tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26447476602234943892024-03-16T11:52:52.664-07:00the third boob......and other adventures in mommyhoodUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger582125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2644747660223494389.post-40199840752668487092017-11-11T14:22:00.000-08:002017-11-11T14:22:35.864-08:00a day for the record books<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOax2jKicmxQG4IGYVqfvDyOKL_J2sQ5faXALRBSKrY4ETNWO65j40L7rXoNc5l9ksZ_zFcYApAW9Um3w4JFXhnulcVzgX4R9fnRmmEpIi3KSbf2qmSw0gFHHKnvDw3fhgQfY9v7i-FQQ/s1600/image1-2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOax2jKicmxQG4IGYVqfvDyOKL_J2sQ5faXALRBSKrY4ETNWO65j40L7rXoNc5l9ksZ_zFcYApAW9Um3w4JFXhnulcVzgX4R9fnRmmEpIi3KSbf2qmSw0gFHHKnvDw3fhgQfY9v7i-FQQ/s400/image1-2.png" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">there are some days that will go down in the record book of my life…days i’d rather forget but i know i never, never will, no matter how hard i try. my recent visit to the dermatologist will go down in the analogs of my life’s history for years to come. it was just that good…or horrific, however you may describe it. </span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">heather and i are religious about getting our skin checked. we want to keep skin cancer at bay in both of our lives. so, once a year, we make the trip to the dermatologist for one of our least favorite doctor’s visits of the year. </span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">this year i walked into my doctor’s office and, while still in the waiting room, i picked up the office brochure. after about two seconds, i noticed the list of doctors at the practice. there were five…count them…five female doctors and one male doctor. which one was i scheduled to see that day? you guessed it... the only doctor without a vagina. don’t ask me why i had chosen this doctor. i’m pretty sure my husband is to blame as it is his doctor too and he convinced me the male doctor was amazing. always, ladies, always choose a female doctor as your dermatologist. always. </span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">after my brief waiting room visit, i was shown to my exam room by a perky little twenty something blonde with a never-had-a-baby body. she pulled out a gown and told me to strip down but to leave on my bra and underwear. no, first, let me explain that i’ve seen the dermatologist every year for the last five years. still, i’m fairly sure i have blocked the visits from my memory because i didn’t show up prepared at all for this visit. the perky blonde 20-something nurse left the room and i surveyed the status of my undergarments. i had worn a cami that day instead of a bra…a full cami with it's own built in bra that for sure had to be removed if the doctor was going to take a look at any of my back. i decided i would just go camando on the top and hope no one noticed. then i took a gander at what underwear i had chosen and discovered a skimpy, lacy thong. that’s right, friends. not only was i going to go braless when i was told i could wear a bra, but i was also now the creepy lady wearing only a lacy thong to her appointment. </span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">enter the doctor and perky blonde nurse into the room to where i was fully draped in paper like one typically would be for the gyno with only my thong on underneath. the one male doctor of the practice shook my hand, asked me how i was doing, and then, no joke, put a miner’s light on his forehead to survey every square inch of skin on my body. was he searching for gold? mining for diamonds? digging for buried treasure? i have no idea but apparently the light on the forehead made looking at my thong clad self even more fun. </span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">he started to go over each and every part of my body, the skinny nurse chatting with him in the background. i was okay with the process until he asked me to stand up and turn around. of course. of course i would love to stand up and turn around to show you my bear nether regions. nothing would bring me more joy. as i stood and turned around, i could see the eyes of nurse sunshine grow exponentially. for sure i was the creepy 40 something lady who just doesn’t give a crap anymore. everyone should be as comfortable naked as i am. at that moment i wished the world would open up and swallow me whole. still, the doctor kept chatting to me about my plans for today. “besides dying of embarrassment, my day's schedule is wide open.” </span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">then, just when i thought things couldn’t get worse, the doctor turned me around and told me he has to lift up my boobs to see the skin underneath. well certainly, that makes perfect sense. after nursing five kids, let’s be real, they don’t stand to attention like they once did and so, miner’s hat ablazing, he proceeded to lift one boob and then the other to survey the skin underneath. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">at that moment it occurred to me, someone gets paid for this. they went to school and decided, “i want to wear a miner’s hat and lift up people’s boobs to see what’s underneath for a living.” seriously. this is the job someone chose and they get to do this every. single. day. it </span>really was a remarkable revelation. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">later that night, heather one-upped me by telling me that, not only did her doctor tell her to strip completely naked, but he also asked her to “bend over and spread her butt cheeks.” i kid you not. you can’t make these things up people. we are living the dream, friends, living the dream. </span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">i checked out of my doctor’s office and they wanted to schedule me for the next year. i didn’t have the heart to tell them that it would be a cold day in hell before i went to see that doctor again. i figure i’ll wait a couple of months and call back to get one of the five female doctors. i’m pretty sure i’ll ask for the most matronly woman on staff. i want someone to look at my sagging boobs and thong wearing self and say, “you’ve had five kids? dang, girl, you look amazing.” that, or i’ll block this visit out completely again and show up for the next visit wearing no underwear at all. let’s be real. that is probably the route i will take. might as well keep life interesting, right?</span></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13593721085029268603noreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2644747660223494389.post-2095929918185183342017-11-06T13:17:00.000-08:002017-11-11T14:20:43.448-08:00travel and indoor cats<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirwKrCMjcvYpiXl5PmecXQ4otcdBpyQXeAVlpERDtK44ZcWE9C_EcpDp1vD1CnST_chAIesKlXf_VRsvQ3U5Eqlbptp2CLtYzY7Wth-2xpg1inEOGhLmAZFLgJUv8xIFAcD1UlQ-7B9m8/s1600/image1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirwKrCMjcvYpiXl5PmecXQ4otcdBpyQXeAVlpERDtK44ZcWE9C_EcpDp1vD1CnST_chAIesKlXf_VRsvQ3U5Eqlbptp2CLtYzY7Wth-2xpg1inEOGhLmAZFLgJUv8xIFAcD1UlQ-7B9m8/s400/image1.png" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">when you have pets, travel can become a complicated and often expensive luxury. finding and paying high amounts to a boarding facility or counting on a friend or neighborhood kid comes with added brain damage.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">if you are like many out there this holiday season, you will have some travel on the horizon. while i have many people lined up to check in on my cat friends and give them tons of love and attention whenever i travel, i also had some tricks up my sleeve to ensure that everything runs smoothly and i wanted to share those tips with you.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>our favorite essentials for cat care while you are traveling</b></span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.nutrish.com/" target="_blank">nutrish indoor cat food</a></span></b></span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1hpFRbnCMwou_VcqwIQaq1gqMbtJIWCEvCcBqm2XsN3pAW-zpYtQZNpJNcDm0S9p5zPt49bBJWt88dMr4BMCPaWLiK9rTg1RSlh1rwlINTNYlgjzzMbl-bEqGRhpDopk1b1rSahBVBnse/s1600/food.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1hpFRbnCMwou_VcqwIQaq1gqMbtJIWCEvCcBqm2XsN3pAW-zpYtQZNpJNcDm0S9p5zPt49bBJWt88dMr4BMCPaWLiK9rTg1RSlh1rwlINTNYlgjzzMbl-bEqGRhpDopk1b1rSahBVBnse/s400/food.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">providing your fur baby with essential nutrients is imperative. it's no secret that we have both been huge fans and supporters of nutrish since they started their cat food line. their food is exactly what our cats want to eat and provides them with the nutrishion (see what i did there?) they deserve. we also love nutrish because of how they give back and support the adoption of shelter pets. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Automatic-Pet-Feeder-Food-Dispenser/dp/B071D6MNJ7/ref=sr_1_11?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1510411487&sr=1-11&keywords=automatic+cat+feeder" target="_blank">automatic pet feeder</a></span></b></span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX9OLjhslUaRlo7UMkQkHqfIuRsQYFk0-rDI8kk_W-lOP7770Pres75eDl6zTpMxFeQxtYBMEz-d5mNe7PQhqhJ3dAive1OO71e-hcVbBG6L8EzDeVfKyCg-qwlVD_laTagU2nKuvhsblt/s1600/71h62IHlkEL._SL1500_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1500" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX9OLjhslUaRlo7UMkQkHqfIuRsQYFk0-rDI8kk_W-lOP7770Pres75eDl6zTpMxFeQxtYBMEz-d5mNe7PQhqhJ3dAive1OO71e-hcVbBG6L8EzDeVfKyCg-qwlVD_laTagU2nKuvhsblt/s400/71h62IHlkEL._SL1500_.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span class="a-size-large" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.3 !important; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">this thing has been a life saver for us. even when we don't travel, it's nice to have one less thing to think about on a daily basis. this provides just the right amount of food for our cats on their schedule. they are fed and we are all happy. it's a win-win.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://amzn.to/2vMHRtF" target="_blank">automatic water dispenser</a></span></b></span></h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUxfxEHm34_LBOWETkmR-3Aeg6kDg7iYW3ke209ZgQGFlAFBjxPY1HUoXVfRzAx4xGHVjl4OTLtwD6HqbhmzcosK0B7KAv19eYg4L42ELsP0LLw6t6vs60JLdbMDBSymHxXFl83zUVqROi/s1600/71Nfe8whpcL._SL1500_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1015" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUxfxEHm34_LBOWETkmR-3Aeg6kDg7iYW3ke209ZgQGFlAFBjxPY1HUoXVfRzAx4xGHVjl4OTLtwD6HqbhmzcosK0B7KAv19eYg4L42ELsP0LLw6t6vs60JLdbMDBSymHxXFl83zUVqROi/s400/71Nfe8whpcL._SL1500_.jpg" width="270" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">this is another one that is a simple help to pet owners everywhere. my cats only ever want to drink fresh water and consistently getting them the fresh water that they want can be a lot of work. this helps to solve that problem and provides fresh water on a more regular basis without all of the work needed to consistently change out a water bowl. </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://amzn.to/2tACLEq" target="_blank">tooth cleaning toy ball</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdKx5FF9QOU2peOoespGShaNwTK_BAlEMuIjnw2RJ-kuDjw56VLnjI0lDC6Obl8T3Lv6LxsekrVwlxu4iHdWpZ6i6vIR7Dkz5dK8RT6H0tyAat72491tqvb1vpwF9v8wY8vRkCaUVWE8lr/s1600/714td-B6EwL._SL1500_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="844" data-original-width="1500" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdKx5FF9QOU2peOoespGShaNwTK_BAlEMuIjnw2RJ-kuDjw56VLnjI0lDC6Obl8T3Lv6LxsekrVwlxu4iHdWpZ6i6vIR7Dkz5dK8RT6H0tyAat72491tqvb1vpwF9v8wY8vRkCaUVWE8lr/s400/714td-B6EwL._SL1500_.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span class="a-size-large" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.3 !important; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://amzn.to/2eF7WrA" target="_blank">pet fling-ama-string</a></span></span></div>
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<span class="a-size-large" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.3 !important; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx-zTcO-Qowe5sTZS7NsptxrC7vye-OMOrfMH2kXXQY2GHSUzhS7rwWqV0t1c93885OQ4x_xJUWmI0mxazHqhgKYqKaoYu37CSDUAhB2Oc1dpLRmAc7Xr3XOjQILi_4v35wXVmm_JbBKi1/s1600/414h33rWFmL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx-zTcO-Qowe5sTZS7NsptxrC7vye-OMOrfMH2kXXQY2GHSUzhS7rwWqV0t1c93885OQ4x_xJUWmI0mxazHqhgKYqKaoYu37CSDUAhB2Oc1dpLRmAc7Xr3XOjQILi_4v35wXVmm_JbBKi1/s400/414h33rWFmL.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></div>
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<span class="a-size-large" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.3 !important; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span class="a-size-large" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; line-height: 1.3;">the more activities you have for your pets when you are not there, the less likely they are to destroy things that you leave behind. toys around the house provide entertainment for your kitties and help to keep them busy when you can't be there to play with them. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://amzn.to/2umOVj3" target="_blank">self-cleaning litter box</a>, <a href="http://amzn.to/2uMaCKl" style="text-align: center;" target="_blank">litter tray refills</a> and <a href="http://amzn.to/2umkp97" style="text-align: center;" target="_blank">anti-tracking litter mat</a></span></b></span></h3>
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<span class="a-size-large" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.3 !important; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span class="a-size-large" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; line-height: 1.3;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-zkhAqAkT38j-szfZOxpWSZKepcJ24e_dbEkb36niK_pK3rDAl8OR_eNZC6WGScXYO4LuD_Q1L2oxkaeBIvTC3aJgrmCMABavaN6nWgb6ddb94OXNAFKp8-d1bmvyLhBAryykIlNVROH0/s1600/litter.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-zkhAqAkT38j-szfZOxpWSZKepcJ24e_dbEkb36niK_pK3rDAl8OR_eNZC6WGScXYO4LuD_Q1L2oxkaeBIvTC3aJgrmCMABavaN6nWgb6ddb94OXNAFKp8-d1bmvyLhBAryykIlNVROH0/s400/litter.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></span></span></div>
<span class="a-size-large" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.3 !important; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span class="a-size-large" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.3;"><span class="a-size-large" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; line-height: 1.3;">okay friends, these three things are a life-save every. single day. they are amazing. this cat little box is completely automatic. you buy the little boxes, you replace them when they are full and you throw the whole box away. no scooping, no bags, no kitty litter flying all over the place. it's amazing. on a monthly or bi-monthly basis, just change out the boxes. put a lid on the old box and toss it away. easy peasy. seriously. this one is worth your money.</span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://amzn.to/2umOBRn" target="_blank">hidden litter box bench</a></b></span></span></span></span></h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyRYCFofBMm-qnrUwYm1NYV0OuvoQDyU1E-db4OMe4QXV8NiHitd00WsNrWq7ymXy7JbcTRnWaJwnyQI4QjzX756KhkNH-xCcsy9rmeUE_zHWYdrErZ1g_7e1kSCsZqQsh5_T6kvcR17-9/s1600/61dX4rj6-RL._SL1500_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1500" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyRYCFofBMm-qnrUwYm1NYV0OuvoQDyU1E-db4OMe4QXV8NiHitd00WsNrWq7ymXy7JbcTRnWaJwnyQI4QjzX756KhkNH-xCcsy9rmeUE_zHWYdrErZ1g_7e1kSCsZqQsh5_T6kvcR17-9/s400/61dX4rj6-RL._SL1500_.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">i love this one. no one wants to have to look at a kitty litter box. it's not exactly welcoming in your home. this is a simple way to hide that kitty litter box and have something that looks somewhat attractive in the home. </span>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">a friend to stop in daily for back scratches and loves</span></b></span></span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">a trusted friend or a neighborhood child is worth their weight in gold. "pet-sitting" is a fantastic first job for a sweet, trustworthy neighborhood child and they will usually go above and beyond to do a great job and prove their worth for countless jobs to come. i know our sweet neighborhood kids have spent extra time and energy than we ever imagined they would. they are treasures. when we are away, they are the perfect little people to shower our pets with love and affection and will be just what is needed for our fur babies to make it until we get home. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">....and then don't forget tons of snuggles to give when you return home......i swear, she loves me....but the catnip souvenirs we bring her home from our trips...those she loves more. lol!</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieyG57E_Li39G3tkU4kQyYBWCIJtuZm_j3wpGqT301DYo87p3HU3jFKqlDSQWScPXA96ee6eB36CP6skX3HAm8s1bC1q68kGPjt8pp1-sA0vsax0RTKlQOILT-ClzeRmKgUkq9y5YHGbC9/s1600/IMG_2465.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieyG57E_Li39G3tkU4kQyYBWCIJtuZm_j3wpGqT301DYo87p3HU3jFKqlDSQWScPXA96ee6eB36CP6skX3HAm8s1bC1q68kGPjt8pp1-sA0vsax0RTKlQOILT-ClzeRmKgUkq9y5YHGbC9/s400/IMG_2465.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">rachael ray nutrish continues to give to rachael's rescue, an organization that was created for all the forgotten pets who may not have someone who loves them as much as they deserve. a portion of the proceeds from each sale of nutrish is donated to the rachael ray foundation which helps animals in need through rachael's rescue. through september of 2017, rachael's rescue has donated more than $21 million dollars to pet charities and other organizations that do good for animals. the funds are used for food, medical supplies, treatments and more for the animals in need. many more animals around the country need help, and through rachael's rescue, together we can make a difference in the lives of many four-legged friends. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">you can also follow nutrish at:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/nutrish" style="color: #e69138; text-decoration: none;">www.facebook.com/nutrish</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.instagram.com/nutrish" style="color: #e69138; text-decoration: none;">www.instagram.com/nutrish</a> and </span><br />
<a href="http://www.twitter.com/nutrish" style="color: #e69138; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; text-decoration: none;">www.twitter.com/nutrish</a></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com105tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2644747660223494389.post-67061619719965884262017-10-05T21:33:00.003-07:002017-10-05T21:33:34.427-07:00rachael ray nutrish furever home: helping shelter pets find the home they deserve<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222;">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUCSOyTQ6sqfg7wpk2KBd6aJrMhDhgPE0HDomsfpDi2-53GROKNnWZTlngif9Kh1yDuBJHJ-KpV2G0a6gNG6oJ3iS-hKwsbrEqsEP_0MwAJoRKyoEPNz-S1kIu5JdUHzJ1gUqiT8OvHHo/s1600/image1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUCSOyTQ6sqfg7wpk2KBd6aJrMhDhgPE0HDomsfpDi2-53GROKNnWZTlngif9Kh1yDuBJHJ-KpV2G0a6gNG6oJ3iS-hKwsbrEqsEP_0MwAJoRKyoEPNz-S1kIu5JdUHzJ1gUqiT8OvHHo/s400/image1.png" width="400" /></a></span></div>
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">this is a sponsored post for our friends at rachael ray nutrish. all opinions and thoughts are our own. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">there are certain things we as a blog are passionate about. we love to laugh. we love our families. we love the crazy lives we get to live. we love bright spots in the world and things that bring joy to others. we love laughing at the everyday things that make life interesting. we love that, even when things get hard, we don't have to look far to find really beautiful and amazing people in this world. we love celebrating the good we find all around us and sharing it with as many people as possible. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">that is why, once upon a blogging conference many years ago, we stumbled upon the rachael ray's nutrish pet food booth and we knew it was a match made in heaven. not only did the ladies there laugh with us (and were appropriately horrified at our third boob story), but they also shared with us about their product and the good they are doing in the world around us through their organization, "rachael's rescue". we knew that we would have done about anything to be a part of sharing their good with everyone we meet. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">during the month of october, rachael ray's nutrish pet food is working to bring even more joy to the world through their "furever home" sweepstakes. during the month of october, 2017, your support will help rachael ray nutrish donate $250,000 to benefit shelter pets. this is a project that is near and dear to our hearts. between us, we have three shelter cats that are now adopted and loved in our families. we can't imagine life without jane, mr. darcy and lola and we are excited to see how this project will bring shelter cats into loving homes around the country. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Vt6DwNF60Rqir1NgG-HSBk_EVGZ9Crn_924qUXmKP-0pOmyDZXRdm_JNQVQQr4itwFjglMhzCRjdgUucbaeJHuiHBHfxgXHHq-n5y8BIA_dMN76t2VDx7qCyisdDf0YPEZ8t7NJ_bRk/s1600/image2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1334" data-original-width="1600" height="331" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Vt6DwNF60Rqir1NgG-HSBk_EVGZ9Crn_924qUXmKP-0pOmyDZXRdm_JNQVQQr4itwFjglMhzCRjdgUucbaeJHuiHBHfxgXHHq-n5y8BIA_dMN76t2VDx7qCyisdDf0YPEZ8t7NJ_bRk/s400/image2.jpeg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">my own former shelter cats...mr. darcy</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji4XyBhZJ7F5qhK53IMblxJpAiup3qsvgQzeycm_kCagIIIoth-v2Rtt6GgtAR0I_y12Aa3J98xVR7Azmb5N07EDzA5WAkJEDzfd6icfAlOFS7NXLkbeBOf_sZT-d9VnGQuR4cnWFIrrw/s1600/image2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji4XyBhZJ7F5qhK53IMblxJpAiup3qsvgQzeycm_kCagIIIoth-v2Rtt6GgtAR0I_y12Aa3J98xVR7Azmb5N07EDzA5WAkJEDzfd6icfAlOFS7NXLkbeBOf_sZT-d9VnGQuR4cnWFIrrw/s400/image2.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">and his sister lady jane.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">here is how you can be a part of this gift to shelter animals. first, purchase your nutrish pet food as you normally would. (this is a no-brainer for us as it's all we feed our cats.) second, scan your purchase at <a href="http://www.nutrishfureverhome.com/">www.nutrishfureverhome.com</a>. you can also enter a sweepstakes for a chance to win $25,000 and other prizes on the same site. it's as easy as that! </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxDqkwaVhxoTV0JcorWFyy8vMnpsWbcnU7vAZhjmpUbP-6pVB8IYQYPomiFeK8EJdjTwmf-a-FacQXfWxk_x57vY3gGsX0jelDtpGtw1Cpi2Nvw5zUATttTtZtAxsCI_qx8_kljKx_YQE/s1600/products.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="840" data-original-width="1600" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxDqkwaVhxoTV0JcorWFyy8vMnpsWbcnU7vAZhjmpUbP-6pVB8IYQYPomiFeK8EJdjTwmf-a-FacQXfWxk_x57vY3gGsX0jelDtpGtw1Cpi2Nvw5zUATttTtZtAxsCI_qx8_kljKx_YQE/s400/products.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">rachael ray nutrish is donating $250,000 during the month of october to shelter pets in need. the cash donations during this month will be gifted in three equal amounts to three amazing organizations. the first organization is the big dog ranch rescue. the big dog ranch rescue is the largest no-kill dog rescue in the southeastern united states. you can learn more about it at <a href="http://www.bdrr.org/">http://www.bdrr.org/</a>. the second organization is the aspca, or the american society for the prevention of cruelty to animals. this organization is a national leader in the areas of rescue, adoption and animal welfare. they have worked for over 150 years to put an end to animal abuse and neglect. you can find them at <a href="http://www.aspca.org/">www.aspca.org</a>. the final organization is the north shore animal league. this is the world's largest no-kill animal rescue and adoption organization and they can be found at <a href="http://www.animalleague.org/">http://www.animalleague.org</a>. the donations to these three organizations will make a tremendous impact on all the amazing work they do and ultimately, the animals will benefit as well as those people like us who chose to adopt out of places such as these. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9VrDqGAs-spKaes14ZlOo4b2VYtpiEVGuL_aiQYlguVV_JmDnKK1e1BeK50oQV7ve9eOmLU740g5uJqlwyP8lf8t273J9zpevGtxWpN7AlnHCRbFN8PKwVhTQLfus3N8EWw6ZYEaFxvE/s1600/image3.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9VrDqGAs-spKaes14ZlOo4b2VYtpiEVGuL_aiQYlguVV_JmDnKK1e1BeK50oQV7ve9eOmLU740g5uJqlwyP8lf8t273J9zpevGtxWpN7AlnHCRbFN8PKwVhTQLfus3N8EWw6ZYEaFxvE/s400/image3.jpeg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">beyond simply the joy that is possible through giving back, there is also a possibility to win through the rachael ray nutrish sweepstakes. the sweepstakes began on october 1, 2017 and ends on october 31, 2017 at 11:59:59 ET. you can enter online by registering any nutrish only product during the sweepstakes at <a href="http://www.nutrishfureverhome.com/">www.nutrishfureverhome.com</a>. there are simple on-screen instructions to help make the registration process simple through uploading your original purchase receipt of your nutrish product. the lovely people at nutrish have even made it possible to enter without a purchase. instructions on how to enter can be found at <a href="http://www.nutrishfureverhome.com/">www.nutrishfureverhome.com</a>. the grand prize is $25,000 and a one year supply of nutrish dry dog food or a nutrish dry cat food. the pet food alone is a pretty huge gift! three first prizes will also be rewarded, each winning $5,000 and a one year supply of nutrish pet food. how amazing is it to have the chance to help give back while also possibly being blessed in return? seriously. how can you not love this company?</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEfX9tjw2qxs93T4Ba-oGTSGkBP32H0FBvlHiDcUExOxjs8u2AlW7l2OkBThnSgwFq9cebPtDzXqT-jaY5BTjzcjU2hHHZJ94U8XxEnC-e9GqOMZJtC4GFF_UbdqL4ERv1NQ1bnirI-84/s1600/hero-image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1600" height="201" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEfX9tjw2qxs93T4Ba-oGTSGkBP32H0FBvlHiDcUExOxjs8u2AlW7l2OkBThnSgwFq9cebPtDzXqT-jaY5BTjzcjU2hHHZJ94U8XxEnC-e9GqOMZJtC4GFF_UbdqL4ERv1NQ1bnirI-84/s400/hero-image.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">beyond their october campaign, rachael ray nutrish continues to give to rachael's rescue, an organization that was created for all the forgotten pets who may not have someone who loves them as much as they deserve. a portion of the proceeds from each sale of nutrish is donated to the rachael ray foundation which helps animals in need through rachael's rescue. through september of 2017, rachael's rescue has donated more than $21 million dollars to pet charities and other organizations that do good for animals. the funds are used for food, medical supplies, treatments and more for the animals in need. many more animals around the country need help, and through rachael's rescue, together we can make a difference in the lives of many four-legged friends. </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisyguVIrrwhyphenhyphenggjKB06NHuhSeZlvVbzVyJ1TgBcqbQ_etJsyVGxkqwknu6rgkJxeFAK98IsxERhu8yYTHwByM4Bxc6QQQfIw22UtkPTCcx1QRXk-bgi_LJsrBWyRf1DwJHZignxzjo7uQ/s1600/image2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisyguVIrrwhyphenhyphenggjKB06NHuhSeZlvVbzVyJ1TgBcqbQ_etJsyVGxkqwknu6rgkJxeFAK98IsxERhu8yYTHwByM4Bxc6QQQfIw22UtkPTCcx1QRXk-bgi_LJsrBWyRf1DwJHZignxzjo7uQ/s400/image2.png" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">there is a lot going on in the world right now. there are so many in need and so much that needs to be done. just this week someone reminded me of a beautiful quote by mother teresa that says, "not all of us can do great things, but we can do small things with great love." let's do some small things with great love this month. let's help some animals in need this month. let's open our hearts to adopting a shelter animal in need this month. let's spread a little kindness and find some good this month. let's work together to make a difference this month. we have never needed it more. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">follow rachael ray nutrish at: </span></span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13593721085029268603noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2644747660223494389.post-77490160836582203102017-08-28T19:40:00.002-07:002017-08-28T20:25:39.456-07:00the best products of catconla 2017<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim6Pyi8DFBACSuRpeeovOJqdhtDuvtKSS64mCVNtfPy2pAR2-TdRAN-ut8vp4TIIR8HqCh7nnnQ7WlG2m9kHEwCnbB0uvdzumGYXEp-IBYYSvUnJ9zxQSXR2GS7uTpL-_fNzLuL2lya10/s640/blogger-image--1047006915.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim6Pyi8DFBACSuRpeeovOJqdhtDuvtKSS64mCVNtfPy2pAR2-TdRAN-ut8vp4TIIR8HqCh7nnnQ7WlG2m9kHEwCnbB0uvdzumGYXEp-IBYYSvUnJ9zxQSXR2GS7uTpL-_fNzLuL2lya10/s640/blogger-image--1047006915.jpg" /></a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">this post is sponsored by our wonderful friends at nutrish cat food. as always, the thoughts and opinions are our own.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">if you follow us on instagram, you no doubt noticed the many pictures we shared from catconla. it is one of our favorite weekends of the year and we love seeing all the amazing people and the kitten and cat based products there. this year was no exception and we left with a new list of our favorite products that we can't wait to share with you. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">handbags by triple t studios</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">we loved the items at catconla that managed to be both cat-centric and also beautifully made and stylish. triple t studios makes really striking handbags with simple, clean lines and a feline flare. not only is their product worth noticing, but they are genuinely lovely people as well. we couldn't help but love them and their products. you can find your dream handbag at <a href="http://triple-t-studios.com/">triple-t-studios.com</a>.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj10Hy5CWWMjL6MkH6z5FdW-PSoyEXhvmNJcxQ-ttYHBlKXmTZuAv7m7Ts6NJ_SgU_R9ZG9oARYdt8XTkjkg7XKzAEril3YsJiqv1ULImGriJCl3fDGGjnwlrN4sxmnvyAagDhVkhBHVbg/s1600/cat_walk_tote_front_with_new_shoulder_strap_Linda_1024x1024.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1006" data-original-width="1024" height="392" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj10Hy5CWWMjL6MkH6z5FdW-PSoyEXhvmNJcxQ-ttYHBlKXmTZuAv7m7Ts6NJ_SgU_R9ZG9oARYdt8XTkjkg7XKzAEril3YsJiqv1ULImGriJCl3fDGGjnwlrN4sxmnvyAagDhVkhBHVbg/s400/cat_walk_tote_front_with_new_shoulder_strap_Linda_1024x1024.png" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiS6i4whpYUmupnOAo71I37gyOvRZdiU7GubMfy2m9ClQjB0JW9K0Y_esoSyJOAyYlvQt8iKei_-D45NbyJvfZfvGxhXnV8DaZUtya0Q3jPZQAXJrHdKCUFmYy4ULyXLg25DgrH4sjpkU/s1600/Mercy_Black_Cat_Shoulder_Bag_Front_mc_1024x1024.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="467" data-original-width="700" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiS6i4whpYUmupnOAo71I37gyOvRZdiU7GubMfy2m9ClQjB0JW9K0Y_esoSyJOAyYlvQt8iKei_-D45NbyJvfZfvGxhXnV8DaZUtya0Q3jPZQAXJrHdKCUFmYy4ULyXLg25DgrH4sjpkU/s400/Mercy_Black_Cat_Shoulder_Bag_Front_mc_1024x1024.jpeg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">necoichi japanese kimono collars </span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">heather is a huge fan of all things related to japanese culture. she has been to japan a few times, grew up with japanese exchange students and even studied abroad in japan herself. she loves the beautiful kimonos and fabric that japan has to offer. these collars were at catcon this year and they are beautiful. they are made from kimono fabric and are vibrant, beautiful and full of clean lines and graphic designs. we couldn't resist getting one for lola to wear at home. you can get yours at <a href="http://www.necoichi.com/">www.necoichi.com</a>. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj20OYf9MYnEIr1mQzGA9Z5YOCz_cf1x1kb_oJyt4dRqca8t2cR1sLJY6UAxEn8YAgCAK_q56K1mkbBTukCPpbZl5bFdsbMSmZZox8yELsB5ngpJEbJ06L0sx1lJV_caI13Pi-Au9mX9m0/s640/blogger-image--169612695.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj20OYf9MYnEIr1mQzGA9Z5YOCz_cf1x1kb_oJyt4dRqca8t2cR1sLJY6UAxEn8YAgCAK_q56K1mkbBTukCPpbZl5bFdsbMSmZZox8yELsB5ngpJEbJ06L0sx1lJV_caI13Pi-Au9mX9m0/s640/blogger-image--169612695.jpg" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">be one breed stackable cubes</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">these things are really multifunctional in design and made with adorable fabrics. they are compact and can fit in any home space. they also come three to a package so if you don't need all three, it's a great product to share with a friend. the cubes come with scratching posts, a dangling toy and a padded pillow for cats to sleep on. they are stackable or can be used their own. we are sure our cats would adore them! they are available to purchase at <a href="http://www.katt3.com/">www.katt3.com</a> or <a href="http://beonebreed.com/">beonebreed.com</a>. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGPNj4dWVFS-ofOdMwP4p91mFfRrg7HnLYFucxx8rwZruqBi1IPQFApYRL7PiUwJrFTOry5aviydqapRnFylhQhT6QkkaLEDCwoL8BCropfidY0yPN3kDaaqi9Eleq76ms1imazOZ3EfQ/s640/blogger-image-859083588.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGPNj4dWVFS-ofOdMwP4p91mFfRrg7HnLYFucxx8rwZruqBi1IPQFApYRL7PiUwJrFTOry5aviydqapRnFylhQhT6QkkaLEDCwoL8BCropfidY0yPN3kDaaqi9Eleq76ms1imazOZ3EfQ/s640/blogger-image-859083588.jpg" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">shen & sam co. candles</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">we fell in love with shen and sam co. candles last year at catconla and we loved them again this year. we love their simplicity and the cat patterns combined with beautiful scents. the candles are all soy and hand poured...and they smell amazing. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEuwAlVbT4GuvZQCALO6L5km51rLtrBqq4Pfqz2wjaX0cq2ouX_9X9GJcDS5Neqd-W_-Ns8GcpHX2XseS1d04o2nXZbMezcnhlms1C_LEAEUP9PC3MIvPcjVZiuxwObqAmqbt9eUBEi7w/s640/blogger-image--1018540638.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEuwAlVbT4GuvZQCALO6L5km51rLtrBqq4Pfqz2wjaX0cq2ouX_9X9GJcDS5Neqd-W_-Ns8GcpHX2XseS1d04o2nXZbMezcnhlms1C_LEAEUP9PC3MIvPcjVZiuxwObqAmqbt9eUBEi7w/s640/blogger-image--1018540638.jpg" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrtLuPsUtAc5T7wQlMhQp6FI57ST22jKTZ1dD_wTee0spdePKgRbwdNK4DcyvSaf-ERsSmETGR9K6A6fsFAD0l55TUK9WrNtZ815LT5BhP8GgkI4x1gQO6q0Hbr5C5BN3yWgK-SbGCbGY/s640/blogger-image-1393752247.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrtLuPsUtAc5T7wQlMhQp6FI57ST22jKTZ1dD_wTee0spdePKgRbwdNK4DcyvSaf-ERsSmETGR9K6A6fsFAD0l55TUK9WrNtZ815LT5BhP8GgkI4x1gQO6q0Hbr5C5BN3yWgK-SbGCbGY/s640/blogger-image-1393752247.jpg" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.shenandsam.com/">www.shenandsam.com</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">handmade catnip toys</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">we adore toys that are made by hand. we have found that, not only are they made to be more durable than mass produced products, but they also are full of clever designs and bright fun fabrics that are unique and give your cat a one-of-a-kind creation. these two vendors combined clever ideas with excellent workmanship to showcase really fun and beautiful cat toy designs. we couldn't decide between them so we had to include them both. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvu093mTnY_rYme9HgmwtoYS9XCRr9R3I9KuAth6tzcm49N_9MCYYHbPhX5tFFinbVoIfxwobD8_i9I-yRAmqW00QQSGxC7gkZX8OZ3XBpAqF8JpI9bd4dZFq-sFcV-rnqR2rMm_SujeQ/s640/blogger-image--1009438445.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvu093mTnY_rYme9HgmwtoYS9XCRr9R3I9KuAth6tzcm49N_9MCYYHbPhX5tFFinbVoIfxwobD8_i9I-yRAmqW00QQSGxC7gkZX8OZ3XBpAqF8JpI9bd4dZFq-sFcV-rnqR2rMm_SujeQ/s640/blogger-image--1009438445.jpg" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">these little adorable toys can be found at <a href="http://www.whimsilyeverafter.com/">www.whimsilyeverafter.com</a>.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJuMNnaJ3w_cEyLWS2VzthuU0KN3Td-579l73HB0DFgYEPTLmcXSAP_bcc5-KUYMmVvGV1w19_L2bDgBdTvZnIiL9bOkj9x0_hk0lvSmnJlVfvCcl2z3Ins5xxq0iqEKg8YJ04sOayrXI/s640/blogger-image-981704813.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJuMNnaJ3w_cEyLWS2VzthuU0KN3Td-579l73HB0DFgYEPTLmcXSAP_bcc5-KUYMmVvGV1w19_L2bDgBdTvZnIiL9bOkj9x0_hk0lvSmnJlVfvCcl2z3Ins5xxq0iqEKg8YJ04sOayrXI/s640/blogger-image-981704813.jpg" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">these can be found at <a href="http://www.kittyjones.com/">www.kittyjones.com</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">the groom ninja</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">oh my gosh, you guys. this product is amazing. we were actually searching the whole convention for something to help with our cats and their shedding and we just happened to stumble upon this product. we watched the videos the vendors were playing to show how the product worked and we were convinced we had to give it a try. it lived up to the hype and then some. we *love* it and so do our cats. this is the lola hair we collected in less than a minute. seriously. imagine all of this hair on our couches. so gross. we saw a shirt that said "cat hair is lonely people glitter." </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">let's just say that cat hair is the only type of glitter we would rather do without. you can get yours here at </span><a href="http://www.groomninja.com/" style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">www.groomninja.com</a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfhFnRwM7pHnKqGRKZOUqfAHxCyNGI_LkcTOqwnMzrVmSW9RV6eMB6I7E3Jdfy3p_dCW3uNiIbrkdH9E9R5wrdBg7AQhymf_cez1iLSnxK240uzhHKeTjiDPT2EI7zRZej0xKzX4qHinE/s640/blogger-image--392459982.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfhFnRwM7pHnKqGRKZOUqfAHxCyNGI_LkcTOqwnMzrVmSW9RV6eMB6I7E3Jdfy3p_dCW3uNiIbrkdH9E9R5wrdBg7AQhymf_cez1iLSnxK240uzhHKeTjiDPT2EI7zRZej0xKzX4qHinE/s640/blogger-image--392459982.jpg" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/duoflS8mSQg/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/duoflS8mSQg?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">sweet lola purred the whole time. she loved it!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">nutrish cat food</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">okay, we know cat food isn't necessarily a product at catcon, but nutrish was giving out samples of their cat food for everyone who wanted them so we couldn't resist. we are loving the new indoor complete recipe for our indoor cats. overeater mr. darcy can't get enough of it. if you haven't tried it for yourself, check out what you are missing at <a href="http://www.nutrish.com/">www.nutrish.com</a>.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKBbJNzxl5-4_Pwbd4BPsBl4UFGHipx8Tw3kY4VplVGdFzOvV32EkiaTVGTutvN7pJ2o4LYXoXxsyYPcRvBfBr9KbqNWSmNtuv9KqEuezJdcbJOOKkqISsVhMQ69EFjtimgn2k8kjDKPo/s1600/product_100_lg.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="442" data-original-width="345" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKBbJNzxl5-4_Pwbd4BPsBl4UFGHipx8Tw3kY4VplVGdFzOvV32EkiaTVGTutvN7pJ2o4LYXoXxsyYPcRvBfBr9KbqNWSmNtuv9KqEuezJdcbJOOKkqISsVhMQ69EFjtimgn2k8kjDKPo/s400/product_100_lg.png" width="311" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">you can also follow nutrish at:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/nutrish">www.facebook.com/nutrish</a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.instagram.com/nutrish">www.instagram.com/nutrish</a> and </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.twitter.com/nutrish">www.twitter.com/nutrish</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">that's it! that's the best of the best and they are *all*<i> </i>worth trying. if you didn't make it to catcon, at least you can enjoy all that it had to offer!</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13593721085029268603noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2644747660223494389.post-81647846807671681732017-08-27T15:06:00.001-07:002017-08-27T15:07:31.916-07:00our favorite things about catconla<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: start;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyhlz-UrwNPxgQZMXWeqGpNyEEZXujPgJUz75lOrkrO1xDuSIb9w9uOLS4Knci_snRFmp31_ZCIPP0787Bh2iqOzjQC7wkFCcaNisn4JQdCO-7qeaAfntyqC5ppRpKZTchvhnXnCutOQ4/s640/blogger-image--69024234.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyhlz-UrwNPxgQZMXWeqGpNyEEZXujPgJUz75lOrkrO1xDuSIb9w9uOLS4Knci_snRFmp31_ZCIPP0787Bh2iqOzjQC7wkFCcaNisn4JQdCO-7qeaAfntyqC5ppRpKZTchvhnXnCutOQ4/s640/blogger-image--69024234.jpg" /></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">this post is sponsored by our friend's at nutrish. as always, all opinions and thoughts are our own.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">catconla. the very words bring a smile to our faces. the weekend of catcon is one we look forward to for an entire year. we look forward to the people watching, the friends we will see, the amazing products, the parties, the pet adoptions and everything in between. this year didn't disappoint. we drove into pasadena early saturday morning and prepared ourselves for two days of unbeatable fun. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">throughout our weekend, we wrote down a list of our very favorite things from our time there. while it was tough to narrow down our most loved things about the weekend, there were some moments that stood out above all the rest. if you didn't make it to catconla 2017, here is some of what you missed and the reasons why you should go next year. truly, it is a weekend you will not forget.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">the costumes</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">it is impossible to imagine catconla without the amazing costumes. people go all out and we love browsing through the aisles and finding pictures of the best of the best. some of these people don't just love cats, they want to be cats and they strut their cat versions of themselves with pride. it's amazing and while these pictures give you a small glimpse of what we saw, there is nothing like seeing these people in person to put a smile on your face.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNPOaDT3C0XcadjNcUZ2CFlMl48odeV8KTUU-UrY6_2hHJC5VdnzJcT-J4u088tyanHN41b5vodCJm2ktMiS-pinPhg0m7mtCOKwQFSvBike5s9qDJcR4wEdgde4m3dC2fUquT6xA6QoI/s640/blogger-image-608685402.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNPOaDT3C0XcadjNcUZ2CFlMl48odeV8KTUU-UrY6_2hHJC5VdnzJcT-J4u088tyanHN41b5vodCJm2ktMiS-pinPhg0m7mtCOKwQFSvBike5s9qDJcR4wEdgde4m3dC2fUquT6xA6QoI/s640/blogger-image-608685402.jpg" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">there was a male and female version of a crazy cat lady on the same day!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgofRLxS8kYy5WLWGptZrUwHtYu0O6B_I8D3grcQefYGZ4KCr73j5-AsSVeaWHYS7oZe2bFwMBimDGsX2IJaUw0q-ZkiuByXg9644akfIt6NXvOJl1aTnwU14MyA6PTrye42QG5xG9Ff1k/s640/blogger-image-971057055.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgofRLxS8kYy5WLWGptZrUwHtYu0O6B_I8D3grcQefYGZ4KCr73j5-AsSVeaWHYS7oZe2bFwMBimDGsX2IJaUw0q-ZkiuByXg9644akfIt6NXvOJl1aTnwU14MyA6PTrye42QG5xG9Ff1k/s640/blogger-image-971057055.jpg" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">day one did not disappoint. there was so much costume goodness.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJduHIuqTBDoh-xZMkyFdgCZF1B_62jU_iNK58kQgf7acSqeoKQVYRfGaDFtfBqL4_6xK-OhMEZi1r7uPiLLNKPpamVrAzSvUOrZKNrAjjGEv8l9db5tWWLGdmjLa2MfU2O-IYKVQXzO8/s640/blogger-image-1457705810.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJduHIuqTBDoh-xZMkyFdgCZF1B_62jU_iNK58kQgf7acSqeoKQVYRfGaDFtfBqL4_6xK-OhMEZi1r7uPiLLNKPpamVrAzSvUOrZKNrAjjGEv8l9db5tWWLGdmjLa2MfU2O-IYKVQXzO8/s640/blogger-image-1457705810.jpg" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">okay, this person was not only dressed in a full cat suit, but also wore a backpack that vibrated and "purred" when she was around people. you can't make this stuff up!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLUsrayQoe_C1FVe6yt6Sz9jXhFNWzrjcYa8PZripKK70HL5WZdpGD4DMtruKOAgbKXaWYlXW-A-HgJx5fu1r5rKmdKRwhwRLZSOqp4tjV7bmD4GLVKK3mqz3j199MeWBvJ4S1e1qjteQ/s640/blogger-image-1260675923.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLUsrayQoe_C1FVe6yt6Sz9jXhFNWzrjcYa8PZripKK70HL5WZdpGD4DMtruKOAgbKXaWYlXW-A-HgJx5fu1r5rKmdKRwhwRLZSOqp4tjV7bmD4GLVKK3mqz3j199MeWBvJ4S1e1qjteQ/s640/blogger-image-1260675923.jpg" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">while we didn't wear costumes, </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">we did rock some cat ears we were gifted from one of the booths!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGb3arOaYnby9GhoCsdY9qxIaKOis4ZKCqIdOpH5vqTaSEQ4WgYepIldaJ1oeENvehPg98R1MGm7BmkjFxYSR6MTa3HJzIn_Q4dek6KI2CwSXe31OCxe5QbNQNewsCkU6w4QnPclybepg/s640/blogger-image-1368546970.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGb3arOaYnby9GhoCsdY9qxIaKOis4ZKCqIdOpH5vqTaSEQ4WgYepIldaJ1oeENvehPg98R1MGm7BmkjFxYSR6MTa3HJzIn_Q4dek6KI2CwSXe31OCxe5QbNQNewsCkU6w4QnPclybepg/s640/blogger-image-1368546970.jpg" /></span></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">and we represented in the cat pun department in spades. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">the nutrish 360 cam</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;">this addition was new to catconla this year and it as the very best way to see all of the people in their amazing costumes. how could you not want to see everyone twirling around in their best cat wear? we couldn't resist and had to jump on for ourselves. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/ouEMBDY3m6w/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ouEMBDY3m6w?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/N1lk8iXi-G0/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/N1lk8iXi-G0?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">we didn't hold a candle to this gem. she looked amazing from every angle!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">the nutrish booth and caticatures</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">nutrish never disappoints and as the title sponsor this year, they went above and beyond to make the catcon experience one to be remembered. we love how they use design to make us feel like we are in their very cool, funky, cat-inspired living room. we felt so at home we wanted to camp out and stay for a while. their cat themed artwork covered the walls and each person who entered the space was met with a caricature artist that combined each person with their pet into a caticature. we laughed at ours for days...mostly because we are pretty sure they put heather's face on the face of the cat and my face on a cat's butt. i'm not sure what i did to the artist to make him draw me like that but our kids thought it was hilarious.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: start;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhegPWtyiIxbxINsTgiMviM-iCOvIFXt_G_LsI9mot_WmiIQls1LY14udbfQ9skujPArbEkYckp-QQChGqpLs-8Go2kjwsIvYhOCU6VO8u8hor6_qNPlbMLoN4v4FZBVC4qD3Qn_46Wx14/s640/blogger-image-1603581224.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhegPWtyiIxbxINsTgiMviM-iCOvIFXt_G_LsI9mot_WmiIQls1LY14udbfQ9skujPArbEkYckp-QQChGqpLs-8Go2kjwsIvYhOCU6VO8u8hor6_qNPlbMLoN4v4FZBVC4qD3Qn_46Wx14/s640/blogger-image-1603581224.jpg" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">each part of the nutrish booth was carefully designed with thoughtful details.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwLZRyG_-2jUhBeuarzrlNzwpSVYQmCmyjv0RXr1umyptPqk6rAIU_gzRCyksDlBEUhty3numGHFd1BNxQ51Kmw9rAcr1euRb-n1AD8EhBK0zjE1xMyB7RRehsPzsXJqKnoX76iS76yPk/s640/blogger-image-1638611284.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwLZRyG_-2jUhBeuarzrlNzwpSVYQmCmyjv0RXr1umyptPqk6rAIU_gzRCyksDlBEUhty3numGHFd1BNxQ51Kmw9rAcr1euRb-n1AD8EhBK0zjE1xMyB7RRehsPzsXJqKnoX76iS76yPk/s640/blogger-image-1638611284.jpg" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">two artists worked all day, each day drawing caticatures.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: start;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6Q3wadnKADT6mvOmVUPM6o922ObVudbKR_dTHCm03dDqaZQTYb7_v35KjYro7Kt21O8dGyr9ZOvwJbSmCXtlAjC-pLnI4xHaMqGAM9BisKcD5eFRksywOiNOl7cGMmBRcreyLVYAZgtU/s640/blogger-image-1671405901.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6Q3wadnKADT6mvOmVUPM6o922ObVudbKR_dTHCm03dDqaZQTYb7_v35KjYro7Kt21O8dGyr9ZOvwJbSmCXtlAjC-pLnI4xHaMqGAM9BisKcD5eFRksywOiNOl7cGMmBRcreyLVYAZgtU/s640/blogger-image-1671405901.jpg" /></a></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtREOMXIqQcoc09K5gJPOmlrLTRqdkoJ4lBg16J72uzVwip4B68my4k-nRLhgY_c9Q0WFLHPg7whV-PL_5sMl1vYqqiPS3b_GF6iWJaAxQTcEKsHMR9MO-TV27SN4jifUAmCksDRMQjI0/s640/blogger-image-538059017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtREOMXIqQcoc09K5gJPOmlrLTRqdkoJ4lBg16J72uzVwip4B68my4k-nRLhgY_c9Q0WFLHPg7whV-PL_5sMl1vYqqiPS3b_GF6iWJaAxQTcEKsHMR9MO-TV27SN4jifUAmCksDRMQjI0/s640/blogger-image-538059017.jpg" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">ummmm...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">adoptions through the pasadena spca</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">we absolutely adore the fact that catconla works to find homes for dozens of shelter cats over the catcon weekend. we visited the adoption site on sunday morning and at that moment, seventy seven cats and kittens had already been adopted. we love visiting with the precious kittens up for adoption and, while we loved on the new kitties, we were reminded of last year and heather's adoption of sweet lola. catcon holds a special place in our hearts because it is where we met lola and she became a part of the third boob family.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNAs4UVg3peWRyCjkX5Hgoj6y8wZ37rAtImSGC8yK0deWR7RXckWOB7HsTZXLS4i41SOzWsMaiyXD6ULjNHhytGbyxejNpyiljpj8cpBJUm7FSSdhDdwPl3Bu3JL19uOyyXSgAJSAZGXQ/s640/blogger-image--1139050966.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: '"verdana"', sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: start;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNAs4UVg3peWRyCjkX5Hgoj6y8wZ37rAtImSGC8yK0deWR7RXckWOB7HsTZXLS4i41SOzWsMaiyXD6ULjNHhytGbyxejNpyiljpj8cpBJUm7FSSdhDdwPl3Bu3JL19uOyyXSgAJSAZGXQ/s640/blogger-image--1139050966.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: start;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7O7n6gdxKB-1Xtl-ANxYtPJ1vtzgobM3YkWnzTSZ000rkr_2C8tsylrG4u0iJBou3H0gLVzRJmGQhx8Y_PmPzQssIxzdo3Apg1oB-EBOsMnuPnZ1E1oXCWqxrypEJimX87GwB9La9HRk/s640/blogger-image-1318471453.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7O7n6gdxKB-1Xtl-ANxYtPJ1vtzgobM3YkWnzTSZ000rkr_2C8tsylrG4u0iJBou3H0gLVzRJmGQhx8Y_PmPzQssIxzdo3Apg1oB-EBOsMnuPnZ1E1oXCWqxrypEJimX87GwB9La9HRk/s640/blogger-image-1318471453.jpg" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">sweet babies up for adoption</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: start;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_kmea8Ecjnq4Wpl3MwsEeIibHZDbZL0BWq-azFOhyphenhyphencE69bwriTD5FJ8SVDRRP0vRLb222zBQoLOOunPcBVUH9mdQDPud1AQtbVlM3DKCgsavw9Y6AklM0QhI56BZVrZm3h_IjPOuTRe0/s640/blogger-image--523677236.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_kmea8Ecjnq4Wpl3MwsEeIibHZDbZL0BWq-azFOhyphenhyphencE69bwriTD5FJ8SVDRRP0vRLb222zBQoLOOunPcBVUH9mdQDPud1AQtbVlM3DKCgsavw9Y6AklM0QhI56BZVrZm3h_IjPOuTRe0/s640/blogger-image--523677236.jpg" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">if i didn't already have two, i would have been so tempted buy this sweet one.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglQVgAL-fYFao9MJiXdoGo3phrl4wUDODnTE3u8O2dEEKSJ68PF04kcBvn-1pOUvHs3BMotwQcZH6wfCflQFn1MB1ykRPZQeMSw0gVXUzquO6A7bvtatA5zRyeZVpx9yvNbJD_6buUmwA/s640/blogger-image-1727642838.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglQVgAL-fYFao9MJiXdoGo3phrl4wUDODnTE3u8O2dEEKSJ68PF04kcBvn-1pOUvHs3BMotwQcZH6wfCflQFn1MB1ykRPZQeMSw0gVXUzquO6A7bvtatA5zRyeZVpx9yvNbJD_6buUmwA/s640/blogger-image-1727642838.jpg" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">buzz feed's "party right meow"</span></h3>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">buzz feed always brings their "a" game to catconla. this year they did it through an amazing party at "the rose" in pasadena and we were treated to cat photos, a human sized cat scratching post, cat themed cocktails, a kitten petting station and a place to make your own cat ears. we loved having an evening to play and enjoy the cat treats while visiting with friends and making new ones. each detail was carefully thought of and it was definitely a highlight of our weekend. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-_CykDAQiTVPqvWa7DS3KuR4iRXT22u0VL5hNVhgf3Fo_KiiRPSOouC5DGxS9zHp35IFvMMF6lUtYCSPRJbyZavQ-9KuZKCl_ga_raBTr0R3oxG4VXTPS9lJffq1yuCeB2EN5Rd30FMI/s640/blogger-image-283132492.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: -webkit-standard; font-weight: normal; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-_CykDAQiTVPqvWa7DS3KuR4iRXT22u0VL5hNVhgf3Fo_KiiRPSOouC5DGxS9zHp35IFvMMF6lUtYCSPRJbyZavQ-9KuZKCl_ga_raBTr0R3oxG4VXTPS9lJffq1yuCeB2EN5Rd30FMI/s640/blogger-image-283132492.jpg" /></span></a></span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/WULEj6fl6Z0/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/WULEj6fl6Z0?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">seriously, where else would we ever be able to do this?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: start;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1olthGfJats1BceYnYlAfioXesiDTKeoMoc0hyr1SpzWcvMoONIxQN8Nv86rP2a936waxSYzdS0lISH4EXirrVOMwgvjGON5MFFGBAss7hFZsAXft_0R4pM46pa6uSV3U534yzeCiPGE/s640/blogger-image-1353735725.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1olthGfJats1BceYnYlAfioXesiDTKeoMoc0hyr1SpzWcvMoONIxQN8Nv86rP2a936waxSYzdS0lISH4EXirrVOMwgvjGON5MFFGBAss7hFZsAXft_0R4pM46pa6uSV3U534yzeCiPGE/s640/blogger-image-1353735725.jpg" /></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">it was so much fun cuddling sweet kittens!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: start;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTRGTq5uB6ZrcIa_XoZ45KVubZYAXCt1X-A-WIA0VwKEUAd9Sjw1HdGLYFOwEvmLnWzfb8l5GMWGnbAgSrtUTihgsCOOnBwscuvq1HVJplbQDS1ywJFneQrDpDBFktkUS8TiLS7ngDxqo/s640/blogger-image--1104750863.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTRGTq5uB6ZrcIa_XoZ45KVubZYAXCt1X-A-WIA0VwKEUAd9Sjw1HdGLYFOwEvmLnWzfb8l5GMWGnbAgSrtUTihgsCOOnBwscuvq1HVJplbQDS1ywJFneQrDpDBFktkUS8TiLS7ngDxqo/s640/blogger-image--1104750863.jpg" /></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ_fZ08bDwXKPEmtyPrvurOEEL62a7ZFfK0MMvOS1Bg1IKZHqgf63pkOy218ZVJmJ1VSCrryanHXC0hDr_jsIM0-BC5LkGhcqGUsORHopmzx03pnXE2Z5DTRNgUTnoD1xsgKujjlagskw/s640/blogger-image-1388193322.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ_fZ08bDwXKPEmtyPrvurOEEL62a7ZFfK0MMvOS1Bg1IKZHqgf63pkOy218ZVJmJ1VSCrryanHXC0hDr_jsIM0-BC5LkGhcqGUsORHopmzx03pnXE2Z5DTRNgUTnoD1xsgKujjlagskw/s640/blogger-image-1388193322.jpg" /></span></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">getting to see our wonderful friends </span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">we always cherish moments we get to spend together. we have been friends for over half of our lifetimes and it is a joy to get to spend time together. it's especially great when we get to spend time together doing things we both enjoy. catcon is a weekend full of laughter and friendship and, truly, the greatest thing about it is that we get to experience it together.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgppqB4XQs8p6C3KXPu1tMD1KgqV86A706cXjAutm_2lb9L4JgUImoGcWv3oJtkP3KoQ8zaWlPOsRCKEt25TSpmSmn1HsTXxoIkLdjGM8QFba8xv5GGRkwHGWPncP70KI0vCkhDq5Kx8Zk/s640/blogger-image-1686566831.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgppqB4XQs8p6C3KXPu1tMD1KgqV86A706cXjAutm_2lb9L4JgUImoGcWv3oJtkP3KoQ8zaWlPOsRCKEt25TSpmSmn1HsTXxoIkLdjGM8QFba8xv5GGRkwHGWPncP70KI0vCkhDq5Kx8Zk/s640/blogger-image-1686566831.jpg" /></span></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">when we began working with nutrish several years ago, we anticipated working with great people but we are so thrilled with the friends we have made in that company. the nutrish team is full of amazing people with compassionate hearts and a passion for what they do. they make these conferences and all their events not only worth attending but worth remembering. we truly appreciate their friendship and support of us over the years and we are so very thankful for them. they truly are the very best part of catconla and the part we look forward to repeating year after year.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkMeuXklZGvT2h9AAnhJd4cuyGS8DwSwTc1PhhreE17ShAN22ThWr0CICAzW7J5GgUSRPRu6T_FFqHEoY8p3VO-iXPm3HqKqwYnDy512YcmK8Fu_FgoAm2_XxwbshoG3mcSykBBOua0jk/s640/blogger-image--169374037.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkMeuXklZGvT2h9AAnhJd4cuyGS8DwSwTc1PhhreE17ShAN22ThWr0CICAzW7J5GgUSRPRu6T_FFqHEoY8p3VO-iXPm3HqKqwYnDy512YcmK8Fu_FgoAm2_XxwbshoG3mcSykBBOua0jk/s640/blogger-image--169374037.jpg" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">we couldn't love nutrish more. we love the company and we love how they give back. a portion of nutrish proceeds goes to rachael's rescue which was created to help animals in need. as of december, 2016, $17.5 million has been donated. this money has gone toward food, medical supplies and treatments for these unfortunate animals. we would love for you to love them too.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">you can find nutrish at:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nutrish</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nutrish/</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">twitter: https://twitter.com/nutrish</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">and at www.nutrish.com</span><br />
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<span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: #bd081c; background-image: url(data:image/svg+xml; background-position: 3px 50%; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; background-size: 14px; border-bottom-left-radius: 2px; border-bottom-right-radius: 2px; border-top-left-radius: 2px; border-top-right-radius: 2px; border: none; color: white; cursor: pointer; display: none; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: bold; left: 113px; line-height: 20px; opacity: 1; padding: 0px 4px 0px 0px; position: absolute; text-align: center; text-indent: 20px; top: 18px; width: auto; z-index: 8675309;">Save</span><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: #bd081c; background-image: url(data:image/svg+xml; background-position: 3px 50%; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; background-size: 14px; border-bottom-left-radius: 2px; border-bottom-right-radius: 2px; border-top-left-radius: 2px; border-top-right-radius: 2px; border: none; color: white; cursor: pointer; display: none; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: bold; left: 113px; line-height: 20px; opacity: 1; padding: 0px 4px 0px 0px; position: absolute; text-align: center; text-indent: 20px; top: 18px; width: auto; z-index: 8675309;">Save</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13593721085029268603noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2644747660223494389.post-38365566780572077442017-08-01T19:09:00.000-07:002017-08-21T19:13:36.415-07:00nuggets of wisdom from great wolf lodge<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWKdMvYlsS5W5YexFPR9uhxtVo3x25o1ulIdC3ijfyEE3gLD7bUQD1UI4qMlw1NP_Q6PbQzUzXgDV3TVhcjarjN0In6JfZWc5K1a3h1yPt1FzyY5suRw5sItus5_O6ThT28_5BPNUOcBM/s640/blogger-image--2031917205.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWKdMvYlsS5W5YexFPR9uhxtVo3x25o1ulIdC3ijfyEE3gLD7bUQD1UI4qMlw1NP_Q6PbQzUzXgDV3TVhcjarjN0In6JfZWc5K1a3h1yPt1FzyY5suRw5sItus5_O6ThT28_5BPNUOcBM/s640/blogger-image--2031917205.jpg" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">my friend is currently on a family vacation to great wolf lodge. this is her first great wolf experience and she quickly shared with me some tremendous nuggets of wisdom she had gleaned from her first day at the water park. these truths were too good not to share. please read and take these to heart before you head to a water park near you. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1) extremely hairy men should really avoid speedos. </span></span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">let's be real. all men should really avoid speedos. no one wants to see all those franks and beans. still, excessive body hair takes the speedo wearing to another level. if you lay in the water and you can't distinguish your body hair flowing in the waves from the hair on your head...it may be time to cover up just a bit more of the body...and the hair. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2) cute little triangle bikinis are for the beach...not the water slide. </span></span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">i'm all for a cute bikini while one is laying on the beach. if you love a bikini on the beach or at the pool...go for it! the water park, however, may call for leaving that bikini at home. the point of water parks is to shoot your body down slides and have water rushing at you from various directions. when water is pushed at you with that force, those bikinis don't stand a chance. there's a whole lot of accidental naked happening at the water parks, people...a whole lot of accidental naked. save the adorable bikini for a place where you will feel and be able to recover when it is pushed off of your private bits.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">3) thongs are also probably not a good idea...especially on your teenage daughter. </span></span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">i don't want to start something controversial here, but i don't really want to see anyone's butt cheeks if i can help it. i'm all for girls being confident and feeling great about themselves, but let's be real. wearing a thong to a water park is not only impractical, but it also serves to gather particular attention. guess who is at water parks, you precious teen girls. dads. dads are at water parks...and very hairy men in speedos. if there are any cute teen boys there, they are with their families and will be eating pizza with their little brothers and then sharing a giant family suite where they will bunk up with several siblings. great wolf lodge isn't the place to flaunt what you've got. put on something sporty and go on the water slides. you will have so much more fun than you would strutting your half naked self for hairy speedo men to see. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">4) swimming suits that fit are always the most flattering. </span></span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">you guys, just find something that fits you well and that won't come off down a water slide. don't worry about the size or the style. just be comfortable and get out there. if you are popping out of your swimming suit at any location (under, over, on the side), it's not flattering. not on anyone. find a suit that fits. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">5) the most beautiful people are the parents who are enjoying their kids</span></span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">seriously. the parents who are laughing and loving their kids are stunningly gorgeous. they are living the life of joy out there down those water slides. they aren't worried about their swimming suit falling off or their cellulite legs. they are out there building memories with their kids and that, my friends, is beautiful. just let loose and be a kid with your kids. my favorite memories as a parent are those that happened when i left the serious parent behind and rode the water slide, got under the water, splashed and played with my kiddos and just learned to let go. those moments build memories that will last a lifetime, both for your kiddos and for you. live it up, my friends, and you will be absolutely gorgeous in the process. </span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13593721085029268603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2644747660223494389.post-47320852029290980482017-07-28T19:27:00.000-07:002017-08-21T19:30:05.912-07:00to the man who did the unthinkable...<h3 style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlIItRlPo9zQMdTcpYevuKNdUZ905EzYvDBRpFgrLruqxedzKwgdS9nuX3-jbr4kxfoAXRnVkWdiTlY_sB1jF58C4WD1kPA34uTs8y1g82P2IgdRuOggXNkqPDUZmydgludeY8GyITyuo/s640/blogger-image--527395752.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-weight: normal; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: start;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlIItRlPo9zQMdTcpYevuKNdUZ905EzYvDBRpFgrLruqxedzKwgdS9nuX3-jbr4kxfoAXRnVkWdiTlY_sB1jF58C4WD1kPA34uTs8y1g82P2IgdRuOggXNkqPDUZmydgludeY8GyITyuo/s640/blogger-image--527395752.jpg" /></a></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">to the man who assaulted a five year old...</span></h3>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">where do i begin? what do i even have to say? you are the worst kind of predator. you, the man who sat in a bathroom stall and waiting for silence, silence except for the happy chatter of two little boys. you chose an amusement park full of happy, joyful children to yank two boys from their innocence and into your bathroom stall. when they got away from you, you tried to sneak out of that bathroom, a towel over your head to avoid recognition. you used your mental disability as an excuse for your behavior, right after whispering the words, "don't tell your mommy" to my little boy and his friend. your disability excuse is a disservice to every beautiful, wonderful mentally challenged person i have met, who meet their disability with honor and grace and morality. you, you are the worst kind of predator, but you do not win.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">to the mother who took my son and yours to the amusement park...</span></h3>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">you are the superhero of this story. you did everything right. when two little boys needed to use the restroom, you let them experience that tiny piece of independence, knowing they were going in together and expecting them to be safe. you didn't just watch from afar, you stood at that bathroom entrance and listened and waited for those two little boys to come marching out. you listened to their silly chatter and then, in the middle of an amusement park full of people and chaos, you noticed when their chatter stopped. you noticed the quiet. you noticed the seconds ticking by. you noticed things weren't right...and you acted on it. you called their names. you waited as my son came out first and you listened to his story of a man in a stall. you believed him and you called out your son. when his story was the same, you did the impossible. you secured the boys with another mother and you marched into that men's bathroom, not knowing who or what you would find. you confronted a stranger and a potential predator and, when he ran, you ran after him. you managed to overtake a man, younger than we are and probably faster. that's what moms do. we fight for our kids. we stop at nothing to protect them. we put on our superhero capes and we show the world what bravery is. that's what mothers do and that's what you did, not just for your own son, but for mine.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">to the countless people who stepped in to help...</span></h3>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">you are the brightest of lights in the darkest of moments. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">you were the mom who sat with little, scared boys while a man was being chased down. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">you were the gentleman who blocked the path of the man running to slow him down enough to be apprehended. you didn't know what the story was, or what you were facing, but you bravely jumped in anyway. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">you were the man who used the restroom before my son and his friend entered. you calmly and carefully washed your hands as those boys entered. my son noticed you. you were the "nice man who didn't do anything scary." you, just by being there and by being good, gave those boys a few more seconds of innocence. without saying a word, you protected two little boys a few moments longer. a few seconds made a world of difference in what could have happened to those boys. you mattered. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">you were the amusement park worker who brought my son ice cream as security and the police were called. when i arrived with all my other kids, you did the same for each one of my other children. you were older than me, and i'm guessing you are a mother because you mothered each of my kids. you fed them, got them special drinks, brought them ice cream. you took some of the fear away and started to turn things around with simple, kind gestures. you are important.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">to my little boy...</span></h3>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">i'm so very proud of you. i'm so proud of you for running away. i'm proud of you for speaking up and telling someone what happened, even when that someone wasn't your own mommy. i'm so proud of you for being brave. i'm proud of you for knowing the difference between right and wrong and for speaking out against the wrong. i'm so proud of you for telling your story to the people who needed to hear it, people who can testify for you so this won't happen again. i'm proud of you for helping to put a stop to a sexual predator. you were brave so other little boys don't have to be. this experience, sweet little boy, won't be your story. your story will be one of bravery, of knowing what is right from wrong and standing up for what is right, even when faced with insurmountable obstacles. you, my beautiful, brave, strong little boy, won't carry this around with you. your strength, your humor and your resilience have won that battle already. this will not be your story. your story is full of strength and, like your name means, of laughter. no one can steal that.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">to the lost man who did the unthinkable...</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">you do not win today. so many other good people win. so many brave people win. so many kind people win. with one sick choice, you altered the course of your own life. you set into motion a series of consequences that will follow you for a lifetime. you have written a page of your story that will be unshakeable and will be a part of a label that will be with you for the remainder of your days. with one choice, you have cemented the trajectory of your future...but you have not cemented mine. you have not ruined my faith in humanity. you have not ruined my precious boy. you have not tarnished my faith in god. you do not win. everything good wins today, everything brave, everything hopeful, everything kind...those things win today...and they are so much bigger than you.</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13593721085029268603noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2644747660223494389.post-86502133351991197702017-07-14T19:41:00.000-07:002017-08-21T19:41:37.819-07:00marco polo...the long distance relationship's best friend<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQa9kVujOL5BqL2O3AgCXLV7psU8x4yiyIkM-eBTKpxfcHgwm3dM-9Bk5doD9sh4rS3V5zk-F6wejeL2m96rIW0mbWrUN1v33xez60X7MsPBNhN0SUQMqqDso6Z6daNn4DKfsSBnDbxHE/s640/blogger-image--257187728.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQa9kVujOL5BqL2O3AgCXLV7psU8x4yiyIkM-eBTKpxfcHgwm3dM-9Bk5doD9sh4rS3V5zk-F6wejeL2m96rIW0mbWrUN1v33xez60X7MsPBNhN0SUQMqqDso6Z6daNn4DKfsSBnDbxHE/s640/blogger-image--257187728.jpg" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">it's no secret that the third boob is made of two bloggers who write together. our long story of friendship has been written about several times before. what may be news to some is that we write on two different coasts. we see each other only once or twice a year and we use every means possible to keep in touch with one another. even during my family's five years living in south america, i could count on one friend who would still call me weekly, regardless of how difficult those calls would be to make. before the days of skype, before voyage, before FaceTime, snapchat, whatsapp or even facebook, we made our friendship a priority and we called and talked, even when those calls cost a small fortune. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">over the years our communication hasn't really changed, just the ways we communicate. over the last couple of months, our newest obsession has been marco polo. if you have the app, you probably already know what we mean. if you haven't heard, let me just tell you it is a long distance relationship's best friend. in case marco polo is new to you, let me explain. it is basically a video message you leave for your friend who can then watch when they are free and send you a video message back. i am going to admit, i was skeptical at first but now i am completely hooked. it took some convincing for me to get my other friends on board but once they joined in, there was no looking back.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">besides just the fun and convenience of video messaging, there are extra filters for both the visual portion of your message and the audio portion. this may be the greatest thing about marco polo. there is nothing like a video message with my voice distorted to sound "macho." truly. there is nothing better. there is also an option to add people to a group video chat. several of my college roommates who used to live together now talk via polos every day...and it brings me unmeasurable joy and laughter. i have laughed more over marco polo than i have over anything else in this last month. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">let's be real. life is complicated and adding another piece of social media about pushes me over the edge. this one, however, is worth the time. it takes all the pressure out of being available to talk in the moment or for extended periods of time. i can listen to someone's video while i'm washing dishes and send them a quick polo when i'm sitting and have two seconds to myself. it's a way to stay connected in the midst of this crazy parenting life and it gives us something to look forward to throughout the day...little burst of laughter and joy. that's an app that is worth it's weight in gold. </span></span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13593721085029268603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2644747660223494389.post-55368336002185908062017-05-09T08:42:00.000-07:002017-05-09T08:42:07.017-07:00help a girl out<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr-5mAktcJpg6lp21pEQMQA3PIK0JHzMDWEkWYPbkVBPbd95-cKxz63T3mXjpbbafD_NM-I3bm-GXvdPmmnrD2IRKfX0YJsLwZZ__B3WAsq2MbgQR_5l5KoW-p4i1M8EnC3xOlBjvYbDM/s640/blogger-image--147040.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr-5mAktcJpg6lp21pEQMQA3PIK0JHzMDWEkWYPbkVBPbd95-cKxz63T3mXjpbbafD_NM-I3bm-GXvdPmmnrD2IRKfX0YJsLwZZ__B3WAsq2MbgQR_5l5KoW-p4i1M8EnC3xOlBjvYbDM/s640/blogger-image--147040.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">this post is sponsored by our wonderful partners at nutrish. as always, all thoughts and opinions are our own. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">i love my little rescue cats. we adopted them from our local humane society over five years ago and they make me smile every day. while i'm sitting here typing, one of them is keeping watch over me and guarding the window to the outside world. i know you all will be glad to know that no lizards, birds or insects will ever come near me while they are around. i'm completely safe. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiA-xe2iT66DzzblO2JYVKluW37q1diR427Ck7qpbL7zHKuFakz_1oR4UxPyxSZyPyFLlqcnKkPKKXIfPH8j-zqLLkNlUT0GM5NX6qpQqDxSpEayP2OwC5m7Y4JaY7kRV68Dj0uY_GFns/s640/blogger-image-1765585989.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiA-xe2iT66DzzblO2JYVKluW37q1diR427Ck7qpbL7zHKuFakz_1oR4UxPyxSZyPyFLlqcnKkPKKXIfPH8j-zqLLkNlUT0GM5NX6qpQqDxSpEayP2OwC5m7Y4JaY7kRV68Dj0uY_GFns/s640/blogger-image-1765585989.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">there's a lizard on that pot. rest assured, we are all safe thanks to these two. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">they play together, fight together and generally bring us all joy. i can't imagine life without them and i'm so glad they were able to be rescued at the beginning of their lives so they could rescue our days time and time again. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEism-KIrJ1SNQcIcO9l64eoGAobG4euEguUBPAAavMHSxL9Q40OH8fGrGoVBg15wLC2Ruy563lHholtNHIEZS1nRthFC-uGce7BjdkUN_-Ek3qZ5vqvZ_J-ZB0aDzAreo3GTJA3tkmp8-g/s640/blogger-image--618093870.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEism-KIrJ1SNQcIcO9l64eoGAobG4euEguUBPAAavMHSxL9Q40OH8fGrGoVBg15wLC2Ruy563lHholtNHIEZS1nRthFC-uGce7BjdkUN_-Ek3qZ5vqvZ_J-ZB0aDzAreo3GTJA3tkmp8-g/s640/blogger-image--618093870.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">this is a rare jane sighting. she, like some ladies, doesn't like her picture taken.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">we have been back to the humane society where we found them several times since the day we finalized the adoption. the kids <i>love to</i> spend time there playing with the cats and dogs and begging us to basically start a zoo to house them all. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNfVYNiDc83e3m8kUhGEBsOgfSERC1l66DIcFm9IDvGZ8VUIB98yndKLnUiM-zjHIwTkU_DUlQ7QNbtWfXP8eAYTSOnbyShM2ciUYHPtAyvLSerq7v1cuZdnwGTozps4nr3k0fSJNmPNE/s640/blogger-image--1354144937.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNfVYNiDc83e3m8kUhGEBsOgfSERC1l66DIcFm9IDvGZ8VUIB98yndKLnUiM-zjHIwTkU_DUlQ7QNbtWfXP8eAYTSOnbyShM2ciUYHPtAyvLSerq7v1cuZdnwGTozps4nr3k0fSJNmPNE/s640/blogger-image--1354144937.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">how could you not want to adopt this little ball of cuteness?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">the animals in the humane society or in other animal shelters near you are the sweetest things ever. if i could, i would take them all. in the meantime, i'll go visit them all and try to help the shelter out with donations to keep them well cared for. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjizbWIPGFbd_g6iNlgevLEqPerZ-pH2rqAzyVNQGg_kSGeCiEGLz9PI5nxrSUzXocE_QQwswL1zNvjpndHPU5-LJNVtz3Jgdh55yG_L5QHKzWKm484K-OZ-l-irwPgGGQCLjCbeRgbdHM/s640/blogger-image-1466135270.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjizbWIPGFbd_g6iNlgevLEqPerZ-pH2rqAzyVNQGg_kSGeCiEGLz9PI5nxrSUzXocE_QQwswL1zNvjpndHPU5-LJNVtz3Jgdh55yG_L5QHKzWKm484K-OZ-l-irwPgGGQCLjCbeRgbdHM/s640/blogger-image-1466135270.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">i took my youngest with me last week and we headed out to the humane society for a visit. this trip we were able to donate some amazing nutrish dog and cat food thanks to our friends at nutrish. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOi2ivVT_Vf7TaBNmjUrn-zh-t8erouRmipKlEWCC0NFqbU-X3Wbetsec_4e9E3KhxV_c84Q9ob1TvbwZO3iS_SFEGvCBeEYgXhTZycx6Yg_h9Mx1_c8eWwqRfItAqlexFxQSHdNGJB8Y/s640/blogger-image--1589976480.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOi2ivVT_Vf7TaBNmjUrn-zh-t8erouRmipKlEWCC0NFqbU-X3Wbetsec_4e9E3KhxV_c84Q9ob1TvbwZO3iS_SFEGvCBeEYgXhTZycx6Yg_h9Mx1_c8eWwqRfItAqlexFxQSHdNGJB8Y/s640/blogger-image--1589976480.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">i'm not sure what is happening with my son's pose here, but he loves this cat, "countess." he loved her so much in fact that he cried for two days that we didn't bring her home on the spot. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzFJ8vnYrV2ER84EsjAA3auwC9H6sLwvleEmANcPD_1NFL2nnKteiLZwLaRtQDoChP3MqGsw9Ve2Esytj2xlcoJA_Ze3lnzRu33BR-Te-3rwRwtprUtYeJ1n3109h2anvyWX5S5zp_hIs/s640/blogger-image--1662803932.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzFJ8vnYrV2ER84EsjAA3auwC9H6sLwvleEmANcPD_1NFL2nnKteiLZwLaRtQDoChP3MqGsw9Ve2Esytj2xlcoJA_Ze3lnzRu33BR-Te-3rwRwtprUtYeJ1n3109h2anvyWX5S5zp_hIs/s640/blogger-image--1662803932.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">this sweet pumpkin....i could have taken him that moment. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXq83_JWD7Wb7vgI6AycP_GgkRXufF7TLfYZEyTSCap3RaiSNUUPaVRdK1gj4rmttDnsJQmob651g_-KxgEQQwNfJPWRqbVCULxA1hnl7_2UlSeQDI_mbQAHVF-DLZwMfzaCXJDhunQ68/s640/blogger-image-776723458.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXq83_JWD7Wb7vgI6AycP_GgkRXufF7TLfYZEyTSCap3RaiSNUUPaVRdK1gj4rmttDnsJQmob651g_-KxgEQQwNfJPWRqbVCULxA1hnl7_2UlSeQDI_mbQAHVF-DLZwMfzaCXJDhunQ68/s640/blogger-image-776723458.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">love at first sight with these two...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZG_5rD9teYAtyg0Ihlvbkj45jE5C797ieacn7_bsXuwfjUOoeD70BPRmEG6WujNtS6Xq3RztD9inY-YyuBgGl5TxxxrR5d0Kcc8aOMdE24iBvmHJQCUD1CZxPig_VncX3xwlQ_e4jxsE/s640/blogger-image--522267868.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZG_5rD9teYAtyg0Ihlvbkj45jE5C797ieacn7_bsXuwfjUOoeD70BPRmEG6WujNtS6Xq3RztD9inY-YyuBgGl5TxxxrR5d0Kcc8aOMdE24iBvmHJQCUD1CZxPig_VncX3xwlQ_e4jxsE/s640/blogger-image--522267868.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">the workers there were so excited about the dog food that they already had the bags opened and in their food buckets in the time it took me to go back to my car for another load. they are in need of pet food and other items for these animals and every single donation matters. so, if you have a moment, here's what you can do to help.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">pet food: they need all kinds of pet food. specifically, adult dog, adult cat, puppy food, kitten food, both wet and dry.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9YamAoBAGnZMQUak9w62bs7XQQTmzq0yL-o5FbZoyzHTci3NwPb4q4akNyzM_eBXJ7oH3GsQtIgHqMRwDSSue2ZBmZQ5H9U3oic42dfAAc1fGCA0PyKJ_xdBZTVoBatjlHXBPIJWc85k/s640/blogger-image--1335239058.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9YamAoBAGnZMQUak9w62bs7XQQTmzq0yL-o5FbZoyzHTci3NwPb4q4akNyzM_eBXJ7oH3GsQtIgHqMRwDSSue2ZBmZQ5H9U3oic42dfAAc1fGCA0PyKJ_xdBZTVoBatjlHXBPIJWc85k/s640/blogger-image--1335239058.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">non-clumping clay litter: any brand will work</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">laundry detergent and bleach: they wash the blankets of those animals all the time!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">dog toys: soft plush toys aren't allowed at our humane society because some of the animals eat them so they ask for only sturdy toys like congs and tug ropes. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">kitty toys: any kitty toy will do.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">towels, blankets and sheets</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">monetary donations: the humane society pays for spaying and neutering all the animals, heart worm medication, vaccines, surgeries, flea treatments, etc. for each and every one of the animals they care for. this is an extremely costly endeavor and they can't do it without the help of those who give financially. i love how they have their giving organized. i can give knowing i'll help get a cat their heart worm medication or that i could possibly save an animal's life through a needed surgery. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzrwnkMnqOntD-uMleFrjrdP5iUeJox0EstmIP1w66PdhDMq0b2o0f2QOgtyWU4C6JCO3aSxP41kfeZJ_R7ycwGDTaiwICYLsWwf8vGntWkdjjcW92KoU15EkWV8ZxhZobIilia3d9KaE/s640/blogger-image-1959266165.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzrwnkMnqOntD-uMleFrjrdP5iUeJox0EstmIP1w66PdhDMq0b2o0f2QOgtyWU4C6JCO3aSxP41kfeZJ_R7ycwGDTaiwICYLsWwf8vGntWkdjjcW92KoU15EkWV8ZxhZobIilia3d9KaE/s640/blogger-image-1959266165.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">if you can't do any of the above, consider adopting, not shopping for your next pet. they really are the sweetest of animals and they seem to be even more devoted to their families, as if they know they were rescued from something and are always grateful. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">if you can't adopt another animal or give at this time, consider switching to nutrish pet food. we love nutrish not just because we believe in their product but because they give back to animals in need. a portion of nutrish proceeds go to rachael's rescue which was created to help animals in need. through december 2016, over $17.5 million has been donated. this money has gone toward food, medical supplies and treatments for these sweet animals. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">you can also help spread the word about nutrish. the more people that purchase nutrish for their pets, the more that will be donated to rachael's rescue. nutrish has a new nutrishmojis app that makes it super easy to spread the word. you can check out the app at:</span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> <span style="font-size: 15px;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-size: 15px;"><a href="http://apps.swyftmedia.com/">http://apps.<wbr></wbr>swyftmedia.com/</a></span><span style="color: black; font-size: 15px;"><span style="color: #1155cc;"><a href="http://apps.swyftmedia.com/nutrishMojis" target="_blank">nutrishMojis</a></span> or just search for it on your your app store. i made one of mr. darcy today. he always looks pissed off even when he is completely content so none of the "good </span><span style="font-size: 15px;">morning" or "i love you" mojis fit for him. these two were much more his personality. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf4MqevruvkngyMu2ICtj1-PqmaFQvp0nrvmMsg1QK_a6jtOMoXXRHRpBYRP2Pqf9AtDmSK2LVETMiL3DXs28H2lxTMl1CRaAtvTb_n7WwhYLNeg4IvimYuZGTH9RXVeI6brjTI7QqvCE/s640/blogger-image--1179041226.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf4MqevruvkngyMu2ICtj1-PqmaFQvp0nrvmMsg1QK_a6jtOMoXXRHRpBYRP2Pqf9AtDmSK2LVETMiL3DXs28H2lxTMl1CRaAtvTb_n7WwhYLNeg4IvimYuZGTH9RXVeI6brjTI7QqvCE/s640/blogger-image--1179041226.jpg" /></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">whatever you do, just do something. it's so rewarding to help out in any small way with animals or people in need. there is such joy in giving back and if we all give just a little bit more of ourselves so someone or some animal can have a better life, imagine all the good we could do. help a girl out. let's make our world just a little bit better, together. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">take a moment and follow nutrish to see all the good that is happening through rachael's rescue!</span><br />
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<span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: #bd081c; background-image: url(data:image/svg+xml; background-position: 3px 50%; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; background-size: 14px; border-bottom-left-radius: 2px; border-bottom-right-radius: 2px; border-top-left-radius: 2px; border-top-right-radius: 2px; border: none; color: white; cursor: pointer; display: none; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: bold; left: 113px; line-height: 20px; opacity: 1; padding: 0px 4px 0px 0px; position: absolute; text-align: center; text-indent: 20px; top: 18px; width: auto; z-index: 8675309;">Save</span><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: #bd081c; background-image: url(data:image/svg+xml; background-position: 3px 50%; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; background-size: 14px; border-bottom-left-radius: 2px; border-bottom-right-radius: 2px; border-top-left-radius: 2px; border-top-right-radius: 2px; border: none; color: white; cursor: pointer; display: none; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: bold; left: 113px; line-height: 20px; opacity: 1; padding: 0px 4px 0px 0px; position: absolute; text-align: center; text-indent: 20px; top: 18px; width: auto; z-index: 8675309;">Save</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13593721085029268603noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2644747660223494389.post-34226670605737574652017-03-10T11:40:00.000-08:002017-03-10T11:46:32.379-08:00survival tips for indoor cats<div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">this post is sponsored by our friends at nutrish. all opinions and thoughts are, as always, our own.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">my cats are exclusively indoor cats. they just are. i feel like a helicopter parent where they are concerned. when they were baby kittens, the most precious little fur balls ever, all i could imagine was sending them into the great outdoors to be a snack for the countless hawks and coyotes in the woods beyond my house. i couldn't handle the thought of them becoming a meal for some neighboring predator so, indoors they stayed.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggZETH0jbJIkBfMYU5sfTLXVio80pTyNQhxGLeK2yhfBqv8jo_S_4fy9TCs6l_dh1D1-d8o8wHA4MDYGAVACOVP3nX7CECrdYEOs7JyVXicjEKMF8V-s6volWSDTAsJUNMTy1Qy_nriyQ/s640/blogger-image--684620507.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggZETH0jbJIkBfMYU5sfTLXVio80pTyNQhxGLeK2yhfBqv8jo_S_4fy9TCs6l_dh1D1-d8o8wHA4MDYGAVACOVP3nX7CECrdYEOs7JyVXicjEKMF8V-s6volWSDTAsJUNMTy1Qy_nriyQ/s640/blogger-image--684620507.jpg" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">they have free reign of the house and chase each other day and night over every square inch of our place. they are healthy and happy but there are some things that i have to do differently because my cats are exclusively indoors. if you have indoor cats of your own, these tips can help to make your little fur ball's day too.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLW5438djHK-pQqlILK-3qAU55sIA7UoWFLvHfq4XEJyWNrTtfqzYQutn0ofvyzfHKsYVORSZYHmPUOS1XOY_5vrmQG8NQTzdt6ncDSPHjGhc93FS2sG3JqjefF1367IBrKVcVqEruhzQ/s640/blogger-image--1408921805.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLW5438djHK-pQqlILK-3qAU55sIA7UoWFLvHfq4XEJyWNrTtfqzYQutn0ofvyzfHKsYVORSZYHmPUOS1XOY_5vrmQG8NQTzdt6ncDSPHjGhc93FS2sG3JqjefF1367IBrKVcVqEruhzQ/s640/blogger-image--1408921805.jpg" /></a></span>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">give them some way to exercise and play</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">my two cats are brother and sister and, like my own children, they have a love/hate relationship. they play and fight and then fight and play all day, everyday, until they crash and sleep for ten hours. they do a pretty good job of simply playing and wrestling with one another but i also like to provide other toys to keep them busy. my absolute favorite new toy for my cats is this spinning butterfly. it is literally endless entertainment and they cannot get enough of it. whether you buy this one or find an amazing toy of your own, toys to entertain your cats will keep them (and you) happy while they are in the house.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4_sAaidml-S4upq042HsNy4vWU5IbhqgmWau8M1U0gNNMVtbLMLc57vCiO2NnRk94ihW140Frr4e7M8f5agM6GmSsXkNxFB0fH-WRe2L4rGS_4JbS16O1hgkUf5tV3lLfhucvjUEJN84/s1600/71SlzE7n%252BDL._SX425_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4_sAaidml-S4upq042HsNy4vWU5IbhqgmWau8M1U0gNNMVtbLMLc57vCiO2NnRk94ihW140Frr4e7M8f5agM6GmSsXkNxFB0fH-WRe2L4rGS_4JbS16O1hgkUf5tV3lLfhucvjUEJN84/s400/71SlzE7n%252BDL._SX425_.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9sijpnkddS2xpIQZf43X_vJ652_FDrb7_zVzHXH0hcvbOi8WN8kKgU6kmEaeFX-Ju0OfC4-sgrdY7WNJqPO6aIxjtcjTG0bG8DPLdAMaPHmOPzvbvxCarDVVcLRVVEFKfsaqN89ag5oI/s640/blogger-image--49125717.jpg" style="font-family: '"verdana"', sans-serif; text-align: start;" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">or just give them a box to play in...</span></div>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjljOJkpY7oOVQGGlVWQRq7I83zgyAjZ1DGHH7aiphThxIZ0MYRf6-v0euVwM5bm4VTNEQ7yStIBJDiI7AomVomDFXfzf7JoVW8te8V4NjD6QLZ16P6A-j43aygx2vMzGWJ2pe82SjfHHE/s640/blogger-image--2147377046.jpg" style="font-family: '"verdana"', sans-serif;" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">get a great scratching post</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">cats can destroy furniture faster than you can say retractable claws. there is only one way to avoid that and that is with an amazing scratching post or toy. there are so many out there but i don't want anything too big or cumbersome in my house. there are a couple that we love. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBr8qNycmqzJomaPCYa8oISYlllnokyc_UVdF68RZyL4jGz3oEWKV_tiibqw8_QmFNl5tQnE-Jct41CMceZDvnVOtWaEX7HEgqk8nJAMlidjDnxW5SnSWR-RMmmIuAjyPLJPxY0M99iI8/s1600/il_570xN.859614012_hvem.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBr8qNycmqzJomaPCYa8oISYlllnokyc_UVdF68RZyL4jGz3oEWKV_tiibqw8_QmFNl5tQnE-Jct41CMceZDvnVOtWaEX7HEgqk8nJAMlidjDnxW5SnSWR-RMmmIuAjyPLJPxY0M99iI8/s400/il_570xN.859614012_hvem.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/186374505/the-cat-wheel-martini-large-round-cat?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=cat%20scratcher&ref=sr_gallery_25" target="_blank">the cat wheel</a></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRqL5UfNPMHt4ErNhySZy2IVAvK1AwLeQaiqLPHtNcD9gQzt-sWi8q7VPlacM-tNGXWv2XjynKYk1g0JhWHT8mYV7CY5M1BxmnLOw_CIB5GgcGbh8LfXIsHFbcYIcReMOlhOKhuP2_d5c/s1600/71-E9RqBIhL._SL1500_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRqL5UfNPMHt4ErNhySZy2IVAvK1AwLeQaiqLPHtNcD9gQzt-sWi8q7VPlacM-tNGXWv2XjynKYk1g0JhWHT8mYV7CY5M1BxmnLOw_CIB5GgcGbh8LfXIsHFbcYIcReMOlhOKhuP2_d5c/s400/71-E9RqBIhL._SL1500_.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/PetFusion-Vertical-Scratching-Standard-preference/dp/B00JK0BX2K/ref=sr_1_25?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1489094507&sr=1-25&keywords=cat+scratching+post" target="_blank">perfusion 3 cat scratcher</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">get a great litter box</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">i hate cleaning the litter box. it is literally my least favorite chore. i know it costs some money, but buying a good litter box is worth every. single. penny. if you get a great box when your cats are kittens, they will be happy with it their whole life through. this one is absolutely magical. one box to throw away, once per month. done. best. box. ever.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgozJCQwRTqGF9uTyN0cFTam1LbknF8BJki-iYhlrrIy_d26sq-35awvN7ECcMsKAcx-UtwLwpi7SGnE6j4CigfjFKUCrAkvTgLJPat9PgSS7D_HnSLCN4g7THANLC-NiXYT9_gh3n15YM/s1600/71O252KahnL._SL1227_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgozJCQwRTqGF9uTyN0cFTam1LbknF8BJki-iYhlrrIy_d26sq-35awvN7ECcMsKAcx-UtwLwpi7SGnE6j4CigfjFKUCrAkvTgLJPat9PgSS7D_HnSLCN4g7THANLC-NiXYT9_gh3n15YM/s400/71O252KahnL._SL1227_.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/ScoopFree-Ultra-Self-Cleaning-Litter/dp/B000XSC8R2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1489093611&sr=8-1&keywords=B000ELSM1E%7CB000ELUQQS%7CB000F930FS%7CB000FEF10A%7CB000P75U9O%7CB000XSC8R2" target="_blank">scoopfree ultra self cleaning litter box</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">give them food created for indoor cats</span></h3>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbmhQoTURqVd7pjZma6ZQkM8ow22R41a2ihAnyF3bjR8kL05mt-4qY1vBbeP0N6R_MJ9OT-irMBdF63dpQuneABMFq2_7Pig9MgLWbcMSsTgyJ_664SzFC40uCFlDGNWMJUIr9Up18cNw/s640/blogger-image--1801130782.jpg" style="font-family: '"verdana"', sans-serif;" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">it's no secret that we are big nutrish fans and have been since our cats were kittens. we were thrilled when they announced their new "indoor complete" cat food. this is perfect for our little hair balls. the cats love the food and we know the cats are getting just what they need for their indoor cat health. rachael ray nutrish indoor complete chicken with lentils and salmon recipe is a natural food for cats with added vitamins, minerals and taurine. the recipe contains a real superfood blend to meet the complete needs of your adult indoor cat and is available right where you shop for your family's groceries. chicken is the number one ingredient and the recipe also contains lentils which are rich in fiber and protein and low in fat to help maintain the optimal body weight in your cats. this is especially important for my mr. darcy. my oldest son says, "he's not fat, he's just big boned." he may at this point just qualify as fat. he is hefty by any standard and needs a good cat food that can help him maintain his rather broad but lovely physique. </span><br />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbfdwISZoKZ9KbVZxVprvPly3lOn1l_EGJZwgzmcRB211AzGM9mXvT4Uj04aSxTMDuVCNL0nlEtXk20l2LmZ9NR4QfOH7Q8ZDuBSXmRzevZyvK2aUkBp5NWF_A2hAph09_6HIAB2MIdWQ/s640/blogger-image-829545038.jpg" style="font-family: '"verdana"', sans-serif;" /></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">we also love buying rachael ray's nutrish because of how they give back. rachael's rescue was created for all the forgotten pets, the ones who might not have someone who loves them as much as they deserve. a portion of the proceeds from each sale of nutrish is donated to the rachael ray foundation, which helps animals in need through rachael's rescue. through december 2016, rachael's rescue has donated more than $17.5 million dollars to pet charities and other organizations that do good for animals. the funds are used for food, medical supplies, treatments and more for animals in need. it's amazing what they are able to do with the money they give and i feel good about feeding my cats what they need and giving back as well. it's a win-win. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">there you have it friends. cats really are so easy to care for and they make the kids so happy...and me as well. a few simple tips can make life with indoor cats just a little bit easier. that's something i can get on board with any day. </span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13593721085029268603noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2644747660223494389.post-26456821191170547982017-03-07T04:00:00.000-08:002017-03-07T04:06:12.914-08:00what i wish i had known about raising a teenage son<div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLQDPhZ3mH597HbFwURq-HNxNgcEC9vTbFMX6tYlzlO1pBfONypOOLOoH2s3pcfRe8kQst1EuKawp6-WFoUHoWDJex-HDqHUdeU6ZY__QOqQR_5Hm_X_zriNN3yjUAOyE37pQhzLXOfuM/s640/blogger-image--342819257.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLQDPhZ3mH597HbFwURq-HNxNgcEC9vTbFMX6tYlzlO1pBfONypOOLOoH2s3pcfRe8kQst1EuKawp6-WFoUHoWDJex-HDqHUdeU6ZY__QOqQR_5Hm_X_zriNN3yjUAOyE37pQhzLXOfuM/s640/blogger-image--342819257.jpg"></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">my oldest is 13, quickly approaching 14. i'm proud of him, of the person he is becoming and of the potential i see in him. still, parenting a teenager is hard, harder than i ever realized for reasons i never imagined. i'm having to walk through an entire new set of emotions and loss that i never expected. so to all of you moms of little boys, amidst the chaos of the younger years, here is what i wish i would have known.</span><br>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">your son will push you away</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">i keep telling myself that this is normal. this is what is supposed to happen. he is supposed to rely more on himself, less on me. it doesn't change the fact that this process is incredibly painful. daily my mind races back to the baby he was, the moments i spent rocking him to sleep, the songs i sung to him to calm him as an infant. i recall every time i had to pry his hands off my legs and wipe his tears so i could leave the house without him, every time he wanted to hold my hand for a little extra security, every time he asked me to hold him when he was hurting. with those memories your mama heart breaks just a little bit each day for that time you will never get back. as much as you long for your son to be independent and that you understand that his success depends on him standing on his own two feet, you will long for the time when he would walk around the house clinging to yours...and it will hurt that those days are gone. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">their voice will scare you</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">it feels like my son's voice changed overnight. it is deep and manly and i have been frightened more than once thinking a stranger is in my house, only to realize moments later that it is just my son's new voice booming through the halls. that's the thing that hit me the hardest. i spent his whole life listening to his sweet little words. i could recognize his voice in a crowd. i knew how he sounded and how he cried. he could say, "mommy" and i knew it was me he was talking to, even in a room full of other moms. i knew that sweet voice like i know my own and then one day, you realize you will never, ever hear that voice again. it has sent me on a frantic search through old videos to find the voice that was lost, for some proof that the voice i know so well once existed. i miss that voice. you will miss your son's one day too.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">it is wonderful and awful at the same time</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">it is a joy to watch my son grow into the man he is becoming. it's fun to watch him understand sarcasm and to develop a comedic sense of humor. he is smart, a great student, a hard worker. he is a lot of amazing things and i get to look at him and say, "i helped shape this boy." it gives some validity to the work that is raising another human being. still, it makes the heart of this mom ache a little as i compare this teenager to the little boy that was, the thin hallow cheeks with the chubby ones i used to shower with kisses. where he used to snuggle with me for hours, i have to force my hugs on him each day whether he likes it or not, not just because he needs it, but because i need it. in the midst of all the letting go, of letting him grow up, i need to know that the little boy who adored his mama is still in there somewhere. i will smile at him when he can see me, cheer for him publicly and cry my tears of loss in private. no one warned me of this, this painful loss that comes as your child takes step after step away from you. it's wonderful and amazing to see first hand the person they are but it's awful and painful to say goodbye to the child they were, your child, your baby who has been replaced with the man he will become. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">still, i wouldn't trade it for the world. it makes every moment i spent with him that much more precious, the knowing that it was fleeting, that the moments weren't forever. i am watching him grow. i am watching him get more and more ready to go, to leave me and go out on his own. you will watch your sons do it too and that's just how it is supposed to be, it's what we moms have worked so hard for for so many years and watching this happen is amazing and wonderful and it fills us with joy. but in equal measures it fills us with heartache because it's impossible to separate the two people that your son is. the one child you raised and spent years feeding, changing, snuggling, kissing, teaching, whose sweet voice saying, "i love you, mommy," filled your tank and made you overflow with love. the one had the scabbed knees, the torn jeans, the dirty face and the tears you wiped away. the other person is a tall, lanky almost man, with a voice you don't recognize, with his own friends, his own interests, his own life, one that you fit into a lot less than you used to. it's the memories that we can't separate that makes this process hard. and then, one day as he opens the door on his way to middle school, he will call back with is man voice and say, "i love you, mommy," and you'll recognize the voice and relish the sound of the words and you will realize that it will be okay. we were built for this, for raising them to leave, no matter how difficult that may be.</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13593721085029268603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2644747660223494389.post-16323919608612317132017-03-02T10:02:00.002-08:002017-03-02T10:02:53.812-08:00the business of dying<div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1tCwVE0vy22rCsG_wqPgyKolYea5_TzsBZkdpZcdgsgKjMuk4qJ3SjaRo9jlvydqfvAS7RLsOgnZUbnMNnbRixWKNoJEyvElfGjPx-2gv_eTXNs3HVrRzeF044mExaytA95x7ue5muvs/s640/blogger-image--560024780.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1tCwVE0vy22rCsG_wqPgyKolYea5_TzsBZkdpZcdgsgKjMuk4qJ3SjaRo9jlvydqfvAS7RLsOgnZUbnMNnbRixWKNoJEyvElfGjPx-2gv_eTXNs3HVrRzeF044mExaytA95x7ue5muvs/s640/blogger-image--560024780.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">it has happened to us twice now, the late night phone call, the terrible news, the unexpected tragedy. thirteen years ago my husband and i were asleep in a hotel room in cartagena, colombia when we got the call that his brother, a 25 year old sheriff's deputy in florida, had been shot and killed in the line of duty. a little over a month ago, we got another unexpected call. my husbands incredibly healthy, fit and relatively young father had died out of the blue of a pulmonary embolism. there was no warning for either death. they were both shocking and awful and tragic.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">both of these experiences taught us a great deal. among those things is this: there is a great deal of business in dying. these are the all consuming tasks that fill up the days immediately after someone dies. these are the details and the phone calls and the decisions that have to be made. this is the work that is exhausting but still pulls you out of bed each morning to do it some more. it's daunting and horrible and difficult and i don't know a person out there who enjoys the process of it all. still, it is necessary.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">having done it twice unprepared and having seen others go through it even after watching someone suffer a long illness, there are certain things everyone...let me say that again...e.v.e.r.y.o.n.e. should do to help those left behind in the case of an unexpected or even expected death. you guys, do these things. it is so difficult to be on the survivor side of a death and it's even harder when you have to make decisions without knowing what the deceased would have wanted. do this for the people you love...it really will speak volumes of your love for them.</span><br />
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write a will</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">or write a trust. or get something in writing. tell people where you want your things to go. make it official. sign it. notarize it. stop any bartering or questions before they start. if you have something special that you want to go to a specific person, don't just tell them in private. write it down. people are ruled by emotions after a death and they don't make logical decisions. they also won't remember or honor what you may or may not have said. just write it down. do it while you are young and check it every single year. something like this can help preserve family relationships.</span></div>
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make sure everyone knows what you would want at your funeral</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">i never used to think this was important but i have been to several funerals now and i know now more than ever exactly what i <b>don't </b>want as well as what i do. i've seen so many things that are absolutely the opposite of what i would want for myself and i've learned that, more times than not, those planning the funerals are making emotional decisions and are not always thinking clearly. after my father-in-law's funeral, my husband and i sat down and made it clear for one another. should one of us ever pass away, the other one knows what to do. our next step is to put it in writing. make sure people know if you want a viewing, if you want a casket or to be cremated, if you want certain song sung at your funeral, if you want your ashes in a specific place, if you want to be buried, if you want a head stone. if you can plan it in advance, do it. yes, it's morbid and a horrible conversation to have. i hope we'll be around for a very long time. still, i don't want anyone guessing what i would want or spending money on something that is not needed.</span></div>
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understand the costs involved</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">funerals are expensive. coffins are expensive. burial plots are expensive. always make sure there is an "in case of emergency" credit card or fund somewhere that can be used to pay for expenses. the last thing anyone wants is to have the wishes of a love one that they can't fulfill because they can't afford to pay for it. </span></div>
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make a list of assets and update it annually</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">my husband has been doing this since the year his brother was killed. he has written a list of every life insurance policy we have, the account number, the password, the contact person, the amount in that policy and how soon i can get it. every bank account, every savings account, every retirement account, every ira, every single account that is in one of our names is written down completely with all pertinent information included. those files are updated annually and are kept locked up in case of emergency. a spare copy is left with another member of our family as well. my father-in-law had something similar though not in as much detail as what my husband has. it helped tremendously as we went through his files and attempted to secure funds for my mother-in-law and get her a budget of what she would have coming in and going out each month. do this for your loved ones. i cannot tell you how valuable it is. beyond just the facts, write down the whys. why did you pick that account? what are the benefits? answer questions someone might be asking. it makes a horrible situation just a little bit more tolerable.</span></div>
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write letters</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">i can remember my sweet friend as she was dying of cancer. she left one weekend to go away by herself and write letters to her daughter, for her wedding day, for her graduation from high school, for her 16th birthday, for all the days she was going to miss. i can't imagine what writing those letters cost her. i also can't imagine how precious those letters will be for her daughter as she grows up and reads them. i'm not suggesting you do this exact thing...but take time to write letters to your loved ones. my husband tries to write a letter to each child on their birthday. one day he will give them the whole stack. in the meantime, he is collecting sweet letters to his kids. it's precious and meaningful and, when someone dies suddenly, sweet mementos like this mean everything. write some love letters to those you love.</span></div>
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get in the picture</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">take pictures...with your kids, with your family, with your spouse. get out from behind the camera and jump in with those you love. frame pictures of yourself that you love. we had two very different experiences with my husband's family. his brother's funeral had a picture of his brother that we knew his brother disliked. he complained about that picture and how he never liked how he looked in it. still, it was the only picture we had to use for his funeral and so we used it. we always felt bad about that. with my father-in-law, we had a great picture to use. my husband's father was smiling and happy and looked like he could walk right out of the print. it was perfect. make sure there's a picture of you somewhere that you love.</span></div>
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most of all...just love and live well</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">if the deaths in our families have taught us anything, it's that nothing is guaranteed. none of us know the day or the time we will leave this earth. whenever it is, i want my kids to know how much i love them. i want my husband to know he means the world to me. i want the people around me to know they are precious to me. that's the important thing. everything else is secondary. we could all use a reminder to simply love people well...no matter how long we are on this earth. everything else that falls into the business of dying is wrapped up in this. love people enough to help them walk through something if you can't be there in person to do it. walk them through it beforehand. there is so much love in that.</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13593721085029268603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2644747660223494389.post-2216019869343075212017-02-06T18:59:00.003-08:002017-02-06T18:59:32.122-08:00monthly must haves: rainy day<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">we've been having some rainy weather off & on lately. i'm not one for rain, unless it means i'm snuggled up indoors by the fire. here is some happy rainy day goodness to make the gloomy days brighter (obsessed with the rain boots!!)</span><br />
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<span class="a-size-large" id="productTitle" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.3;"><a href="http://amzn.to/2jDvFca" target="_blank">52 series: rainy day activities</a></span></h1>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrQ-VGfNI07ACaoPlW_F1_48SrA8mBBQO6F20pzQywL3brPPlsbJf2AZvIp38yT_cXPT7U3pCwNwLV66cGO-l2YWJ5ug9F6CYPiq7xMHPDUwqIUddUntqygB5p5-RwjUTbA_LcZ57XjEWM/s1600/715ba3ltVzL._UY695_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrQ-VGfNI07ACaoPlW_F1_48SrA8mBBQO6F20pzQywL3brPPlsbJf2AZvIp38yT_cXPT7U3pCwNwLV66cGO-l2YWJ5ug9F6CYPiq7xMHPDUwqIUddUntqygB5p5-RwjUTbA_LcZ57XjEWM/s400/715ba3ltVzL._UY695_.jpg" width="231" /></span></a></div>
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<span class="a-size-large" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.3;"><a href="http://amzn.to/2k4Xffj" target="_blank">hunter womens's original tall welly boot</a></span></h1>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinnGraNmMQM9yw62Ro1CdOZR0hkwpf0h015DFpEre0CVAYDPhyLsk1k0KDuQq6RmJOJJYMni5KjbYYZjsUV1jya6pfnhpcuC7gPlb01p0yQRHcNnWv8eJoqiv3YCFrWuL-7Zae0MGurT7G/s1600/71rBzyTSRkL._UY695_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinnGraNmMQM9yw62Ro1CdOZR0hkwpf0h015DFpEre0CVAYDPhyLsk1k0KDuQq6RmJOJJYMni5KjbYYZjsUV1jya6pfnhpcuC7gPlb01p0yQRHcNnWv8eJoqiv3YCFrWuL-7Zae0MGurT7G/s400/71rBzyTSRkL._UY695_.jpg" width="271" /></a></span></div>
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<a href="http://amzn.to/2jswv9A" target="_blank"><span class="a-size-large" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; line-height: 1.3;"></span></a><br />
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<span class="a-size-large" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.3;"><a href="http://amzn.to/2jswv9A" target="_blank">kids kamik raindrops rain boot </a></span></h1>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibCnUk22eT-_HmKKSCdRx8P7IrpjZq5RkKpQxglgZg5FeYUGMwCsHa0XKqDTU0mek6BXhypZ1eOh0ozmc6TAVeHsbFVu-qE56NAxUYnAm0vkFLcgC9yszwYvfv5jLmIJ6qA1Z75j5A0rn-/s1600/81S4pvzgiHL._UY695_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibCnUk22eT-_HmKKSCdRx8P7IrpjZq5RkKpQxglgZg5FeYUGMwCsHa0XKqDTU0mek6BXhypZ1eOh0ozmc6TAVeHsbFVu-qE56NAxUYnAm0vkFLcgC9yszwYvfv5jLmIJ6qA1Z75j5A0rn-/s400/81S4pvzgiHL._UY695_.jpg" width="365" /></a></span></div>
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<span class="a-size-large" id="productTitle" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.3;"><a href="http://amzn.to/2iOkzwV" target="_blank">roma kids' ilona rain boot</a></span></h1>
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<h1 class="a-size-large a-spacing-none" id="title" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #111111; line-height: 1.3; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;">
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2644747660223494389.post-43880363565695795292017-01-21T09:51:00.000-08:002017-01-21T09:51:56.058-08:00fun finds: glass half full<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">i feel like 2016 was rough for many, many people. i think we could all use a fresh start and a little inspiration in our lives. these fun finds made our day a little brighter. may they brighten your day and your walls as well. cheers to a better 2017!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjebUP9HbYQjUDusQ_pwH7vcrD1svtpNrZPjRdG5HLxVZ1TU8iZvi564Q6de1gOD5ICzlDXmw6XsRolDNkkT_A4vayVwu7tcWVMI_7mEQOQFPfmiE532V0X6UQaR0urDmhfoohqkPXXBJE/s1600/il_570xN.589534643_8jvw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjebUP9HbYQjUDusQ_pwH7vcrD1svtpNrZPjRdG5HLxVZ1TU8iZvi564Q6de1gOD5ICzlDXmw6XsRolDNkkT_A4vayVwu7tcWVMI_7mEQOQFPfmiE532V0X6UQaR0urDmhfoohqkPXXBJE/s400/il_570xN.589534643_8jvw.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/186198451/may-your-glass-always-be-half-full-wall?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=glass%20half%20full&ref=sr_gallery_9" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">glass half full vinyl</span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/476473943/always-see-the-glass-half-full-black?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=glass%20half%20full&ref=sr_gallery_13" target="_blank">glass half full print</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/487740300/i-think-ill-just-be-happy-today-canvas?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=positive%20inspiration&ref=sr_gallery_21" target="_blank">i'll just be happy</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/271292173/so-many-reasons-to-be-happy-mug-quote?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=positive%20inspiration&ref=sr_gallery_30" target="_blank">be happy mug</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/267084743/happy-pillow-16x16-decorative-throw?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=happy%20pillow&ref=sr_gallery_14" target="_blank">good day to be happy pillow</a></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7oJwUxzpKkF_TkP9lDDUawVD2xj-ncSV4jPsYleaTBDazKE8g1CMwlcn_SjaxZkm9P-yZ09dsLvtgwlMy9VnK6flOqikU6_REPLzqynhlJY9iLM6ei791bK_YqVCVZXCQrr0PB4kw46w/s1600/il_570xN.911457519_60z8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="363" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7oJwUxzpKkF_TkP9lDDUawVD2xj-ncSV4jPsYleaTBDazKE8g1CMwlcn_SjaxZkm9P-yZ09dsLvtgwlMy9VnK6flOqikU6_REPLzqynhlJY9iLM6ei791bK_YqVCVZXCQrr0PB4kw46w/s400/il_570xN.911457519_60z8.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/265743587/pillow-cover-cushion-cover-happy-life-12?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=happy%20pillow&ref=sr_gallery_15" target="_blank">happy life pillow</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/153717617/decor-home-wall-unique-wall-clokhope?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=hope%20home&ref=sr_gallery_31" target="_blank">hope clock</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/465952634/when-the-world-says-give-up-hope?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=hope%20says%20try&ref=sr_gallery_5" target="_blank">hope whispers vinyl</a></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13593721085029268603noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2644747660223494389.post-32138275700985602962017-01-08T19:51:00.004-08:002017-01-08T19:51:21.185-08:00what attending a pet-expo taught us about giving back<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlmwPcGGIsbvNkXiUTfQemskpN-TvNnlk24ypJEQyOowenvt7tmj6OBGlUGFU42wFBuK77JGoiyroGnikPF2uRpKkyog17rXxO1SB_54EomAZs-6sHPGM5poaDGSeL1YxybYcRWQ5dKcM/s640/blogger-image--956714918.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlmwPcGGIsbvNkXiUTfQemskpN-TvNnlk24ypJEQyOowenvt7tmj6OBGlUGFU42wFBuK77JGoiyroGnikPF2uRpKkyog17rXxO1SB_54EomAZs-6sHPGM5poaDGSeL1YxybYcRWQ5dKcM/s640/blogger-image--956714918.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">this post is sponsored by rachael ray's nutrish. all thoughts and opinions are our own. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">girl weekends are the best. when we get to see each other, there really is nothing better. this weekend we got to spend three glorious days together in san diego and pomona, enjoying each other's company and visiting the pet-expo in pomona. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjByiR8yuvLfLDKkXQ2AwZqnkG1PTKdYo7-5Ry9dO9uHqHtLt2DK3J2cqm_exxjF3GjcpqvAUXzRiIYMIfL0wOwKwsz7vEO0ZSlSeqfoSKo6l-bwUxFFUPn6tO7PKq2DRS2tYvE7T5Kg7w/s640/blogger-image-478576621.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="351" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjByiR8yuvLfLDKkXQ2AwZqnkG1PTKdYo7-5Ry9dO9uHqHtLt2DK3J2cqm_exxjF3GjcpqvAUXzRiIYMIfL0wOwKwsz7vEO0ZSlSeqfoSKo6l-bwUxFFUPn6tO7PKq2DRS2tYvE7T5Kg7w/s400/blogger-image-478576621.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">while we went from booth to booth, we saw our fair share of really bizarre pet accessories. this unitard to keep dogs from shedding was our personal favorite. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_j1EqSYvDMfq_Rt13G00Yp1THWQm8h2dQ1wyHeTDeb30kXhiYGsWHDpU0y7a7tj2O8kFgD9iU4_mwnxA9eDt08HI2IcLF4m6V0h7oDPmyCq_IcRDj-kaCfY8baznLYBmF06MmFxQAsvo/s640/blogger-image--709694822.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_j1EqSYvDMfq_Rt13G00Yp1THWQm8h2dQ1wyHeTDeb30kXhiYGsWHDpU0y7a7tj2O8kFgD9iU4_mwnxA9eDt08HI2IcLF4m6V0h7oDPmyCq_IcRDj-kaCfY8baznLYBmF06MmFxQAsvo/s640/blogger-image--709694822.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">the scary stuffed pet that turns into an evil pet at the touch of a button was a close second. i'm not sure who buys these fine items but we could only laugh and how crazy they seemed to us. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZdxLtm3mIEMGKEWLgqOvo5UjAnHBAObJNg_TtYvUsvcMcFu7KZXWs5QTR63cXJ3FttUslCjaQV91TbSDNGi_mvlWzfV3-rclczkDIPtgXc5PCM0qXvyqNfS0RDX8pztgx9bvuUSiwvkk/s640/blogger-image-578534175.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZdxLtm3mIEMGKEWLgqOvo5UjAnHBAObJNg_TtYvUsvcMcFu7KZXWs5QTR63cXJ3FttUslCjaQV91TbSDNGi_mvlWzfV3-rclczkDIPtgXc5PCM0qXvyqNfS0RDX8pztgx9bvuUSiwvkk/s640/blogger-image-578534175.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">what we did absolutely loved at this convention, besides the cute cat items and the time we got to spend together was the emphasis that was placed on shelter pet adoption. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvZGh32Ae4S37QUfGK4sqcoktl0mgQePodhX_G0HhQwXsycS9wa2y6iDkEx1wOnHvpMOq-v3fyR6QpH-bIIjzjhblDVW5l-hhTtZOmhCPtzIdw8HrHNVFuaJ1AiGbcmFaQrW_PRq8ISQ8/s640/blogger-image-404455544.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvZGh32Ae4S37QUfGK4sqcoktl0mgQePodhX_G0HhQwXsycS9wa2y6iDkEx1wOnHvpMOq-v3fyR6QpH-bIIjzjhblDVW5l-hhTtZOmhCPtzIdw8HrHNVFuaJ1AiGbcmFaQrW_PRq8ISQ8/s640/blogger-image-404455544.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">we love shelter animals and we are both adoptive shelter cat parents. we love adopting from animal shelters or the humane society and giving pets in need a home. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhopUxTG4tqaejMmSpaNfhwV5LENw9fRZKBfuzzj87vnpPX8ztTb71WnvxifznN_hjta2ZadN4nOcgiMD6rmd1xfyDdLTkB_ygpkBakamw65PkE_nJM16sCL8c8EQdqX5JCMl_ipQksXGw/s640/blogger-image--1228834439.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhopUxTG4tqaejMmSpaNfhwV5LENw9fRZKBfuzzj87vnpPX8ztTb71WnvxifznN_hjta2ZadN4nOcgiMD6rmd1xfyDdLTkB_ygpkBakamw65PkE_nJM16sCL8c8EQdqX5JCMl_ipQksXGw/s640/blogger-image--1228834439.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">while the shelters and the organizations involved in the pet-expo this weekend were all local to the los angeles area, (and no, we didn't come home with more cats) we were inspired to find ways to get involved with rescue animals right where we live. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">we are already involved in the simplest of ways just by purchasing food for our cats. our cats love nutish cat food and have been enjoying it for years now. we won't buy anything else for our cats. what makes us feel truly great about our cat food decision is that rachael ray donates a portion of the proceeds of nutrish pet food to rachael's rescue, which was created to help shelter animals in need. through december of 2016, over $17.5MM has been donated. this money had gone toward food, medical supplies and treatments for those unfortunate animals. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNXecqO2fSuW5PjVKlI0yE9r0adIM_Gfbat41R5iKRhfW6hyTufQ61y8lih6AdrKE0bmYjJqpfdIf2_OsSZCoUGQgWAu-2hTEaRszckOrNfRm3Xg-_145p8EwH5sJHqEilJpMAZwBo7cA/s1600/product_50_sm.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNXecqO2fSuW5PjVKlI0yE9r0adIM_Gfbat41R5iKRhfW6hyTufQ61y8lih6AdrKE0bmYjJqpfdIf2_OsSZCoUGQgWAu-2hTEaRszckOrNfRm3Xg-_145p8EwH5sJHqEilJpMAZwBo7cA/s320/product_50_sm.png" width="286" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">humane societies and animal shelters are often looking for help. we love the idea of taking some time to invest in animals in need. we know we cannot adopt more animals at this time but that doesn't stop us from wanting to get involved in their care and helping animals find their forever homes. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">shelters also take donations of various kinds. our local shelters list items they need on their local websites. used blankets, food, laundry detergent and other items are always in high demand. check your local animal shelter websites and find ways you can donate items they need. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnVW9U0igz3DDBxx9NdFhtnIMYaGrmerCg1ore41kyYuU3fq4XlqPiv7jc0yeiHLlfuveLZYO5hQsCraN4sfKcqe8pHE5mCEoVm3J1jnCb6pQibKV2hWZQx62C5VEzkepaa6bPYwzthdk/s640/blogger-image-775781778.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnVW9U0igz3DDBxx9NdFhtnIMYaGrmerCg1ore41kyYuU3fq4XlqPiv7jc0yeiHLlfuveLZYO5hQsCraN4sfKcqe8pHE5mCEoVm3J1jnCb6pQibKV2hWZQx62C5VEzkepaa6bPYwzthdk/s640/blogger-image-775781778.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">most importantly, if you are looking for a new pet, search your local animal shelters and give love to a pet in need. we have received so much joy from our animals in our homes and we truly can't imagine life without them. adopting a pet from a shelter not only gives you the love of an amazing animal but it also rescue's a pet from impossibly sad circumstances. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">connect with rachael ray and nutrish pet food at:</span><br />
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<span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: #bd081c; background-image: url(data:image/svg+xml; background-position: 3px 50%; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; background-size: 14px; border-bottom-left-radius: 2px; border-bottom-right-radius: 2px; border-top-left-radius: 2px; border-top-right-radius: 2px; border: none; color: white; cursor: pointer; display: none; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: bold; left: 113px; line-height: 20px; opacity: 1; padding: 0px 4px 0px 0px; position: absolute; text-align: center; text-indent: 20px; top: 4517px; width: auto; z-index: 8675309;">Save</span><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: #bd081c; background-image: url(data:image/svg+xml; background-position: 3px 50%; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; background-size: 14px; border-bottom-left-radius: 2px; border-bottom-right-radius: 2px; border-top-left-radius: 2px; border-top-right-radius: 2px; border: none; color: white; cursor: pointer; display: none; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: bold; left: 113px; line-height: 20px; opacity: 1; padding: 0px 4px 0px 0px; position: absolute; text-align: center; text-indent: 20px; top: 4517px; width: auto; z-index: 8675309;">Save</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13593721085029268603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2644747660223494389.post-21953613603593580452016-11-28T06:00:00.000-08:002016-11-28T06:24:11.703-08:00the best reusable shopping bags. ever.<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">i have tried to make the effort to use <a href="http://amzn.to/2fpqsUr" target="_blank">reusable shopping bags</a> when on my weekly target or grocery store runs......but i wasn't always successful. i usually ended up forgetting them in the car or leaving them at home.....even if i remembered them i never had bags that worked well (too flimsy, etc.) </span><br>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">recently in california bringing your own bags has become mandatory, which i love. i now need to remember my bags and since i recently <a href="http://amzn.to/2fpqsUr" target="_blank">found the most amazing bags *ever*</a> i actually look forward to bringing them. no joke, i get comments every time i use these bags from people asking me where to get them for themselves. these bags fold up easily, are a cinch to fill up at checkout and load into the car. obsessed is an understatement. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNBAbtUKZtWhcPFrkZbxRZzW2nU6G9NN-GuEHK5JMtKWh2M6e5ymIZj6LdV10f_YHzkSsvSanhoN4b_GcaR6UHh1drU1l8YYkhEud3iZkZE6pnA3GGw6oLu5Yrpx3LjLgwJ0MOShztBl4c/s1600/81fqJ6nkqQL._SL1500_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="388" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNBAbtUKZtWhcPFrkZbxRZzW2nU6G9NN-GuEHK5JMtKWh2M6e5ymIZj6LdV10f_YHzkSsvSanhoN4b_GcaR6UHh1drU1l8YYkhEud3iZkZE6pnA3GGw6oLu5Yrpx3LjLgwJ0MOShztBl4c/s400/81fqJ6nkqQL._SL1500_.jpg" width="400"></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">i am head-over-heals <a href="http://amzn.to/2fpqsUr" target="_blank">in love with these bags</a>. give them a try.....pretty sure you will end up in a committed reusable bag relationship, too. </span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2644747660223494389.post-87389689792982802302016-11-24T06:36:00.005-08:002016-11-24T06:37:17.834-08:00always thankful<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGaR5H5WwMCH412zFt1mmvU7Zb-6Pi3XMQTni6BLRtuh15OpdvIxjlIM2THEP5ENLCuYXN3_Tfiw4JoBSKyfGuarlA7sInQuPlOY6Y-iWTFPuaR0TGRYtJKKjioVBVVvsG0Me71co6bHI/s640/blogger-image-447842230.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGaR5H5WwMCH412zFt1mmvU7Zb-6Pi3XMQTni6BLRtuh15OpdvIxjlIM2THEP5ENLCuYXN3_Tfiw4JoBSKyfGuarlA7sInQuPlOY6Y-iWTFPuaR0TGRYtJKKjioVBVVvsG0Me71co6bHI/s640/blogger-image-447842230.jpg" /></a><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">this post is sponsored by the lovely people at nutrish. the thoughts and opinions are our own.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">today is a day we sit back and actually take stock of our lives. we gather together and, even if just for a few moments, we list all those things we are thankful for. this year has been a difficult one for heather and i but as we focus on having an attitude of gratitude, it becomes more and more easy to remember just how good our lives are. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">so, today, before the turkey and stuffing, before the football and parades, we wanted to take a moment to share the things we are thankful for.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif1CJKcceC5gkOvNG_kLfRwUeL35jqjXC92LnMQF3K6wy6fTvyoDrECRC2ScWqHLjNBhezVCwScPuF-rmtymIPYfnK_i-zxDybPGx2nXcsdJie1PMbeS3hAn1XlP9HDKDYBTiVLWkyClw/s640/blogger-image--1025478536.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif1CJKcceC5gkOvNG_kLfRwUeL35jqjXC92LnMQF3K6wy6fTvyoDrECRC2ScWqHLjNBhezVCwScPuF-rmtymIPYfnK_i-zxDybPGx2nXcsdJie1PMbeS3hAn1XlP9HDKDYBTiVLWkyClw/s640/blogger-image--1025478536.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">we are thankful for family</span></h4>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">this one is at the top of both of our lists. how can we even imagine life without all of our wild and crazy kids surrounding us? we cannot. i'm blessed with an amazing husband, five pretty hilarious kids and a life that is never boring. it's pretty fantastic.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYEere6YkF4nclxlIMupmJiJ2210S8T__Sgvhkm-cpKJD8XyfiYCxWio8xfX6Acn3pJJSyLPbCvzI7RbJ4PJOYGN1K450bSqunxfHVbGbh1x7D3JKuNxGFEH_dA7Sn7UvOqUikNfIQPKE/s640/blogger-image-1988643462.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYEere6YkF4nclxlIMupmJiJ2210S8T__Sgvhkm-cpKJD8XyfiYCxWio8xfX6Acn3pJJSyLPbCvzI7RbJ4PJOYGN1K450bSqunxfHVbGbh1x7D3JKuNxGFEH_dA7Sn7UvOqUikNfIQPKE/s640/blogger-image-1988643462.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">we are thankful for friends</span></h4>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">one summer school class long ago, heather and i met and laughed over a lecture on teaching art to children. our lives have never been the same. here we are 20+ years later and the laughs continue. i can't imagine my life without her and there are countless other friendship stories that each of us have. our friends have often become family to us and we are so very grateful. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhooQaw4TiVVFr_nEyGC8Vtly3QmEhiBydrUZ9miuDPGJkXTLTYkGZyn-V_9EQ9EvwgSIywHVZ6r0luSXmTJwwXxFYhO4uyPrwQ6TET_ZnpjyAqsTlANCK1NEcRu4gH4DcaPtYOcoCoLQU/s640/blogger-image-428228399.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhooQaw4TiVVFr_nEyGC8Vtly3QmEhiBydrUZ9miuDPGJkXTLTYkGZyn-V_9EQ9EvwgSIywHVZ6r0luSXmTJwwXxFYhO4uyPrwQ6TET_ZnpjyAqsTlANCK1NEcRu4gH4DcaPtYOcoCoLQU/s640/blogger-image-428228399.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">we are thankful for pets</span></h4>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">i once swore that i would never have pets while i had small children. i couldn't imagine having another creature to take care of. i'm so glad i gave in and got our sweet kitties. i know heather feels the same with her adorable lola. just when days are getting difficult, one of the cats will do something to make me laugh or will come up to cuddle. they are sometimes just what i need to brighten my day and i can't imagine the hole that would be in my life and the life of my kids without them. they are little furry balls of joy.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">we are thankful for health</span></h4>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">both us of have had some weird health things come up this year. still, as we look back on our lives and the lives of our families, we are so very blessed. so many people walk through incredible illnesses and our hearts go out to them. we don't take our health for granted and we are so very thankful for each and every day we spend without the worries of illnesses in our families.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">we are thankful for provision</span></h4>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">heather and i have both traveled the world and have seen great poverty around the world. make no mistake, we are privileged people. each month we have money to pay for our homes and our food. our children have great education. we have clothes on our back and transportation to get us where we need to go. we are not wanting for our basic needs and we are aware that so many in the world don't have these luxuries. today and everyday we strive to be more grateful for the fact that our needs are met.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6ES8GsB47FZ4QrEo2o34_A2EFzfRrdm77ur4_ejGgPS7SW8w2ElTOVvSUTHmPYjXlt8TDJvqlpUU2Xak4S-10JqrMQkPW5N2I4c_MwRjYYkscpyhqlYGcMoRtAgZ4fI4Yt3ncIahLDug/s640/blogger-image--500005834.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6ES8GsB47FZ4QrEo2o34_A2EFzfRrdm77ur4_ejGgPS7SW8w2ElTOVvSUTHmPYjXlt8TDJvqlpUU2Xak4S-10JqrMQkPW5N2I4c_MwRjYYkscpyhqlYGcMoRtAgZ4fI4Yt3ncIahLDug/s640/blogger-image--500005834.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">we are thankful for work</span></h4>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">this blog has been a blessing for the last five years. we have laughed through it, learned through it and maintained a friendship and called it a business. through the ups and downs, it has brought us closer together and has brought us joy. we also get to work with amazing friends and companies. not only do companies partner with us, but we are able to build relationships with the people we meet along the way as well. we are so grateful for what blogging has brought us and the friendships we have made and maintained along the way. the lovely people at nutrish have been in a partnership with us for the last three years. we have laughed with them, traveled with them and they represent so much more than a company to us. they are friends we get to work with. what a joy that is. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">we are thankful for you</span></h4>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">when we started blogging five years ago, we thought we would write some things down and our mothers would occasionally read what we wrote. boy were we surprised to find out that there were people who found us interesting. we have giggled as we've watched people reading our blog from various parts of the world (we are pretty sure they just googled "boob") and we have been amazed to see that people have appreciated our hearts and our stories. thanks for sticking with us and for laughing with us. thanks for crying with us when we walk through heartbreak and for cheering for us when we need encouragement. we are thankful for you.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">we are thankful for another day to enjoy it all</span></h4>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">today we get to wake up and spend the day with those we love. we get to enjoy good food and laughter. we get to live another day knowing how blessed we are. that alone is good news. we aren't going to take today for granted. today and everyday we are beyond fortunate, beyond blessed and exponentially grateful. our job now is to take that gratitude and remember to cultivate it the next day, and the day after that, and the day after that. when we do that, we will get to remember each and every day just how much there is to be thankful for. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">we love working with rachael ray's pet food company, nutrish. if you haven't tried her pet food, give it a try. we cannot say enough good things about it. rachael ray's pet food is made from simple, natural ingredients that your pet needs for a complete and balanced diet. all nutrish pet food is available where you purchase your family's groceries which makes shopping easier. we love the health benefits it gives our pets, the convenience of the shopping and the way that rachael ray gives back. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">one of our favorite things about nutrish is that a portion of nutrish proceeds go to rachael's rescue, which was created to help animals in need. to date, over $14 million has been donated. this money has gone toward food, medical supplies and treatment for these unfortunate animals. we love that in some small way, when we care for our pets through nutrish pet food, other animals are being cared for as well. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">please follow nutrish at: </span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">facebook: </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/NutrishforCats">https://www.facebook.com/NutrishforCats</a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">instagram: </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/nutrish/">https://www.instagram.com/nutrish/</a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">twitter: </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://twitter.com/nutrish">https://twitter.com/nutrish</a></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13593721085029268603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2644747660223494389.post-78623506789783155352016-10-22T11:08:00.000-07:002016-10-24T11:08:58.573-07:00fall allergy survival guide<div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvsBBrhdY1BTIBHWw1g6OeY0gmngCqPuoEPyw7oZwg18aa8UOtUcA56-goFiqqEO2WradCvmNka2PVTqxSncwzImj6ZTY4aeEeU1KgAkFwTnEkrd_Cuts5S5cUTs0OiHUrUbbWQMPR9Io/s640/blogger-image-1863814189.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvsBBrhdY1BTIBHWw1g6OeY0gmngCqPuoEPyw7oZwg18aa8UOtUcA56-goFiqqEO2WradCvmNka2PVTqxSncwzImj6ZTY4aeEeU1KgAkFwTnEkrd_Cuts5S5cUTs0OiHUrUbbWQMPR9Io/s640/blogger-image-1863814189.jpg" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">this post is sponsored by the lovely people of cvs minute clinic. as always, all thoughts and opinions are our own.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">it's that time of the year. each fall, right as school is getting into full swing, it starts up again. my kids come home with itchy, watery eyes. they start to sneeze and cough. their asthma kicks in and they start wheezing and coughing some more. it seems like a never ending cycle and we face it every year at this time. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">my kids have seasonal allergies. five out of five kids come home in the fall with snotty noses and wheezy coughs. ragweed and dust does us in each and every fall and it seems to take an army of medication and precautions to get them back on the healthy road again. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">this year we are determined to be proactive and try to keep our kids in school and out of the doctor's office. in years past, their allergies have led to ear infections, sinus infections, bronchitis and other horrible sicknesses that can follow sinus congestion. we are trying to avoid all of those this year so are taking actions to prevent the congestion in the first place. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">first, it is important for us to know the difference between a cold or the flu and allergies. allergies are a body's hyper-sensitivity to substances in the environment. allergies are long lasting. while a cold usually will clear up after 7-10 days, allergies can last for months (as seen by my five kiddos). if you have a fever, it's not allergies, it's a cold or the flu. aches and pains...that's also a sign of the flu. if you have consistent itchy eyes, nasal congestion, sneezing and have symptoms that occur as soon as you come in contact with an allergen, it is probably allergies. the best way to treat allergies is to avoid them in the first place. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">here are five things that we do as a family to keep allergies and their symptoms at a minimum.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">create a health plan with a nurse practitioner</span></h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpUQS6GMzs9h3_YRwTTe_6DAu3fGBIJda459GJERmmfRm4qhBQfbk4gF8phZzvnK16PiRhHi1G2_EOk-Fu2Syip3nJjqE4zqdkcKEy_yEsTlAKLKmeTq_QyfpksruMSXO61-njZPTfeLY/s640/blogger-image-809884931.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpUQS6GMzs9h3_YRwTTe_6DAu3fGBIJda459GJERmmfRm4qhBQfbk4gF8phZzvnK16PiRhHi1G2_EOk-Fu2Syip3nJjqE4zqdkcKEy_yEsTlAKLKmeTq_QyfpksruMSXO61-njZPTfeLY/s640/blogger-image-809884931.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">every fall, we stop in to our cvs minute clinic to meet with a nurse practitioner to develop a family allergy action plan. we get all the medications we need filled for our kiddos and we get any and every new tip we can get for allergy prevention. we are fortunate enough to have two minute clinics in the same parking lot, literally two miles from my house. one is inside target and the other inside a cvs store. both are fantastic and i can even make online reservations for an appointment and can show up ten minutes before my appointment time completely checked in. it's fantastic and so convenient. i don't like to pull my kids out of school so i can even do all of their appointments on a saturday morning. we are in and out in no time and they don't have to miss any school assignments. on top of getting their prescription allergy medicine filled, we also get some great tips on allergy prevention. the nurse practitioners have given us all of the following tips to keep our kids healthy in the fall. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXY1_1jbGyQXbbNpoftj7iBkUMwM0V7NJFkSZm1wTiQQMi1Gut0LTrlsImVBSyM6njKsqv2spYeDU58opYBQjz4LtgNK9qDo0UbWoiE9ETWzaDszin1w6YhU4dJIzl9ADn5b4RSvN0rL8/s640/blogger-image--2051626140.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXY1_1jbGyQXbbNpoftj7iBkUMwM0V7NJFkSZm1wTiQQMi1Gut0LTrlsImVBSyM6njKsqv2spYeDU58opYBQjz4LtgNK9qDo0UbWoiE9ETWzaDszin1w6YhU4dJIzl9ADn5b4RSvN0rL8/s640/blogger-image--2051626140.jpg" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">clean, clean, clean</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">this is, arguably, my least favorite thing about fall allergy season. i have to be very diligent about keeping my house clean. as lovely fall breezes kick up, so do allergens. as kids run in and out of my house in the lovely, cooler weather, they bring in all sorts of allergens that can affect them for months. as my kids are allergic to dust, dusting and vacuuming is increasingly important over the fall months. these responsibilities are passed on to my children and they have to take part in the allergy prevention. we also are pretty diligent about vacuuming and mopping our hardwood floors as well. dirty or dusty floors can reek havoc on allergy symptoms so the best way to combat it is to keep things as clean as possible.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">wash their clothes</span></h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIWxsQoiEacB3O3kBAxISNXBnxjybQJ6CcbtyPIB14i0dwJpbRxkBtVJEHq_sELPfAGLayNT02nq1VNVTHZk5WBL2UCW26YonZol7Q9sEh_dRJBtyhxmCAD1nC5m-3W6RfZgIbyPNHY00/s640/blogger-image-1632272036.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIWxsQoiEacB3O3kBAxISNXBnxjybQJ6CcbtyPIB14i0dwJpbRxkBtVJEHq_sELPfAGLayNT02nq1VNVTHZk5WBL2UCW26YonZol7Q9sEh_dRJBtyhxmCAD1nC5m-3W6RfZgIbyPNHY00/s640/blogger-image-1632272036.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">i don't like doing more laundry than i have to and i am definitely not apposed to wearing jeans more than one day, especially for my kiddos. i do, however, have to make sure that in the fall, they don't wear sweatshirts and t-shirts repeatedly. those articles of clothing are right next to their little faces and, while they are enjoying the beautiful weather outdoors, they are also collecting allergens. the only way to get rid of those allergens is to wash their sweatshirts and t-shirts. i have to wash them more than i would like but it does make a huge difference in how my kids feel.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">wash bedding frequently</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">this is another thing i would like to avoid but i have to force myself to do it often, especially in allergy season. bedding is a breeding ground for dust mites and dust just loves to fill up every nook and cranny. add to that the ragweed that comes into our house during the fall and it can be a disaster for my kids as they breath during the night time. i have to be extra diligent to wash bedding at least on a weekly basis.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">keep windows closed</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">this one kills me. i feel like i wait all summer long for fresh air but i have to remember that open windows means all of the outside is free to come inside. this is really bad news for my allergic kiddos. i have to keep the windows closed and run the AC or the heater if i want the air circulating.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMukgMyNjyVgqlG0bhWU3LlQPGbMvkpmN-2IAljhpB90gRMr3LuhUC3kHSyvnQxQHmEGPxHPV3QSwJ-mvcJTltNruIJnk9AD6Zf8DNsFxY4jQamAHLYSr1gmVZxBeVURgEUUvCumPRRhk/s640/blogger-image-761390536.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMukgMyNjyVgqlG0bhWU3LlQPGbMvkpmN-2IAljhpB90gRMr3LuhUC3kHSyvnQxQHmEGPxHPV3QSwJ-mvcJTltNruIJnk9AD6Zf8DNsFxY4jQamAHLYSr1gmVZxBeVURgEUUvCumPRRhk/s640/blogger-image-761390536.jpg" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">change air filters</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">this really needs to be done every season but it is especially true for us in the fall. we have to have our air filters clean so the air that is circulating is as clean as possible. some people also invest in hepa filters. we used to have one when our kids were toddlers and they worked wonders but as our kids have grown and their allergies and asthma have been better controlled, we have been able to cut back on the hepa filter use. with or without a hepa filter, keep air filters in the house clean during this season.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">wash hands and face each time you come in from outdoors</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">this one is hard for my little boys to remember but they are getting used to it. each day after outdoor play, they have to come in and wash their hands and their faces. this simple activity removes a big portion of the ragweed from their bodies before they keep playing in the house. it has made a huge difference in how they feel throughout the day. they also have to shower and wash their hair every night. my kids play outside all afternoon. if they come in covered in ragweed pollen and do not shower, they will be breathing that pollen all night long. when that happens, the pollen also spreads to their bedding and they can keep coming in contact with it again and again. showering and washing out the pollen is very important each and every night. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">stay diligent with medications</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">my kids take their allergy medicines every single day. even when their allergies seem under control, we still have them take their medicines. we use it as prevention and we can tell from one day to the next if they have forgotten a day of medicine. this goes for their over the counter allergy medicine, their nasal sprays, their inhalers and their prescription allergy medicines. they have it all and they are religious about using it every day. when we miss, we tend to get really bad, really fast. that's just something we are not willing to deal with this year so we are taking care of our kids daily to make sure we don't get to that point. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWekyb4z-huB7eQ95KutCqtTwd89GYTlGkGVfDBiDEkcYXMLDHK0OVPJmqQYgr01lOsDKDNJS9KZvGhlmRQUU9dwKQvhQcBcM70EnK7ee4rBHWYkExQGeT5Jnze0Li59GGqiILLCo-F64/s640/blogger-image--258514083.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWekyb4z-huB7eQ95KutCqtTwd89GYTlGkGVfDBiDEkcYXMLDHK0OVPJmqQYgr01lOsDKDNJS9KZvGhlmRQUU9dwKQvhQcBcM70EnK7ee4rBHWYkExQGeT5Jnze0Li59GGqiILLCo-F64/s640/blogger-image--258514083.jpg" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">that's it. it may seem daunting but each day i stay diligent is a day my kids can function allergy and sickness free. that is a huge win in my book. how about you? how do you combat allergy season for your kiddos? we can't wait to hear.</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13593721085029268603noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2644747660223494389.post-24567165971923306902016-09-23T10:00:00.000-07:002016-09-27T20:20:13.027-07:00kitten must-haves<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtZimEU0XoRzt-fLaxoMavGeYcm7lMhY61A2Y5qFu8yR7q0c_3mOj2lR-gjKUtno7hSz-eWjolmEhKCieSJnwxG2RhDZOJd8-DSYxO3NSQtIxoUr-jGmqLKxZQ2L6gQ7DaAIVjZ3QsYNlH/s1600/image1+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtZimEU0XoRzt-fLaxoMavGeYcm7lMhY61A2Y5qFu8yR7q0c_3mOj2lR-gjKUtno7hSz-eWjolmEhKCieSJnwxG2RhDZOJd8-DSYxO3NSQtIxoUr-jGmqLKxZQ2L6gQ7DaAIVjZ3QsYNlH/s400/image1+%25281%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small; line-height: 14.4px;">this post is sponsored by rachael ray's nutrish. the thoughts and opinions are my own.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">bringing home a new kitten to the family is such an exciting thing. be sure to be prepared by having all that you need on hand to make for a smooth transition. we recently <a href="http://www.thethirdboob.com/2016/07/its-girl.html" target="_blank">rescued our kitten, lola from a shelter</a> and have created this list of absolute must-haves for the new fur baby in your life.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilRIEG0Hklr9hg4TUg3MStXNdsCiY_R2-e0f99B6XEJD9t62ICu70hGvWnfeVRcQI3PW4y26Tc9UTsV45o03de7-VtaiJToojLsbyA78HznHO53gsE3Evw3MepbshzqP9NiF0fEw4wVSQv/s1600/image2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilRIEG0Hklr9hg4TUg3MStXNdsCiY_R2-e0f99B6XEJD9t62ICu70hGvWnfeVRcQI3PW4y26Tc9UTsV45o03de7-VtaiJToojLsbyA78HznHO53gsE3Evw3MepbshzqP9NiF0fEw4wVSQv/s400/image2.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>1. food</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">when it comes to food, i only want to give lola the best. i pick <a href="http://nutrish.com/cat" target="_blank">nutrish zero grain</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">cats' natural diets are very low in grains, as cats are natural carnivores. also, some cats may have grain allergies, which can cause skin irritations or other problems. these cats can benefit from a grain free diet, which removes the grain allergens.<br /><br />real chicken or fish is always the number one ingredient in every bag of rachael ray™ <a href="http://nutrish.com/cat" target="_blank">nutrish® for cats</a>. there's no ground corn, wheat or soy. and there's never any poultry by-product meals, artificial flavors or artificial preservatives. just real meat or fish and wholesome veggies plus the vitamins, minerals and taurine your cat needs to be healthy and happy.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">also? as soon as i bought a bag of zero grain she legit tried to break into it and start eating. she absolutely loves it,. truly. it makes me feel good to be giving her the best, too.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm8FsFaDl98jHC7h5Vx53MC2kltSmzpTES99aeK9q8fUm7_0AMP2zeadxfEY_y9uSx6LBzwvPEF5x4dsy49Su8e8-ThwZfEwaPBVTD3ykfb0YCXR1pOSXgQ31xDK_H7oMPRhmTqoApcIdD/s1600/image5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm8FsFaDl98jHC7h5Vx53MC2kltSmzpTES99aeK9q8fUm7_0AMP2zeadxfEY_y9uSx6LBzwvPEF5x4dsy49Su8e8-ThwZfEwaPBVTD3ykfb0YCXR1pOSXgQ31xDK_H7oMPRhmTqoApcIdD/s400/image5.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>2. food/water bowls</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">these are a given on any list of kitten must-haves, but how cute are these two sets?! gotta have it.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkdULDmWAOsIlsXunC9WYgdZPMLEihYUdn8yKIBBvJGDhyphenhyphendGQJOhSQx2VT1unH7FJs9p1VcFGtI3nj7ZuMGnpqyQNdX2YHBRfQjI0CQAY2-D3B-sCkGJXhToXDeN_OYTaTsS-FRJvKSZSW/s1600/61fqbRVlUqL._SL1500_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="322" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkdULDmWAOsIlsXunC9WYgdZPMLEihYUdn8yKIBBvJGDhyphenhyphendGQJOhSQx2VT1unH7FJs9p1VcFGtI3nj7ZuMGnpqyQNdX2YHBRfQjI0CQAY2-D3B-sCkGJXhToXDeN_OYTaTsS-FRJvKSZSW/s400/61fqbRVlUqL._SL1500_.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span class="a-size-large" id="productTitle" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.3 !important; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><a href="http://amzn.to/2dvbVST" target="_blank">vivipet cat dining table</a></span></span></h1>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje16Lp9GHkcZumNbyGAdAhCKXroNrq9CXaW5ibtbJxQtaKhpsiaDF9-VrXjcW_GMPhzz6F6pYs_JxtiFtywpAwxe3OSA0-Qif9G_91fEJed28M1stIjV-fACWTH2JnK3QI_jozChT6Res8/s1600/51-l0wR5cxL._SL1059_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje16Lp9GHkcZumNbyGAdAhCKXroNrq9CXaW5ibtbJxQtaKhpsiaDF9-VrXjcW_GMPhzz6F6pYs_JxtiFtywpAwxe3OSA0-Qif9G_91fEJed28M1stIjV-fACWTH2JnK3QI_jozChT6Res8/s400/51-l0wR5cxL._SL1059_.jpg" width="396" /></span></a></div>
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<span class="a-size-large" id="productTitle" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.3 !important; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><a href="http://amzn.to/2dnICRS" target="_blank">cat bowls with slurp and meow set</a></span></span></h1>
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>3. litter box</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">litter boxes are a for sure must. who wouldn't like this self cleaning one? if you are like me and don't have a big house with extra room for a litter box to hide, try this super cute piece of furniture that disguises the litter box perfectly! it's truly wonderful.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheA0phznTufS1Gmbop4Qw_SR_mxg4zzSiWZfwtt9oFr9chJcuR1MFp4-jT_3IOLtiR0lzwjEl8lr42pPks7B5UClBYIRUGSe6bcgpBByWCUTeTQlLxp0RGSEAZ0NlAEaNLiiz_5-zA15MW/s1600/71O252KahnL._SL1227_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheA0phznTufS1Gmbop4Qw_SR_mxg4zzSiWZfwtt9oFr9chJcuR1MFp4-jT_3IOLtiR0lzwjEl8lr42pPks7B5UClBYIRUGSe6bcgpBByWCUTeTQlLxp0RGSEAZ0NlAEaNLiiz_5-zA15MW/s400/71O252KahnL._SL1227_.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span class="a-size-large" id="productTitle" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.3 !important; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><a href="http://amzn.to/2dnI7XT" target="_blank">scoopfree ultra self-cleaning litter box</a></span></span></h1>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIXm6L9VjH2GSqgaCL6DgudSEcJBgdCHVTryIuurb60_Wexu1gWREkMYWwQsMqCiXTA46eXuHx5KZKbAbkV1E7WsKVxrsPxap0rZ4t4U06zwmJSRaMsX4iHwjeU1efSCVO4uTB8Neg0bex/s1600/7102sBk6uxL._SL1500_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIXm6L9VjH2GSqgaCL6DgudSEcJBgdCHVTryIuurb60_Wexu1gWREkMYWwQsMqCiXTA46eXuHx5KZKbAbkV1E7WsKVxrsPxap0rZ4t4U06zwmJSRaMsX4iHwjeU1efSCVO4uTB8Neg0bex/s400/7102sBk6uxL._SL1500_.jpg" width="367" /></span></a></div>
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<span class="a-size-large" id="productTitle" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.3 !important; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><a href="http://amzn.to/2dnxGb7" target="_blank">merry products pet house and litter box</a></span></span></h1>
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>4. litter</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">who knew litter had so many options?! genelle and i found out about this awesome litter while at <a href="http://www.thethirdboob.com/2016/07/catcon-recap.html" target="_blank">catcon</a> and fell in love. they even have a yummy scented lavender option that helps disguise any cat smells. my favorite part is that it isn't as heavy as other brands and does a far superior job. </span></div>
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<a href="http://amzn.to/2dvcCf6" style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; text-align: left;" target="_blank">world's best cat litter</a></div>
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>5. collar</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">a collar is the perfect personality accessory for your new fur baby. show off your style with these favorites. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLc-6_UpUpGH6afVRNueeMJHaMlWC4Vh-_iT75HZYdS8ItUkrcPwE4wvn5C5kV1-Xq-B7YaUjxqDscZBh6hSc97JAnQXP0JfUZSSEn9C1JUPX5Z6GuRta6FnVPrB86HiD6UrN7Wv1TAznF/s1600/71IJdqOM5KL._SL1000_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLc-6_UpUpGH6afVRNueeMJHaMlWC4Vh-_iT75HZYdS8ItUkrcPwE4wvn5C5kV1-Xq-B7YaUjxqDscZBh6hSc97JAnQXP0JfUZSSEn9C1JUPX5Z6GuRta6FnVPrB86HiD6UrN7Wv1TAznF/s400/71IJdqOM5KL._SL1000_.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #0000ee; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; line-height: 20.8px; text-decoration: underline;">blueberry pet pack of 2, hunting expedition with fish bone and leopard print adjustable breakaway kitten cat collar with bell</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgqxF6A31PsmbKRyTjOqQQKatYvcBX4rOp2n4aZ3h9Rmxm_6prlTTzMKuPcY2GxcC85vaPajuiD7MuJdsepR-xJKBxLiE18EWqwABVESEMIbHdHfJJ_zLBLRIGRXlBHqlRxxs_pFKN6vzs/s1600/71pwCmqusqL._SL1000_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgqxF6A31PsmbKRyTjOqQQKatYvcBX4rOp2n4aZ3h9Rmxm_6prlTTzMKuPcY2GxcC85vaPajuiD7MuJdsepR-xJKBxLiE18EWqwABVESEMIbHdHfJJ_zLBLRIGRXlBHqlRxxs_pFKN6vzs/s400/71pwCmqusqL._SL1000_.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span class="a-size-large" id="productTitle" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.3 !important; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><a href="http://amzn.to/2d593Ot" target="_blank">blueberry pet floral collection dog collar with red cherry, pink rose, green cactus and palm tree patterns</a></span></span></h1>
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>6. bed</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">although a cat bed isn't a necessity, (lola sleeps on the couch) we really love this cute, cozy option. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9xUwDsWJGpy1sRDlkqnPb16ZgpySd6aT0zGedFHDB9MMSRcV0w_DUImdI3oUpHx6J1dfmcS9qesl3Gi2u7za-rW4lgAPF83OuzCtTMNQ1hpi6vUzt5BAy82tZjxL6BfxxJzcijxt6vnJS/s1600/81%252ByCmR5jEL._SL1500_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9xUwDsWJGpy1sRDlkqnPb16ZgpySd6aT0zGedFHDB9MMSRcV0w_DUImdI3oUpHx6J1dfmcS9qesl3Gi2u7za-rW4lgAPF83OuzCtTMNQ1hpi6vUzt5BAy82tZjxL6BfxxJzcijxt6vnJS/s400/81%252ByCmR5jEL._SL1500_.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #0000ee; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; text-decoration: underline;">kittikubbi - cat bed cave hideou</span><br />
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>7. scratch post</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">you need to give your new addition a place to scratch, unless you want your furniture to be destroyed. we love this chic scratcher/lounge.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCW6se9-NcKtOgCCi0dlpjADR1EoaPcp-nRSkvWeRaI2UH_iqYSexStHUJtk2_G5sHcMt5dNYCtABgldKkIRLiKOO6t4WAl1pgY1XestgIX3ejhYDCLDVrb1DZrEyElUQjRYwWD0JjImJZ/s1600/71ZHiG6nRgL._SL1500_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCW6se9-NcKtOgCCi0dlpjADR1EoaPcp-nRSkvWeRaI2UH_iqYSexStHUJtk2_G5sHcMt5dNYCtABgldKkIRLiKOO6t4WAl1pgY1XestgIX3ejhYDCLDVrb1DZrEyElUQjRYwWD0JjImJZ/s400/71ZHiG6nRgL._SL1500_.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span class="a-size-large" id="productTitle" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.3 !important; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><a href="http://amzn.to/2d595Ga" target="_blank">petfusion ultimate cat scratcher lounge</a></span></span></h1>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCW6se9-NcKtOgCCi0dlpjADR1EoaPcp-nRSkvWeRaI2UH_iqYSexStHUJtk2_G5sHcMt5dNYCtABgldKkIRLiKOO6t4WAl1pgY1XestgIX3ejhYDCLDVrb1DZrEyElUQjRYwWD0JjImJZ/s1600/71ZHiG6nRgL._SL1500_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTony8Cnft5oqbJwqqwXrFQm53O79gimlEaOxaEEN9NkLijb_ipCq1QovDvmP8tMD3IAnqFiFGhXwZZhPd9a_zxokYyiVOe8wWgeZB5fu2YQ98DZK5y4HT5qRG716GqIPeIwkf57Kq32Ic/s1600/image3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTony8Cnft5oqbJwqqwXrFQm53O79gimlEaOxaEEN9NkLijb_ipCq1QovDvmP8tMD3IAnqFiFGhXwZZhPd9a_zxokYyiVOe8wWgeZB5fu2YQ98DZK5y4HT5qRG716GqIPeIwkf57Kq32Ic/s400/image3.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<b style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 15.4px; line-height: 24.64px; text-align: start;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">about nutrish:</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://nutrish.rachaelray.com/cat" style="color: #e69138; font-size: 15.4px; line-height: 24.64px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">nutrish</a><span style="color: #666666; font-size: 15.4px; line-height: 24.64px;"> is the fantastic line of super premium pet food created by the brilliant pet advocate, rachael ray. </span><a href="http://nutrish.rachaelray.com/cat" style="color: #e69138; font-size: 15.4px; line-height: 24.64px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">nutrish</a><span style="color: #666666; font-size: 15.4px; line-height: 24.64px;"> is made with simple, wholesome ingredients like real meat o</span><span style="font-size: 15.4px; line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="color: #666666;">r fish, and do not contain poultry by-product meal or fillers.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small; line-height: normal;"><span style="color: #666666;"><b>a portion of nutrish proceeds go to rachael’s rescue®, which was created to help animals in need. to date, over $14MM has been donated. this money has gone toward food, medical supplies and treatments for these unfortunate animals.</b></span></span></span></div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2644747660223494389.post-58615579105790280262016-09-22T18:37:00.001-07:002016-09-22T18:38:41.792-07:00fun finds: decorating for fall<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">i love the fall. it is my favorite season of all and my heart does a little happy dance on this day each year. i am thrilled as i prepare for all the beauty that is this glorious time of the year. i love the crisp weather, the falling leaves, the beautiful colors; everything about this time of year brings me joy. i look forward to decorating for this season each year as well and every year i stockpile more and more things to get my home ready. this year i have searched through etsy to find more amazing finds that may need to be added to my fall decor collection. you may want to add them to yours as well...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivXObcAQ2k-0hLH99_YIKm-mC_fvZcTg6BNZaWTxBFtL3psV9y-xCwTO_yj8usQQy36ETxMTMxufRQXE__yAOYVUEMa5R6P3CmnPLNHASJL8EqdEBEDmFODFl4L0l5vnAw6HNI1NS967I/s1600/Thankful+banner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivXObcAQ2k-0hLH99_YIKm-mC_fvZcTg6BNZaWTxBFtL3psV9y-xCwTO_yj8usQQy36ETxMTMxufRQXE__yAOYVUEMa5R6P3CmnPLNHASJL8EqdEBEDmFODFl4L0l5vnAw6HNI1NS967I/s320/Thankful+banner.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/250072574/thankful-banner-thanksgiving-decoration?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=fall%20decorations&ref=sr_gallery_48" target="_blank">thankful banner</a></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUij0UGi1hZXWHMFoQXH2CWVPag0lt9dB3qJhtg8hfoeLC77OCYZyQ2k8oZW8p7Wedxqd9GLrtto1vRG_DypFQX5fJj1P0eTsWOKWs3zm5wyT7to4BIaVh1AyHWB3FMKLnSJ3Jf_6Fsc0/s1600/FALL+PUMKINS+WOOD.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="203" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUij0UGi1hZXWHMFoQXH2CWVPag0lt9dB3qJhtg8hfoeLC77OCYZyQ2k8oZW8p7Wedxqd9GLrtto1vRG_DypFQX5fJj1P0eTsWOKWs3zm5wyT7to4BIaVh1AyHWB3FMKLnSJ3Jf_6Fsc0/s320/FALL+PUMKINS+WOOD.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/246512914/fall-wood-blocks-fall-decor-autumn?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=fall%20decorations&ref=sr_gallery_13" target="_blank">fall pumpkins</a></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkFrCwJA4ydyTa5jJaGzAggCiC3urFGDC4zBam6Tcaec9SRO5Uz3Vbb5xVIiMMBEhzez2C15naV_ku0jONK_ybdxQJoiE2_aMv3FGuQVBikqPmlYv7AuoJtoUSRPaCiqQG-Rza0wkcK5Q/s1600/FALL+WREATH.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkFrCwJA4ydyTa5jJaGzAggCiC3urFGDC4zBam6Tcaec9SRO5Uz3Vbb5xVIiMMBEhzez2C15naV_ku0jONK_ybdxQJoiE2_aMv3FGuQVBikqPmlYv7AuoJtoUSRPaCiqQG-Rza0wkcK5Q/s320/FALL+WREATH.jpg" width="301" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/238116765/fall-wreath-front-door-wreaths-monogram?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=fall%20decorations&ref=sr_gallery_13" target="_blank">orange hydrangea wreath</a></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #bd081c; background-position: 3px 50%; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; background-size: 14px; border-bottom-left-radius: 2px; border-bottom-right-radius: 2px; border-top-left-radius: 2px; border-top-right-radius: 2px; border: none; color: white; cursor: pointer; display: none; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; left: 193px; line-height: 20px; opacity: 1; padding: 0px 4px 0px 0px; position: absolute; text-align: center; text-indent: 20px; top: 189px; width: auto; z-index: 8675309;">Save</span><span style="background-color: #bd081c; background-position: 3px 50%; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; background-size: 14px; border-bottom-left-radius: 2px; border-bottom-right-radius: 2px; border-top-left-radius: 2px; border-top-right-radius: 2px; border: none; color: white; cursor: pointer; display: none; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; left: 193px; line-height: 20px; opacity: 1; padding: 0px 4px 0px 0px; position: absolute; text-align: center; text-indent: 20px; top: 189px; width: auto; z-index: 8675309;">Save</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13593721085029268603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2644747660223494389.post-75345101090398127572016-09-09T19:07:00.000-07:002016-09-12T19:08:08.783-07:00monthly must haves: lego architect series<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">my littles are lego obsessed. it's pretty much lego building all of the time at our home. i love the way the can follow the directions and build away, but i love even more when they use their own creativity to build amazing creations from their minds imagination. recently i came across the lego architecture series, which has become a new obsession for all of us. the boys love building "like an architect" and we are having so much fun learning together about the buildings, the countries/cities they each represent and other fun facts. if you are looking for a great way to learn and connect with your littles, check out some of these sets that we love and start making memories together. enjoy!</span></div>
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<a href="http://amzn.to/29ymKB6" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">trevi fountain</span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://amzn.to/29zX0Up" target="_blank">the leaning tower of pisa</a></span></span></div>
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<a href="http://amzn.to/2abn6i1" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">big ben</span></a></div>
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<a href="http://amzn.to/29G62BR" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">venice</span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://amzn.to/29FiAs1" target="_blank">lincoln memorial</a></span></div>
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<a href="http://amzn.to/29DHvtT" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">new york city</span></a></div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2644747660223494389.post-55081022485313211892016-09-08T18:50:00.000-07:002016-09-08T18:59:38.901-07:00i am a no mom<div style="font-size: 16px; line-height: normal;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3A67sTuzPogr0XRoZXN0uLeQIFjLrBT0hzsalMUggUbCuD8GLrEswPsfvaVGz-AeXeBSAUvsVPOfUQ5TVPqQamIQiY04qYjdB1rtpolfGlnkXM5CH2CKG6YaNTOLYzdDRsCG3DvmwmPU/s640/blogger-image--406367192.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3A67sTuzPogr0XRoZXN0uLeQIFjLrBT0hzsalMUggUbCuD8GLrEswPsfvaVGz-AeXeBSAUvsVPOfUQ5TVPqQamIQiY04qYjdB1rtpolfGlnkXM5CH2CKG6YaNTOLYzdDRsCG3DvmwmPU/s640/blogger-image--406367192.jpg" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">i am a people pleaser. i want people to like me. i want to make others happy. i want to feel like i have it all together, that i don't have limits, that i can do it all. i want to be a "yes" mom and show the world that i can do it all, be it all, participate in it all...but being that person makes me absolutely miserable.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">there are decisions put before me on a daily basis. this week alone, i was asked to be a room mom, join a new bible study, become a direct sales marketer, apply for a new job that i would be "perfect" for, and go on lunch and dinner dates with several friends. i wanted to say "yes" to everything. i wanted to pile more and more and more on my plate in an attempt to manage the whole world, it's problems and it's social calendars at one sitting. it's flattering to be considered for something. i want to be a part of every single group. i want to be a helper and invest in the lives of others. i want to be everything to all people. the truth is, however, none of those things would be what is best for me and my family. so, in spite of my inner struggle and the feelings of disappointment it brings, i'm learning to be a "no" mom. </span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">maybe i'm getting older and wiser but i have learned how precious and valuable my time is. i've also learned that my life has to function with certain priorities in place. my relationship with my husband and my kids come first then everything else falls into place after that. it's like a great big, glorious chocolate fountain. if one area is full to overflowing, it fuels the next area and then the next, and then everything under that. if any of my important areas are out of order, the most valuable relationships in my life dry up. i don't want that to ever happen.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">so, today, i have said "no." i've said “no” to a certain job, “no” to another group, “no” to being a room mom. i've said "no" to countless non-essential things so that i can keep the essentials in their proper place. i've said "no" to things that fill up my plate just to make it full. i've said "no" to doing things for others when that means i have to sacrifice more and more of myself. somewhere along the line, i have learned that being a "no" mom doesn't mean i love people any less, i just love the ones that are the most important to me well. being a "no"mom doesn't make me any less capable, it just means that i can do the things i do say "yes" to with excellence. being a "no" mom doesn't mean that i'm antisocial, or less than committed, or lacking in aspirations. it means that i've learned how to take care of myself unapologetically. i've learned what makes me happy and what makes me miserable. i've learned that putting limits on busyness brings me balance and that brings me joy. i've learned that being a "no" mom makes me a better mom, a better wife, a better me. that's something i will happily say "yes" to. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #bd081c; background-position: 3px 50%; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; background-size: 14px; border-bottom-left-radius: 2px; border-bottom-right-radius: 2px; border-top-left-radius: 2px; border-top-right-radius: 2px; border: none; color: white; cursor: pointer; display: none; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; line-height: 20px; opacity: 1; padding: 0px 4px 0px 0px; position: absolute; text-align: center; text-indent: 20px; width: auto; z-index: 8675309;">Save</span><span style="background-color: #bd081c; background-position: 3px 50%; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; background-size: 14px; border-bottom-left-radius: 2px; border-bottom-right-radius: 2px; border-top-left-radius: 2px; border-top-right-radius: 2px; border: none; color: white; cursor: pointer; display: none; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; line-height: 20px; opacity: 1; padding: 0px 4px 0px 0px; position: absolute; text-align: center; text-indent: 20px; width: auto; z-index: 8675309;">Save</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13593721085029268603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2644747660223494389.post-64700856804307130522016-09-02T09:00:00.000-07:002016-09-04T10:02:59.585-07:00an unlikely friendship<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih1-B3NmBzjc4TKh4nXqFhcrZ_9kLSM_Cbla8PklRbirrNzTrS24Jiako0QyZl2QfR-eD9B8ZzyowGZ8TDp7ry3O-5139FfeFm8ZqfZR83xDVpMssgoIAeuk4I3w346BwaufrtjCITum-9/s1600/image1+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih1-B3NmBzjc4TKh4nXqFhcrZ_9kLSM_Cbla8PklRbirrNzTrS24Jiako0QyZl2QfR-eD9B8ZzyowGZ8TDp7ry3O-5139FfeFm8ZqfZR83xDVpMssgoIAeuk4I3w346BwaufrtjCITum-9/s400/image1+%25281%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">when i was 3 years old, my family moved into a home my parents built in the suburbs of san diego. the home was on 1/4 acre of avocado trees. there were tons of things to do outside.....unfortunately, i didn't have a lot of close neighborhood friends my age to play with because all of the homes were so spread out. the closest home to my parents was up a small hill from theirs. in this </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">pepto bismol pink home (no joke) lived an elderly woman by the name mrs. foote.</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">i grew up with a personality that would talk to any living thing and wanted to make friends with just about anyone that would talk to me. my favorite people to talk to were adults. even though mrs. foote was mainly confined to bed and was super grouchy, my mission in life became trying to get her to smile. i remember picking avocados from our trees to bring her, picking flowers from her yard to bring to her, drawing pictures and all sorts of things i could think of along those lines. although she would mostly yell "leave me alone" anytime i arrived and the home care nurse let me in, i was persistent.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">one day mrs foote's daughter came to visit. her husband was high up in the military which caused them to travel a ton and not be able to live in san diego. i suppose she was probably in her early 50's at the time, but she listened to me with these bright eyes and made me feel </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">that my views and questions were important and i so clearly remember how </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">she made me feel special and heard. every time her and her husband traveled around the world she would type me a letter to share her journeys and bring me home a doll from the country they had been in. (as you can imagine, i racked up quite the collection of dolls from around the world).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">the other day while cleaning up some paperwork at my desk, i came across a typed note from her that she had sent when i was in college.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">it struck me hard and i was brought to tears. it wasn't because she has long since passed but rather the humbling thought that i mattered to her. all of these thoughts in my head were always about how loved and special she made *me* feel. i never imagined that i had the ability to do the same for her. i am beyond grateful for having had the opportunity to have had an unlikely friend in her to learn from. as i think now, i am struck by the thought that i don't quite know where I would be and how different my life may have been had not been for her influence. i credit my love of travel to her. i wonder if had it not been for her influence would i have been brave enough to go in 6th grade to live with a family in japan? or travel the globe in college? </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">perhaps not.</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">i greatly admire the time she took to get to know me. we exchanged letters back and forth for almost 20 years, until the letters stopped coming and she was gone from this world. i suppose my take away from all of this is to never judge someone and to open your heart up to start a conversation and hear their story. true friends and can come to you in the most unsuspecting of forms, even as a curious 4 1/2 year old. who knows what an influence you can be in their lives and in turn in yours. i am blessed to have an amazing, growing tribe of people that are imprinting on my kiddos daily. i only hope they will be lucky enough to have something as special as i did with my friend, blythie. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">(from left to right: me, blythie, my little sister and my mom)</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2644747660223494389.post-17650374720331928012016-08-31T19:23:00.002-07:002016-08-31T21:08:17.285-07:00three things to stop doing on facebook...immediately<div style="line-height: normal;">
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">oh facebook. i have a love-hate relationship with this master of social media. i love so many things about it. i love the connections i have made with friends throughout my life. i love hearing about the major milestones in people’s lives. i love seeing my friends’ children grow up before my eyes. i love knowing when people are struggling and how i can help. i love the wonderfully social aspect of it all.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">somewhere over the last several years, however, it has also become something i hate. there are things people do on facebook that have, quite honestly, made me want to cancel my account altogether. it gets to be too much some days. i selfishly want the good things about facebook to remain and the rest to simply disappear. to that end, in an attempt to improve what truly can be a beautiful way to connect with others, here are: </span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">3 things you should stop doing on facebook…immediately:</span></span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0px;">1) stop posting political rants. </span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0px;">we get it. you have an opinion. you have your chosen candidate. you love them. you can’t stand the other person. i have my own political candidate that i will be voting for. that information is, frankly, none of anyone’s else's business. if you have something political that you think is vital to share, i get that. if you have something you are incredibly passionate about, i get that too. please stop, however, the constant barrage of political posts that have the sole purpose of bashing one of the candidates and basically stating that anyone who votes for that person is an idiot. that is what i’ve seen more than anything else where political posts are concerned. one candidate or the other is an absolute disgrace and everyone who stands with them is blind, or idiotic, or racist, or criminals, or you name it. i’m willing to bet that very few people’s political opinions were changed because they read someone’s facebook post. a political race by definition means that we are going to disagree with the politics and ideals of a huge amount of the population. can’t we just agree to disagree without calling each other names? am i alone in this? i can’t be the only one who is tired of the onslaught. just stop, people, for the love.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">2) stop posting anything that publicly shames someone else.</span></span></h3>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">this one pushes me over the edge. i’ve seen grown women publicly shaming a child on facebook. i’ve seen neighbors publicly shaming the yards of other neighbors. i’ve seen countless examples of people jumping onto the story of a horrible tragedy and saying horrific and barbaric things about someone’s parenting. how many people told the poor, grieving parents whose child was taken by a crocodile at disney world that they are horrible parents, that they didn’t deserve their children, that they should be sterilized? i sat appalled at some of the comments i read and was absolutely nauseated at what people said to others, all behind the safety and anonymity of their computer screens. these are real people we are speaking to. slander is never a good idea…and it says way more about the person who writes it than it does about the person it is written to. do yourself and everyone else a favor. if you have something to say to someone, do it in person. if you cannot talk to that person face to face, keep your comments to yourself. trust me, this will benefit everyone.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">3) stop getting offended. </span></span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">we have become the nation of the easily offended. we get offended for ourselves. we get offended for others. we walk around looking for ways someone has wronged us. we get upset at people all the time, for every reason under the sun and, whether we post about it or not, we read things posted on facebook and let it affect us. i’m talking to myself on this one too. how often do we read something we don’t agree with and we can feel our blood pressure rising? how often do we read the political posts and get upset? how often do we read through the angry posts of others and get indignant or angry? how often do we let what people write in a post affect our emotions. i know i’m guilty of this. when that happens, close the computer screen and walk away. it’s not worth it. you can respond to the hurtful comment of someone with another hurtful comment of your own. you can combat that political opinion of someone with an equally offensive post of your own. or you can close facebook and walk away. i’m guessing no one will change their minds or their behavior because of what we write on any given post. more than anything, we perpetuate more hate and anger when we answer combatively. how about instead of getting offended and entering into a heated online debate, we make someone a meal, or ask someone to meet us for coffee, or invest in another person in even the </span>simplest<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"> of ways? energy is a limited commodity. let’s invest it into things that are worthwhile and not into being so easily offended.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">that's it. it's not a long list but it covers so many things. wouldn't </span>facebook<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"> be wonderful without it all? i think it would.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">let’s get back to posting things about our lives. post me your struggles and i’ll be happy to walk with you through them. post your victories and your joys, i want to share those with you. post moments in your life that make you laugh or make you cry….i want to join in that with you as well. i love the things on facebook that bring us all closer together. that is what makes it so magical. keep the good things coming, friends. that stuff brings me joy and connects us all together and, frankly, we could all use more of that.</span></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13593721085029268603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2644747660223494389.post-91586894809887238912016-08-17T10:05:00.000-07:002016-08-17T10:05:49.745-07:00i wasn't ready<div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">i've always been one of those moms who rejoiced over the first day of school. i've hosted back to school mom parties at my house. i've had big celebration breakfasts. i've secretly chuckled at those mothers who posted about their first day tears on facebook.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">the first day of school happened for my household this week and, just like that, the house was empty all but one preschooler. this year, for the first year in my life, i wasn't ready. that bus pulled around the corner of our neighborhood and i didn't want to let my kids get on. there were no tears on my part but, for the first time ever, there was some disappointment.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">maybe it was the fact that i took two no-kid trips this summer and missed those moments with my kiddos. maybe it was because of the 15 day road trip we took as a family, crammed into an over-crowded SUV, and surrounded with each other's good company. maybe it was that i wasn't physically prepared (can you say night-before school supplies?). maybe i'd just gotten used to them being around. regardless, the house seems eerily quiet. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">there are no people to chat about their daily plans. no one is sharing what they read in their latest book. no one is helping to bring down the dirty laundry. no one is really needing anything from me. i know, it sounds like the picture of bliss. i know it sounds ridiculous to wish it otherwise but i'm simply not used to the quiet. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">i went from being needed and busy 24 hours a day to having whole chunks of time completely alone. i went from running and managing and scheduling and cleaning and planning every second of every day to having chunks of time when i'm in my house alone. it feels very strange.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">maybe this is what happens when your kids get older. the exhaustion of doing everything for your preschool and early elementary kids turns into the companionship of kids as they grow older. i have a friend whose son is a senior in high school and she is incredibly sad to see him head off to college next year. when asked about it, she said, "i really like who he is now and he's about to leave." i think that's how it is supposed to be.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">now i evaluate this school year and wonder if i'm just growing to enjoy my kids' company. i'm wondering if i'm just liking who they are more and more as they get older...and i'm also having to start evaluating who i am and what it will be like without them. i'm very aware that time moves much too quickly and my years with each one in my home are numbered. i also know that, ultimately, i'm raising them to leave. that's my job as a parent, right? i'm supposed to raise great kids who will be able to stand on their own two feet without me. that's what seems difficult to process.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">even though i know that this is how it is supposed to be, it doesn't seem right somehow. this summer was over too quickly. the school year's beginning that marks another year gone by with my kids came much too fast. they are growing up more rapidly than i can fathom and i'm simply not ready for it all. still, i do know who i am and i know that when they do eventually leave and stand on their own feet, that new phase will be great too. so, today, i'm learning to enjoy the quiet, to love on a preschooler, to greet them all when they get home and to remember how quickly it all goes. this is how it is supposed to be, each year a little bit of letting go. i may not be ready, but they are...and that's what matters.</span><br />
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