tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10413028280860045902024-03-19T03:47:04.437-05:00Tales of a Trophy WifeCrafts, recipes, DIY, and everything else I do all day besides watch soap operas and eat bon-bonsTara @ Tales of a Trophy Wifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11482352114947524130noreply@blogger.comBlogger637125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1041302828086004590.post-74103180395121535912020-02-24T10:45:00.003-06:002020-02-29T08:27:57.238-06:00Reading Challenge<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I loved that a good book has the ability to carry you away to far away places without leaving your house. I decided to challenge myself to read a book that is set in every country on the planet. I have a long way to go.<br />
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<h3 style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: windowtext; padding: 0in; text-decoration-line: none;">Afghanistan</span>: </span><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The Kite Runner</span><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">, Khaled Hosseini, </span><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">A Thousand Splendid Suns</span><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; text-decoration-line: none;">, Khaled Hosseini</span><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></h3>
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<span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; padding: 0in; text-decoration-line: none;">Albania</span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: windowtext; font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; padding: 0in;">:</span><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></h3>
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<span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">Algeria</span><span style="border: none 1.0pt; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; padding: 0in;">:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Anartica: </span><u><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Where'd You Go, Bernadette, </span></u><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Maria Semple</span></div>
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<span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">Andorra</span><span style="border: none 1.0pt; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; padding: 0in;">:</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">Angola</span><span style="border: none 1.0pt; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; padding: 0in;">:</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">Anguilla</span><span style="border: none 1.0pt; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; padding: 0in;">:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">Antigua & Barbuda</span><span style="border: none 1.0pt; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; padding: 0in;">:</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span><span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">Armenia</span><span style="border: none 1.0pt; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; padding: 0in;">:</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">Australia</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">: <u>A Town Called Alice</u>, </span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Shute, Nevil</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">
everything by Liane Moriarty</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">Austria</span><span style="border: none 1.0pt; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; padding: 0in;">:</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span><u><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Leviathan (Leviathan,
#1)</span></u><span style="color: #181818; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">,
Scott Westerfeld</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">Azerbaijan</span><span style="border: none 1.0pt; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; padding: 0in;">:</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">Bahamas</span><span style="border: none 1.0pt; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; padding: 0in;">:</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">Bahrain</span><span style="border: none 1.0pt; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; padding: 0in;">:</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">Bangladesh</span><span style="border: none 1.0pt; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; padding: 0in;">:</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">Barbados</span><span style="border: none 1.0pt; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; padding: 0in;">:</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">Belarus</span><span style="border: none 1.0pt; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; padding: 0in;">:</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">Belgium</span><span style="border: none 1.0pt; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; padding: 0in;">:</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">Belize</span><span style="border: none 1.0pt; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; padding: 0in;">:</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">Benin</span><span style="border: none 1.0pt; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; padding: 0in;">:</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">Bermuda</span><span style="border: none 1.0pt; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; padding: 0in;">:</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">Bhutan</span><span style="border: none 1.0pt; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; padding: 0in;">:</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">Bolivia</span><span style="border: none 1.0pt; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; padding: 0in;">:</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">Bosnia & Herzegovina</span><span style="border: none 1.0pt; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; padding: 0in;">:</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">Botswana</span><span style="border: none 1.0pt; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; padding: 0in;">:</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">Brazil</span><span style="border: none 1.0pt; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; padding: 0in;">: <u>State of Wonder</u>
Ann Patchett</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">Brunei Darussalam</span><span style="border: none 1.0pt; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; padding: 0in;">:</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">Bulgaria</span><span style="border: none 1.0pt; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; padding: 0in;">:</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">Burkina Faso</span><span style="border: none 1.0pt; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; padding: 0in;">:</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">Myanmar/Burma</span><span style="border: none 1.0pt; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; padding: 0in;">:</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">Burundi</span><span style="border: none 1.0pt; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; padding: 0in;">:</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">Cambodia</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">: </span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><u>The Rent Collector </u>Camron Wright</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">Cameroon</span><span style="border: none 1.0pt; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; padding: 0in;">:</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">Canada</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">: <u>Anne of Green Gables</u><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">Cape Verde</span><span style="border: none 1.0pt; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; padding: 0in;">:</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">Cayman Islands</span><span style="border: none 1.0pt; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; padding: 0in;">:</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">Central African Republic</span><span style="border: none 1.0pt; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; padding: 0in;">:</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">Chad</span><span style="border: none 1.0pt; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; padding: 0in;">:</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">Chile</span><span style="border: none 1.0pt; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; padding: 0in;">:</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">China</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">: </span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><u>The Painter From
Shanghai</u>, </span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Jennifer Cody Epstein</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">, <u>The Tea Girl of Humingbird Lane </u>Lisa
See<u><o:p></o:p></u></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">Colombia</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">: <u>Killing Pablo: The Hunt for the
World’s Greatest Outlaw</u>, Mark Bowden<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: windowtext; padding: 0in; text-decoration-line: none;">Comoros</span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">:</span><o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Congo: <u>The Poisonwood Bible</u>,
Barbara Kingsolver<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Costa Rica:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Croatia:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Cuba: <u>Refugee </u>Alan Gratz<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Cyprus: <u>The Exodus</u>, Leon Uris<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Czech Republic: <u>Daughter of Smoke
& Bone</u>, Laini Taylor<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">Democratic Republic of the Congo</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">: <u>Heart of Darkness</u>, Joseph
Conrad<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Denmark: <u>Number the Stars</u>, Lois
Lowry<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Djibouti:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Dominica:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Dominican Republic:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Ecuador:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Egypt: The Alchemist, Paulo Coelho<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">El Salvador:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Equatorial Guinea:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Eritrea:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Estonia:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Ethiopia: <u>Black Dove, White Raven</u>, Elizabeth E. Wein<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Fiji:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Finland:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">France: <u>The Nightingale,</u> by
Kristin Hannah <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">French Guiana:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Gabon:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Gambia:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Georgia<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Germany: <u>Stones from the River</u>, Ursula
Hegi<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Ghana:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Great Britain: <u>Pride and Prejudice</u>,
Jane Austen<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Grenada:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Greece: <u>Sisterhood of the Traveling
Pants, </u>Ann Brashares<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Guadeloupe:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Guatemala:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Guinea:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Guinea-Bissau:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Guyana:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Haiti:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Honduras:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Hungary: <u>Refugee </u>Alan Gratz<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Iceland:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">India: <u>Keeping Corner</u>, Kashmira
Sheth, <u>The Orphan Keeper</u> Camron Wright<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Indonesia:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Iran: <u>Not Without My Daughter,</u> </span><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 10pt;">Betty Mahmoody</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Iraq:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Ireland: <u>Circle of Friends </u>MaeveBinchy<u>,
Ireland, </u>Frank Delaney<u> Trinity </u>Leon
Uris<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">Israel and the Occupied Territories</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">:<u>The Source, </u>James Michener<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<h3 style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in;">
<span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; padding: 0in;">Italy</span><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal;">: </span><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal;">A Room with a View</span><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal;">, E.M. Forster </span><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></span></h3>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">Ivory Coast (Cote d'Ivoire)</span><span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">:</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">Jamaica</span><span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">:</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">Japan</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">: <u>Memoirs of a Geisha</u><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">Jordan</span><span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">:</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">Kazakhstan</span><span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">:</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">Kenya</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">: <u>The Hot Zone: The Terrifying True Story of the Origins of the Ebola Virus</u>, Richard Preston<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">Kosovo</span><span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">:</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">Kuwait</span><span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">:</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">Kyrgyz Republic (Kyrgyzstan)</span><span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">:</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">Laos</span><span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">:</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">Latvia</span><span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">:</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">Lebanon</span><span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">:</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">Lesotho</span><span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">:</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">Liberia</span><span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">:</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">Libya</span><span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">:</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">Liechtenstein</span><span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">:</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<h3 style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in;">
<span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; padding: 0in;">Lithuania</span><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal;">: </span><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal;">Between Shades of Gray , </span><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal;">Ruta Sepetys</span><u><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></span></u></h3>
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<span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">Luxembourg</span><span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">:</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">Republic of Macedonia</span><span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">:</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">Madagascar</span><span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">:</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">Malawi</span><span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">:</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">Malaysia</span><span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">:</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">Maldives</span><span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">:</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">Mali</span><span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">:</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">Malta</span><span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">:</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">Martinique</span><span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">:</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">Mauritania</span><span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">:</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">Mauritius</span><span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">:</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">Mayotte</span><span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">:</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">Mexico</span><span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">:</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">Moldova, Republic of</span><span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">:</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">Monaco</span><span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">:</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">Mongolia</span><span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">:</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">Montenegro</span><span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">:</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">Montserrat</span><span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">:</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">Morocco</span><span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">:</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">Mozambique</span><span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">:</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">Namibia</span><span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">:</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">Nepal</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">: <u>Peak</u>, Roland Smith<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<h3 style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in;">
<span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; padding: 0in;">Netherlands</span><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal;">: </span><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal;">Girl in Hyacinth Blue</span><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal;">, Susan Vreeland</span><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></span></h3>
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<span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">New Zealand</span><span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">:</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">Nicaragua</span><span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">:</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">Niger</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Nigeria:<u> Things Fall Apart</u>, Chinua Achebe</span><br />
<span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: windowtext; padding: 0in;">Korea:</span><br />
<span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: windowtext; padding: 0in;"><span style="color: windowtext;">Korea, Democratic Republic of (North Korea)</span>:</span></div>
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<span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">Norway</span><span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">:</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">Oman</span><span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">:</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">Pacific Islands</span><span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">:</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">Pakistan</span><span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">: <u>My Name is Malala</u> Malala Yousafzai</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">Panama</span><span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">:</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">Papua New Guinea</span><span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">:</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">Paraguay</span><span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">:</span><br />
<span style="border: 1pt none; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">Peru</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">: </span><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 12pt;"> <u>Battle of the Ampere </u></span><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/series/65809-michael-vey"><span style="color: #999999; font-size: 12pt;">(Michael Vey #3)</span></a><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 12pt;">, Richard Paul Evans</span></div>
<h3 style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in;">
<span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; padding: 0in;">Philippines</span><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal;">: </span><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal;">Falling Together, </span><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal;"> Marisa de los Santos</span><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></span></h3>
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<span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">Poland</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">: <u>A Zookeeper’s Wife</u><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">Portugal</span><span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">:</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">Puerto Rico</span><span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">:</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">Qatar</span><span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">:</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">Reunion</span><span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">:</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">Romania</span><span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">:</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">Russian Federation</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">: <u>A Gentleman in Moscow</u><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">Rwanda</span><span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">:</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">Saint Kitts and Nevis</span><span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">:</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">Saint Lucia</span><span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">:</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">Saint Vincent's & Grenadines</span><span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">:</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">Samoa</span><span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">:</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">Sao Tome and Principe</span><span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">:</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">Saudi Arabia</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">: <u>Inside the Kingdom: My Life in Saudi Arabia, </u>Carmen Binladin<u><o:p></o:p></u></span></div>
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<span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">Senegal</span><span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">:</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">Serbia</span><span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">:</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">Seychelles</span><span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">:</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">Sierra Leone</span><span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">:</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">Singapore</span><span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">: <u>Crazy Rich Asians</u> Kevin Kwan</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">Slovak Republic (Slovakia)</span><span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">:</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">Slovenia</span><span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">:</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">Solomon Islands</span><span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">:</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">Somalia</span><span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">:</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">South Africa</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">: <u>Born a Crime</u>, Trevor Noah<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">South Sudan</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">Spain</span><span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">:</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">Sri Lanka</span><span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">:</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">Sudan</span><span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">:</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">Suriname</span><span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">:</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">Swaziland</span><span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">:</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">Sweden</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">: <u>A Man Called Ove</u><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">Switzerland</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">: <u>And Both Were Young</u>, Madeleine L'Engle <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">Syria</span><span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">: </span><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Refugee </span></u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Alan Gratz<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">Tajikistan</span><span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">:</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">Tanzania</span><span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">:</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; padding: 0in;">Thailand</span><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal;">: </span><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal;">Anna and the King of Siam</span><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal;">, Margaret Landon</span><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></h3>
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<span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">Timor Leste</span><span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">:</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">Togo</span><span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">:</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">Trinidad & Tobago</span><span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">:</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">Tunisia</span><span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">:</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">Turkey</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">:</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Traveling With Pomegranates: A Mother-Daughter Story</span></u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">, Sue Monk Kidd<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Turkministan: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Turks & Caicos Islands:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Uganda:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Ukraine: <u>Enchantment: </u>Orson Scott Card<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">United Arab Emirates:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">United States of America: (USA) <u>To</u> Kill a Mockingbird<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Uruguay:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Uzbekistan:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Vatican City: <u>Angels and Demons</u>, Dan Brown<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Venezuela:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Vietnam:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Virgin Islands (UK):<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Virgin Islands (US):<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Yemen:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">Zambia</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Tara @ Tales of a Trophy Wifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11482352114947524130noreply@blogger.com53tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1041302828086004590.post-2756705668962247562018-12-12T17:45:00.001-06:002018-12-12T18:03:01.211-06:00Who needs a personal tailor?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: large;">Have you ever found a dress that was perfect... except the length (or the sleeves, or the neckline)? Wouldn't it be nice to have your very own fairy godmother to fix all these fashion dilemmas? </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.eshakti.com/" target="_blank">eShakti</a> FX can not change a pumpkin into a carriage, but can help you customize a dress to uniquely express your own style. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Come with me, while I try it out:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">When shopping at <a href="https://www.eshakti.com/Shop/dresses" target="_blank">eShakti</a>, you can click on any dress with the FX symbol to completely customize it. I found this dress that looked chic and comfortable. I could order it as is or choose from and additional 17 necklines, 4 sleeve types and 5 length options. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio5ngDdvhUnLzbhyPPyuLDbGJnDnI7f5SOu5PSvZigm-utgLTRQy5ldkdHA7mHjIgs1jOJKQLz1TBT0g1oavDYqe5nBpQrBqsDL8g3QQwxJfFJ70F-8lyzbVA6CMwEH-YXV8-u3hU4wbo/s1600/CL0062928ML.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1077" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio5ngDdvhUnLzbhyPPyuLDbGJnDnI7f5SOu5PSvZigm-utgLTRQy5ldkdHA7mHjIgs1jOJKQLz1TBT0g1oavDYqe5nBpQrBqsDL8g3QQwxJfFJ70F-8lyzbVA6CMwEH-YXV8-u3hU4wbo/s320/CL0062928ML.jpg" width="215" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">First I changed the neckline to the split boat.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWbWkRHvH1tFVMt52FNk36xHegGdQjPZyXKsJVosAuIeIQYkl-URxFD9jA54wITb3f0MOSM-pLo_z9ImhBZGC7fX6OAULaKomjSlMhsPvR7cR1QEP3mCufYcDCnVH8rbzjyHD_X4Nhcm4/s1600/check4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="837" data-original-width="1280" height="418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWbWkRHvH1tFVMt52FNk36xHegGdQjPZyXKsJVosAuIeIQYkl-URxFD9jA54wITb3f0MOSM-pLo_z9ImhBZGC7fX6OAULaKomjSlMhsPvR7cR1QEP3mCufYcDCnVH8rbzjyHD_X4Nhcm4/s640/check4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Next, I added some cap sleeves and went back to the original neckline. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSVs9_M_86JsVBzX96cCETl29sD8Rs-HyaZYe1eEd2_4i9CEPLfyq9u7BnUirvz_b9A0m-Ik1nbgbmSK-jLf8KacyaOocpXvIXfPcrqcxi3-7crG0vPe_qS6smMRCba3sYYTtGyLttTzw/s1600/Untitled.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1207" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSVs9_M_86JsVBzX96cCETl29sD8Rs-HyaZYe1eEd2_4i9CEPLfyq9u7BnUirvz_b9A0m-Ik1nbgbmSK-jLf8KacyaOocpXvIXfPcrqcxi3-7crG0vPe_qS6smMRCba3sYYTtGyLttTzw/s640/Untitled.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Finally, I decided that I would go back to the split boat neckline and shortened up the hem to knee length. What do you think?</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM_Icfv1YYj0TjrYm20g6t-PqQPjbJxzdCI1fRnl_-LHbLBx9tcK7D0AIQtjew1ASy2AGKiwacd1tej54aYgy0SjbsjZkHExj6gfycKzXyQcGDQYAZVt2zQKTVIaIo7BdY4cM5X80qazw/s1600/check5.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="824" data-original-width="1280" height="412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM_Icfv1YYj0TjrYm20g6t-PqQPjbJxzdCI1fRnl_-LHbLBx9tcK7D0AIQtjew1ASy2AGKiwacd1tej54aYgy0SjbsjZkHExj6gfycKzXyQcGDQYAZVt2zQKTVIaIo7BdY4cM5X80qazw/s640/check5.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Or do you like this one better? </span></div>
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<img border="0" data-original-height="840" data-original-width="1207" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjctwqfq0LVMCXKwMSrJEtrbnf_N6w5Zf2iJZNmdv6lR2NJ78uQALNyqXeeOsfV7KGjvnaCGUg0cVZJEvEoJ2y5BKSVSZqFApC2tfscgshjwAbHb3pi-Famq4iQ9N098pEZ3bcNXVDOmM/s640/check6.png" width="640" /></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">There are almost endless possibilities to suit your individual style. Go play around on the site, and report back with your designs.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">My daughter and I own several eShakti dresses and they are our favorites. Not only are they made well, but they have pockets!</span></div>
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<img src="https://img.eshakti.com/bannerimages/exclusiveoffer-REACTIVATE-11-12-18.png" /></div>
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Tara @ Tales of a Trophy Wifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11482352114947524130noreply@blogger.com36tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1041302828086004590.post-24827914158311791582017-05-11T10:28:00.000-05:002017-05-11T10:28:25.978-05:00America's Next Top Model<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: large;">One of my favorite places to order dresses is Eshakti.com and so I was thrilled when they let me pick a dress and asked me to tell you about the experience. Over the past several years, my daughter and I have ordered several dresses from them- we even found her <a href="http://trophyw.blogspot.com/2014/05/2084-prom-dress.html" target="_blank">prom dress</a> there. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw5ol5PboMPw7phOwsTixx37PJtQUuVAVc_KP-hktiE_XIiZOPCiZijo-mqum9hc8oXOY-LmRC5g1F2X50_dzxc-Qow6ASGLOLJ6peq71u18bUCnBquuBrwx7CVdIRRSSlhelb0zOSQ9w/s1600/IMG_7272.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw5ol5PboMPw7phOwsTixx37PJtQUuVAVc_KP-hktiE_XIiZOPCiZijo-mqum9hc8oXOY-LmRC5g1F2X50_dzxc-Qow6ASGLOLJ6peq71u18bUCnBquuBrwx7CVdIRRSSlhelb0zOSQ9w/s640/IMG_7272.JPG" width="512" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> Have you ever tried on a dress, but wished you could change the length, hemline or sleeves. Do you struggle finding clothes that fit your actual body and not just a predetermined size of the fashion industry? Eshakti solves this problem by letting you customize the length, neckline, and sleeves. They even let you enter your exact measurements so your clothes will fit you like they were made for you (because they were). </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgAni5EhSuynxuiqtQ6gPefvf4DPAFYH5Z-JufiMZ_liBe_LzhXHsuGiwPnUfaPm0swQib64-ZePm9bEFtjNwK0Luhh6ruhq4MjGRdjz9OVCuK61q8YESqKPj3ln-KSKCS-apMXtbd8-M/s1600/IMG_7275.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgAni5EhSuynxuiqtQ6gPefvf4DPAFYH5Z-JufiMZ_liBe_LzhXHsuGiwPnUfaPm0swQib64-ZePm9bEFtjNwK0Luhh6ruhq4MjGRdjz9OVCuK61q8YESqKPj3ln-KSKCS-apMXtbd8-M/s640/IMG_7275.JPG" width="512" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">IT HAS POCKETS!!! However, if you are a crazy person that hates pockets, they will remove them for you.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUot9L89xOHEpLqwhOeG6XtJT85zyshxRN6MBhagvtgzZfoQ7qGgRS9MZMNNJ1ybP0QLt1svpJNm7t0LsNVIb8MBU4MazHXjuuEyB1V1Y6n2rZUNWd-x8p1_e8gtP4Moc7F7jD61Co9tA/s1600/IMG_7278.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUot9L89xOHEpLqwhOeG6XtJT85zyshxRN6MBhagvtgzZfoQ7qGgRS9MZMNNJ1ybP0QLt1svpJNm7t0LsNVIb8MBU4MazHXjuuEyB1V1Y6n2rZUNWd-x8p1_e8gtP4Moc7F7jD61Co9tA/s640/IMG_7278.JPG" width="512" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I always feel a little self-conscious about playing fashion model-especially since my photographer is only 4 1/2 feet tall, but I felt pretty fabulous in the dress. I felt a little like Donna Reed or Grace Kelly and may even bust out a string of pearls next time I wear it. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1494515132382_2152" style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; color: black; font-family: georgia, serif;">Here is a coupon code "trophywife</span><span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1494515132382_2144" style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; font-family: georgia, serif;">" exclusively created for my readers to get 10% OFF when they shop at eShakti –<span class="yiv0193689064gmail-il" style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px;">valid</span> from 05/09/2017 to 06/09/2017</span></span></div>
<div class="yiv0193689064gmail_default" id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1494515132382_2142" style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; text-align: center;">
<span style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; color: black; font-family: georgia, serif;"><br clear="none" style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px;" /></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; color: black; font-family: georgia, serif;">Please note:</span></div>
<div class="yiv0193689064gmail_default" id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1494515132382_2140" style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1494515132382_2162" style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; color: black; font-family: georgia, serif;">Code has to be entered in the ‘promotional code’ box. It is not case-sensitive. </span></div>
<div class="yiv0193689064gmail_default" id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1494515132382_2139" style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<span style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; color: black; font-family: georgia, serif;">Code can be used any number of times until the <span class="yiv0193689064gmail-il" style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px;">validity</span> period. </span></div>
<div class="yiv0193689064gmail_default" id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1494515132382_2137" style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1494515132382_2138" style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; color: black; font-family: georgia, serif;">It can be clubbed with any other promotional offer, gift coupon or gift card in the same order unless explicitly specified otherwise in the offer conditions.</span></div>
<div class="yiv0193689064gmail_default" id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1494515132382_2136" style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1494515132382_2161" style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; color: black; font-family: georgia, serif;">This discount code is not applicable on clearance, gift cards & overstock categories.</span></div>
<div class="yiv0193689064gmail_default" id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1494515132382_2135" style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<span style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; color: black; font-family: georgia, serif;">Not applicable on previous purchases</span></div>
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Tara @ Tales of a Trophy Wifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11482352114947524130noreply@blogger.com210tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1041302828086004590.post-78054346663943792642015-01-22T12:49:00.005-06:002016-01-06T16:33:37.241-06:002015 Reading Challenge<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<img alt="self healing and self care books" src="http://www.gweissert.com/wp-content/themes/elegance/lib/scripts/timthumb/thumb.php?src=http://www.gweissert.com/wp-content/uploads/self-healing-and-self-care-books.jpg&w=660&h=275&zc=1&q=100" /></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.gweissert.com/self-care-books-recommended-reading/" target="_blank">source</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I have been in a funk since the move (tip: don't ever move with teenagers-wherever you live when your kids are older than 12, just plan on staying there until they all graduate). Since I am happier when I am working on a goal, my good friend Suzanne forwarded me a reading challenge she was working on in 2015. I finished my first book yesterday (in red) and now I am ready to move on to the next. I was hoping some of you might help me round out my list. So check out my categories and give me some suggestions-pretty please.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">If it is written in red, I read it and the * are out of 5*.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">UPDATE: I finished the last book sometime early morning January 4th on my way back from dropping my oldest off to college. Now I need to think of a fun challenge for 2016. (sorry for all of you you with OCD, I don't know what is up with the margins, but I am too lazy to fix them)</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">2015 Reading Challenge</span></span></b><o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 24pt;">1.</span></b><span style="font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 24pt;"> <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><b>A book with more than 500 pages<u1:p></u1:p></b></span><span style="font-size: 24pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 24.0pt;"> City
of Heavenly Fire-Cassandra Clare***</span><span style="font-size: 24pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 18pt;"> </span></b><span style="font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 18pt;">
(don't judge)</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 18pt;">I personally think she should have
stopped after book 4, but she's a great author if you are looking mindless
demon and vampire romance.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 24pt;"> 2.</span></b><span style="font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 24pt;">
<b>A book of short stories</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 24.0pt;"> The Illustrated Man-
Ray Bradburry*****</span><span style="font-size: 24pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 18pt;">Bradburry is the man.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: #F6F7F8; color: #141823; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt;"> </span><b><span style="background: white; font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 24pt;">3.</span></b><span style="background: white; font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 24pt;"> <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><b>A classic romance</b></span><span style="font-size: 24pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: red; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 24.0pt;">
Me Before You-Jo Jo Moyes****1/2</span><span style="font-size: 24pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 18pt;">A quirky outcast
gets a new job helping a rich </span><span style="background: white; font-size: 18pt;">quadriplegic</span><span style="background: white; font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 18pt;"> and it is
great, but will make you cry. </span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 24pt;">4.</span></b><span style="font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 24pt;"> <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><b>A
book that became a movie</b></span><span style="font-size: 24pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 24pt;"> </span><span style="color: red; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 24.0pt;">
If I stay -Jan21 ***</span><span style="font-size: 24pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 18pt;">Great teenage romance to escape
reality.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="background: white; font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 24pt;">5.</span></b><span style="background: white; font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 24pt;"> <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><b>A book published this year</b></span><b><span style="font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 24pt;"> ***
<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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</span></b><span style="font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 24pt;"> </span><span style="color: red; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 24.0pt;">The Heir-Keira Cass****</span><span style="font-size: 24pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 18pt;">If the Bachelorette was set in a futuristic diastopian society, it
would be this. This is the 4th in the series and each one isn't a good as
the previous one. </span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 24pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 24pt;">6.</span></b><span style="font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 24pt;"> <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><b>A book with a number in the title</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 24pt;">
</span><b><span style="color: red; font-size: 24.0pt;"> </span></b><span style="color: red; font-size: 24.0pt;">#16 Things I thought Were True-Janet Gurtler
*** </span><span style="font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 24pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 24pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 18pt;">
Meh</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 24pt;">7.</span></b><span style="font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 24pt;"> <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><b>A book written by someone under 30<u1:p></u1:p></b></span><span style="font-size: 24pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 24pt;">
</span></b><span style="color: red; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 24.0pt;">The Darkest Mind-Alexandra Bracken****</span><span style="font-size: 24pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 18pt;"> Kids start
developing supernatural abilities and out of fear are rounded up by the
government. A perfect book for hanging out a basketball practice.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 24pt;">8.</span></b><span style="font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 18pt;"> <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><b><span style="font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 24pt;">A book with non-human characters</span><u1:p></u1:p></b><span style="font-size: 24pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 24pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="color: red; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 24.0pt;">
</span></b><span style="color: red; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 24.0pt;">Dragon Song- Anne McCaffrey**</span><span style="font-size: 24pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 18pt;">
I started to read this for my series, but I didn't
enjoy it enough to read
anymore.
</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 24pt;">9.</span></b><span style="font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 24pt;"> <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><b>A funny book<u1:p></u1:p></b></span><span style="font-size: 24pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 24pt;">
</span><span style="color: red; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 24.0pt;">Bridget Jones Diary-Helen Fielding ** </span><span style="font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 24pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 24pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 18pt;">
I may be the only one that didn't love this. I
found her constant string of
bad decisions annoying and
frustrating. </span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 24pt;">10.</span></b><span style="font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 24pt;">
<b>A book by a female author<u1:p></u1:p></b></span><span style="font-size: 24pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: red; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 24.0pt;">
Feeling Sorry for Celia-Jacyln Moriarty****</span><span style="font-size: 24pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 18pt;">The book takes place in a series of notes from mother and daughter
and I kind of loved it.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 24pt;">11. </span></b><span style="font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 24pt;"> <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><b>A mystery or thriller<u1:p></u1:p></b></span><span style="font-size: 24pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 24pt;">
</span><span style="color: red; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 24.0pt;">Looking For Me-Beth Hoffman****</span><span style="font-size: 24pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 18pt;">A young antique dealer tries to cope
with the </span><span style="font-size: 18pt;">disappearance</span><span style="font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 18pt;"> of her
brother. The mystery is a bit of a stretch, but it is full of
southern charm.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 24pt;">12.</span></b><span style="font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 24pt;">
<b>A book with a one word title<u1:p></u1:p></b></span><span style="font-size: 24pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 24pt;"> </span><span style="color: red; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 24.0pt;">Backwater-Joan
Bauer ***</span><span style="font-size: 24pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 18pt;"> A
girl from a family of lawyers, heads up into the
mountains to meet her reclusive aunt. Quick, easy read.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 24pt;">13.</span></b><span style="font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 24pt;">
<b>A book set in a different country<u1:p></u1:p></b></span><span style="font-size: 24pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 24pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="color: red; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 24.0pt;">
</span></b><span style="color: red; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 24.0pt;">Inside the Kingdom-Carmen Bin Ladin **** </span><span style="font-size: 24pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: red; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt;"> <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 18pt;">
Fascinating non-fiction into the lives of Saudi Women<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="color: red; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 24pt;">14.</span></b><span style="font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 24pt;">
<b>A non-fiction book<u1:p></u1:p></b></span><span style="font-size: 24pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 24pt;">
</span></b><span style="color: red; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 24.0pt;">The Happiness of Pursuit by Chris Guillebeau</span><span style="font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 24pt;"> <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="color: red; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 24.0pt;">**</span><span style="font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 18pt;">
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 18pt;"> Loved the idea of this book, but
didn't really like how it was written. I would have loved reading more
about people's pursuits. </span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="background: white; font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 24pt;">15.</span></b><span style="background: white; font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 24pt;"> <b>A popular authors first book </b></span><span style="font-size: 24pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 24pt;"> </span></b><span style="color: red; font-size: 24.0pt;">That Summer-Sarah Dessen ***</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 18pt;">Full of teenage angst and summer love.
Great reading to forget you're really 43.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 24pt;">16.</span></b><span style="font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 24pt;"> <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><b> A book from an author that
you love but you haven’t read yet</b></span><span style="font-size: 24pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: red; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 24.0pt;">
Saving Lucas Biggs-Marissa de los Santos ***</span><span style="font-size: 24pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 18pt;">
Love, love, love her adult books. This time-traveling
tale written for kids is a wonderful book about friendship
and forgiveness.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 24pt;">17</span></b><span style="font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 24pt;">. <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><b>A book a friend
recommended </b></span><span style="font-size: 24pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 24pt;"> </span></b><span style="color: red; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 24.0pt;">The
Shoemaker’s Wife by Adriana Trigiani ****</span><span style="font-size: 24pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 18pt;">Epic tale of a girl from a small
village in the Italian Alps that makes her life in America. I really didn't
think her love interest was good enough for her and it bugged me.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="background: white; font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 24pt;">18.</span></b><span style="background: white; font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 24pt;"> <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><b>A Pulitzer Prize
winning book</b></span><span style="font-size: 24pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 24pt;"> </span><span style="color: red; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 24.0pt;"> Gilead
by Marilynne Robinson </span><span style="font-size: 24pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 18pt;">It is a long letter of an elderly father to his son. </span><span style="font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 18pt;">I tried to
love this, but there wasn't much of a plot, and I had to force myself through
it. </span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 24pt;">19.</span></b><span style="font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 24pt;"> <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><b>A book based on a true story<u1:p></u1:p></b></span><span style="font-size: 24pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 24pt;"> </span></b><span style="font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 24pt;">
</span><span style="color: red; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 24.0pt;">Mrs. Lincoln’s Dressmaker by Jennifer
Chiaverini **</span><span style="font-size: 24pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 18pt;">Interesting story told in super boring way. </span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="background: white; font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 24pt;">20.</span></b><span style="background: white; font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 24pt;"> <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><b>A book at the
bottom of your to read
list </b></span><b><span style="font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 24pt;"> </span></b><span style="font-size: 24pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 24pt;"> <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="color: red; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 24.0pt;"> Grave Mercy-Robin
Lefevers *** </span><span style="font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 24pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 24pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 18pt;">Female medieval </span><span style="font-size: 18pt;">assassins-what's not to like</span><span style="font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 18pt;">. </span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="background: white; font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 24pt;">21.</span></b><span style="background: white; font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 24pt;"> <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><b>A book your mom
loves<u1:p></u1:p></b></span><span style="font-size: 24pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: red; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 24.0pt;">The Rent Collector-Camron Wright****</span><span style="font-size: 24pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: red; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt;">Story of Cambodian garbage pickers.
I was worried it would be depressing, but it was uplifting.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="background: white; font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 24pt;">22.</span></b><span style="background: white; font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 24pt;"> <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><b>A book that
scares you<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="background: white; color: red; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 24.0pt;"> </span></b><span style="background: white; color: red; font-size: 24.0pt;">The Ghosts of Ashbury
High-Jacyln Moriarty***</span><span style="font-size: 24pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background: white; color: red; font-size: 18.0pt;"> </span><span style="background: white; font-size: 18pt;">A mysterious couples are
the new kids at a rich boarding school in Australia.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 24pt;">23.</span></b><span style="font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 24pt;"> <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><b>A book more than 100 years old<u1:p></u1:p></b></span><span style="font-size: 24pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 24pt;"> </span></b><span style="color: red; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 24.0pt;">A Room with
a </span><span style="color: red; font-size: 24.0pt;">View</span><span style="color: red; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 24.0pt;">- E.M
Forster***</span><span style="font-size: 24pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 18pt;">There are lots of great themes in this book, but I just had a hard
time caring about any of the characters. </span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="background: white; font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 24pt;">24.</span></b><span style="background: white; font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 24pt;"> <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><b>A book based
entirely on its cover </b></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><span style="font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 24pt;"> </span></b></span><b><span style="font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 24pt;">
<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 24pt;"> <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span></b><b><span style="color: red; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 24.0pt;"> <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span></b><span style="color: red; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 24.0pt;"> The Fourteenth Goldfish***</span><b><u1:p></u1:p><span style="font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 24pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 18pt;">A girl's grandfather discovers the secret to youth, and becomes
her age.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="background: white; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 24.0pt;">25.</span></b><span style="background: white; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 24.0pt;"> <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><b>A book you were
supposed to read in school but didn’t<span style="color: red;"><u1:p></u1:p></span></b></span><span style="font-size: 24pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="background: white; color: red; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 24.0pt;">
The Bell Jar-Sylvia Plath</span></b><span style="background: white; color: red; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 24.0pt;"> ***
</span><span style="background: white; font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 24pt;"> <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 24pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 24pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 18pt;"> A young women's decent into
madness. </span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 24pt;">26.</span></b><span style="font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 24pt;"> <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><b>A memoir<u1:p></u1:p></b></span><span style="font-size: 24pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 24pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="color: red; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 24.0pt;"> </span></b><span style="background: #F6F7F8; color: red; font-size: 24.0pt;"> Taking Flight by
Michaela DePrince</span><b><span style="color: red; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 24.0pt;"> ****</span></b><b><span style="font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 24pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 18pt;">Memoir of a orphan girl's journey to
become a professional ballerina.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><b><span style="font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 24pt;">
</span></b><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 24pt;">27.</span></b><span style="font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 24pt;"> <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><b>A book you can finish in a day<u1:p></u1:p></b></span><span style="font-size: 24pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 24pt;"> </span><span style="color: red; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 24.0pt;"> Hope
Was Here-Joan Bauer </span><span style="font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 24pt;"> </span><span style="color: red; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 24.0pt;">****</span><span style="font-size: 24pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: red; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 18pt;">
I like this author, if you are looking for clean stuff for your teens to
read. This one's about a girl that moves around a lot, and
finally settles in a small town. She develops </span><span style="font-size: 18pt;">waitressing</span><span style="font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 18pt;"> to an art.
</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 24pt;">28.</span></b><span style="font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 24pt;"> <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><b>A book with antonyms in the title<u1:p></u1:p></b></span><span style="font-size: 24pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 24pt;"> </span><span style="color: red; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 24.0pt;">The Hotel at
the Corner of Bitter and Sweet-Jamie Ford****</span><span style="font-size: 24pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 18pt;">Forbidden love of a Chinese boy and a Japanese girl during WWII.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 24pt;">29.</span></b><span style="font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 24pt;"> <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><b>A book set somewhere you’ve always
wanted to visit<u1:p></u1:p></b></span><span style="font-size: 24pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 24pt;"> <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span></b><span style="color: red; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 24.0pt;">What Alice Forgot-Liane
Moriarty****1/2</span><span style="font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 18pt;"> (Australia) A 40
year old woman wakes up from a concussion with no memory of the last 10 years.
I loved it.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 24pt;">30.</span></b><span style="font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 24pt;"> <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><b>A book with bad reviews<u1:p></u1:p></b></span><span style="font-size: 24pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: red; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 24.0pt;"> Into the
Ever Blue-Veronica Rossi</span><span style="font-size: 24pt;">.</span><span style="background: white; color: red; font-size: 24.0pt;">*** </span><span style="font-size: 24pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background: white; font-size: 18pt;">Average teenage
diastopian romance</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="background: white; font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 24pt;">31.</span></b><span style="background: white; font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 24pt;"> <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><b>A book from the
year were born (1972)<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>
</b></span><b><span style="font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 24pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="color: red; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 24.0pt;"> </span></b><span style="color: red; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 24.0pt;">An Unsuitable
Job for a Woman-PD James ***</span><span style="font-size: 24pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 18pt;">Young brittish femal PI investigates
the suicide of a wealthy misfit</span><span style="font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 24pt;">.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><b>
</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 24pt;"><b>32.</b> <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><b>A
trilogy</b></span><span style="font-size: 24pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 24pt;">
</span><span style="color: red; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 24.0pt;">Across the Universe-Beth Revis****</span><span style="font-size: 24pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 18pt;">The story of a family that is frozen
for </span><span style="font-size: 18pt;">centuries</span><span style="font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 18pt;"> as
they travel to another planet, but the teenage daughter awakes early.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 24pt;">33.</span></b><span style="font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 24pt;"> <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><b>A book from your childhood</b></span><span style="font-size: 24pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: red; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 24.0pt;"> Dandelion Wine-Ray Bradburry****</span><span style="font-size: 24pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 24pt;">34.
A book with a love triangle<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 24pt;"> </span><span style="color: red; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 24.0pt;">In Their Footsteps-Terri Gerritson ****</span><span style="font-size: 24pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 18pt;">A women investigates the death of parents who had been secret
agents. </span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 24pt;">35.</span></b><span style="font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 24pt;"> <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><b>A book set in the future<u1:p></u1:p></b></span><span style="font-size: 24pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 24pt;"> <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="color: red; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 24.0pt;"> Under the Never Sky-Veronica Rossi***</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background: white; font-size: 18pt;">Average teenage diastopian romance</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 24pt;">36.</span></b><span style="font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 24pt;"> <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><b>A book set in high school</b></span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: red; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt;"> </span><span style="color: red; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 24.0pt;">Buzzkill-Beth
Fanatskey ****</span><span style="font-size: 24pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 18pt;"> <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span></b><span style="font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 18pt;">Teenage reporter investigates
a murder in her high school</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 24pt;">37.</span></b><span style="font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 24pt;"> <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><b>A book with a colour in the title<u1:p></u1:p></b></span><span style="font-size: 24pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="color: red; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 24.0pt;"> </span></b><span style="color: red; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 24.0pt;">The Girl in
Hyacinth Blue-Suasan Vreeland **</span><span style="font-size: 24pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: red; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt;">An epic novel about the different
owners of a painting. I have loved some of her other books, but this didn't
hold my interest.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 24pt;">38.</span></b><span style="font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 24pt;"> <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><b>A book that made you cry<u1:p></u1:p></b></span><span style="font-size: 24pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background: #F6F7F8; color: #141823; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 24.0pt;">
<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="background: #F6F7F8; color: red; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 24.0pt;"> We are Called to Rise-Laura McBride ***</span><span style="font-size: 24pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background: #F6F7F8; color: #141823; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt;">It tells the
stories of an8 year old Albanian boy, a middle age woman, and social worker,
and an injured vet. There stories collide in a not-so happy string
of </span><span style="background: #F6F7F8; color: #141823; font-size: 18.0pt;">coincidences</span><span style="background: #F6F7F8; color: #141823; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt;">.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 24pt;">39.</span></b><span style="font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 24pt;"> <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><b>A book with magic<u1:p></u1:p></b></span><span style="font-size: 24pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 24pt;"> </span></b><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: red; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 24.0pt;"> </span></span><span style="color: red; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 24.0pt;"> Princess of Thorns-Stacey Jay***</span><span style="font-size: 24pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: red; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt;">A retelling of Sleeping Beauty.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 18pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 24pt;">40.</span></b><span style="font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 24pt;"> <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><b>A graphic novel<u1:p></u1:p></b></span><span style="font-size: 24pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 24pt;"> </span></b><span style="color: red; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 24.0pt;">Rapunzel's
Revenge-Shannon Hale *</span><span style="font-size: 24pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 18pt;">Not my favorite genre</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="background: white; font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 24pt;">41.</span></b><span style="background: white; font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 24pt;"> <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><b>A book by an
author you’ve never read before<u1:p></u1:p></b></span><span style="font-size: 24pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 24pt;"> </span></b><span style="color: red; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 24.0pt;">Everybody's Got Something-Robyn
Roberts***1/2</span><span style="font-size: 24pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: red; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt;">Super uplifting, quick, fun read.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: red; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt;"> <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span style="background: white;">
</span></span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="background: white; font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 24pt;">42.</span></b><span style="background: white; font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 24pt;"> <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><b>A book you own
but have never
read </b></span><b><span style="font-size: 24pt;"> <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span></b><span style="font-size: 24pt;"> <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="color: red; font-size: 24.0pt;"> All You Could Ask For-Mike Greenberg </span><span style="font-size: 24pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 18pt;">Women connect through a breast
cancer forum-it made me cry and schedule my mammogram. </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: red; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt;"> </span></span><span style="color: red; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt;"> </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 18pt;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 18pt;">
</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 24pt;">43.</span></b><span style="font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 24pt;"> <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><b>A book that takes place in your
hometown <u1:p></u1:p></b></span><span style="font-size: 24pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: red; font-size: 24.0pt;">The Man That Owned Vermont-May 1, 2015 *</span><span style="font-size: 24pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 18pt;">The guy in this story has some issues.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background: white; font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 24pt;"><b>44.</b> <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><b>A book that was originally written
in a different language <span class="apple-converted-space"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 24pt;"> <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span></b><span style="color: red; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 24.0pt;">Reckless-Cornelia Funke **<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 24pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 24pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 18pt;">A take on the Grimm Fairy Tales, but
it just wasn't a page turner for me.
</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 24pt;">45.</span></b><span style="font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 24pt;"> <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><b>A book set during Christmas<u1:p></u1:p></b></span><span style="font-size: 24pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: red; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 24.0pt;"> Redbird
Christmas-Fannie Flagg ***</span><span style="font-size: 24pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 18pt;"> Maybe not
my favorite of her books, but enjoyable.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 24pt;">46. <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><b>A book written by an author with
your same initials <o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 24pt;"> </span></b><span style="color: red; font-size: 24.0pt;"> Girl Missing- Terri Gerritson</span><b><span style="font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 24pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="color: red; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 24.0pt;">**** <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span></b><b><span style="font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 24pt;"> </span></b><span style="font-size: 24pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 18pt;">Crime drama </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><span style="font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 24pt;"> </span></b></span><b><span style="font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 24pt;">
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<b><span style="background: white; font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 24pt;">47.</span></b><span style="background: white; font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 24pt;"> <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><b>A play<u1:p></u1:p></b></span><span style="font-size: 24pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 24pt;"> <span style="color: red;">A</span></span></b><span style="color: red; font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 24pt;"> Raisin in
the Son by Lorraine Hansberry***</span><span style="font-size: 24pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 18pt;">I didn't enjoy it, because I was
waiting the entire book for something bad to happen.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 24pt;">48.</span></b><span style="font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 24pt;"> <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><b>A banned book (or previously
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 24pt;"> </span></b><span style="color: red; font-size: 24.0pt;"> Fahrenheit 451- Ray Bradbury
Jan 28 *****</span><b><span style="font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 24pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 18pt;">My
daughter’s favorite book </span><span style="font-size: 18pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 24pt;">49.</span></b><span style="font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 24pt;"> <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><b>A book based on or turned into a TV
Show<u1:p></u1:p></b></span><span style="font-size: 24pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 24pt;"> <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span></b><span style="font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 24pt;"> </span><span style="color: red; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 24.0pt;">Astronaut's
Wives Club-Lily Koppel ****</span><span style="font-size: 24pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 18pt;">(Don't read this if astronauts are
your heroes)</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 24pt;">50.</span></b><span style="font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 24pt;"> <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><b>A book you started but never
finished<u1:p></u1:p></b></span><span style="font-size: 24pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 24pt;"> </span><span style="color: red; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 24.0pt;"> B</span><span style="color: red; font-size: 24pt;">ig
Little Lies-Liane Moriarty****</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 18pt;">Tells the story of a murder that took place at a PTO function at a
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Tara @ Tales of a Trophy Wifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11482352114947524130noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1041302828086004590.post-83113237377235700872014-11-05T08:57:00.001-06:002014-11-05T08:57:29.066-06:00Flippin Sweet Halloween<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: large;">We've haven't done a family themed Halloween for years and years, and so I thought our rendition of the cast of Napoleon Dynamite was blog-worthy:</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgal7kKXRQ8Q5MySqPrhIE-H2lkj4ycgzwYCamnkeAghLDsOPbeSwbO4hJdupfKqTubmsyWk9MkBwlOj0Z-JDfhrd6mTnDfgBzmFgSjoAIVmLWCmlKtn6YYwCQot0i3eCDNNn8tox1XkEE/s1600/nap4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgal7kKXRQ8Q5MySqPrhIE-H2lkj4ycgzwYCamnkeAghLDsOPbeSwbO4hJdupfKqTubmsyWk9MkBwlOj0Z-JDfhrd6mTnDfgBzmFgSjoAIVmLWCmlKtn6YYwCQot0i3eCDNNn8tox1XkEE/s1600/nap4.jpg" height="512" width="640" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">My neighbor is Jewish and doesn't celebrate Christmas, but goes all out for Halloween. I asked her to take our picture and she was disappointed that I wasn't dressed up. I obviously need to up my fashion game if she thinks side pony tails and hip packs are normal for me.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPCaRMbItHgBvT2NIYrNZP3lcE0Ts3Dco07pVcMdbR6XXMbWrY-85sSGQgNBZ4-fnhFoo04aIOIvE7_waMaPAzCETodCcish7yt9fgQfA9CiV78KeUWuzFLvTcz0UH9vZxdYP6aNf44Ss/s1600/nap1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPCaRMbItHgBvT2NIYrNZP3lcE0Ts3Dco07pVcMdbR6XXMbWrY-85sSGQgNBZ4-fnhFoo04aIOIvE7_waMaPAzCETodCcish7yt9fgQfA9CiV78KeUWuzFLvTcz0UH9vZxdYP6aNf44Ss/s1600/nap1.jpg" height="512" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I posted these on FB and my mother was so concerned about my daughter's attitude that she called her. She didn't read the t-shirt closely and thought she was just a disgruntled teenager in her PE clothes and didn't realize that she was just being the perfect Summer Wheatley. I made her shirt using the freezer paper technique btw.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnkunUIaYmpZqDN425hCjhSgWHc19IxS2Ujgt6DgyZaOrukevGZHdL2mcWc-HnEDw7vuM9Nc84iof5pHLNdEWG5SxoLceBKZ9dyd7O-G2R-cSSxfPjlK-aejb6jcGzwpB-tDD9n_skJIQ/s1600/nap2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnkunUIaYmpZqDN425hCjhSgWHc19IxS2Ujgt6DgyZaOrukevGZHdL2mcWc-HnEDw7vuM9Nc84iof5pHLNdEWG5SxoLceBKZ9dyd7O-G2R-cSSxfPjlK-aejb6jcGzwpB-tDD9n_skJIQ/s1600/nap2.jpg" height="512" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The Happy Couple</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlRXhkYYjcnmXs3y0l7LoIovU2NRjUw39npWT8sWB1dxcwva_SOd-ycjdOVwhgl5LA-Sy_LXkhZ0DhDbR_BjXd4M1FUGIw8Zl7hHw5q9NYNEsQo5vvSNqzQi4bmA5jFoyODMbAV3KVpU0/s1600/nap3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlRXhkYYjcnmXs3y0l7LoIovU2NRjUw39npWT8sWB1dxcwva_SOd-ycjdOVwhgl5LA-Sy_LXkhZ0DhDbR_BjXd4M1FUGIw8Zl7hHw5q9NYNEsQo5vvSNqzQi4bmA5jFoyODMbAV3KVpU0/s1600/nap3.jpg" height="640" width="512" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Pedro Sanchez was the only one that actually went trick-or-treating, and I was a little worried without the rest of us, he looked very racial insensitive. I made his buckle and tie out of cardboard, shoe-lace, and tin foil.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgal7kKXRQ8Q5MySqPrhIE-H2lkj4ycgzwYCamnkeAghLDsOPbeSwbO4hJdupfKqTubmsyWk9MkBwlOj0Z-JDfhrd6mTnDfgBzmFgSjoAIVmLWCmlKtn6YYwCQot0i3eCDNNn8tox1XkEE/s1600/nap4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgal7kKXRQ8Q5MySqPrhIE-H2lkj4ycgzwYCamnkeAghLDsOPbeSwbO4hJdupfKqTubmsyWk9MkBwlOj0Z-JDfhrd6mTnDfgBzmFgSjoAIVmLWCmlKtn6YYwCQot0i3eCDNNn8tox1XkEE/s1600/nap4.jpg" height="512" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">I was mostly able to throw this together from stuff we had around the house. I only had to buy black hairspray, plain blue t-shirt, and 2 pair of glasses from the dollar store so it only cost $7 for all 5 of us. It may not be my favorite movie, but it has been my favorite since we dressed up as <a href="http://trophyw.blogspot.com/2011/10/trick-or-treating-at-white-house.html" target="_blank">Beauty and the Beast</a>.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii-n67zYxgc_OjjPYmbkQOZdhRN-QG-TpNTODn8nIfxRORqYvUAS7IcWytZ7C1KszBTgt4Kp2qAe15WSVMTG2kS0gloJiRiiTPa2xPyDr3zx1CkDfOJ66L7ffqj6A7pJ2p4NfGp_IM8CQ/s1600/nap5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii-n67zYxgc_OjjPYmbkQOZdhRN-QG-TpNTODn8nIfxRORqYvUAS7IcWytZ7C1KszBTgt4Kp2qAe15WSVMTG2kS0gloJiRiiTPa2xPyDr3zx1CkDfOJ66L7ffqj6A7pJ2p4NfGp_IM8CQ/s1600/nap5.jpg" height="640" width="422" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">My big kids went to a party and my daughter bribed my son w/ the last cupcake if he'd dress up as Bert. She had the <a href="http://trophyw.blogspot.com/2011/10/pactically-perfect-in-every-way-day.html" target="_blank">Mary Poppins</a> costume from a few years ago. He would only agree if he could wear whatever shoes he wanted. I think they were adorable. </span></div>
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Tara @ Tales of a Trophy Wifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11482352114947524130noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1041302828086004590.post-67965793685154598362014-09-08T09:14:00.001-05:002014-09-08T12:32:48.598-05:00DE Chalk Paint Dresser<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0fnEkHlXw0tHxm4eyb3ecp39_jODb0cEDa2bOtJ7I9dbSrtbO5VzcEVoTLLwpgYl5xoJxmwt-TwdlJB1OPBhnbEKygsxtIT_vravQ2MaATeSzdTOVe6fPdpp2BJK2NfetyUPUwlBEzT4/s1600/IMG_3709.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0fnEkHlXw0tHxm4eyb3ecp39_jODb0cEDa2bOtJ7I9dbSrtbO5VzcEVoTLLwpgYl5xoJxmwt-TwdlJB1OPBhnbEKygsxtIT_vravQ2MaATeSzdTOVe6fPdpp2BJK2NfetyUPUwlBEzT4/s1600/IMG_3709.JPG" height="640" width="425" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Several years ago I posted pics of my<a href="http://trophyw.blogspot.com/2011/01/room-re-do.html" target="_blank"> tween girl's bedroom</a>. Tween girl is now driving and wanted something a little more grown up. She wanted to paint her dresser "grass green" and so I let her. (The color is grass stain from Lowe's) She used the same techniques and chalk paint recipe from when I did my <a href="http://trophyw.blogspot.com/2014/08/de-diatomaceous-earth-chalk-paint.html" target="_blank">side tables</a>. She has never painted anything before and I think she did an excellent job. </span></div>
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<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjwfL21y9aw1DPYbvCi3iVd3xibSfmWAXDanEeg0xfeJR5GDe5jfwmUcSIYuX09wkDk6kV1uG532vJiO_ZsI6wtSNuorbNHc4mmb9K0pBA2iCUmEpn3QJY4RxNToHPE7h7K9H1I-VZCrU/s400/P1270275.JPG" /></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">BEFORE</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0Mqw_76MrDq8lQCq-pH7TswrQfvakqkFW1Tdn4CS1wGB11KWEkKbKynQ6tfXdpIK38BSWrDylQE9dY-F1XLhO5dkhRRjIvXofjx7RHnEDklLwzgqO-hbPJJS2wW7J4FkWAGvbjeqa1WI/s1600/IMG_3719.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0Mqw_76MrDq8lQCq-pH7TswrQfvakqkFW1Tdn4CS1wGB11KWEkKbKynQ6tfXdpIK38BSWrDylQE9dY-F1XLhO5dkhRRjIvXofjx7RHnEDklLwzgqO-hbPJJS2wW7J4FkWAGvbjeqa1WI/s1600/IMG_3719.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">AFTER</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">One of these days we will get around to decorating the entire room and do some big reveal, but so far this is as far as we've gotten.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">BTW: This dresser was mine when I was little and I think several of my sisters as well. It started as a fake dark wood veneer. Then my dad painted it white for my daughter, and now it's green. </span></div>
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Tara @ Tales of a Trophy Wifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11482352114947524130noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1041302828086004590.post-52147791811624269232014-08-19T14:57:00.004-05:002014-08-19T14:57:59.965-05:00Back To School Candy Jar<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj45OXhCELKOk-nEhTwYC2qsfjfniyjqu_jhS0EF9ss4lhtd7fCSnDTrJaDDD5DCOhKAJ8x6M-t8cpFsur9_beANgtgf0nFERCOCW5eKINfFE7KDD63mQOVjHGFZh8VS1D8dS7PBX-owls/s1600/IMG_3688.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj45OXhCELKOk-nEhTwYC2qsfjfniyjqu_jhS0EF9ss4lhtd7fCSnDTrJaDDD5DCOhKAJ8x6M-t8cpFsur9_beANgtgf0nFERCOCW5eKINfFE7KDD63mQOVjHGFZh8VS1D8dS7PBX-owls/s1600/IMG_3688.JPG" height="638" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Hobby Lobby had all their jars on 50% off and so that inspired me </span><span style="font-size: large;">wanted to do some back-to-school themed candy jars. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7NWRdcjqCIilMApopB5szbU_9c5HE98gKXJ38e9ToHFOeonXoBy6jW8kKa3hG8CNZd9RViM1DoWTeBstRQtDzeKYzAMz1UulE0k4Oiuz9x67GKRXYXUlBIpE6nLtsAOpd7_cUC0h3NYU/s1600/IMG_3691.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7NWRdcjqCIilMApopB5szbU_9c5HE98gKXJ38e9ToHFOeonXoBy6jW8kKa3hG8CNZd9RViM1DoWTeBstRQtDzeKYzAMz1UulE0k4Oiuz9x67GKRXYXUlBIpE6nLtsAOpd7_cUC0h3NYU/s1600/IMG_3691.JPG" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
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Tara @ Tales of a Trophy Wifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11482352114947524130noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1041302828086004590.post-20513663667054837942014-08-11T16:31:00.000-05:002014-08-11T16:51:16.423-05:00DE (diatomaceous earth) Chalk Paint<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmfxaxGjQmu3DPpjB9mbuaEaWUb-SpitMdfgRl2ps7HULCM5qD1bcDzTHwmVA0QmoZFFl7c-UVpvydjeLX3lX4-N_uu2MgDfYZkwZoNC1aabCJYmaqh3l03s3P9lQxMHK9kBVasrX_-00/s1600/IMG_3643.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmfxaxGjQmu3DPpjB9mbuaEaWUb-SpitMdfgRl2ps7HULCM5qD1bcDzTHwmVA0QmoZFFl7c-UVpvydjeLX3lX4-N_uu2MgDfYZkwZoNC1aabCJYmaqh3l03s3P9lQxMHK9kBVasrX_-00/s1600/IMG_3643.JPG" height="640" width="638" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I've been wanting to try chalk paint for years (hopefully the trend isn't over yet). I found <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/215187688417374891/" target="_blank">this</a> recipe using DE on pinterest (I'd love to give credit, but it didn't link back). Since I had a 25 lb box of it sitting in my garage, I figured I'd give it a try. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">1/4 cup DE</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">8 Tb Water</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">1 paint sample (7.2 ounces) Valspar Mercer Blue</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Mix the water and DE, then add the paint and stir with a plastic fork until smooth. Paint. Wait an hour and lightly sand with 220 sandpaper until smooth. (Don't be scared-this took under 5 minutes)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Honestly it was fool proof and created a smooth buttery finish.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It ended up looking more gray than blue, so I mixed a little of my glaze with some turquoise</span><span style="font-size: large;"> craft paint, then it looked too blue, so I glazed it again with some Behr Espresso Bean. (</span><a href="http://trophyw.blogspot.com/2011/02/furniture-redo.html" style="font-size: x-large;" target="_blank">Here's more detailed info about how I glaze</a><span style="font-size: large;">). </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I still haven't gotten around to applying a layer of finishing wax.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I have no experience with other chalk paint, but I can't imagine any other kind working better. DE can be found at any hardware or pool supply store. (or beg some off a friend that has a pool) The original recipe suggested "food-grade", but I don't think it would have made a </span><span style="font-size: large;">difference.</span></div>
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<img height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSqE0FSX3fL_TV0jPRXFH__flhRox-wcFxSn9LPUG5VHhhqeaJ9UQZuVJhuuIRd0fLXOm8FxGivoPmEh6mJ-7yWbrUa2eza9VuHE5v5ELyUvl2ESXbg-ssI0yonRdYeWkQzz-L_2TBN7k/s1600/IMG_2785.JPG" width="640" /></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">BEFORE</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I forgot to take a "before", but I found it in a corner of a picture from Christmas morning). I actually got these at a garage sale about 7 years ago and painted them black. (BTW black furniture is not the best idea for someone who dusts as often as I do)</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_e9P-FUm8zcwjTHrpJx-PtWur7nMepGLtiTRfo25-3qu8QaE3vD_j2DqNjFpzNOB1K-GWQsGTwm996JCmGQuMp4uz5R-4okxBNVikDm9e-3gjUGROiAPGNvgDqTLmmmi_r3PYxY2S6_c/s1600/IMG_3652.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_e9P-FUm8zcwjTHrpJx-PtWur7nMepGLtiTRfo25-3qu8QaE3vD_j2DqNjFpzNOB1K-GWQsGTwm996JCmGQuMp4uz5R-4okxBNVikDm9e-3gjUGROiAPGNvgDqTLmmmi_r3PYxY2S6_c/s1600/IMG_3652.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioSwKyxk-IXBrDcNBPADV3-DNv-UF9jtYrpaR7A-tsOZIKTqe9oYUAeAA-hc1hL3D6JFyrT2dbvlPUEFIvQIWZ2nQW9YSyZtpLOUU-zL5NNBnHoTTAegstRvnAxulIE7JBVL69SSxTk8w/s1600/IMG_3664.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioSwKyxk-IXBrDcNBPADV3-DNv-UF9jtYrpaR7A-tsOZIKTqe9oYUAeAA-hc1hL3D6JFyrT2dbvlPUEFIvQIWZ2nQW9YSyZtpLOUU-zL5NNBnHoTTAegstRvnAxulIE7JBVL69SSxTk8w/s1600/IMG_3664.JPG" height="640" width="512" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPBLW12C_7tJgUSNkwC015_AZH9IlmkyZY6zSgvOxXMr0ncpnqvbMfoS1KcRU7z0GhXUhThlSI0Jgke8DVIyL2rQ-r0iu3hq8Zoj9fNFljWccXPVMmnIImHJbNupjb3Nmk3fihfcgNWCs/s1600/IMG_3656.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPBLW12C_7tJgUSNkwC015_AZH9IlmkyZY6zSgvOxXMr0ncpnqvbMfoS1KcRU7z0GhXUhThlSI0Jgke8DVIyL2rQ-r0iu3hq8Zoj9fNFljWccXPVMmnIImHJbNupjb3Nmk3fihfcgNWCs/s1600/IMG_3656.JPG" height="380" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">These tables make me silly happy!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I also painted a dresser and mirror for my daughter so stay tuned. </span></div>
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<img height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizmtFtpT3q_Rr3sI34MUifIMjfhBDj7RLLhuvWLclquTzuC-eBjz2zJQ_evCC_uOcqK3nXJHao_VE_HLTiRFYRlCP-NrF-ZuZx0194WrqnOAqevyqWHkUP9x4odgjmOR61FwISlQHJeYg/s1600/IMG_3591.JPG" width="640" /><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">We have left the military and have entered the civilian world. </span><span style="font-size: large;">This means that my husband needs to market himself to drum up business so we can still eat on a regular basis. </span><br />
<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA90sEDsf0aPzOrSDe3DMS60KRuHmFd1RYa_ugeDtc3YzskdxtdJiwYbBjlHDYzMGOxYWShtGQoO-pQxbkDgwq3D-HG0Gh0WSnByQOjtlj0DAo1vv6YoybYA3iSHGqZNRd3VyaiMV6hc4/s640/IMG_0669.JPG" /><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I have the recipe for the <a href="http://trophyw.blogspot.com/2013/02/worlds-second-best-chocolate-chip.html" target="_blank">world's best chocolate chip cookies</a> and so he asked me to make a few batches that he can leave at offices around Houston. He also asked me to make them cute.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> I was inspired by</span><a href="http://www.lovefromtheoven.com/2012/12/11/holiday-printables-for-parties-baking-with-hp-ink/" style="font-size: x-large;" target="_blank"> this</a><span style="font-size: large;">. (I got the gable box at Hobby Lobby for 99 cents.)</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I attached a little pocket so he can insert his business cards.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2jcNyo-920y2eCibdJKu8V8SSXlBTKcKHqRlIXUrznMfRm-H-xIsVC89FJ5P-ELA5tW3GnLUc3xKqsYWevsM41AvEFS-g_5VGtD7-99JImgGuXWxyVazIYxS5YYb3hjUAdurM1PYiqnw/s1600/IMG_3592.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2jcNyo-920y2eCibdJKu8V8SSXlBTKcKHqRlIXUrznMfRm-H-xIsVC89FJ5P-ELA5tW3GnLUc3xKqsYWevsM41AvEFS-g_5VGtD7-99JImgGuXWxyVazIYxS5YYb3hjUAdurM1PYiqnw/s1600/IMG_3592.JPG" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Sur5CuPM1i_ej_xKiQeXXlsrgh85wsmAuRgS7FkKP3mLjAJ_Cf6Wc4zFechdNzHIw3r41UzNWCr9KG0yEJkORQrXF1fDYjt0U6duhwdks_j7addEUKWyYBhbEgqWR7rWstk0UnWElPc/s1600/Downtown-Abbey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Sur5CuPM1i_ej_xKiQeXXlsrgh85wsmAuRgS7FkKP3mLjAJ_Cf6Wc4zFechdNzHIw3r41UzNWCr9KG0yEJkORQrXF1fDYjt0U6duhwdks_j7addEUKWyYBhbEgqWR7rWstk0UnWElPc/s1600/Downtown-Abbey.jpg" height="400" width="255" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">We absolutely feel that we are where we are supposed to be and we have a fabulous house and my husband loves his new job. I really should have nothing to complain about except for the fact MOVING SUCKS!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">One day feeling a little lonely and completely overwhelmed at my attempts for my house to stop looking like an audition for Hoarders, my daughter brought in a package from Amazon.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">My friend Suzanne, knows that a great read is just good for the soul and sent me a book. (How blessed am I to have her as a friend?)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">If you need a fun summer read, check it out:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The British</span><span style="font-size: large;"> concierge of "The Alexander", a luxury apartment</span><span style="font-size: large;"> building in Atlanta, organizes weekly screenings of Downton Abbey to promote community spirit. These screenings provide the framework for a story filled with unlikely friendships, southern charm and snark, romance, and personal triumphs. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">UPDATE: Since writing this post, I went and signed up for a library card and check out a few more books by the same author. I then pulled out my sewing machine for the first time in months. It was just to tailor a pair of pants, but I feel both are big steps in getting settled and returning to my trophy wife self.</span><br />
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Tara @ Tales of a Trophy Wifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11482352114947524130noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1041302828086004590.post-13454578213267329052014-06-30T12:45:00.002-05:002014-06-30T12:45:58.370-05:00Vintage Balloon Dress<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxBa5GL6VEpgwM2p0VKtU8uHEiXevHmP1iOwb_PtnID7iOD01ctXOZYz2xHbS_3HyTjmazVkLijigKRuTkCZa5rLcqMuWb-UU2gGQMHHbp9aYxEU8Wy1IBKtG0Ign3ylhMq0hNAXM_48c/s1600/IMG_3517.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxBa5GL6VEpgwM2p0VKtU8uHEiXevHmP1iOwb_PtnID7iOD01ctXOZYz2xHbS_3HyTjmazVkLijigKRuTkCZa5rLcqMuWb-UU2gGQMHHbp9aYxEU8Wy1IBKtG0Ign3ylhMq0hNAXM_48c/s1600/IMG_3517.JPG" height="640" width="638" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.eshakti.com/" target="_blank">eshakti</a> asked me to pick a product to review. I had been eyeing this <a href="http://www.eshakti.com/Product/CL0031651/Balloon-print-cotton-shirtdress" target="_blank">Balloon Shirt Dress</a> for a few weeks and am so excited that it is actually hanging in my closet. It is that perfect summer dress that you can dress up or down, has a cool vintage vibe and even figure flattering.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguKsP8_ngu5Q_46zCZdh-FF5fwNrJhsuSt-LdKuxCwWVnBoE9DAkMzNUdtKSjQZgr4d8HGYksLjkwn8XJOMLJ8lTpfLR4BdfwlDYa4N-KmNqs6nW3VEPgDL6CkwzhbxVnqlH1uH6fc7Y4/s1600/IMG_3519.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguKsP8_ngu5Q_46zCZdh-FF5fwNrJhsuSt-LdKuxCwWVnBoE9DAkMzNUdtKSjQZgr4d8HGYksLjkwn8XJOMLJ8lTpfLR4BdfwlDYa4N-KmNqs6nW3VEPgDL6CkwzhbxVnqlH1uH6fc7Y4/s1600/IMG_3519.JPG" height="640" width="456" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It even has Pockets!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiClBmYRIKTLOmi4w6D-b5LP7UkmBBdDP5Vz4MQxGcpwgZg4LXVOb-UbRHik31wCLyos0qx7rnOPiyq_kzUe50xyqt84UbTqpgrGDwKK4s4Gom-EBUpfKUEAaCYEafymB54vl3jpwmCh5o/s1600/IMG_3520.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiClBmYRIKTLOmi4w6D-b5LP7UkmBBdDP5Vz4MQxGcpwgZg4LXVOb-UbRHik31wCLyos0qx7rnOPiyq_kzUe50xyqt84UbTqpgrGDwKK4s4Gom-EBUpfKUEAaCYEafymB54vl3jpwmCh5o/s1600/IMG_3520.JPG" height="510" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">I've already blogged a few times about this company and my daughter and I own seven dresses (including her <a href="http://trophyw.blogspot.com/2014/05/2084-prom-dress.html" target="_blank">prom dress</a>). We have been impressed with the quality and fast delivery on all seven. My favorite thing about this company is that they allow you the option of customizing sleeve length, neckline, and hemline, so you can get the dress exactly the way you want it. We have about a decade to even start thinking about weddings, but I think it would be a perfect company to use to look for bridesmaid dresses.</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.shareasale.com/r.cfm?b=560757&u=894767&m=23330&urllink=&afftrack=" target="_blank"><img alt="eshakti, fall, autumn, plusfashion, colorblock dress, plus size dress, petite fashion, womens clothing, online shopping, plus apparel, bridesmaids dresses, fall2013, affordable clothing, dresses with pockets, custom clothing, customized apparel, spring" border="0" src="http://www.shareasale.com/image/23330/120x600-7-1-14-7.jpg" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">(and $25 off your first order)</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">BTW: My yard did not suddenly get lush a green, we have moved to Houston. Stay tuned for some posts about our new place.</span><br />
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Tara @ Tales of a Trophy Wifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11482352114947524130noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1041302828086004590.post-66383418162205159652014-05-15T10:20:00.001-05:002014-05-15T10:20:36.005-05:00Do You Pay for Grades????<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: large;">I was never paid for good grades, but lately I've considered starting paying my kids for good grades and so I've been doing a little research on the subject, but I can only find opinions and no any solid statistics.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">It seems like people against it feel it may add fuel to the entitlement mentality that plagues our society. People for it feel it teaches kids that hard works equals rewards.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">My husband and I are considering it as a way to teach our kids financial responsibility and hopefully motivate our less motivated kids to try a little harder in school. Our <a href="http://trophyw.blogspot.com/2013/08/my-kids-allowance-system.html" target="_blank">allowance system</a> has been as amazing tool to keep the house clean, so I'm hoping this might boost the kids GPA..</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">So what has been your experience?</span></div>
Tara @ Tales of a Trophy Wifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11482352114947524130noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1041302828086004590.post-86371940682761959602014-05-14T08:02:00.001-05:002014-05-14T08:20:22.531-05:00$20.84 Prom Dress<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcgG3-WeLK-AzjMpURNJHFjvtJ1wZYXjDYRF_TLrROIqg71dZ-MWiz4_edlKqSNEJn5fcko3bSKyVStBMfVYRSusp_kZAp5103FSMVMkxZiuUWRjC03WUalvs-BWmoB3kyc4z5uP078oU/s1600/blog+dress.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcgG3-WeLK-AzjMpURNJHFjvtJ1wZYXjDYRF_TLrROIqg71dZ-MWiz4_edlKqSNEJn5fcko3bSKyVStBMfVYRSusp_kZAp5103FSMVMkxZiuUWRjC03WUalvs-BWmoB3kyc4z5uP078oU/s1600/blog+dress.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Most prom dresses looked cheap in every sense of the word. Anything in our price range ($150) that wasn't made out of cheap polyester and that </span><span style="font-size: large;">her dad and I would feel comfortable sending her out wearing with a boy looked a little "mother-of-the-bride" than prom. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We were thrilled when we found this dress </span><a href="http://www.eshakti.com/Product/CL0030005/Beaded-crepe-A-line-dress" style="font-size: x-large;" target="_blank">here</a>. <span style="font-size: large;">She told me she felt so glamorous and beautiful all night. (I know my opinion my be a little biased, but seriously she is gorgeous) </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqB9k3zVOCwlYrNvVS9SQ2-dv1Jp2h_HTPiiRRCwdmhd2NaX126YGSzPpQnUGvScsssJWGYiIGunTuEMOMcJnQSUOeO404aLYcfjJqRE0YQGCKP4-7KioudT338ms1Nila3ACpUykGFMY/s1600/coupleblog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqB9k3zVOCwlYrNvVS9SQ2-dv1Jp2h_HTPiiRRCwdmhd2NaX126YGSzPpQnUGvScsssJWGYiIGunTuEMOMcJnQSUOeO404aLYcfjJqRE0YQGCKP4-7KioudT338ms1Nila3ACpUykGFMY/s1600/coupleblog.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We found it <a href="http://www.eshakti.com/Product/CL0030005/Beaded-crepe-A-line-dress" target="_blank">here</a> at <a href="http://eshakti.com/">eShakti.com</a>. I've talked <a href="http://trophyw.blogspot.com/2014/01/cute-cheap-custom-dressed-in-sizes-0.html" target="_blank">before</a> how much I love this site (and have bought 5 dresses between the 2 of us that we love and I am buying<a href="http://www.eshakti.com/Product/CL0031426/It" target="_blank"> this one</a> next as soon as it comes back in stock).</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> You can customize sleeves, hems, and necklines, but we thought this one was adorable as is. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">They are always running great promotions-currently is a a buy 2 get one free and $25 of your first purchase.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> FYI my mother bought one, but didn't like the way it fit and she said it was hassle free to return it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> </span>(Full disclosure-I have signed up to be an affiliate for eShakti.com and get a commission when you click to the site from my blog-and I greatly appreciate it when you do)</div>
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<a href="http://www.shareasale.com/r.cfm?b=560757&u=894767&m=23330&urllink=&afftrack=" target="_blank"><img alt="eshakti, fall, autumn, plusfashion, colorblock dress, plus size dress, petite fashion, womens clothing, online shopping, plus apparel, bridesmaids dresses, fall2013, affordable clothing, dresses with pockets, custom clothing, customized apparel, spring" border="0" src="http://www.shareasale.com/image/23330/120x600-7-1-14-7.jpg" /></a><br />
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Tara @ Tales of a Trophy Wifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11482352114947524130noreply@blogger.com25tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1041302828086004590.post-68319494944977325792014-05-12T08:15:00.001-05:002014-07-01T13:53:18.018-05:00DIY Glitter Prom Shoes<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlfpo-yxhUjYnOVf6oKvLhtVVO7xGtLUNKVaqr1RbGKts0u_eNlh0ba0FFezwn9SSDEg_3uvK1vXISe2XLiZoR_DhegwknocXDrMkTu95qwbC772pY506YgN7E9symQ9QF6e9A1LQdHms/s1600/glitter+shoes2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlfpo-yxhUjYnOVf6oKvLhtVVO7xGtLUNKVaqr1RbGKts0u_eNlh0ba0FFezwn9SSDEg_3uvK1vXISe2XLiZoR_DhegwknocXDrMkTu95qwbC772pY506YgN7E9symQ9QF6e9A1LQdHms/s1600/glitter+shoes2.jpg" height="640" width="638" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Several years ago, my daughter found a pair of gold glitter stilettos at Ross for $9.99. I could think of no practical reason to buy them so we didn't, but she has been fantasizing about them ever since. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We searched all over town for a pair, but could only find them online and she really wanted to try them on first. We found a pair of "comfort plus" at Payless and a few tutorials on <a href="http://www.ateaspoonofhappiness.com/diy-glitter-shoes/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a>, so we thought we'd give it a try. I figured they would either be fabulous or I would be out $29.99.</span></div>
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<img height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMcbb9qqhxatwoCTST0Ex6euNyxS_97GPOmaG9nxD0ANWtc_A04678HPrGDDvVKJ_IbbCzeYvAXjLpZShJjAeaOP3yoafR-A6BaQ9dnPNO4W5CNwiI4PSorJfFd5k2WNZDS1E7CDh-otU/s1600/tapedshoes.jpg" width="640" /><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Step 1: Cover the heal w/ painter's tape.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7ILMSMSe97L-M-WraHRgrgxFKGBmCs3bkywAN0-6lMpyHbkpYryu6BvQcKJh7vCqc82AqwVL31sLewk6Eiw4KqSgZdV7UypAP4r2xGm93tkfP5e6LuVzgMUM1j4R7YDgoatX8TYXgObo/s1600/glitterpodge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7ILMSMSe97L-M-WraHRgrgxFKGBmCs3bkywAN0-6lMpyHbkpYryu6BvQcKJh7vCqc82AqwVL31sLewk6Eiw4KqSgZdV7UypAP4r2xGm93tkfP5e6LuVzgMUM1j4R7YDgoatX8TYXgObo/s1600/glitterpodge.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> Step 2: Mix Modge Podge with glitter and paint on the shoe. It was very thick-about like mud.</span><br />
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<img height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHY1MJrEnQnxYy_RCQ5exq39qmoP_yAMPgBuCDSBP_PfIeTJY2OGfOPvlxVLKu3uFKvSqS-HKpMLekun3qXA_-5d7amKi0FFfVJEKZ94lpGUebaBkqhWfXOQR2VorynZmp3-we12DtxaY/s1600/coat1.jpg" width="640" /><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Step 3: Apply as many coats as needed (here's a pic after the first coat) and let dry between coats. I waited about an hour after the first coat and overnight after the second coat. I did 3 coats and then covered the entire shoe with a coat of Modge Podge.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I usually hate glitter because it gets everywhere and I told my kid she wasn't allowed to wear them in the house. Shockingly, once the shoes were dry, the glitter was like one solid sheet and didn't flake off. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">There were a few cracks, that I might touch up before she wears them again, </span><span style="font-size: large;">but they held up pretty well- even after 8 hours of dancing.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Stay-tuned for more prom posts-this is the closest I'll ever get to being a fairy-godmother.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">UPDATE: Touched them up w/ a little more glitter and Modge Podge and they're good as new. </span></div>
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<img height="352" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg06StnJMfhyphenhyphenWxnh1V-8YKEk1wJwWegCsvBN6rFGxHyxlA_VgTUhhsBCw0FoKVjBMV0xZNRzjromNzlpsnI_2eYn7b8NWO9GSADoB7vIAyoJCyjjonszsXGoyelXkZpKaZ7uSzPtXF3Qyw/s1600/IMG_3214-001.JPG" width="640" /></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">My baby girl turned 16 a few weeks ago. The girl lived in princess dresses for the first half of her life, and so she thought it would be fun to invite all her friends over and celebrate her birthday princess style. She asked them to all wear pajamas and we found some cheap tiaras at Hobby Lobby.</span></div>
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<img height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmgIJbuWe6sxDh8Os3mdTmyHkvHiRUaySZc3q6AvTgpyBGhsIAM-fXtUXlf_lxQxELVWKTEIf7FamkU4uO2W4c0I1quyXQMyt9Gb2ET0zl1Mdq60aL78fU2rj1UFGllO9pNINKgX0U0xM/s1600/IMG_3176-001.JPG" width="366" /></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">For the most part, we limited the decorations to a few balloons and streamers, but we did make a draw-bridge for the front door. I found the idea<a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/286471226271792950/" target="_blank"> here.</a></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRui3AqhBdjhAZVasTGXBXowPZDw4_sfQucMK-Vhj59QfxmTGw6fZQ7xrZc9nONlExuM7OwIna2pEHcaSsLKkWvjkjzaebfxU46CzfH2Mz7rL6oCXzVmJB8TMKfm6m3ICq2O4IM2breL8/s1600/ariel1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRui3AqhBdjhAZVasTGXBXowPZDw4_sfQucMK-Vhj59QfxmTGw6fZQ7xrZc9nONlExuM7OwIna2pEHcaSsLKkWvjkjzaebfxU46CzfH2Mz7rL6oCXzVmJB8TMKfm6m3ICq2O4IM2breL8/s1600/ariel1.jpg" height="538" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Princes Leia Rolls</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I kinda made these up and mixed onion, garlic, spinach, and cream cheese and spread it on tortillas.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRnDLV6zWB_j9PRM2e3tld1HlpLl17a_5GyOKnp-X2QjFUGlj_eK1kMz-D6wzwgocwhPXobQdOjZpm4iyFl43qIs02tmiDckQq0cmMoPNq6PS0S54yr9RYm4HCfu6fLK_qVn3pYRq-7v0/s1600/ariel2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRnDLV6zWB_j9PRM2e3tld1HlpLl17a_5GyOKnp-X2QjFUGlj_eK1kMz-D6wzwgocwhPXobQdOjZpm4iyFl43qIs02tmiDckQq0cmMoPNq6PS0S54yr9RYm4HCfu6fLK_qVn3pYRq-7v0/s1600/ariel2.jpg" height="456" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Ariel's Oysters</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> My 13 year old son actually pitched in and made these. We used mini-vanilla wafers, frosting, and yogurt raisins. </span><span style="font-size: large;">Idea found </span><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/286471226271740993/" style="font-size: x-large;" target="_blank">here</a><span style="font-size: large;">.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX0UfwMbD_2wt33IvQXrHCewN6bvnP-9OKWQ1Uu_RxbxnDsCtsjZ4ecSJ4xQzRSpXFS-6ZPOdRuuioD8_-Y9rxt5vjVkvW7ZzCnDk9_ZRGJiAzzj_g_XhWJ_Gl4OrUKd8SEwZ_BfVBwJQ/s1600/mulan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX0UfwMbD_2wt33IvQXrHCewN6bvnP-9OKWQ1Uu_RxbxnDsCtsjZ4ecSJ4xQzRSpXFS-6ZPOdRuuioD8_-Y9rxt5vjVkvW7ZzCnDk9_ZRGJiAzzj_g_XhWJ_Gl4OrUKd8SEwZ_BfVBwJQ/s1600/mulan.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Mulan's Pot Stickers</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">(costco)</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAY4rWf1tgk0QiIUEtwkoEoWeDSX7jIqzI_njpzgmTbHFXr_Z1IEcpKvoB54F-qzxcqe6NUZwecbbL2NglDFl7L3fPYEV5DkRPxQDlTfZSUrM7toJ84JQS6k1ZIg0KXhl90ElvlKA2l78/s1600/pea.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAY4rWf1tgk0QiIUEtwkoEoWeDSX7jIqzI_njpzgmTbHFXr_Z1IEcpKvoB54F-qzxcqe6NUZwecbbL2NglDFl7L3fPYEV5DkRPxQDlTfZSUrM7toJ84JQS6k1ZIg0KXhl90ElvlKA2l78/s1600/pea.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Princess Testers</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This may be a weird party food, but my kid goes through bags of frozen peas every week.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFNiUmWmKOnOVSjWqsRJ8G9CYk8z_n_8G7ECgQ4bSCUWhkGNpFUuJSpV7iozxqVMhYfc6qXGYLgGuuHzt_Bd3WQkwEESoMZ1Cwpvya3PxA_YxEGwjMy2V9EpkYldu4eyXFZykIjNUFxps/s1600/jassmine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFNiUmWmKOnOVSjWqsRJ8G9CYk8z_n_8G7ECgQ4bSCUWhkGNpFUuJSpV7iozxqVMhYfc6qXGYLgGuuHzt_Bd3WQkwEESoMZ1Cwpvya3PxA_YxEGwjMy2V9EpkYldu4eyXFZykIjNUFxps/s1600/jassmine.jpg" height="640" width="638" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Jassmine's Fatayer</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I based these on a recipe I found </span><a href="http://arabicbites.blogspot.com/2007/12/fatayer-cremate-al-joben-delicious.html" style="font-size: x-large;" target="_blank">here</a><span style="font-size: large;">. However, the original dough was WAY to sticky to I added quite a bit more flour. I also substituted feta cheese for cheddar and added some drained frozen spinach (they were delicious).</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifCUYUzOcU8MpC7FtrvnUfV-HFyzNwInRS7fLXNRVp778zSX4hgSpxV6Qtn4hJO8-7QAk3-9SpRb69fO_M5n021socdyDScx3pk4_3D4bHDH2O6PQq6Q8tWWjlUEOKcwiHKjUteYyF5ys/s1600/rapunzel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifCUYUzOcU8MpC7FtrvnUfV-HFyzNwInRS7fLXNRVp778zSX4hgSpxV6Qtn4hJO8-7QAk3-9SpRb69fO_M5n021socdyDScx3pk4_3D4bHDH2O6PQq6Q8tWWjlUEOKcwiHKjUteYyF5ys/s1600/rapunzel.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> Rapunzel's Braids</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I doubled the dough for the fatayer and made some braids. I sprinkled them w/ Parmesan cheese and garlic salt.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr9REu3weXZq9-AY5hiSdLrTBKdYXKMO0Xjom4jifnCzo4QyKpQz9tLHnl50TRQva2KKKNzWwz1UupOcOjjZWvZUNWOfBHdZ148hTmPrj2N5rd1K-t534ec1KO_K-czRV7ulQlRwpEPoE/s1600/pumpkin1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr9REu3weXZq9-AY5hiSdLrTBKdYXKMO0Xjom4jifnCzo4QyKpQz9tLHnl50TRQva2KKKNzWwz1UupOcOjjZWvZUNWOfBHdZ148hTmPrj2N5rd1K-t534ec1KO_K-czRV7ulQlRwpEPoE/s1600/pumpkin1.jpg" height="478" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">12:01 am Cupcakes</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It is just a box of pumpkin (catch my joke) cake mix w/ the easiest and yummiest cream cheese frosting (recipe <a href="http://trophyw.blogspot.com/2013/03/best-ever-carrot-cake-frosting.html" target="_blank">here</a>)</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBrg_D3pkR9HXmmBbEsZHk6pImlmUai7iHCa14qzj9eQJ_A23ZGoh-lFVxUq8qoxyjHADKRqCP0YYaZTisM7iUgzdUjKrBubrs0coma3JxbccOzr5ySnaqcO_67ZfTxUSCh8nqdD0U9wM/s1600/IMG_3180-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBrg_D3pkR9HXmmBbEsZHk6pImlmUai7iHCa14qzj9eQJ_A23ZGoh-lFVxUq8qoxyjHADKRqCP0YYaZTisM7iUgzdUjKrBubrs0coma3JxbccOzr5ySnaqcO_67ZfTxUSCh8nqdD0U9wM/s1600/IMG_3180-001.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> The Beast's Rose</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Tutorial <a href="http://onelittleproject.com/how-to-make-a-strawberry-rose/" target="_blank">Here</a></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGbXLMAbTmc8Sy8J7nXmVP8xGN07WXoXXglkw-QrOj00sOqwfSgsub0E3Zcf9jAgh761nL0U6oF27ghoKe9qVV_47ltySvNVglfJKvdXhd8cVOylFh_dfuhQVblRoNZRqAVg2A3Bawum8/s1600/IMG_3181-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGbXLMAbTmc8Sy8J7nXmVP8xGN07WXoXXglkw-QrOj00sOqwfSgsub0E3Zcf9jAgh761nL0U6oF27ghoKe9qVV_47ltySvNVglfJKvdXhd8cVOylFh_dfuhQVblRoNZRqAVg2A3Bawum8/s1600/IMG_3181-001.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The Evil Queen's Apples</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf2EDB1eoBCvIjgJry0anT7LOD_A1vKS7rVqYJtpY6dbyIKY-oFrrtGqfwKHVThFLeglLLbW0pdzf4Kf-UrqD3ODWZAJtK57O6y9Nvj31YwS8EeOAf9pwZ-af0AIIDSWGsDfQdZpvECFo/s1600/IMG_3186-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf2EDB1eoBCvIjgJry0anT7LOD_A1vKS7rVqYJtpY6dbyIKY-oFrrtGqfwKHVThFLeglLLbW0pdzf4Kf-UrqD3ODWZAJtK57O6y9Nvj31YwS8EeOAf9pwZ-af0AIIDSWGsDfQdZpvECFo/s1600/IMG_3186-001.JPG" height="628" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Fairy God-mother's Wands</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">(dipped pretzels)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Since she is no longer 4, the party didn't have a lot of structure. Pretty much, I set out the food and then stayed out of the way. However, we thought it would be super fun to play "Kiss the Frog". We found the brightest lipstick possible, blindfolded them and had them give it their best shot.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I don't know if I should be horrified or proud, but my kid planted a perfect smooch, right in the middle.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSHG7x-v-t3TCimncu0rKN1-R-O_KPGgfDa2ZeU85N30ANiD0HaRWptdE1M0k16tbHzd0cwToEof46bvhmVdKt69jnPy-8lyvhIhyphenhyphenNzWqhV1SxJ6R83wkRUgVD-kuo1Qxsn-pL5A7fbjU/s1600/IMG_3232-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSHG7x-v-t3TCimncu0rKN1-R-O_KPGgfDa2ZeU85N30ANiD0HaRWptdE1M0k16tbHzd0cwToEof46bvhmVdKt69jnPy-8lyvhIhyphenhyphenNzWqhV1SxJ6R83wkRUgVD-kuo1Qxsn-pL5A7fbjU/s1600/IMG_3232-001.JPG" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">As per tradition, she blew out the candles on her pink lemonade cake. <a href="http://trophyw.blogspot.com/2011/04/pink-lemonade-ice-cream-cake.html" target="_blank">(recipe)</a> Since it is an ice cream cake, you could even tie it into Frozen, but we are the only family in America that haven't seen it yet.</span></div>
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<img height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6m-fD_KxrqDl-vVaBn-bdUsoy4ltMLnSq0KEJr1A_btdQYRhn5xks92K3DE7F4hYiafxleC7SSbXE8z_8AMLwtDXSG-CM66wNkYJMiPweDFUr8MmDFDL0nAbonzKBFkUfuGWfAXHlOS8/s1600/IMG_3234-001.JPG" width="640" /></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It was a super fun night and I declare it a success!</span></div>
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<img src="http://home.d47.org/nor/msmoylan/files/2013/03/2013-03-08_11-09-16_391.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></div>
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<a href="http://home.d47.org/nor/msmoylan/files/2013/03/2013-03-08_11-09-16_391.jpg" target="_blank">source</a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">UPDATE: It's testing week again here in Texas and I thought I'd re-post this from last year:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It's standardized test week at all my kid's schools (maybe even the entire state of Texas).</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I just got back from the elementary school and it is full of "Shh! We're Testing" signs. Facebook is equally full of rants and snarky comments about the general unpleasantness of all things testing.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I haven't got any good hate mail lately, so I thought I'd share a little secret with you:</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">I think standardized testing is a good idea. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I don't think it's a perfect system but here are 2 main reasons I approve:</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">1. Being a military family we move a lot (6 schools so far) and standardized tests are a good way for me to evaluate and compare schools in an unfamiliar area. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">2. My child could bring home straight A's all year long, but these tests show me that they actually learned what they were supposed to learn. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">3. I do not have a problem with my kids learning how to take tests. I expect my kids to go to college. They will need to take test to gain admittance and take many more while they are there. (I don't want them spending an inordinate amount of time on this).</span><br />
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<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Of course, I think far too much time and money is wasted on these things. Here's how I would improve things:</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Expense: Normally, I am against big federal government, but I think it would make more sense to develop one standardized test each year instead of 50 different ones. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Time: My kids will each endure 2 solid days of testing-which is simply too long. I think there should be 30-60 minute tests in each of the following areas: reading, writing, math, science, and social studies. They could even do one a day for a week.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Fairness: I think most states have allowances for kid's with special needs or learning disabilities, but if not, they should. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Relevance: Tests should be given the last week or so of school. There's still 2 months of school left. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Pressure: These tests are not testing our kids. They are testing the schools. I tell my kids to do their best, but their performance on tests will have no impact whatsoever on their future lives. In my kid's school they are not used for promotion, and I do not believe that tests like these should ever be used as the sole reason to hold a kid back a grade.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Rant away blogland and tell me that I'm wrong.</span><br />
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Tara @ Tales of a Trophy Wifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11482352114947524130noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1041302828086004590.post-53981354254358385272014-03-19T09:33:00.000-05:002014-03-20T14:12:48.236-05:00What I'm Reading: Wonder by R. J. Palacio<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV-a_vd2rIwaEa99bd7MahtAwI1wOVV1CA1r_nnJbOZ0RKYXWUEUsFVVApWCMaNi6LvjaZT67w0YyfFdN4AEAbZ2wpMZ71Su33r-JII9DErOImAoOvoHRuGE7lZxKy0IXYZyYbSS28ZHQ/s1600/9780552565974_custom-b8367e7a41f7c527051b3b8024b7924b3e0a113c-s6-c30.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV-a_vd2rIwaEa99bd7MahtAwI1wOVV1CA1r_nnJbOZ0RKYXWUEUsFVVApWCMaNi6LvjaZT67w0YyfFdN4AEAbZ2wpMZ71Su33r-JII9DErOImAoOvoHRuGE7lZxKy0IXYZyYbSS28ZHQ/s1600/9780552565974_custom-b8367e7a41f7c527051b3b8024b7924b3e0a113c-s6-c30.jpg" height="320" width="208" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It is my turn to host book club and I picked <i>Wonder</i> by R.J. Palacio.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Auggie Pullman </span><span style="font-size: large;">reminds me of my own boys, he is smart and funny and in love with all things Star Wars.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> However, he </span><span style="font-size: large;">was born with some severe facial deformities. After years of homeschooling, his parents decide that he is ready for main stream school and enroll him in the 5th grade at Beecher Prep. </span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I don't think they are making a movie, but here's the trailer for the book:</span><br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/k3si7Vq8r7g?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Given the heavy subject matter, it is surprisingly uplifting, thought provoking and even funny. It is also one of those rare books that both kids and adults will love and you will all be better people for reading it. 5 enthusiastic stars</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Here are some of my favorite parts:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">"Here's what I think: the only reason I'm not ordinary is that no one else sees me that way." (3)</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">"When given the choice between being right or being kind. Choose kind." (49)</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">"the waiter brings over the menus and i notice his expression the moment he lays eyes on august. but i pretend not to notice. i guess we're all pretending not to notice things tonight...i look at olivia and she smiles at me. she knows. she sees the waiter's face. she sees my tics. olivia is a girl who sees everything." (191)</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">"Anyway, it's not that I care that people react to me. Like I've said a gazillion times: I'm used to that by now. I don't let it bother me. It's like when you go outside and it's drizzling a little. You don't put on boots for a drizzle. You don't even ope you umbrella. You walk through it and barely notice your hair getting wet.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">But when it's a huge gym full of parents, the drizzle becomes like this total hurricane. Everyone's eyes hit you like a wall of water."(207)</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">In case you want to use it for your bookclub:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Discussion questions found here:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://rjpalacio.com/for-teachers.html">http://rjpalacio.com/for-teachers.html</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The author answers FAQ <a href="http://rjpalacio.com/faqs.html" target="_blank">Here: http://rjpalacio.com/faqs.html</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Auggie Pullman is obsessed w/ Star Wars and if my house wasn't on the market and I had any excess energy, it would have been super fun to have Star Wars themed treats. <a href="http://trophyw.blogspot.com/2011/09/use-fork-luke.html" target="_blank">Here are some food ideas</a> for a b-day party a few years back.</span><br />
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<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxxGPQcXbvUOIVmARPoaEtf-OxorelGO4t1-o-jsPCRHZEGT9UiA-KKSPWiUvooVlIq-p6LGqUDaAxhMVoB2kp5OMGpPhY523F9NvpZ-OcHZUj7il-6pYDBMEk7hWZWH-67yevqepTxG4/s640/IMG_0980.JPG" /><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;">UPDATE: </span><span style="font-size: large;">Book club was amazing. My daughter calls it my monthly mom party and she is right. We had a great discussion and ended the evening w/ us all sharing our precepts.</span></div>
Tara @ Tales of a Trophy Wifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11482352114947524130noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1041302828086004590.post-45680780047646734232014-03-17T10:35:00.003-05:002014-03-17T10:35:42.657-05:00I'm moving to Houston!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: large;">After 10 years of military life, we are going civilian and heading to Houston!</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I have been crazy busy doing lots of unblogworthy chores getting my house ready to put on the market. I've been taking lots of pics and so I thought I'd share them with you. Here are some of my favorite rooms in my house.<span id="goog_2113694195"></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDRAVWl3WHgnhlPxaeNh4kcvEJV_pD_PFR1tY6eCw_QneUt1R2HCTc1i6h7BUXppPG73jbkqUHZIBjwZ-Wl0l7cp6N35NDMvyVTS_cfhiYIJEedypPACoW6loVEoSVTQXyJZgv4J5t9rE/s1600/boy1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDRAVWl3WHgnhlPxaeNh4kcvEJV_pD_PFR1tY6eCw_QneUt1R2HCTc1i6h7BUXppPG73jbkqUHZIBjwZ-Wl0l7cp6N35NDMvyVTS_cfhiYIJEedypPACoW6loVEoSVTQXyJZgv4J5t9rE/s1600/boy1.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc2sIzJCp0EZN7fEv7G2s4dDJU340rZ71NyvvNFLjGQapX94QydrPHdMdOLrRtSKgLUTmHyAOWCbDNAhdlSocOML7L5UbhseR1sNr2gRSLu-rE0szE1L-tQAh1Xv3szTeLpNv3rwq9Ktg/s1600/game1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc2sIzJCp0EZN7fEv7G2s4dDJU340rZ71NyvvNFLjGQapX94QydrPHdMdOLrRtSKgLUTmHyAOWCbDNAhdlSocOML7L5UbhseR1sNr2gRSLu-rE0szE1L-tQAh1Xv3szTeLpNv3rwq9Ktg/s1600/game1.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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(I taped a sign to this wall offering to paint over it)</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The idea of trying to keep the house clean with the kids home for Spring Break sounded worse than spending 18 hours in the car, so we headed to Universal Studios. (I heart all things Potter). While we were gone we had 7 showings, with mostly positive feedback. I know it is ridiculous, but I take anything remotely negative very negatively. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">My husband says it is just a building, what do you think?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Also do you find pictures and other personal items distracting when you look at homes?</span></div>
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Tara @ Tales of a Trophy Wifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11482352114947524130noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1041302828086004590.post-79377710091757787262014-02-14T09:14:00.002-06:002014-02-14T13:40:50.523-06:00Cheap Dress Alert<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://www.shareasale.com/r.cfm?b=560767&u=894767&m=23330&urllink=&afftrack=" target="_blank"><img alt="eshakti, spring, plus size, plus clothing, dresses, tops, blouses, skirts, jackets, ponte knit, plaid, tweed, boucle, silk, crepe, shirtdress, shiftdress, sheathdress, pencil skirt, fit and flare dress, a-line skirt, dresses with pockets, colorblock dress" border="0" src="http://www.shareasale.com/image/23330/300x250-8-1-14-1.gif" /></a>
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Click on the pic to go to the site</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So EShakti is having an amazing sale today-35% of everything site wide. If you click "superfast track" you get an addition $15 off. If it's your first purchase than you can also get an additional $30 off. I just ordered a dress for my daughter that was originally $89.95. I had $35 gift card as a thank-you from my last purchase, 35 % off for Valentines, and a $15 off for fast track. With all my discounts my grand total was (drum roll please...) </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">$20.42</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Finding a dress for the Varsity Sports Banquet:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Priceless!</span></div>
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Tara @ Tales of a Trophy Wifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11482352114947524130noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1041302828086004590.post-65062149150142158572014-02-12T08:12:00.001-06:002014-02-14T15:49:04.334-06:00What I am Reading: Regency Romance, A Modern Latina Classic, and a Book about Ebolla<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi35JAOoF2B_NhfXMf39wiLnCkzeodsjYfS_8TBhE3xibsT_5QZOGxDkwQS_cJ-6lBKOFOLVf3i4NmxfylMXwo8GtS01mIcHb44qEVEtxJGLWDJpMFC7BChRr6V_L4v2L4iXBrk2zF06bQ/s320/book+header.jpg" /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">My kids had their final basketball games and swim meet last week, so no more guilt free reading time during practices for a few months. Here's what I've been reading:</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo7RAgZClNYX1NewA8GrsMPYPG52w3V0-GUvxaGi_zxPXSeU2Nqg1tHc2fC0lnHO5IvT99D66eoT-TzbOzQJQs0lDh53HvBrU_3kQa_lmgLUGN-KhmoivHU4PRP7C0_WJqZGs0t_r4X8c/s1600/hot+zone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo7RAgZClNYX1NewA8GrsMPYPG52w3V0-GUvxaGi_zxPXSeU2Nqg1tHc2fC0lnHO5IvT99D66eoT-TzbOzQJQs0lDh53HvBrU_3kQa_lmgLUGN-KhmoivHU4PRP7C0_WJqZGs0t_r4X8c/s1600/hot+zone.jpg" height="320" width="207" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The Hot Zone: A Terrifying True Story by Richard Preston</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">My daughter had to read this for English (the same teacher that picked Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother), and while I personally find her book choices odd and not very literary, I could not put this one down. It is non-fiction about the Ebola Virus and how in the mid 1990's, the military and scientists mobilized to contain a monkey outbreak in the suburbs of Washington, D.C. It is a surprisingly fast read for non-fiction, but it made me seriously question my life long dream of going on an African Safari. The idea of seeing lions and giraffes in the wild is now tempered by the idea of catching a virus that will make me bleed from every orifice of my body. 4 1/2 stars</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsmHvtbciZ8bhOGl-nCRPzsPXJUmfVWJGzV6H2YYGSRNybEibJjn1wd38RDoUlHjibvaYNipHqn12UnEDj3wqSZNgvHrosLAwuDE_nyeGTGUDRnyGbPUTZI3Ra_d-HQ3J7UcJix4SD5AM/s1600/mango.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsmHvtbciZ8bhOGl-nCRPzsPXJUmfVWJGzV6H2YYGSRNybEibJjn1wd38RDoUlHjibvaYNipHqn12UnEDj3wqSZNgvHrosLAwuDE_nyeGTGUDRnyGbPUTZI3Ra_d-HQ3J7UcJix4SD5AM/s1600/mango.jpg" height="320" width="207" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">This 110 page classic has been on my reading list for years, and I finally got around to reading it. It is a series of vignettes about growing up as a young Latina girl in Chicago. It is beautifully poetic; sometimes funny and other times heartbreakingly sad.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">4 1/2 stars</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipJDPU37iui1GdftB6hGhFhuPBAMByMhBia3VNxq2U-cDocczxFH1LaqiPu-JN2dy0mIiwYEHCkiHfBrYlfyFb0m8ntRiyyMdlybOpPwMTKG586dDngJidVChfrVlKosH-r8e1tvVnn8k/s1600/maid_of_fairbourne_hall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipJDPU37iui1GdftB6hGhFhuPBAMByMhBia3VNxq2U-cDocczxFH1LaqiPu-JN2dy0mIiwYEHCkiHfBrYlfyFb0m8ntRiyyMdlybOpPwMTKG586dDngJidVChfrVlKosH-r8e1tvVnn8k/s1600/maid_of_fairbourne_hall.jpg" height="320" width="208" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The Maid of Fairbourne Hall-Julie Klassen</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">A few of my daughters friends loved this, so we gave it a read. It is a squeaky clean Regency Romance about a wealthy and spoiled young women who runs away to avoid a marrying a horrible man who only wants her for her inheritance. She disguises her self as a maid and seeks employment in the mansion of a former suitor she rejected. She's certainly no Jane Austen, but it is a fun escape that you can safely recommend to your daughter or your mother.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">4 stars</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Up next on my reading list:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Blythewood, The Aviators Wife, and Before Ever After, and The Mind's Eye.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">What have you read lately?</span><br />
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Tara @ Tales of a Trophy Wifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11482352114947524130noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1041302828086004590.post-60139620658766495982014-02-05T08:07:00.000-06:002014-02-05T15:11:06.335-06:00A Lump ?!?!?!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE45v26LSwUxERzyT91PpqHIKKIHckoRqbd3NhdSG1lBts9dcnRJ2436HoAqXRvlXHALQLrop8pjRnw8gjZvQuUiwRgSlATExZhMtRTiz8dgu_0RXO8gy3s8NsADwNv2oO3Gk0_0BtFAE/s1600/breast-cancer-ribbon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE45v26LSwUxERzyT91PpqHIKKIHckoRqbd3NhdSG1lBts9dcnRJ2436HoAqXRvlXHALQLrop8pjRnw8gjZvQuUiwRgSlATExZhMtRTiz8dgu_0RXO8gy3s8NsADwNv2oO3Gk0_0BtFAE/s1600/breast-cancer-ribbon.jpg" height="320" width="231" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Last week I went in for my annual exam at the girl doctor. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Good times. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The nurse practitioner detected a lump in my breast and suggested I go in for mammogram. </span><span style="font-size: large; text-align: left;">I wasn't overly worried, but there was the lingering possibility of my life taking a difficult turn. We had one of our most perfect lazy weekends in a long time, and I hoped it wasn't our last.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Yesterday was the big day of my mammogram. My allergies have been bad lately and I was fairly confident they were going to tell me it was just a swollen lymph node.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> Unlike last time, there was a screen where I could see all my images, and I could clearly see two white spots in the area of my lump and my confidence started to waver a bit. When the nurse needed to take some more images from the side, it hurt way more than normal, and she commented that it was probably the lump (not the best bedside manner), my confidence shook violently. When I asked her if the images looked normal, she hesitated and said that I would need to go back to the waiting room, while the doctor looked at the images and decided if they needed to take an ultrasound. She also said that my last mammogram was in May so they probably caught it early enough. All my confidence faded away.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Here are the thoughts that ran through my mind as I sat in the room watching CNN and reading the poster said, "One in 8 women are diagnosed with breast cancer":</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large; text-align: left;">Please, please, please don't be cancer.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Am I going to loose my hair? Maybe I'll get a blonde wig for fun. Charming Charlie had some cute hats.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Please, please, please don't be cancer.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">Booking that non-refundable trip to Harry Potter World, wasn't so smart. Is there a make-a-wish for moms?</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Please, please, please don't be cancer.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I saw on Facebook that today is World Cancer Day-coincidence?</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Please, please, please don't be cancer.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We are putting the house on the market in 2 weeks. What does a bald sick lady in the master bedroom do to the market value of your home?</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Please, please, please don't be cancer.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">My husband just signed separation papers for the military, I wonder if they'd take him back, if I can't find civilian insurance.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Please, please, please don't be cancer.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">If I am sick, what is my family going to eat. My kids lovingly called my last attempt at freezer meals "Crap in a Bag".</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Please, please, please don't be cancer.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">If I am not going to be able to clean my own house soon, I need to scrub it from top to bottom, so the cleaning lady won't judge me.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Please, please, please don't be cancer.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">If I have cancer, I am totally ditching the diet I started yesterday and eating whatever I want.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Please, please, please don't be cancer.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">My kids are amazing and could survive without me, but I really, really, really want to be their mom and really want to be a grandmother.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Please, please, please don't be cancer.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">After a very long half and hour, the nurse told me I would need an ultrasound. I lost it just a little.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">When the doctor came in and saw I was upset, he explained that my mammogram was completely normal and hadn't changed at all from my last one and that the ultra-sound is merely standard procedure any time a doctor refers you. (This information would have been helpful at the beginning). He said I just have really dense breast tissue and showed me on the screen how normal and non-cancery my lumpy boobs were.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> I have never been so grateful to not have cancer in my life and I completely lost it.</span></div>
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Tara @ Tales of a Trophy Wifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11482352114947524130noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1041302828086004590.post-66456443483418622472014-01-29T08:32:00.001-06:002014-01-29T08:45:16.010-06:00Mom's Mac-N-Cheese<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: large;">I used to be a little chubby. (I'm not saying it's my mom's fault, but I dropped a good 20-30 pounds when I moved out).</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">My mom is especially </span><span style="font-size: large;">famous for her Old-Fashioned</span><span style="font-size: large;"> Mac-N-Cheese. Growing up, many of my friends had only ever eaten the orange stuff that came in the blue box, so we'd have to invite them over so they could try the real stuff for themselves. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">My mom loves to cook for people, but unless you are not planning a trip to the Greater San Antonio Area, here's the recipe so you can make some for yourself.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">2 Cups elbow macaroni (6-7 oz)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">2 Tbl grated onion (I always use an entire onion)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">1 tsp salt</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">1/4 tsp pepper</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">3 cups cheese</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">2 cups thin sauce</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">1 Tbl Butter</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Heat oven to 375 degrees. Cook macaroni as directed. Place half the macaroni in an ungreased 2 quart casserole dish. Sprinkle with half the onion, salt, pepper and cheese. Repeat. Pour white sauce over casserole. Dot with butter. Cover bake 30 minutes. Uncover bake 15 minutes. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Thin white sauce:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Melt 2 Tbl. butter on low in a sauce pan. Remove from heat and slowly add 1 1/2-2 Tbl. flour. Stir and mix and slowly add 2 cups of milk (you can use a whisk). Cook over medium heat until mixture becomes thick and starts to boil, stirring constantly. Use immediately.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">FYI: It is best served with frozen peas.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">My book tastes are a little eclectic. Here's what I've been reading.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi63m2M-qwGX8CirNS2vlS9VM4QDva6-EocvK18FlrepUlW3Ik3YBBr0-knDSYpWoP5qMAFVxIXavnURDvueeY7P7_m6pBUgnNHzv7xejf1yHao0u9b2RdaRS8zvrnXHW2ieWR7__inmZo/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi63m2M-qwGX8CirNS2vlS9VM4QDva6-EocvK18FlrepUlW3Ik3YBBr0-knDSYpWoP5qMAFVxIXavnURDvueeY7P7_m6pBUgnNHzv7xejf1yHao0u9b2RdaRS8zvrnXHW2ieWR7__inmZo/s1600/images.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">I will start with my favorite. My friend Suzanne picked, <i>Calling Invisible Women</i> by Jeanne Ray for book club. It is about a 54 year-old woman who wakes up one morning to discover that she's invisible. The worse part is that her husband and children are so caught up in their own lives that they don't even notice. I loved it-it is smart, funny, poignant, and well written, but mostly I loved it because I can so relate. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I spent the first 23 years of my life as the star-it was all about me and what I could achieve. When I became a wife and mother, I stopped adding notches to my resume and settled into the supporting actress roll to my husband and children. If I continue this metaphor to my current state, I think lately my name would most often only show up in the credits under crew (if the janitorial staff or Kraft Services even gets mentioned in the credits). I spend the majority of my time doing a laundry lists of mundane tasks-including way more actually laundry than I'd like. This is the life I chose and I wouldn't trade my life for the spotlight of a high powered career woman, but now and then I have felt a little invisible. If you sometimes feel like this too, you'll love<i> Calling </i>Invisible Women. I can't wait for book club to hear what everyone else thought<i>.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">5 stars</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">In <i>Devil in the White City, </i>Erik Lawson weaves together the stories of the architect of the 1892 Chicago World's Fair and the serial killer Henry H. Holmes. Reading about the details of planning the fair was tedious for me and I would have appreciated more pictures. The idea that Holmes could kill somewhere between 28-200 people without being caught was disturbingly fascinating. He was the ultimate con-man and psychopath, but unfortunately, no one knows a lot of details about his crimes and there just wasn't much to write about. I found about as much information on his Wikipedia page, then in reading the almost 400 page book. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">3 stars</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Before, I tell you about my next two reads, I would just like to say to all the authors out there: Just because series are all the trend, doesn't mean that you have to write a series. I would prefer a really great book, to a mediocre series. You can not all be J.K. Rowling.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Divergen</i>t by Veronica Roth</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #4d4d4d; font-family: inherit; font-size: large; text-align: left;"> In post-apocalyptic Chicago, people divide themselves into the factions based on the value they feel is most important: </span><span style="background-color: #fffcf5; color: #0d0b0a; font-family: inherit; font-size: large; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). They live in peace for a few generations until human nature creeps in and sparks an all-out war.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> I loved the first one and liked the second slightly less. The third one really started to drag for me and the ending made me plain mad. Read the first two and then I will just tell you what should have happened in the third and save you all the time and frustration. I'd give the books, 4 1/2 stars, 4 stars, and 2 1/2 stars.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large; text-align: left;"><i>Legend Trilogy</i> -Marie Lu</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNSCUFuQ_Rb-se11AYfyjJ-8ybFLobQc_jINAckmqlgueRXr_E-9yGEwbqcj8aLWfeEnteFVaRP_ajKxtyvRuJD0W9zIcgL21oPRlcTgr_FIxrYUYAEjpSbzdunhoFDG-Ho5xLeWKUX-o/s1600/download+(4).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNSCUFuQ_Rb-se11AYfyjJ-8ybFLobQc_jINAckmqlgueRXr_E-9yGEwbqcj8aLWfeEnteFVaRP_ajKxtyvRuJD0W9zIcgL21oPRlcTgr_FIxrYUYAEjpSbzdunhoFDG-Ho5xLeWKUX-o/s1600/download+(4).jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Set in the future when global warming has led to mass climate change and about half of the US under Water. It is the love story of June, a privileged military prodigy and Day, the governments most wanted criminal. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Better than most dystopian series. I'd give the entire series 4 stars, but the last book only a 3.</span><br />
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Tara @ Tales of a Trophy Wifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11482352114947524130noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1041302828086004590.post-78330057519658120052014-01-15T14:40:00.003-06:002014-01-16T07:11:35.255-06:00Cute, Cheap, Custom Dressed in sizes 0-36W (and they even have pockets!)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: large;">How often have you found a great dress, except for:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">-it was the wrong length</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">-you hated the embellishments</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">-you hated the sleeves</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">-the neckline showed too much cleavage-or not enough :)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">-it didn't come in your size</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">-too expensive</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">-it was cheaply made</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Then you are going to love <a href="http://www.eshakti.com/" target="_blank">eShakti</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">They sell fresh vintage inspired dressed from sizes 0-36. The best part is that you give them your measurements and they make each dress especially for you. You can even customized length, sleeve length and neckline. Life changing.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">When it is not freezing outside and my daughter isn't in finals, we will do a little photo shoot of us wearing our new dresses, but here are the dresses we ordered:</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="http://www.eshakti.com/Product/CL0029729/Vintage-bicycle-embellished-cotton-knit-dress" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0GFOL4MHKxmUzfQYUnucEqewsxTmJIlICMYUPu5IFEsX1-cMQpOxcQE9PxWDL8TVGeqLQQWqhaExpbKZRAxAPG5E-zTkx6HwLAtuHaH-5hgYn0G_tJB2sqGGKxSjMnva3Vfo2Tys6EwE/s1600/bikedress.jpg" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.eshakti.com/Product/CL0029729/Vintage-bicycle-embellished-cotton-knit-dress" target="_blank">Vintage Bicycle</a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">My daughter wanted this cute black dress with old fashioned bicycles embroidered along the bottom. Until our fashion shoot, you will just have to take my word for it, but it is even cuter on.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO9e7EQ40sOmv3FUqSmTMpHDl8HUGZXd8vp9bwWlPLB8rM3fX4PspWfLdYTCgao_Y05Buvt3tveG5ESm2UDGhQB4_EN4HGoVKyn9Rejhs62Ul7dXhmQbTiRaFiC5n0PN36LhrhyphenhyphenHGxEOU/s1600/navydress.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO9e7EQ40sOmv3FUqSmTMpHDl8HUGZXd8vp9bwWlPLB8rM3fX4PspWfLdYTCgao_Y05Buvt3tveG5ESm2UDGhQB4_EN4HGoVKyn9Rejhs62Ul7dXhmQbTiRaFiC5n0PN36LhrhyphenhyphenHGxEOU/s320/navydress.jpg" height="320" width="215" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.eshakti.com/Product/CL0028804/Retro-poplin-shirtdress" target="_blank">Retro Shirt Dress</a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I bought this navy shirt dress for myself. Despite the fact that I haven't turned down a cookie since Thanksgiving, it was very flattering. I wore it on Sunday to church, and felt a little like Doris Day or Marilyn Monroe. It had that clean, classic look that made feel pretty and feminine and if I dare say, even a little sexy. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Both are made of high quality fabric and have details of more expensive clothing like top stitching and hidden zippers. The grand total for both dresses, including shipping was only $82.95 and they arrived in about 2 weeks time. I couldn't have done better if I would have sewn them myself.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">I don't know if it's standard, but I also received coupons for $35 to use on my next purchase.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8JQwO5ynmrdFEpxJfiz7CaT0xRPaEYu0V7IlCbAvWHfhH3pMUxyj56MVaBOqJ9RC6K161EmcRoRiHiyiRNUr1ofct2O3rl5ujXqY48afVs49WRxA3md6NrBY3fJEkgaybsfYjrREqsEs/s1600/red.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.eshakti.com/Product/CL0028555/Shawl%20collar%20poplin%20shirtdress" target="_blank">Red Shawl-Collar Dress</a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBkdPj2KITIuA-ckkRwxzfJggc1GGq3pBpro1PSrctxzWkY-2cXj6XyTp08Oy3KyfbfRLsuweHT2A3AHrOzDZFAyiRtu1_R8tE10MesTNTdK4L1zNYJ2T1Cl5d3-GX-gNxj67O3ewUy5M/s1600/redcolorblock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBkdPj2KITIuA-ckkRwxzfJggc1GGq3pBpro1PSrctxzWkY-2cXj6XyTp08Oy3KyfbfRLsuweHT2A3AHrOzDZFAyiRtu1_R8tE10MesTNTdK4L1zNYJ2T1Cl5d3-GX-gNxj67O3ewUy5M/s1600/redcolorblock.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.eshakti.com/Product/CL0027983/Red-hot-colorblock-dress" target="_blank">Red-Hot Color Block Dress</a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I need a dress for an upcoming job interview for my husband: one that says "Please hire my husband", and am trying to decide between the above ( I like the bottom, but my daughter likes the top-feel free to vote in the comments). I am going to add cap sleeves, but I could order it w/ any of these sleeves options:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I actually like the original necklines, but I also have the option of changing it to any these:</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC2ORy-oMeoqKC696OJ8OFI30oYmz1KKjJDiFmq4oj7ReVOfk1HqP6mVzNMcHbP1T2S7EuCvYWjWU8cB64TLKXJHWjoa3XZgLbEMqHsfez0jVar7oh9kCJnqbp8P-Ei12nwBmk22I9HnM/s1600/V+Neck.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC2ORy-oMeoqKC696OJ8OFI30oYmz1KKjJDiFmq4oj7ReVOfk1HqP6mVzNMcHbP1T2S7EuCvYWjWU8cB64TLKXJHWjoa3XZgLbEMqHsfez0jVar7oh9kCJnqbp8P-Ei12nwBmk22I9HnM/s1600/V+Neck.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXnwP5nv3xYUX5WzLea_8z1hb0diTxzReQwOCZzAn2Bz5ykIrhfFMwTd22Y-eowmlz5xJISvBebelTqgjU24G4eML141K3wuOGaIcsAkWtUDgfk0AuQMOEE-fIlVcs53X6Cebu4WYJvd0/s1600/Wide+Deep+Scoop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXnwP5nv3xYUX5WzLea_8z1hb0diTxzReQwOCZzAn2Bz5ykIrhfFMwTd22Y-eowmlz5xJISvBebelTqgjU24G4eML141K3wuOGaIcsAkWtUDgfk0AuQMOEE-fIlVcs53X6Cebu4WYJvd0/s1600/Wide+Deep+Scoop.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWB-Ie6TtsGUQuBuE3uOZxac0e0XNNBkxqGguncQ00Co58gqvhIaXuBXQVjH1oQ9SvE_S7KAECTacryVTLSKsAI8vVS49Yon3NbiFiMEz8JYVQzm3ogMeou7wTi3MKfSPzRd0p1elCSHQ/s1600/Wide+Scoop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWB-Ie6TtsGUQuBuE3uOZxac0e0XNNBkxqGguncQ00Co58gqvhIaXuBXQVjH1oQ9SvE_S7KAECTacryVTLSKsAI8vVS49Yon3NbiFiMEz8JYVQzm3ogMeou7wTi3MKfSPzRd0p1elCSHQ/s1600/Wide+Scoop.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitiPfBhebTvCVYqzN2lXMXQQxMKT25BnA5Z6DzguzVYyJabmN9FKlKhyphenhyphenjmRGxxJ7w6H3CPnbYGXO5tBp-27_tVpIN9VD3w2_Fk9eIlNJ9VJUcPlaKKPMPDvXJA7ENKFcTtgbpVq6BLPns/s1600/Wide+Square.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitiPfBhebTvCVYqzN2lXMXQQxMKT25BnA5Z6DzguzVYyJabmN9FKlKhyphenhyphenjmRGxxJ7w6H3CPnbYGXO5tBp-27_tVpIN9VD3w2_Fk9eIlNJ9VJUcPlaKKPMPDvXJA7ENKFcTtgbpVq6BLPns/s1600/Wide+Square.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">You tell them how tall you are and then how long you'd like the hem to be:</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpG7QwVU9biVr6QJjak43g4yfkf0D-ayN0iMo2ecYc7T02gBO4t70yM0P9kdBGBdrj2jbLBNNv-ywLBY_YpI9yzjrrvKIkCi60di2uzEQQdCIYVBHGKnrflAXYOOSpDagPsGS4fkOH_uo/s1600/Above+knee+length.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpG7QwVU9biVr6QJjak43g4yfkf0D-ayN0iMo2ecYc7T02gBO4t70yM0P9kdBGBdrj2jbLBNNv-ywLBY_YpI9yzjrrvKIkCi60di2uzEQQdCIYVBHGKnrflAXYOOSpDagPsGS4fkOH_uo/s1600/Above+knee+length.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUz2cxh2-pHwr5dSCFe-lLXvEyYqEuDivhXavcXxSMtSMhk7O-9kyFqYocHtuvBDQXy-T2OSE5Ojfjp1ZSXoeDxUTQygvcTeN_r6jXtVHP30PVT1jqDPgBa-lnc5dD87CKruwUTjvmwH4/s1600/Below+knee+length.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUz2cxh2-pHwr5dSCFe-lLXvEyYqEuDivhXavcXxSMtSMhk7O-9kyFqYocHtuvBDQXy-T2OSE5Ojfjp1ZSXoeDxUTQygvcTeN_r6jXtVHP30PVT1jqDPgBa-lnc5dD87CKruwUTjvmwH4/s1600/Below+knee+length.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGb7QqKzQ_n4gG_WexFhjeoBR65w6MdIbx5uqDk_859ODsAagRyk3TRbqR7E-C7Xqhm3leswHoiZo8c-L6tuxLwcQIKcQREGxxhcqn4kKxLZTpeI2GgtZgADpBgAPltkz0AO3vjYNDZlc/s1600/Mid-calf+length.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGb7QqKzQ_n4gG_WexFhjeoBR65w6MdIbx5uqDk_859ODsAagRyk3TRbqR7E-C7Xqhm3leswHoiZo8c-L6tuxLwcQIKcQREGxxhcqn4kKxLZTpeI2GgtZgADpBgAPltkz0AO3vjYNDZlc/s1600/Mid-calf+length.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">They are always running great promotions and so it isn't hard to get a fabulous dress for well under $50. If you are a first time customer and shop in the clearance, you can even find quite a few things under $20!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Buy 2 get 1 free (or get 25% of one)</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.shareasale.com/r.cfm?b=561138&u=894767&m=23330&urllink=&afftrack=" target="_blank"><img alt="B2G1" border="0" src="http://www.shareasale.com/image/23330/160x600-10-1-14.jpg" /></a> </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And <strike>$25</strike> $30 Gift coupon w/ your first purchase:</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.shareasale.com/r.cfm?b=560758&u=894767&m=23330&urllink=&afftrack=" target="_blank"><img alt="eshakti, fall, autumn, plusfashion, colorblock dress, plus size dress, petite fashion, womens clothing, online shopping, plus apparel, bridesmaids dresses, fall2013, affordable clothing, dresses with pockets, custom clothing, customized apparel, spring" border="0" src="http://www.shareasale.com/image/23330/120x600-7-1-14-8.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So check them out and tell them I sent you (I'll get a commission and then I can buy more dresses).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">UPDATE: My husband liked the color-block one better, so I just ordered it.<span style="background-color: #fafbfb; color: #4e5665; line-height: 14.079999923706055px; text-align: left;">I had $35 thank-you credits from my first purchase, and I got %25 off for the current promotion, I could add sleeves for free b/c it was the first time, so my grand total including shipping was $19.92!!!I think that is less than my husband's tie!</span></span><br />
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Tara @ Tales of a Trophy Wifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11482352114947524130noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1041302828086004590.post-1490652050669149792014-01-10T15:48:00.002-06:002014-01-29T08:45:28.408-06:0022 Marathon Running Tips-From a Frumpy Non-Runner<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: large;">Last year about this time, I decided to run a marathon. (Read all about it <a href="http://trophyw.blogspot.com/2013/11/i-ran-marathon.html" target="_blank">here</a>) There's a lot of great expert advice out there. Here's some non-expert advice from a frumpy 40-year old mom that HATES all matters of exercise and has never experienced a "runner's high" in her entire life.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">1. Check out <a href="http://www.halhigdon.com/" target="_blank">Hal Higdon's Website</a>-better yet read some of his books.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">2. Treat your long runs as dress rehearsals for the marathon. Drink, eat, and wear what you will during the race.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">3. Have a good partner. I would not pick someone that I was trying to attract. Running long distances makes your body do really gross things and none of it was pretty. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">4. Recorded books. I listened to music for the first few months, but running for endless hours is boring. I always ran slower when I listened to books on tape, but it helped w/ the boredom on days I had to run alone. I highly recommend teenage romance novels involving the paranormal or the end of the world. BTW My husband never listened to anything when he trained for his-he says it helped him focus.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">5. Tell everyone you know that you are running a marathon-people will want to support and encourage you.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">6. Cotton bras, socks, and panties are not your friends. Buy the stuff that is designed to pull the moisture away from your body. </span><span style="font-size: large;">I wanted to avoid </span>TMI<span style="font-size: large;">, so I will try to put this as delicately as possible: sweaty panties and dehydrated women tend to cause all manner of feminine problems. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">7. Seams are your mortal enemies. Under 10 miles they are fine, but especially on any runs longer than 15 miles each little seam will start to act and feel like a tiny razor blade-especially in the more delicate places on your body.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">8. Bring a good support staff-they can bring your chopstick, sunglasses, hats, towels, etc. Our husbands stood on the sidelines at several points in the race and it helped me pick up my pace and ignore the pain.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">8. Eat some good fiber the day before so you can go to the bathroom before the race-it is so much better than during the race.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">9. Don't sprint at the beginning. (It harder than you'd think). </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">10. Buy a Garmin GPS watch-I was too lazy to chart out distances. I loved that it kept track of my time and pace. My favorite feature is that it told me how many calories I burned. Toward the end, I had some pretty impressive numbers.</span><br />
<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhscmPfKxnbvqe_DVTK92FFHCWnLFy6wMrtuDUqxVjh2jbYnMuoEamzDsq6xp-IBOfn0EUuOM8sZEjybczNOlctKyAJTh8f_HvWcoH12plJH0SLbmaPnKJcM8sltgb6LQjX4BLuzxtZ7AQ/s640/Marathon+126-001.JPG" /><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">11. Dedicate each mile to someone. I picked people that were going through hard times-chemo, sick kids, custody battles, divorce, and those people that have to suffer having me as an immediate family member.</span><br />
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<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoTsBfCIEAuXRkCFprOI3VCYZZVL4t27E9PvGTJPPQ8NGuniq4RkYoQvYGxM06vLTihKf4sezZQ-XnuitcJW_OIyXoMG62ARRjpZRIYr09a0U7wDCiBNGBl9v7pW3MFTNdfGtrm2h7j5Y/s640/Marathon+132.JPG" /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">12. Pick a battle cry. Mine started as "I can do hard things", then evolved from "I will do hard things" to "I do hard things." When it got tough (basically any time I was running), I would repeat over and over "I do hard things." </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">19. Have someone on call to come and pick you up in case of emergency on your long runs.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">14. Map out your training schedule and be realistic about other time commitments. I did a 30 week plan and from week 22-27, running became all consuming. I was either preparing to run, running, or recovering from running. I was exhausted and took lots of naps. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">15. Pick a nice flat race on a day that works best for you. My husband ran in Fargo, ND and I drove 4 hours to Abilene and it was better than running a tougher course close to home at a time that wouldn't work as well with our training.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">16. Take it Glucosamine and Chondroitin (guess you should ask your doctor). I don't know if it is just a placebo effect, but it really seems to help my knees. It does take a week or so for you to notice a difference</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">17. So normally a pair of shoes may last you a few years-but if you log this many miles, you are going to need to replace them every few hundred miles. About week 22, I thought that I might not be able to keep going I was so sore, but I bought new shoes and I wasn't as sore. I normally wear a 7 1/2. On shorter faster, runs, I wear an 8 and on long runs an 81/2. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">18. We noticed the first part of our bodies that got in shape were our lungs. Pretty quickly, we got to the point where we weren't breathing hard and could talk normally. Next our muscles got in shape. I wasn't any more sore after the first time I ran 18 than when I ran 7. (After 20 it was another story-but even then I was fine after about 24 hours). Finally our skeletal systems were strong enough to be able to run 26.2 miles. People that don't train end up actually breaking bones.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjofzVmuI67_5nV2uaudPhlcwxXX10oDC1PL9ZNJ93hrY1bW7WkLPv2-oWtR5G_sBfX1bS95fgmZwIbs75CZd7C_WuA2V4zO6XRT0H63A-PdIllXZcNYMzZZtB7RB70M_vASABxxYB_TE/s1600/Marathon+180-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjofzVmuI67_5nV2uaudPhlcwxXX10oDC1PL9ZNJ93hrY1bW7WkLPv2-oWtR5G_sBfX1bS95fgmZwIbs75CZd7C_WuA2V4zO6XRT0H63A-PdIllXZcNYMzZZtB7RB70M_vASABxxYB_TE/s1600/Marathon+180-001.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me in all my post-marathon glory</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">19 . Accept the fact that running a marathon is going to be grueling and awful. It's not like learning a new skill where it's really hard in the beginning and gets easier until it's no big deal. I never got the "runners-high" and it never got any easier. If you hate running 1 mile, you're going to hate running 26.2 miles. Also understand that it is just as much mental as physical. It will be awful-but you can do it and when it is finally over you will feel amazing.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">20. Drink. Under 5 miles, I wouldn't carry anything. Over 5, I had a fanny pack with attached water bottles. Over 10, I used a Camelback. Over 15, I would do stash more water at my house and loop back to catch it up. In retrospect, I should have trained more with Gatorade, since that's what they had during the race. (I didn't want to deal with getting sticky or stained.)</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">21. I never really got the food thing figure out. The entire idea of gel packs grossed me out and they give several of my friends heartburn and gas. I trained w/ gummy bears and pretzels, but I think the race might have gone better if I would have found some sort of gel that worked for me.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">22. Finally don't set a time goal. Your only goal should be to complete it and you don't want to feel like you failed because you ran it a little slower. Set a time goal for your next one.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">There you have it-there's all my advice. Good Luck!</span><br />
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Tara @ Tales of a Trophy Wifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11482352114947524130noreply@blogger.com3