4170971273530598496.post-48095222964531591242010-08-28T21:58:00.003-05:002010-08-28T22:08:28.003-05:00Dream WeaverSo random. Last night I dreamnt that I bought Frank a Harley Davidson for his birthday. The strange part is he is not a Harley fan, doesn't ride motorcycles, his birthday is in May, and clearly I have no money to up and make this kind of purchase in reality. Anyway, in my dream I waited until the last possible minute to buy his gift because in reality he is really hard to buy for. He has everything he wants and he isn't into any 1-thing. If he is into something, he researches and ends up buying it for himself. <br /><br />So in my dream, I had to rush to buy his gift on my way to meet him for dinner. I just stopped by the local Harley store and bought him a nice vintage bike similar to the one below (minus Brad Pitt-sigh). No idea how much it cost in my dream or even if Harley makes vintage bikes. But I remember having to have someone drive it to the restaurant for me and for some reason he couldn't drive it home. Not because he can't drive a bike (he grew up on them), but no idea why...then I woke up. Dreams are strange and sometimes have no meaning. As if you already didn't know that.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipm5vIbm4vHc_QyaBDYoLDOSlqCl3ZUVdtuZKTCkq0dmMlifLADGzVPV0uX3nicuxpahin7_1tBxyRcEddxkHUVZcxkP404h8N_ik4K2oLt08Ni5IXaz9KPrJQm0frNu5NROOCGPFUoJE/s1600/Brad+Pitt+Rides+New+Custom+Motorcycle+Cy4OT4C6yIWl.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 363px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipm5vIbm4vHc_QyaBDYoLDOSlqCl3ZUVdtuZKTCkq0dmMlifLADGzVPV0uX3nicuxpahin7_1tBxyRcEddxkHUVZcxkP404h8N_ik4K2oLt08Ni5IXaz9KPrJQm0frNu5NROOCGPFUoJE/s400/Brad+Pitt+Rides+New+Custom+Motorcycle+Cy4OT4C6yIWl.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510662659347432706" /></a>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10676725373723326503noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4170971273530598496.post-28843219114329794852010-08-28T16:26:00.032-05:002010-08-28T17:36:04.031-05:00Vacation 2010Ole! We just returned from an 8 day vacation on the Mayan Riviera. We stayed at the Valentin Imperial Maya and it was wonderful. We got upgraded to First Class both ways, and had a private Suburban all to ourselves for airport transportation. I felt a little bit like a Celeb. Honestly, the private Suburban didn't cost much more than the hotel transport and was totally worth it!<br /><br />Car Service (ignore the deflated hair, sweaty face, tired look I'm sporting)<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOrBHmt_YHrHSdMN-IFANbI4V-iuMS2HIjO9TMnz7DFHWAKVgStBrYsBWtDZ4EAwHLP48gbNyOpHDVs3P1qQxNVstcsAaiNLqBNPfR16SIooZNKgym5z_kD_5dfS_Iv-W17Da5UyvNl7I/s1600/DSCF1100.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOrBHmt_YHrHSdMN-IFANbI4V-iuMS2HIjO9TMnz7DFHWAKVgStBrYsBWtDZ4EAwHLP48gbNyOpHDVs3P1qQxNVstcsAaiNLqBNPfR16SIooZNKgym5z_kD_5dfS_Iv-W17Da5UyvNl7I/s320/DSCF1100.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510579270841668754" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1gpvaKGgHdgcN-76gx56ceTcxFpFTYOJmZ55DaFjDpJFnXBsALh1U6qm9Pc3SfGB8DKXZWIvLbre7Hh8LvpEQA8W95D5_GBKX07jS3QAuUivuBQ0z5LMK3tU_Y99UYudnoXZ13dHEd1w/s1600/DSCF1103.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1gpvaKGgHdgcN-76gx56ceTcxFpFTYOJmZ55DaFjDpJFnXBsALh1U6qm9Pc3SfGB8DKXZWIvLbre7Hh8LvpEQA8W95D5_GBKX07jS3QAuUivuBQ0z5LMK3tU_Y99UYudnoXZ13dHEd1w/s320/DSCF1103.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510583539824965138" /></a><br />Hotel Lobby<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2VSbVgMfLtF9tyEdfiscwiqABT7fe1kmBfYwyY4kaGhP6CiUEq6F9wcr5VA5SDBcraAZxg7iKLR4nw6Ax_i5iXv_a2tjZNNOWP3PQ21IsRCYQOWHdEfdGNFStniVA4938ki1gcoo_SCA/s1600/DSCF1108.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2VSbVgMfLtF9tyEdfiscwiqABT7fe1kmBfYwyY4kaGhP6CiUEq6F9wcr5VA5SDBcraAZxg7iKLR4nw6Ax_i5iXv_a2tjZNNOWP3PQ21IsRCYQOWHdEfdGNFStniVA4938ki1gcoo_SCA/s320/DSCF1108.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510579273593129858" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsTrX5aC9vrqe5mMTLzcLPcIS6SUHUJYR5Im_XdyFK3h-Sp-jOA7LBa0Z2wrheFi2R_fpNDb97rd0ebjfy4uWv1cvAr9wL7xCcczLdo8fnHvf03wDQM19dLgagIbX3rRmEgUPCOUHyXeo/s1600/DSCF1188.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsTrX5aC9vrqe5mMTLzcLPcIS6SUHUJYR5Im_XdyFK3h-Sp-jOA7LBa0Z2wrheFi2R_fpNDb97rd0ebjfy4uWv1cvAr9wL7xCcczLdo8fnHvf03wDQM19dLgagIbX3rRmEgUPCOUHyXeo/s320/DSCF1188.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510582985995335122" /></a><br /><br />Our days mostly consisted of laying by the pool and reading. Oh, and eating. Did I mention we ate a lot? We ate a ton. The food by far was the best hotel food (all-inlclusive or otherwise) I have ever had in all my years of travel. Everything had so much flavor. I know I gained 20 pounds between the food and the pina coladas, champagne, and mexican coffee!<br /><br />Main Pool (I didn't get any good pics of the pool by our room that we stayed at all the time)<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic2rrAO8aofPlEX07IWjpTZHAWQBlpZJvrFlBZzOC6b19GB5LOTMe1TKOELmEblTwzQszLdJDL4b14extyNIHBNSrlNvaScsVXN7E9hFoee1Q0WqMF9JLQ6t-3vipXroBSlcX_ZmhjlaY/s1600/DSCF1143.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic2rrAO8aofPlEX07IWjpTZHAWQBlpZJvrFlBZzOC6b19GB5LOTMe1TKOELmEblTwzQszLdJDL4b14extyNIHBNSrlNvaScsVXN7E9hFoee1Q0WqMF9JLQ6t-3vipXroBSlcX_ZmhjlaY/s320/DSCF1143.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510582399938392338" /></a><br />French restraunt<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0H0b0t59xaYGhNvKvuv2sVhG45R4G0wmTBqcZOByuG8fs62-t7yNW0mvJ2GjR3KeUfWyKZoY6Y3zmtNb5_zUoYLnMUmi4SmhzmdrkiWAJsvdtBSXWGAh7uYwKUB4HrA7W63oN3mO6Yww/s1600/DSCF1185.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0H0b0t59xaYGhNvKvuv2sVhG45R4G0wmTBqcZOByuG8fs62-t7yNW0mvJ2GjR3KeUfWyKZoY6Y3zmtNb5_zUoYLnMUmi4SmhzmdrkiWAJsvdtBSXWGAh7uYwKUB4HrA7W63oN3mO6Yww/s320/DSCF1185.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510582422063946914" /></a><br />Menu scroll thing at Indonesian restaurant<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTJPZRLe09TPksQlA9z8V9svc17tdW_HQjV2PVLtQKfYkfobZPhAcxh8JANpiIQKYafzQ4FWr_IeQ4FspqCeqcsY5pXdvMDNSSOLy0uuYAbi4QqAu2znSwUXJ07xJ6nN24Sn6YtmgNcYQ/s1600/DSCF1173.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTJPZRLe09TPksQlA9z8V9svc17tdW_HQjV2PVLtQKfYkfobZPhAcxh8JANpiIQKYafzQ4FWr_IeQ4FspqCeqcsY5pXdvMDNSSOLy0uuYAbi4QqAu2znSwUXJ07xJ6nN24Sn6YtmgNcYQ/s320/DSCF1173.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510582416933035234" /></a><br />Inside Japanese Restaurant<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgCBns9EAQP9p8a8kuczLInRX_tU2hy-3O9NSmH8dTCMSHsjJ-KOoOjOlrVouYNByT7u_Wx1LWZssOk7N0dfg_w83BGSfjVSCZOicryx5uld1bauuyTIbwkoXoG8wHcw1Hbd_Qwpdzl_I/s1600/DSCF1148.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgCBns9EAQP9p8a8kuczLInRX_tU2hy-3O9NSmH8dTCMSHsjJ-KOoOjOlrVouYNByT7u_Wx1LWZssOk7N0dfg_w83BGSfjVSCZOicryx5uld1bauuyTIbwkoXoG8wHcw1Hbd_Qwpdzl_I/s320/DSCF1148.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510582409195190594" /></a><br /><br />Aside from non-stop eating and drinking, I WENT SCUBA DIVING AGAIN!!! After over 10 years it was time to get back on that horse and face my fears. It was AMAZING! I was more than proud of myself and I can't wait to do it again.<br />Me very nervous before my first dive<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9oWLV_lhDHkfiJBUwi0DemRzJCsrdaq5PSnDtt5rNfOiZf9vwX94jiSNX8J5ZIEas6_hT4l-n60aPy2CBdXu3sUdDIdZywDHIDJHZCiE_7xEK_C1WPaALAwdMHaQrsojKGE8xHfjWGus/s1600/DSCF1215.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9oWLV_lhDHkfiJBUwi0DemRzJCsrdaq5PSnDtt5rNfOiZf9vwX94jiSNX8J5ZIEas6_hT4l-n60aPy2CBdXu3sUdDIdZywDHIDJHZCiE_7xEK_C1WPaALAwdMHaQrsojKGE8xHfjWGus/s320/DSCF1215.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510587689540165394" /></a><br />Best place to be ever<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGHSTCiBnGCKNLB_QCFYz70K0DRSzrDaog4hGNLbUdxq0I0Jyk4KGWDiBrkva7J9k6HMuG5lxmNeYG0yeydRLkC2yyFkzvDf9mlWIOBmnEU2fknh9ohpGEINkA1zWENtyUyCY7OMARL1o/s1600/DSCF1217.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGHSTCiBnGCKNLB_QCFYz70K0DRSzrDaog4hGNLbUdxq0I0Jyk4KGWDiBrkva7J9k6HMuG5lxmNeYG0yeydRLkC2yyFkzvDf9mlWIOBmnEU2fknh9ohpGEINkA1zWENtyUyCY7OMARL1o/s320/DSCF1217.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510587710678429490" /></a><br />I've missed all this stuff so much<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjphee9EDmk0EmhG5Qn1DYhhJrb83rn3QwyeZvu86MFatR6KyIzjJR3zf17u-7kfRuCTWOtM1p1CvLKwJ87sWUYtaVWhe7NmzklVswLVr_VKNBuhA7Gd0HpiukpwPB7_hBKGUxyR4s-_E4/s1600/DSCF1216.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjphee9EDmk0EmhG5Qn1DYhhJrb83rn3QwyeZvu86MFatR6KyIzjJR3zf17u-7kfRuCTWOtM1p1CvLKwJ87sWUYtaVWhe7NmzklVswLVr_VKNBuhA7Gd0HpiukpwPB7_hBKGUxyR4s-_E4/s320/DSCF1216.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510587696361792098" /></a><br /><br />The hotel grounds were beautiful with a lot of wildlife. And when we got home to our own wildlife, our little Tangie went Brazilian. The vet had to shave her when they groomed her because she was so matted up. With all her hair I couldn't feel the mats under it all.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYrsfG0-YwXn5XfVzKaTdlqcV4OcXvW_J0kwNd2Yubpm_JvMY-OqKLDAnTixBZG84CLCuDiKQChyuO37fLR1ychyphenhyphenw1aZh-U0KNbEj0LZbrlvLkNTpDq_vKDjeGCN5fz3I-n1fQo24BbvE/s1600/DSCF1123.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYrsfG0-YwXn5XfVzKaTdlqcV4OcXvW_J0kwNd2Yubpm_JvMY-OqKLDAnTixBZG84CLCuDiKQChyuO37fLR1ychyphenhyphenw1aZh-U0KNbEj0LZbrlvLkNTpDq_vKDjeGCN5fz3I-n1fQo24BbvE/s320/DSCF1123.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510591094420221618" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVU2owUNYm2F2ktspwPzrHCzFYXtywgANkvZZ88dJ1qxsDx6Toy8NEaK_CoqMiiuoTE1w9BIcORUeY_wbVYZspDFQYfLsaqFzWJB1DeJaJvzvr-fUBGBLMPRKuw3X5F1s6O8DIh0L2PdY/s1600/DSCF1120.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVU2owUNYm2F2ktspwPzrHCzFYXtywgANkvZZ88dJ1qxsDx6Toy8NEaK_CoqMiiuoTE1w9BIcORUeY_wbVYZspDFQYfLsaqFzWJB1DeJaJvzvr-fUBGBLMPRKuw3X5F1s6O8DIh0L2PdY/s320/DSCF1120.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510591088235788082" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_xydS1NOVuiXQgenGn3SWLdSAWdLt3J3WesLh02cD7vH48KrRkb9k4FfWAcC_PtR8b2hvmrCrMgiYtZHcnjlTDNPNtj_RqVmlV7Bn-j_J0VDuWDCmEeWoaTxExaYigDaKZtcOBx66cYQ/s1600/DSCF1139.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_xydS1NOVuiXQgenGn3SWLdSAWdLt3J3WesLh02cD7vH48KrRkb9k4FfWAcC_PtR8b2hvmrCrMgiYtZHcnjlTDNPNtj_RqVmlV7Bn-j_J0VDuWDCmEeWoaTxExaYigDaKZtcOBx66cYQ/s320/DSCF1139.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510591072159051938" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0nku1xGTI-_yAowuuqmWsmCnY2aF04yYWovVsHYy1rzAuRZD5m9ys_jNMfbUUKSjmcgLvseTA0shxrPn1Wl_j6kJ9TPi2ZC67CbfWP7h35SjpTTrospTsiyO7u6Ks504gdrZkMMspYgU/s1600/DSCF1226.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0nku1xGTI-_yAowuuqmWsmCnY2aF04yYWovVsHYy1rzAuRZD5m9ys_jNMfbUUKSjmcgLvseTA0shxrPn1Wl_j6kJ9TPi2ZC67CbfWP7h35SjpTTrospTsiyO7u6Ks504gdrZkMMspYgU/s320/DSCF1226.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510591066614858130" /></a><br /><br />Tangie in her new sweater...she is not used to being so hairless. <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5CWNc15dXVE1nguOvCRFMQfKo5kIlke8BHlkb2XBCj0-SxxCS_GZAFvV5Z9m2KfF_kwcAwh-M_HvXfCaCq004lXsoYMzhK5QHYazzDWa8wyfWrCAQ4J6uFmkPinKi8EDt5rjOT-axGn8/s1600/DSCF1247.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5CWNc15dXVE1nguOvCRFMQfKo5kIlke8BHlkb2XBCj0-SxxCS_GZAFvV5Z9m2KfF_kwcAwh-M_HvXfCaCq004lXsoYMzhK5QHYazzDWa8wyfWrCAQ4J6uFmkPinKi8EDt5rjOT-axGn8/s320/DSCF1247.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510591098292797282" /></a><br /><br />It was an amazing trip and oh so relaxing. I read 3 books, ate my weight in food, and layed in the sun so much that I have a good reserve of vitamin D. Good to be home.Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10676725373723326503noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4170971273530598496.post-88129307776535973612010-05-31T21:24:00.014-05:002010-05-31T21:54:36.374-05:00In The Quest For Less<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgySrTmiRIxIF2vNx8puJ8I8iWtAVuyF53ItTpQriOY0yNUePlKAMmh9YyL3fXnAlCxFaEW1FrVdC_ynPHD8hCsu4qPKQAT3L6yY8aDJvm4p9Pb0JzBfektvojMifMhL4mt3GPcAR5W17g/s1600/cherries1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgySrTmiRIxIF2vNx8puJ8I8iWtAVuyF53ItTpQriOY0yNUePlKAMmh9YyL3fXnAlCxFaEW1FrVdC_ynPHD8hCsu4qPKQAT3L6yY8aDJvm4p9Pb0JzBfektvojMifMhL4mt3GPcAR5W17g/s200/cherries1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477633123016244786" /></a><br />Weight that is. I have read various articles that give good tips on ways to reduce belly fat and help aid in weight loss. In addition to exercise, of course. Some things are a given, like drinking water through out the day. A lot of people do this. It helps you feel full. People also put lemon in their water to give it some flavor. <br /><br />Lemons - The pectin in lemon peel is an excellent source of fiber, which helps stop the body from absorbing sugar quickly. Pectin also helps eliminate cravings. Drinking water with a whole lemon for weight loss is an excellent way to speed up weight loss and detox the body.<br /><br />Cherries - Cherries are low in calories, low in fat and contain a high percentage of water. Research has shown increasing water consumption will boost energy levels and help increase metabolism. <br /><br />Ruby Red Grapefruit Juice - Drinking 3 glasses a day over 12 weeks, can help you loose an additional 3 pounds. Try the brands that are 100% juice and no added sugar.<br /><br />Milk - Several studies have concluded that calcium-rich dairy products helped people lose more weight from the abdominal region than those taking calcium supplements or eating a low-calcium diet. <br /><br />I definately plan on trying these tips in addition to exercising more frequenly. My body isn't the same it was 10 years ago. Hell, even one year ago. It's crazy what mid-30's can do to ones ability to lose weight and keep it off.Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10676725373723326503noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4170971273530598496.post-14918031321034345882010-05-31T11:27:00.005-05:002010-05-31T11:36:59.083-05:00Expedition Great WhiteOh. Mah. Gah. I am about to be in Shark Nerd Heaven. I just saw a commercial on National Geographic for a new show coming out called <a href="http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/series/expedition-week/4906/Overview#tab-Overview" target="new">Expedition Great White</a>. Amazing. Check out this preview!<br /><br /><embed src="http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/channel/videos/satellite/satelliteEmbedPlayer.swf" bgcolor="#000000" flashVars="videoRef=07442_00&shareURL=http%3A%2F%2Fchannel.nationalgeographic.com%2Fseries%2Fexpedition-week%2F4906%2FVideos%2F07442_00&embedConfigFileName=config.xml" allowFullScreen="true" name="flashObj" width="496" height="279" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" swLiveConnect="true" allowScriptAccess="always" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/shockwave/download/index.cgi?P1_Prod_Version=ShockwaveFlash"></embed>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10676725373723326503noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4170971273530598496.post-35880113872567795832010-05-29T19:01:00.008-05:002010-05-29T19:25:18.036-05:00If You Love To Travel...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNXyVN992nd2vQseyAWiitzxc3rrgh059lXflznPwTY0IpouOxL3zSoTqKrfY4eVBtON1cW5vmX_abzxw9OyW6KhA4iqwk3rxrVyPgKMA-t10YKgY6DiUppwzpXCUjxrRZ06zv6KRVWRg/s1600/z20.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 172px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNXyVN992nd2vQseyAWiitzxc3rrgh059lXflznPwTY0IpouOxL3zSoTqKrfY4eVBtON1cW5vmX_abzxw9OyW6KhA4iqwk3rxrVyPgKMA-t10YKgY6DiUppwzpXCUjxrRZ06zv6KRVWRg/s200/z20.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476852353481134786" /></a><br />You need to check out my friend Shannon's new website. <a href="http://thattravelspark.com/" target="new">That Travel Spark</a>. She gives great advice on traveling with kids, packing, and planning great trips. You will also find good tips and ideas to know before you go!Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10676725373723326503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4170971273530598496.post-44075980922135530222010-05-24T21:00:00.018-05:002010-05-24T21:30:53.887-05:00Growing Up Is Easy To Do<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcjEhXOMdWsqpwfuUq6sct97XqKWWExAT8-ZOIzOftUgcKJt56SaJOOdV-EPSbZ6rdxAU1mL1Q7cAalt8B7mO61hIWwdBXXmc1eOOTwYJ7gFc9XijApsPfbCp31agcqm-_ctPqSM41F_0/s1600/t-shirt-i-dont-care-785391.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 84px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcjEhXOMdWsqpwfuUq6sct97XqKWWExAT8-ZOIzOftUgcKJt56SaJOOdV-EPSbZ6rdxAU1mL1Q7cAalt8B7mO61hIWwdBXXmc1eOOTwYJ7gFc9XijApsPfbCp31agcqm-_ctPqSM41F_0/s200/t-shirt-i-dont-care-785391.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475029396100297778" /></a><br />Not only is it easy, it is rather seamless. Some people have kids and are kind of forced to enter into this phase of life. It just happened for me. One day I give a crap about being "young" and wearing the trends and knowing the most current gossip then the next I don't care. I still want to look presentable, but if I look 35, it's ok. <br /><br />Last year I would have been mortified to look 34. You can't fight age. All you can do is embrace it and do your best to look your best. Nobody wants to be that lady who wears clothes from the junior department. We all know who they are because its so obvious.<br /><br />Another reason I notice I am entering the next phase of life is if I am in Macy's with a chance to buy cute clothes or an awesome coffee maker...yeah, I'm going with the awesome coffee maker.<br /><br />I no longer care what people think of me. I pretty much have spent my adult life not caring what people think of me, but it is more pronounced now. If you don't like me...that's your problem, not mine.<br /><br />I am starting to see how I used to be in younger people now. When I was in my mid to late 20's, I was so freaking ambitious and wanted so badly to be the golden child at work that I once arranged a limo, Mediteranian dinner w/belly dancer at a restarant in Dallas for my Boss and all his direct reports...who had to fly in. Yeah, I thought I was the shit. Looking back now, if I were one his direct reports would have been rolling my eyes and wondering why the young'en was trying so hard.<br /><br />It's just so funny how life changes over time and how much more comfortable I am with myself now. I no longer feel I have to impress, dress, or wow anyone. I do the best I can do at my job, I am a good friend, and I try to not look like a mess. And I am happier than I have ever been.Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10676725373723326503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4170971273530598496.post-27698210181518734762010-05-19T21:00:00.011-05:002010-05-19T21:17:41.552-05:00My Dog Is An Asshole?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuOoJeXnMNPhsZVvWrlDWnJRUJW75p64G9sbinINfKPnCB9dv4HEdsps7_pDqd8xAv1gYs-dxb0RD2hCSonoVdygrglUatsMO5CF59tnQuQhUXj-Ev5XB0aSioSR66s5zLKqaTfyuRfRc/s1600/IMG_0664.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuOoJeXnMNPhsZVvWrlDWnJRUJW75p64G9sbinINfKPnCB9dv4HEdsps7_pDqd8xAv1gYs-dxb0RD2hCSonoVdygrglUatsMO5CF59tnQuQhUXj-Ev5XB0aSioSR66s5zLKqaTfyuRfRc/s200/IMG_0664.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473169642793334850" /></a><br />My husband, Frank, thinks my dog Todd is an Asshole. Kind of funny actually. Here is some of his reasoning:<br /><br />1. He's always mad at stuff.<br /><br />2. He eats Bananas only because our other dogs Tangie and Lucy like them. He doesn't even like Bananas!<br /><br />3. He gets mad (barks like hell) when Frank takes a shower.<br /><br />4. He gets mad (barks like hell) when Frank goes into the garage.<br /><br />5. He's a "buzz-kill". He barks like hell when he hears things outside. Usually when we are watching a movie or are into a tv show.<br /><br />6. He only likes to get pet when the other dogs are already getting attention.<br /><br />7. Todd is a cock-blocker. Anytime Frank goes to kiss me, he sticks his little self in the middle of us. <br /><br />8. He doesn't give a shit about a toy unless one of the other dogs has it.<br /><br />9. He pees on fucking everything.<br /><br />10. He only pukes on carpet. Refuses to puke on the wood floor. This is typical when he eats grass outside.<br /><br />With all that said, Todd monkey is my baby. He is 8 years old and dammit he isn't going to change a thing. He loves his mamma and does what daddy says because he knows daddy will smack him. Don't get it wrong though. Frank loves Todd monkey. He was a birthday gift for me in 2002 and Frank has trained him to do a lot of stuff.<br /><br />I love my Todd. He is my O.G. <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY-43_THqAglsmjRojXQ8GbuHsh9TPc4fFAXyNqfV3rG8e-vC37J-NGQB8ghWKK5BlSybK4fmxMvyXFqTVP-ZLKAov7irgseL1mVaO83ke8gs6Kwmy45W4VHbg2YYi0ZjPGfZLeT2N0as/s1600/IMG_0992.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY-43_THqAglsmjRojXQ8GbuHsh9TPc4fFAXyNqfV3rG8e-vC37J-NGQB8ghWKK5BlSybK4fmxMvyXFqTVP-ZLKAov7irgseL1mVaO83ke8gs6Kwmy45W4VHbg2YYi0ZjPGfZLeT2N0as/s200/IMG_0992.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473170132860787058" /></a>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10676725373723326503noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4170971273530598496.post-30283299183988085892010-05-08T21:45:00.009-05:002010-05-08T22:06:31.859-05:00Blogging for BillOur neighbor of 6 years, Bill, passed away last night. It is so sad because he and his wife Cheryl were the best of friends. Bill was diagnosed with pancratic cancer last Christmas. We were told this at their annual Christmas gag gift exchange for 2009. Bill was one of the most kind and caring person I knew. He was a spitfire though. Ex Navy, wood-worker, smoker, diabetic, drinker, curser, sweetheart. So sweet and welcoming. We didn't go over there enough to visit. We normally would go over for their Christmas party and the occasional summer celebrations. Sad because they live right across the street. Bill always greeted me with a hug and a kiss on the cheeck. He always treated us like family, although he didn't know us very well. Bill was surrounded with a large family and great friends. It is so comforting to know that Cheryl is being comforted by them all in this difficult time. If I didn't know I would think this was just another outdoor celebration, which Bill would be at the center of. I couldn't imagine them not grieving any differently.<br /><br />I went over to give my condolences this morning. It started Thursday night when I saw the ambulance and firetruck outside their house. I then saw Bill being brought out on the gurney. Friday went by and only 1 car was in the driveway. I thought this was a good sign. He was still in the hospital and Cheryl was by his side. It all changed when I went to get the mail this morning and saw all the cars and people carrying in food. I knew what had happened. I went across the street and my other neighbor was mowing his yard (which was really sweet) told me what happened. I went inside to offer my condolences to Cheryl. My heart goes out to her. <br /><br />More family and friends gathered tonight so I went back over to say hello and offer condolences to Cheryls kids (who are my age), but I couldn't hold my shit together. I was going to start crying and they don't need more of that right now. So I will bake a cake and take over a card tomorrow. <br /><br />God Bless you Bill...you will be missed.<br /><br />Love, Frank and Amanda (a.k.a. Batman and Mrs. Batman)Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10676725373723326503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4170971273530598496.post-9834927797869043242010-04-28T20:36:00.021-05:002010-04-28T21:09:35.161-05:00Revelation and ResponsibilityToday I accomplished 3 things.<br /><br />1. I got approved for a Mortgage to buy a house.<br /><br />2. I made a decision to stop drinking so much.<br /><br />3. I went back to the gym.<br /><br />Let me explain. The first time home-buyer program ends on Friday, April 30th. I was going to basically try to buy our house from Frank because he is the sole owner and I am not on the title. That way, I (we) would get the $8000 tax credit. It sounded great on paper. I was approved for a mortgage, which suprised me actually. All I had to do was fax all of my paperwork over, which I was able to easily get (W2, pay stubs, 401K statement, etc). Then we would just need a Realtor to write us up a Purchase Agreement and have us sign it on or before Friday this week. All of which could have easily been done. Sounds too good to be true, right? Well, it was. When I contacted the Realtor, she did some checking and it turns out we would have to be divoriced at the time we execute the sale (when we sign the purchase agreement) in order for me to buy the house. I also verified this by calling a 2nd Realtor and H&R Block. Well, divorice is not possible being that a.) we don't want to get divoriced...anymore and b.) you can't divorice in 2 days. Even though I am not on the title, Texas is a community property state and therefore I half-own the house in a sense already. Good try for us though and at least I learned that I can do things on my own and even own a house if I really needed to.<br /><br />The 2nd item listed above is about how much I have been drinking lately. I mostly am doing it because I am bored and work has been really stressful lately. I would drink 2 plus glasses (because I'm a topper-offer) a night. Occasionally I would skip a night probably because I was out and it always felt like a big accomplishment. It shouldn't be that way. It then got to where I would feel dissappointed in myself for drinking the night before. I wouldn't get drunk because my tolerence was so high, which isn't right either. Last night I tried to go without drinking wine and I waited and waited but couldn't do it. So I had a couple glasses. And now I am out with no plans to buy any. I don't plan on quitting, but I do need to drink like normal people do. Occasionally, or on the weekend. My family history definately makes me see how this could get out of hand and turn into a problem.<br /><br />The last item is about me getting back to the gym. I was a size 2 last summer and now I am squeezing into a size 6. I know its because all I do at night is lounge around and drink wine.<br /><br />My plan moving forward is to spend my evenings being productive. Getting back to the gym, working harder, cooking more, etc. I have to do this. I have to get back to a normal balance.Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10676725373723326503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4170971273530598496.post-12853599408424673542010-04-25T14:18:00.011-05:002010-04-25T14:32:41.082-05:00Oceans Review<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBr7g-ClnAqA3cr4-GgoCr342yiRHmDRcE_oltGo5yxUiJU3TiWo0O3S1IZ6OIExHQT3Vg3Hxowa4cXHLclqnTVGCoxg8DzXhh8kin8rQdILplSjdRshLbywRqtozPRMzG67Ftv81wTe4/s1600/Disney-Oceans.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 112px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBr7g-ClnAqA3cr4-GgoCr342yiRHmDRcE_oltGo5yxUiJU3TiWo0O3S1IZ6OIExHQT3Vg3Hxowa4cXHLclqnTVGCoxg8DzXhh8kin8rQdILplSjdRshLbywRqtozPRMzG67Ftv81wTe4/s200/Disney-Oceans.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464160150468203938" /></a><br />Frank and I saw Disney's Oceans last night and I was not impressed. It was kind of slow moving and the production value wasn't that good. I think Life on Discovery channel is much better. I just thought being Disney that it would be more over-the-top. It did feel good knowing that Disney Nature made a donation in our honor for seeing the movie in its opening week.<br /><br />A few things I learned though:<br /><br />1. Disney films make for good birth control. So many kids...and they were bored! I mean, hello! they are watching a DOCUMENTARY. Not many kids are going to be able to stay interested for an hour and a half.<br /><br />2. Some Moms let their kids talk and run all over the theater because it's easier than chasinig them around and dicsipling them.<br /><br />3. Babies cry in movies. Not that I am just learning this, but apparantly somone did. The mother who brought the new born to the movie. Who does that? Sheesh!Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10676725373723326503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4170971273530598496.post-41060815988345972782010-04-18T14:09:00.007-05:002010-04-18T14:20:45.085-05:00Connected<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnEln9L5z3-YkTeD3RLu4YKsyPI29PQzsgwZp8SpjZGvw5C0v3VBzgqurq-jYk_E7Ehu_azA8ev3Ad1rVxx6zvAmQDfAjRovsVy47g6aqkXYdR7kXY1jBc6IIC_VVfKjxZklEfR7pU63A/s1600/twitter-t.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 166px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnEln9L5z3-YkTeD3RLu4YKsyPI29PQzsgwZp8SpjZGvw5C0v3VBzgqurq-jYk_E7Ehu_azA8ev3Ad1rVxx6zvAmQDfAjRovsVy47g6aqkXYdR7kXY1jBc6IIC_VVfKjxZklEfR7pU63A/s200/twitter-t.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461559564593851346" /></a><br />I've been on Facebook for a while now and have had my blog for a few years, but it feels like I am just joining the rest of modern society by getting connected. I joined Twitter, so I think now I am officially connected, but I am sure I am missing something. The funny thing is that I don't get Twitter. I finally understand when you want to talk to someone you have to type the @ sign. But I don't know what the # sign does. I also don't know when to Tweet or what to Tweet about. Of course it doesn't matter much if I don't have anyone to Tweet to. Let's see if I can do this.Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10676725373723326503noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4170971273530598496.post-80122953681771756692010-04-16T20:53:00.009-05:002010-04-16T21:02:19.424-05:00Topper<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhueSPjeGZLOD_WDmZCdPy0IA5GWjiGJhSJ9OAIKR7-XdgRMF7BH8AXAwRjqLbpqGra6vKsBAoQTUqxjoWSZzmYrg63PWL4bYqq8TMEBJMHdM0ErKGS9fBae6-aYsbwiKv_7Bs4b8F_kTY/s1600/green_onion.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 125px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhueSPjeGZLOD_WDmZCdPy0IA5GWjiGJhSJ9OAIKR7-XdgRMF7BH8AXAwRjqLbpqGra6vKsBAoQTUqxjoWSZzmYrg63PWL4bYqq8TMEBJMHdM0ErKGS9fBae6-aYsbwiKv_7Bs4b8F_kTY/s200/green_onion.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460919896809867058" /></a><br />A yummy topper for chicken, steak, and even fish. I made a batch and have had it on all 3 within the past 3 nights.<br /><br />Mix together the following to taste:<br /><br />Chopped Green Onions<br />Sour Cream<br />Blue Cheese crumbles<br /><br />Top anything. It's D-lish (especially on chicken marinated in buffalo sauce then grilled)!!Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10676725373723326503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4170971273530598496.post-48054533347697558082010-04-13T19:49:00.028-05:002010-04-13T20:21:28.779-05:00Random Change<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQLJo6F_4RUKZZm6cQ4Ip1T20ZwVLfj3ijk8_CN4HMRwIQwWUZdeKfhZ-vSr-Lafmo2L9FeV9s08757QTUTZFAP5nGRLt2wdXJHErTwnPMEdyTnDgyQVnk3hksBAF_unC0aainasBucTc/s1600/change.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 168px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQLJo6F_4RUKZZm6cQ4Ip1T20ZwVLfj3ijk8_CN4HMRwIQwWUZdeKfhZ-vSr-Lafmo2L9FeV9s08757QTUTZFAP5nGRLt2wdXJHErTwnPMEdyTnDgyQVnk3hksBAF_unC0aainasBucTc/s200/change.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459796478433612338" /></a><br />Over the past month or so I have noticed there are things I used to enjoy that I don't really care about anymore. It's stupid stuff really. Here are some of the things I just can't do anymore. Not sure if its because I am getting older or what, but here we go.<br /><br />KISS FM. Can't do it. I try to listen to it in the car, but I just can't stand it anymore. I am sure it has to do with the crap being played that I just don't get...like Justin Beiber, Ke$sha, random rappers using chipmunk sounds in their songs and robot noises. Or rappers singing about drinking and getting tipsy. I used to like anything with a beat and up-tempo with a party feel (and I still do), but I have a cut off point now that I am getting older.<br /><br />Bars. Why can't there be a quiet, smoke free, place to drink that is not crowded and has good music that isn't too loud and you can hear your conversations with cool people. Oh wait...there is. It's called MY HOUSE!<br /><br />Trends. OK, I can do some trends like ruffley blouses or chunky jewelry. But I can't do leggings, ugg-style boots, skinny jeans tucked into boots. You get the point. I would rather stick to classic style that still looks relevent and not old lady.<br /><br />Staying up late. I still do it, but is getting harder and harder. I feel so much better when I get a full 8 hours. <br /><br />Drinking wine on weeknights. Yes, there are some night that I have to. But a night off every now and then might actually help me lose some el-bees!<br /><br />Not drinking enough water. I need to stay more hydrated, epescially as I age. Don't want to dry out the skin!<br /><br />Perezhilton.com. Why am I obsessed with this crap? Is my life better for knowing useless information about people I don't know or don't care about? Now, there are still interesting stories out there like when Britney shaved her head and went crazy. But I'll wait until there is something interesting enough and then I will read about it.<br /><br />So I will be 35 roughly 4 short months. I wonder if age has anything to do with this. If it does, I'm cool with that. If not, then I guess it's just time to make a change.Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10676725373723326503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4170971273530598496.post-74671523799708776942010-04-07T21:37:00.008-05:002010-04-07T21:49:33.325-05:00Casa Bonita<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7X21SZKZ1oPNziNsxn6Cyz2ri1s1BHGwdMKShGO65eEQmVd5WSOQ9Go2q4aw1wQaEvPIlV8NjM_thaX_DMCuZBu-B2cFgXZYC85NGmmvX1i07CKe_pS_BR-3MgneDZLCB8lYbFUBbsgE/s1600/250px-Casabonitadenver.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 133px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7X21SZKZ1oPNziNsxn6Cyz2ri1s1BHGwdMKShGO65eEQmVd5WSOQ9Go2q4aw1wQaEvPIlV8NjM_thaX_DMCuZBu-B2cFgXZYC85NGmmvX1i07CKe_pS_BR-3MgneDZLCB8lYbFUBbsgE/s200/250px-Casabonitadenver.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457593137416683026" /></a><br />Does anyone remember Casa Bonita? The Mexican restaraunt with the indoor waterfall that had cliff divers? I remember going there as a kid and it was like the most amazing experience. There were multiple rooms with different feels, but the best seat in the house was next to the cliff divers. The smell of the chemicals in the indoor pool mixed with the Pancho's quality mexican food. Does anyone remember this place? It was by Hulen Mall in Fort Worth. Think back to the mid-80's.Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10676725373723326503noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4170971273530598496.post-66383726763208519412010-03-28T22:09:00.026-05:002010-03-28T22:40:14.313-05:0010 Years Goes By Fast<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBr8VPuTdzwyozMOFDdqFQFbsaVJypdSVD2-brSQJ_ugzqCVH-RpsrxrbCnE7SXTjguyZ5iM1aaXdPOoK9d-K38Uxmv_xBNeZRV1EOmDEF-Oy4Ypt3389aFtRioPrALcWz-bH-VdpqAfg/s1600/29to-9.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 210px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBr8VPuTdzwyozMOFDdqFQFbsaVJypdSVD2-brSQJ_ugzqCVH-RpsrxrbCnE7SXTjguyZ5iM1aaXdPOoK9d-K38Uxmv_xBNeZRV1EOmDEF-Oy4Ypt3389aFtRioPrALcWz-bH-VdpqAfg/s320/29to-9.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453894954142268162" /></a><br />Today is the 10 year anniversary of the big ass tornado that hit Downtown Fort Worth. I remember that night like it was a year ago. Queue the hazy blurry dream sequence...Frank and I were living in North Arlington (technically Grand Prairie) off North 360 in an apartment. I was working for Ryder in Las Colinas and he was working with Bass in Downtown Fort Worth. I got home before he did as usual, and turned on Channel 5 news. David Fenfrock actually showed the tornado happening LIVE on TV!! It was crazy. I kept calling Frank and he wasn't answering and I was really scared. The tornado was ripping right through the middle of Downtown. Being on the 3rd floor of the apartments, I panicked because the storm was heading straight down I-30 towards central Arlington (close enough for discomfort). Still scared shit-less about Frank...I was a mess. Finally Frank got home and I demanded we go downstairs to our garage on the bottom floor of the apartments and sit in the car (my Jetta). I thought that would be the safest place. But it got really hot sitting in there because we couldn't turn the car on because the garage was closed...duh.<br /><br />Turns out Frank couldn't answer his phone when I was calling to check on him because he racing down I-30 with the tornado in his rear-view mirror. Can you blame the guy? Good thing he had his fast new Audi A4. That was such a cool car. But I digress...it's funny how I remember things so vividly and others not so much.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1QKbYbEqxXeypJThtbfVSbNfYzryypve74kJRh6-kOcRemd2wkCO8LGOe0_vzxd2HOdUjztCaZx4qsUk9iApsKHNghIMI9JeYQLWcBTcHmZ1YzyCagaYsAiMBKo_59cpsp-GiqCJ16ds/s1600/BankOneFortWorth(2000).jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 206px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1QKbYbEqxXeypJThtbfVSbNfYzryypve74kJRh6-kOcRemd2wkCO8LGOe0_vzxd2HOdUjztCaZx4qsUk9iApsKHNghIMI9JeYQLWcBTcHmZ1YzyCagaYsAiMBKo_59cpsp-GiqCJ16ds/s320/BankOneFortWorth(2000).jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453895089945720882" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIWmF3Ql8XWLrz4IqNv2MZam3sAPqcZqA67EC5oPEmxky6Zr6LOKcqEeM024EnM_FxyzlgkoR24Doxb65H18f_qtw644Mx3ATbMxHfKcllfI82aSZr4SjreCAvzHN7d5kmCsa-6C64g30/s1600/Mvc-005f.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIWmF3Ql8XWLrz4IqNv2MZam3sAPqcZqA67EC5oPEmxky6Zr6LOKcqEeM024EnM_FxyzlgkoR24Doxb65H18f_qtw644Mx3ATbMxHfKcllfI82aSZr4SjreCAvzHN7d5kmCsa-6C64g30/s320/Mvc-005f.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453895356102828674" /></a>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10676725373723326503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4170971273530598496.post-29182831758973040392010-03-27T12:19:00.017-05:002010-03-27T12:44:11.557-05:00Dreaming Of Blue Water and Sunny SkiesI am starting to long for the Caribbean. It's getting to be that time of year when we start planning. However, things might not go as planned this year. We normally have an idea of where we want to go by now, but not this year. We have had so much come up we are not even sure if we will be going anywhere. But here are some pics looking back over the past few years of where we have been:<br /><br />2009-Dominican Republic<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQrsxvXrTcrCQ8UanXTnvC5WM3M_U-dlQGXQnzbwLFqfCILgIew8EQxoOMjrj-FJXVEUQyt1ZcG-EUfwfIby9GFwA47QmhrEZ9miV7sQJ2ZmuA1DplDl8yJJYtVox3bhx1NiX518CqRco/s1600/IMG_0325.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQrsxvXrTcrCQ8UanXTnvC5WM3M_U-dlQGXQnzbwLFqfCILgIew8EQxoOMjrj-FJXVEUQyt1ZcG-EUfwfIby9GFwA47QmhrEZ9miV7sQJ2ZmuA1DplDl8yJJYtVox3bhx1NiX518CqRco/s320/IMG_0325.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453367439131654578" /></a><br /><br />2008-Turks & Caicos <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKhM7YCcuZNi8n5hCdMllQPD7NpAUPNSv1WPR1OUsH7_F19RsFGV9KLbROs-JGlDWVkItf3aTo_yNHX25cyMYPpHdm-zXz_Qr-QUfAgE9AvrHWZn04wnF15WXWvsmRdAnqlyXQ1LsftDs/s1600/IMG_1801.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKhM7YCcuZNi8n5hCdMllQPD7NpAUPNSv1WPR1OUsH7_F19RsFGV9KLbROs-JGlDWVkItf3aTo_yNHX25cyMYPpHdm-zXz_Qr-QUfAgE9AvrHWZn04wnF15WXWvsmRdAnqlyXQ1LsftDs/s320/IMG_1801.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453368142111503634" /></a><br /><br />2007-Tulum, Mexico<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBsd3yuqNr1WRhB4a-__mw_7pp29KixXUCWtNIxfCNEDrqpzDQo7F-J0f9EQn_HTRbhe5_IxEDEobxv-uMlgsrQpDxXeJpCgwmBFvpsPvcEhuiO_Dji5Od3KgM8itzt2VqdWbZZrN9KLM/s1600/IMG_1300.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBsd3yuqNr1WRhB4a-__mw_7pp29KixXUCWtNIxfCNEDrqpzDQo7F-J0f9EQn_HTRbhe5_IxEDEobxv-uMlgsrQpDxXeJpCgwmBFvpsPvcEhuiO_Dji5Od3KgM8itzt2VqdWbZZrN9KLM/s320/IMG_1300.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453368692299006258" /></a><br /><br />2006-Puerto Vallarta, Mexico<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi3I27wrY2PAbpaUjlp3HGCOv_UK5gc4E3UikXWFvm_idIZFgkKj_CpvKhTe7tKSTTXB2QH3SvTdAqZwsk0E06JXbJ9l3sKReJc8SvfGUGNsOAHorrKyw8Hzd1P16sRZMPO9mkZJt2acc/s1600/5466re2.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi3I27wrY2PAbpaUjlp3HGCOv_UK5gc4E3UikXWFvm_idIZFgkKj_CpvKhTe7tKSTTXB2QH3SvTdAqZwsk0E06JXbJ9l3sKReJc8SvfGUGNsOAHorrKyw8Hzd1P16sRZMPO9mkZJt2acc/s320/5466re2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453369691133236354" /></a><br /><br />2005-St. Lucia<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi1zkiYTlEyzQT21A_ILjaFUCy9DrozyDFFc023XqUYoXGncYP4Hndu1AmD3XYylTrokjQhsmroUW_o-Uwwc6PkdlCNRFzDK1mOMccXYaUirtwtp-vFBtOM4gRrvpCy7g5Lj31lVEsOMo/s1600/IMG_0056.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi1zkiYTlEyzQT21A_ILjaFUCy9DrozyDFFc023XqUYoXGncYP4Hndu1AmD3XYylTrokjQhsmroUW_o-Uwwc6PkdlCNRFzDK1mOMccXYaUirtwtp-vFBtOM4gRrvpCy7g5Lj31lVEsOMo/s320/IMG_0056.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453370255749310914" /></a><br /><br />Before that I didn't have a digital camera and have never taken the time to scan in photos. 2004-Caymem, 2003-Aruba, 2002-Bonaire, 2001-Belize<br /><br />2010?Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10676725373723326503noreply@blogger.com2