3 Loves and a Hate

I read about a very cool site called Print Friendly. I added a link to it on my bookmarks bar, and when I am on a page, I just click it and it pulls up its print preview page. (You can also just go to the site and copy and paste the link from the site that you want to print something from.) From there, you can delete any of the content, pictures, etc. to make it how you want it. I just printed a recipe that had a bunch of pictures in the directions. I only wanted the first picture of the made recipe, and deleted the rest easy peasy, without having to save it to Word and work from there. Love it!

Pinterest.com Very fun site that is like a big online bulletin board. You can pin any of your favorite recipes, sewing, crafting, scrapbooking or cooking tutorials, quotes, blog posts, home decor ideas, etc. That link takes you to my boards if you want to follow my pins. It is such an easy way to keep track of things, especially if you are like me and you have a million things bookmarked, recipes, inspiration pictures, etc. saved to your computer. Here is one of the quotes I have pinned.

Source: asdfghjkllove.tumblr.com via Natalie on Pinterest

Good one, huh?

I really strongly dislike, OK, hate the big colorful ads that Windows Live has added to my emails. I use 2 different email programs because it is easier for me to read them all if I separate the emails I get that way. (I get blog emails, recipe emails, sewing group emails, etc. Why yes, I do spend too much time online. Why do you ask?) I was considering switching it all to gmail, which is an awesome email program.

Thanks to Jake though, I found out about Google AdBlock for Google Chrome (my favorite browser.) YIPPPPPEEEEEEEEEEEE ad-free browsing and especially ad-free email. LOVE.

What Floats Your Boat?

I'm sure you'll be surprised to hear that I haven't had the mental energy to blog lately. (What? But I've written so much haha.) However, I did have one idea that excited me a little bit. I am going to jump on here sometimes and share some of my favorite things, happy things, or whatever is floating my boat. So, here goes:

1. The internet's plethora of recipes, grain-free, dairy-free, whatever you need, it's out there.

2. A book called Self Compassion: Stop Beating Yourself Up and Leave Insecurities Behind

3. My sister's very fun long visit.

4. My brother and his wife coming, and the funny stories they shared.

5. Nieces and nephews

6. Shrinky Dinks

7. DVRs

8. The Pursuit of Happyness movie. I just watched it last night and was thoroughly engrossed. Did.not.want.it.to.end.

9. Lark Rise to Candleford - I have been getting the dvds at my library and holy cow, I am so in love with this series. It ran 5 seasons on PBS and is a MUST watch. SO, so good. This show proves that quality shows can be produced, acted beautifully, be brilliant and engaging, and not be full of garbage! YAY.

Happy 2011

I can't really say I'm sorry to see the back end of 2010. So much has happened to throw our world upside down, but so much has also happened that brought lots of sunshine through the clouds. Like the birth of this little joy:

And watching this little sparkle grow.

We started last year with my dad planning to start some heavy duty cancer treatments. We are thankful beyond thankful that he got a 2nd opinion and decided to do a lighter treatment that is working beautifully! He got a horrible case of shingles and a worse case of postherpetic neuralgia. Which superbly sucks. He is in constant pain still. Praying hard for that to go away this year. PLEASE!! My mom got cancer too. She flew through treatments with flying colors and is cancer free now. My cousin is in the hospital right now in a coma due to being crushed by a truck in a nasty car accident. We are praying for miracles for him and are seeing some already.

This year, I am hoping for some miracles. A cancer-free family, a pain-free family, a family who has all the babies they want. For my cousin to be able to heal fully. I am hoping for Jake to be able to find some answer for his anxiety and ADHD. For him to not stress so much about school. And for the back and forth to his dad's to not disrupt his life and friendships too much. I am hoping to find answers to my illness. Ah... just to feel well. THAT would be such a huge miracle. To do small things like cleaning up after cooking, (If I cook, I'm toast, and have to clean up later, not because I want to put it off, but because I literally do not have it in me), or simply being able to cook a meal a few days a week instead of a few times a month. How heavenly it would be to have that kind of energy. Or to be able to go grocery shopping, AND put away all the groceries within the same few hours. I get home, sit on the floor and get stuff in the freezer and fridge, and the rest sits out while I rest, sometimes for a couple days. Nice, huh? To be able to go to all 3 hours of church without it taking all I have for the week. (I just go to 1 hour, and I'm so grateful it is later for us this year - which makes it 1,100% easier for me.) To be able to exercise without it making me hurt so much, and taking all I have for a few days. The ones for me are my small and simple wishes, that really aren't so small and simple after all. Don't take those things for granted, K?

I truly am so blessed in so many ways and I'm so grateful for all my nieces and nephews that bring light to my life. For my family that I love so much. And for the health and strength that I do have. I am grateful for my wonderful Savior, who is also my friend.

And I'm grateful for all of you that read my blog. Thanks for reading, and commenting!! HAPPY NEW YEAR!! I hope this year brings your dearest wishes to fruition.

P.s. - did you notice how cool the date was yesterday? 1/1/11 and just think what it was at 11:11. :)