My friend Danielle is über talented and great about sharing her creative ideas. She posted this on her blog, showing you how to make her version of the $35 J. Crew tee for a lot less. Love it.
July 29, 2009
Ruffle Corsage Shirt
My friend Danielle is über talented and great about sharing her creative ideas. She posted this on her blog, showing you how to make her version of the $35 J. Crew tee for a lot less. Love it.
July 26, 2009
Blogging 101
Some of my favorite readers are over 50, and just a tiny bit tech challenged, so I thought I'd share a few tips on how to get the most out of your favorite blogs.
1. Links. When a word is highlighted it often means that it is a hidden link. Depending on the blog it will be highlighted differently, but most of the time it is a different color from the rest of the text.
2. Pictures. If you want a bigger version, just click on the picture you would like to see.
3. Comments. Different blogs have different ways to comment. On my blog it is really easy. If you want to leave a comment (such as, "I would have liked to see YOU model the dress, not the hanger") here's how you do it:
To all you over 50s who have mastered the art of blogging, my heartfelt congratulations and admiration.
1. Links. When a word is highlighted it often means that it is a hidden link. Depending on the blog it will be highlighted differently, but most of the time it is a different color from the rest of the text.
2. Pictures. If you want a bigger version, just click on the picture you would like to see.
3. Comments. Different blogs have different ways to comment. On my blog it is really easy. If you want to leave a comment (such as, "I would have liked to see YOU model the dress, not the hanger") here's how you do it:
- Scroll down to the bottom of the post you want to comment on
- Click on the words that say "1 comment" (or "0 comments" or "16 comments;" the number in front of 'comments' doesn't matter)
- Type your comment in the white box
- Now you have four options on how to identify yourself. The last two are the easiest. With "Name/URL" you type your name into the Name box (leave the URL one blank). With "Anonymous" you don't have to type anything in. If you choose "anonymous" sign your name at the end of your comment so I know who you are
- Click "publish your comment"
- Easy, right? I expect a comment or two from Ella's Great-Grandparents.
To all you over 50s who have mastered the art of blogging, my heartfelt congratulations and admiration.
July 25, 2009
Spudman 2009
We did it! The Harman Family successfully completed another Spudman. We had a 1 mile lazy river swim (which is always harder than I anticipate), a 25 mile bike and a 6.2 mile run. Jamie, Kimmy and I did the swim and bike together and then split up for the run. For the first time in YEARS I felt good on the run, so I let loose. I was very proud of my time--53 min. Much faster than any of my training runs. And all this with this:
a stubbed (broken?) toe from entering the river before the swim. I was so thankful that I got new biking shoes before the race. My old shoes did not fit my post-pregnancy feet, and they never would have fit my swollen toe. But as it was my new shoes slid right on. 10 hours later my toe is purple all the way to the base, but only hurts if it is touched or bent.
We enjoyed the fabulous post-race breakfast at Grandpa's house, and then headed home. All in all, it was a great day. Thanks to my mom who watched Ella while I raced.
The only disappointment was that Ryan didn't get to participate in the fun. He gets home on Monday and we can't wait to see him. There's always next year.
ps--the times posted online are wrong. Hopefully they'll fix them because my dad is going to be really disappointed with his "official" time.
a stubbed (broken?) toe from entering the river before the swim. I was so thankful that I got new biking shoes before the race. My old shoes did not fit my post-pregnancy feet, and they never would have fit my swollen toe. But as it was my new shoes slid right on. 10 hours later my toe is purple all the way to the base, but only hurts if it is touched or bent.We enjoyed the fabulous post-race breakfast at Grandpa's house, and then headed home. All in all, it was a great day. Thanks to my mom who watched Ella while I raced.
The only disappointment was that Ryan didn't get to participate in the fun. He gets home on Monday and we can't wait to see him. There's always next year.
ps--the times posted online are wrong. Hopefully they'll fix them because my dad is going to be really disappointed with his "official" time.
July 22, 2009
Interesting Perspective
(*Ryan--this post is just my ramblings. No updates or pictures of Ella.)
I read this interesting quote on a friend's blog recently. It comes from a book called The Survivor's Club, by Ben Sherwood.
" When it comes to adversity, it's human nature to make comparisons. Which is worse? Getting trapped in the freezing Andes or accidentally killing your child? These questions are inevitable but lead nowhere. While some challenges appear to be more daunting or excruciating than others, if you're going through your own ordeal, it doesn't make any difference where it ranks on some imaginary Richter scale of survival.....Sure, adversity comes in many sizes and shapes, but if it's happening in YOUR life--if it's got your undivided attention--if that stakes matter to YOU--then contrasts are irrelevant. The Big One is happening to you, right here and right now. Relativity doesn't matter. No matter the crisis--on a glacier or in a driveway--the second rule of the Survivors Club means that your challenge is just as big a deal as anyone else's."
Thought-provoking, isn't it?
And while I'm at it, I read an interesting article in the Ensign recently that has stuck with me. It was written by a woman had led an active and purposeful life. Her experiences in church, sports and schooling defined her. After returning from an LDS mission to Ireland she became sick and is now battling a chronic illness that does not allow her to do much of anything. She struggled with feelings of inadequacy until she realized that, "my worth does not depend on my abilities but is founded in the fact that I am His [God's] child."
The idea that we all have innate worth, despite our inadequacies and failings, was powerful. After reading this I wanted to become less judgmental and more loving.
You can read the article here.
I read this interesting quote on a friend's blog recently. It comes from a book called The Survivor's Club, by Ben Sherwood.
" When it comes to adversity, it's human nature to make comparisons. Which is worse? Getting trapped in the freezing Andes or accidentally killing your child? These questions are inevitable but lead nowhere. While some challenges appear to be more daunting or excruciating than others, if you're going through your own ordeal, it doesn't make any difference where it ranks on some imaginary Richter scale of survival.....Sure, adversity comes in many sizes and shapes, but if it's happening in YOUR life--if it's got your undivided attention--if that stakes matter to YOU--then contrasts are irrelevant. The Big One is happening to you, right here and right now. Relativity doesn't matter. No matter the crisis--on a glacier or in a driveway--the second rule of the Survivors Club means that your challenge is just as big a deal as anyone else's."
Thought-provoking, isn't it?
And while I'm at it, I read an interesting article in the Ensign recently that has stuck with me. It was written by a woman had led an active and purposeful life. Her experiences in church, sports and schooling defined her. After returning from an LDS mission to Ireland she became sick and is now battling a chronic illness that does not allow her to do much of anything. She struggled with feelings of inadequacy until she realized that, "my worth does not depend on my abilities but is founded in the fact that I am His [God's] child."
The idea that we all have innate worth, despite our inadequacies and failings, was powerful. After reading this I wanted to become less judgmental and more loving.
You can read the article here.
July 21, 2009
Video For Ryan
Ryan is having the time of his life in France (he just texted me from outside the Astana bus watching Johan give an interview), but is missing his baby girl. Here's an update to get him through.
New words:
Burr (Bird)
Dog
New loves:
Chance (the dog)
New trials:
Top right tooth
July 20, 2009
Minnesota Nice
Ella and I are having a great time in Minnesota. Everyone really is nice. On my walk last night I had four people stop me and tell me how beautiful Ella was, was I new to the neighborhood?, do I think the good weather will last? And they all seemed genuinely interested in my answers.
Speaking of weather, it has been beautiful. Mid 70s, green, not too humid. Perfect. Much better than winter. Packer siblings: What would you think of celebrating Christmas in July next year? I'm serious. It is so much nicer during the summer than during the winter, flying would be easier, and we wouldn't be stuck inside. What do you think?
July 17, 2009
A Beautiful Thing
This is what you want to see the night before you embark on your first flight with babe in tow. A whole row to ourselves. Minnesota, here we come!
July 16, 2009
Squeaky Clean
I am in charge or our ward's "Homemaking Enrichment Group" (how's that for old school meets new school?) and this month we are all about cleaning. So...I was hoping my blogging friends would share their favorite cleaning tip. I am by no means a super-cleaner, but here are a few ideas to get you started.
-Always wear thick rubber gloves for anything wet or even remotely messy. You can handle really hot water and it takes out the "ick" factor.
-When things seem overwhelming, just start in one corner and work your way out. I start at my kitchen sink, clean everything associated with it, and then move my way toward the family room. When I can see the progress I am making it motivates me to keep cleaning.
-Spot-X Hard water cleaner is the best thing I've found to get rid of those pesky stains. I've wasted a lot of money on hard water cleaners, but this one (plus a little elbow grease) works fairly well.
-I have a little yellow square towel that is fantastic for mirrors. You just get it a little wet and wipe the mirror down. No streaks, no cleaners. Works beautifully.
July 15, 2009
July 12, 2009
Video for the Grandmas
These are for the Grandmas who can't get enough.
Good Morning Ella
Walking with the Laundry Basket
The second half of this one is funny because Ella is spinning around with the basket, just like she spins around when she is sitting on the floor.
Good Morning Ella
Walking with the Laundry Basket
The second half of this one is funny because Ella is spinning around with the basket, just like she spins around when she is sitting on the floor.
Fancy
My sister Kimmy works for a company called Maggie Soterro. They specialize in wedding dresses, but also make prom dresses. Well, this week they had a warehouse sale for their Flirt line. They took the dresses that were one-of-a kind designs that didn't make it to production or left over from trunk sales and blew them out. Originally these dresses sold for $400, but for a few hours on Thursday night every dress was $25. It was CRAZY. Teenagers (and their moms) running around like mad women, hoarding dresses right and left. I felt like I was in a sitcom. I literally walked by one dress, paused to look at it, and a woman shouted (mostly nice), "That one's taken!"
Kimmy and I both got swept up in the fun, and between us came home with 5 dresses. So if you ever need to dress up as Ms. America or the Queen, just let me know.
My dress. Lovely, isn't it?
The color didn't come out great on this. It is Shimmer Moss in case you couldn't tell.
Kimmy and I both got swept up in the fun, and between us came home with 5 dresses. So if you ever need to dress up as Ms. America or the Queen, just let me know.
My dress. Lovely, isn't it?
The color didn't come out great on this. It is Shimmer Moss in case you couldn't tell.
July 8, 2009
Le Tour
I really love watching the Tour de France. I love the athleticism, the competition, the tactics, Phil,Paul, Bob...little Tommy Voeckler.
But what I love most is the Podium Girls. At the end of every stage the winners are presented their jerseys by girls in outfits that match the jersey they represent. They can be a little over the top...Cracks me up every time.
Here are a few examples (Sorry, couldn't find the Green or White jersey girls)
Polka Dot Jersey (King of the Mountains)
Red Jersey (Most Aggressive Rider)
Stage Winner
Yellow Jersey (Overall Leader)
(Ben Stiller is not a podium girl, but made a guest appearance.)
But what I love most is the Podium Girls. At the end of every stage the winners are presented their jerseys by girls in outfits that match the jersey they represent. They can be a little over the top...Cracks me up every time.
Here are a few examples (Sorry, couldn't find the Green or White jersey girls)
Polka Dot Jersey (King of the Mountains)
Red Jersey (Most Aggressive Rider)
Stage Winner
Yellow Jersey (Overall Leader)
(Ben Stiller is not a podium girl, but made a guest appearance.)
Get Away
FYI, Southwest is having a 48-hour sale that ends today. Fly anywhere for $30-90 one way. Good deals to be had.
July 5, 2009
Our Fourth
I had big plans for this Independence Day. Breakfast at Terigo. Park City Parade. Fireworks. But...life with Ella doesn't lend itself to plans.We had a good time anyway. Breakfast at Jeremy. Park City Outlet Mall. Sparklers.
I wouldn't have it any other way.
Yes, Jamie, I know that if I had the new iPhone I could have made a video of Ella on Ryan's shoulders. Or at least had better quality pictures. Maybe someday...
July 1, 2009
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