More Blogger Templates

Here are some more Blogger templates I have created...I know they're not the prettiest things, but I'm working on my craft. Just follow the directions in the post below to add one to your blog.

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll81/jngrl7/grandmascouch.gif

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll81/jngrl7/greenandpinkgarden.gif

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll81/jngrl7/pearlsofwisdom.gif

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll81/jngrl7/AndrewandRebekahBlog.gif

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll81/jngrl7/AndrewandRebekahBlog2.gif

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll81/jngrl7/AndrewandRebekahBlog3.gif

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll81/jngrl7/bluebird.gif

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll81/jngrl7/colorblocksunburst.gif

Digital Scrap Booking?

So, recently while I was trying to figure out how to design my own blog templates and I got emerged in the world of digital scrap booking. Who knew this was such a huge thing? I definately didn't. There are websites upon website where you can get digital paper, embellishments, pictures, ribbons...everything you need to do some memory keeping. And you can even find much of the stuff for free. (Here's a good website: digiscrapdepot) I've already downloaded a lot of stuff (much of which I probably won't use). And this whole digital scrap booking (which Phil refers to as "crap-booking") is huge over in Europe. I've never been one for scrap booking, but this way there's no mess and no glue to deal with.

So far, all I have done other than download a bunch of stuff, is design some blog templates for blogger. Here's what I've come up with:

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll81/jngrl7/brownbag3.gif

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll81/jngrl7/brownfloral.gif


http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll81/jngrl7/pinkpaisley.gif

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll81/jngrl7/redpaisley.gif

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll81/jngrl7/YellowTree.gif

If you want to use these, just follow these directions:

Log into your blog

Next go to ‘customize’ then ‘layout’ then ‘pick a new template’ then choose a minima template.

Then click on "edit HTML:" and scroll down to where it says:

body { background:$bgcolor; margin:0; color:$textcolor; font:x-small Georgia Serif; font-size/* */:/**/small; font-size: /**/small; text-align: center;

Change that part of the code to say this:

body {

background:$bgcolor;background-image:url(direct link);background-position: center; background-repeat:no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed;

margin:0; color:$textcolor; font:x-small Georgia Serif; font-size/* */:/**/small; font-size: /**/small; text-align: center;

Now copy the address of the picture where it says "direct link"

Click Save!

I know these aren't the best, but I'm still trying to figure out how to use a program other than ppt or publisher.

If you want more information about how to make your own blog template, visit: www.cutestblogontheblock.com

Happy blogging and digital scrap booking!

Camera Dump

So I haven't downloaded pictures from my camera in a while and I found a few from February when I flew to Boston for Julia and Dave's open house/engagement party. Not surprisingly, most of the pictures are of the kids.....

Mason

Dad testing his fancy web cam...

Jules and Mason

Mason

video playing cousins Isaac and Kade...gotta love that DS

Kade being Kade

Me and Kade

Owen

Me and Kira

Chameleon

So I keep changing my blog template and layout. I think I've changed it three or four times in the past two days. I think it's because its the one thing in my life right now I can control, but I'm never happy with anything I do to it. It really makes me wish I knew more about html and web design. Well I guess there's still time...

I've been thinking A LOT lately about those other things in my life I can't control. I have an amazing husband who has the ability to remain calm and collected in times of change, while I'm dying inside feeling like I'm never going to see the end of the road.

(Who knew a Chameleon could be this small. Yes folks, thats the smallest Chameleon in the world).

Its like the things in my life I can change are the small things (noted picture above), and the big things are the ones I have no control over. It's so frustrating.....but I think that's the way its supposed to be. If we had full control over the bigger, more important things in our lives, then what would be the need for faith? Yes, we do help to direct the paths in our lives, but there is a larger force at play. He's the one that directs you to where you should go to school, who you're going to marry, where you should work, and who the one landlord in Minneapolis is who will rent you a spacious apartment for less than $1000/month. Yes, God works in mysterious ways, but at least we know he's there helping us...holding our hands when we can't see the end of the road.

Possible Dwelling

UPDATE ON THE UPDATE: The landlord found another renter....darn! So we're back to the beginning again. Anyone want to give us a place to live in Minneapolis????? PLEASE!?

UPDATE: We just found out that it doesn't have A/C and the landlord is still showing it to people...so if he doesn't find anyone else to start renting it June 1st, he'll offer it to us for July 1st. But we have to wait and see.

So Phil and I have been searching and searching for a place to live in Minneapolis and we think we have found a great place. We just want to see what you, our avid readers, think. So leave us a comment and let us know if you think we should rent it after reading the below information.


(Click HERE to see the listing on Craigslist)
It's about 4 miles from downtown and the U of M campus (Click here to see map). It's a 2 bedroom 1 bath apartment with a dishwasher and free laundry in the basement. It has recently been updated with new stainless steel appliances, paint, and refinished hardwood floors. It has plenty of closet space (or so they say) and storage in the basement. We would have a reserved two car parking spot in the back of the building (uncovered). The rent is $850/month and we have to pay electric, gas, and cable/internet. The apartment is on the first floor of a 4 unit building. We are not sure yet if it has air conditioning....I guess if it doesn't we can use window units...

The guy renting it says he would be willing to lease it to us for 3 months in case we decide we don't like it and want to find somewhere else to live. Its a good neighborhood with a park down the street. Here are some pictures.






Questions we are asking ourselves....
1. Would it be worth it to live there without a/c for three months (July, August, September....assuming that it doesn't have it)?
2. Do we want to be on the first floor?
3. Would it be awful in the winter to park our car outside? (although not too many apartments offer covered parking)
4. Do we want to rent something that we have never seen or met the landlord?

Please let us know what you think.

What a Funny Kid

So for those of you who have never met my nephew Kade...here's a video you can watch on my sister's blog. Despite the awful lighting this is pretty much the funniest thing EVER!

Here's a picture of Kade one morning last summer, eating a donut for breakfast. It's pretty much the only thing he will eat for breakfast these days.

The Blog Heard 'Round the World

So this morning I put this cool tool on our blog that keeps track of the statistics of those of you who view our blog. Its a really cool service provided by www.statcounter.com...check it out! Anyway, I was looking up our stats just from today and I noticed we had someone visit our blog from The Netherlands! I think thats pretty awesome. I never knew the words I write could reach so many. The glory of the world wide web!

Welkom mijn vrienden!!

I Was Tagged

Because I have been accused of not blogging enough, I am fulfilling a request from my good friend Margaret Elva "Prego" Tueller Proffitt to answer the following questions:

4 Jobs I have had:
Instructor - MyGym children's fitness center
Intern ("do anything for anyone-tern") - HBS Executive Education
Intern - Community Action Services and Food Bank (a local nonprofit in Provo)
Research Assistant - doing lit review upon lit review on business ethics

4 TV Shows I watch:
American Idol
Law and Order
House Hunters
Oprah (cheesy I know, but sometimes interesting)

4 Places I have been:
Bermuda
Aruba
Ghana
Hawaii
(And all in the last year and 8 months!)

4 People that email me:
CNN Breaking News
Jules
Phil
Fellow students I'm working on projects with (I get LOTS of these...but not anymore come Monday!!!)

4 of my favorite foods:
Pad Tai
Cannolis....yummy
Cookie dough Sonic blasts (only for a limited time)
Sweet potatoe fries (because that's what I'm making for dinner tonight!)

4 Friends I Tag:
I abstain....

4 things I am looking forward to in 2008:
Moving to Minneapolis (or so we think)
Moving above the federal poverty line (based on whether or not I can find a job!!!)
Decorating a new apartment!
Being done with school (next week!!)

news

So this morning we found out Phil was accepted to George Washington University in D.C.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Now our decision about where to move is more complicated. Please vote (see question to the right) to help us make this decision!

I'm a Butterfinger!!

So according to a precise test of my personality, likes, and dislikes, it has been determined that I am more like a butterfinger than any other candy bar....hmm I'm yummy.

What Kind of Candy Are You?