tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15123511043436250732024-02-07T11:46:44.525-08:00Life with the McGoverns....Amanda McGovernhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01586807191249873015noreply@blogger.comBlogger27125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1512351104343625073.post-65109450447748911432010-06-16T08:31:00.000-07:002010-06-16T08:39:04.979-07:00Paying the Extra Cost....<div>So our local Wal-Mart is undergoing major renovations. Not sure whether they're turning it into a Super Wal-Mart or what. But.... the last few times I've been there I have left completely frustrated. The store is in complete disarray! It literally takes so much extra time because you can't find what you're looking for because they have everything scattered all over the store. They are moving around every department. Where you once found dish soap near the front, now it's in the complete back corner of the store. Get my point? </div><br /><div>I was even more heated when I left there last weekend only to find out after I had loaded everything up on the checkout counter that they were not currently accepting debit/credit because all their machines were down. They had NO signs anywhere and weren't telling anyone this until people were ready to checkout! I couldn't believe it! They were only taking check or cash, of which I did not have. Needless to say, the cashier pointed me to an ATM machine at the front of the store where I had to go and withdrawal money in order to pay for my stuff. Argggggggh! </div><br /><div>With all that being said, I have been so frustrated with this particular store that I've just decided to spend the little extra money that it costs to shop at Target. Usually Target isn't that much more expensive then Wal-Mart. But right now... I'm boycotting Wal-Mart.</div><br /><div>Lastly, speaking of spending a little extra... I recently decided to spend a couple extra dollars on toothpaste. I wanted to try this 3D whitening toothpaste that I've seen advertised on tv. Guess what? It really works. I have seen a noticeable difference in the brightness of my teeth! </div><br /><div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483396053609602050" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 316px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgidGyNoPc47DermYKlcarRI91My-EKoIu74HKzlLk55UZcHHCkCAq3_8kK4gs3MUqAHXFapYbUPWA7kTjwZ9GHf6ISbuX6uEgI1pQCkKWsC_HR8_QldHrJB6i_9UsHre1HjzRlM0f76wD/s400/toothpaste.jpg" border="0" />What items would you spend a little extra for in order to try something new and/or 'get the good stuff"?<br /><div></div><br /><div>Until next time folks! :)</div>Amanda McGovernhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01586807191249873015noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1512351104343625073.post-56997525887446369022010-03-05T09:46:00.000-08:002010-03-05T10:04:30.234-08:00The Cravings of a Pregnant Woman<div align="center"><strong>Craving: "a consuming or yearning, intense desire for something".</strong><br /><br />Pickles & Ice Cream are among the most common cravings of pregnant women.... however, not for this preggo mama. Here are a few items on my "craving list" that I just cannot get enough of... and you know it's a true craving when you want it and you won't let anything stop you from getting it". </div><div align="center"><br /></div><strong></strong><div align="center"><strong>Jalopeno & Cheddar Bagels</strong><br /><br /></div><p align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445208951701496962" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 137px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 163px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0SeovJ7MquXFJ47Sen9mJcfkI4A_Vq63iMr_u8rs5Tl5q3tZDY9e5RsSRTgeNfNvbnzF8-rM1X7XztyAllIwSeBpJf364pqlUilzW6rL9zEl9efS-H9TB65P2bjvAIoxRA0LTvw9B_TKI/s400/jalpeno+cheddar.jpg" border="0" /><strong></strong></p><p align="center"><strong>Peanut Butter Sandwiches</strong><br /></p><div align="center"><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445209192520185890" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 146px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 152px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmRmXDXC57IpJxFs16LdhP2O4xwC_ZjZkOCWOejr5ojAvcvG5qiKMCQB4CuMyGUHnKezNmFv4buu1-HZ3_ojYQ3kEerPFYQT_ReLvKxOn8ocHFLvJERnWRfpxFzqyI43FQf2V5WBPc7Qpd/s400/peanut+butter+sandwich.gif" border="0" /><br /><p align="center"><strong>Chips & Salsa.... or should I say... "SALSA and a few chips"</strong><br /></p><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445209415549444114" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 171px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 212px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT_IhyphenhyphenNCJhJvphVxxE8jPsqMRlYUNOL6rih9CYJOW3xDS5f9EQ3YY7FtyI4tgBfKSJcQ-LlumGb6ekrjLsuXz7n_Knh19N5HvA02-vFBsuqxi3hSt3i6sqrXi1EZ0UHNj1B3aUcRd3ArH7/s400/salsa+and+chips.jpg" border="0" /><br /><p align="center"><strong>Buffalo Chicken Pizza - Obviously... this baby likes it spicy!</strong></p><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445210366935335122" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 185px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 137px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9egKYyneezRiPDLMRlrReU03ttCXn8okPOfUGRGt3FP2QUfoXy-CapVFmXEhyDYah4dvZgyQNY1-mhhVtSkWhy7Lffmy8Ei2x6m0ShuUifcHsFJZHlDCLvl8G-dQhQJgSCHZmEeiaATgw/s400/buffalo+chicken+pizza.jpg" border="0" /><br /><strong>Salt...I know, I know it's not the best for you...but PLEASE give me something SALTY</strong><br /><br /><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445210882209242434" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 153px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 170px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu-VCOaxyxknMXWHpROHg2Zx7InZBD_lr6VXN0u6gG_HKgVVxaoFHrPZYDRoJ4znI2iOVktxQAapdxRFPyLwfWes-6Te641PsOqabj8eOzTSQujNbQU6HmYWWJR4CmrXDKAH_hq_btkbee/s400/salt.jpg" border="0" /><br /><strong>Coco Cola... there's a limit to the amount of caffeine a pregnant woman can have a day... but I'm not a coffee drinker so I like to splurge on a coke every couple days.</strong></p><br /><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445211461444568962" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 160px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 163px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWmlSGCWz-dOl6K9AQvWjz7F2PTZ7VwqvMIX_VLsqHmuu3z7JtFKhEBwGZ7Vxw5KTOermQGbwsnRFrbdczzgR_TWaCOsUYyxTJEyAhmWPVeF_OLDSD1A666Vdl9viTOu9X6cxvsaU0923m/s400/coco+cola.jpg" border="0" /></p><p>So...there it is. Now you no a little more about what I've been thinking about lately. :)</p><p>When and if you've ever been pregnant what do/did you crave?</p>Amanda McGovernhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01586807191249873015noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1512351104343625073.post-48702609164147520612010-03-04T08:26:00.000-08:002010-03-04T08:39:31.731-08:00The Greatest Sounds of Jazz<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCSLzOGxZw9NiyzYMx6QcDBxuy1017C-OJ85Q9MPtQjT09JTW7Ghh_apVSNSXYwDcO36wIwnnsN8BpoqXh0MP_9CpEwjr1YWwKvOhFnttkdOJVbzrERIpBywenfXP6_mED713mhLKeelul/s1600-h/ella+fitzgerald.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 321px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCSLzOGxZw9NiyzYMx6QcDBxuy1017C-OJ85Q9MPtQjT09JTW7Ghh_apVSNSXYwDcO36wIwnnsN8BpoqXh0MP_9CpEwjr1YWwKvOhFnttkdOJVbzrERIpBywenfXP6_mED713mhLKeelul/s400/ella+fitzgerald.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444819067050349746" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEcv4GZICSizhJ7l6A3wvLRx1vxWiNiFbwkQd722M1LS2CcpvqSxdEtBfKGgjdZ_-Cx3lQ7s2GMzyJKotHAn51JfBZ4U-9Ymi_dqbEmTfYEaokRSZltjGnnBNiSqTdCddo4TdgzGbsjd-L/s1600-h/billie+holiday.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 379px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEcv4GZICSizhJ7l6A3wvLRx1vxWiNiFbwkQd722M1LS2CcpvqSxdEtBfKGgjdZ_-Cx3lQ7s2GMzyJKotHAn51JfBZ4U-9Ymi_dqbEmTfYEaokRSZltjGnnBNiSqTdCddo4TdgzGbsjd-L/s400/billie+holiday.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444818982350557026" /></a><br /><br />So I just have to give props today a couple of my favorite artists.... Ella Fitzgerald & Billie Holiday. This women fought incredible battles in their life and endured them through the expression of their greatest passion, music. Here's too two of the greatest jazz vocalists of all time. Your music lives on!Amanda McGovernhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01586807191249873015noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1512351104343625073.post-9548164524808718452010-02-19T07:35:00.000-08:002010-02-19T07:36:35.238-08:00It's a ClimbIt's all about the climb...... enough said.<br /><br /><object width="560" height="340"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/O61ekg9MZT0&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/O61ekg9MZT0&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object>Amanda McGovernhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01586807191249873015noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1512351104343625073.post-87107983585530562472010-02-17T15:27:00.000-08:002010-02-17T16:22:37.659-08:00How Much is that Doggie in the Window?How Much is that Doggie in the Window, Ruff Ruff!?<br /><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><br /><div></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-RWznAuX-z9j2zYWghk7pGyY32ai4Zu1uJER6pv8hvYzFAFx-dGAygd2RAftnPpAq8O30bRMcWGa2xqbNBREGoU19n-Auu4RO08ejjQ9a_VsxbS95-P9EuhgiVxEyC77eFl4WzdloIK2z/s1600-h/golden+retriever.jpg"></a><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439358723225065794" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 286px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCpoV_npl32Qmp7y2k2XpxCQMQ_D76fkTlCqEYPf_MRRPfUSIEV-Wv9iRt4uAF6Y2STZhtIox_ARIEReSd50Spm7cP6HyZbu9_HnJelEBExDK-2fNnRLrCRXiWj0l-txuuz6RGK2mkcU9W/s400/Dog.jpg" border="0" />Well if you've been watching the news lately, this dashing little black dog named Sadie took the best of show at the most recent Westminster Dog Show.<br /><br /><div>With all the attention on certain types of dog breeds... I thought I'd share with you some of my favorites! (in random order)...</div></div><br /><div><br /><div><strong>The Great Pyrenees</strong></div><div>A working class dog that guards flocks in the mountains. Easily resembles the Golden Retriever but is much larger and is usually either black or white.</div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFwr1OzcuQthRPAN5IVHs169OjFwdOUDVUT3Sq8sUuWRJ7XG0RMv1ulCKdkHVXPKvPoUwYOy0HmEryfzwJFyLy2iUoK4qCh-hZUbFh034DMFIDU5qwQkSpwFjSgoRSJuQ34U7AK0s1zxP0/s1600-h/great+pyrenees.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439360040966050690" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 341px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFwr1OzcuQthRPAN5IVHs169OjFwdOUDVUT3Sq8sUuWRJ7XG0RMv1ulCKdkHVXPKvPoUwYOy0HmEryfzwJFyLy2iUoK4qCh-hZUbFh034DMFIDU5qwQkSpwFjSgoRSJuQ34U7AK0s1zxP0/s400/great+pyrenees.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><strong>Old English Sheepdog</strong><br /></div><div>Another herding dog, known for it's long shaggy coat.</div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIn_Rgee-duVJNqcfo3I3XOmitX7QJHQ2dv5EGoqRLyOczdVmpw5CZBmrZO1gF0ZO9m96u1DJ7rh1IV6v98gEv5wzBahLZHfYjzZDwERiKRldB3HUIP7ml7Unr9nf71jIEhVdDEK19esMr/s1600-h/old+english+sheepdog.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439360900206424834" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 269px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIn_Rgee-duVJNqcfo3I3XOmitX7QJHQ2dv5EGoqRLyOczdVmpw5CZBmrZO1gF0ZO9m96u1DJ7rh1IV6v98gEv5wzBahLZHfYjzZDwERiKRldB3HUIP7ml7Unr9nf71jIEhVdDEK19esMr/s400/old+english+sheepdog.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><div><strong>Newfoundland</strong></div><div>Known for their giant size and tremendous strength, these working dogs were often used for fisherman.</div><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK8fEA5kVOj2mC5buFSBIzGjm1PKaejrCV5izRErhnAF_uD7A46bEFfv0cvJoMNpiqGFuMiwRPZYrKZTyr88ebwtE1C1P2dbY7I_jum75KxcLKvlp4IjB-EBhAfA8_pUIrFrM_XsRhLst6/s1600-h/nefoundland.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439361470583268066" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 383px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK8fEA5kVOj2mC5buFSBIzGjm1PKaejrCV5izRErhnAF_uD7A46bEFfv0cvJoMNpiqGFuMiwRPZYrKZTyr88ebwtE1C1P2dbY7I_jum75KxcLKvlp4IjB-EBhAfA8_pUIrFrM_XsRhLst6/s400/nefoundland.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div><strong>The Saint Bernard</strong></div><div>Better known as "Beethoven"</div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj4yjzkkZJGoxXKIt8v_18DsUkq8Ux_wDZeJr6EOrqd3BEJh66rWHF9zAlbbC4Dynj8ru_kmuRwQ7eoy8gzdbQwZqcY_vTyZhJRSUWMRs7RHCBIBmccDQvUxTmKBNIRc4miMZ8d00EBGhc/s1600-h/saint+bernard.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439362777965392802" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 292px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj4yjzkkZJGoxXKIt8v_18DsUkq8Ux_wDZeJr6EOrqd3BEJh66rWHF9zAlbbC4Dynj8ru_kmuRwQ7eoy8gzdbQwZqcY_vTyZhJRSUWMRs7RHCBIBmccDQvUxTmKBNIRc4miMZ8d00EBGhc/s400/saint+bernard.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div><strong>Black Russian Terrier</strong></div><div>I actually first encountered one of these dogs when a parent brought it to our school for show n tell. These dogs are massive and oooooh so cute!</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyD8YnaI9DU4UykwWoO5qNwTN08SWzeWxlUaabXd4avHTuBkI6iiVPCUzWoAgk5VejCSTZtOx5WPzeOG6PERo7ls9YNs_Im8ck2k_HEzqEstkWKqyWvGF2l3sXLe8_C3hNecuDbhLCShge/s1600-h/black_russian_terrier1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439365831089907906" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 381px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyD8YnaI9DU4UykwWoO5qNwTN08SWzeWxlUaabXd4avHTuBkI6iiVPCUzWoAgk5VejCSTZtOx5WPzeOG6PERo7ls9YNs_Im8ck2k_HEzqEstkWKqyWvGF2l3sXLe8_C3hNecuDbhLCShge/s400/black_russian_terrier1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><div><strong>Labradoodle</strong></div><div>Who could ever resist this new emerging breed (Lab & Poodle Mix)</div><br /><div></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYIz1Feo3JhCP0ATZSBiTmj_kjBEpUalLDyEdyW8Ns5w7RHpFVXh3qObWbd8QaGJiRtqctAQJFZMQTgitA7mr_uD4O1R3yAik32KlTi625K2j6EEKWwzLL0MZmObLQONBOcP_F-DrM5m_g/s1600-h/labradoodle.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439368399846771394" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 263px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 363px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYIz1Feo3JhCP0ATZSBiTmj_kjBEpUalLDyEdyW8Ns5w7RHpFVXh3qObWbd8QaGJiRtqctAQJFZMQTgitA7mr_uD4O1R3yAik32KlTi625K2j6EEKWwzLL0MZmObLQONBOcP_F-DrM5m_g/s400/labradoodle.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><div><strong>Golden Retriever</strong></div><div>An all-time classic. Known for retrieving and are used as guide and rescue dogs.</div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX8NMtBBKYFiiFyHJSDGIy_8bmEi3iUbvhXypOeerQJbdQ_0z-Bf_fKsEMt6beuWcfvXWnUDKRJkXsPaU9hvdhgiRhrabGF6ufJJEoVz7Pw3Ga3YjoFHS04zVmhyphenhyphenCQa8ec4RmX7HD1yJaL/s1600-h/Golden_Retriever_standing_Tucker.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439370446881421778" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 461px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX8NMtBBKYFiiFyHJSDGIy_8bmEi3iUbvhXypOeerQJbdQ_0z-Bf_fKsEMt6beuWcfvXWnUDKRJkXsPaU9hvdhgiRhrabGF6ufJJEoVz7Pw3Ga3YjoFHS04zVmhyphenhyphenCQa8ec4RmX7HD1yJaL/s400/Golden_Retriever_standing_Tucker.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div>Well as you can see... I'm a big fan of the BIG DOGS... but least we forget our beloved Rocky... he's a:</div><div> </div><div>SHIH TZU</div><div>Here's our dog, Rocky.<br /></div><div>(I'll post pic tomorrow...sorry having trouble locating photo on computer)...:)</div><div> </div><div> </div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Amanda McGovernhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01586807191249873015noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1512351104343625073.post-35274319993986917912010-02-16T16:08:00.000-08:002010-02-17T07:38:14.248-08:00The Dish....I'm about to <strong>DISH</strong> on one of my absolute FAVORITE THINGS TO DO.... <strong>EATING OUT.</strong><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438997849126097458" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 268px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWi0p0ETkIjNHBBs-U9EALoI65LC7JILLfQKZSJZHTDLxWhaZXfQAww36w2S6jskTxEAp0ue2QurDv1EGMEsOE6uQOqToGEoCJ700bK5ubK3beZEfqPkgR1yqEmXHwaTZhLiFg4M1y97wn/s400/Eating+Out.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><p>Most of the time our greatest temptations are the things we know we're not supposed to do but desire so badly. Mark and I have just established a new budget for this year. That new budget includes a nice little "cap" on our expenses for eating out & entertainment. Since I can't actually "dish" all I want, I figured I'd go ahead & blog about all my favorite restaurants. At least give you a little list of my fav's and also give some props to some that are on the "wish list" to visit. Where are your favorite places to go out to eat?</p><p><strong>Favorite Restaurants in Fairfield/Vacaville</strong>:</p><p><em><strong>FAST FOOD:</strong></em></p><p>In & Out Burger</p><p>Panda Express</p><p>Chick Filet</p><p><em><strong>CHAIN</strong></em></p><p>BJ's -they have a "to die for" Buffalo Ranch Chicken Pizza & Bruschetta Appetizer</p><p><em><strong>PLACE FOR A ROMANTIC DINNER</strong></em></p><p>Merchant & Main</p><p>Sticky Rice</p><p><strong><em>BREAKFAST</em></strong></p><p>Crepes & More - "off the chain!!!"</p><p></p><p><strong>Favorite Restauranst in Neighbhoring Cities</strong></p><p><em><strong>BURGERS</strong></em></p><p>Taylor's Refresher - Napa, CA</p><p><strong><em>GRILLS</em></strong></p><p>Rutherford Grill - Rutherford, CA</p><p>Bistro 33 - Davis, CA</p><p><strong><em>PASTA</em></strong></p><p>Buca di Beppo - Sacramento, CA</p><p><em><strong>THAI FOOD</strong></em></p><p>Amarian Thai Cuisuine - Lafayette, CA</p><p><strong><em>DESSERT</em></strong></p><p>E Tutto Qua - San Francisco, CA</p><p><strong><em>PIZZA</em></strong></p><p>Zac's - Berkley, CA</p><p>Paxti's - San Fransisco, CA</p><p><strong><em>ROMANCE/VIEW</em></strong></p><p>Skates on the Bay - Berkley, CA</p><p>Osteria Fasulo - Davis, CA</p><p><strong><em>BREAKFAST</em></strong></p><p>Buschon Bakery - Yountville, CA</p><p>Stacks - San Francisco, CA</p><p><em><strong>SALAD</strong></em></p><p>Pluto's - Davis, CA</p><p><strong><em>PRICEY BUT OH...SO GOOD</em></strong></p><p>Buschon - Yountville, CA</p><p>Skates on the Bay - Berkely, CA</p><p><strong>BEST GARLIC</strong></p><p>Stinking Rose - San Fransisco, CA</p><p>We'll that should be enough to get your palette wet. Let's eat! :)</p><p><strong>BEST MEXICAN</strong></p><p>Blue Agave - Pleasanton, CA</p><p></p><p>WISH LIST:</p><p>The Dead Fish - Crockett, CA</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p>Amanda McGovernhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01586807191249873015noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1512351104343625073.post-60539840709731924132010-02-09T16:25:00.001-08:002010-02-09T16:31:28.535-08:00The Lone Survivor<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigXHtvVQniVK6YJpUknnPSSgI1zdx_sTmxBxAuej36KZL8SOw3p-IfMWW8AlLNDbkdWhd9ruxePvCjjpPZgjoGS_T4kpJ7yOOdvipbCHCv_QJ1uy1ElxqaK35TJUH-HkH9JWPrn1LKu4Xe/s1600-h/surivor.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436404420947862514" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 260px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigXHtvVQniVK6YJpUknnPSSgI1zdx_sTmxBxAuej36KZL8SOw3p-IfMWW8AlLNDbkdWhd9ruxePvCjjpPZgjoGS_T4kpJ7yOOdvipbCHCv_QJ1uy1ElxqaK35TJUH-HkH9JWPrn1LKu4Xe/s400/surivor.jpg" border="0" /></a> Okay, ya'll. The <strong>BIGGEST</strong> season of <strong>Survivor EVER</strong> is getting ready to premiere Thursday night! The only problem, I feel like I'm the only one excited about it! I feel like the lone survivor! It seems that none of my closest friends, co-workers and/or family has ever gotten into watching Survivor like myself. This will be Survivor's 20th season. I'm proud to say... that out of the 19 past seasons, I've only missed 1. I wonder what was happening in my life in that time that would make me abandon my beloved Survivor.??<br /><br />Anyways, Survivor Heroes vs. Villians is going to feature the best of the best. The toughest, meanest, sweetest, rudest (is that a word), most skilled players that the game has ever known. Can we call it a come back! Can't wait to watch some of most favorite players battle it out.<br /><br />It all starts this Thursday, February 11th at 8 pm ET. Can't somebody join me this season so I can have someone to gab to on Friday mornings?Amanda McGovernhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01586807191249873015noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1512351104343625073.post-90645939609595482032010-02-04T08:37:00.001-08:002010-02-25T11:28:26.825-08:00Snuggle Green Burst<strong>Snuggle Green Burst</strong><br /><strong></strong><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZf17_WDqDCX2DLh2TXnvltveBxrEvAHy7Kv6hDA8v-sqkyRMsbBTPgYAkeWh7sSGza7R2RVWpK7q7tsmk6v9tqGq58pwDH50MrMkmBC9o3KZGLqghU1GuAb7vp-R2m3vYiE-P75OcdglX/s1600-h/snuggle_green_burst_main1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434428507077796018" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZf17_WDqDCX2DLh2TXnvltveBxrEvAHy7Kv6hDA8v-sqkyRMsbBTPgYAkeWh7sSGza7R2RVWpK7q7tsmk6v9tqGq58pwDH50MrMkmBC9o3KZGLqghU1GuAb7vp-R2m3vYiE-P75OcdglX/s400/snuggle_green_burst_main1.jpg" border="0" /></a> Okay, so I have a new obsession!! SNUGGLE, "GREEN BURST". Often times I'll just try to buy the cheapest off brand fabric softner, because hey it's expensive stuff ya know.... but the other day I just picked up this Snuggle because it was on sale or something... and oh, my gosh... the scent is to die for! I cannot quit smelling my towels & clothes that come out of the dryer. I put a shirt on that I had washed and was sitting on the couch and kept saying to myself, wow, what is smell....well...it was the fabric softner. Incredible! Pick some up today!<br /><br />PS. I must note.... I found this at Winco. Wal-Mart does NOT carry this scent.<br /><div></div>Amanda McGovernhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01586807191249873015noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1512351104343625073.post-7550652711501274252010-02-02T08:14:00.000-08:002010-02-02T08:19:54.929-08:00McGovern Party of Four<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTXyf9Ngtm3P6hbweVBTOLPNuotZJLSQNPNa4oq5iUTgUpRqXWR7sW-PtDK0Dma7j7Bo5jCRqwIvl8jQpQnOTgLB3b-hzwUK75QxRoJYW4FF0E02fJaVKLnP7VBjwNxrTdrPpEUfu7ZpQW/s1600-h/baby+2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433681196919540050" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 227px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 145px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTXyf9Ngtm3P6hbweVBTOLPNuotZJLSQNPNa4oq5iUTgUpRqXWR7sW-PtDK0Dma7j7Bo5jCRqwIvl8jQpQnOTgLB3b-hzwUK75QxRoJYW4FF0E02fJaVKLnP7VBjwNxrTdrPpEUfu7ZpQW/s400/baby+2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>McGovern, Party of Four.....</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Big News in the McGovern clan...... Baby #2 is on's it way! We are very excited to announce that we will be adding a beautiful new addition to our family this August. I have just finished my 1st trimester and now I no longer have to keep it a secret. </div><br /><div>A couple of weeks ago I had my first doctor's visit and we got to see our new little friend on the ultrasound. Very squirmy..moving all around. Absolutely amazing! </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>We will not be finding out the sex of the baby so we will be in for a huge surprise! I'll keep you up-to-date with how things are progressing as we approach the big date.</div><div></div><div>MaMa McGovern</div>Amanda McGovernhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01586807191249873015noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1512351104343625073.post-2087751632787126922009-11-13T08:00:00.000-08:002009-11-13T08:21:52.914-08:00It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year....As I can remembered I've never really been so excited for the Spirit of Christmas. In years past I typically wait until the day after Thanksgiving to start decorating, listening to Christmas music and shopping, however this year I've kicked things off early. It's the middle of November and I cannot stop listening to Christmas tunes and I have begun planning all of our Christmas events/activities for the month of Dec. One thing for sure is living in California I'm not going to miss the heavy snow fall that we usually experience around this time of year. Here's a pic of my dad and our dog, Oodles and an image of what kind of snow we normally experience during the winter months. Looks brutally cold doesn't it. It sure is, however I will say it is amazingly beautiful! <div><div><div> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEindmGb8REzyva8co82IWKPVwB8RKZpeqOq7ONigX6n5viW5uTK9rQk9wGa0nGhXZm-9uVVlJnvPG4NwEp4ru0ux0WSmc0BXnu3T8vMV4xYmDPRkCbEhQv8XK-0hRwt5iNCsW_G0LpUJf4r/s1600-h/oodles+%26+dad.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403620346537953714" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 351px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 226px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEindmGb8REzyva8co82IWKPVwB8RKZpeqOq7ONigX6n5viW5uTK9rQk9wGa0nGhXZm-9uVVlJnvPG4NwEp4ru0ux0WSmc0BXnu3T8vMV4xYmDPRkCbEhQv8XK-0hRwt5iNCsW_G0LpUJf4r/s400/oodles+%26+dad.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVJhlxg7ybdGYf4ltWcvSrfdKxn-LXM2JYS6a7b96_aPJVs2tF5JcWSfOGwNrjyvFzYxXoIe2_MOL_9ZLD1KZ4ilsXfXAbXb-iV-U4WRnYqv8MpYGcoL9mZbr2qqouinDYvpfqga8nrKxc/s1600-h/snow1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403620518296687010" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 307px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 227px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVJhlxg7ybdGYf4ltWcvSrfdKxn-LXM2JYS6a7b96_aPJVs2tF5JcWSfOGwNrjyvFzYxXoIe2_MOL_9ZLD1KZ4ilsXfXAbXb-iV-U4WRnYqv8MpYGcoL9mZbr2qqouinDYvpfqga8nrKxc/s400/snow1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><br /><br /></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><br /><br /></div><br /><div></div><div>Now....to prove my holiday spirit is in full gear, I've done my research and listed below some upcoming Christmas TV Specials that I tend to think are some of the most popular hits of the season. Tune in and tell me what you think.</div><br /><div>How the Grinch Stole Christmas - TBS - Nov. 21, 8 pm</div><div>Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas - ABC - Nov. 30, 8 pm</div><div>A Charlie Brown Christmas - ABC - Dec. 1, 8 pm</div><div>Christmas in Rockafeller Center - NBC - Dec. 2, 7 pm</div><div>Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer - CBS - Dec. 2, 8 pm</div><div>The Polar Express - ABCFAM - Dec. 3, 6 pm, 8:30 pm</div><div>Carrie Underwood an All Star Christmas Special - FOX - Dec. 7, 8 pm</div><div>Santa Clause 2 - ABCFAM - Dec. 12, 6 pm</div><div>It's a Wonderful Life - NBC - Dec. 12, 8 pm</div><div>Shrek the Halls - ABC - Dec. 14, 8 pm</div><div>Saturday Night Live Christmas 2009 - NBC - Dec. 17, 8 pm</div><div>Frosty the Snowman - CBS - Dec. 18, 8 pm</div><div>Miracle on 34th Street - ABCFAM - Dec. 23, 7:30 pm</div><div>A Christmas Story Marathon - TBS - Dec. 24, 8 pm</div><br /><div>These movies are all wonderfu, however my 2 VERY favorite Christmas movies are not listed. I'm know they'll be airing sometime this season, just not sure what channel and/or date. To me these are the best Christmas movies of all time. They are........... </div><br /><div>National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation</div><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403623432563758194" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 91px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ1OCs95V19xHBGPPipVkyGsIBPhYE_3OH_AOPJ9jduxbvvEvKqWQXgHOXwisR5qrPmV_lq2bCMXtXtrI01z3Y8mGz88fgPGzMrmMMT6HHVk55S1DehZ_zqFtJU4GQ_odNLs7UPgAOE7xO/s400/national+lampoons+better.jpg" border="0" />and.... Home Alone</div></div><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403623562626364914" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 113px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTNZLf2wJqXgxbtTpEBSdRo7A7OEeTU4AgoFjNhb3KYD5aeQKf5cLRt_zRC196zjpQvNSCZiMhNycapKk1jNLGwHnkeWu-ZNYxrTaCOm6Vh6d90-IDjv0IlooxtphSwnXN6jLYytFxYS3h/s400/home+alone.jpg" border="0" />Well I guess that's all now for my holiday spirit.... I will soon be sharing with you some of my favorite holiday recipes & memories. Until then jingle, jingle. :)<br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div></div></div>Amanda McGovernhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01586807191249873015noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1512351104343625073.post-58734806638207791312009-11-09T14:59:00.000-08:002009-11-09T15:03:17.808-08:00You MUST Snag a Snuggie!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVmdRo_EtRze2cGyhYzk9Is3Ul5C0RThC56r5RP_W8Eh5bsOYwdRkQkEsjSj4zQzPjABnhfkiz636H0A1wsQCcp2XkMX0z7TZc13GiQMIhQhJY0gRWL42-7vMRgFEX0v8mHrIEU03a4W9-/s1600-h/snuggie.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402243228707752034" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 168px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 209px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVmdRo_EtRze2cGyhYzk9Is3Ul5C0RThC56r5RP_W8Eh5bsOYwdRkQkEsjSj4zQzPjABnhfkiz636H0A1wsQCcp2XkMX0z7TZc13GiQMIhQhJY0gRWL42-7vMRgFEX0v8mHrIEU03a4W9-/s400/snuggie.jpg" border="0" /></a>So it's true. I'm clearly not embarassed to say that my favorite new thing is my SNUGGIE! I always laughed when I saw those commercials for Snuggies...and thought to myself.. "who would actually buy one of those things!" One day I got home from work and my hubby had me a very special surprise, my very own HOT PINK, might I add, SNUGGIE.<br /><div></div><br /><div>And............ I LOVE IT! The only issue is almost every night when I put it on and lay on the couch, it makes me fall asleep. No joke, ask my husband he finds me asleep every night on the couch curled up in my snuggle sometimes only at 9 pm! It has sedative like powers...!! </div><br /><div>Well, if I don't say anything else, go grab yourself one! You can get them at Wal-Mart and/or Walgreens for around $14.99. Let me know what you think!</div>Amanda McGovernhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01586807191249873015noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1512351104343625073.post-69076566629588808682009-11-05T12:10:00.000-08:002009-11-05T13:00:25.570-08:00Fall Times...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx_vNRbyikEzajOuiDuSZTOKClLqUUs_2IP3QQd3pbQl_DCnOaumDUBgnS93BM5wlzJK1GZu23QkvylAUyIShTDOEGSBv-ImUvuehfrrSpNF-rhzfe2PIQmrRrEd579bL312T_g5xCMd36/s1600-h/me+%26+max.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400727190219055602" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 296px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx_vNRbyikEzajOuiDuSZTOKClLqUUs_2IP3QQd3pbQl_DCnOaumDUBgnS93BM5wlzJK1GZu23QkvylAUyIShTDOEGSBv-ImUvuehfrrSpNF-rhzfe2PIQmrRrEd579bL312T_g5xCMd36/s400/me+%26+max.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>It's official, I'm back. I was almost ready to quite and shut down my blog because of my inconsistency... however, I did not throw in the towel... and I'm committed to keep blogging.<br /><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><br /><div>So since I've kept you all out of the loop for so long, I'll give you a quick run down of the last few months!<br /></div><br /><div>Most recently, we've been enjoying our 2nd fall in California. It has been absolutely gorgeous...about 70-80 degrees in November! Unbelievable! I sure don't miss that cool bite of the Indiana wind.<br /></div><br /><div>So we've been out and about a lot lately. We've been doing a lot of pumpkin carving, partaking of all the fine fall delictable foods and out sight seeing in the vineyards and wine country. </div><br /><div>Here are some recent pics of our trip over to Napa. I absolutely love that we live so close to Napa. Right now is the peak season to visit all the wineries as you can see the grapes are full on the vine.</div><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400715843357893506" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1d6dR5Gh8-X-vlZfeoWrY_H6c9Pij7Mo8goJTkzQkdgI5LtxWE5lTb-8QELUQKbQPUKy_IU8ysMwmq255cv0qvUzAp6m75BQoRz-50-F9HVE1BVOwA0rcjzK7pUrL5nrzN1h3RD-_Ss2b/s400/napa+grapes.jpg" border="0" /></div></div><br /><div>We visited 2 wineries that particular day, Franks Family Vineyard was our first. Here is a pic of Mark & Max outside Franks..</div><br /><div><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400718017552310130" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSS2DSwiEbQmnfrLovWVRbxEQDxetuJ24x4Hgq_zipjnp_fPZf8unD7XFwwdtvjAre34q3k9goFQm2bFjdOBhclHpvoSHlhC-yAK-x4G3Gtd-hnLT1dl6YQOpoJlvs7oZDzNfxwN8NICqh/s400/mark+and+max+napa.jpg" border="0" />We also finally made it a point to visit this "castle" winery that I'd heard of. It's called Castello di Amrosa. It was gorgeous! It truly is a castle with hidden tunnels, a huge courtyard in the center, a drop down plank bridge entrance... very, very cool. Can't wait to go back to this one!<br /><br /><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400716491253448194" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDjerU3xhb87p1l8edX1ulxKI2Q9fgLTR-5PrZmy8usaUd4FrFNqVru9Kg4swl5TwACv5_hoqhyKc8Z0Dny7Bvfz0B0sGav4yg3wKde3l4BtxzE7uxpCLFwN-7V8HPWGhyAx-AKJtiDtzV/s400/castle.jpg" border="0" />There were absolutely gorgeous views from every tower overlooking all the vineyards. Speaking of views, last weekend Mark, Max & I ventured over to Walnut Creek (about 30-40 mins away) to visit Mt. Diablo. This is one of the highest points/altitudes in the Bay Area. </p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400717353665114722" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRtHw0qSNBFQiTnxH6X4lQWsfEiQP9JKl0gYf-R8_XsFYUDP1oLSIyf4vgQM4BhMqjJV56GuYoCIOXGhZfHslFMsqtlSrNH8lpswKbrAmRYNGPgQlMQfuZ49gK5Olx33AwwLU3zi8q4NfV/s400/amanda+mark+mt.+diablo.jpg" border="0" /> </div><br /><div>Before we embarked on all of our fall ventures, we celebrated Max's 1st B-day! Boy did we have a "BALL". We hosted him a "BALL" themed party at our house, on his b-day, Sat., Oct. 10th.<br /></div><div>Max's first word was BALL and he has always been fascinated with balls more than any other toy. Enough said. Here are some pics of his party.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVJxrzHorq4hwe28L5pwaefPQrxFFJKRgQXoIJneRZRraZh0S41ECWhj1_ywJKOF7HnXZt6eZb8OuntfDifZChaSgmcsyJgpChP2nNvNsz_II-_0m3gOgIdYEsCwOrFX31QebtO1C229GH/s1600-h/balls.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400719023306517218" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 366px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVJxrzHorq4hwe28L5pwaefPQrxFFJKRgQXoIJneRZRraZh0S41ECWhj1_ywJKOF7HnXZt6eZb8OuntfDifZChaSgmcsyJgpChP2nNvNsz_II-_0m3gOgIdYEsCwOrFX31QebtO1C229GH/s400/balls.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div></div><br /><div><br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggLpGDSfKQrHOk24RAqnyWcb0RTcWpgyjiiJPtrlWliXbz_7ZkRad-EVipVOHC0t3k16T4LUsjio_aC71lHvfc9ax0EfW1_vzerIeGJ0h-4iW10IY1CuzwnjzB8FibZgC3Dl60e4vrAjwf/s1600-h/cake+eater.jpg"></a></p><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggLpGDSfKQrHOk24RAqnyWcb0RTcWpgyjiiJPtrlWliXbz_7ZkRad-EVipVOHC0t3k16T4LUsjio_aC71lHvfc9ax0EfW1_vzerIeGJ0h-4iW10IY1CuzwnjzB8FibZgC3Dl60e4vrAjwf/s1600-h/cake+eater.jpg"></a></p><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400719545382989458" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggLpGDSfKQrHOk24RAqnyWcb0RTcWpgyjiiJPtrlWliXbz_7ZkRad-EVipVOHC0t3k16T4LUsjio_aC71lHvfc9ax0EfW1_vzerIeGJ0h-4iW10IY1CuzwnjzB8FibZgC3Dl60e4vrAjwf/s400/cake+eater.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></p></div><br /><p></p><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><p></p><br /><p></p><br /><p>Max also had a birthday party back in Indiana during September. He got sooo messy we had to give him a bath in roaster after he messed in his cake!<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400720235422517490" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIEF-SXtEh6RIi-Y1rDDjz78NeX7qQaHDiCDrRLTURaxeVjG70e-5Z0E_04CYm9xDgjDXyeBi79ZWGOLl-ocE2aZ1w8usu9FH4wIxDil9LfnX_r3Zi_HRTf3lJ8KBH6Mne4GpAlLZMoLxh/s400/max's+bday+cake+indiana.jpg" border="0" /></p></div></div></div></div></div><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400720484400796754" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsuSo7OZUtqM2Ven4OxILc9hh5quyZUSSYi-pt5GA65tyXgoUN0wQ3v4Oe8xMUA09_JliFJ-FblZc3olx7jsHbKQMdjxF1bRSYVuvwJebxzV0OUlmHGTHZVk8F3-_n87GG49KW8ZtL_Sjl/s400/max+cake+smile.jpg" border="0" /></p><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400721015325898642" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFgXQKBgqBegKfJVZDEWZqQ8tl6wJ75HepmU6MnkEofV79G57mo5jwiBdV16mcJuvcymJnIxHD1fApfmakxbKocp9-1YtHSWHeHvTe8aCvC1-d4bDT1PWy7_UzJAAnsI6LxtUtzMusQjRy/s400/max+party.jpg" border="0" /></p></div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400721156786952946" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdbVIUJDYwAYIbrKYhEFgYmyakjWOKADmix6eERmZX6agxdQVYXFtjSrTFa8OWWmInPH5Y5d6-DO4hW1zMdz9k-Ex27Z0t2S49eF-zreWp1tVV5OCFlrpmwEP5_vTJHYFwUYi_gDoHIjjt/s400/bath+in+tub.jpg" border="0" /></div></div><br /><br /><p>Lastly, I leave you with a cute pic of Max & PaPaw when they were out on the boat during that same trip. What a cute pic!<br /></p><br /><p></p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400721902712861538" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmXOREfVPAmIAdkDwNvpEHc_YbsYxOx3ojt8XlZA11uF9xTTH9BndKcRwCW4wSRfvZB3shBeBNqRFzjeXDat-utRkqFwbuFJeZLFXUttF7o2-IzysmUO9rOiiVqeKK5Zm8NSqh1oPblV0q/s400/max+and+papaw+on+boat+better.jpg" border="0" /> Well, toodles! Gotta run now! I will try to give you some more daily updates! </div>Amanda McGovernhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01586807191249873015noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1512351104343625073.post-31188477449847447652009-08-07T14:16:00.000-07:002009-08-07T14:24:51.180-07:00Loving Life<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSvwqBVoIi2POQq06NjF5mzO3E9IZBUlovlKRPUR60QuQuzD9U6hazOvcz8ohC7o_-0D3akN_OBIsb55Rz7ZCajFqBUsyMSbZn2Y3wIhly1BsY5IDVWJa3KENfr19WvQOYgjJ44uwOEJPf/s1600-h/max+at+pool.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367335889355473826" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSvwqBVoIi2POQq06NjF5mzO3E9IZBUlovlKRPUR60QuQuzD9U6hazOvcz8ohC7o_-0D3akN_OBIsb55Rz7ZCajFqBUsyMSbZn2Y3wIhly1BsY5IDVWJa3KENfr19WvQOYgjJ44uwOEJPf/s400/max+at+pool.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>My little MaxiMoose is now almost 10 months old.<br />Every day he is changing and becoming more & more special & unique. Here' s a pic from last weekend at the pool. He absolutely LOVED the water & splashing around. Some of his other favorite things to do right now are:<br /><ul><li>Playing with doorstops & flinging them so they make noise</li><br /><li>Saying "Hiiiii" </li><br /><li>Saying "Ahh Ohhh.." we he knows he's done something he shouldn't have</li><br /><li>Motoring into all our bathrooms and pulling the toliet paper of the roll and dragging it out into the nearby room</li><br /><li>Eating dogfood (hehe, we've had to discipline him to stay out of Rocky's dog food)</li><br /><li>Giving you a high five</li><br /><li>Throwing Balls across the room (Balls are his favorite)</li><br /><li>Pushing anything that moves across the floor (I need to get him a walker, he'd love it.<br /></li></ul><p>Anyways, he's quite the joy these days & so much fun. :)</p></div>Amanda McGovernhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01586807191249873015noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1512351104343625073.post-66386066973402303292009-07-01T13:06:00.000-07:002009-07-01T13:24:12.121-07:00Fun In the Sun<div><br /><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAX_aBdi9b-6NDEgW1Pf0oCFtDZ6FPpMHbbfrMk3cr0nqLRuWeZcwfkWIg0b7jO9IqYJIFg2Y28cGuG0KUvkUDGS221_7isWFu61BVXvjFyBghNgn4vXiDiyKFnn95Bdrul_yOaLkl8CtB/s1600-h/mark+thumbs+up.JPG"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLxTMSDhVlS255mDX32m4QpSRXkCkY_hF1s15vDTTJsW-59_xnWS8_E5Y-EZ9tC-p-fD2NLHcRjzT2DoXdRNt9WzpxFskhvJp8JVK3qgYjA8Qn-PVUtnDALlQ8ZDykE6wJuspDEOK6eXXF/s1600-h/happy+boy.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353589431771804226" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLxTMSDhVlS255mDX32m4QpSRXkCkY_hF1s15vDTTJsW-59_xnWS8_E5Y-EZ9tC-p-fD2NLHcRjzT2DoXdRNt9WzpxFskhvJp8JVK3qgYjA8Qn-PVUtnDALlQ8ZDykE6wJuspDEOK6eXXF/s200/happy+boy.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEE5Uh1vXOHPA3N_hDCoQj3bUb5zJkKd5VZi4GdH1R01J3r8fWH_jPJ9drj4YdoR0AsblxJnSSEl_hRI1k3mPWwnXNQ22iOY7tk7hdmUGa0ebHyIJCDPuVWqtMJdWhNDgQ7-2oD9TWEUad/s1600-h/get+those+toes.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353589924406385154" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 155px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEE5Uh1vXOHPA3N_hDCoQj3bUb5zJkKd5VZi4GdH1R01J3r8fWH_jPJ9drj4YdoR0AsblxJnSSEl_hRI1k3mPWwnXNQ22iOY7tk7hdmUGa0ebHyIJCDPuVWqtMJdWhNDgQ7-2oD9TWEUad/s200/get+those+toes.JPG" border="0" /></a><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353589532624715682" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiwDZh20zD7NTt4IBd3L-ETwaRRJbZgxzbfv80iFD19UAifIHujc4VR0kbRx_QxNc8bFzI0W2NJNfRdahoS5dRoimGBbWG_XD34xrvFNKW5bixHKanAISZzlzS_4w55YIEpzTzzjI6Rsa4/s200/swinging+is+fun.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><br /><div>So, I am such a bad blogger. It's been almost 6 weeks since I've last blogged. Too long. I'll try to get better.<br /><br /><div><div>Little Max is now almost 9 months old and is as lovable as ever!<br /><br />He has found a new love... We took him to the park this past weekend and pushed him the swing and could not stop laughing. He loved it! As it was a very sunny day, it was hard to get him to look up for a pic...I think he was also facinated at watching the ground as he swung back & forth.</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Amanda McGovernhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01586807191249873015noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1512351104343625073.post-62983109343022684952009-05-20T15:47:00.000-07:002009-05-20T16:07:57.689-07:00I HATE SICKNESS!Actually, I hate the devil! After all, he is the author of sickness & every evil.<br />Last week, I got really sick. Wierd, some sort of 24-48 hr. bug... was not fun...3 days later my little son, Max came down with some sort of illness.<br /><br />I absolutely do NOT believe that God teaches you through sickness, like some ignorant people believe, however .... through this trial, I feel like God reminded me of 3 great slogans that increased my faith & spirit:<br /><br />Number 1: <strong>Trade your Worry, For Worship.</strong> I had heard this saying before, but it is sooo important to literally take every negative thought captive as the Bible says, and begin to worship & thank God for his completed work on the cross. The Bible says we "are" and "were" healed from his stripes.<br /><br />Number 2: <strong>Focus on your Position and NOT your Condition. </strong>The devil wants us to focus on our condition, whether it be deteriorating health and/or lack of finances, etc. He wants us to forget our position, that we are the righteousness of God in Christ. If you can remember this it will give you the power to change your condition. If you pray against lack, abundant supply shall flow. If you pray for healing, sickness will have to leave. These things can't happen by our own doing, but by Christ power & life flowing through us. Remain conscious of WHO YOU ARE.<br /><br />Number 3: <strong>Focus on Healing and NOT Feeling.</strong> Sometimes we get so caught up in how horrible we feel that it is hard to remember the price Jesus paid for us on the cross. As I saw Max sick, it broke my heart. No one wants their child to be sick. And even more so... God as our Father hates to see us sick and unhappy. His desire for us is to be full of joy, strength & life!<br /><br />Fourthly, - I would encourage you to start to take communion everyday. Mark & I have been taking it every morning. Jesus said... DO THIS... and REMEMBER ME. It's so good to be reminded everyday of his forgiveness & healing that he provides us.<br /><br />Well, new adventures are awaiting... the fam is coming in town this weekend and we have some great things planned! Will try to post again soon.Amanda McGovernhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01586807191249873015noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1512351104343625073.post-58408678497154456692009-04-21T16:14:00.000-07:002009-04-21T16:24:01.148-07:00Easter Break<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327289077393682434" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirQK40vIKRMGguZWT1U2vJU5JFrpn7oYHNLn4HYZnLD11Csw_09EC5Ylf2fO6gvGOhb7iVtxpxBoU3qUBADCVnO_AEMtk6fYHgBEYSDWTlUzngcgvXWB4DuOEt-ruihQHEe_03LOC6eIZl/s320/twofus.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327288947357567026" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRQR1IdA8LuETW35ZxckmU4_BG-XTAHQyYwtnun6pnsbhwDkUQmMjhHPFH-GI8zFjyFrO57noBxzrvbcG1TndDamLxgqSoFEp-JR7phwK2Ye38qAfDK6Snzjzvw0EocA9L0jjlGy_P5992/s320/bigsmile.jpg" border="0" /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU_rXvY775W6hWeAJFYDiMhN9N7HQLJRwGxpcJZB7cfxpkB_kyrOYusHjL0NgmOg3UyZuYH2nkQMJ7ovro6Z-aTySxJBGoZ-A7NPNMD8BP8PSsiiY7_HBJL5_vv2YXkcFB4DFe92rPYNkr/s1600-h/little+legs.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327289138665075826" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU_rXvY775W6hWeAJFYDiMhN9N7HQLJRwGxpcJZB7cfxpkB_kyrOYusHjL0NgmOg3UyZuYH2nkQMJ7ovro6Z-aTySxJBGoZ-A7NPNMD8BP8PSsiiY7_HBJL5_vv2YXkcFB4DFe92rPYNkr/s320/little+legs.jpg" border="0" /></a> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327288891042697170" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEPsdqTtKTx3ob8JaIRUtX8svOrHDxKC8cO7tBu-L7VZUZrH7jKO_Xe2xhqr0UsFSN7_6nCVnl1g-GELuJHrBrJYaNubpjCPCgXPbFjs6jxVYVptsmtjdCtqowsSBKriX37L4dm5GHq31G/s320/john+madison.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327288830550266642" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiI0-xFjYOzJZC_ina2CmHlcLbzp853Jqzymzt5WfOnymOunfsF71zV96K3BFmHMUDtkO973N8Xz9LkvSkzHYgTGgaeS7V4hpkB7Que9vkQiJEPOH9D-52EPNxdwB-8n-PMvnMr5ZdkuzV/s320/armsup.jpg" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327287560917871138" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8s_Mf8e4mILuFTzjmzKhyphenhyphenf68noSLOsojkNiS6dpWlzNa1jURQ3uDbvFYbmA_n7-ed2Bj_mqUCwhUpN4qoKbrQsLIDR2S_bcr_7jgAEd3hjB3kALOKYB-H_PYEfNZpDuZI-kGMwxvLEmRM/s320/max+and+mommy+(1).jpg" border="0" /><br /><div><div><div><div><div><div>Because I work for a school I got the priveledge to have off the same time our students did for Easter Break. I traveled back to Indiana and got to spend some valuable time with the folks. Here are some of my favorite pics from our trip.</div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Amanda McGovernhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01586807191249873015noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1512351104343625073.post-9174913907453885602009-04-02T15:44:00.001-07:002009-04-02T15:58:02.021-07:00Go Ahead & Laugh<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDiERls5GjkL9lo2u2aPzxkUp1PPy9OlUPC-UTgM0MRPllNOeQGsuZTJBYZsGD8QxoGDzfxpEKY1bNlSX7Ox5hOry1vb_toYWNiYDfLY6o4WtpLN5Y0BzURKgukwhTzDmMcNd8_WsGym1u/s1600-h/laugh1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320231940206956242" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 219px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDiERls5GjkL9lo2u2aPzxkUp1PPy9OlUPC-UTgM0MRPllNOeQGsuZTJBYZsGD8QxoGDzfxpEKY1bNlSX7Ox5hOry1vb_toYWNiYDfLY6o4WtpLN5Y0BzURKgukwhTzDmMcNd8_WsGym1u/s320/laugh1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><strong>Go Ahead & Laugh!</strong></div><br /><div>Today I had one of those great "belly" laughs. Really it was over something that most would not even consider that funny. Out of no where a thought came to mind, and I couldn't contain it... and I had a great kackle! One of those laughs that bends you over to your knees and makes you cry and almost pee your pants... oh, how great! :) </div><br /><div>Did you know there are great benefits to laughter some being:</div><ul><li>It strengthen's your immune system (through the release of certain endorphins)</li><br /><li>Provides an emotional release from negative feelings such as anger, guilt & stress</li><br /><li>Prevents Heart Disease (when we laugh we lower our blood pressure)</li><br /><li>Relaxes Your Muscles<br /></li></ul><p>How often do you laugh?<br /><strong></strong></p><p><strong>It is estimated that a child laughs approximately four hundred times a day while an adult engages in some humor only fifteen times a day.</strong><br /></p><p>So laughter is a great therapy... </p><br /><p><strong>Share with me what makes you laugh.</strong></p>Amanda McGovernhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01586807191249873015noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1512351104343625073.post-39994803896436630412009-03-26T11:03:00.001-07:002009-03-26T11:11:23.311-07:00Work Perk<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNAPDMFIsc6kO5ZhTlqMJ01wVgZTcameWrqiDkB9AAfZ1mSyZwUnby7LzS0SgnIo6kRHrSbtklRCDMmIUGzoal3vMTWWoSn9e4k2ZwXLJECqkmLkUnxdSQulvYWh8AVXs6P1m8FxgKB3CA/s1600-h/fieldtrip.jpg.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5317560581153442882" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNAPDMFIsc6kO5ZhTlqMJ01wVgZTcameWrqiDkB9AAfZ1mSyZwUnby7LzS0SgnIo6kRHrSbtklRCDMmIUGzoal3vMTWWoSn9e4k2ZwXLJECqkmLkUnxdSQulvYWh8AVXs6P1m8FxgKB3CA/s320/fieldtrip.jpg.bmp" border="0" /></a><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5317559700016558530" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDUuGf0aYjvjBfvOuHrhFrmXUr4cAMUd1AZwb210bj37LttgGBhl72FrdY9-eU7iEQz7Wr-6sl0O8Sdw3kvC7LiG4KhyphenhyphenKvSspk3tsWlmwL-cJZjV0JK8AW4fYZyc1DU-WLTFODksVv5gyP/s320/visitortoooffice1.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPTyuu6ZzcUCYIwFCaLq3bHcMAiPfBMcdk3l9hxMp2v7SNR-KjtINpNH6RDMn3SqdhBtuL9RdqT_CS3Ul6g3L5dNzkAhrun7wk8OZOPznhwJFJpzvxj_eIzkR05kfqUwK7JQHOJ7w4pf36/s1600-h/fieldtrip.bmp"></a><br /><div>Here's the incredible perk of working at a job/school that provides daycare for your child. </div><br /><div>Max & his friends came on a mini field trip to visit us at the High School. Aren't they adorable! </div><br /><div>One pic is from a couple of months ago... and the other is from today.</div><br /><div>Happy Droolin'</div></div></div></div>Amanda McGovernhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01586807191249873015noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1512351104343625073.post-19655625719435506162009-03-19T09:37:00.000-07:002009-03-19T10:09:29.081-07:00One Thing I Miss....<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGwiRgv-bG84eGHIoka-7m3kTCCtCZ-4Oa_FuvAxY4nIg5nAsagbYwESJNu0lEL6yKt-nsNP_VfH_7U1l1MhdWhCpVieaiAtldReBrTc2dFvO2L8rxYDloMRmmFIn_dujpZoFHH49ST2We/s1600-h/thunderstorm-9815.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314945556537234706" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 268px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGwiRgv-bG84eGHIoka-7m3kTCCtCZ-4Oa_FuvAxY4nIg5nAsagbYwESJNu0lEL6yKt-nsNP_VfH_7U1l1MhdWhCpVieaiAtldReBrTc2dFvO2L8rxYDloMRmmFIn_dujpZoFHH49ST2We/s400/thunderstorm-9815.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><div>One thing I miss about living in the Midwest is the Thunderstorms. I've lived in California for almost 10 months and it has not stormed here once, and rained very seldom. In Indiana in the Spring we would have a powerful storm every couple of days.</div><br /><div>There's just something thrilling about knowing a storm is coming. I love the calm before the storm and how you can sense it's on its way by the way the wind blows through the trees. There's a chill in the air. I love to get on the radar and watch & detect when it's coming & how strong it will be. </div><div> </div><div>I love the security of being all tucked inside. I love to turn off the t.v. & radio and step outside watch the clouds roll in and listen to the thunder. I love the smell of the fresh air after it rains. It's calming, relaxing & comforting.</div><br /><div><strong>Do you like storms? Or do they scare you?</strong></div><br /><br /><div><br /></div><br /><br /><div></div></div>Amanda McGovernhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01586807191249873015noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1512351104343625073.post-74077364124749411052009-03-18T09:38:00.000-07:002009-03-18T09:46:44.999-07:00Jaw Dropper!~<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf5QRfxxCPvNoHCcHqxucvY0uM_6goM37-O9pcgfEey3Vtxlw78qoxFS2s9-Z9ReIzkvthL0-eI2bDWbm3L41DZDjMx3UzIJmFYXRKGZZOZnKDe-VRSHBKuQY0Vhwy8Ra0xG60Efsg7GPt/s1600-h/jaw-drop.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314570157431887730" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 373px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf5QRfxxCPvNoHCcHqxucvY0uM_6goM37-O9pcgfEey3Vtxlw78qoxFS2s9-Z9ReIzkvthL0-eI2bDWbm3L41DZDjMx3UzIJmFYXRKGZZOZnKDe-VRSHBKuQY0Vhwy8Ra0xG60Efsg7GPt/s400/jaw-drop.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><div>Over the weekend my check engine light on my car came on. Yesterday I dropped my car off at a repair shop only to find out it was going to cost $800. to have my car fixed. Over the phone I told them to <strong>NOT</strong> fix anything.... that I needed to think about what I was going to do, how to come up with the money, etc. and that I would be back later in the day to pick up my car.</div><br /><div>When I arrived they had ALREADY done all the work, <em>without my consent</em>!! I was shocked, irrate and my jaw dropped! I made the decision right then not to blow up on the people, but to keep my cool. I guess there had been another Amanda who brought her car in and she called and told them to go ahead and repair her car, that her grandmother was going to pay for it.</div><br /><div>Long story short, after waiting 1/2 hour they came out and said, "<strong>you better just thank God, because we are going to just "eat" this"</strong>. They went on to explain how it was their mistake, and unbelievably <strong>I had $800. worth of repairs/work done for FREE</strong>! Yes, free! Totally Incredible! I give God all the glory!</div></div>Amanda McGovernhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01586807191249873015noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1512351104343625073.post-57298004511660025582009-03-10T08:11:00.000-07:002009-03-10T08:14:52.653-07:00Roll Over<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs0WO7IfIzp707YJD0U3nJfEuDEfmwtAainhjmMQ2oqJF1IoneoDSmmt6DP7hVzsNVkF42nJma-r6E7OFZaRe5s8N8AVMuXND0NPrIpP3n_6dwXqSd_iO_EXcVyfNr7K6zAv66ZO07vNlo/s1600-h/maxtummy.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311577696197710482" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs0WO7IfIzp707YJD0U3nJfEuDEfmwtAainhjmMQ2oqJF1IoneoDSmmt6DP7hVzsNVkF42nJma-r6E7OFZaRe5s8N8AVMuXND0NPrIpP3n_6dwXqSd_iO_EXcVyfNr7K6zAv66ZO07vNlo/s400/maxtummy.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Roll Over.... nope not talking about cell phone rollover minutes....I'm talking about MIGHTY MAX!!!! Last week he started rolling over from his back to his tummy for the first time. Here's a pic of him playing on his belly last night. "He guys, look at my tongue! Naa Naa Naa Naa Naa Naa!"</div>Amanda McGovernhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01586807191249873015noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1512351104343625073.post-38910155807236147722009-03-04T08:38:00.000-08:002009-03-04T08:43:37.817-08:00Thank God For My Job<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7yiBujLnya3EOqk8aEinufK-GjXAkpEfSSQ8pX4yT-MUEdyWVfPprIiFvuQ52CpReM_dx2uqQK83Kh1bUabncjZPq2Tt3PruRyckC2i3vzJScHzN5q9oZN3_lwBzCtq5QYFbf9gAn7RaN/s1600-h/shopping+cart+faded.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309374176098649538" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 273px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7yiBujLnya3EOqk8aEinufK-GjXAkpEfSSQ8pX4yT-MUEdyWVfPprIiFvuQ52CpReM_dx2uqQK83Kh1bUabncjZPq2Tt3PruRyckC2i3vzJScHzN5q9oZN3_lwBzCtq5QYFbf9gAn7RaN/s400/shopping+cart+faded.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Yesterday I came out of the grocery store in the rain and saw a employee collecting and pushing in all the grocery carts...and the thought came to me.. "boy that job would suck". </div><br /><div>I thank God for my job. I work at Vacaville Christian Schools in the High School office as the Registrar. I work with some wonderful Christian people and am blessed to bring my Max with me to work everyday. He isn't with me in the same building but I get to go and visit him everyday during my lunch hour which is a huge privledge that most mothers don't have. <strong>Do you enjoy your job? Tell me what you do.</strong></div>Amanda McGovernhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01586807191249873015noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1512351104343625073.post-68157124870340414842009-03-03T13:08:00.001-08:002009-03-03T13:19:03.471-08:00More Rice Chex, Please. :)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhtiXIl_Y1yWP1BhJKpORxjj1T7kwrKnfuHM01BavSNFK7eqyd5uOcKSqoBvLnLWHBckj5yA35Z-UQZ9VT6GDlWVy1LHH4k1Dsj_9wZLx-af6ZlRswq9bYUHhCLC0bcCsCOEDIY83dawYx/s1600-h/mmm+kind+of+like+this+cereal.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309073530688052242" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 336px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 254px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhtiXIl_Y1yWP1BhJKpORxjj1T7kwrKnfuHM01BavSNFK7eqyd5uOcKSqoBvLnLWHBckj5yA35Z-UQZ9VT6GDlWVy1LHH4k1Dsj_9wZLx-af6ZlRswq9bYUHhCLC0bcCsCOEDIY83dawYx/s400/mmm+kind+of+like+this+cereal.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVynwFJFQKSXwaAyVXR5wFAqsauAu5idP-iYU7JidICpOxLWmDl_KsM4QJsLuEk0qV_YUt0lyd60-8KBXflm77YqS8_fgRmllgxT_5HhtNIY5mZu5LPZhC5FAxhz0cAYRlztyshMflppAq/s1600-h/max+cereal+face.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309073684939827458" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 199px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 259px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVynwFJFQKSXwaAyVXR5wFAqsauAu5idP-iYU7JidICpOxLWmDl_KsM4QJsLuEk0qV_YUt0lyd60-8KBXflm77YqS8_fgRmllgxT_5HhtNIY5mZu5LPZhC5FAxhz0cAYRlztyshMflppAq/s400/max+cereal+face.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVynwFJFQKSXwaAyVXR5wFAqsauAu5idP-iYU7JidICpOxLWmDl_KsM4QJsLuEk0qV_YUt0lyd60-8KBXflm77YqS8_fgRmllgxT_5HhtNIY5mZu5LPZhC5FAxhz0cAYRlztyshMflppAq/s1600-h/max+cereal+face.jpg"></a></div><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVynwFJFQKSXwaAyVXR5wFAqsauAu5idP-iYU7JidICpOxLWmDl_KsM4QJsLuEk0qV_YUt0lyd60-8KBXflm77YqS8_fgRmllgxT_5HhtNIY5mZu5LPZhC5FAxhz0cAYRlztyshMflppAq/s1600-h/max+cereal+face.jpg"></a></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>So our darling little Maximus has finally started eating "baby" rice cereal. He absolutely LOVES it! Here's some recent pics of him after he's chowed down.</div>Amanda McGovernhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01586807191249873015noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1512351104343625073.post-30465832933666484772009-03-02T13:39:00.000-08:002009-03-02T14:16:26.418-08:00"Let's Talk About PETS Baby...."<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnGnhIFZnk1aIpQJwchC38TgZ1yHB_-5DnVHF0AaXvFD7zpDGvgmFdMItVJVV8_s3lPsVgE9KohE_DqYZjrBW_G-ufFo5dgyoU1LnUCbtEH1iUNY6l8ivETh_zETTHvnw_-9wmT0UTUjl4/s1600-h/chloe.jpg"></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnGnhIFZnk1aIpQJwchC38TgZ1yHB_-5DnVHF0AaXvFD7zpDGvgmFdMItVJVV8_s3lPsVgE9KohE_DqYZjrBW_G-ufFo5dgyoU1LnUCbtEH1iUNY6l8ivETh_zETTHvnw_-9wmT0UTUjl4/s1600-h/chloe.jpg"></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnGnhIFZnk1aIpQJwchC38TgZ1yHB_-5DnVHF0AaXvFD7zpDGvgmFdMItVJVV8_s3lPsVgE9KohE_DqYZjrBW_G-ufFo5dgyoU1LnUCbtEH1iUNY6l8ivETh_zETTHvnw_-9wmT0UTUjl4/s1600-h/chloe.jpg"></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgCMaD92MoZ42XdAzwfYzr5AfFygXIYYSE_X8SjNRvpWQzd9wFVW11eskyNGO1HLujTfcR1fyLpYckq0FjHa-qBxVoVGLrRX3pt-MGnF6Sq-WN6GqtnqbQFW-swSzDUZTiCTxEkRmtCwQC/s1600-h/rocky.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308710756317491378" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 384px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 264px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgCMaD92MoZ42XdAzwfYzr5AfFygXIYYSE_X8SjNRvpWQzd9wFVW11eskyNGO1HLujTfcR1fyLpYckq0FjHa-qBxVoVGLrRX3pt-MGnF6Sq-WN6GqtnqbQFW-swSzDUZTiCTxEkRmtCwQC/s400/rocky.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnGnhIFZnk1aIpQJwchC38TgZ1yHB_-5DnVHF0AaXvFD7zpDGvgmFdMItVJVV8_s3lPsVgE9KohE_DqYZjrBW_G-ufFo5dgyoU1LnUCbtEH1iUNY6l8ivETh_zETTHvnw_-9wmT0UTUjl4/s1600-h/chloe.jpg"></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnGnhIFZnk1aIpQJwchC38TgZ1yHB_-5DnVHF0AaXvFD7zpDGvgmFdMItVJVV8_s3lPsVgE9KohE_DqYZjrBW_G-ufFo5dgyoU1LnUCbtEH1iUNY6l8ivETh_zETTHvnw_-9wmT0UTUjl4/s1600-h/chloe.jpg"></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><strong></strong><br /><strong></strong><br /><strong></strong><br /><strong></strong><br /><strong></strong><br /><strong></strong><br /><strong></strong><br /><strong>Let's talk about PeTs!</strong><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnGnhIFZnk1aIpQJwchC38TgZ1yHB_-5DnVHF0AaXvFD7zpDGvgmFdMItVJVV8_s3lPsVgE9KohE_DqYZjrBW_G-ufFo5dgyoU1LnUCbtEH1iUNY6l8ivETh_zETTHvnw_-9wmT0UTUjl4/s1600-h/chloe.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308710866009189922" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 232px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 262px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnGnhIFZnk1aIpQJwchC38TgZ1yHB_-5DnVHF0AaXvFD7zpDGvgmFdMItVJVV8_s3lPsVgE9KohE_DqYZjrBW_G-ufFo5dgyoU1LnUCbtEH1iUNY6l8ivETh_zETTHvnw_-9wmT0UTUjl4/s400/chloe.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Why do we love our beloved animals sooo much? Above you'll see our little "stinker"...and believe me he does have some smelly farts... his name is Rocky. Rocky will be 3 years old in July.<br /><br />I love Rocky because:<br /><br /><ul><li>He's very cute, soft & has very fluffy fur.</li><br /><li>He's very playful and likes to wrestle on the ground.</li><br /><li>He runs back and forth really fast right before he poops.</li><br /><li>His personality is much larger than his size... he likes to paw at pit bulls and dogs much bigger than himself.</li><br /><li>He fetches the newspaper.</li><br /><li>He's very protective and cries when Max cries to try to tell us to do something.</li><br /><li>He grows at me when I kick him out of our bed at night.</li><br /><li>He has more toys than any dog I know: his fav's are his tennis ball, snowman, his birdie and his rawhide stick.<br /></li></ul><p>Anyway.. I love pets! If I didn't have to work a real job... my dream would be to work for ASPCA (that stands for American Society of Preventing Cruetly of Animals... haven't you ever seen their commercial with Sarah McLachlan singing.."In the Arms of an Angel" makes me cry everytime!</p><strong>Tell me what you love about your pet!???</strong><br /><br />Also...featured today is my brother Joe's new adorable Yorkie, named Chloe.Amanda McGovernhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01586807191249873015noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1512351104343625073.post-42223205695527822102009-02-27T09:08:00.000-08:002009-02-27T10:50:18.757-08:00~Whatchamacallit~<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIayZ5XWVIqBWBkudg4Bd_iToSdjTEQzuD8OToUqqjXRnhgean2mRSwINu5GM6l8BpPfLOuoN1RJagcWJtY2_Kt9VbiSbvPcSAJZHWrHbHFfc9cbgRm9gBWK2ujZORh5N2QLUJRhczVJkK/s1600-h/untitled.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5307551345770328962" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIayZ5XWVIqBWBkudg4Bd_iToSdjTEQzuD8OToUqqjXRnhgean2mRSwINu5GM6l8BpPfLOuoN1RJagcWJtY2_Kt9VbiSbvPcSAJZHWrHbHFfc9cbgRm9gBWK2ujZORh5N2QLUJRhczVJkK/s400/untitled.bmp" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZhH8dY00YczDeO4vWaIqVYWjh1oxiVEsorGbsT5qbuoUYASGPV_COf2lveuz7eEj3tY8pez73Tk-TS_R3pkOukcHl0C8GwektYLTbGAz5ABsPsiU2nn17dvDjgVoH51t1dwpyxYhDidff/s1600-h/jolly+rancher+new2.jpg"></a>There is a lady in my office who always keeps a large basket of candy on her desk. It is always filled with an assorted variety of Jolly Ranchers & Life Savers. It fulfills all of our sweeth tooths and has become a magnet to us all. Yesterday... I watched as a student grabbed a piece of candy and a huge smile came across his face. Wow, what joy candy can bring us all!!<br /><div><div><div><br /><div><strong>What is your favorite candy?</strong> Here are a few of mine:<br /></div><br /><div>Jolly Ranchers</div><div>Shock Tarts<br />Airheads<br />Starburst (in particular the red & pink ones)<br />Lemonheads</div><div>WarHeads</div><div>& Chocolate, Chocolate, Cholcolate (Whatchamacallit's, MilkWay Dark, Dove Dark Chocolates, Peanut Butter M&M's & Whoppers)</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div>Amanda McGovernhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01586807191249873015noreply@blogger.com0