When I get back, I'll be sure to have a lot of great stuff for you guys, because I'll have lots of writing time in the great outdoors! (Plus there are some more giveaways in the works.) Don't miss me too much. ;)
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Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Out of the Proverbial Office
Thursday, June 24, 2010
152 Insights Into My Soul
So... I've never made a list like this because for some reason I felt like it would jinx me or something. Plus I don't want to be one of those girls who is single her whole life because she has a list of a zillion requirements that he can't possibly fulfill. I don't want to be the girl who refuses to date a man who drinks out of a straw. (Seriously, I saw that girl on Oprah.) But Mama Kat has issued the following writing assignment, so I'm accepting it. And yes, she asked specifically for 50.
50 Things I Look For In A Man
1. He loves Jesus
2. He cares about people
3. He makes me laugh
4. He thinks I'm funny
5. He's smarter than I am
6. He makes me feel smart
7. He's good with kids
8. He loves music
9. He's creative
10. He's outgoing (to balance me out)
11. He's honest
12. He's tolerant of all people
13. He accepts people (especially me) as they are
14. He's trustworthy
15. He cares about family
16. He's adventurous
17. He puts faith first
18. He knows how to be a leader
19. He's attractive! (To me)
20. He's attracted to me
21. He knows how to apologize
22. He knows how to forgive
23. He can communicate his feelings
24. He wants to be a father
25. He has Godly wisdom
26. He has a silly side
27. He's fun to be with
28. He's romantic
29. He's confident
30. He's humble
31. He's passionate
32. He's strong
33. He knows what he wants
34. We have chemistry
35. He has strong values
36. He's spiritual
37. He's generous
38. He can hold me accountable
39. He's compassionate
40. He's educated
41. He works hard
42. He plays hard
43. He can be spontaneous
44. He's good with his money (because one of us should be!)
45. He's respectful
46. He's sweet
47. He loves animals (or at least dogs!)
48. He seeks God's will for His life
49. He's flawed
50. He's perfect! For me. :)
I can't wait to meet him! And no, I did not jinx myself, and I'm not the girl with the 10 mile list of requirements. I'm waiting patiently for the right man, the one that God created for me (and me for him). And I'm not settling!
P.S. Please don't forget to check out how you can help send me to Haiti by buying Mary Kay products! The fundraiser ends tomorrow (Friday, June 25th.)
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Tuesday, June 22, 2010
The A-List
Anyway... one of my favorite blog friends Melissa, at Miel et Lait, has paired up with Gigi from Kludgy Mom to create a new networking site for blogger's called The Blogger's Concierge. They are putting on an A List Affair, and I want to be part of it!
So... I'm supposed to share a bit about my blog... Well, I started blogging in August of 2008 to keep my friends and family in California updated while I was adventuring in Portland Oregon. About a year ago, I moved back to the small CA town where I grew up. However, blogging became a lot more to me than just updating my loved ones. It's a community of friends I never would have expected to make, and a place to share my thoughts.
I've been sharing about my faith journey in this post and this one and this one. Sometimes I share about my pups, Penny and Rocky. I also love to travel, and have been slowly but surely sharing pictured and anecdotes from my trip to Spain last summer. I recently had my blog re-designed by Penny Lane Designs (I stumbled on the site because she shares my dog's name) and I love it! And recently, I've been trying to raise funds through giveaways and other fun things for my mission/relief trip to Haiti in August. If you like Mary Kay, please check out this post about how you can help send me to Haiti while buying make-up for you! It's win-win. :) That fund-raiser ends this Friday, but there will be more in the future, and I'd love it if you came back to visit again!
I'm not sure if any of that makes me A-list worthy, but a girl can try, right?
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Thursday, June 17, 2010
How To Be My Hero - And Get Some Fun Stuff For You Too!
Natalie, at Blonde At Heart has offered me a very sweet deal to help me raise money for my Haiti trip, and I hope you'll get involved. Natalie sells Mary Kay products and she makes 50% of the profits (pretty sweet, right?) She has offered to DONATE 45%of the profits to MY Haiti trip!(5% will go toward fees whatnot - she's not making anything off this fundraiser!) And I don't even know her in real life! Pretty amazing stuff. So I would love love love it if you would go here and buy some Mary Kay products for yourself! Shipping is $3, and because Natalie lives in Oregon (a no sales tax state) you don't have to worry about paying tax! Also, for orders $40 or more you will receive a free gift! After you go to her Mary Kay web site and look around at all the great products (some of them BRAND NEW!), you can place your order online. Then send her an email (nataliesmith82@marykay.com) that way she knows that your order is for my Haiti fundraiser. Everybody wins! Thank you soooo much Natalie!! And thanks ahead of time to anyone who participates. :) Happy shopping!
Also, the lovely Sippy Cup Mom wrote a blog post about my trip! So sweet of her! She has been an incredibly encouraging twitter friend too. Go pay her a visit!
Well I'm off to Calistoga for the weekend for my friend Mollie's wedding, so excited! See you all on Monday. :)
**This fundraiser closes on June 27th.
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Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Um... Spain?... Day 9 and 10 - Tavernes
Day 1: Madrid
Day 2: Madrid
Day 3: Toledo
Day 4 & 5: Madrid-Barcelona
Day 6: Barcelona
Day 7: Barcelona
Day 8: Barcelona
On day 9 Adriana and I traveleved from Barcelona to Tavernes de Valldigna, a little beach town where Adriana's family spends their summers (lucky them!) We stayed in their lovely apartment with the most amazing views:
It was an incredibly relaxing and enjoyable couple of days!
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Monday, June 14, 2010
Multitude Monday: Some Thank You's
I just wanted to take this particular moment on a Monday to thank a few people who have been great supports in the giveaway and fundraising process. Please go visit their blogs and say hello for me, because they are awesome.
Of course, a huge thank you to those who generously gave their products away: Lisa Leonard Designs, Spunk & Sass Designs, Just Simply Southern, and especially to Creative Creations By Cristin and Buddy Notes who have taken extra measures to support my cause.
And to 3 great bloggers who have and/or plan to mention my Haiti mission and giveaways on their own blogs - thank you!!
Miel et Lait
The Life of A Sippy Cup Mom
Love Comma Ashlee
And thanks again to those who participated, and especially those who donated to my trip. I'm not going to name you because I'm not sure that's in good taste, but I appreciate you!!
And I promise that soon I'm going to write some REAL stuff about my life. I just need a bit of time to process some of the things I want to share. It will be good though, I swear. ;)
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Friday, June 11, 2010
And the Winners Are...
So, without further ado... the winners!
Creative Creations By Cristin - Paige from Some Days You Gotta Dance
Lisa Leonard Designs - Christina
Buddy Notes - Emily
Spunk & Sass Designs - Jennifer Norch
Just Simply Southern - Julie
Congratulations to the winners!! I am going to e-mail all those ladies as soon as this is posted, so if your first name is on this list, you'll know if it's you based on your inbox. Thanks so much again to everyone who particiapted! Come back soon for more giveaways!
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Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Outstanding Blogger Award!
Here's what I have to do now:
1) Thank the person who gave me this award. Thanks again Brenda!
2) Share 7 things about myself.
1. I have a BS in Child Development from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, and 1/3 of a Master's in Counseling from Western Seminary
2. I'm really good at getting teenagers to like me (even the angry ones)
3. I pray for squirrels when I think someone's about to run them over
4. I hate spiders, but I think snakes are neat.
5. I always squeeze toothpaste from the bottom and work my way up.
6. I play the harp
7. I want to be a foster mom.
3) Pass the award along to 15 bloggers who I have recently discovered and who I think are fantastic!
So without further ado, here are my recent favorites:
1. The Life of a Sippy Cup Mom
2. My Home in the Smokies
3. Ordinary Inspirations
4. So Stinkin' Cute
5. A Nuttier Life
6. Blonde At Heart
7. Love Comma Ashlee
8. Ann On And On
9. Some Days You Gotta Dance
10. Life Sunnyside Down
11. Loud And Out Of Key
12. Ma21Cuteboy
13. Living in Love With Jesus
14. Among The Blossoms
15. The Redhead Riter
In other news, my last (and mostly boring) post, was actually my 100th post! So yay for that. Even though I did nothing exciting to honor it. :P
And.... 2.5 hours until the Buddy Notes giveaway closes! Last chance to win a 6 month Pen Pal for your child!
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Monday, June 7, 2010
Giveaway One Is Closing!
Friday, June 4, 2010
The New Me
A huge thank you to Marina at Penny Lane Designs for transforming my blog! It's exactly what I imagined and more. I'm so so happy. I stumbled upon her web site because Penny Lane is my dog's name! :) And I believe it was fate because her designs are beautiful. And now my blog has been beautified by her magical touch. I love it love it love it.
Do you?
(Yes, I'm blatantly asking for affirmation.)
P.S. Please check out all the amazing giveaways below if you haven't already. They're all still open!
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Giveaway: Just Simply Southern
Last Day of Giveaway Week is here!
Today's giveaway is a $30 gift certificate from Just Simply Southern!
Go check out Just Simply Southern blog and see her beautiful handmade frames:
In case you are new to Giveaway Week, the purpose of this giveaway is to raise money for my trip to Haiti in August. My team will be working in orphanages, schools, and helping in the relief effort, and in the meantime sharing the love of Jesus with a hurting people group. The total trip cost (including airfare) is $1600.00 So every dollar helps! But you don't have to donate to enter the giveaway. Here's what you do:
1. Comment on this post. That's all! Automatic entry.
For extra entries:
2. Subscribe to this blog by RSS feed or subscribe by Email
3. Follow me on twitter AND tweet this giveaway.
4. Donate! Click the button on the upper right side of the blog, or go here to make a secure credit card donation through Pay Pal. You will get 1 extra entry for ANY AMOUNT donated. After that, you will get extra entries for every additional $5 donated. You don't need to tell me how much you donated, just THAT you donated, and I will be able to check on Pay Pal.
You only need to comment once and tell me what you did. :)
If you are NOT a blogger, leave me your e-mail so I can contact you if you win.
This giveaway is open internationally. It will remain open until 12 noon on Friday, June 11th. The winner will be announced that afternoon.
Thank you so much for participating! There will be more giveaways in the future, so please come back for those and to read about my trip to Haiti!
**This giveaway is closed**
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Thursday, June 3, 2010
Giveaway: Spunk and Sass Designs
Today's giveaway is this beautiful handmade necklace from Spunk & Sass Designs!
The winner gets to choose whatever they want stamped on either tag! (Hearts, letters, etc.) The winner will also get to choose drops based on what's available in stock. Shown is a freshwater pearl and a faceted gemstone.
In case you are new to Giveaway Week, the purpose of this giveaway is to raise money for my trip to Haiti in August. My team will be working in orphanages, schools, and helping in the relief effort, and in the meantime sharing the love of Jesus with a hurting people group. The total trip cost (including airfare) is $1600.00 So every dollar helps! But you don't have to donate to enter the giveaway. Here's what you do:
1. Comment on this post. That's all! Automatic entry.
For extra entries:
2. Subscribe to this blog by RSS feed or subscribe by Email
3. Follow me on twitter AND tweet this giveaway.
4. Donate! Click the button on the upper right side of the blog, or go here to make a secure credit card donation through Pay Pal. You will get 1 extra entry for ANY AMOUNT donated. After that, you will get extra entries for every additional $5 donated. You don't need to tell me how much you donated, just THAT you donated, and I will be able to check on Pay Pal.
You only need to comment once and tell me what you did. :)
If you are NOT a blogger, leave me your e-mail so I can contact you if you win.
This giveaway is open internationally. It will remain open until Midnight on Thursday, June 10th. The winner will be announced on Friday, June 11th.
Thank you so much for participating! Come back tomorrow for another giveaway. :) Then come back to read about my trip to Haiti!
**This giveaway is closed**
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Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Giveaway: Buddy Notes - Pen Pal For Your Child!
Ok everyone, Giveaway Week Day 3 is here!
Today's giveaway is great for parents to give to their children. Because what child doesn't love getting mail?
Check out Buddy Notes and find out about the 6 month pen pal that your child can receive, plus a special birthday letter! A pen pal is a creative way to engage your child in good writing skills, and they'll be excited to receive letters each month, which include crafts and activities!
In case you are new to Giveaway Week, the purpose of this giveaway is to raise money for my trip to Haiti in August. My team will be working in orphanages, schools, and helping in the relief effort, and in the meantime sharing the love of Jesus with a hurting people group. The total trip cost (including airfare) is $1600.00 So every dollar helps! But you don't have to donate to enter the giveaway. Here's what you do:
1. Comment on this post. That's all! Automatic entry.
For extra entries:
2. Subscribe to this blog by RSS feed or subscribe by Email
3. Follow me on twitter AND tweet this giveaway.
4. Donate! Click the button on the upper right side of the blog, or go here to make a secure credit card donation through Pay Pal. You will get 1 extra entry for ANY AMOUNT donated. After that, you will get extra entries for every additional $5 donated. You don't need to tell me how much you donated, just THAT you donated, and I will be able to check on Pay Pal.
You only need to comment once and tell me what you did. :)
If you are NOT a blogger, leave me your e-mail so I can contact you if you win.
This giveaway is open until Midnight on Wednesday, June 9th. The winner will be announced on Friday, June 11th.
Thank you so much for participating! Come back tomorrow for another giveaway. :) Then come back to read about my trip to Haiti!
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Giveaway: Lisa Leonard Designs
Today's giveaway is a $40 gift certificate from Lisa Leonard Designs!
Go check out Lisa's page and see her beautiful handmade jewelery.
In case you are new to Giveaway Week, the purpose of this giveaway is to raise money for my trip to Haiti in August. My team will be working in orphanages, schools, and helping in the relief effort, and in the meantime sharing the love of Jesus with a hurting people group. The total trip cost (including airfare) is $1600.00 So every dollar helps! But you don't have to donate to enter the giveaway. Here's what you do:
1. Comment on this post. That's all! Automatic entry.
For extra entries:
2. Subscribe to this blog by RSS feed or subscribe by Email
3. Follow me on twitter AND tweet this giveaway.
4. Donate! Click the button on the upper right side of the blog, or go here to make a secure credit card donation through Pay Pal. You will get 1 extra entry for ANY AMOUNT donated. After that, you will get extra entries for every additional $5 donated. You don't need to tell me how much you donated, just THAT you donated, and I will be able to check on Pay Pal.
You only need to comment once and tell me what you did. :)
If you are NOT a blogger, leave me your e-mail so I can contact you if you win.
This giveaway is open in the U.S. and Canada. It will remain open until Midnight on Tuesday, June 8th. The winner will be announced on Friday, June 11th.
Thank you so much for participating! Come back tomorrow for another giveaway. :) Then come back to read about my trip to Haiti!