tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-88487459883867127182024-03-13T23:09:37.144-07:00Honeysuckle Lanethe sweetness of lifeAllison Reckmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15105582578315268182noreply@blogger.comBlogger52125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8848745988386712718.post-66846768089736609992012-11-04T18:51:00.000-08:002012-11-04T18:51:00.293-08:00308 Skinny Pine House TourWell ladies and gents, I have finally found the time to upload some pictures of our very first home! Wow, teaching kindergarten, moving to a new state, hosting a lot of visitors, and buying a house in a matter of six months has been quite a rollercoaster ride for Mr. Reckman and I. We have laughed until water was coming from my nostrils to having a breakdown in the garage because our parents live 2,000 miles away. In the end, we have everything we need plus some and we couldn't be more happier. <br />
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Now, these pictures reflect only what we've had time to do! There is a TON of renovations we want to complete, especially when it comes the kitchen and bathrooms. Those two things are what sell a house right?! It's funny thing when you buy a house....you are also thinking about resale! :) <br />
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So without further ado......<br />
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<embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="https://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf" width="600" height="400" flashvars="host=picasaweb.google.com&captions=1&hl=en_US&feat=flashalbum&RGB=0x000000&feed=https%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2F115639133675201813564%2Falbumid%2F5807148554927333345%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26hl%3Den_US" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer"></embed>Allison Reckmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15105582578315268182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8848745988386712718.post-70791293931184365712012-09-16T19:11:00.000-07:002012-09-16T19:12:00.046-07:00Hard Work on Skinny Pine Court I just love the name of our cul-de-sac! Everyone laughs when they hear it....its brings a smile :) <br />
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This whole weekend was dedicated to the house. Shopping, painting, buying new furniture, more painting, organizing, and MORE painting. Our goal was to get the whole downstairs painted and WE DID IT! I always think painting is a piece of cake and we could whip out the whole house in a weekend. Not even close. So Jeff, being the guy he is and always putting things in perspective, made a goal of finishing the downstairs. <br />
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Picking out paint colors for the living room and dining room took me a month to do. I knew in my head what I wanted, but I kept second guessing myself. The living room is painted Whyte Blue by Sherman Williams and the Dining Room is painted Retreat by Benjamin Moore. These two colors are to die for. I'm absolutely in love with the way it turned out <br />
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On another note, buying furniture for a four bedroom house is expensive. We have company coming on October 11th and we must have a dining room table. Of course, I went straight to Craigslist. I found a beautiful antique table for on 300 bucks! It needs alot of work but I will love it. I'm going to paint it and re-upholstery the seat cushion. More on that later! :) <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ-UFk-G7ie-SENi4pt54MYFxJ-igKocxA5Q2Hlma8qDDGFs3ktDbNFp6ox1sCrCxWuFw-AVtLZLOBaJpSrqelwYfqDqS4CFnK5vhSx6Y6YhBJHoVsCDDlnxKmLQvB7jrazeI855VFDnbC/s1600/House8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ-UFk-G7ie-SENi4pt54MYFxJ-igKocxA5Q2Hlma8qDDGFs3ktDbNFp6ox1sCrCxWuFw-AVtLZLOBaJpSrqelwYfqDqS4CFnK5vhSx6Y6YhBJHoVsCDDlnxKmLQvB7jrazeI855VFDnbC/s320/House8.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Living Room Before</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAcmneBXPIcDqTllcx1A80xs94kDcp3NaSn-Ne8U2B7Lou70NqidFQvvddHgc4uaxwUJkYoCyiUhj0-Rm-Sy7pPywSDfcAaHfh87UduxYEM35lcGfTVR04PVWnqugawvdVHZPVTf7X8Aua/s1600/2012-09-16_17-40-07_166.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAcmneBXPIcDqTllcx1A80xs94kDcp3NaSn-Ne8U2B7Lou70NqidFQvvddHgc4uaxwUJkYoCyiUhj0-Rm-Sy7pPywSDfcAaHfh87UduxYEM35lcGfTVR04PVWnqugawvdVHZPVTf7X8Aua/s320/2012-09-16_17-40-07_166.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Living Room Color After</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZvHTmh9aM-JtRwbABxu4ZbJahCmP-qiOHiimd0PZTZhaDfpbNhqypNugVBB9J9Z6_5LKp9GyUhkj3C0q8scE5269Y6EvNl4sPRcSuvP7rUaWcznj3oG2NvmAw5s62lHDJ9qF4I29Opb0C/s1600/House7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZvHTmh9aM-JtRwbABxu4ZbJahCmP-qiOHiimd0PZTZhaDfpbNhqypNugVBB9J9Z6_5LKp9GyUhkj3C0q8scE5269Y6EvNl4sPRcSuvP7rUaWcznj3oG2NvmAw5s62lHDJ9qF4I29Opb0C/s320/House7.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Dining Room Before</span> </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1S4Ux1zzGkn2i2yK5i7d4lkTiKuEf2cQGCrAduXAfVayaehZRYzitZw-tjThsqiWk9FzyzDPbhYE1kdhi9rBP1LiYQwRBEqzLfIPy7SJIHpvfIYzCzl4mns9o5Lef_abKNpY-eQUHPG9c/s1600/2012-09-16_17-39-14_625.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1S4Ux1zzGkn2i2yK5i7d4lkTiKuEf2cQGCrAduXAfVayaehZRYzitZw-tjThsqiWk9FzyzDPbhYE1kdhi9rBP1LiYQwRBEqzLfIPy7SJIHpvfIYzCzl4mns9o5Lef_abKNpY-eQUHPG9c/s320/2012-09-16_17-39-14_625.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Dining Room After. Craigslist table. Look at the structure of those chairs. Going to add 2 wicker chairs on the ends to make a table for six.</span> </td></tr>
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Allison Reckmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15105582578315268182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8848745988386712718.post-39667184315127237322012-07-07T11:53:00.000-07:002012-07-07T11:53:47.404-07:00Making a statement.....Every now and then, I find myself obsessing over one particular object. In the past its been, books, sandals, cookbooks, canvases, burlap, birds, birdcages, etc. Do you find yourself ever doing this or is it just me? <br />
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Well this week, it is NECKLACES! I really don't know where these random obsessions come from, but necklaces aren't a good choice. I never knew how expensive some pieces of jewelry could be. Growing up I never wore a lot of jewelry. My mother doesn't wear any, even a wedding ring, so I guess it rubbed off on me. Here are some necklaces I can purchases this week and some I have my eye on. (my birthday is coming up :) <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-aeF5UctQgX7Nn4yNinGCEcAXN2QsEXeol-XFrSK2lntC3Rx_Lck1SKqzvTHO13PLyAnk0OlWLN38L68W_U_lPzOanAXjqbErM210nX-RUyiEAPp4vZjj5TiRn2o3zxaOQpkdCCU916SU/s1600/necklace2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" sca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-aeF5UctQgX7Nn4yNinGCEcAXN2QsEXeol-XFrSK2lntC3Rx_Lck1SKqzvTHO13PLyAnk0OlWLN38L68W_U_lPzOanAXjqbErM210nX-RUyiEAPp4vZjj5TiRn2o3zxaOQpkdCCU916SU/s320/necklace2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">bubble necklace by JCrew.....obviously mine isn't JCrew<br />
PURCHASED! </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhFui1lXlakBzKTyRZGUSqngJ7hmE7Oosy-SWe40eaNHqx3gHI8w8Z6Ur5e3Tr9AMSoJH_-WrABpbiiXZDInMF4IiMUJFD9WQe4EnPBUPYvUL90dDbslZHreq9mjyABkE_dbeBiizP6UqY/s1600/necklace1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" sca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhFui1lXlakBzKTyRZGUSqngJ7hmE7Oosy-SWe40eaNHqx3gHI8w8Z6Ur5e3Tr9AMSoJH_-WrABpbiiXZDInMF4IiMUJFD9WQe4EnPBUPYvUL90dDbslZHreq9mjyABkE_dbeBiizP6UqY/s320/necklace1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gold major statement. Great with black dress or navy maxi</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGowUVbEVOJKAaPqVevXbuoMqkPf62YCtTpIiETTjEeR1cfXp6UIJ9vjO5P8TMYPw7unIeWb41QtIxuueCmLjVAbOSjkMtPQZKo5ttmg0I1ILBdiGkRb1Vl9VSq2citEz4F9hGOSvB6nI2/s1600/necklace.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" sca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGowUVbEVOJKAaPqVevXbuoMqkPf62YCtTpIiETTjEeR1cfXp6UIJ9vjO5P8TMYPw7unIeWb41QtIxuueCmLjVAbOSjkMtPQZKo5ttmg0I1ILBdiGkRb1Vl9VSq2citEz4F9hGOSvB6nI2/s320/necklace.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Turquoise never lets you down. BEAUTIFUL and lovely!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUxEAi7U0FSjr55oAO22qW5DbhrdOP6vzfM_tuPUytf9SKgDMRfIqPF2myh70Xvyp4JnWWLmVkOVBTfIQJHtJdhpBDcaKwkI3jQ0aIGEsj6Tt4CDGQUORbBF-kh7rNNFRDdUN2wPDIwAAs/s1600/ark.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" sca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUxEAi7U0FSjr55oAO22qW5DbhrdOP6vzfM_tuPUytf9SKgDMRfIqPF2myh70Xvyp4JnWWLmVkOVBTfIQJHtJdhpBDcaKwkI3jQ0aIGEsj6Tt4CDGQUORbBF-kh7rNNFRDdUN2wPDIwAAs/s400/ark.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lastly (as I model for you) my Arkansas one! Homemade<br />
in the great state. <br />
PURCHASED! <br />
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All of these necklaces are from two local boutiques in Fayetteville, AR. If you aren't shopping from these wonderful stores you MUST! <br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/RiffraffFayetteville">RIFFRAFF</a><br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/SomethingUrban">SOMETHING URBAN</a><br />
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If you shop for gorgeous necklaces or any other jewelry....please let me know! <br /><br />Have a wonderful Saturday! <br />
-AllyAllison Reckmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15105582578315268182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8848745988386712718.post-64696727033366884552012-07-06T17:44:00.001-07:002012-07-06T17:44:27.108-07:00Update from the City of OaksGreetings from the east coast! The last four weeks have been full of trips and visits and I must say has been treating us pretty well. Recently for the 4th of July, our friends from ATL came and visited us for the first time. I loved having them here with us to celebrate this wonderful holiday. Before their arrival, I had to, of course, get the apartment looking festive. In Raleigh, there isn't a single Hobby Lobby. I know, I know, you are probably all thinking....HOW ARE YOU SURVIVING!? Haha. It's extremely hard! BUT we do have a store called AC Moore. Its pretty much just a craft store not a home decor store. Here are some of my projects. <br />
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HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMERICA!Allison Reckmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15105582578315268182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8848745988386712718.post-67862443690952762792012-06-11T19:00:00.000-07:002012-06-11T19:00:22.700-07:00Writing from Raleigh.....Jeff, Lola and I have made it to Raleigh. Today was our first full day here together as a family and I have to admit I was lonely and missing home. Last night after hauling my new washer and dryer up 3 flights of stairs, we decided to head over to Red Lobster and have a nice dinner. As soon as I slid in the booth, big alligator tears welled up in my eyes and I was balling like a baby. It all came crashing down on me.....we have moved, we don't know anyone, and I don't have a full time job. I know it takes time to meet new people and begin new friendships, but right now, I'm feel anxious and afraid. <br />
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So this morning, I woke up and started getting busy putting the apartment together. It was a disaster and everything needed to find a spot. I always love decorating a new space. It's therapy for me and today I needed it. I spent the entire day organizing every room and storing away items we don't need while living in the apartment. After a couple of hours, the apartment looks like home. It's very homey and cozy, just like I like it. Of course to make the space even better, I purchased a few new items that I'm crazy about. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPq0vSbToEB01BaJiGhBlRjHNN4MEPBQ-4tDIpaJoncdD5q50Gw4IIfg73nejcWfhACKqYkxIdKt-QwE1b66dF2I9XBKuBPjr4v4i2HfKZBGWLfy5MJHYgJal-7KRy2EdZiuqx5ofks5T5/s1600/Decor1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" fba="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPq0vSbToEB01BaJiGhBlRjHNN4MEPBQ-4tDIpaJoncdD5q50Gw4IIfg73nejcWfhACKqYkxIdKt-QwE1b66dF2I9XBKuBPjr4v4i2HfKZBGWLfy5MJHYgJal-7KRy2EdZiuqx5ofks5T5/s320/Decor1.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mercury glass vases from Marshall's.<br />
Put these on my bathroom counter. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFOLvPpkZngHlEwisIvWakwrP5zv9upQb8j3Q2YUVSn9ykqomgbg3MBKPPE1Wh3qPYuKilE3_v7zlDgT40vnkx17BINr9mACY78mdH4r1PJYyXyg9u1ywPQgbADrtwreym_qb1gDBE0lr-/s1600/Decor2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" fba="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFOLvPpkZngHlEwisIvWakwrP5zv9upQb8j3Q2YUVSn9ykqomgbg3MBKPPE1Wh3qPYuKilE3_v7zlDgT40vnkx17BINr9mACY78mdH4r1PJYyXyg9u1ywPQgbADrtwreym_qb1gDBE0lr-/s320/Decor2.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This picture doesn't do this new shower curtain justice. <br />
It's the prettiest thing I have ever seen. Now if I could just paint my apartment walls. That would make this curtain pop! </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjT3q-7Ob3_z9CYGr8LluRDlxdY7di5InmFC7Zj3t28lYZzVBmNv70vhOnigx49HPcNSKeRJLYGfFplqfcIqIqXMxfHaTJs9hLwsetausUsZpUMViyMeJpv6PC0BZgg9h7Zn_CkBQkd0Ig/s1600/Decor3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" fba="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjT3q-7Ob3_z9CYGr8LluRDlxdY7di5InmFC7Zj3t28lYZzVBmNv70vhOnigx49HPcNSKeRJLYGfFplqfcIqIqXMxfHaTJs9hLwsetausUsZpUMViyMeJpv6PC0BZgg9h7Zn_CkBQkd0Ig/s320/Decor3.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New Lantern from PD's in Franklin, TN </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">Can you guest what this is? I don't want to spoil it yet. I need to do <br />
some sewing before I reveal sometime this week. <br />
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</div>Allison Reckmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15105582578315268182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8848745988386712718.post-86653671798129133812012-06-05T06:33:00.000-07:002012-06-05T06:33:09.870-07:00Rockin the One-PieceWell ladies, bathing suit season has arrived and with me living on the east coast and only 1.5 hours away from the beach, I'm tackling this situation head on. I haven't even arrived in Raleigh yet, but already have THREE trips planned to the beach in the month of June! :) <br />
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Normally I would buy a swim suit that was uncomfortable. One that I had to constantly suck my tummy in and when taking pictures, I would either need to be in the back or squeezed in the middle of the group. This year I'm going for comfort, age-appropriate, and a ONE PIECE! <br />
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I began my long search at Macy's.com. I love Macy's and I can always find exactly what I'm looking for. With the help of my husband and my best friend, Lauren we had it narrowed down to 5. I was constantly sending them both pictures because Jeff was in Raleigh and Lauren lives in ATL! (thanks guys....you guys helped so much)<br />
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Believe it or not, WE ALL PICKED THE SAME ONE! How does that happen? This is one of my swimsuits I'll be rocking on the beach all summer long. Of course I don't look like this 90lb model but I do feel comfortable in it and I LOVE IT. Isn't that all that matters? <br />
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</div>Allison Reckmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15105582578315268182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8848745988386712718.post-77417680805016628502012-06-04T06:37:00.003-07:002012-06-04T06:39:21.563-07:00Leaving Iowa.....Only 3 days left in Iowa before making the move to Raleigh, NC. My heart is getting heavier every day. <br />
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This weekend my in-laws hosted a "Going Away" Party for Jeff and I. Before everyone arrived, Jeff and I had a moment in our bedroom. Of course, I was a basket case of emotions. When you leave your first home, it's so hard, but at the same time, you're so flipping excited to live somewhere else in the U.S. and have all these new adventures that you've been dreaming of your whole life. So when Jeff and I were talking, it was bittersweet. We cried and laughed. We went strolling down memory lane and talked about: moving from Chicago to the Quad Cities, the trials of finding new jobs, renting a house in the west end, raising our pup, not to mention the first year of marriage. When the first guest arrived, we were puffy eyed and ready to soak it all in. We wanted to truly cherish this time with all our friends and family. It was a wonderful time and we are so thankful for the relationships we've made over the last year and a half. To all the people who came out to see us off....THANK YOU! You all mean the world to us. Here are a few pictures of our friends and family. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Emily and Sara :) </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jeff and his brothers! </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm18VOxUIvqNUwgLj5mBPKHSIljDPn4kQdAwzFN4Cu15mNccTaCqmxZ0-g8wPKnz5nCnej05svB1dAuwElxNLEl8OS6HkG3CcdfY9hNKtbPQiSMUA-TAOsoHk4E994JHlQCbNDbMHdWMtc/s1600/IMG_0593.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm18VOxUIvqNUwgLj5mBPKHSIljDPn4kQdAwzFN4Cu15mNccTaCqmxZ0-g8wPKnz5nCnej05svB1dAuwElxNLEl8OS6HkG3CcdfY9hNKtbPQiSMUA-TAOsoHk4E994JHlQCbNDbMHdWMtc/s320/IMG_0593.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My precious God-daughter Addison Clare</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Georgia and Scott Hanson.....the ultimate dog sitter. <br />
Lola loves these guys so much. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi48lsSHo-pvaIdr3f5B313XEHdYMkaOCZtOEW_l7k_q5CwsJtRVb0cix1IlxMCjX99wFMCBy0afH0xT0szZrfh2K0Zf-iePeJkfltUSG6xxUYf1RN1CZlyk_x3HGP6xfKIneHn-qdSEYKu/s1600/IMG_0614.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi48lsSHo-pvaIdr3f5B313XEHdYMkaOCZtOEW_l7k_q5CwsJtRVb0cix1IlxMCjX99wFMCBy0afH0xT0szZrfh2K0Zf-iePeJkfltUSG6xxUYf1RN1CZlyk_x3HGP6xfKIneHn-qdSEYKu/s320/IMG_0614.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Uncle Chuck and Aunt Nancy <br />
Aunt Mary</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijcvY_f2IkYzX1GdnvusDZ8k3L01G4_5RpjMn6UMhrRNiT_CVlkUtGjvVd9bPBNPlvPAJjZqTLsF7-9DAcQTfFzwe1q3BF4crxNTdQCRoRZb7JMqDkee-SVSh5PT0p8HiZ7tYQ_QgKIaEz/s1600/IMG_0620.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijcvY_f2IkYzX1GdnvusDZ8k3L01G4_5RpjMn6UMhrRNiT_CVlkUtGjvVd9bPBNPlvPAJjZqTLsF7-9DAcQTfFzwe1q3BF4crxNTdQCRoRZb7JMqDkee-SVSh5PT0p8HiZ7tYQ_QgKIaEz/s320/IMG_0620.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Evans.....two of the sweetest people I know. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>Allison Reckmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15105582578315268182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8848745988386712718.post-16434783958970876572012-05-24T07:24:00.000-07:002012-05-24T07:24:10.596-07:00Wagon Wheel<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>Headed down south to the land of the pines<br />And I'm thumbin' my way into North Caroline<br />Starin' up the road<br />Pray to God I see headlights</em><br /><em>I made it down the coast in seventeen hours<br />Pickin' me a bouquet of dogwood flowers<br />And I'm a hopin' for Raleigh<br />I can see my baby tonight</em><br /><em>So rock me mama like a wagon wheel<br />Rock me mama anyway you feel<br />Hey mama rock me<br />Rock me mama like the wind and the rain<br />Rock me mama like a south-bound train<br />Hey mama rock me</em></div>
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<em>And I gotta get a move on before the sun<br />I hear my baby callin' my name<br />And I know that she's the only one<br /><strong>And if I die in Raleigh<br />At least I will die free</strong></em></div>
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<strong><img alt="Reclaimed Wood "If I die in Raleigh, at least I will die free" Sign." src="https://ny-image3.etsy.com/il_570xN.336269355.jpg" width="570" /></strong></div>
<br /><em>Wagon Wheel</em> is one of my favorite songs of all time! It brings me back to the time I spent working on a dude ranch in Colorado.I remember singing this song every Saturday night at the "Hootenanny." SO FUN! Someone would play a banjo and I would play the tambourine. Oh the memories! I loved that time of my life! I was so carefree and just loved making new friends in a new place. Colorado is a beautiful place. <br />
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I found this piece on ETSY and I knew I needed it for our new home in North Carolina! Reclaimed barn wood is just so beautiful and it looks great in every room. <br />
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-AllyAllison Reckmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15105582578315268182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8848745988386712718.post-65277086555838541292012-05-23T10:35:00.002-07:002012-05-23T10:35:26.742-07:00Wordless Wednesday<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-size: large;">My new chairs for the formal living room!</span> </td></tr>
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-AllyAllison Reckmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15105582578315268182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8848745988386712718.post-11665132016725320192012-05-03T18:08:00.000-07:002012-05-03T18:09:51.306-07:00The Future Reckman HouseholdAs I'm trying to wrap my mind around this BIG move to <span style="background-color: white;"><strong><u> </u></strong>about </span>North Carolina, all I keep thinking about is that Jeff and I will be buying our first home in less than 6 months. That is crazy, but I'm so <span style="background-color: yellow;"><strong><u><span style="background-color: white;">excited </span></u></strong></span>it. Buying our first house will be the biggest experience of my life so far. I'm telling you, I live for decorating! I live for projects on the weekend. I live going to Lowe's just to look at paint colors! <br />
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After working all day, all I want to do is hop on the <span style="background-color: white;">ipad</span> and start looking at the real estate available in Raleigh! Here are some of my favorite that are in our price range: Will they be available in 6 months? Probably not but a girl can dream right??<br />
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<img alt=" Bethlehem Road, Raleigh NC" border="0" class="photo" id="current_property_image" src="http://thumbs.trulia-cdn.com/pictures/thumbs_3/ps.43/9/1/a/1/picture-uh=82eff61fcd917427c5d6a1dde1f340bc-ps=91a111886275f48b2ebfe5fb7ab1fdf5--Bethlehem-Rd-Raleigh-NC-27610.jpg" /><br />
I would live on this porch! Sweet tea, coffee, and long talks with Jeff<br />
<img alt="3301 Neuse Crossing Drive, Raleigh NC" border="0" class="photo" id="current_property_image" src="http://thumbs.trulia-cdn.com/pictures/thumbs_3/ps.40/4/d/d/0/picture-uh=c026f565986523ffccd9a1ab9d16c2-ps=4dd09a8af822d53bf7fb56ab5c76c735-3301-Neuse-Crossing-Dr-Raleigh-NC-27616.jpg" /><br />
Cute house will lots of character!<br />
<img alt="8713 Colesbury Drive, Raleigh NC" border="0" class="photo" id="current_property_image" src="http://thumbs.trulia-cdn.com/pictures/thumbs_3/ps.29/d/3/c/4/picture-uh=9bd983646d68b1c1babb55c7435e5ca-ps=d3c4d8824a89b7662e36e07fdd6193f4-8713-Colesbury-Dr-Raleigh-NC-27615.jpg" /><br />
This last one is my dream home! I love everything about it. It has been on the market 180+ days therefore I would imagine the sellers are eager to sell! :) Don't worry, I'm doing everything I can to convince Jeff to jump on this! <br />
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House hunting is so fun online. I wonder what it will be like, when we are actually doing it. Hopefully its a great experience. :) <br />
<span style="background-color: white;"></span>Allison Reckmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15105582578315268182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8848745988386712718.post-12143982412119606242012-04-26T09:09:00.001-07:002012-04-26T09:09:35.143-07:00The to do'sHow do you stop your brain from spinning? Ever since we heard the news that we were moving to Raleigh, my brain has been going a mile a minute. All I have been doing is making list after list of things I have to get done while still living in Iowa and things that must get done in Raleigh. OH BOY! Currently I have four lists going. They include: 1)finances, 2)cleaning that must get done at our old house before turning in the garage door openers and keys, 3)Jeff's list of things that he needs to do immediately in Raleigh, and 4) my list of things to do in Iowa. Here are three of them I have going at the moment (you don't care about my finances) <br />
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OCD?<br />
Crazy? <br />
Yes, maybe a little bit, but I always say "If I don't write it down, I'll forget and it will not get done." I look forward to crossing things off and relaxing when it's all done! :) <br />
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To end this post, here is a beautiful picture of our new city!<br />
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<img height="305" id="il_fi" src="http://www.pemconferences.com/images/ralcity.gif" style="padding-bottom: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px;" width="500" /><br />
-AllyAllison Reckmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15105582578315268182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8848745988386712718.post-55937353141317081362012-04-25T07:42:00.000-07:002012-04-25T07:42:52.369-07:00Life is sweet....Oh my poor blog......it has been a while since I have visited you! There has been so many things going on in my life that I've hardly had time to do much of anything except work and take care of my household. So yet again, I vow to do a better job at writing everyday or at least every week! Maybe I should try to be more realistic. <br />
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I don't even know where to begin to describe how crazy this month has been for Jeff and I. To start things off, my dad got an infected toe. He was very sick from it, but is healing and doing great now. He has returned back to work, which makes him happy and quite frankly not as grumpy (I still love you Dad). Living in Iowa, doesn't make going to see my parents that easy, but Jeff and I literally dropped everything two weeks ago and hit the road, with Lola in tow. It was a great trip. The night before we leave, Jeff's boss drops a bombshell......"YOU ARE BEING TRANSFERRED TO RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA!" I say that with the thickest Southern accent I have! Jeff and I both said "WHAT? Really?" Of course we had put in for the move but didn't expect the news to come so soon! :) <br />
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So imagine this......12 hr drive to Arkansas with Jeff's work phone plugged into the laptop so we can have Internet on the interstate, Lola's head resting on the keyboard, I'm typing frantically to find us a place to live, got my iphone in my right hand, pen and paper in the left hand, and Jeff is driving with earbuds in listening to Dave Ramsey's podcast. It was go time and I was on a roll!<br />
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Jeff's start date is May 1st. At the time we had one week to find a place and have Jeff go there while he was in Raleigh for a work trip and sign the lease. Well, the good Lord provided and we found a place! :) A GREAT PLACE! It's a two bedroom apartment with 1150 square feet. I'm dreading moving from a house back to an apartment but I can tough it out. We only signed a 6 months lease. Once we get down there and settle in, it will be house hunting time. YAY! <br />
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Okay so we have a place to live: the lease is signed, deposit made, Internet hooked up, electricity turned on. All in ONE WEEK! Th next step was getting the movers here in Iowa to pack up our stuff. Again the Lord blessed us and they came yesterday and are here <strong>right now</strong> packing everything up for us. Jeff's company pays all the expenses of moving which only makes this move that much easier. The stuff will be delivered to our new apartment on May 4th. We did end up having to get a storage unit to store all the things that will not fit in the apartment. I have collected way too much stuff in the last year! <br />
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In the midst of all this, Jeff's Grandpa Reckman passed away at the age of 90. This is Jeff's dad's father. He was a precious man whose smile was so genuine. Fred had a love for his family and fishing. At visitation last night, there was a slideshow of some pictures. They captured so many memories that I know the family will never forget. Grandpa Reckman is now in heaven, rejoicing with Jesus and the angels. God is good all the time!<br />
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There's the update! Raleigh here we come! In all the craziness, this is the first time, right now, sitting on the patio while the movers are moving things out, that I have truly thank God for all his blessings. He has provided us with everything and has prepared us for this move. I'm beyond ready for this new adventure. And more importantly I'm ready to live near the beach!!!! <br />
<br />Allison Reckmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15105582578315268182noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8848745988386712718.post-21089992006816130782012-01-22T13:12:00.000-08:002012-01-22T13:12:40.449-08:0030 by 30 ListHappy Sunday! It's a drizzly, wet, and slightly cold day here in Iowa. It's the kind of day when you stay indoors, snuggle with a warm blanket, watch football, blog, facebook, and pinterest! Haha! Don't all of those sound absolutely wonderful?!?<br />
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Recently my mind has been racing about things I want to do and get done before I turn 30. Its causing many sleepless nights and many "to do" lists laying around my house. To give my mind a rest, I decided to compile my lists, ideas, and dreams into ONE list of 30 things I want to do by the time I turn 30. I encourage everyone to do this, if you haven't already. I keep asking myself....."Do I really want to put a time frame on it? Should it just be called a "Bucket List?" I decided on the time frame because I'm OCD and it will help me stay focused.<br />
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Currently, I'm 26 years old. My birthday is August 17th. This means I have 31/2 years or 1,333 days to accomplish everything on my list. :) <br />
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1. go to Europe.....(London, Paris, Italy, Greece, Scotland, Ireland, Venice)<br />
2. buy our first home. <br />
3. become consumer debt FREE (all credit cards and automobile) <br />
4. move to Nashville, Tennessee. <br />
5. parasail over the ocean<br />
6. lose 20 pounds from this body<br />
7. run the Bix (all 7 miles with my good friend Jodi C.)<br />
8. renovate an entire kitchen<br />
9. create my label.....Honeysuckle Lane<br />
10. sew my own stock pile of cloth diapers <br />
11. have Baby Reckman #1<br />
12. go to Hawaii<br />
13. meet Dave Ramsey <br />
14. ride in a hotair balloon<br />
15. save money for Lola to have surgery on her throat<br />
16. go to the CMA's awards<br />
17. learn a little bit of French<br />
18. design a nursery that is magazine worthy<br />
19. teach Kindergarten <br />
20. rent a 10x10 and sell some of my creations<br />
21. go on a cruise with my whole family <br />
22. visit California<br />
23. volunteer at an animal shelter<br />
24. ride two days of RAGBRAI<br />
25. travel to Atlanta to see the Young's <br />
26. snorkel <br />
27. ride in a helicopter<br />
28. buy myself a labtop<br />
29. grow a garden <br />
30. swim with the dolphins <br />
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There's my 30 by 30. SO MANY THINGS but I can do it. What's on your list? Make it and start doing things that make you love your life.Allison Reckmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15105582578315268182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8848745988386712718.post-41348161671325346232012-01-09T19:07:00.000-08:002012-01-09T19:10:46.566-08:00Keep Calm and Call On<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Happy Monday! It feels good to be sitting here in my comfy chair writing this post (dinner eaten and workout done). I think I am doing rather well keeping this blog up-to-date. To say the least, I'm quite proud of myself. <br />
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With that said, am I the only one that is happy that Christmas has come and gone? I absolutely loved traveling to Arkansas and Louisana to see all my family and friends. Jeff and I had the best time, but Christmas is so busy, stressful, and tiring. Maybe its because I made it that way or maybe I put too much time and effort into make every present perfect because of my OCD. Who knows. <br />
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This Chirstmas the husband and I decided to make a lot of "homemade" gifts. We painted 2 landscape rocks, built 2 corn hole sets, made a set of 8 garden stones for my parents, 2 sets of picture coasters and frame and matted a poster for my brother! This is clearly why Christmas was SO busy...hahaha. Wow! It sure seems like a lot more when you type it out. Handmade gifts to me are so speical, but also hard work. Next year, we will still make these homemade gifts, but we will definitely start in August! :) <br />
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Here are some pictures of some things we made:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Totally making these for my mom and dad for their garden. " height="241px" src="http://media-cdn.pinterest.com/upload/44050902574751448_BGQPvrGe_b.jpg" style="height: 241px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="254px" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">These aren't the ones we made, but they look identical. Silly me forgot to snap a photo</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">WOOOO PIG SOOOIE</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Corn hole set for one of my best friends.</span> </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Love for St. Louis Cardinals</span></td></tr>
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Over and out for the night! New coffee table pictures tomorrow!Allison Reckmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15105582578315268182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8848745988386712718.post-55111081322821892532012-01-03T17:44:00.000-08:002012-01-03T17:44:32.889-08:00Motivation....Where does it come from?As I begin my weight loss journey this year, I'm always asking myself where does motivation come from? Did God give athletes an extra "umph" of motivation that allows them to achieve what they do? Can I have an athlete mentality? One thing I'm really good at is being completely up front and honest with myself. Here are two facts that I have come to terms with: 1) this eating healthy and exercise is a life-long process, and 2) motivation is something I will have to dig down deep and find and manifest in my mind. <br />
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To help conquer my weight loss quest, I have found an amazing app on my iphone that helps me keep count of my calories. It's called "my fitnesspal." It's wonderful. I put in how much weight I want to lose and by what date. Then the app calculates how much calories I should been eating each day. With this app, I always think of Carrie Underwood. She once said in an interview that way she maintains her weight is keeping a food diary. This is exactly what I'm doing! <br />
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I'm the type of person that leaves inspirational sayings/quotes all over my house that will remind me to exercise and make good choices about my food intake. This is my favorite this week!<br />
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<img alt="Pinned Image" id="pinCloseupImage" src="http://media-cdn.pinterest.com/upload/192388215301263955_0D08smRk_c.jpg" /><br />
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As I click "publish post" on my computer, I'm getting my tennis shoes on and jumping on the elliptical to burn some calories. I will earn my body!Allison Reckmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15105582578315268182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8848745988386712718.post-34100206109978208692012-01-02T15:58:00.000-08:002012-01-02T15:58:44.029-08:00Coffee Table Dilemma<div class="separator" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"></div><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Georgia','serif'; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">To start this post, I want all of you to know that this post is derived from my husband’s frustration about having things on the coffee table that are distracting to him when he is sitting on the couch trying to enjoy a movie or a football game. When it comes to decorating the coffee table in my house, I’m lost. I don’t know what I want there and I don’t know where to find it. Here is what I know: the decor need to be long and lengthy. It needs to be bulky because my coffee table is quite large. The décor needs to be flat (hence the frustration). In the past I've had large glass hurricane candles holders and every time I found my husband moving them when watching tv. Truth: Sometimes my decorating isn’t functional and I complete own that! </span><span style="font-family: 'Georgia','serif';"></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Georgia','serif'; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Here is my coffee table as of today: </span><span style="font-family: 'Georgia','serif';"></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FUzbJdui6SU/TwI7Q0vZnLI/AAAAAAAAALw/JW5DEhH2WQA/s1600/coffee+table+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" height="240px" rea="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FUzbJdui6SU/TwI7Q0vZnLI/AAAAAAAAALw/JW5DEhH2WQA/s320/coffee+table+1.JPG" width="320px" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: 'Georgia','serif'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Georgia','serif'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">To say the least, I'm not happy with it. What makes a coffee table functional? Are they supposed to be just for tea, coasters, beverages, and magazines? </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"></span></span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Georgia','serif'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Here are some decorating tips that will help if and when you want to spruce up your coffee table. I'll definitely be using these this week while I'm out shopping. </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="clear: both; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> <em> ~ Keep accessories low, don’t put anything on it that’s too tall and will obstruct your view. Since coffee tables are often in the center of a seating area keep accessories close to the tabletop. </em></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="clear: both; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><br />
</span><em><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Georgia','serif'; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> ~ Beautiful books make excellent accessories. Stack a pile of three or four hardcover books for a lovely display. </span><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"></span></span></em></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="clear: both; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="clear: both; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: left;"><em><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Georgia','serif'; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> ~ When accessorizing, keep in mind all the colors you have in the room. Repeat colors for maximum impact. This will help give the room a layered effect.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"></span></span></em></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="clear: both; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-line-height-alt: 9.65pt; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="clear: both; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-line-height-alt: 9.65pt; text-align: left;"><em><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Georgia','serif'; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> ~ Give a personal touch. Add a piece that reflects you. Just limit, too many will make your table look cluttered. Consider putting one on top of the stack of books. The contrast in shape will be visually striking.</span><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"></span></span></em></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="clear: both; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-line-height-alt: 9.65pt; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="clear: both; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-line-height-alt: 9.65pt; text-align: left;"><em><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Georgia','serif'; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> ~ It’s can be handy to have your display on a tray. Gives your table a classy style and can be used to remove the display quickly if your table is needed for another use. Keep coasters on this tray to ensure guests will not put drinks directly on your tables finish.</span><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"></span></span></em></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="clear: both; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-line-height-alt: 9.65pt; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="clear: both; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: left;"><em><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Georgia','serif'; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> ~ Resist the urge to cover the entire space. Leave room to put down drinks, a magazine etc... You don't want to cramp your everyday living.</span><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"></span></span></em></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="clear: both; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="clear: both; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: 'Georgia','serif'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">To end this post here are some pictures that are giving me inspiration to decorate my coffee table this week/weekend: </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="clear: both; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="clear: both; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: 'Georgia','serif'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img height="274px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9dG7bmY8X7gcYqj4tkEn08p67PnKr5toGKy7jHxWFE9k9Ha1QNMkXFwC60ixxI4UWulkJNoLahB9h8L6KyBqUK8eY7I8XkHrRULgqesyRYck1uCoulJgUscz9c-UKQh2nq3WaZvVKyQOb/s320/decorating-coffee-table.jpg" width="320px" /></span></span></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img height="288px" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5165/5366624778_aedfbbf95d.jpg" width="320px" /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img height="288px" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5088/5366624872_da6e8a8707.jpg" width="320px" /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">What does your coffee table look like? Do you have one? I'll be posting picture of my first attempt at decorating my coffee table soon. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Thanks for visiting my page. I really enjoy decorating, doing fun, crafty projects and blogging allows me to stay focused on doing what I love! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div>Allison Reckmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15105582578315268182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8848745988386712718.post-45290466861008453862012-01-01T18:51:00.000-08:002012-01-01T18:51:48.347-08:00It's 2012!Wow! I can't believe it's been since August 20th since I have last posted anything on here. However, I think I do have an excuse......I started teaching and that has taken a lot of my time. I can't believe I'm half way done with my first year of teaching already. The year has truly flown by but I am enjoying every minute of it. Teaching is definitely the job for me. <br />
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Since it's the new year, one of my resolutions is to start blogging again and to start doing more projects. I find myself too busy on the weekends even to think about what I would like to tackle. I want to start taking time for myself and slowing down. My plans are to start relaxing more and enjoying naps, reading time on my couch, an afternoon dedicating to sewing, or just watching a really old chick flick movie on a Sunday afternoon. In the words of one of my favorite country singers, Dierks Bentley "I'm ready for a slow down". On Fridays, when I'm winding down in my classroom, I don't want to have to rush home because we have plans or we have to be somewhere else right away. I want this year to be filled with weekends of NOTHING to do. I want to enjoy the walls of my home. I want to enjoy the things I have inside my home. <br />
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My second resolution for 2012 is to carry a purse everyday. I am fully aware that this seems weird to most people, but I have never been known to carry one. I usually just carry a wristlet or a small clutch/wallet. Carrying a purse does have it benefits: a key pocket, a phone pocket, touch up makeup holder, and the most important thing for me is that all of those things are in one place. For being such an organized person, I'm surprised it has taken me this long.<br />
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What are your resolutions? Can we keep them for 365 days? I'm going to try really hard to blog, carry my purse, and of course become more healthy (resolutions are completely without this one)Allison Reckmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15105582578315268182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8848745988386712718.post-10368031315104981212011-08-20T10:17:00.000-07:002011-08-20T10:21:35.135-07:00Becoming Healthy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Quote: "You are going to gain weight when you get married. That's just a part of it." </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This quote has taunted me a lot lately. I have been married for 308 days and I have gained. Of course I'm not going to reveal how much but its quite enough. I'm feeling really sad/frustrated about it. For the past week I have been constantly thinking about how Jeff and I can change our lifestyle completely and become more healthy. So far I have taken these small steps this week:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">1. Drinking 64 oz. of water each day. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">2. Not drinking soda (diet is out too)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">3. Going on a 30 minute walk every night.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">4. No junk food. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This morning I decided that in order to eat well (no processed foods) I had to plan and be very organized about it. This is what I made: </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoDAO1B5So98hHSRbOOIbvKAXA782uQwnYUDUrVUGFI5zeUuRJShp16zQCtJvwUh88lPR88Ds3uCDTUsW2fjns9jNLGlvzA49_JVtgKZSCXAWkdOdnTr-bbKhKGS42Jgtg4LQNPJByXlAC/s1600/IMG_7654.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400px" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoDAO1B5So98hHSRbOOIbvKAXA782uQwnYUDUrVUGFI5zeUuRJShp16zQCtJvwUh88lPR88Ds3uCDTUsW2fjns9jNLGlvzA49_JVtgKZSCXAWkdOdnTr-bbKhKGS42Jgtg4LQNPJByXlAC/s400/IMG_7654.JPG" width="266px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigQUBT3Dgs8dehwAysxCg4GnLAgibrnaD0hJH4hyphenhyphenzag9R_e5vq6JFO1wD9N6FbRD4l0d13IVgGURayFFk1LkIAL7ru7v42uvnhbvQ3248iiPIi5LSycUJuTCGidLCTf3RTZ6U-SIatHWVx/s1600/IMG_7660.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400px" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigQUBT3Dgs8dehwAysxCg4GnLAgibrnaD0hJH4hyphenhyphenzag9R_e5vq6JFO1wD9N6FbRD4l0d13IVgGURayFFk1LkIAL7ru7v42uvnhbvQ3248iiPIi5LSycUJuTCGidLCTf3RTZ6U-SIatHWVx/s400/IMG_7660.JPG" width="266px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This weekly menu planner will help me to stay on track and only eat healthy things. The chart is broken into the days of the week, with breakfast, lunch, and dinner. On the right hand side there is a shopping list. Brilliant! However, carry this thing into Aldi and Hyvee was hilarious. I got a few looks when I propped it up in the front of the buggy. One sweet lady actually told it was a great idea, but others thought it was weird I think. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I remember watching Dr. Oz one afternoon on vacation in Arkansas. The title of the show was "Losing Weight in Every Decade." Visit this website for each decade. It was SO useful! <a href="http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/diets-every-decade">Decade Diets</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So on my grocery shopping trip this morning I was armed and ready to buy only healthy food using my menu planner. Here are some things I bought: </div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzSPWO-V_cUQr-StMx8KzGU7L2DVBzd7hgc4dFU48qe0QP8raM_Mf-nc8uGvo62DKiC4zjE0x1E2rQ15c6rz0xXeuxoWmSFHElswCCUPxbt1jT5IHOu8-YoskxUOFUHRJjOtfjeTrch3Tp/s1600/IMG_7648.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213px" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzSPWO-V_cUQr-StMx8KzGU7L2DVBzd7hgc4dFU48qe0QP8raM_Mf-nc8uGvo62DKiC4zjE0x1E2rQ15c6rz0xXeuxoWmSFHElswCCUPxbt1jT5IHOu8-YoskxUOFUHRJjOtfjeTrch3Tp/s320/IMG_7648.JPG" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">GREEN TEA (mix with mint leaves and slices of grapefruit) Concoction that Dr. Oz lives by! </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">One-A-Day Vitamin (Oprah's list of women's vitamins from age 20-40 </span><a href="http://www.oprah.com/health/Vitamins-and-Supplements-for-Your-Age"><span style="font-size: small;">Vitamins from Oprah via Dr. Oz</span></a><span style="font-size: small;">)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Flax Seed (Omega-3) put this in your cereal, yogurt, smoothie, pretty much anything)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Pine Nuts: 2 tablespoons 3 times a week</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh07LTtA_uPw9u_LvajtXmLlLKd9wg6xU3Yx6LCXY7ljzEUq0OUptigXGZWubKH5b2gEtFJ1csPOB7Nm8eVhCgtsUP1iAxHGjaMpSDiKNf9V6KRIMcahKWPAnd-hgMBgn0kYpAVSnyzowFN/s1600/IMG_7650.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213px" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh07LTtA_uPw9u_LvajtXmLlLKd9wg6xU3Yx6LCXY7ljzEUq0OUptigXGZWubKH5b2gEtFJ1csPOB7Nm8eVhCgtsUP1iAxHGjaMpSDiKNf9V6KRIMcahKWPAnd-hgMBgn0kYpAVSnyzowFN/s320/IMG_7650.JPG" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">YUMMY Bananas</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijS0vv8K_MDQqQRZobavzX2H0Mb02GiLLbK2q0bJKBrfK_9p9qthwn7Qn5JZL2IAuyKvs1ijkEElf6qtKEm1mADeZ9TTqHRuwkN6UXF_hZYi3FN11yp5U5TZlQlweQSKR8bfT_TbhwdmiO/s1600/IMG_7651.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213px" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijS0vv8K_MDQqQRZobavzX2H0Mb02GiLLbK2q0bJKBrfK_9p9qthwn7Qn5JZL2IAuyKvs1ijkEElf6qtKEm1mADeZ9TTqHRuwkN6UXF_hZYi3FN11yp5U5TZlQlweQSKR8bfT_TbhwdmiO/s320/IMG_7651.JPG" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Made this delicious brushetta with tomatoes grown by Chuck Massuer</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinCck3XQdM-xpPA7Pon7_-8JhGeOwQHKEDK8MXqHaE3hWGEuio6fP-QpPuOtXjyVaiz2uclyVOJnnGa1jkgI5j27tCSf8MCyUyICtwhUnzzqKHe_N3Rn9wizkc0zl6EgLWekhPgHWt51f6/s1600/IMG_7653.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213px" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinCck3XQdM-xpPA7Pon7_-8JhGeOwQHKEDK8MXqHaE3hWGEuio6fP-QpPuOtXjyVaiz2uclyVOJnnGa1jkgI5j27tCSf8MCyUyICtwhUnzzqKHe_N3Rn9wizkc0zl6EgLWekhPgHWt51f6/s320/IMG_7653.JPG" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">More fresh snacks. Homegrown</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjAItnMXAW8qBU8bLR7oFWyDVs4nW8s9viLgYT-gMnM18NYkkszjQrKHx_vbz76-fjS21t6zQ-2q8w0fL-2tOaicuAAdAMCOvhFolvebnarhCeF_-Fz3cnyFzXFsnPf2xOQm0rrQYaTsc9/s1600/IMG_7652.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320px" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjAItnMXAW8qBU8bLR7oFWyDVs4nW8s9viLgYT-gMnM18NYkkszjQrKHx_vbz76-fjS21t6zQ-2q8w0fL-2tOaicuAAdAMCOvhFolvebnarhCeF_-Fz3cnyFzXFsnPf2xOQm0rrQYaTsc9/s320/IMG_7652.JPG" width="213px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">GO HOGS! Drink at least 64 oz. of water EVERY day</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>These are the steps we are taking over here at the Reckman House! Next week we are starting the Advocare 24 day challenge! Haven't ordered it yet but we are getting serious about getting healthy. <br />
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Till next time<br />
-Ally Allison Reckmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15105582578315268182noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8848745988386712718.post-39307108786471834602011-08-09T14:56:00.000-07:002011-08-09T14:59:00.297-07:00Dear Weekend, Please come fast!<div style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></div><br />
I know today is only Tuesday, but I'm so ready for the weekend! I have FOUR projects lined up and can't wait to get my hands dirty on some one them. My projects include these materials: <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;"><img alt="weekend craft project" height="280px" src="http://d30opm7hsgivgh.cloudfront.net/upload/103538358_Gy7BjrmH_b.jpg" style="height: 280px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="218px" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Classroom Art! Homemade :)</span></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: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3254/2965789375_ed4c88d0e1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320px" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3254/2965789375_ed4c88d0e1.jpg" width="240px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">My grandmother's old buttons. I love them so much because they were a part of her. She touch them and that is a priceless gift. I want to cherish them forever. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB1bckiCg6nX1XSOYmmi9u9IpogPod6DQT7V9yEKMoZXwlJSN1Ho0Jg53bXT5pfHLJs9TpUw95N6CXo0Q1jXCR948N6dOPIq51RFUQOJphJco_TzzCSf6NrzXqaXlIhVm85srsEebhrFU/s1600/crayons.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="256px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB1bckiCg6nX1XSOYmmi9u9IpogPod6DQT7V9yEKMoZXwlJSN1Ho0Jg53bXT5pfHLJs9TpUw95N6CXo0Q1jXCR948N6dOPIq51RFUQOJphJco_TzzCSf6NrzXqaXlIhVm85srsEebhrFU/s320/crayons.jpg" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Crayons.....making a teacher craft for myself and another teacher friend that is new to the teaching world! If you are looking for a great teacher appreciation gift, you definitely want to see what I do with these? :) </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.indysnaps.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/wooden-doors1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320px" src="http://www.indysnaps.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/wooden-doors1.jpg" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">About two months ago, I scored three FREE doors from Habitat for Humanity Restore Store! This is my biggest project yet. I don't know if I can complete it in a weekend but I will try. If I don't, it's worth the wait. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Who else is ready for the weekend? What do you have planned? </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Allison Reckmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15105582578315268182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8848745988386712718.post-5904017878504729802011-08-08T15:54:00.000-07:002011-08-08T15:54:25.601-07:00The Brother of all BrothersOne week from Wednesday is my 26th Birthday! I'm SO excited. I can't remember ever being excited about my birthday after my 21st, so this is pretty special. This year the hubs and I decided to get each other free gifts because of our dedication to paying off debt and becoming debt free. I have no idea what my husband is getting/making me, but he has been busy making it for like weeks! I can't imagine what it is. I'll be sure to post a picture of his masterpiece. <br />
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What I'm most excited about though (sorry Jeff, I really love you) is that I will get paid my first "big girl" check for being a teacher, which means I get to make a big purchase of something that I have been wanting for a long time. <br />
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DRUM ROLL PLEASE! <br />
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<img height="400px" src="http://i.walmartimages.com/i/p/00/01/25/02/62/0001250262495_500X500.jpg" width="400px" /><br />
The Brother of all Brothers! Isn't she a beauty? I can't wait to sit down and discover everything about this machine. <br />
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<div class="BodyXL"><div><span class="ql-details-short-desc">This Brother computerized sewing and embroidery machine now has computer connectivity capability. The SE-400 combination sewing/embroidery machine is designed to give your projects a customized, high-end look while being priced to fit your budget. </span></div><div><b>Brother Computerized Sewing and Embroidery Machine:</b> </div><ul><li>SE-400 includes 67 built-in stitches </li>
<li>98 stitch functions </li>
<li>70 built-in embroidery designs </li>
<li>5 monogramming fonts </li>
<li>120 frame pattern combinations </li>
<li>On-screen reference guide for the sewing/embroidery machine in 16 languages </li>
<li>Large 4" x 4" embroidery area-Easy-to-view LCD panel </li>
<li>Quick-set, drop-in bobbin and automatic needle threader</li>
</ul>I'll be posting pictures really soon of all my projects that I'll be tackling! :) <br />
These projects include:<br />
<ul><li>Lola's personalized kennel bag (first time to go to a kennel is in September and I'm all ready preparing myself)</li>
<li>homemade embroidered "Mr. & Mrs." wedding shower pillows</li>
<li>personalizing all of Jeff's work shirts on the cuff</li>
<li>CLOTH DIAPERS (most excited about even though children aren't in the future <strong>at all</strong>)</li>
<li>curtains</li>
<li>monogrammed towels</li>
</ul>Stay tuned everybody! <br />
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-Ally </div>Allison Reckmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15105582578315268182noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8848745988386712718.post-10833069463619974242011-07-24T14:33:00.000-07:002011-07-24T14:48:17.383-07:00Back from ArkansasHello followers! <br />
I'm back from Arkansas. I had a great, long visit with my parents and brother. While I was there, my dad had heart surgery. I was so blessed to have been there for him and get to nurse him back to health. He is doing better. Praise Jesus! <br />
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While I was just chilling on the couch this past week, I would occasionally check facebook and I saw this. My sorority sister, <a href="http://mjhester.blogspot.com/">Jessie</a>, had this inspiration and I couldn't wait to get back and make one for my home. Here is my inspiration (Jessie verison):<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJC0a0wtOyyQQ8AiimfQi3teoMr5DQTDyiIV0py8wK5GhWY2OxXpF-wQCZbcaXl48LBtm5oyGBu0i95geqVhId4LF6e-PqAgp60OpSPrPaEJzwO5TH6KYHMz14SZD0-c8Pif_k1RG80ng/s1600/love+you+bc...+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJC0a0wtOyyQQ8AiimfQi3teoMr5DQTDyiIV0py8wK5GhWY2OxXpF-wQCZbcaXl48LBtm5oyGBu0i95geqVhId4LF6e-PqAgp60OpSPrPaEJzwO5TH6KYHMz14SZD0-c8Pif_k1RG80ng/s320/love+you+bc...+%25281%2529.jpg" width="320px" /></a><br />
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I think this is great idea to have in your home for ALL family members to write on. I'm putting ours in our master bedroom for now. I think this is sweet, romantic gesture for young married couples. Lord knows sometimes we need encouraging words from one another. :) <br />
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So I got busy this Sunday. Here is my version: <br />
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Mine is far from perfect! I'm getting a vinyl machine for my birthday which will make projects like these SO much easier. The "you" is totally crooked. haha! Oh Well! I followed Jessie step by step and made a stencil using my computer printer. I used a sharp blade to cut out the letters. This was so difficult. I have used a stencil before. They paint never looks clean. There are never sharp lines. There are always runs. Boo! But I did it anyways and then handpainted to make it look better. If I had to do it again I would just simply write the letters on there myself. <br />
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<strong>Money Breakdown: </strong><br />
frame: Goodwill $2.38<br />
spraypaint for frame: free (in garage from chair project)<br />
grey cardstock: .59<br />
mat board: $4.00 (there is plenty to frame several more projects) <br />
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<strong><u>Grand Total: $6.97 </u></strong><br />
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Hope you are having a blessed Sunday!Allison Reckmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15105582578315268182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8848745988386712718.post-22896628600544542122011-07-13T20:09:00.000-07:002011-07-13T20:09:11.504-07:00New projectsWOW.....June 7th was my last post! One word: SLACKER! I have done so much since then. The funny thing is though I technically haven't been working. :) I start teaching August 1st so I bet my before/after projects slow down quite a bit.<br />
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Trash digging has been at an all time high here lately. My dear friends, the Young's, ventured out with my hubs and I for our last dig. It was successful. Leather couch, pink wing back chair, and church pew. The church pew is the only thing I kept. Here are before and after pictures. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBu7GXYCxBT1Bc2lULFPGvJBToNB25r3VAGKEOkKDGs_wGbuX5YjGP_YAUnmkNkzIwAROw_CwCPvHWEKtLbvCbVnQsSDj3VUwrdfeAazOXHVkojYALdVE4hj1WLBsTsqHi9sUr8HyXt6ko/s1600/IMG_3320.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266px" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBu7GXYCxBT1Bc2lULFPGvJBToNB25r3VAGKEOkKDGs_wGbuX5YjGP_YAUnmkNkzIwAROw_CwCPvHWEKtLbvCbVnQsSDj3VUwrdfeAazOXHVkojYALdVE4hj1WLBsTsqHi9sUr8HyXt6ko/s400/IMG_3320.JPG" width="400px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Before</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpcgXT4o2kOuB3QBY9zn_ldicPEM5JVszL8GBt5b-P_Hsu2tpZA2aAt12tJprEU_ciVhEjfZabAzArh5aG_FGFOpJaFGl9X8wxXhMUFakRRV69kdCTC95Mjc-DJYb24DWM4zuOp5l6QyWY/s1600/IMG_3321.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400px" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpcgXT4o2kOuB3QBY9zn_ldicPEM5JVszL8GBt5b-P_Hsu2tpZA2aAt12tJprEU_ciVhEjfZabAzArh5aG_FGFOpJaFGl9X8wxXhMUFakRRV69kdCTC95Mjc-DJYb24DWM4zuOp5l6QyWY/s400/IMG_3321.JPG" width="266px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The back is my favorite part</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgRfCUGf_-hpS1_D6DHcfKE6OC1iKIpcINn0-QOfoUbTa6naIWWAFGHAFAZgPZImdn-F78uXHuKkuKvCK8WfLXvkQnoUz_ldtZWWUQhDW6h1OwAiDPmgOWfh-Q6hXV-zln-3QMsIm4ZarS/s1600/IMG_3324.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266px" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgRfCUGf_-hpS1_D6DHcfKE6OC1iKIpcINn0-QOfoUbTa6naIWWAFGHAFAZgPZImdn-F78uXHuKkuKvCK8WfLXvkQnoUz_ldtZWWUQhDW6h1OwAiDPmgOWfh-Q6hXV-zln-3QMsIm4ZarS/s400/IMG_3324.JPG" width="400px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">After.....the grain of the wood is just gorgeous</span></td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBsagKvhkVVZ-3o6YVD_qROvyvqHMqSgb28gYgXCoXtFJIzE73Gj42IMV4EaA50OFUc-u5YItgDY_s7f0S3U7-QdjD7UzyV854ADsUrO3tyCO5Xy4ms7rI1XZWXoYvx-nOiGLAaek7wQgw/s1600/IMG_3329.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266px" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBsagKvhkVVZ-3o6YVD_qROvyvqHMqSgb28gYgXCoXtFJIzE73Gj42IMV4EaA50OFUc-u5YItgDY_s7f0S3U7-QdjD7UzyV854ADsUrO3tyCO5Xy4ms7rI1XZWXoYvx-nOiGLAaek7wQgw/s400/IMG_3329.JPG" width="400px" /></a></div>This is my most recent project. Just finished it yesterday. This church pew is traveling 12 hrs. to Arkansas. Its a present to my parents! :)Allison Reckmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15105582578315268182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8848745988386712718.post-72370462351043456772011-06-07T13:07:00.000-07:002011-06-07T13:07:31.567-07:00I've missed so much.....Here recently I have been slacking on the "blog" part of my life. I went to Arkansas for seven days, then had an important interview, then just now getting back into the swing of things. Here are some updates in our lives:<br />
1) I'M EMPLOYED. I accepted a Resource K-5 job here in Bettendorf, IA at Neil Armstrong Elementary. I start August 1st. <br />
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2) Just got back from a lovely mini-vaca in St. Louis. Scroll down for pictures.<br />
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3) Jeff is loving his job at HON and thinks we will be on the move in the next 6-9 months. (you might be thinking "well what are you going to do about your job?" answer I don't really know at this point) Don't know at this point where but we are pretty much up for anywhere. <br />
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4) Re-enlisted in grad school at the University of Arkansas (WOOOOPIGSOOIE). I have to take 2 more classes in order to receive my special education license. I want to complete them both in eight weeks. They are both online classes.<br />
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5) One of my besties just had her 3rd baby: EDITH REESE KROUT I'm beyond excited for her and her family. We are calling her Edie. <br />
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6) I start teaching 3rd grade summer school June 14th. I'm a little nervous about this. <br />
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Life is busy as usual. Just trying to take one day at a time and enjoy the sunshine and time off of work. <br />
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</div>Allison Reckmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15105582578315268182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8848745988386712718.post-87971489927865532752011-05-31T20:01:00.000-07:002011-05-31T20:01:57.789-07:00Beyond scared....Tomorrow is my first big girl interview at Neil Armstrong Elementary here in Bettendorf, IA. Its for a Special Education Resource position. I'm beyond scared. The interview team will consist of 5 professionals. I will have 30 minutes worth of interview questions, then I'm going to teach a lesson to two 3rd grade students. The lessons is about introducing a book about dinosaurs. I'm very prepared and organized. I'm not worried about the teaching part. <br />
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Today while I was preparing for the interview, I decided I would make homemade fossils for the children to find in a box of sand. I even bought some toothbrushes for them to use to carefully move the dirt away from the fossils. A few months back, my husband and I went hiking behind our house and we found a muskrat skull. PERFECT! I used a hammer and a screwdriver to break the skull down into individual parts. I got pottery plaster from Hobby Lobby and use a bowl to create a mold. Once I dumped the plaster into the bowl, I placed the bones in and let the plaster harden. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Muskrat skull=fake fossil</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">first mold with fossil</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">decided to make another mold with fossil</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh_fKBRUYxQxnYhK4eUWxVDl_6jtjeDWkPc1Kck-qj3qSw1KY0p6JwoAP-bysWUE9o66LBVM92_BAVzhuZ6mJdp0_1nfIlgmKRsVdk8AkTiSeGwj_XwP62d_Z2BbC49eSNrXQeFWqdpWEq/s1600/IMG_7329.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh_fKBRUYxQxnYhK4eUWxVDl_6jtjeDWkPc1Kck-qj3qSw1KY0p6JwoAP-bysWUE9o66LBVM92_BAVzhuZ6mJdp0_1nfIlgmKRsVdk8AkTiSeGwj_XwP62d_Z2BbC49eSNrXQeFWqdpWEq/s320/IMG_7329.JPG" t8="true" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">box of sand with fossil hidden underneath. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDHEdmZJz1dY9c1wL-m-LwICKFgL-puYKYkG2txzbv_QRKrLx07-eq3Bw1GDfzgIxGbdrmhsv13TFypjZF4gOlTNLelcPwyUTeQeCDyQBMoHO5zQDtjy7F67E3EEw6AgvUqMv730k2ditp/s1600/IMG_7331.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDHEdmZJz1dY9c1wL-m-LwICKFgL-puYKYkG2txzbv_QRKrLx07-eq3Bw1GDfzgIxGbdrmhsv13TFypjZF4gOlTNLelcPwyUTeQeCDyQBMoHO5zQDtjy7F67E3EEw6AgvUqMv730k2ditp/s320/IMG_7331.JPG" t8="true" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">close up of the fossil....I think this is pretty cool! :)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghVQX7MjXWckOodBQv58xzq4LuUoHItqCw7GIuvhC4wYZ5_eiJLj0m0aAyEhFSQzQ1uHJ7ueZk48A1hWe_sLY5AoD8iNKQZEgxgFih1xA-ERG3IC6bzS-I7vyRN4essX98eiRhp2kLYEhX/s1600/IMG_7330.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghVQX7MjXWckOodBQv58xzq4LuUoHItqCw7GIuvhC4wYZ5_eiJLj0m0aAyEhFSQzQ1uHJ7ueZk48A1hWe_sLY5AoD8iNKQZEgxgFih1xA-ERG3IC6bzS-I7vyRN4essX98eiRhp2kLYEhX/s320/IMG_7330.JPG" t8="true" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">after using a toothbrush to excavate the fossils</td></tr>
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I hope the students like this and thinks its awesome! In fact I hope the principal loves it and gives me the job! :) I'll keep the six of you updated!<br />
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AllisonAllison Reckmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15105582578315268182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8848745988386712718.post-56918248489839150402011-05-26T13:20:00.000-07:002011-05-26T13:20:41.989-07:00Greetings from ArkansasHey ya'll! I'm writing to you guys from my parent's home in Nashville, Arkansas. It's a small town of about 5,000 people. I have been here since Saturday and loving every single moment of being here in the wide open air with no worries (well maybe one....interview on June 1st). I love the country life. This morning I got up around 9:00 am to find my daddy burning limbs in our huge fire pit. I joined him. It was just a perfect way to start the day. My mom of course was in the kitchen fixing a delicious breakfast. It's so nice just spending quality time with my family. <br />
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My parents are garden growing people. Currently they are growing tomatoes, squash, broccoli, potatoes, okra, and cucumbers. YUMMY! Yesterday I helped my mom dig up some potatoes for lunch. I captured some pictures: <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcodMWBfJ7VjppX4gBG2jBim1kDFfNmsR6FusS0411RNe9wLwGiR643U0MfyUnxRTAONQO4Uu2nVLI4rLAfhLV0_n75SJE5dVVVevin8DltXDS711fWp9PJXsnY-YA3wy7B-4WAPnddlQN/s1600/IMG_7310.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcodMWBfJ7VjppX4gBG2jBim1kDFfNmsR6FusS0411RNe9wLwGiR643U0MfyUnxRTAONQO4Uu2nVLI4rLAfhLV0_n75SJE5dVVVevin8DltXDS711fWp9PJXsnY-YA3wy7B-4WAPnddlQN/s400/IMG_7310.JPG" t8="true" width="400px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">potato plant</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4rGRcAa1YDOTc7x40PFGlOu_1ufOAPAAuTlKRA784_5z3IAGK0gsw1otmMeUamEePjxzbvDCwwT90EdwatjInkjWM5wi1A8AlwwCZ7fVeM_gpnWOMDf8UpgoLinHhsUn5fX9ktNAJnEz5/s1600/IMG_7313.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4rGRcAa1YDOTc7x40PFGlOu_1ufOAPAAuTlKRA784_5z3IAGK0gsw1otmMeUamEePjxzbvDCwwT90EdwatjInkjWM5wi1A8AlwwCZ7fVeM_gpnWOMDf8UpgoLinHhsUn5fX9ktNAJnEz5/s400/IMG_7313.JPG" t8="true" width="300px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">using a shovel to dig them up. excuse my clothing and my face and hair.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw1vW6WfVRxZgDYGDhal3D_8yt4Ps2Lz_GCV1VDuN6PXNGm25Rc8kkldE5B6c7vSdIVgWR6loEIqPAF__zeEDBmDkHKYYc9VgH_UV7M_UFywg3gcRJxpO4XrJrWyJlwAtKnRrZFdKxfmkD/s1600/IMG_7314.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw1vW6WfVRxZgDYGDhal3D_8yt4Ps2Lz_GCV1VDuN6PXNGm25Rc8kkldE5B6c7vSdIVgWR6loEIqPAF__zeEDBmDkHKYYc9VgH_UV7M_UFywg3gcRJxpO4XrJrWyJlwAtKnRrZFdKxfmkD/s400/IMG_7314.JPG" t8="true" width="400px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">straight from the ground</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjLymSkGMjvxCbMgNijMimrxpOK-SirXHNC6SZo8ZNocn6LSDhsBl_W3AREe5zcCm9DwXEJmpu7m46m9ApoKcc7ML3rpnLN5avRogG4G-NOCLIc6SBSZUazETDN6YXLEp9Xyb9rW9C6z0X/s1600/IMG_7311.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjLymSkGMjvxCbMgNijMimrxpOK-SirXHNC6SZo8ZNocn6LSDhsBl_W3AREe5zcCm9DwXEJmpu7m46m9ApoKcc7ML3rpnLN5avRogG4G-NOCLIc6SBSZUazETDN6YXLEp9Xyb9rW9C6z0X/s400/IMG_7311.JPG" t8="true" width="400px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lola decided she would help us! </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLIp4Nc3yeS1RWjlxlBM4SDDUsD-uTvqvfDcqzDldE1P3y0nWS0QO3ilWzLAM25Vqw1hgExjSoH6NwubZj0q671QZ8pCkLdWu2nq89LBMDGlNJ-mRfgqENovKaV5JkSavMbFO7d4MHk0jK/s1600/IMG_7315.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLIp4Nc3yeS1RWjlxlBM4SDDUsD-uTvqvfDcqzDldE1P3y0nWS0QO3ilWzLAM25Vqw1hgExjSoH6NwubZj0q671QZ8pCkLdWu2nq89LBMDGlNJ-mRfgqENovKaV5JkSavMbFO7d4MHk0jK/s400/IMG_7315.JPG" t8="true" width="400px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I just love this one. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNLkmqpZMuE_QcYys8Ph6skWEIbKxiWgH3I4rBccjJqZBlNHOZ1dzGa6k6TLi5xFlE8YLvXU9N2HeTrcr3hNdnenG5guESxhn54rB0aQfasQ8dkqpmnVhoJF3hTLHzi55A__AhE7wYoqQP/s1600/IMG_7316.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNLkmqpZMuE_QcYys8Ph6skWEIbKxiWgH3I4rBccjJqZBlNHOZ1dzGa6k6TLi5xFlE8YLvXU9N2HeTrcr3hNdnenG5guESxhn54rB0aQfasQ8dkqpmnVhoJF3hTLHzi55A__AhE7wYoqQP/s400/IMG_7316.JPG" t8="true" width="300px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">frying the potatoes in a cast iron skillet for lunch. <br />
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</tbody></table>Just a few more days to spend with my family. I'm leaving Saturday night around 8pm. :( I will be sad but I'm missing my sweetness and I look forward to seeing him on Sunday.Allison Reckmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15105582578315268182noreply@blogger.com0