tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-287983252024-03-07T16:11:26.864-08:00...LOOKING FORWARDChrystal Sturmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17090217659725613244noreply@blogger.comBlogger232125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28798325.post-37712942052588527752017-11-01T11:05:00.000-07:002017-11-01T11:06:30.854-07:00Something To Look Forward ToTwo years ago, I discovered the beauty of having something to look forward to.<br />
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The story goes like this: that summer my kids were in a week-long day camp - the first time both had been in a full-day camp at the same time in 9 years. I used the hours from 9am - 4pm to run errands, visit with friends, date my husband, schedule beauty appoints and other awesome things like <i>sleep in</i>! I filled the week with several events that filled me with excited anticipation. I used the hours to recharge, connect with other adult people and and fill up my own joy tank!<br />
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We all know life as a mom can be a bit...well, exhausting. Beautiful and precious and wonderful but exhausting nonetheless. Am I right?! Scheduling these special soul-filling times allowed me to desperately miss my kids more than ever. I was able to enjoy the time I spent with them! Carving out special time for myself - <i>making things all about me</i> - made me feel like a whole person again. Truthfully, I sort of woke up. And I realized that I need more things in my life to look FORWARD to.<br />
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I'm not only talking about time for just myself. I started opening our house to guests more. Seeking opportunities to create memories with my kids individually and as a family. Creating special time for just Kevin and I. Scheduling more family trips. And documenting everything. My theory has always been to document all the good times so that the horrible times are less memorable!<br />
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When I created this blog over 9 years ago I named it <u>No Regrets</u>. The theme was all about how my past was not going to impact my future. No looking back (which is all I did) and deciding once and for all to not dwell on my failures (which is all I did). After my second child was born, I changed the name to <u>My Life Today</u>. My desire was to focus on the blessings of today <i>everyday</i>. To not look back, to not look too far ahead but to remain in the present and be grateful for the here and now.<br />
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So basically, I've titled my blog about the past, present and now the future :) I'd like to see all moms schedule more things in their lives to look forward. With their families and apart from them. In an effort to lessen all of our mental stress, let's look at what we love...and do more of it! Let's take more time to examine what brings us all joy and schedule more of THAT in our lives! There's always going to be the things we have to do that we hate doing - for me it's putting away laundry & unloading the dishwasher. But scheduling 1-2 things/week that <i class="">give</i> me something to look forward to in life...I think it'll make the other stuff less miserable.<br />
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It's true that saying: <b>if mama ain't happy, ain't nobody happy</b>. Maybe you're like me and have had those desperate moments of feeling useless in the big scheme of things. Well, I say it's high time for a pedicure. Or creating a book club. Or volunteering at the nursing home. Or reading a book on the beach during lunchtime. Or a hot bath. These are the everyday sort of things we can look forward to.<br />
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It may also be time to start putting away money for that Hawaiian vacation. Or getting a health club membership. Or going to night school to get that degree you've always wanted. The long-term desires of our hearts.<br />
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To me, having Something To Look Forward To is more than a calendar event. It's more of a mentality. I want to actively schedule events in my life and for my family that create both memories and strengthen our bonds with one another.<br />
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Wether its a trip to Costco or Aruba. Starting planning your Something(s) To Look Forward To today! I'd love to know what you are looking forward to how this outlook has effected you personally. Please, email me at splendidlivingsb@gmail.com and use #stlft2014 for any IG or Twitter posts.Chrystal Sturmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17090217659725613244noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28798325.post-12561062328962190102011-07-18T10:34:00.000-07:002011-07-18T10:34:20.571-07:00Pintrest<div style="text-align:center;margin:0px auto 10px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUA3aJjAy9ZAHBsq1CsmhQvx5G3pIqWtWs4PZM8R8bL0RqYj8MAhSh34XzXD-U40q9fDdxJ_aFGZzTAXQ-Oz2yFG3coUVUWsdgnrFLcixUVHRc5zCvx8mI5jRZFN9rAp5k1PhAzw/s1600/Jones+Soda.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUA3aJjAy9ZAHBsq1CsmhQvx5G3pIqWtWs4PZM8R8bL0RqYj8MAhSh34XzXD-U40q9fDdxJ_aFGZzTAXQ-Oz2yFG3coUVUWsdgnrFLcixUVHRc5zCvx8mI5jRZFN9rAp5k1PhAzw/s400/Jones+Soda.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a> </div>Needed to get this on pintrest....<div style='clear:both; text-align:CENTER'><a href='http://picasa.google.com/blogger/' target='ext'><img src='http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif' alt='Posted by Picasa' style='border: 0px none ; padding: 0px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial;' align='middle' border='0' /></a></div>Chrystal Sturmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17090217659725613244noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28798325.post-68702426857546003862011-03-07T23:18:00.000-08:002011-03-07T23:29:11.341-08:00I Heart Faces: Best Face in Feb.<div style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDttP6iPdeDbRqvtxpi43adUDs91EsCBJN-ILiqJ3QYZJ8JeiZiutctiFPUnasH_D6BmX5dyCUTaevkOETvC5Oeq6posmFhat5nXeebpkeYw6NRBNYIov6JUIB72qf1S018pCKJA/s1600/IMG_5521.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDttP6iPdeDbRqvtxpi43adUDs91EsCBJN-ILiqJ3QYZJ8JeiZiutctiFPUnasH_D6BmX5dyCUTaevkOETvC5Oeq6posmFhat5nXeebpkeYw6NRBNYIov6JUIB72qf1S018pCKJA/s400/IMG_5521.JPG" alt="" border="0" /></a> </div>Presenting, Mianna. On this sunny afternoon we were playing "Show Me {Emotion}". I said, "Show me 'Happy'" and this is the face I got. I know it made this momma pretty happy!<div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><img src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif" alt="Posted by Picasa" style="border: 0px none; padding: 0px; background: none repeat scroll 0% 50% transparent;" align="middle" border="0" /></a></div>Chrystal Sturmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17090217659725613244noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28798325.post-11241630039847696272011-02-28T23:40:00.000-08:002011-02-28T23:40:43.396-08:00I heart Faces<div style="text-align:center;margin:0px auto 10px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbpXeqXd_Zzr2ZgIpX_W9CZQ_MODDN5h9_zm06I36Su-334tk7jo5oEOAS51ZaeMQHpTNJSUqq1MSJuuvo3I2QDLfuQ-glEuz0jRsncqGRBkQZpFY-OWQVq3VnZ0TLBwWIoIq5ZA/s1600/IMG_5560.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbpXeqXd_Zzr2ZgIpX_W9CZQ_MODDN5h9_zm06I36Su-334tk7jo5oEOAS51ZaeMQHpTNJSUqq1MSJuuvo3I2QDLfuQ-glEuz0jRsncqGRBkQZpFY-OWQVq3VnZ0TLBwWIoIq5ZA/s400/IMG_5560.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></a> </div>My entry for this week's Anything But Faces challenge. <div><br /></div><div>I love this picture. I actually took this a few weeks ago during in impromptu 'Show Me' session. I'd say, "Show me 'happy'" and she'd make this adorable happy face. Or sad or excited, etc. etc. Suddenly I saw her dirty finger nails and was horrified! So I made her pose them for me. </div><div><br /></div><div>I just love the dirty nails and the skin tag thingies that turn up around the cuticles (name?). She's 100% girl. But this girl can get DIRTY! My lovely, dirty angel. </div><div><br /></div><div>I love you, Mimi.</div><div style='clear:both; text-align:CENTER'><a href='http://picasa.google.com/blogger/' target='ext'><img src='http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif' alt='Posted by Picasa' style='border: 0px none ; padding: 0px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial;' align='middle' border='0' /></a></div>Chrystal Sturmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17090217659725613244noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28798325.post-69779531809799960312011-01-22T18:57:00.000-08:002011-01-22T19:16:33.028-08:00HCG.1 Day 16Well...it's been a few days since I've posted and to tell the truth: I've had some HIGHS and I've had some LOWS. Literally.<br /><br />I've lost 12 pounds since I've started (but 14 pounds if you count the 2 lbs I gained from the gorge days). I'm pleased with that. 12 pounds in 16 days - <span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">that aint bad</span>.<br /><br />But today I felt depressed.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">* I realized my husband was going out of town for 3 days instead of only 2, like I thought. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">* We took down our Christmas tree {not depressed because of the lack of Christmas but the fact that it's super hard work and frankly, manual labor makes me depressed}. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">* Little Mr. Man decided to literally cry every waking moment today.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">* And it's Saturday and I knew that I did NOT have my beloved noodles from Saigon In & Out to look forward to this evening. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">* I actually gained .6 pounds from yesterday</span><br /><br />All in all, I felt pretty lousy. And feeling lousy made me feel like eating.<br /><br />I actually didn't take my injection today (again). I forget in the morning - or wake up late, like today - and by the time I think I have time to do it it's already 11AM. I'm not sure if I should still take it but it just feels too late. Plus I've been on my period this week and the protocol says to skip injections on your period. I have zero likelihood of being pregnant (thanks to my tubal) so I'm not sure I really have to skip but I ended up skipping twice this week just in case.<br /><br />Let's see...<br /><br />HIGHS<br /><br />* I lost almost 2 lbs on day 13<br />* I didn't cheat at all on day 12 and lost a pound!<br />* My head hunger seems to be decreasing<br />* Realizing that I've been weighing the food WRONG this whole time...to my detriment. Such good news going forward!<br />* Realizing I'm at day 16! Only...10 to go if I decide to do the 26 day version!<br /><br />LOWS<br /><br />* Sneaking bites of Betzhi's amazing chicken, onion, mashed potato casserole yumminess. Even ice cold it was delicious!<br />* This caused me to only loose .4 pounds<br />* I've stayed in the<span style="font-weight: bold;"> same pound</span> (only gaining and loosing oz) for the past 3 days<br /><br />The biggest disappointment of all is knowing that if I'd stop 'tasting' foods I actually drop into a new set of ten's {for example, say I weigh 130....losing 1 pound would put me in the 120's!!}. I'm literally tasting too. No big forkfuls....just a tiny taste. Maybe 1/night for the past 3 nights.<br /><br />I know. I know. Stop cheating!!<br /><br />Tomorrow. I promise.Chrystal Sturmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17090217659725613244noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28798325.post-50009566504156171462011-01-21T19:28:00.000-08:002011-01-22T20:12:50.056-08:00HCG.1 Day 15<div style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBmKiUQdMty93ExQ2TSnXR99j984uhAtGiiFzpg4PL_5RFtNpjSUTeRY1xcvfWAm8A13favnimaoQgivlUzYyXIhLNHyzgyfTvWL8SA-l_2lFd2W72SsoVxogVaFTw7Oz4g1m3og/s1600/IMG_0491.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBmKiUQdMty93ExQ2TSnXR99j984uhAtGiiFzpg4PL_5RFtNpjSUTeRY1xcvfWAm8A13favnimaoQgivlUzYyXIhLNHyzgyfTvWL8SA-l_2lFd2W72SsoVxogVaFTw7Oz4g1m3og/s400/IMG_0491.JPG" alt="" border="0" /></a> </div><div style="text-align: center;">Today I created a veritable HCG Masterpiece! It was divine!<br /><br />3.5 oz baked chicken<br />handful of cherry tomatoes<br />crushed garlic<br />seasoned with salt & pepper<br /><br />Heated in a skillet for a few minutes...with only water<br /><br />ON TOP of the Melba Toast<br /><br />It was freaking <span style="font-style: italic;">gourmet</span>, people!<br /><br /></div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><img src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif" alt="Posted by Picasa" style="border: 0px none; padding: 0px; background: none repeat scroll 0% 50% transparent;" align="middle" border="0" /></a></div>Chrystal Sturmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17090217659725613244noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28798325.post-83025418435547693602011-01-19T22:02:00.000-08:002011-01-19T22:03:59.627-08:00HCG.1 Day....I don't knowI'm having a super weak moment. There is this amazing casserole in the fridge (down stairs fridge so it's not so easily accessible) and my mind keeps wandering to it. Just a bite. Just <span style="font-style: italic;">another</span> bite, I should say. Oh, Lordy. I need to go to bed.<br /><br />More tomorrow...Chrystal Sturmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17090217659725613244noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28798325.post-70678581578280375632011-01-17T19:36:00.000-08:002011-01-22T20:29:19.642-08:00HCG.1 Day 11<div style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFaIl6SecLY0IDD80iwVDMIRBqf9MwXvgFUQV4oNOiCTzASz9WYndczvAzKGPQilQZlGMZjpMtlk-84ETy113Z624A8-wtCs5lM_LCO9QaVYxxc8qRygd-HbiI99TxOrqy8uP8nA/s1600/2011-01-17.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFaIl6SecLY0IDD80iwVDMIRBqf9MwXvgFUQV4oNOiCTzASz9WYndczvAzKGPQilQZlGMZjpMtlk-84ETy113Z624A8-wtCs5lM_LCO9QaVYxxc8qRygd-HbiI99TxOrqy8uP8nA/s400/2011-01-17.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> </div><div style="text-align: center;">TEMPTATION GALORE!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Tonight I had to drive to LAX to pick up my sweet husband from the airport. He'd been in London for a week and I was so ready to see him that I didn't even want him to rent a car - I'LL COME GET YOU, HONEY!<br /><br />Around 4:30PM - when I was JUST leaving to pick him up from a 6:45PM flight! - I realized this might be less fun than I first anticipated.<br /><br />I thought New Baby and I would pop into Target to return Baby Girl's ballet slippers and...hmm...maybe take a look-see at the clearance deals. Well, no. I was rushing around the house trying to clean up until the very moment I left.<br /><br />And 4:30PM on my way to LA. Right? Traffic was bad but I guess it could have been worse. I got there in time since he had to go thru customs and pick up luggage. We were headed home by 7:15PM.<br /><br />And me without my food. Crap.<br /><br />New Baby was getting fussy (after being a perfect angel for the 3 hour initial drive!!) and Hubs was hungry so we stopped at this sandwich place for dinner.<br /><br />I told the guy, "I'm on a crazy diet where I can only eat chicken and lettuce and nothing else. Whatcha got?". He's all, "I can give you a dry side salad, no extras, add chicken." DONE. My sweet jet-lagged husband went ahead and ordered the ooey-gooey cheese dripping fried sourdough number that had me salivating at his every bite but whatever. I am woman.<br /><br />Turns out the packet of chicken they put on the salad was 4 oz so I only had to take off a couple of pieces to feel like I had the 3.5 I'm allowed. That was a good deal b/c it seemed like a lot of chicken!<br /><br />The biggest conundrum was: DRY GREENS. Gross, right? Well, while scanning the place for potential condiments my eyes happened upon the bowl of cut lemons next to the iced tea maker. BA-DING! I can have lemon! I squeezed 5 or 6 lemon wedges on those greens and lo and behold...it was damn tasty!! I ate everyone last bit of my dinner and <span style="font-style: italic;">it. was. good. </span><br /><br />This was my first restaurant test and I think I passed with flying colors.<br /><br />Oh, and they had this bread-side w/the salads. It smelled like I imagine all of Italy does - delicious. One day I'll go back to the sandwich shop and eat that bread. Mark my words.<br /><br />I almost forgot the POINT of this message!<br /><br />We got home around 9:30PM. Tired but happy. And what is the first thing I spy? A slice of Domino's <span style="font-weight: bold;">pizza </span>on the counter. As I gasp to turn my face from the offender my eyes land on a 1/2 eaten bowl of Saigon In&Out <span style="font-weight: bold;">noodles</span> that my sister left out. AGHH! Sput. Er. Eck. I gotta go!<br /><br />After dunking my head in the toilet to pull myself out of the Tasmanian Devil episode my brain was having, I was presented with my I Love You gift from my London-come-lately sweetie pie: a box of Harrod's <span style="font-weight: bold;">shortbread</span> cookies.<br /><br />These cookies make my gray clouds disappear. They right ALL the wrongs in the world. They are the sole meaning of life in a precious little tin box. And I can't even have one. Aggghhh....the pain and torture of it all.<br /><br />Three of my most favorite edibles on earth sitting within my grasp. To deny myself like that was all at once the hardest thing I've had to endure on this diet and a moment I can truly be proud of myself. This is my burden. My cross to bear. I am not a slave to my wanton desires but the daughter of the Most High. Self-control is mine ONLY thru the saving Grace of God Almighty. I want to be there! That's my goal.<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />And the cookies are my goal prize. Truth.<br /></div></div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><img src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif" alt="Posted by Picasa" style="border: 0px none; padding: 0px; background: none repeat scroll 0% 50% transparent;" align="middle" border="0" /></a></div>Chrystal Sturmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17090217659725613244noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28798325.post-87980790767283309112011-01-15T16:31:00.001-08:002011-01-15T16:43:21.178-08:00HCG.1 Day Eight Part 2I ate half of a jalapeno popper. They are small and I took one bite and it was delicious. Was it worth not loosing a pound tomorrow? Sigh, not sure yet.<br /><br />I'll be really bummed if I don't loose any weight tomorrow because of a popper - something I would never have been tempted by <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">pre</span>-starvation. I'm more of a cheese stick girl.<br /><br />The next logical question, I know, is <span style="font-weight: bold;">"If you can not loose weight by a bite of a popper - HOW do you expect to maintain your weight once you're off of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">HCG</span>?"</span>. I hear ya. But the difference is that I would never dream of trying to sustain a diet of 500 calories in real life. My Mom "Queen <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">HCG</span>" says that what I'm doing with this diet is resetting my metabolism. Retraining my hypothalamus gland. After I finish the 40 days on <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">HCG</span>, I'm supposed to maintain a diet of 1500 for another 40 days. South Beach basically. Steering clear of sugars and starches.<br /><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Geez</span>. My 40 day journey just turned into 80!<br /><br />But South Beach isn't so scary. Especially after being on this torture train for 40 days. In fact, I dream about South Beach during the day. Bring on the chicken! Bring on the steak! Bring on the veggies!<br /><br />Now...what's for dinner?Chrystal Sturmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17090217659725613244noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28798325.post-22017553728061625322011-01-15T11:05:00.000-08:002011-01-15T12:06:06.384-08:00HCG.1 Day Eight<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfn9qC0oosRGxV23WNz3qxlEJ2gwaB0QQl0OmdLsnfB26Ns8QqxAEHMsURLT6zWe8h8onLBQogb7EMaHNWPJhsorxsyKsIyQ2ibF9l2TZ4s6rOxepTcBh0q1MJ6V6tr40X01ZcTw/s1600/vodka-gimlet-lg.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 238px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfn9qC0oosRGxV23WNz3qxlEJ2gwaB0QQl0OmdLsnfB26Ns8QqxAEHMsURLT6zWe8h8onLBQogb7EMaHNWPJhsorxsyKsIyQ2ibF9l2TZ4s6rOxepTcBh0q1MJ6V6tr40X01ZcTw/s400/vodka-gimlet-lg.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562505463993683490" border="0" /></a>Guess what, Party People?! I can drink VODKA on this diet. All I have to say is that it's way better going to bed drunk than hungry! ;)<br /><br />Juuuuust kidding. I had one cocktail last night: 1 part vodka, 2 parts club soda, 3 lime slices, 3 frozen strawberries and 1/2 packet of Stevia.<br /><br />Right?!? It was yummy. I might have this for lunch! No food...just drink.<br /><br />Anywho. Yesterday I lost 2 lbs which was really fun. This morning I lost another pound. All in all, I've lost about 10 pounds since last Friday (but keep in mind, I gained 2 pounds after the fat loading days).<br /><br />I was hungry the past two. So hungry that my stomach literally growled out loud one time. The hunger seemed to pass quickly because it wasn't debilitating or anything. In fact, I was surprised to hear the tummy rumble at all. I figured I was either becoming less head hungry or the hormone was kicking in and taking care of the hunger.<br /><br />Well....today I realized that there's a really good possibility that I've been injecting myself with AIR for the past two days. You know, as I think about the facts, I'm positive. So, for the past two days I've basically been starving myself. But truthfully, after having been on the diet for six days already, I know my appetite has shrunk and maybe my body was a little used to consuming so little food because at the end of the day I wasn't withering away from hunger.<br /><br />This may account for the 2 pound loss the other day.<br /><br />I took the injection today so we'll see if I feel any different physically.<br /><br />We bought talapia at Whole Foods yesterday (on sale for $4.99/lb!). It was delicious. Salt, pepper, lemon juice, lemon salt, garlic....yum yum. Side of steamed asparagus. Tasty to my taste buds.<br /><br />The night before I made hamburger patties with diced onion (not really supposed to mix foods like that but I did), fresh thyme, salt and pepper. And on the side we had sliced cucumber soaked in cider vinegar.<br /><br />The food is good. It's the portion sizes I take issue with. I'm done eating in about 1 minute. Two bites of meat. Four bites of veggie. I swallow the Melba toast whole.<br /><br />The point of eating dinner should be an enjoyable experience, right? Do skinny people have a different mind set here? Is the point of a great date not the food? Is it really a celebration without appetizers and dessert? Is there even a movie happening at all if there's no popcorn with extra butter present?<br /><br />These are the thoughts I'm dealing through.<br /><br />I've always been fascinated that Kevin can leave ONE french fry on his plate. What is that? "I'm full" he says. <span style="font-style: italic;">SO AM I</span> but I'm not fool enough to leave one lone french fry?! There are people starving to death is Africa, honey. And so I eat his fry.<br /><br />I could eat a whole pizza in one sitting - no problem. I could. And thinking about it now makes me want to do just that. One of those preservative-filled Totino's frozen pizza!! Covered in ranch. Ok. I'll stop now.<br /><br />So....it's Noon.<br /><br />It's happy hour somewhere, right? CHEERSChrystal Sturmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17090217659725613244noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28798325.post-89106013831193574072011-01-12T17:15:00.000-08:002011-01-13T00:05:02.812-08:00HCG.1 Day Six part 2It's the evenings that get me.<br /><br />I can go all day without eating but I love to eat in the evening. Family dinner or date dinners with Kev. Snacking on the couch after the kids go to bed. Late-late night snack. We stay up pretty late around here. Happy Eating!<br /><br />Over the last couple of days I've listed to two podcasts from <a href="http://www.focusonthefamily.com/">Focus on the Family</a>. The guest was <a href="http://lysaterkeurst.com/">Lysa T</a><span class="UIStory_Message"><a href="http://lysaterkeurst.com/">erKeurst</a>, author of the book <a href="http://lysaterkeurst.com/made-to-crave/">Made to Crave</a>: Satisfying Your Deepest Desire With God, Not Food.<br /><br />She sort of rocked my world, actually. She read the entire Bible from the prospective of a person who struggles with food and found SO many amazing verses and applications. If you're interested, you can find the two-part interview <a href="http://fotf.cdnetworks.net/fotf/mp3/fof_daily_broadcast/ffd_2011/1_jan_feb_march/ffd_20110104.mp3">here</a> and <a href="http://fotf.cdnetworks.net/fotf/mp3/fof_daily_broadcast/ffd_2011/1_jan_feb_march/ffd_20110105.mp3">here</a> or <a href="http://lysaterkeurst.com/media/">here</a>. I wouldn't be able to do her interview justice in this blog but she really spoke to my heart. If you have an unhealthy relationship with food, I encourage you to check it out and I'd love to know your thoughts.<br /><br />* Food should NOT consume me. <span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Consume. Get it? </span><br /><br />* </span>Cravings are from God and completely Biblical...how am I using FOOD to take the place of God?<br /><br />* I was born to crave (to want deeply, desire greatly)...am I craving the One I was born to crave more of??<br /><br />* Matt 6:25<br /></span><span class="woj" style=""></span><blockquote><span class="woj" style="">“Therefore I tell you, <span style="font-weight: bold;">do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body</span>, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?</span> <span class="woj" style=""><sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-23309">26</sup> Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?</span> <span class="woj" style=""><sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-23310">27</sup> Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?"<br /></span></blockquote>I think I have always taken this scripture (especially the <span style="font-weight: bold;">bold </span>text) completely wrong. He says to not WORRY about things. This is not a verse talking about vanity. Or an easy go-to excuse for eating whatever I want or look good or bad ("because He loves me just as I am!"). It's about putting my focus in the wrong place. Because...<br /><br />*Matt 6:32-34<span class="woj" style=""><sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-23315"></sup></span><span class="woj" style=""><br /></span><span class="woj" style=""></span><blockquote><span class="woj" style="">"For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.</span> <span class="woj" style=""><sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-23316">33</sup> But <span style="font-weight: bold;">seek first (CRAVE!) his kingdom and his righteousness</span>, and all these things will be given to you as well.</span> <sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-23317">34</sup> Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."</blockquote>I'm getting the book. There was a lot of good stuff in the interview. For crying out loud, she read the whole Bible from the perspective a person with food issues! And took from that experience that food issues are a big deal.<br /><br /><span class="woj" style="">Think of Esau giving up his birthright for a bowl of soup!</span><span class="woj" style=""><br /><br />For that matter, think of EVE! The fall of man. An apple. I mean, come on!?<br /><br />It's interesting. I look forward to learning more.<br /><br />I was really struck by what Lysa said toward the end of the second interview. She talked about <span style="font-weight: bold;">Triggers and Truths</span>. She tweeted recently "</span><span class="status-body"><span class="entry-content">We must deal with <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">triggers</span> - identify places of emotional emptiness and admit how futile it is to try and fill those with food". On Facebook she writes, "</span></span>The only way to negate my eating <em>triggers</em> that will inevitably come is to match them with God's truth."<br /><br />Mateo's crying fits make me want to slam my head into the fridge (hopefully landing on something soft and tasty...). I recognize that I was dealing with a frustration trigger here. So I pray. For Mateo. For his mom. For my kids. For the school. For the teachers. For the families of the kids that go to school...I think you get my point.<br /><br />Once I took my mind off the desire to fix my frustration (trigger) with food - I was able to have a really sweet prayer time. It was great!<br /><br />My other triggers seem to include stress, fatigue, HAPPINESS!, boredom, anxiety and road trips. :) I could link a verse to (almost) every one of these triggers. Ultimately, the anecdote - the TRUTH - is to put my full focus on God. I've let food fill parts of my soul that are the exact area's God wants to take over. It's a win-win. AND I get to loose weight along the way? How sweet are you, God?!<br /><br />Anyway, when I mentioned fasting the other day. This is the role I had in mind but didn't have time to explore. Then came Lysa and her words of wisdom and it all became clear. I'm so stoked.<br /><br />Not to be on this hellacious diet. I'm not stoked on that. I'm sincerely excited to grow closer to God and to fix the parts of my heart, mind, body that are out of focus. It's good.<br /><br />And it's late. And I'm hungry.<br /><br />But my heart is content.<br /><p></p> <p></p><span class="woj" style=""></span>Chrystal Sturmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17090217659725613244noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28798325.post-67916894620046049182011-01-12T16:40:00.000-08:002011-01-13T00:07:14.045-08:00HCG.1 Day SixYesterday I lost 1 pound.<br /><br />Today I lost 2 pounds.<br /><br />We had to take a day trip to LA yesterday. I love road trips. Even short ones. But guess what. Part of why I love road trips is because I give myself a Free Pass w/regard to food. Convenience store snacks (big coke, bag of Cool Ranch Doritos....maybe even an order of cheese nachos or <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">taquitos</span>). Fast food. Ice cream stops. Starbucks breakfast sandwiches! Oh me oh my. My love affair with food. So deep it goes.<br /><br />But yesterday, I stuck to the diet protocol (that's what we <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">HCGers</span> call it: The Protocol). Packed myself 3.5 oz of cooked chicken, cut up tomato, Melba toast and small apple. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Nalgeen</span> of water and a green iced tea. There was still the convenience store stop (big muffin for Mia and bottled <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Frapp</span> for Kevin). I abstained. Growling tummy and all.<br /><br />On our way back to town we stopped at Target. Coke and popcorn, yes?? No. Kevin and Mia ate lunch together while Mateo (aka That Screaming Baby in Target Yesterday) shopped. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Ok</span>...<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">ok</span>. Nodding head. Gaining confidence. I can maybe do this.<br /><br />A road trip w/o fun food?? Who knew??<br /><br />For dinner: roasted chicken, sauteed onion, Melba toast<br /><br />The rest of the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">fam</span> had roasted chicken and leftovers. I'm desperately trying to clear out the fridge of all good-tasting things. {I'm hyper-aware of the beer bread sitting on the bottom shelf}<br /><br />That night, I actually skipped my evening fruit. I'm still not sure how that happened? I was definitely hungry. I definitely wanted the orange. But I made a choice to go without last night. Weird. My mom had skipped her fruit the night before so I guess that planted a seed but when it came down to it I didn't eat it.<br /><br />Anyway, I lost 2 pounds this morning so that was fun. I dropped into a set of 10's I haven't seen in a long time. <span style="font-style: italic;">You know</span>, if I weighed 130 yesterday today I weighed 128. That was fun.<br /><br />Today I have been less hungry than the past few days. Appetite shrinking? Accepting my fate? Maturing in all human ways? Who can say, really?<br /><br />My sweet husband left on a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">business</span> trip today. Wouldn't it be fun if I could lose 6 pounds before he gets home? <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Hubba</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">hubba</span> wink wink ;))Chrystal Sturmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17090217659725613244noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28798325.post-34559115007113776732011-01-10T12:15:00.000-08:002011-01-12T16:39:57.540-08:00HCG.1 Day FourLost 2 lbs +/- 1 lb.<br /><br />Yesterday I bought a digital scale. Before that I had a completely retro dial scale which was a problem for two reasons:<br /><br />1. The little notches were too far away for my old people eyes to see accurately<br />2. It kept getting off kilter. Yesterday I thought I LOST 5 lbs until I stepped off the scale and realized the dial was pointed to -5 instead of 0.<br /><br />....and then I read books to Brody and fell asleep for the night....Chrystal Sturmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17090217659725613244noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28798325.post-7599774287087960622011-01-09T22:12:00.000-08:002011-01-09T22:57:56.423-08:00HCG.1 Day ThreeFirst day on 500 calories.<br /><br />Let's start with the important stuff. Here is what I ate today:<br /><br />10:30AM - (1) cut up Roma tomato with salt<br />10:50AM - <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Venti</span> black iced tea with 1/2 a packet of <a href="http://www.stevitastevia.com/"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Stevia</span></a><br />11:00AM - 3oz of cut up baked chicken with salt & pepper + (1) <a href="http://www.oldlondonfoods.com/melba_toast.php">Melba toast</a><br />2:00PM - (1) small, cut up apple<br />2:30PM - second <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Venti</span> black iced tea with 1 <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Splenda</span><br /><br />5:30PM - 3oz beef patty (so small it mostly resembled a large meat ball) mixed with garlic and seasoned with salt & pepper + 1/2 onion, sauteed in water and cider vinegar with salt and pepper<br /><br />8:00PM - (1) Navel orange<br />10:30PM - a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Nalgeen</span> of water<br /><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Oooooh</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Kaaayyyy</span>.<br /><br />This diet sort of sucks.<br /><br />Kevin said to me, "I have to believe you'd rather work out at 6AM than put yourself through this torture." Unfortunately, that is not true. To believe that you'd have to assume that I value food over sleep. THAT is ridiculous. It's why I don't get out of bed for breakfast. I'd rather sleep no matter what they're serving.<br /><br />I got really, really hungry today. I really did. BUT the larger problem (and truth of the matter) is that not being able to graze. There are some <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">TJ</span> pecan <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">sandies</span> in the cupboard that I normally would have snacked on while cooking dinner.<br /><br />Not to mention the post dinner 'clean-up snacking'.<br /><br />"Oh, Brody didn't eat that bread...hmm...would hate to see <span style="font-style: italic;">that</span> go to waste". {POP! into my mouth}.<br /><br />"I do not want to put this little amount of pasta into the fridge." {POP!}.<br /><br />"What? Mia didn't finish her last two chicken nuggets?" {POP!}.<br /><br />This might be the biggest and hardest lesson for me to learn in this process. Eating at eating times. Realizing that the 1-2 extra <a href="http://www.nestleusa.com/PubOurBrands/BrandDetails.aspx?lbid=B01048CD-112F-4D88-9BD2-A7349202746A">Nips</a> throughout the day really add up to something. <span style="font-style: italic;">{Note to self...get rid of the Nips}</span>.<br /><br />Tonight I made 9 bean soup with <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">TJ's</span> beer bread and cottage cheese + apple sauce for the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">fam</span>. It smelled so good. I especially wanted to wolf down a few slices the bread slathered with butter. So instead, I picked up Brody's bread plate, held it up to my nose and inhaled for 3 long seconds. Pathetic, I know. You should have seen my sweet (skinny) husband's expression. "Aghast" is a good word for it. But honestly...it actually helped tame my lusty bread desires.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Below is a side-by-side of our dinners tonight. Yep, this is what a plate of Melba toast, sauteed onions and beef hockey puck looks like. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Bon</span> appetite.<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7rLNEM2KSJeUjZ4cieEOs1N98wDGBKmLGEan638QdSHOJwbeFceve2mSsrMEPNQ-e7i_6cIAqMgR4S4KqEwta3g9F_6RDaM0BhccC0S73h7AE1qThG2lq5q_xVIZWk8T3bNVuUw/s1600/HCG+Comparison.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 250px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7rLNEM2KSJeUjZ4cieEOs1N98wDGBKmLGEan638QdSHOJwbeFceve2mSsrMEPNQ-e7i_6cIAqMgR4S4KqEwta3g9F_6RDaM0BhccC0S73h7AE1qThG2lq5q_xVIZWk8T3bNVuUw/s400/HCG+Comparison.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560442386245215490" border="0" /></a>I didn't take a body picture today. Maybe tomorrow. OR! I think I might pull out a pair of 'goal weight' pants :) Whoa...if I could get into my wedding dress...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">IF I CAN FIT INTO MY WEDDING DRESS AGAIN I think I'll try to convince Kevin to let us get new wedding photos taken!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">That's a good 9 year anniversary gift idea, right?<br /><br />Also, my 20 year reunion is this year. I have to remember such things if I'm going to survive this.<br /></div></div>Chrystal Sturmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17090217659725613244noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28798325.post-17060805739301043622011-01-09T01:29:00.001-08:002011-01-09T22:59:43.259-08:00HCG.1 Day TwoSecond Fat Loading day and I feel like a cow. Here's the food run-down:<br /><br />Home-made French Toast - three huge slices<br /><br />Two plates of "nachos college-style". A plate of chips with shredded cheese on top. Micro for 35 seconds. Top with full-fat Ranch and some green onions I happened to have on hand. Pepper.<br /><br />There was an afternoon yellow cupcake with chocolate icing in the late afternoon.<br /><br />Dinner was an entire order of chicken fettuccine Alfredo from Presto Pasta.<br /><br />** this is about the time that I literally had to stop moving so as to prevent spontaneous vomit reaction. I was SO full I literally felt greasy.<br /><br />I also became keenly aware that I could actually feel my second chin growing.<br /><br />And then there was the popcorn with extra butter.<br /><br />Two hours after dinner and tasting de-vine. Whilst stuffing butter soaked popcorn into my fat mouth and contemplating slipping into a food-induced coma, I thought..."Man, I never got a Coke today. Crap."<br /><br />See you 40 days, vicious friend.<br /><br />I gained one pound this morning. I'm betting I gain at least 2 tomorrow.<br /><br />I feel like a moose.<br /><br />Oh! I wonder? Should I post before/after shots? Bikini? Not. I actually regret not taking a pic of my food today. I would sincerely love it if I became repulsed by seeing the amount of food I ate today. You would, Internet. I'm sure of.<br /><br />It was kinda weird eating like that in broad daylight (in front of Kevin). Those are the sort of experiences I usually like to keep hidden - like in a closet. Or my car. Or when the hubs is out of town and no one is watching. Sort of surreal like, is this really happening? Am I actually eating like this in waking hours?<br /><br />Tomorrow is my first 500 calorie day. I'll try to remember to post pics of my "new" portion sizes. Eek. Nervous.<br /><br />Going to bed now. I'm sure I'll have stomach flu nightmares. Or that I'm eating my childrens legs or something sick like that. You don't eat this bad without that sort of stuff.<br /><br />Last minute thought...I'm going up use these 40 days as a fast as well. I'll explore that thought tomorrow.Chrystal Sturmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17090217659725613244noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28798325.post-24929537775042497482011-01-07T15:45:00.001-08:002011-01-09T23:07:37.045-08:00HCG.1 Day OneI'm not about to post my start weight but let's just agree that it's significant...thankfully I have the good fortune of seeing it every day on the log I'm keeping.<br /><br />Regardless.<br /><br />The day stated with a weigh-in. I immediately wanted to slip into a depression, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">sluff</span> down a bag of jumbo marshmallows and get back into bed. But, with the encouragement of my mother - who is here for the next 11 days - I overcame.<br /><br />Then we injected ourselves with the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">HCG</span>. I feel like that is a sentence I'm going to be horrified by in 20 years. There are other variations of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">HCG</span> that you can drop onto your tongue but according to my <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">verteran</span>-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">HCG</span> Mom, they are less effective at staving off the hunger than the injection kind.<br /><br />Tiny needles. No pain.<br /><br />Then I took off running. Brody to school, 20 minutes in the classroom and off to the grocery store for formula. That's about the time I realized I was really hungry! After trying to avoid looking at any and all foods at the grocery store I paid and ran, screaming from the store.<br /><br />That is about the time that I realized this is a GORGE day! So, for the first two days on <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">HCG</span> you get to gorge on fat. Don't ask why. I'm not the answer-girl here. My mom has done all the research and I'm going with it.<br /><br />So, today I ate:<br /><br />A huge jelly-filled donut from <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Spudnuts</span><br />Half a bag of Trader Joe's baked onion rings (think <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Funions</span>)<br />A big mac, french fries and two huge cokes<br /><br />It's 4PM and this has been my intake so far. Can I just say, I'm having a blast.<br /><br />How often do you get to just PIG out?!? I mean, honestly? A Big Mac? I might be overweight but I haven't tasted a Big Mac in years. It was delicious.<br /><br />You're supposed to be a little more strategic in your fat loading days -- like eat high fat things that are just empty calories. Avocados, eggs, bacon, cheesecake, etc. But I felt like a bag of onion rings and french fries. What can I say? I can feel the weight attaching itself to my chin, belly and butt cheeks as I sit here sucking down my gigantic Coke. And I'm wallowing in it.<br /><br />But truly. I'm looking forward to being uninterested in these foods. I've been thin before. Lots of times :) And every time I kicked the food habit I eventually stopped craving the junk food fare. It's my mom's 4<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">th</span> round and she instinctively rejected the apple fritter I brought her. She ate it but it wasn't with the joy and fervor with which I ate my 6" strawberry and creme pastry. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Delish</span>.<br /><br />No Coke for 40 days <heavy>. No joke. I just sighed mournfully at the very thought. My dear, sweet, killer-in-a-cup Coca Cola. How I love thee. I literally look forward to Coke. It's like a highlight in my <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">helter</span>-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">skelter</span> day and probably the thing I will most miss on this journey. <heavy><br /><br />Tonight I will be eating #33A {Chicken curry noodles - <span style="font-style: italic;">extra noodles</span>, thank you} and maybe a pint of cinnamon ice cream?<br /><br />Then tomorrow is another Fat Loading day. Oh, the possibilities.<br /><br />It's scary to me that I'm not stuffed right now. This is how big my stomach (and appetite) has become. That I'm looking forward to another of day of eating crap is also kind of scary.<br /><br />But the point here is to be honest and candid (w/o disclosing my actual weight) and that is what I intend to do.</heavy></heavy>Chrystal Sturmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17090217659725613244noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28798325.post-39810756121824083332011-01-07T15:33:00.001-08:002011-01-07T15:45:01.958-08:00Journey on HCGI'm taking a risk here people.<br /><br />Not by injecting myself with <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">HCG</span>. Or attempting to survive on a diet of 500 calories for 40 days (yes, 500 calories).<br /><br />I'm risking humiliation and failure by POSTING about it on the Internet!<br /><br />So, don't judge me if I fail. And bear with me while I vent when I get frustrated. And please, for the love of all fat girls everywhere, tell me I look thin the next time you see me. Thank you.<br /><br />Stated publicly, I'd like to lose 20 lbs on this round. Honestly, that feels like a drop in the bucket considering the amount of weight I've gained over the past 5 years (thank you, children). But it would be really cool to see some numbers drop on the scale and might just be the kick in the pants I need to get rid of the rest.<br /><br />Wish me luck.<br /><br />I'll need it.<br /><br />For more on <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">HCG</span> - Google it. There is a ton of info online and the sites explain it better than I ever could.Chrystal Sturmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17090217659725613244noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28798325.post-21733526603929502442010-02-18T22:51:00.000-08:002010-02-19T00:35:39.731-08:00Six Friends Every Mom Needs<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2z4wpsg_nhyphenhyphen9iAiLGhZ5b0h_U9Y4sFZsbDlJSdLDkqfyaRT64kREBAe_Dj2aHt7jrZutMlKU_Az_LB0qwHd4AzH37Vc9YiTMD-qF2fvxgLxFMLtVKC5NLbMvm2a5ROkW05qe6lA/s1600-h/Girlfriends.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 274px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2z4wpsg_nhyphenhyphen9iAiLGhZ5b0h_U9Y4sFZsbDlJSdLDkqfyaRT64kREBAe_Dj2aHt7jrZutMlKU_Az_LB0qwHd4AzH37Vc9YiTMD-qF2fvxgLxFMLtVKC5NLbMvm2a5ROkW05qe6lA/s320/Girlfriends.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439870409605102418" border="0" /></a><br />I loved <a href="http://www.parenting.com/article/Mom/Relationships/6-Friends-Every-Mom-Needs">this</a> article in the August 2009 issue of Parenting Magazine. I wanted to be able to keep a copy for forever and this seemed to be the easiest way!<br /><br />In short, this article is about why connecting with people you don't have to clean up after is crucial. Here are the six listed and a personal Shout Out! for each:<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Mom In The Same Boat</span>: "She gets it."<br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><br />Shout Out!</span>: Christy W.<br /><br />If there was one woman I'd love to have as a next door neighbor for the rest of my life. It would be Christy W. She has two (precious) kids. She has a wonderful sense of humor. She's crazy smart and we always have a great time together. I'd have a million Christy's if I could but just so grateful to get to have just the one!<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Shot Out!</span>: Tammy<br /><br />I'm so fortunate to have such a great sister-in-law. And even better to have one who has kids the same ages (almost) as mine. We're very different but don't you find that some of the best friendships happen like that? She makes me laugh outloud. She's the most Suzie-Homemaker person I know and I love her for it! I want to BE her when I grow up! She's an amazing mom - born for the part, for sure. I learn so much every time I get to be around her. What a treat you are, sister.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">The No-Kids Pal</span>: "...so you can act like you're still cool"<br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><br />Shout Out!</span>: <a href="http://unsurebutcertain.blogspot.com/">Cara</a><br /><br />My baby sis is one of my most favorite people to hang out with. She makes me giggle all the time and always has a story. She loves my kids tremendously and will be an amazing mom one day because of having them in her life. It's hard for us to ever get a complete sentence in because everyone in my family wants a piece of her when she's here but on the rare occasion that we do get to talk...it's always wonderful and makes me want to be around her MORE! We miss Rah Rah.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Shout Out!</span>: <a href="http://www.christiannetaylor.com/">Christianne </a><br /><br />My girl, Christianne is like a little sister! I literally love being around her. She inspires me. She impresses me. She makes me laugh. She's a brilliant, bright shining star and I am honored to be her friend! So thankful for her friendship.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Shout Out!</span>: Sue Sue<br /><br />Basically, my life would be incomplete with out Sarah. Because she doesn't have kids, she is getting filed under this heading but seriously....she fits under most of them. Je t'aime, mon ami.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Been-There-Done-That Mom</span>: "She gets you through your 'I don't know what I'm supposed to do next!' moments"<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Shout Out!</span>: <a href="http://litamamadrama.blogspot.com/">Tessalita</a><br /><br />If it wasn't for Tessa I might still be holding Brody. Until she came to visit me after he was born (almost 5 years ago) I had not put him down because I thought "he wont let me". Tessa came in and took over. She showed me how to prop my Dude up against a Boppy and encouraged me to let him watch Baby Einstein so I could take a 10 minute shower. And you know what? It worked. My life was changed forever because of her. If my children are acting broken. I call Lita and she always - ALWAYS - has sound advice to offer. I love being able to gain wisdom from her <del>mistakes</del>...er...experiences. I will be seeking advice from Tessa till we're 105 years old and I'm trying to figure out how to keep my false teeth from falling out my head everytime I nod off in my rocking chair. Love you, lady.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">The I'll Do Anything For You Buddy</span>: "She'll help you with your garage sale, drive your kids to soccer, and bring over lasagna when you're dealing with a crisis"<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Shout Out!</span>: Dana<br /><br />I'm not sure I'd eat her lasagna but I KNOW she'd offer me some of the 800lbs of frozen organic meat she has stored in her garage freezer (so jealous). I'm also jealous for a friend like Dana here in SB. She honestly would do anything for her friends. Loves deeply and passionately and with all of her. She is the most sensitive person I know which I <span style="font-style: italic;">now</span> understand is what makes her one of the most generous people I know (instead of just a cry baby * wink *). If I were sick and in the hospital...I'd want Dana by my side. You're a gift of a friend, Dee. Know that.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Slightly Glam Girlfriend</span>: "For inspiration...advice...and a [killer] waredrobe..."<br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><br />Shout Out!</span>: Summer<br /><br />I don't get to spend ANY time with Summer anymore but what I do get to see...is pretty darn HOT! She's got this amazing little bod and rocks super-cute clothes all of the time. Listen. I've said it before but if I had Zoom's body...I would wear as little clothing as possible. Thankfully, she's a lot more modest than I wouhttp://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=28798325ld be if I were her.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Brutally Honest Pal</span>: "We all need to hear the truth sometimes"<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Shout Out!</span>: Amity<br /><br />I'm grateful to say that most of my friends fit under this heading. Even tho she doesn't flat out say, "I hate it when you're late" she makes herself pretty well understood and I find that very refreshing. I love very much. She's a life-long friend in the making!<br /><br /><a title="View 6 Friends Every Mom Needs on Scribd" href="http://www.scribd.com/doc/27100257/6-Friends-Every-Mom-Needs" style="margin: 12px auto 6px; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,Sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; display: block; text-decoration: underline;">6 Friends Every Mom Needs</a> <object id="doc_898766883208927" name="doc_898766883208927" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" data="http://d1.scribdassets.com/ScribdViewer.swf" style="outline-color: -moz-use-text-color; outline-style: none; outline-width: medium;" height="600" width="100%"> <param name="movie" value="http://d1.scribdassets.com/ScribdViewer.swf"> <param name="wmode" value="opaque"> <param name="bgcolor" value="#ffffff"> <param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"> <param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"> <param name="FlashVars" value="document_id=27100257&access_key=key-2ckgzkzuq1svmmupy2av&page=1&viewMode=list"> <embed id="doc_898766883208927" name="doc_898766883208927" src="http://d1.scribdassets.com/ScribdViewer.swf?document_id=27100257&access_key=key-2ckgzkzuq1svmmupy2av&page=1&viewMode=list" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" wmode="opaque" bgcolor="#ffffff" height="600" width="100%"></embed> </object>Chrystal Sturmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17090217659725613244noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28798325.post-10401942970856113382009-08-16T22:53:00.000-07:002009-08-17T16:18:16.687-07:00My Coupon Book<div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;"><i>[This is from my deal-finding blog over at www.splendidlivingsb.blogspot.com]</i></span></div><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center">This is my Coupon Book. My beloved binder full of discounts. I know it seems a bit crazy (I think 'obsessive' was the word my sister used) but I can't tell you how excited I am about my little Coupon Book!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY4XRBAT3H7VYWezLqU2jqFyAP0GtI0Z7aiGydBlEouvuDWoPP90SwqljqqcEvJQLqqBpCTWDdQB6jeIcna3w0HjtG09eNkAclMQcq4Sp9C8flFSnTiJmlSVyq2naLA_QhyphenhyphenL_-KQ/s1600-h/IMG_1149.JPG"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY4XRBAT3H7VYWezLqU2jqFyAP0GtI0Z7aiGydBlEouvuDWoPP90SwqljqqcEvJQLqqBpCTWDdQB6jeIcna3w0HjtG09eNkAclMQcq4Sp9C8flFSnTiJmlSVyq2naLA_QhyphenhyphenL_-KQ/s400/IMG_1149.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />I bout my love green 1" binder at Office Max for $1.50. The blue zipper bag was another $2.00. I keep my calculator, sharpie pens and special discount cards in the mesh bag on the front. In side the bag I store all of my receipts. I've never done this before but I'm hoping it will help me figure out how much I actually spend on groceries, office supplies, restaurants, clothes, gifts, etc. I could also look at my bank statement, I suppose but I sometimes pay for things with cash so I'm going to try this method for a while. Plus, it's nice to keep all my receipts in one place in case I need to return/exchange anything - I always know where to find my recipt!</div><br /><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFiaHDwBLDmvMZnnkSMWoF5i36UnuuI6ToACBmEGnC9yLzOFMlNfL6LGuIS8Jf7AOdJroa_41Mxvt4PWD_szvYxidVwVJ9MTpRg_XGU7fC4-1fxoEhnV7JUdR0lpiqpB7_VBxdng/s1600-h/IMG_1150.JPG"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFiaHDwBLDmvMZnnkSMWoF5i36UnuuI6ToACBmEGnC9yLzOFMlNfL6LGuIS8Jf7AOdJroa_41Mxvt4PWD_szvYxidVwVJ9MTpRg_XGU7fC4-1fxoEhnV7JUdR0lpiqpB7_VBxdng/s400/IMG_1150.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Inside I have 10 tabs. I organized them in respect to how my local grocery store is organized:<br />(1) Produce, Sauces, Pastas<br />(2) Beverages, Dairy<br />(3) Cereal, Baking<br />(4) Freezer<br />(5) Snacks & Gum<br />(6) Household - cleaning supplies<br />(7) Meat/Deli<br />(8) Meds<br />(9) Beauty & Baby<br />(10) Catilinas - I'll explain more about Catalinas in a seperate post<br /><br />I use baseball card sheet protectors for my coupons. I tried keep them in an accordian file thingie for a while and it was just mayhem. This system allows me to quickly sort and find my coupons! They are $2.99 for a pack of 10 at Office Max and this is the cheapest I've found them in town. I'm on 4 packs now and wish I had one more but am trying to reign in desire to hunt and gather coupons and start working harder at hunting and gathering the savings from USING the coupons! I've found that I'm a bit of a hoarder :)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCSVpncbP-IbFJFFqn_8ZubqBBF-v_QOR8liWNhouX3aS0CAbBFT_7heC4C-Uod9ebOQpEz1gMbBrIPsjUNnyyo7An-6Lr-VWWxQ90M6Wi6KIsP5QCVZTDGEykpz8eiqeiEluZfA/s1600-h/IMG_1151.JPG"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCSVpncbP-IbFJFFqn_8ZubqBBF-v_QOR8liWNhouX3aS0CAbBFT_7heC4C-Uod9ebOQpEz1gMbBrIPsjUNnyyo7An-6Lr-VWWxQ90M6Wi6KIsP5QCVZTDGEykpz8eiqeiEluZfA/s400/IMG_1151.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />In the clear bag ($.99 at Office Max), I store random coupons - usually store specific (all my Walgreen-only coupons might be there, for example) and my scissors. The very last item is my rebate forms.<br /><br />I don't have any pocket folders in my binder but I think I should. I might upgrade to a 1.5" binder and add a few pocket pages to store store circulars and the print outs I pull off of other coupon blogs.<br /><br />There you have it. My handy, dandy, dear and darling little green Coupon Book.<br /><br />I love my Coupon Book. I think I'll call her Sandy.<br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div style="clear:both; text-align:CENTER"><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><img src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif" alt="Posted by Picasa" style="border: 0px none ; padding: 0px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial;" align="middle" border="0" /></a></div>Chrystal Sturmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17090217659725613244noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28798325.post-58364508064955155992009-06-22T00:18:00.000-07:002009-06-22T00:18:54.588-07:00Project 52: Week Five<div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY6ADzS9s0Cy8n0JiIk-FundHgHKP2TzGejWIJxtxT0MmzJ_4YbOSyTAHgKJfKzd2UUj-c3UsXm4FlTZnE42WdqD28qPfjvgSqxgfCrg7yTZc8_RcPi8x3G6wScgC1iYu6jUHoSA/s1600-h/June+15-21,+2009.jpg"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY6ADzS9s0Cy8n0JiIk-FundHgHKP2TzGejWIJxtxT0MmzJ_4YbOSyTAHgKJfKzd2UUj-c3UsXm4FlTZnE42WdqD28qPfjvgSqxgfCrg7yTZc8_RcPi8x3G6wScgC1iYu6jUHoSA/s400/June+15-21,+2009.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><br />This week has been major. Kevin worked on our new patio project every day - all day. The results are really wonderful. I'll post pics soon! We also spent the week preparing for our trip to Anaheim. Kevin is going to a major industry <a href="http://www.hftp.org/HITEC">trade show </a>and we decided we'd rather go as a family than miss him for 5 days. Because he's a genius, he posted a status update on Facebook asking if anyone in the Anaheim area would want to House Swap. Some sweet friends responded that they did!! Such a blessing. Huge house, separate rooms, 10 minutes from the convention center, full kitchen...totally worth the 12 hours I spent cleaning our house in preparation. But seriously, it is. I'm really looking forward to enjoy this week in 'new' surroundings. They have 3 children: 5 year old boy, 4 year old girl and 1 year old boy. The situation couldn't be more perfect for us. We FOR SURE got the better deal in the house department...but they get the beach. Hopefully it evens out :) Thanks again, Karen & Curtis!!<br /><br /><strong>Monday, June 15</strong>: I didn't get a photo of this day (booo!) so I decided to post one of my favorite shots from the <a href="http://chrystalsturm.blogspot.com/2009/06/free-family-photo-event-for-eastside.html">Free Family Photo </a>Event we hosted the Saturday before. I took this photo of Becca and Jilly being silly. It was my first time at 'studio' photography and I really loved it!<br /><br /><strong>Tuesday, June 16</strong>: Mimi being a sweetie pie all messy with food. "Eat" is her favorite word+sign combo. She says it about 15 times/day. "EEEaat". She says, "Gunk Gunk" for drink too ;)<br /><br /><strong>Wednesday, June 17</strong>: Can you believe this is the only photo I took all day? Sorry. It's one of our favorite quick and easy recipes. <a href="http://www.traderjoes.com/">Trader Joe's</a> Orange Chicken and Fresh Express Asian Salad Mix. Divine!<br /><br /><strong>Thursday, June 18</strong>: Brody got so bored that finally unzipped Spiderman activity set he got for his birthday...in April. Inside were these cool posters! We hung them to cover the glossy paint that Kevin accidentally used a touch-up paint on an egg shell wall. Plus they go w/his cool super hero theme. WAM! ZAP!<br /><br /><strong>Friday, June 19</strong>: The beautiful bouquet of flower my girl, <a href="http://www.christiannetaylor.com/">Christianne</a> whipped up the night before during a home group cook-out. Our first entertaining event on our new patio!! Wooo-Hooo. Christianne left on Sunday for 3 weeks in <a href="http://realitycarpinteria.com/missions/missionaryfriends/ronmiller/index.html">Thailand</a>. So looking forward to hearing how God will work in this trip!<br /><br /><strong>Saturday, June 20</strong>: Our very precious and wonderful friends THE WOLDS came to visit/worktheirbuttsoff! We could never have gotten everything done w/out their help. Dave and Kevin did man stuff on the yard and patio. Christy and I cleaned, ran errands, shucked corn and tended to babies: women's work ;) Caleb and Mia did their own things and Brody and Maddie played their faces every waking moment of the day. Glorious.<br /><br /><strong>Sunday, June 21</strong>: Clean all morning, drive all afternoon, play with other kids' toys all evening....whew. I'm ready for sleep.<div style='clear:both; text-align:CENTER'><a href='http://picasa.google.com/blogger/' target='ext'><img src='http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif' alt='Posted by Picasa' style='border: 0px none ; padding: 0px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial;' align='middle' border='0' /></a></div>Chrystal Sturmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17090217659725613244noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28798325.post-806301258790026192009-06-21T23:12:00.000-07:002009-06-21T23:12:49.178-07:00Happy Father's Day, My Love<div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifGAXgPN_Qrl_eonzxWfZ01PhmQT7AI-1ktIB6WNJLnv-dbOtXqzTSnD5IzMsqM4Od0ZmdV501HzMYlyHdnQdRo4fjw_yyJnrbh4LsX6Fot7Kj7T-_xgOIRxr-Xk-xj4VygSomUg/s1600-h/DSC01971.JPG"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifGAXgPN_Qrl_eonzxWfZ01PhmQT7AI-1ktIB6WNJLnv-dbOtXqzTSnD5IzMsqM4Od0ZmdV501HzMYlyHdnQdRo4fjw_yyJnrbh4LsX6Fot7Kj7T-_xgOIRxr-Xk-xj4VygSomUg/s400/DSC01971.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><br />Brody made a sweet card for Kevin at school this week. I can't remember all the words but it ends, "...there is no dad in all the world like you." Brody always says how sad that is. We immediately realized that he's misunderstanding the statement and thinking it means something about there being 'no dad in all the world'.<br /><br />How precious.<br /><br />He is truly sad by the thought that there being no dad in all the world. Kevin is Brody's hero. He can literally do no wrong. The cool parent. The fun parent. The DAD.<br /><br />I love you, honey, for being such an amazing DAD! There are no babies in all the world more fortunate than yours...<div style='clear:both; text-align:CENTER'><a href='http://picasa.google.com/blogger/' target='ext'><img src='http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif' alt='Posted by Picasa' style='border: 0px none ; padding: 0px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial;' align='middle' border='0' /></a></div>Chrystal Sturmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17090217659725613244noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28798325.post-35261228942325497832009-06-20T23:36:00.000-07:002009-06-20T23:47:33.525-07:00June Meal Plan - Week FourWe are going out of town this week and if I really were like Simple Mom I would have planned exactly what we're going to eat while away. But I was too busy preparing our house for the swap and well....I didn't plan very well. But my home looks great!<br /><br />Now I'm a little inspired. Maybe I'll write out our Away From Home meal-plan on the way to Anaheim tomorrow. I just received my first copy of <a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/everyday-food?src=footer">Everyday Food</a>, <span style="font-style: italic;">great food fast from Martha Stewart</span>, and I'm so excited to cook like Martha does...you know, <span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >everyday</span> and on a budget.<br /><br />Stay tuned for a possible update...although I assure you, reader (hi mom!), Chuck E. Cheese will be a part of next week's meal plan.Chrystal Sturmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17090217659725613244noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28798325.post-65369826443460418272009-06-20T23:20:00.001-07:002009-06-20T23:35:55.194-07:00Deal of the Week: Free DVDs!"Bought" some new DVDs this week for zero dollars, thank you very <span style="font-style: italic;">much</span>.<br /><br />1. Free Veggie Tales movie <a href="http://bigidea.com/umbrella/">HERE </a>{we picked <a href="https://bigidea.com/products/shows/shows_content.aspx?pid=31"><span style=";font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:85%;" ><span style=";font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:85%;" >Where's God When I'm S-scared</span></span> </a>but there are three options to chose from}. Also, if you want to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">pre</span>-order the newest movie: <a href="https://bigidea.com/products/shows/shows_content.aspx?pid=768">Minnesota <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Cuke</span> and the Search for the Lost Umbrella</a> for $14.99 you will get <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Veggie-Tales-Larryboy-Bad-Apple/dp/B000F6ZPJ0">Larry Boy and the Bad Apple</a> for free!<br /><br />2. Free Precious Places DVD from Fisher-Price <a href="http://www.fisher-price.com/pages/v6/default/preciousplaces/landing.asp">HERE</a>. I know this is a girl's move, Mom. I'll save it for Mimi or give it to one of Brody's <span style="font-style: italic;">(many) </span>girlfriends as a little present. It's free. WHY NOT!?<br /><br />3. Free Geo-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Trax</span> DVD (thanks,<a href="http://www.thebargainjargon.com/2009/06/free-fisher-price-geo-trax-dvd.html"> The Bargain Jargon</a>!) <a href="https://store.mattel.com/transition.aspx?TransitionID=155">HERE</a>.<br /><br />Not having a television has been a lot easier than I originally anticipated. In fact, the only thing I miss about it is 30 minute programing for Brody in the morning. We have a couple of Veggie Tales and Curious George DVDs but for the most part we only have feature films. These movies will be fun new programs for him to watch while (not) <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">eating</span> his breakfast!Chrystal Sturmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17090217659725613244noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28798325.post-67310591168023715732009-06-19T22:31:00.000-07:002009-06-19T22:35:34.063-07:00Free Family Photo Event for Eastside Families<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsg4dpFnCgpngn4Cg67G2UA3Q6SMTKVF-3dA_NM32wj9wLiN5_7cc0_UdlxgKYwkTyEpwqmD1tKWcbxeHjkFmGpU0aKE0fh2vOCzK9Nf740QgEhszCPFgOBs_YfBgaRgMWIDlY1w/s1600-h/Photo+Group.jpg"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsg4dpFnCgpngn4Cg67G2UA3Q6SMTKVF-3dA_NM32wj9wLiN5_7cc0_UdlxgKYwkTyEpwqmD1tKWcbxeHjkFmGpU0aKE0fh2vOCzK9Nf740QgEhszCPFgOBs_YfBgaRgMWIDlY1w/s400/Photo+Group.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div>Last weekend I coordinated a<a href="http://eastsidesb.blogspot.com/2009/06/free-family-photo-event.html"> Free Family Photo Event</a> for the families of my 'hood: the lower Eastside of Santa Barbara. It was originally planned as a Mother's Day event but due to the Jesusito fires we had to postpone the event to June 13th. I have to admit my excitement for the event waned in the time between Mother's Day and the actual event. We went to Phoenix and started a major yard renovation and we were making plans for a couple of upcoming trips...I just felt less 'into' it.<br /><br />Anyway, the week leading up to it I started getting really excited again. Just thinking about the people who were going to be blessed by these amazing family portraits! Some of these families have never had a professional photo much less by the caliber of photographers who gave their time to this event. Amazing!!<br /><br />Here is a group shot of some of the photogs on hand and mi familia (it <em>is</em> my blog!). I was just so blessed by this event and know that the families who participated (about 35 in all) will be blown away by their prints.<br /><br />Thanks again friends for sharing your gifts. You're all spectacular!<div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><img src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif" alt="Posted by Picasa" style="border: 0px none ; padding: 0px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" align="middle" border="0" /></a></div>Chrystal Sturmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17090217659725613244noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28798325.post-66621913418324041142009-06-16T15:07:00.000-07:002009-06-16T15:35:04.479-07:00Deal of the Week: CVS Photos<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfwQsb8l0BRVSWj86saj_89orpbPekybs09xtUR7umTicJFWAHQ876jk8SiQjoBCLXScjXlYsHIqEM5MHtb_mCLp5ucn5UHxNcC4m8CW7pM6084to_4CSFewc16yuSr4byXSgmhA/s1600-h/logo_cvs.gif"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 227px; height: 43px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfwQsb8l0BRVSWj86saj_89orpbPekybs09xtUR7umTicJFWAHQ876jk8SiQjoBCLXScjXlYsHIqEM5MHtb_mCLp5ucn5UHxNcC4m8CW7pM6084to_4CSFewc16yuSr4byXSgmhA/s320/logo_cvs.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348056040417377266" border="0" /></a><br />I just completed my order for 50 free prints and (1) free 8x10 for....drum roll...ZERO DOLLAR$! Yes. Yes. Yes.<br /><br />I'm not going to lie. This was not a simple process. Here is why:<br /><br />1 - I tend to over think just about everything and so deciding which pictures I was going to print became a multi-day process. I decided to print the photo session I had with my <a href="http://chrystalsturm.blogspot.com/2009/06/darling-niki.html">niece</a> so I can give her a little photo album of her "Diva Day of Beauty"! I know she'll love it!<br /><br />2 - You have to sign up w/<a href="http://www.cvs.com/CVSApp/user/home/home.jsp">CVS</a>. It becomes a bit confusing because you 20 Free Prints for creating a photo account <a href="http://www.cvsphoto.com/home.aspx">here</a>. You get another 30 Free Prints when you link your <a href="https://www.cvs.com/CVSApp/user/extracare/extracare.jsp">Extra Care Card</a> account to your photo account. I didn't have an Extra Care Card so I had to first sign up for it, then wait a week for the card to arrive and then finally apply it to my account to earn the additional prints. <span style="font-style: italic;">I could have gone to my local and inconveniently located CVS to secure my card in minutes</span> but this worked well enough and I never had to leave the house.<br /><br />3 - Somehow I kept erasing my order!! I think this was 100% user-error but it was frustrating nonetheless.<br /><br />Even with all the obstacles, I have no complaints now that my order is being processed and I wont have to pay a single penny for any of it. Aaaarrghhh! That make me so happy :))<br /><br />* Sign up for the 50 free prints by following the links in #2<br />* Upload and order your prints: (50) 4x6 & (1) 8x10<br />* Apply your credit for the 50 free points at check-out {there is a radio button}<br />* Enter your code for the free 8x10 {it's FREE8X10 and it is only good for through June 21,09}<br />* Choose to pick up the prints in the store in 'days' {vs. 'hours'}<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmg82E1TxEkvRwVrC9HxIAWr7_8r35H2Uoh1e3y8UTkq8Vs6UMe_dbboyWBSrSTitcyo4IRF9_DqK4ti7QPb4wdiDAqBcE9fybzLt-g8T35ZIFPYAfun5wBoB9MGEl4fxFMqZYTA/s1600-h/free8x10.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 231px; height: 252px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmg82E1TxEkvRwVrC9HxIAWr7_8r35H2Uoh1e3y8UTkq8Vs6UMe_dbboyWBSrSTitcyo4IRF9_DqK4ti7QPb4wdiDAqBcE9fybzLt-g8T35ZIFPYAfun5wBoB9MGEl4fxFMqZYTA/s320/free8x10.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348056044156889282" border="0" /></a>My prints will be ready in a few days and all I have to do is show up. So excellent!Chrystal Sturmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17090217659725613244noreply@blogger.com0