tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40007066984844820812024-03-12T20:31:40.075-07:00The Iron CowgirlsMaybe getting it all out here will help my failing attempts at organizing fate and reduce the complexity that comes from the everyday effort to simplify.~ Iron Cowgirl ~http://www.blogger.com/profile/09097349974757742992noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4000706698484482081.post-47269751371099861722016-08-23T09:09:00.001-07:002016-08-23T09:09:14.887-07:00I'm actually married to Alex Smith #11 LOL<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfidcV6AXPwUlyGA_lONq-VSlWYtmzSti0PxbffxisgRVC0_E-A2dU1cBFVqCr9IM18IhXDVmLMxFlfH20JQchTLwXcx7V6ReuptUM5v2pIG8aOQTj14TaqPzzHm8aac1iBPoZ3MK7ikS4/s1600/Gina+Smith.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfidcV6AXPwUlyGA_lONq-VSlWYtmzSti0PxbffxisgRVC0_E-A2dU1cBFVqCr9IM18IhXDVmLMxFlfH20JQchTLwXcx7V6ReuptUM5v2pIG8aOQTj14TaqPzzHm8aac1iBPoZ3MK7ikS4/s320/Gina+Smith.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />~ Iron Cowgirl ~http://www.blogger.com/profile/09097349974757742992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4000706698484482081.post-61786019206682125902013-01-24T07:41:00.001-08:002013-01-24T08:03:28.589-08:00DIY - I've come down with a case of Crafty.So I got bit...no consumed by the crafty DIY bug. I'm completely infected and I don't believe that there is a cure known to man. And I'm good with that. If being crafty is wrong..I don't want to be right!<br />
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I've recently become a bit obsessed with Pintrest's DIY organization and Home Decor projects. Now let me start by saying that I have done things here and there before but never have I been so utterly fanatic about them as I am now.<br />
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I started with a little project that I saw called a Ribbon Memo Board - Check out the tutorial here at <a href="http://www.momtastic.com/home-and-living/home/171161-ribbon-memo-board" target="_blank">Momtastic</a>. <br />
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Hers looked like this and was attached to the inside of a cabinet door.<br />
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It sounded easy to make and would clear up my kitchen counter of all the unorganized coupons, mail and other papers that I have stacked there taking up space. So I followed the directions and made my own! I had my girl Andi come over and she made one too.<br />
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I attached mine to the side of my pantry. The foam board that I bought was too big for the inside of my cabinet door and I was too lazy to cut it down to size. So here it is and it was really easy! Since it was so easy I decided to take on some other projects to <strike>re</strike>-decorate the Doodle's room. (I really shouldn't say re-decorate as we never actually decorated it in the first place.)<br />
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Fabric - $4.38<br />
Ribbons - (on sale 50% off) $9.52<br />
Foam board (2) - $5<br />
Spray adhesive - $4<br />
Duct Tape - $4 <br />
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Total cost - $26.90 - that's $13.45 each. I actually had some of these things on hand so it was cheaper than buying everything needed.<br />
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I got another idea from <a href="http://www.sugarandcharmblog.com/2011/01/easy-and-beautiful-enamel-painted-vases.html" target="_blank">Sugar and Charm</a> for these painted vases...<br />
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I bought some old vases from a thrift store nearby for about .50 each. Went to the craft store and bought enamel paints. then I set to work...<br />
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When we painted these it was difficult to get a good coverage using a brush, it was leaving brush strokes that you could see through the glass. I found that using a foam brush to dab worked much better. On one vase I used a metallic (for some reason the metallics are much thinner) I poured the paint into the vase and then just rolled the vase around to cover the inside - This by far gave me the greatest results. I let them dry over night and then put them into my kiln (The oven) set at 200 for an hour and let them sit in the oven overnight while the oven cooled. This is how they turned out.<br />
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I did make the last one for a friends birthday gift - the rest are all for the Doodles room. I got a couple of cute floating shelves and painted one black and one red and these - in addition to the small photo frames that I bought at the thrift store and painted will sit on those shelves.<br />
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Vases - $4<br />
Enamel paints (5 @ 30% off) - $4.50<br />
Foam brushes (pack of 5) - $1.33<br />
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Total cost - $9.83 I only made 6 of the vases - so it breaks down to $1.64 per vase. (I have leftover vases and paint so that cost will be less as I finish the others) Again, I had the foam brushes and some paint on hand already so the cost was even less.<br />
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I also made a fabric covered box and a small canvas painting for the birthday gift. A set of 3 that match her living room colors! I hope she likes it!<br />
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Her favorite flower is a sunflower and when I started to paint this I had no idea what I was going to do, it just happened to look like a sunflower as I started with one corner so I went with it and this is what it became.<br />
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Fabric from thrift store(I have about 3 yards of it left) - $2.50<br />
Vase we figured out to be - $1.64<br />
Canvas (2pk @ 30% off for $3.51) - $1.75<br />
I already had brushes and paints on hand. <br />
Spray adhesive - which I already had as well.<br />
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Total cost - $5.89 and BAM - personalized birthday gift set!<br />
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I will post before and after pictures of the Doodle's room to show you all the transformation. She is almost as excited as I am!!<br />
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My next project is fabric covered wall hangings and more fabric covered boxes for decorative storage!<br />
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Here is my inspiration for the wall hangings.....<br />
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I found this through Better Homes and Gardens. I think that I can recreate this with foam board, spray adhesive and fabric. We shall see...Until my next infectious crafty moment...<br />
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<br />~ Iron Cowgirl ~http://www.blogger.com/profile/09097349974757742992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4000706698484482081.post-59946184962928879522012-12-06T10:19:00.002-08:002012-12-07T08:10:55.831-08:00I'm bad at keeping up on a blog, but I'm great at finishing projects!Update: I moved (just across town to get the Doodle into her old school district), I started dating a wonderful man and I got busy (see also : <a href="http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lazy" target="_blank">lazy</a>) and stopped getting my daily Jillian ass kicking shred. I moved where I no longer have easy access to a treadmill and my motivation has gone into other things such as home upkeep, parenting and DIY projects!!! As I will tell you about here now.<br />
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The tree is up - The house is decorated - The presents are wrapped and under the tree. <br />
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I am so ahead of schedule!<br />
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In the interest of getting something for everyone and not having the funds to spend more than about $3 on each person I decided to make homemade gifts with love.....<br />
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All You need is cheap solid colored coffee mugs - I got mine at the dollar tree because they were bigger and I wanted them all to match - They certainly do not have to. Plus the bigger ones can be used for soup and other things as well. Thrifts stores sell them 25¢ to 50¢ a piece. </div>
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I got vinyl letters from Walmart - You can find all kinds of different alphabet stickers at Hobby Lobby, Michael's and other craft stores, but they are more expensive and you can't really peel and re stick like you can with the vinyl kind. (Other ways to do this is to cut your stencil into contact paper, stick on and paint OR stencil your letters on with graphite tracing paper and free-hand with your paint marker. I find that my freehand SUCKS so this was the easiest, cheapest and least time consuming way for me to go about this particular project.)<br />
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Outline your letter.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH2dfhQkjbFxK8WLKdnsittt5ZztW7khqn67CrSO89j7EgH9kgwSBK2rRw5asmkXaKZP_OTRA6ONoZtC7qlz49Kg6R4t45s9qXdBFXhzRFPLELI6oqa6c4BfF3RKOy9yFyAX1_YPKGAt-P/s1600/20121205_221924.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH2dfhQkjbFxK8WLKdnsittt5ZztW7khqn67CrSO89j7EgH9kgwSBK2rRw5asmkXaKZP_OTRA6ONoZtC7qlz49Kg6R4t45s9qXdBFXhzRFPLELI6oqa6c4BfF3RKOy9yFyAX1_YPKGAt-P/s320/20121205_221924.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Peel it off. There may be some paint residue that has gotten under the vinyl - Don't worry about it, it will look fine when you are done. </div>
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Draw lines through or color in your letter. Design it however you wish...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYFJadN5Sy5FyUwTf39rAQ88p3ImNRIskkkyeSuZ8GSWonpFnD3RG7rxBnK_WpNKmCSSnF84dP4Em8rQrQYFNtKoZOV6KLI4dG4kWkW4C0EtEL-wtuDG5Zpo8dxtDGZvTjP639sAyBteow/s1600/20121205_222126.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYFJadN5Sy5FyUwTf39rAQ88p3ImNRIskkkyeSuZ8GSWonpFnD3RG7rxBnK_WpNKmCSSnF84dP4Em8rQrQYFNtKoZOV6KLI4dG4kWkW4C0EtEL-wtuDG5Zpo8dxtDGZvTjP639sAyBteow/s320/20121205_222126.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I free-handed some holly on mine to make them them more "Christmas-y" <br />
Bake the mugs in the oven (a.k.a. redneck kiln) at 300 for about an a half hour to an hour to set the paint so that it be permanent.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheRl8_d7Cz8wJx7sehcm9C73zuGghI9AsMDQmWLjE4kTqswDAp-p6-487h1-8E56ki4FItj0f_Zcbu4hkjRwJsVzczI0-8lIBNJseEu82CqJyfY6vQ0vb6c3d-AIbqKK1iSp_WSi-VrSwx/s1600/20121205_222143.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheRl8_d7Cz8wJx7sehcm9C73zuGghI9AsMDQmWLjE4kTqswDAp-p6-487h1-8E56ki4FItj0f_Zcbu4hkjRwJsVzczI0-8lIBNJseEu82CqJyfY6vQ0vb6c3d-AIbqKK1iSp_WSi-VrSwx/s320/20121205_222143.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Now for the filling: I bought holiday recipe cards and I wrote the recipe for a Brownie in a mug - Just another thing they can do with their personalized mug. (I am going to mix the dry ingredients for this and put it in the cup attached to these cards.) My handwriting is horrendous, but I thought typing would make this gift a little impersonal and Personal is totally what I am going for. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJJ-536J1-NQlvUrfId7pqj_hHfDLYBhgGbezNkPMd9gMYDabic1-vhDAbICUaS6CCAkujDonS8U6SP6N9w-d2VZPQcg0Acy60RAGmP_x4KhzZC3bJ8B9VFn34dpf0OYIfxn1_zWXNeruq/s1600/20121205_222209.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJJ-536J1-NQlvUrfId7pqj_hHfDLYBhgGbezNkPMd9gMYDabic1-vhDAbICUaS6CCAkujDonS8U6SP6N9w-d2VZPQcg0Acy60RAGmP_x4KhzZC3bJ8B9VFn34dpf0OYIfxn1_zWXNeruq/s400/20121205_222209.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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The Doodle made baggies of Peppermint Hot Cocoa (I wanted to make homemade hot chocolate, but I went the lazy route and got Swiss Miss) We put two packets of cocoa mix (because they are larger mugs), threw in a handful of mini marshmallows and a soft peppermint stick. I chose soft sticks because they are larger and will melt into the cocoa faster when the gift recipients are stirring with it.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKjoK_ug81eJpnjs5Bg3nkwqK75WtGcQ6pffZoNzXq-GocNTSZlBITv1Er19_Thns7C-xtPLuugdyBpUP1FH-CvwykhmG8-5ifDvOXU1Y5iQNWi2lsmmePhZI3SV-o7Xmi6gJ4Rs3029sF/s1600/20121205_222256.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKjoK_ug81eJpnjs5Bg3nkwqK75WtGcQ6pffZoNzXq-GocNTSZlBITv1Er19_Thns7C-xtPLuugdyBpUP1FH-CvwykhmG8-5ifDvOXU1Y5iQNWi2lsmmePhZI3SV-o7Xmi6gJ4Rs3029sF/s400/20121205_222256.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Doodle bug tied the bags with ribbon and curled. I bought a pack of 12 small plastic ornaments for $1 (Again Dollar Tree - LOVE THAT PLACE!) We used a Sharpie pen and wrote the To: and From: on the ornaments and attached to the bags as name tags.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9q6qIpUgOg4vBT0h9EZSroRdx1QvMRp-ut8Z5koh3hs-SlEPY8Q07xiWSBcpD3or2fpSsENAzC_0bo4Hc98H-uQzzcovVrYerS_tD67JIXZnYcM-zj65pYsshXppNaK7Hs5LXCWnEEtqb/s1600/20121205_222310.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9q6qIpUgOg4vBT0h9EZSroRdx1QvMRp-ut8Z5koh3hs-SlEPY8Q07xiWSBcpD3or2fpSsENAzC_0bo4Hc98H-uQzzcovVrYerS_tD67JIXZnYcM-zj65pYsshXppNaK7Hs5LXCWnEEtqb/s400/20121205_222310.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Finished Product: (Minus the brownie mix that I am going to add) I threw a little chocolate snowman in to add some cuteness.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwCwbd7twtRHTh168OuyrMk79DBIkbBM1sjLktN8ZEGZU9Fge1NMGTmD5jUGvW3c2-IrrEJylZStDHsRgtovo_tZn2AAYzFniNyqGFnv7bmlR7X98k50z_zyB7IST8AUGDhbxlSV-65AxW/s1600/20121205_222445.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwCwbd7twtRHTh168OuyrMk79DBIkbBM1sjLktN8ZEGZU9Fge1NMGTmD5jUGvW3c2-IrrEJylZStDHsRgtovo_tZn2AAYzFniNyqGFnv7bmlR7X98k50z_zyB7IST8AUGDhbxlSV-65AxW/s400/20121205_222445.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW2GWk8YjeiwQGT6SGF8vSDF40CXCKTqz4RbF997dbpDg0BmYf5W8UFs82hNGUvbRbugJxwApN-4CD3Dpmec8BTwgCf0xzAVKG41Cc80h2uDS-Lh7CeZdfO9p-J1xzfGVmBWBmnZz4QF-h/s1600/20121205_233014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW2GWk8YjeiwQGT6SGF8vSDF40CXCKTqz4RbF997dbpDg0BmYf5W8UFs82hNGUvbRbugJxwApN-4CD3Dpmec8BTwgCf0xzAVKG41Cc80h2uDS-Lh7CeZdfO9p-J1xzfGVmBWBmnZz4QF-h/s400/20121205_233014.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDcTGAzA2ki0PCFtHpduNjIKw9_O-BjJF7I0fJAtcp5-A75LmGZT02TpCWVsoA6CpPqryiPr9LesUo420T09dcFlR0rIkgu0kgB3NUxbPUUyKN_Hy-Yz30ftGDr5BgXhV9W8c4zFi-_fUi/s1600/20121205_233027.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDcTGAzA2ki0PCFtHpduNjIKw9_O-BjJF7I0fJAtcp5-A75LmGZT02TpCWVsoA6CpPqryiPr9LesUo420T09dcFlR0rIkgu0kgB3NUxbPUUyKN_Hy-Yz30ftGDr5BgXhV9W8c4zFi-_fUi/s400/20121205_233027.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b>Total cost: $40 - That's $3.33 a piece.</b><br />
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<b>Dollar Tree: $21</b></div>
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12 Cups: $12</div>
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Pack 12 ornaments for name tags: $1</div>
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2 packs of 6 chocolate snowmen : $2</div>
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Hot cocoa mix 4 : $4</div>
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Mini marshmallows : $1</div>
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Package of 12 peppermint sticks: $1</div>
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<b>Walmart: $4</b></div>
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2" Vinyl Stick letters : $3.74</div>
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3 Porcelain Paint Markers $4.92 each: $14.85<br />
<a href="http://www.dickblick.com/products/pebeo-porcelaine-150-paint-markers/" target="_blank">Buy paint markers here.</a><br />
</div>
These are so awesome I stayed up last night until after midnight making them and I wake up at 6am. Anyone that knows me will tell you that I love my sleep and anything less than 8 hours makes me a USELESS and CRANKY See You Next Tuesday, but for some reason I am in a great mood and full of energy today. I am so excited to go home and finish the rest of them tonight! Yay!~ Iron Cowgirl ~http://www.blogger.com/profile/09097349974757742992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4000706698484482081.post-69685577043146717922012-06-29T11:26:00.001-07:002012-06-29T11:36:58.117-07:00I fell off the wagon, but I called a cab and will catch back up!OK so last night I had key lime pie. It's my 2nd favorite (running just behind cheesecake). I blame the waitress at Outback (because I'm not going to take responsibility!)<br />
<br />
I had a small issue with my dinner - which wasn't a big deal at all. Honestly I didn't even care about what happened. The rubber band from my crab legs was on my plate. So what?!?! ( Just so you know, you can get a 5 oz filet mignon, 1/2 lb of steamed snow crab legs, and a double side of grilled asparagus - Well under 500 calories! YUM!)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXxAAjZ3c79jqZ1gHpQAKJyUqALTy0uQ4xUOutd3v5FyNdX2xFV7sqJNw0BaXDNRy3fWGTNekJ_xIzIxxxWABiyOhLHGu4hwVUYXUaJBjctvJPHWZhebixPqBlK7yp_Pge41-H6nRTATpV/s1600/victorias-filet-and-snow-crab_t.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXxAAjZ3c79jqZ1gHpQAKJyUqALTy0uQ4xUOutd3v5FyNdX2xFV7sqJNw0BaXDNRy3fWGTNekJ_xIzIxxxWABiyOhLHGu4hwVUYXUaJBjctvJPHWZhebixPqBlK7yp_Pge41-H6nRTATpV/s320/victorias-filet-and-snow-crab_t.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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To make up for the mishap (which I told her repeatedly she didn't need to) she brought me a complimentary slice of mouth watering, delicious, in season, beautiful, delectable and to die for - there is NO WAY I'm not eating this when it's sitting in front of me key lime pie.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIBuUFtcaFJb8l7Qf_Qcn4AHJvIyUK4XZx7C6udb9Owk6-CkNR9PnGvo8J13wR16AL58lXDnPQYKNM9KFMsqFCc_1yzut7GFqTVdCztYgR4aXqRbm1YtpWmdyY8xm8qWiJT1f70Yy6cScX/s1600/key-lime-pie_t.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIBuUFtcaFJb8l7Qf_Qcn4AHJvIyUK4XZx7C6udb9Owk6-CkNR9PnGvo8J13wR16AL58lXDnPQYKNM9KFMsqFCc_1yzut7GFqTVdCztYgR4aXqRbm1YtpWmdyY8xm8qWiJT1f70Yy6cScX/s320/key-lime-pie_t.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Would you be able to push this away when you haven't allowed yourself a cheat in 2 weeks?</td></tr>
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I went home and started <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QKdJ9jJv594" target="_blank">Level 2</a> of the Shred to make up for it. I screamed at Jillian "I'm gonna shred this key lime pie!" And then I did.<br />
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Level 2 by the way - a lot harder than level one. My core strength is NOT there yet.<br />
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My 2nd stumble on my work-out, lose weight and tone my body so it's suitable for a bikini journey was that I was SUPPOSED to get up and Shred this morning before work. Well, I am going fishing after work today, directly from work. I won't be home to Shred tonight.<br />
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I woke up a little later than I had planned and didn't have time. So I did about 5 minutes of <a href="http://www.muscleandfitness.com/training/legs/double-crunch-leg-raise" target="_blank">double crunch leg raises</a>. (Enjoy the hot guy on that web page) I figured what with level 2 last night and the crunches this morning I could call it good for today...<br />
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Except..... I can not go fishing and not drink beer! So I have also not had a drop of beer for 2 weeks - Well 1 week and 5 days to be exact. SO that may impact my progress slightly to say the least. However I will continue my quest and take this little set back as a reward for my efforts. Tomorrow I will be back on the routine and on my way to further toning and weight loss!<br />
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<span class="st"><i></i></span>~ Iron Cowgirl ~http://www.blogger.com/profile/09097349974757742992noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4000706698484482081.post-7221956378466956642012-06-28T11:43:00.001-07:002012-06-28T11:43:38.658-07:00Extra Extra read all about it - Shredding takes over life!I have been a good girl. I've stuck with the meal plans, stayed in my calorie count and haven't missed one day of Jillian.<br />
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I started Jillain at 162 lbs. Today is 1 week - 7 days that I have been doing "The Shred". I weighed in this morning at 157lbs.<br />
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<i>Ok Gina, deep breath......</i> Here are my before and after photos for week 1. I can see a definite difference and I have 3 weeks to go...<br />
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I will try to stay in the same post for the rest of the pictures, I didn't realize until I put them side by side for comparison. </div>
I can't believe that I can see such a difference in just 1 week! This shred is awesome. When I want to stop I just tell myself it's only 20 mins, so the pain won't last forever..Next thing you know it's done!!<br />
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I have 3 more days on level 1 and then I move to level 2. I am going to admit that I'm a little scared, but when you see the results you want to keep it up!<br />
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Oh, I am starting a gang. The "Shred Gang". Sounds terrifying doesn't it? You know you wanna join. Not only am I the Shred Gang President, but I'm also a member! Hahaha~ Iron Cowgirl ~http://www.blogger.com/profile/09097349974757742992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4000706698484482081.post-76517720945640633362012-06-25T09:34:00.000-07:002012-06-25T12:21:18.618-07:00Sticking with the shredDay 2 was a little harder than day 1 due to my sore muscles. Man, for a 20 minute workout it is intense and really packs a punch!<br />
<br />
Day 2 I was already down to 159.6 - I made it under the 160 mark! Woo-Hoo!<br />
<br />
Day 3 was a little better, I read that it would be the hardest to get through, but I did a lot more stretching out of my sore muscles than the video has you do and Day 3 was much easier than I expected I even followed the advanced moves. Today I weighed in at 159.4.<br />
<br />
If anyone is following along and decides to give the shred a try - my only suggestion to you is to drinks A LOT of water and stretch out more than Jillian has you stretch. This will help the sore muscles so that the following days won't be so hard to get through.<br />
<br />
Day 4 tonight......<br />
<br />
By the way, if you are looking to get the video - the cheapest I found was at Wal-mart for $6.96 (on-line and in stores). If your store does not have it, they will ship it to the store free and you can pick it up there.<br />
<br />
Or you can go to the links below and watch it free on youtube.<br />
<br />
Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred<br />
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<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Pc-NizMgg8" target="_blank">Level 1</a><br />
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QKdJ9jJv594" target="_blank">Level 2</a><br />
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QMN4g3D4ODE" target="_blank">Level 3</a><br />
<br />
You need 3lb hand weights and a mat (If you are working out on a hard floor). May I also suggest having a towel nearby as you will sweat your ASS off..and your flabby arms, and your gut etc.... You get the point.<br />
<br />~ Iron Cowgirl ~http://www.blogger.com/profile/09097349974757742992noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4000706698484482081.post-57344019881358900442012-06-22T22:25:00.000-07:002012-06-22T22:26:29.802-07:00Day 1 of the ShredWell, I did it. The whole 20 minutes. I wanted to stop. At one point I wanted to throw up, but I kept on truckin' and completed day 1.
I don't have measuring tape so I can't take my measurements, but I did take my day 1 before picture...
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<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghSzihSSpGyGNQyttwPpiLfFW0iAtsQMF7pXWK3GhDHpdvMaLHmErplzjDOmYqlu1xMOMdMLQDgZM4yP0H1tWV74Llq-twcxcTNb1P21ESgJnUTwWKRDAEH43k0unzk1tt2JUwNmqgSnHO/s1600/bikini+cow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghSzihSSpGyGNQyttwPpiLfFW0iAtsQMF7pXWK3GhDHpdvMaLHmErplzjDOmYqlu1xMOMdMLQDgZM4yP0H1tWV74Llq-twcxcTNb1P21ESgJnUTwWKRDAEH43k0unzk1tt2JUwNmqgSnHO/s400/bikini+cow.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>Ok, it's not that far off, but I think that I will wait until next week when I take my week one picture and put them side by side for comparison.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
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Tomorrow I work at 4 at my 2nd job so I will have to do Day 2 in the early afternoon. Me thinks I may not be able to walk. My legs were all jelly like for about an hour after today's Jillian beating...I shall see what tomorrow will bring (hopefully a scale weighing in my favor and not too much pain).<br />
<br /></div>~ Iron Cowgirl ~http://www.blogger.com/profile/09097349974757742992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4000706698484482081.post-78365339971060393702012-06-22T13:40:00.002-07:002012-06-22T14:40:26.828-07:00My Weight and Other AtrocitiesWell, I haven't given up on my blog completely. I've just got life settled down (Back in the Midwest) and decided to get back into the habit of blogging now that I have time to form a habit while Doodle is visiting her Dad for the summer.<br />
<br />
I unfortunately let myself go while in Florida - You would think that was when I would get in better shape what with being at the pool/beach and all.<br />
<br />
I went to Florida around 145 lbs. I know, I know. I just threw my weight right out there, but wait, it gets worse. I left Florida around 180 lbs!!<br />
<br />
I had what I liked to refer to as the chocolate donut - I was REALLY tan and my belly was the shape of a bagel...see photo below...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDWxsID-ZUc832oC_63DKWoVLtNl4k9Zl16wtIJKbLDfwkc_-PA2MqS5iQj-gFu42IxBSjpD3Q5JDC2rIpJBff9SwGtpDDPC3ynKh54JjQ0tjDFjaYV1i9mmpuo8PZz8gGrAuYQEusbp2c/s1600/chocolate+donut.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDWxsID-ZUc832oC_63DKWoVLtNl4k9Zl16wtIJKbLDfwkc_-PA2MqS5iQj-gFu42IxBSjpD3Q5JDC2rIpJBff9SwGtpDDPC3ynKh54JjQ0tjDFjaYV1i9mmpuo8PZz8gGrAuYQEusbp2c/s400/chocolate+donut.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Yeah, that's my donut on the left above...Still not convinced of my donut theory? Oh look, there it is cropped and magnified...<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Z2XOwIFB7WH6rMsqgkVUhJ1fruziAZEKAJyhgM2YrJnkNWQUVs5ejJkysEWFz0Jv7Hg9xMLQMByRqopUkXJTrdmUZHY4rdDisD_fjAD_gyPTZwod0m_cqw5bId30_jEP4T4LKDT7-QfQ/s1600/chocolate+donut+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Z2XOwIFB7WH6rMsqgkVUhJ1fruziAZEKAJyhgM2YrJnkNWQUVs5ejJkysEWFz0Jv7Hg9xMLQMByRqopUkXJTrdmUZHY4rdDisD_fjAD_gyPTZwod0m_cqw5bId30_jEP4T4LKDT7-QfQ/s320/chocolate+donut+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My donut</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi81YGkBGGziRh980eF-wsJ3y9SkzYSepxE2pEPaC9MS4H_sbVUjnXK07IamIMao3FgggS89H8uTH9nJZJHYvI5P0uhITsSOTEPZjTd-4LetXcvBAV1EMDgaF5NnnD7rS_t0SsytVaxg-sS/s1600/donut.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi81YGkBGGziRh980eF-wsJ3y9SkzYSepxE2pEPaC9MS4H_sbVUjnXK07IamIMao3FgggS89H8uTH9nJZJHYvI5P0uhITsSOTEPZjTd-4LetXcvBAV1EMDgaF5NnnD7rS_t0SsytVaxg-sS/s320/donut.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A real donut</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />
So I decided that once I got up to 180, which I can't find a picture of at the moment...It was time to do something about it. Yeah, I know, I caught on quick huh?<br />
<br />
I started to watch my calories about 2 months ago, That went decent, I got down to about 167, losing about 13 lbs that way. That wasn't good enough though, so now I am on the first 2 weeks of south beach. I am 5 days in and have lost another 5lbs so far.<br />
<br />
So today I weighed in at 162 lbs. My size 14's are very loose now. I can wear a size 12 comfortably. I can squeeze my butt into a size 10 on a good day.<br />
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My goal is to be down to a size 7/8 by the annual float trip this summer. which is July 20th. Here is my plan; I am going to post pictures that make me cringe, however I believe that posting these will motivate me to redeem myself and show off a hot bod by the end of summer.<br />
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Tonight I start the Jillian Michaels 30 day shred. I will take a picture before and after and maybe even a few in between.This will be a 29 shred due to the fact that the float trip is on the 20th...<br />
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So I will take my before picture tonight before the first work out and get to working on this pastry gut!<br />
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More to come....or go as the case may be...~ Iron Cowgirl ~http://www.blogger.com/profile/09097349974757742992noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4000706698484482081.post-75298286789439326392011-03-24T15:32:00.000-07:002011-03-24T15:32:19.637-07:00Devil Dog Strikes!I've noticed lately that Jack breath has been RANK!!<br />
<br />
I've tried everything. He won't let me brush his teeth because he just wants to chew on the toothbrush. He will not however, chew on any type of dog chew that cleans teeth and freshens breath. I have a additive for his water and then he won't drink it...*sigh* Jack really is a very sweet well behaved dog, he just likes to thwart my attempts at being the owner and not his pet.<br />
<br />
I had to take him to the vet to get him updated on his shots and get his flea pill (yeah, they make a pill now, Isn't that great?!) which usually makes him throw up and I have to go get another one. Turns out he has developed periodontal disease which apparently is common in his breed. (It should be Yorkshire TERROR) <br />
"He needs to have his teeth cleaned." they tell me. "It is a small surgical procedure." she says. <br />
<br />
WTF?!?! I upgraded his doggy insurance plan to save the surgery fees and he goes in tomorrow morning to get put under. He is going to do something terrible to me I just know it. This last time he went in they had to squeeze the shit out of his bung-hole - Literally. (<a href="http://www.ehow.com/video_2275318_express-dog_s-anal-gland.html">expressing anal glands</a>) If you watch the video, you will see how unpleasant it must be for him, but moreso for me if I were forced to do this myself. <br />
<br />
I will update you on how the "surgery" goes...<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYrI5ARcTvW0_7YvaJMXhJiazPgFZg1XNPvpg_DHgehPS9lt5UvgD7WGqEV9Vnze3ZvCvBNlMJsr4QvYJqf30iOiOCJeL22cs6Y5bGx6g8mFanqp0assISeVUkIfroi8G_HKbItFtO-obI/s1600/jack.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYrI5ARcTvW0_7YvaJMXhJiazPgFZg1XNPvpg_DHgehPS9lt5UvgD7WGqEV9Vnze3ZvCvBNlMJsr4QvYJqf30iOiOCJeL22cs6Y5bGx6g8mFanqp0assISeVUkIfroi8G_HKbItFtO-obI/s320/jack.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That look just screams "OH, NO YOU DIDN'T!"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>~ Iron Cowgirl ~http://www.blogger.com/profile/09097349974757742992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4000706698484482081.post-5809021673747111802011-03-24T15:11:00.000-07:002011-03-24T15:32:51.585-07:00The dog ate my homework and other excuses…So last night night after blogging I got a case of the late night munchies and went to the kitchen to eat some leftover potato salad and play a game on my phone. I returned to my bedroom 15 minutes later to find the Doodle sound asleep in my bed along with my 14lb Yorkie. (He’s neither fat nor big boned – he’s a standard. Bigger, not yappy and no nervous system problems from being bred so small)<br />
<br />
I have NO idea how these two very small beings can take up so much room. See the pictures below. They take up almost an entire king sized bed. I have approximately 10 inches of space on one side of the bed in which to lay my weary body.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6Mw4Bn5IqxIc-ry1Wdh3Bq6VOqqXqj_cJsJLZ5KWtb6X4rqVfn7DF2TYiwOQJxOaewFT0h4-MOyujC8Y_T2qThH-5mkQBqcN1gbNc2thXLuxUC73RBAkZbmY2cPUZuv0koz0xo3URnbMz/s1600/no+room+for+me.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6Mw4Bn5IqxIc-ry1Wdh3Bq6VOqqXqj_cJsJLZ5KWtb6X4rqVfn7DF2TYiwOQJxOaewFT0h4-MOyujC8Y_T2qThH-5mkQBqcN1gbNc2thXLuxUC73RBAkZbmY2cPUZuv0koz0xo3URnbMz/s320/no+room+for+me.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You can see here the space to the left of Jack all the room that I have.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlIf6R-CsLd10D0bZW9ZGkr5eQXxTfrWoKBq61oP2zPCWjWXGaRVp3UYZ2DEW80RigYx5cdlB-i2h1_u2AAk2qj6LIcU3_fr0exZ5bJqY3BnLmDuQNiPHo3kn95lVYx-9TETyJLFE43CR5/s1600/devil+dog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlIf6R-CsLd10D0bZW9ZGkr5eQXxTfrWoKBq61oP2zPCWjWXGaRVp3UYZ2DEW80RigYx5cdlB-i2h1_u2AAk2qj6LIcU3_fr0exZ5bJqY3BnLmDuQNiPHo3kn95lVYx-9TETyJLFE43CR5/s320/devil+dog.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I woke Jack up on accident taking the first picture and he turned into devil dog, you see why I'm afraid to make him move.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
Now, you may not know this about me, but I am NOT a morning person by any means. I also have a hard time falling asleep at night. Light, noise, 11 year old feet kicking and a 5 year old Yorkie stealing my pillow are not conductive to a good nights rest for me. These interruptions in my sleep pattern only serve to make it ever harder for me to wake up on time in the morning, despite the 9 alarms that are set to coax me out of my slumber.<br />
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Yes, I said 9 alarms. I told you that I am not a morning person. I have 2 alarm clocks, one of which is set across the room. Both alarm clocks have 2 alarms set on them and another 5 on my phone.<br />
<br />
So I took these pictures last night to use for a blog some other day and I woke up this morning to a phone call from The Best Friend at 8:30am asking “Where the hell are you and why aren’t you at work yet?” I am supposed to be at work at 8:00am.<br />
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Oh, the irony.<br />
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P.S. My being an hour late to work today did not hinder my wonderful co-workers from brightening up my office with surprise flowers for my 1 year anniversary. It did not go unoticed by the boss man, though he did wish me a happy anniversary.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglUq43b7fcSLehxsoZrnH0lXhyphenhyphenUFAoqP410wyXp8H39NNo2i5DTofIEGXMtuFwYRSD_bJy7n00d3QT7V2NIyiCrtARZhh4flo9caJ7kvHsUX0fbSpDMdjDUhk3QzEA8uvt0UaLJR2duPK-/s1600/anniversary+flowers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglUq43b7fcSLehxsoZrnH0lXhyphenhyphenUFAoqP410wyXp8H39NNo2i5DTofIEGXMtuFwYRSD_bJy7n00d3QT7V2NIyiCrtARZhh4flo9caJ7kvHsUX0fbSpDMdjDUhk3QzEA8uvt0UaLJR2duPK-/s320/anniversary+flowers.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Anniversary flowers</td></tr>
</tbody></table>~ Iron Cowgirl ~http://www.blogger.com/profile/09097349974757742992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4000706698484482081.post-76628442110612349562011-03-24T05:34:00.000-07:002011-03-24T05:34:57.806-07:00Things that I love...I love to sing out loud when no one is around - or in the car where perfect strangers in the cars around me can see and shoot me those "You fucking weirdo" looks. You've all done it. Maybe a few of you have been on the singing end too. I like to smile and wave when I catch their eyes.<br />
<br />
I love Willie Nelson's <em><a href="http://mp3skull.com/mp3/georgia_willie_nelson.html">Georgia on my mind</a></em>. It always makes me feel...that's it, it just makes me feel. Don't we all have a song like that? <br />
<br />
I love to take a bath sometimes and just lay my head back with just my nose and mouth poking out above the water and relish the silence and the muffled sound of my own breathing. THAT is peace. Toes in the grass or sand to connect to Mother Earth - head under water to connect to myself. I think that it has been too long since I've had a bath...<br />
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I love random acts of kindness. I like to believe that it restores someones faith in mankind, because it does for me. I'm kind of like <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anne_Frank">Anne Frank</a> that way. I think that for the most part people are inherently good - or really want to be.<br />
<blockquote>" <b>I still believe, in spite of everything, that people are truly good at heart.</b>." </blockquote>I love to get lost in music. To put in the earphones, turn it up, close my eyes and let it take me away. It's almost like everything in the universe disappears but me. <br />
<br />
I love to ride a horse and although I'm not supposed to, I trust that majestic creature to take us where it wants to. With my eyes closed the wind blows through my hair, the sun warms my skin and the smell of grass, trees adn the sweat of the horse surround me. It's everything that I don't have to see to know it's there. It reminds me of what faith is.<br />
<br />
We need to remind ourselves of all the things that we love - to know that we can find happiness in the smallest of things, even if they are just a series of spuratic far between moments that we can linger in now and then. They exist and so do we.~ Iron Cowgirl ~http://www.blogger.com/profile/09097349974757742992noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4000706698484482081.post-24869036538136036362011-03-23T18:29:00.000-07:002011-03-23T19:12:18.222-07:00Ironic SerendipityMy life is a series of happy little accidents. When I let things happen against my better judgement, because I am just going with the flow, it seems to take a 180 and land me somewhere unknown. <br />
<br />
I look for water and all I can find is 4,000 tons of sand...so how do I find something serendipitous in the topsy turvy irony of what initially presented itself as such a serendipitous event? Ironic isn't it? A big confusing cycle at best.<br />
<br />
So do I just decide to be content sitting and building sandcastles? I don't see the point in the time it takes to keep building something of no real use to me. I'm on a journey of self discovery that will hopefully teach me to enjoy the ride, to find happiness and magical wonderment in the shapes the sand can take.<br />
<br />
They say (Whoever "they" are..they seem to know a lot about everything and I'd love to meet them someday) that everything happens for a reason and everything will come around in time. Maybe, just maybe if I engross myself in that magic long enough - the tides of water will eventually come to wash them away...~ Iron Cowgirl ~http://www.blogger.com/profile/09097349974757742992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4000706698484482081.post-16644832105273614922011-03-22T03:57:00.000-07:002011-03-22T03:57:28.139-07:00Keep On Keepin' OnI suck at the blogging thing. I sent out the announcement of my blog in my Christmas cards, then I set this as my homepage to remind me everytime I go on-line that it's still here, waiting for a reason to exist and I <em>still</em> don't write anything. I have scheduled time at night to blog and then it lose that time to something more pressing. I have done everything that I can think of to bring the pressure to follow through and write.<br />
<br />
Me thinks I have figured out my problem though. They say the first step is admitting that, right?<br />
<br />
I think that I need to get over thinking that every blog needs to be a spectacular piece of literature and <em>just write</em> fercryinoutloud!<br />
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So, to get my juices flowing ...sicko, the <em>creative </em>juices, I will tell you about me through my un-edited stories and hopefully you will find something interesting in it. If you at least crack a smile I will feel successful.<br />
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Oh and I placed my laptop on my nightstand to force me to look at this blog page every time I go to bed and wake up....<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheAAwrw81apsvq1CDco0QRaSEIYZ9QPXrUW53x0evfSLs8tWal858NjNOuK7E51g8gAG-djeG1xdqkXfmDSy4NhvbAQea87bdqam7yrDqEMPH391_z4pfYLkEdV5xXpO109sbIDqauWav8/s1600/nightstand.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheAAwrw81apsvq1CDco0QRaSEIYZ9QPXrUW53x0evfSLs8tWal858NjNOuK7E51g8gAG-djeG1xdqkXfmDSy4NhvbAQea87bdqam7yrDqEMPH391_z4pfYLkEdV5xXpO109sbIDqauWav8/s320/nightstand.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My nightstand</td></tr>
</tbody></table> We shall see how this works...~ Iron Cowgirl ~http://www.blogger.com/profile/09097349974757742992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4000706698484482081.post-68253879735053009652011-03-21T18:28:00.000-07:002011-03-30T16:13:50.938-07:00Fairytales...Fact or Fiction?Do I have to <em>be </em>Cinderella to believe in the fairytale? <br />
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I can certainly be enveloped in the web of fantasy being woven, but then reality always comes a knockin' and brings me to my senses. Must I ignore all sense of logic and reality to allow myself to be swept away or can I find a balance?<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOfWJIPhnB1jZV-n1Vp0JJVE8NdJRIN8reAqBTCe7AXqHIJ4vy_wyzs_qOM5Er5-sMZL4GAodTdd5Ks-Y4QpTTcFBPbPKTKi35vK6x3_QFBKYNSpDLSrOjxymjaHKT8YsZItF9L8UmxNt7/s1600/Love+balance.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="227" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOfWJIPhnB1jZV-n1Vp0JJVE8NdJRIN8reAqBTCe7AXqHIJ4vy_wyzs_qOM5Er5-sMZL4GAodTdd5Ks-Y4QpTTcFBPbPKTKi35vK6x3_QFBKYNSpDLSrOjxymjaHKT8YsZItF9L8UmxNt7/s320/Love+balance.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My depiction of a balanced love - one part fantasy, one part reality</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
I suppose that my life just isn't built to nurture an environment conductive for romance and the like. Perhaps I'm just not hardwired to accept it....or maybe it is simply my unique - I say unique rather than odd to make me feel less inferior - flow of emotion, or lack thereof.<br />
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Although significant others in my past have accused me of being "emotionally unavailable" - one went so far as to use the term "emotionally bankrupt" - that is simply not true. These statements confused me really because I have an entire gamet of emotion. I know this, because I <em>feel</em> them. My emotions are unique so much as how I <em>express </em>them (or do not as the case may be).<br />
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<a href="http://fearlesslyphobic.blogspot.com/">The Best Friend</a> and I agree that I must have a small "Y" chromosome hanging out in my DNA. I am convinced at times that I would have done better as a male, socially speaking.<br />
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In my experience men are really bad at controlling their emotions. Me? I cry upwards of 4 times annually. I've seen men that cry frequently and put me to shame, which is <em>supposed</em> to be a female trait. We females are supposed to be the emotional gender. The emotional men that I've known only make me feel less like a female. Or what we think a female should be like.<br />
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I actually asked a few female friends if they could teach me to be more feminine. I asked for girl lessons, begging "Please, teach me how to be a girl." They laugh because 95% of what comes out of my mouth is a joke...but there is almost always truth to joking. Maybe the fantasy just can't happen to a lady that doesn't act like one. I never thought I'd say this, but I am sick of being just one of the guys.<br />
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For instance, I had (have still, let's just be honest in the quest to better ourselves) a huge crush on a friend of mine. He's so used to me being as I am that whenever he introduces me to another friend of his and they slip up and say something that should not be laid upon the ears of a lady and they try to apologize - he stops them to say "Oh, no. You don't have to worry about offending her, she's just like a guy so it's cool."<br />
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I don't really want to be "cool" anymore, dammit. <br />
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I want to be swept off of my feet - if that is possible. I want to feel the earth move below me - I've heard it talked about. Must I re-invent myself to have that possibility? Am I lying to myself when I say that the right guy will come along and see the better part of me on his own? That he will want me badly enough to find it, see it and love me because of or in spite of it. Is my "Love me, love all of me" philosophy unattainable?<br />
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I don't consider myself jaded. I don't place any past experience blame on someone new. I'm actually a very tolerant (in the true definition of the word) and open person. I think that I may have meant it at one time, but now I'm just trying to convince myself that finding someone to share my life with, finding someone to - dare I say it - love is last on my priority list. It somehow creeped up to the list when I wasn't paying attention.<br />
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I know I have work to do to be the person that I want to be. I will take it all one step at a time. I won't see emotion as weakness. A friend told me today that your tears do not diminish your strength and I will try to rewire myself to believe that.<br />
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Although I'm not quite sure yet that I believe in the fairy tale, I recognize what it is and I am open to allowing myself to believe in the possibility that it does exist - And <em>that</em> is a pretty good place to start.~ Iron Cowgirl ~http://www.blogger.com/profile/09097349974757742992noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4000706698484482081.post-76636058178027398912010-12-06T21:10:00.000-08:002010-12-06T21:18:39.340-08:00Tis the season...Welcome to my blog! I created this page approximately 4 months ago and am just now getting around to posting something. I am kind of a procrastinator when it comes to doing things that I <em>want</em> to do. I am pretty good about plowing through the things that I <em>have </em>to do like a rookie running back with something to prove. Which is why I wanted set up this blog in the first place. I <em>wanted</em> to start a blog so that even though I really seem to have not enough time to keep up with all the fabulous happenings in my loved ones lives, they can come here and read up on mine. <br />
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I recently moved to Florida from Kansas. The sunflowers and dirt have been replaced with sunshine and sand. Really, there is no dirt here. If there is, <em>I</em> haven't found any. I'm still trying to figure out how the hell grass grows without it. The seasons don't exist and the insects are on steroids here. I haven't seen one single alligator although my daughter is still hopeful and peers intently at each pool of standing water that we drive by -- wishing for a glance of a rough green nostril. Keep looking baby.....from the car window.<br />
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Back to my procrastination. It is now 21 days until Christmas (My daughter - Doodle bug, she keeps informing me of the countdown to get me to play Christmas music before I believe it is time to subject myself to it.) and I made personalized Christmas cards this year. I am not artsy by any stretch of the imagination, but goddammit I can be quite the crafty bitch. I made Iron Cowgirl Christmas cards and informed everyone on the card itself in order to keep up with the lives of us iron cowgirls to visit this blog. Thus backing myself into the proverbial corner and not allowing me to put this off any longer, because now it's a<em> have to</em> in a <em>want to</em> sort of way.<br />
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I am now in the Christmas spirit or what I define to be the Christmas spirit anyway. But I have done a lot of firsts this year. I put the tree up the day after Thanksgiving, I went black Friday shopping -- That is a whole 'nother blog, gifts were purchased, wrapped and under the tree 2 days after the Turkey induced coma wore off -- AND the house is decorated. Now THAT my friends makes me just about the best mom ever. I know this because My Doodle, a.k.a Kiwi, told me that she loved me and that I was the best Mom ever, even if I didn't want to listen to Christmas music. I pulled into Walgreens approximately 38 seconds later and bought a Christmas cd and we sang along the rest of the way home. Hey, what can I say? I like to exceed expectations.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_P9m0VbDhtuc/TP2__jvH60I/AAAAAAAAAE0/hHO7Aqi8etQ/s1600/IMG_20101206_210319.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" ox="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_P9m0VbDhtuc/TP2__jvH60I/AAAAAAAAAE0/hHO7Aqi8etQ/s320/IMG_20101206_210319.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My sad little Christmas tree, fulfilling its Christmas destiny.</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">* Ok so the ride home from Walgreens may only have been 4 minutes and 52 seconds, but we DID sing the whole rest of the way home. </div>~ Iron Cowgirl ~http://www.blogger.com/profile/09097349974757742992noreply@blogger.com3