Me and My SoldierMan: Does this blog design make me look fat?

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Quotes for Life

"Pray also for me, that the message may be given to me when I open my mouth to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel. For this I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I might be bold enough in Him to speak as I should....My eager expectation and hope is that I will not be ashamed about anything, but that now as always, with all boldness, Christ will be highly honored in my body, whether be life or by death."~ The Apostle Paul: Eph 6:18-20; Phil 1:20

"Lord, I intend it to thy glory, and let no profane misinterpreter abuse it to thy diminution."
~John Donne

"I must study politics and war that my sons may have liberty to study mathematics and philosophy."
~ John Adams

"You have enemies? Good. It means you've stood up for something."
~ Winston Churchill

"I would rather have a plain down-right wisdom than a foolish and affected eloquence."
~ Ben Jonson

"The foolish and wicked practice of profane cursing and swearing is a vice so mean and low that every person of sense and character detests and despises it."

~ George Washington

"Country music is about new love and it’s about old love. It’s about gettin’ drunk and gettin’ sober. It’s about leavin’ and it’s about comin’ home. It’s real music sung by real people for real people, the people that make up the backbone of this country. You can call us rednecks if you want. We’re not offended, ’cause we know what we’re all about. We get up and go to work, we get up and go to church, and we get up and go to war when necessary."

~ Jeff Foxworthy

"The most dangerous predator of liberals is the real world. They hide from it in college campuses."
~ www.imao.us

"To educate a person in mind and not in morals is to educate a menace to society."
~ President Theodore Roosevelt

"Only amateurs say that they write for their own amusement. Writing is not an amusing occupation. It is a combination of ditch-digging, mountain-climbing, treadmill and childbirth. Writing may be interesting, absorbing, exhilarating, racking, relieving. But amusing? Never!"
~ Edna Ferber

"A liberal is a man too broadminded to take his own side in an argument."
~ Robert Frost

"I'm a Christian first and a mean-spirited, bigoted conservative second, and don't you ever forget it. You know who else was kind of "divisive" in terms of challenging the status quo and the powers-that-be of his day? Jesus Christ."
~Ann Coulter

"Feminism has nothing at all to do with being 'feminine.' Feminine means accentuating the womanly attributes that make women deliciously different from men. The feminine woman enjoys her right to be a woman. She has a positive outlook on life. She knows she is a person with her own identity and that she can seek fulfillment in the career of her choice, including that of traditional wife and mother."
~ Phyllis Schlafly

"Tolerance is the virtue of a man without convictions."
~ G. K. Chesterson

"It isn't going to bed with a man that proves you're in love with him. It's getting up in the morning and facing the drab, miserable, wonderful, everyday world with him that counts."
~ Yours, Mine and Ours

"I owe nothing to women's lib."

~ Margaret Thatcher

"The first thing we do, let's kill all the lawyers."

~ Henry VI

"We're all born pessimists. It takes effort to be optimistic."

~ Rush Limbaugh

"True religion and true philosophy must ultimately arrive at the same conclusion."

~S.S. Smith

"There's no limit to what a man can do or where he can go if he doesn’t mind who gets the credit."

~ Jack Dake

"If a woman like Eva Peron with no ideals can get that far, think how far I can go with the ideals that I have."

~ Margaret Thatcher

"What I felt like saying was, 'I've produced my third child and my sixth book since I last saw you. Aren't either of these things more important, more interesting, than my size?' But no - my waist looked smaller! Forget the kid and the book; finally, something to celebrate! Maybe this seems funny or trivial, but it's really not."
~ JK Rowling

"Dear Lord
Lest I continue
My complacent way
Help me to remember
Somehow out there
A man died for me today.
As long as there be war
I then must
Ask and answer
Am I worth dying for?"~Anon
"[Judgment] comes from four sources: God, nature, diligence and conversation. Serve the first, and the rest will serve you."
~ Ben Jonson

"I think political correctness is a wonderful fad. Probably not as spiritually uplifting as the hula-hoop, but undoubtedly better for the health."
~ Waiting for God

"Our God and soldier we alike adore. At the brink of danger, not before. After deliverance, both alike requited. Our God's forgotten and our soldiers slighted."
~ Oliver North

"The way to tell the professional writers from the amateur writers is that the amateurs only write when they feel like it."
~ Jerry Van Cook

"Remember that only in cheesy romance novels is the heroine guaranteed to find true love without the risk of vulnerability or pain."
~ Dear Prudence column

"We do not fear censorship, for we have no wish to offend with improprieties or obscenities, but we do demand, as a right, the liberty to show the dark side of wrong, that we may illuminate the bright side of virtue."
~ from "The Birth of a Nation"

"Doesn't matter what the press says. Doesn't matter what the politicians or the mobs say. Doesn't matter if the whole country decides that something wrong is something right. This nation was founded on one principle above all else: The requirement that we stand up for what we believe, no matter the odds or the consequences. When the mob and the press and the whole world tell you to move, your job is to plant yourself like a tree besides the river of truth, and tell the whole world - No, you move."
~Captain America

"While God doesn’t promise tomorrow, he does promise eternity."
~ Tony Snow

"War is an ugly thing, but not the ugliest of things. The decayed and degraded state of moral and patriotic feeling which thinks that nothing is worth war is much worse. The person who has nothing for which he is willing to fight, nothing which is more important than his own personal safety, is a miserable creature and has no chance of being free unless made and kept so by the exertions of better men than himself."
~ John Stuart Mill

"I sought for the greatness and genius of America in her commodious harbors and her ample rivers, and it was not there. In the fertile fields and boundless prairies, and it was not there. In her rich mines and her vast world commerce, and it was not there. Not until I went into the churches of America and heard her pulpits, aflame with righteousness, did I understand the secret of her genius and power. America is great because she is good, and if America ever ceases to be good, America will cease to be great."
~ Alexis de Tocqueville

"I’ve got two daughters who will have to make their way in this skinny-obsessed world, and it worries me, because I don’t want them to be empty-headed, self-obsessed, emaciated clones; I’d rather they were independent, interesting, idealistic, kind, opinionated, original, funny - a thousand things, before ‘thin’. And frankly, I’d rather they didn’t give a gust of stinking chihuahua flatulence whether the woman standing next to them has fleshier knees than they do. Let my girls be Hermiones, rather than Pansy Parkinsons. Let them never be Stupid Girls."
~ J.K. Rowling

Wisdom from the Great Communicator, Ronald Reagan:
------------------------------
Politics and morality are inseparable. And as morality's foundation is religion, religion and politics are necessarily related. We need religion as a guide. We need it because we are imperfect, and our government needs the church, because only those humble enough to admit they're sinners can bring to democracy the tolerance it requires in order to survive.

Live each day to the fullest. Live each day with enthusiasm, optimism and hope. If you do, I am convinced that your contribution to this wonderful experiment we call America will be profound.

The dustbin of history is littered with remains of those countries that relied on diplomacy to secure their freedom. We must never forget...in the final analysis...that it is our military, industrial and economic strength that offers the best guarantee of peace for America in times of danger.

We will always remember. We will always be proud. We will always be prepared, so we may always be free.

June 1, 2010

Does this blog design make me look fat?

Can you hear my *squee*?!

Stephanie at Dirt and Lace Designs worked her magic on my blog this weekend! Isn't it awesome? ;)

I am the most visually-creative-challenged person on the face of the planet. (Most of the walls in my house stay bare, I have no design skills whatsoever!) So I was a bit anxious about working with someone on a new blog design because I knew I wanted something cute and different - but I had NO idea beyond that! A couple of my BBs - Jessica and Kate - have oh-so-cute blogs both designed by Stephanie, so I made a bee-line over to get on her project list!

Stephanie was amazing - very communicative and intuitive. It's like she knew what I wanted before I did! Plus, I love her work style - from "rough draft" to "final cut," she had me in the process every step of the way. She kept saying to let her know if I didn't like anything or wanted to change anything as she went. That was not an issue! :) Every detail was/is perfect! I could not be more pleased.

Thank you so much, Stephanie! I love it! :)

If you are contemplating a professional blog design, I am telling you, this is the gal to go with! Run - don't walk - to Dirt and Lace Designs and check her out!

Thanks to those of you who have had my old, homemade ugly button on your blogs. Feel free to replace it with this fabulous new one! I think it's just adorable :)

In other news....

We had a lovely, relaxing Memorial Day weekend. Low-key, got a little more done around the house decorating-wise (though not yet enough to take pictures. Soon, though!)

We watched Julie & Julia last night. At the end of it, we were talking and SoldierMan mentioned that I need to start working on having a creative outlet again. And, since I don't really count blogging, I realize he's right. We didn't take a single picture over the weekend. I used to be a terribly annoying shutterbug. But with him gone for 6 months and having no pets, children or roommates to take pictures of, it pretty much fell by the wayside. He was specifically talking about my writing, which I have also shamefully let lapse. But immediately I want to get my hand back in at photography.

So, to begin, I'm going to make it my project, starting tomorrow, to take 1 really nice picture a day for the month of June. It might be of something on my wall or (hopefully) something more interesting. But I need a challenge. And that's it. Hold me accountable! If I don't have a post with a picture every day, beat me up! (Verbally, of course ;))

BTW - next week I'm going to host a Disney-themed Blog Carnival. I know there are lots of fellow Disney-philes out there. So dust off you vacation pics and let's all revisit some memories together! Look for the first round next Monday!

21 comments:

jennJune 1, 2010 at 8:16 AM
love it =)
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L.C.June 1, 2010 at 8:28 AM
love your new design!
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Doc's Girl (Noel)June 1, 2010 at 8:29 AM
I for one think this design makes your ass look fantastic.

Er, your BLOG, I mean.

Seriously though, I like it!
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stefanieJune 1, 2010 at 8:49 AM
Awesome design!!! Love it!
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The LT's WifeyJune 1, 2010 at 8:51 AM
I am a total disney-dork! Can't wait!
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KayleeJune 1, 2010 at 8:55 AM
i LOVE your new design (your old one was cute too!). stephanie did a great job!

i have recently been contemplating how excited i am to take my daughter to disney world in a few short years (i have never been myself!), so am definitely looking forward to hearing your perspective!
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KelliJune 1, 2010 at 8:56 AM
AWESOME!! Love it!!!
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Brianna ReneeJune 1, 2010 at 9:04 AM
YAY! YAY! YAY!

Love the new blog design-super cute!

I can't wait to see what wonderful pics you create!

And a Disney Carnival...omg, that's going to be awesome!
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tootieJune 1, 2010 at 9:05 AM
I love the new blog design! She did great work!

And I look forward to seeing your photos this month :)
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AimeeJune 1, 2010 at 9:13 AM
Love your new blog design. I was c ontemplating getting one professional done but I dont know if I am a good enough blogger to warrant doing that, but thanks for the tip on who to go to.

Your creative photo plan sounds like a great idea. Cant wait to see some pictures :)

Ooo a Disney theme blog!! I am down!
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CharityJune 1, 2010 at 9:13 AM
I love it! It looks wonderful, I will have to think about having her do mine as well...
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SarahJune 1, 2010 at 9:51 AM
Aaaaaaaaah!!! Too cute!! I love your new look! =D

I've let my creativity go to the wayside too. Hopefully, it'll come back soon. =)
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The McGriff'sJune 1, 2010 at 1:00 PM
I love it! Especially your new signature!!
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Jesse and MarissaJune 1, 2010 at 1:34 PM
Great layout & good luck on your project :)
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Wife on the Roller CoasterJune 1, 2010 at 3:41 PM
LOVE the new look! And I can't wait to see all the pics you're going to take!
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Crazy ShenanigansJune 1, 2010 at 4:02 PM
I think it looks great!
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aeJune 1, 2010 at 4:41 PM
Love, love, love the new look! I am glad you had a relaxing weekend.
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AllisonJune 1, 2010 at 5:51 PM
love the new digs ;)
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BlessingJune 1, 2010 at 7:55 PM
Your blog design looks great, although unfortunately I am new here. My husband just joined the Army and he is off to BCT and then OCS right now. I am not sure of how OCS is...Sarah over at G.I Joe explained the whole BCT to me and said you knew more about OCS. I am new with this whole thing, and i am a little scared, if I may admit. As an officer, do you get some flexibility with your post locations or do they just pick and dump you wherever?

I have a full time offer that im not gonna let sly to stay at home, so that really scares me. Any advice on how your OCS went, and how you coped will really help. Sorry for venting. I'm just glad, there is so much support out here in the blogosphere and on facebook. Thats the only thing keeping me sane.

www.musingsofanarmywife.blogspot.com
www.safehomehappymom.com
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WhitneyJune 2, 2010 at 9:46 AM
LOVE your new layout!!!
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eliseJune 2, 2010 at 4:02 PM
i really like the new look!
excited for you to get back in to your photography and writing:O) what a sweet hubby to remind you and encourage you.
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