tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26958243113630666272023-11-16T02:53:53.192-05:00oh hello samSammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15668122903076894263noreply@blogger.comBlogger307125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2695824311363066627.post-87264243251187831742018-07-13T23:01:00.001-04:002018-07-13T23:16:07.347-04:00it's been a whilethis space has changed over the years and when i look back on it all, i see how different of a person i have become in six years.<br />
six years - five or six boyfriends later, not counting the terrible dates in between, three moves, and a marriage. when i started this blog, i wanted to create a space to share my scrapbooking. i wanted to be as good as all of those other project lifers and make someone look at my space and say 'wow.' then i started recipes, moved on to life stuff, home renovations, and now life stuff and photography (maybe!). i could never stick to something because i was constantly trying to keep up with the trending internet i follow so much. now, i need a space for me. to say hell with it on who follows me or who sees it. create an outlet for myself.<br />
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my marriage, which is still weird for me to say, is moving. i can't tell if it's moving in a direction that is good or if it's only moving because time is making us continue. and then i think about how is it possible to already be thinking it. we started eight months ago, but before that it was hard. i have a lot of trust issues - a lot of trust issues with boys and drinking and letting myself feel vulnerable. i'm not good with vulnerable. i'm not good with giving up control on my emotions and letting someone else be a factor in how i feel. also, sometimes and probably most of the time; i am terrible at communication, especially when i get mad. i shut down. i don't let myself feel anything and walk away. defense mechanism? we are trying to figure it out; <i>i'm</i> trying to figure it out. marriage is about partnerships and compromises and i'm not really good at that right now. i need to be better because he deserves better. it's just going to take me time. we will get through it together.<br />
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samantha cald photography.<br />
cald(well) is my future last name if i decide to change it. i tried to convince him to merge our names and go caldcia but he shot me down, ha.<br />
it sounded catchier than my last name. it has opened a door of new creativity and money out the door! but also in. it has been <i>so so so</i> much fun to photograph and edit these stories and be apart of the lives of people i know and don't know. i got pretty good at it! i've been learning more and can't wait to continue to practice and find ways to interact with clients. i want it to continue. i need to create a website. i started. i changed it. i gave up because i got busy. eventually i'll learn how to do it myself.<br />
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and to end on a better note.<br />
here are some photos i took from a styled wedding shoot in upstate new york. it was magical.<br />
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Sammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15668122903076894263noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2695824311363066627.post-71218310869013461872018-01-11T21:07:00.000-05:002018-01-11T21:07:36.872-05:00vacation in seattle<img border="0" data-original-height="950" data-original-width="700" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy57e2PYY-90C8w1FLk962P_fdemIc2ZMjjT8xLM55kFTr_JCt6XxsCq1bMxxsofiIQj7XyB7BV400CkaWqk0h5uQFNv-nlWEhFtisM4NdHEdLNL_ZrWtPy0dBGVJ3zojJV0o8RQkCXl8N/s1600/seattle1.jpg" /><br />
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Over the Christmas break I decided to take Liam to visit my brother and his fiancee. If I hadn't talked about it before, he is not very well traveled in the world and one of my favorite things to do is travel. We spent Christmas Eve with his family and took a flight out on Christmas Day. This has been my fourth trip to Seattle and I would deem it as one of my favorite cities.<br />
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The stereotypical Seattle is dreary and rains constantly. Guess what? It's really not that bad. It's actually beautiful in the summer and in the winter, it's less cold than what I am used to so it works for me. It has the seasons and doesn't snow. Yes, it snows but where I live, that isn't really snow. It has so much to do and so much to see. What I love about traveling: food. Yelp is my <i>thing</i>. The nerd in me loves to write food reviews and visit tons of them, it gives me a reason to want to try new places (not that I really need one). In one week, we went from Italian, Thai, Mexican, American, desserts, donuts, and ice cream. Thank god for my metabolism!<br />
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But really, it's a beautiful city. Visit sometime.<br />
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<img border="0" data-original-height="501" data-original-width="700" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1ZzPYSVNI3HwSxtn-ZvAdfV_lnQmr_bCn4lNR-W7Nz2moyHVpw_9ML6NbelXK2ao5NK_7TN9vdmVpobdIbRN6TnchqlA41sk4IM4PdmT8L_-i8hQmx2yog8Z2RIzdCHvdzgnM5tafNmtG/s1600/seattle2.jpg" /><br />
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The market can smell like fish, for obvious reasons but it is so big! It goes down into some stores and has tons of food and flowers. We stopped for some fresh made mini donuts, the line was short and from what my brother says it's normally 30 minutes. Liam stood and watched the guys throwing the fish back and forth, he's like a kid who's never seen anything- it's adorable.<br />
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<img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="700" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVFPwih_ROKWZbqoCZ_7JHWWYcMJyJnQkCe8_tACMffD4oT_E34LjLFP9PXbuyQdm-ZNHdevQf1J0qzFPXka9Zs54I7B85nX9S-SBXiaQrnFeC86e1HyHHnEVGit6L46gDju5oI6k2HwSF/s1600/seattle5.jpg" /><br />
<img border="0" data-original-height="501" data-original-width="700" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4toAiBmP_f32UmDkNv4QhIWhwb31uATpvjQFlqC6kOZuJ5Fz2GimFYvsTatVmtDowMoFixKq5sqO5NIRxUq9UpgqUL3XXZAtdd3qwegqGUfuxPw1UwTIuzV7H6pqEvPTCceFpORZuZiRA/s1600/seattle3.jpg" /><br />
<img border="0" data-original-height="501" data-original-width="700" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAzaD288p0MR9KdLZ90_riBo4zzkswZh9SoIu61DCHTc1sfPEnj-jcb2iHmBQ6MBVutLnNoz17-6rYK0oDrPbjji-gRuKl5ZclSwgX2If-D8eWwMmsjARESC2mJmXdDbKFTWLJ8mGHdNfB/s1600/seattle4.jpg" /><br />
<img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="700" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlzZ2rF_V3k9spButZv-9UbIeFEgR__aYSx0u0jsshgr8NEF7up-9Z0tk8Ti9sEHsdk40Fzo75bg2kRS_vB18Jb5-8QPO_alVytiEbICc7262wYUNUBwL7Y0Xe_zj30wsNt-Oq2D3X1Jmd/s1600/seattle6.jpg" /><br />
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He's super happy, Liam, not the dog (but he is too). He likes to see the world and it's going to be pretty fun to show it and share it with him.Sammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15668122903076894263noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2695824311363066627.post-71702951701620676662017-12-28T17:40:00.001-05:002017-12-28T17:40:43.843-05:00merry belated christmas everyone<img border="0" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4521/37975747025_877191b869_b.jpg" data-original-width="700" data-original-height="501" /><br />
<img border="0" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4536/37975759835_df0ec2b56d_b.jpg" data-original-width="700" data-original-height="501" /><br />
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Earlier this month we took our annual Christmas photo.<br />
I could not find my remote clicker so most of the pictures were me trying to run around and get in position. The dogs kept going a little crazy and would not stay put for photos. I did buy a new clicker already so future photos will be much easier! This has been a four year tradition for me and the second one for us as a family. I remember being so nervous putting Liam in my Christmas photo because we were serious but we had our bumps in the road. Commitment was difficult for me and putting someone in my card to send out to all of my friends was a big deal! How funny to look back and here we are, we're married!<br />
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We spent the holiday eve with his parents and headed to Seattle to visit my brother and future sister-in-law. Liam has never been to the west coast so it was a great way to get started! We hope everyone had a great holiday and has a very happy new year! <br />
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xoxoSammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15668122903076894263noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2695824311363066627.post-7806609343750758012017-12-21T21:33:00.002-05:002017-12-21T21:33:46.101-05:00holiday tree findings<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSmpQacf5OT-Bwm2Dr-S_MG-6NlZtjx12iLLIeT2M9RHehV5YdoM8J37rRPagDSZibfqiYR0dZYQlbukOGnZuuoIP6VrsP_6zQsdNmAHoCEvrHVdYbuL08Dvn9Cpj5QzvupQlmGCNYJ6tt/s1600/tree1.jpg" data-original-width="700" data-original-height="501" /><br />
The last few years I have gone out Christmas tree shopping for myself. With the craziness of living between two houses, we decided not to get a tree this year. I picked up a fake tree during Black Friday shopping for my apartment but the Christmas spirit has not been in full effect for me.<br />
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A few weeks ago we went out to help a few friends hunt for the perfect Christmas tree for their new home. It would be their first tree in their home, how exciting! For me, it was an opportunity to whip out the camera and actually take some pictures! It was a lot colder than I expected but who doesn't love this weather for Christmas activities! I truly believe I would be confused in warm weather states during the holiday season. Pretty sure I will regret saying that since it was 3 degrees last week. <br />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjem-UZAWcFzCf83xe_wjxWJ9DRIlxpRR20dxns0_xsheN8R-KTJDsozx9Zi2f7UMnvmbaPo8STr44RljKRj_spCG3GC8IRIyG5dbTYWv4OrI6JsBaoJD-k_HhNzjEC4O-f3EkTAD_nMvyz/s1600/tree2.jpg" data-original-width="700" data-original-height="501" /><br />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_3ulS4R7IPnOJ2BYfdwz_Bm_JL_7a8Yo2gPwgRwyIcLCW_Af567bAVAc9U9Onr0q9_dD-mn6ljVTihLSi5k_ck77VXnU-CuvU8n5qAuGnrwqyapf0a8VKzmwbtP6kwYpV1s0qb6O-GRcY/s1600/tree3.jpg" data-original-width="700" data-original-height="1000" /><br />
If there is any one of my friends who loves picking out Christmas tree's it's T. She loves Christmas and wanted their tree to be at least 9-10 feet tall, in person it is gigantic. We were happy to help them pick it out and cut it out!<br />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg7TeoZpD1BNTT9gpzz1V1efrUeHimdZKVyxE_AxcahA0VzH4grO_29nCF-WcdQLo0tj_s2YlgUEaLlUC7Ju4-AK2lndYN8WBMKmfRVdNt7h7EygcKJ3I7jY4Ih2Yj48J5ZKyNxzCv8EMq/s1600/tree4.jpg" data-original-width="700" data-original-height="501" /><br />
As we left to take the tree back to the truck, the boys decided it was too much to carry so they wanted to drag it back. T was not having any part of that! Sammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15668122903076894263noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2695824311363066627.post-11819973113589656302017-11-30T20:51:00.000-05:002017-11-30T20:51:38.448-05:00philadelphia christmas market<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXJdb2XRz-3Bc1b24VhSKx1MGsQN3zDY60LW51W1lHdUu2WYWS5_WmJ3Mk30MAiutcICHKmCIyj46HuZ0-niNd8gYgDIQlZgNVbjg2CvRMnqEVtXMcE2Lgv_tAUVkLS8fAYpua1pfy_jA0/s1600/philly1.jpg" data-original-width="700" data-original-height="1000" /><br />
We spent last Sunday in Philadelphia, hitting up our favorite place IKEA and walking around the city a little. It was a bit chilly so we didn't want to walk around too much, but I love this city and the food.<br />
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As we walked around IKEA, I realized how awesome of a husband he really is to me. I was looking for a glass box we had seen at the beginning of the 'tour' but could not find it in the Marketplace. He walked all the way back through the entire store to see where he could get the box. The display was the last box in the store and he had to fill out paperwork to get it. He's seriously <i>the best</i>.<br />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL_GdkxHOXNoIrURP8ciXERzySOdnzJnLt3czXXqboTY4QZu5FXvdzM-pshEPhDOg8sk1UYiXU_81oYGvbl-qZCDtAsHtQn1Ahjngc9CVF8reYFs4v8rqmI9sw1-_FYptvNtMzVxKtCtjL/s1600/philly2.jpg" data-original-width="700" data-original-height="501" /><br />
We stopped at LOVE park near the City Hall. I love seeing the hall. It reminds me of my early days of college when we used to go dancing in Philly and drive by this on our way home, hanging out of windows screaming and singing at each other. We walked around the Christmas market looking at all the little shops, trying not to freeze. We bought him the cutest and warmest mittens (it was cold).<br />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDOSdHKGnw4RQjCtwV4noeLR4m3_oOuW2qhOMi8PoGbwwDptAh9BLURl7Cw7iBm5Y4esXpLg_u6waIeRh0tJAGxZnm6NddeviuiRiNzbBSz2k4V5OvWX3aS8X0a5AVDQanTpaxC74gcW67/s1600/philly3.jpg" data-original-width="700" data-original-height="501" /><br />
Sipped some hot chocolate.<br />
Ate some appetizers aka pretzels. <br />
I appreciate his enthusiasm to everything we do together. He is like a kid who sees new things that I some times take for granted because I have seen it so many times. He sees it from a whole new light and I love it. It makes me appreciate it all more.<br />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Yvz1VccNC6YCh5ZImN4Tdg7yJfYULlxGrUy4O2X4jN-JtZMtKYed0DIIv_ctvCEX4VM6gTyt_Gb76cU1d4QI5jVm-QHj9oqYZUYlidmSWT0VwDjx7i-tjIzZg3R0CRyOKUhl7ao9vLwi/s1600/philly4.jpg" data-original-width="700" data-original-height="501" /><br />
Plus, we got see some awesome German sausages being cooked. Not that I eat it but it was still pretty awesome to see it! It was amazing to spend a whole week together after we got married. We got married and spent two weeks apart so it was like a mini honeymoon as he said (there will be a real one).<br />
Sammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15668122903076894263noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2695824311363066627.post-74413573133847918262017-11-19T22:02:00.003-05:002017-11-19T22:02:50.995-05:00the elopement<img border="0" data-original-height="501" data-original-width="700" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYYsDXw_jx0s3PaUz5U7by0jkpF5BNtjU58Dz90S8Miy_iR1uiLiPjdjWseu5LcKdpMknd8Ln3idEkMOhoYTQ2NtI1P8m5iH_D1rCwZsrlPZGqT7g3DNZ0V0O4D2ytoCip74P9neqaQjXs/s1600/wed1.jpg" /><br />
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On a chilly November day, I walked out of the car to meet my future husband. He was late, of course, but it wouldn't be him if he was on time and in place. I walked across the grass and tapped him on the shoulder, he turned around to see me for the first time in my dress and faux fur. He said the fur shocked him because he didn't realize I would be wearing one. Well, duh it was surprise.<br />
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We hugged, we kissed, and we got ready for the ceremony. <br />
It was simple and intimate. We gathered with our friends, said our vows, I cried the entire time I said them. I cried when we got there and I cried when he said his. I thought it would have been him to get emotional, I'm not the emotional one normally (crazy, maybe, but not the lovey dovey one). But in that moment, I knew all of the ups and downs we had gone through in the last 18 months was worth it. It didn't matter anymore and all I could focus on was, <i>this is who I plan on spending my life with and sharing in all of the wonderful moments that life has to offer us</i>.<br />
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<img border="0" data-original-height="501" data-original-width="700" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXp9Sv4QHplzAqZ4XsOZCALO14Gd26LQeqhdZtXzEdTvX-0irS5jmvelqcNw_UAvYRX7WFgfwBYtuBTI2EafHT7q1Bz1O4emm0L53x2lD2wfWyDXLVUXN1Pe0dw7y61ZOnhMGtfU7rpHsI/s1600/wed2.jpg" /><br />
<img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="700" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXTeUESQZVr8C3NkjEB_pWv-YnGiwmomlhSzRpE_pzt57X0mkfjJRCBwUbCsOsVY8ADyT4aSZ9sbTU9uiFl9QsOxP6W_PEKVlwoZjl1yag0HNFX7ZdMvtRvugJbg-izK7cq8f60PYOgI00/s1600/wed3.jpg" /><br />
<br />
And then we kissed. We were married, husband and wife in this crazy world together. <br />
It was cold, so cold without that faux fur on but it was worth it to get that ring on his finger properly. I couldn't have been happier in that moment.<br />
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<img border="0" data-original-height="501" data-original-width="700" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDV09COIr-uf-_Cii7IUgRIG9KO3i7cVY-J5WmmSUBEa8nK4ILIx4XGWIaY8zJiO-sxmtlVZc29e-JsVth523ZIf6lygot863RnuIUshmvQkHIYwGgBfZIPDCA0UM951qy4fudZMXVTjE9/s1600/wed4.jpg" /><br />
<img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="700" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIT00BmmLVlVR-k2oYIjirKop6GSHKBgi1Nnal1WxULF6ffBlpm2VFIn8vBFF3QYeWhe6C8vhet73dE9Bgkb7g1GL9boiwLjBLE97WN0WKkv5ODQGxE-s5LNlrRh5illC0GgjIb58bfHMs/s1600/wed5.jpg" /><br />
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We took a few photos around town. The town that brought us together, the Company that brought me to this town to meet him. I left New Jersey almost three years ago in a very different place than I am now. I have grown up so much in the last five years and it amazes me to think that a week ago, I got married to a man who puts up with my independently stubborn nature.<br />
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He is so amazingly kind and caring (sometimes too much if that's possible). He works his butt on to finish school, work full time, and take care of the dog. He builds me all of my crazy Pinterest ideas at the drop of a hat and he rarely ever tells me no. He cares for me so unconditionally it amazes me. I love the moments he plays with my hair until I fall asleep and carries me to bed when I fall asleep on the couch before him. It's one thing I miss living apart from each other.<br />
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<img border="0" data-original-height="501" data-original-width="700" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1V0A2zevZP-IsJGCP_B8YgAiwGnaam5n8kJ8yOFz9lkGhLAKdgT4lO_aNt_7uRoJiICHQlOD_md64S7GNumr1w7pHzeXM-XaLkGojdOWKjgi073FS5sCEaW7ETa3UYxHhwFWZSfE-qrL5/s1600/wed6.jpg" /><br />
<img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="700" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXaTSIE0RjNUjyY5aHsTgLFNdT5lsKzODzVJ2ijAM44p2Xf8eiLFuHK39fq-hIswd1-LdGihqcjALkvJPlXU8Sc33boSeobS1bjBklaRrQnH2GwCztrNopfZXiW5zFj_ibv4vEUB3-hjiW/s1600/wed7.jpg" /><br />
<br />
As I put together our photo book from the engagement and the elopement, I came across an email I sent to myself almost five years ago. It had a quote that helped me get through a tough time in my life when I had split up with my then boyfriend. After reading it, it made sense then but means so much more now:<br />
<blockquote><i>I believe that everything happens for a reason. People change so that you can learn to let go, things go wrong so that you appreciate them when they're right, you believe lies so you eventually learn to trust no one but yourself, and sometimes good things fall apart so better things can fall together.</i></blockquote>It was a long road to you but I could not be happier that I waited for you to come into my life. I have been through so many bad moments so I could appreciate every waking moment with you. All of them that make us stronger together. We have a whole lifetime for adventures. I am so happy to be your wife.<br />
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November 11, 2017 <span style="font-size: xx-small;">❤</span>Sammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15668122903076894263noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2695824311363066627.post-37993256210337999172017-11-02T21:25:00.000-04:002017-11-02T22:39:33.768-04:00engagement photos<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW4Jb63gTRzyjG1aTph7ogE239lQVFd8yJUTdBTyfeE-MPY7jJGL0UEtZ8Ixdx0OS1e1PiMstMJZJlZ0zBVN_TPdpZTlV4ZO6p3oGqmAPQufcsyvX_OEmVerlEYGaR5zNsIYHOzRCroUDu/s1600/RLP-271.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW4Jb63gTRzyjG1aTph7ogE239lQVFd8yJUTdBTyfeE-MPY7jJGL0UEtZ8Ixdx0OS1e1PiMstMJZJlZ0zBVN_TPdpZTlV4ZO6p3oGqmAPQufcsyvX_OEmVerlEYGaR5zNsIYHOzRCroUDu/s1600/RLP-271.jpg" data-original-width="700" data-original-height="501" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvkFsoY1bUT8tZIKAucdtKe3KhEn0hNjw_37VcFw7YL3BYvIqPrGr7VQhN0egWv5x24Rid6UeiGSvKja6zJWQyiAT_tHc3-j0g36KlecTGeq8KN3-5ZsF5afgcTI15dmErxQiq5bCs04-U/s1600/RLP-009.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvkFsoY1bUT8tZIKAucdtKe3KhEn0hNjw_37VcFw7YL3BYvIqPrGr7VQhN0egWv5x24Rid6UeiGSvKja6zJWQyiAT_tHc3-j0g36KlecTGeq8KN3-5ZsF5afgcTI15dmErxQiq5bCs04-U/s1600/RLP-009.jpg" data-original-width="700" data-original-height="501" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGfVS46wt8mf6_HPU_otTdek05LzsdZ5ZeJJR7FK-fw8PvfZhFYYYmMaH2Zvpem8q00jqlFH6gNLHfmw8G8784o1rqVyPJmpWVE6V5J1QI56SuF5RQJ7lo-Z8DCcE6RUu01BP_UnkyS1se/s1600/RLP-073.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGfVS46wt8mf6_HPU_otTdek05LzsdZ5ZeJJR7FK-fw8PvfZhFYYYmMaH2Zvpem8q00jqlFH6gNLHfmw8G8784o1rqVyPJmpWVE6V5J1QI56SuF5RQJ7lo-Z8DCcE6RUu01BP_UnkyS1se/s1600/RLP-073.jpg" data-original-width="700" data-original-height="501" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFZrtOQcIjeu6nVP_CzW0sSRQ6hYdzX2F5XTqgGbFWX95Xfy-hcY8Jprwdm2Bub0-kBzOR6ZhphpKlwI4hEVPvUjCNqWAAQliMMf7vR_0q0YG2J18g6SyM1iib4heQXtHIIc2OGnnUs3VO/s1600/RLP-227.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFZrtOQcIjeu6nVP_CzW0sSRQ6hYdzX2F5XTqgGbFWX95Xfy-hcY8Jprwdm2Bub0-kBzOR6ZhphpKlwI4hEVPvUjCNqWAAQliMMf7vR_0q0YG2J18g6SyM1iib4heQXtHIIc2OGnnUs3VO/s1600/RLP-227.jpg" data-original-width="700" data-original-height="501" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh618C3KCt0ue74oCYmKGyxsAqVXk_fN4dgFF0yN0zubQvd6IWP_0WXDU0tKXTVPs9Po8Xu7YXOFfVotwYrlvUcwvKPU6zv0F4bF3alqMtmfe1E-7NbyTK___Wfxpdj0YWuiwH87lLf80o8/s1600/RLP-270.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh618C3KCt0ue74oCYmKGyxsAqVXk_fN4dgFF0yN0zubQvd6IWP_0WXDU0tKXTVPs9Po8Xu7YXOFfVotwYrlvUcwvKPU6zv0F4bF3alqMtmfe1E-7NbyTK___Wfxpdj0YWuiwH87lLf80o8/s1600/RLP-270.jpg" data-original-width="700" data-original-height="501" /></a><br />
<br />
Sneak peek of our engagement photos.<br />
<a href="http://rachellizphotography.com/">Rachel Liz Photography</a> is amazing and I cannot wait for her to shoot our wedding. It was so much fun and she did such an amazing job capturing us.Sammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15668122903076894263noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2695824311363066627.post-64943330764709105752017-09-11T21:14:00.001-04:002017-09-11T21:14:36.869-04:00two months.Life has been crazy these past few months.<br />
I moved two hours away from Liam for a new position at my company.<br />
We live 'long distance' but see each other almost every weekend so it's not that bad. We work it out, I miss Fifa though so that's my struggle bus.<br />
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We built our first wedding table.<br />
We have 9 more to build.<br />
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We're getting hitched in two months, but planning for a big wedding next September.<br />
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Exactly two months, I am a wife. HOLY. CRAP.Sammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15668122903076894263noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2695824311363066627.post-92063474827052328652017-05-29T13:27:00.001-04:002017-05-29T13:30:21.345-04:00watkins glen visit<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQu-HNVMgmU4PKsfwhKOGv1Wu5Q0CzJL5rws_4oaDiMT5ZkRAr-4nbXcDnHZ8LvAIBcJyAENFqR2nPVaWsTh0hAqswvOOFdhq-z_Z1Q2Q3M3SRNFlZgX0BGC8JdkTXN4dnVM392neF50ER/s1600/watkins-glen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQu-HNVMgmU4PKsfwhKOGv1Wu5Q0CzJL5rws_4oaDiMT5ZkRAr-4nbXcDnHZ8LvAIBcJyAENFqR2nPVaWsTh0hAqswvOOFdhq-z_Z1Q2Q3M3SRNFlZgX0BGC8JdkTXN4dnVM392neF50ER/s1600/watkins-glen.jpg" data-original-width="700" data-original-height="501" /></a></div>The weather called for rain the entire weekend but we got lucky and it was mostly sunny. It rained today in the morning, which was helpful for us since we didn't have to water the grass with our too-short hose. We have been desperately trying to grow the grass from our <a href="https://ohhellosam.blogspot.com/2017/04/updating-driveway.html">driveway project</a>. We spent our weekend at GlassFest watching fireworks, eating out, and yard work.<br />
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Yesterday was a beautiful day. We could not have asked for better weather for an outdoor hike around Watkins Glen State Park. I have lived in this area for almost two years and <i>finally</i> visited! It is a staple in our area, I can't believe it took so long for me to get there. It was a bit crowded but it is to be expected on a beautiful holiday weekend. A few of our friends college friends came to town and we headed there in the morning. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3ewDK8QGGeS9iIvHnM0T3PauV2IvqFhaE2i-WF-9bqBFij4Dox9ciyZUz_0u8L9u23tyzmexW_vOxRNZnprVvICeCvfobAdXCQXA-b37Q58jxMHjTvEM0iiE_ifB-DCT6CBW7roFPaU01/s1600/watkins-glen-boys.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3ewDK8QGGeS9iIvHnM0T3PauV2IvqFhaE2i-WF-9bqBFij4Dox9ciyZUz_0u8L9u23tyzmexW_vOxRNZnprVvICeCvfobAdXCQXA-b37Q58jxMHjTvEM0iiE_ifB-DCT6CBW7roFPaU01/s1600/watkins-glen-boys.jpg" data-original-width="700" data-original-height="550" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAPT_A3oYsECq4tPEm39HtPH8qSqrpZos5SxcrqpgQj8qOi2wjkBEg_COPZ3fZsmgUNR8AF0Jg0sWoC-YzViWD25-Xc0uwtc1SV3Yh763kl_nOs3QTb2LJ7jak3Heo9WFXhmOZem1-WNO2/s1600/watkins-glen-bridge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAPT_A3oYsECq4tPEm39HtPH8qSqrpZos5SxcrqpgQj8qOi2wjkBEg_COPZ3fZsmgUNR8AF0Jg0sWoC-YzViWD25-Xc0uwtc1SV3Yh763kl_nOs3QTb2LJ7jak3Heo9WFXhmOZem1-WNO2/s1600/watkins-glen-bridge.jpg" data-original-width="700" data-original-height="501" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjK-z3wCxQjQxk16m7UTAkjPKt4QoxuNmmHJlH13Rjv1z0iRo6OV6D04pfbjkcBxEU2mQvncWz6eYPkHAvonAnGWE_6QuKXYYVg8ch05RvTXOnH_-D5c9TsdCHym28QqngIWlW_4vbv5Oc/s1600/watkins-glen-couple.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjK-z3wCxQjQxk16m7UTAkjPKt4QoxuNmmHJlH13Rjv1z0iRo6OV6D04pfbjkcBxEU2mQvncWz6eYPkHAvonAnGWE_6QuKXYYVg8ch05RvTXOnH_-D5c9TsdCHym28QqngIWlW_4vbv5Oc/s1600/watkins-glen-couple.jpg" data-original-width="700" data-original-height="550" /></a></div>I mentioned to Liam that I may want to take our engagement photos here because it is so beautiful, but it would have to be when it isn't so crowded during the off-season. Less people, better pictures! I'll have to mention it to our photographer.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Wmsm43xjl9XK1yDwj3YIfDJp43rNTu7CSK5yH8-1K9EI7yVDG7hsrOC3s8ONQuWqXAjq3ZHBP4DprpZ5LFNsfO70EkpRlovaIhDaAAMqBc6Lgukmf6F34Xv1-J5OOOgAEb7YSyND-2A-/s1600/watkins-glen2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Wmsm43xjl9XK1yDwj3YIfDJp43rNTu7CSK5yH8-1K9EI7yVDG7hsrOC3s8ONQuWqXAjq3ZHBP4DprpZ5LFNsfO70EkpRlovaIhDaAAMqBc6Lgukmf6F34Xv1-J5OOOgAEb7YSyND-2A-/s1600/watkins-glen2.jpg" data-original-width="700" data-original-height="850" /></a></div><br />
After our visit to the gorge, we stopped at the wineries on the West side of Seneca Lake. My favorite winery on our stop is <a href="http://wiemer.com/">Herman J. Wiemer</a>, a good and tasty Late Harvest Riesling and the too-expensive Riesling Josef Vineyard 2015. We went home with a bottle of Late Harvest and I can't wait to crack it open on a nice summer night with a delicious homemade dinner. Sammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15668122903076894263noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2695824311363066627.post-77932533719856598622017-05-23T08:00:00.000-04:002017-05-23T09:04:15.226-04:00mother's day shoot<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Po6CG37W0yBV-swrjNDkOeqCz3tG7v5vUWlWCULSnUxhE18g7a0dcFqE4DrdDQJ-3wU4XcskCGKjApndkHusTgAIuKxxXNci-8sSCtKSlCBOxaPkZ1b2573ONEcUsEQZDBQJ4vA8V-6n/s1600/firstmothersday.jpg" imageanchor="2" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Po6CG37W0yBV-swrjNDkOeqCz3tG7v5vUWlWCULSnUxhE18g7a0dcFqE4DrdDQJ-3wU4XcskCGKjApndkHusTgAIuKxxXNci-8sSCtKSlCBOxaPkZ1b2573ONEcUsEQZDBQJ4vA8V-6n/s1600/firstmothersday.jpg" /></a></div>This photography thing is a lot of fun for me. <br />
I am still trying to figure it out, what's the right exposure, is my shutter speed okay? My picture is too dark, move it this way. It comes with time and practice, so this was great! My friend Jason wanted to do some Mother's Day photos for his wife for her first Mother's Day. Perfect time to take out the new camera and snap some photos!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0dsrIVZHfmgNdTufUv8LvEYvl3kgOl03euY-_I8G99QkqxI2vvwVFX0kVjDeQoYgPj2qJ2JaeUSVfvZ5hf8oVUa4rSxxcXVZqBRgfzEeokMI_-l8T4HZIaQB7aT47bqrAIawNnkHd37Rs/s1600/dadbebe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0dsrIVZHfmgNdTufUv8LvEYvl3kgOl03euY-_I8G99QkqxI2vvwVFX0kVjDeQoYgPj2qJ2JaeUSVfvZ5hf8oVUa4rSxxcXVZqBRgfzEeokMI_-l8T4HZIaQB7aT47bqrAIawNnkHd37Rs/s1600/dadbebe.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiML15rLQI5z7gNvFEeqF7VZTECVoRnxrSZ5VYZAaAtg6AbGNWT7Fql9K0wAMuB6wIvklXIhXGY-uWmXmNGWNay7xcBKfD6Ey6ddZ_Rtbg6LvyvxIS3WxP-zU2GFUjF9nvOryCQeEHf_aEy/s1600/jasonkylie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiML15rLQI5z7gNvFEeqF7VZTECVoRnxrSZ5VYZAaAtg6AbGNWT7Fql9K0wAMuB6wIvklXIhXGY-uWmXmNGWNay7xcBKfD6Ey6ddZ_Rtbg6LvyvxIS3WxP-zU2GFUjF9nvOryCQeEHf_aEy/s1600/jasonkylie.jpg" /></a></div><br />
After looking at these photos, my heart melted with the two of them. She normally loves spending that time with dad, he's always the one to easily put a smile on her face but this day, she was not having it. We had the hardest time trying to get her to smile for us, this is why children's photography is not my thing hahaha. Her grumpy face though, <i>the</i> cutest thing ever. The eyebrows are key. But really, the two of them are the sweetest pair.<br />
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We tried to have her hold the letters 'M' and 'O' so we could spell MOM in picture frames. Again, the grumpy face is hilarious. We'll have to try again later. I blame the sun and the random protesters that were standing behind us as I was taking these photos. Yes, random political protests in our tiny town exactly at the spot we wanted to take the pictures! Also, the entire day was cloudy and perfect for snapping away and when we started, the sun in her eyes. HUZZAH, that's what happens on outside shoots.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6_VDcEEighouMOXFRFh2BjH-wlcfbFCFn3rfbTFT-anka1XJK7ETt7YQpCiWykQSN1yVNQopY-1chtbh4pufDPmMibvIJUWerUAzLVMgalnrYCI3_67FGD-7QmzGyMYgoQ0Bpjgq0gOxw/s1600/mom1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6_VDcEEighouMOXFRFh2BjH-wlcfbFCFn3rfbTFT-anka1XJK7ETt7YQpCiWykQSN1yVNQopY-1chtbh4pufDPmMibvIJUWerUAzLVMgalnrYCI3_67FGD-7QmzGyMYgoQ0Bpjgq0gOxw/s1600/mom1.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0ixKpqtzb8pLddGO-zKfRcnKNwyMZ0_6YBZLVviw3swrVAsOC9yrABN4HQvHQ_tJ1vozuzWVqujUWSS7loyXnclT8g0JEdywI9whJAjkmowdPM9ZllKDapZmRyBTg7DHqT140XWkrS82N/s1600/momo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0ixKpqtzb8pLddGO-zKfRcnKNwyMZ0_6YBZLVviw3swrVAsOC9yrABN4HQvHQ_tJ1vozuzWVqujUWSS7loyXnclT8g0JEdywI9whJAjkmowdPM9ZllKDapZmRyBTg7DHqT140XWkrS82N/s1600/momo.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKRF3nL08fPzCWRjExX6j6zZp97DB6KA_s4inF1oEhjhd7xF0mBrdRhaZyemgMQxbZIjkBrYxv-LX-NQBzWtPIsyRxet65T7UYaFdpcx1r1RZq1PLkmavElr_I1y4ftdpLIBUgKPww_aFr/s1600/mom2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKRF3nL08fPzCWRjExX6j6zZp97DB6KA_s4inF1oEhjhd7xF0mBrdRhaZyemgMQxbZIjkBrYxv-LX-NQBzWtPIsyRxet65T7UYaFdpcx1r1RZq1PLkmavElr_I1y4ftdpLIBUgKPww_aFr/s1600/mom2.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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I can't wait to take more!Sammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15668122903076894263noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2695824311363066627.post-47995534070512251672017-05-14T22:40:00.001-04:002017-05-14T22:40:42.912-04:00reading list | 05Writing book reviews would not be my daytime job, I don't have a way with words like some people when they write reviews. Imagine the people who write and choose the New York Times bestseller books. Not me.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz6r_PWs-Zw5WgsG-lcidV5cdH7FCcpy_DBwHD5EOopTawpcLRoAhYxgcGfW3guz5NW1kiObqFWLLWZ9ZSCQy_8fC_0iixymSqsXmaI9zWScH6ZPP2kMlIvXCgeJILERqA41KtSsASXN4n/s1600/allthelight.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz6r_PWs-Zw5WgsG-lcidV5cdH7FCcpy_DBwHD5EOopTawpcLRoAhYxgcGfW3guz5NW1kiObqFWLLWZ9ZSCQy_8fC_0iixymSqsXmaI9zWScH6ZPP2kMlIvXCgeJILERqA41KtSsASXN4n/s1600/allthelight.jpg" /></a></div><br />
I have been reading on and off, some books really keep me going and others I only keep going because I started already. Book #5 in series of 2017 is <a href="https://www.amazon.com/All-Light-We-Cannot-See/dp/1476746583">All the Light We Cannot See</a>. It is based in back in history during wartime. It walks you through two characters and their stories as they grow up to present day. I loved the short chapters, it kept me reading. <br />
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There was a great storyline.<br />
Marie-Laure is attempting to make it through the war with her father and uncle, walking blindly through a new city. Werner reminds me of Liam, curious and full of technical capability. As I read Werner's dialogues, I would tell Liam how they were similar. This was another book in the time of Hitler, surprising that I have read historical fictions and enjoyed both!<br />
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This is a must read for the summer. It is from a few years ago, but worth going back to.Sammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15668122903076894263noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2695824311363066627.post-49471085455212014372017-05-03T20:16:00.001-04:002017-05-03T20:16:41.876-04:00happy may<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv6H8Bx3RggafJWl_VYboQG8Whk3Rr7DVUbesrpP5RGm5TK7EHVshXzs-6Ls98Up07bRfAMjFKw-f_cfm6LgbGsW_hw2okckpBWVzPrT7WzFYKhZa2u2HY1tksSdx5ZoCOqEpteLJNdPrZ/s1600/florals-may.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv6H8Bx3RggafJWl_VYboQG8Whk3Rr7DVUbesrpP5RGm5TK7EHVshXzs-6Ls98Up07bRfAMjFKw-f_cfm6LgbGsW_hw2okckpBWVzPrT7WzFYKhZa2u2HY1tksSdx5ZoCOqEpteLJNdPrZ/s1600/florals-may.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Tis the season for beautiful florals and a bunch of birthdays.<br />
May is one of my favorite months of the year because it begins the warm weather and my birthday! In less than a week I turn 30! I don't feel 30, nor do I remotely look 30, which everyone tells me is great. It's great to an extent but when everyone believes you are a teenager, it's a struggle. Celebrating with friends is my favorite part about birthdays. The best part of my birthday is that I get to share it for the rest of my life with Liam.<br />
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Now that the weather is getting nicer, we are prepping to get back to working on the house and fixing her up nicely. We have a ton of projects to do, I don't think it ever ends when you are renovating. It's the beauty of it all. The pollen is getting to me, I make sure to carry around my life line of Zyrtec. Anyone else having these issues?<br />
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Some plans for May.<br />
We have our first wedding of the year. One of Five. Yup. We thought it was less but we added two more. Cinco de Mayo wedding! I love weddings! Love love love weddings. We haven't done much planning for our wedding and ended up changing the date to a week before so we could get our <a href="https://rachellizphotography.com/" target="_blank">photographer</a>. I absolutely love her and wanted her badly enough to switch it.<br />
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Since ROCtheSHOT I have been wanting to shoot more and was so excited to participate in the Styled Shoot. I will definitely post about it soon. For my birthday, we bought a new camera! I upgraded to a full-frame Nikon D750. After the shoot and seeing all the people with full-frame and how easy it was to shoot, I craved it! <b>YAY FOR BIRTHDAY GIFTS!</b> I want to get into photography and start shooting people, maybe second shoot for a wedding. My goal this year is to shoot at least one wedding, even if it's a second shooter or a small five person wedding!<br />
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It's going to be a good spring! Well, once the weather gets nicer! Hopefully where you are, it's spring weather!Sammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15668122903076894263noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2695824311363066627.post-18836671913530832272017-04-19T12:15:00.001-04:002017-04-19T12:15:13.151-04:00updating the driveway<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmzJGwH-excGd1GwPFOfq9nPqegZ-TFcqDP3NVi7KT3HbUMAZ-g9Cul7tVikosTA2nF-IJOoa5mYAz5KVlUN4zwLtIkkYj54L75WAdcLkQq_fvwvi63e4BMYbjJafbdW_i308NzdFriEB5/s1600/driveway-before1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmzJGwH-excGd1GwPFOfq9nPqegZ-TFcqDP3NVi7KT3HbUMAZ-g9Cul7tVikosTA2nF-IJOoa5mYAz5KVlUN4zwLtIkkYj54L75WAdcLkQq_fvwvi63e4BMYbjJafbdW_i308NzdFriEB5/s1600/driveway-before1.jpg" /></a></div>We had a 3-day weekend for Easter and nice weather so it was a win win situation to do some yard work! The previous weekend we spent raking all of the dead leaves into bags, which we realized was not a good idea. We found out that our neighborhood will come to pick up the leaves if you leave them in a pile in front of your yard. So we will be dumping them next for next Monday's pickup! The weather cooperated for the most part with some showers in the middle of the day. You can see by the bright sunny skies to the gray hues it turned later. Poor Liam in the rain, this is why he's so awesome.<br />
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We also found out that our truck needs a real hitch.<br />
The former owners, or even the ones before them, attached the hitch to the bumper, which we bent last weekend when we were trailering the stump grinder. We took it to our local shop and it was recommended not to trailer because our bumper would be ripped off! <i>Oh god.</i> So we were able to get the help of friends with trucks to trailer stuff for us. It's so nice to have friends!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIO6ivb0paygitIEPV8ro068mA1Co7Hx7d1VkOek2XxKhqSh5k0tjrNmB5OcmiwNbXEA66ZkL4EqAUzFULfWh76cnqU8bpLArATXlmaPMb-li0ScLgJNSGuHLIayCw032kazbbzTOnFZDx/s1600/driveway-before2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIO6ivb0paygitIEPV8ro068mA1Co7Hx7d1VkOek2XxKhqSh5k0tjrNmB5OcmiwNbXEA66ZkL4EqAUzFULfWh76cnqU8bpLArATXlmaPMb-li0ScLgJNSGuHLIayCw032kazbbzTOnFZDx/s1600/driveway-before2.jpg" /></a></div>Before it looked like the pseudo driveway there, we had a pine tree and two bushes that created our driveway. You can get a glimpse of it <a href="http://ohhellosam.blogspot.com/2016/09/home-renovation-beginning.html">here</a> from when we started the renovations. Whenever it rained, we had a huge mud pile and the truck would get stuck. We went from 1-car to 2-car mud pit. So we wanted to make it better and here we are with this past weekend!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgra1SC_Zg5oMbqzMN2c9pc8sRnbYxqOoxbt3khEBi43oGwF1tRCyf3URkTOFOEmrkrhDoWmNvIKEeKm0nouJdjuF4fix1x68DX0B_UHqiGrJot7t5SnWIkBxmUHEleK2Nnr3BCFMkB8i-R/s1600/driveway-after.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgra1SC_Zg5oMbqzMN2c9pc8sRnbYxqOoxbt3khEBi43oGwF1tRCyf3URkTOFOEmrkrhDoWmNvIKEeKm0nouJdjuF4fix1x68DX0B_UHqiGrJot7t5SnWIkBxmUHEleK2Nnr3BCFMkB8i-R/s1600/driveway-after.jpg" /></a></div>Now we have a driveway!<br />
Semi finished. I saw semi because we need more rocks to have it completely flush with the sidewalk. Also, the yard is now in shambles with soil and rocks scattered throughout. This week it will rain and we will be gone for the weekend in New Jersey. The last few days, Liam has been fixing the shed roof, which was leaking. Liam was enjoying all the heavy equipment he got to use during this excavating. Look at how different it is! So much of our greenery removed to clean it all up. I wish I had a better picture of the house before we did all of the removals.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXeKO7F155OiGBd43PxgQ1zSTjs7YGXIOP1mjxSDaMHq28m29fUV7zB9keeZNMpHd6qxw8ulv3CBjvhX9g7EEQbt4cxbD2vSuVtvluHcXPfsKCcwh0RqyFUckcPAETrXEO0KCBwmrNgyba/s1600/driveway-after2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXeKO7F155OiGBd43PxgQ1zSTjs7YGXIOP1mjxSDaMHq28m29fUV7zB9keeZNMpHd6qxw8ulv3CBjvhX9g7EEQbt4cxbD2vSuVtvluHcXPfsKCcwh0RqyFUckcPAETrXEO0KCBwmrNgyba/s1600/driveway-after2.jpg" /></a></div>I love being able to park our cars here without sinking into the mud. We also have a large driveway on the other side of the house where his dad parks and we park our other car. Yes, we have 3 vehicles, sedan, SUV, and a truck- we're all set! I can not wait until we clean up the grass and put some surroundings around the driveway and create garden beds.<br />
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Projects on top of projects on top of more projects now that the weather is getting nicer! Yay for moving toward completion! From anyone who has done home renovations, it's never complete haha.<br />
Sammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15668122903076894263noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2695824311363066627.post-41237667308232052952017-04-14T19:11:00.000-04:002017-04-14T19:11:27.479-04:00life lately<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzjvbzo7UWW3tyC2-vu0dkB4QM4unPTe_RrTacTBHjRuYX1D5YPyXR_JPYHhGOtxfT4zwVraSclYFYFGBC5sCB7ZeYetMB4k5PrklfrbWiw46YYkoxppMNsPJTHb96YQk8YMCq00QWaVqU/s1600/happy-roc-shot5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzjvbzo7UWW3tyC2-vu0dkB4QM4unPTe_RrTacTBHjRuYX1D5YPyXR_JPYHhGOtxfT4zwVraSclYFYFGBC5sCB7ZeYetMB4k5PrklfrbWiw46YYkoxppMNsPJTHb96YQk8YMCq00QWaVqU/s1600/happy-roc-shot5.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Seriously, I am still loving the photo session from Roc the Shot and just signed up for their Styled Shoot. Super excited to see that shoot and meet the girl boss who made the <a href="http://ohhellosam.blogspot.com/2017/02/life-lately.html">planner</a> I mentioned before. It is going to look so awesome and I will probably be jealous that my wedding won't look like it!<br />
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We went to Pittsburgh a few weeks ago and I have yet to upload photos and chat about the awesome city. We had such a good time there and plan on revisiting when the weather is warmer. The reason we visited was to see a concert from a singer who I loved in high school, not a solo artist and still amazing. I can definitely say that concert was unlike any I have ever been to and loved it.<br />
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Wedding planning has not been happening. I think we understand that we have so much time left to plan things that there is no real rush for us. We <a href="http://ohhellosam.blogspot.com/2017/04/wedding-wednesday-we-booked-venue.html">booked our venue</a> as I said before and we could not be more excited. I have been searching for photographer, videographer, caterer, bakery, you name it but nothing is set in stone. Plus, we are still trying to save money for everything. Weddings ain't cheap!<br />
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Spring cleaning is happening in full effect around here. Last weekend our friends rented a stump grinder and brought it over and helped us with the yard. We bagged 9 bags of leaves and still have a few more to do. This weekend will be yard work and housework. WOO!<br />
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The weather around here is getting warmer and it has been super nice to take the dogs for a walk. There is more light and we don't have to bundle up to walk. I especially love the walks when the two of us get to have our little family back together and enjoy some alone time. It becomes relaxing and gives us some exercise.<br />
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Enjoy the weekend, I hope the weather is nice wherever you are!Sammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15668122903076894263noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2695824311363066627.post-43516912932535693502017-04-06T09:10:00.000-04:002017-04-06T09:10:40.064-04:00roc the shot<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieE9UT2Ss_OFDB-0bUVc_kRHPqcaHVJ0Raw8Do5akHM_RluPgRhzBKqc2FCMw7jz1bREYhmAjTlthb9hHktg6ttVcC8Fe1gCX12pqKzPD5hx9onrNztBc5x20CX5koTlzGTKdSfd1UkSfm/s1600/roctheshot1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieE9UT2Ss_OFDB-0bUVc_kRHPqcaHVJ0Raw8Do5akHM_RluPgRhzBKqc2FCMw7jz1bREYhmAjTlthb9hHktg6ttVcC8Fe1gCX12pqKzPD5hx9onrNztBc5x20CX5koTlzGTKdSfd1UkSfm/s1600/roctheshot1.jpg" /></a></div>Photography has always been something I wanted to pursue further, even if it was a hobby and not a career. I never intended on having photography as a career, but as a side gig? I could totally be down with that. Getting started and building a portfolio and a name for yourself is the hardest part, it is always the getting started part that is difficult. This is how I feel about working out too.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWMooWrEf1gZu1IsGzkGJVMpOqHnLGMTcZZBjotxFPUIusm6DQkkam4B0Zrg_H3FN493KGCmfmfcB0_jzRRRL-1vplj3K_lrZy6ah-e9YpKZpzy2coYQPzaJI1UmrmU72WTaoE_3HJUkAS/s1600/roctheshot2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWMooWrEf1gZu1IsGzkGJVMpOqHnLGMTcZZBjotxFPUIusm6DQkkam4B0Zrg_H3FN493KGCmfmfcB0_jzRRRL-1vplj3K_lrZy6ah-e9YpKZpzy2coYQPzaJI1UmrmU72WTaoE_3HJUkAS/s1600/roctheshot2.jpg" /></a></div>I did a lot of wedding vendor searches and I came across <a href="http://www.rachellizphotography.com/" target="_blank">Rachel Liz Photography</a>. I think I found her on <a href="http://greenweddingshoes.com/" target="_blank">Green Wedding Shoes</a> or through other avenues like clicking too many links and having a million windows open. I am sure anyone planning a wedding can relate to this mess. But back to the real reason for this! I found Rachel Liz Photography and <i>loved</i> her work. It came to my attention that she taught a photography workshop and it was so exciting for me! It had been a long time since I really took my camera out and used it for taking authentic photos.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAxFK4I-lkBKK5xWim4brap0TEXuMhnlZAbA1yAFEqrFZ9ow-N5um6x_OLtyiaU-entkIkJhln1nONi2z0f7pRR0CHkwwAkfDi5MxSz3_RrL3S_reiIZ-Rw_TQRzPE6mTCmzL5kgjklgXI/s1600/roctheshot5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAxFK4I-lkBKK5xWim4brap0TEXuMhnlZAbA1yAFEqrFZ9ow-N5um6x_OLtyiaU-entkIkJhln1nONi2z0f7pRR0CHkwwAkfDi5MxSz3_RrL3S_reiIZ-Rw_TQRzPE6mTCmzL5kgjklgXI/s1600/roctheshot5.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidzkz8CE_OQU1C2F0j935GSDSAWRxWy3_G2CBYJITqHjdd1NZ2rCUQzygO9r5aIrRz915iMLQYm_CfPphzC89CYVULC5uYhvo6zZ_eVqalyu_wqL-C5nirFVXr1kHn-RfAbiIEZPD74pSN/s1600/roctheshot4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidzkz8CE_OQU1C2F0j935GSDSAWRxWy3_G2CBYJITqHjdd1NZ2rCUQzygO9r5aIrRz915iMLQYm_CfPphzC89CYVULC5uYhvo6zZ_eVqalyu_wqL-C5nirFVXr1kHn-RfAbiIEZPD74pSN/s1600/roctheshot4.jpg" /></a></div>So I dusted off the ol' camera and signed up for two workshops with <a href="http://www.roctheshot.com/" target="_blank">Roc the Shot</a>. It is taught by <a href="http://www.rachellizphotography.com/" target="_blank">Rachel Liz Photography</a> and <a href="http://www.lindsaystephany.com/" target="_blank">Lindsay Stephany Photography</a>. Workshop I is geared towards people who really do not understand their camera, they teach you how to shoot in manual, the ins and outs of ISO, aperture, and shutter speed. I think I could have gone without this one but it was great to understand the idea around manual settings. Workshop II is geared towards people who want to make a business out of photography or get into the business. There was only three of us in the class and it was really fun learning about how people create a business around it. We were able to practice shooting a couple. We learned all about posing tips, interacting with clients, and creating your brand/business.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXMqSMHwZwwS1QXVfVaSPMTY2GCyttz5ejpoiZr0eNOMe6dsrfXvZnQMq7qDiHCjjO1zIE2uvdRGSaWdvyVx-i9JnApv9ZTgBS5_DPN6mkvco5I0ujqHtqT1Hz7EkGUhMWkEaGJzzoZfNe/s1600/roctheshot6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXMqSMHwZwwS1QXVfVaSPMTY2GCyttz5ejpoiZr0eNOMe6dsrfXvZnQMq7qDiHCjjO1zIE2uvdRGSaWdvyVx-i9JnApv9ZTgBS5_DPN6mkvco5I0ujqHtqT1Hz7EkGUhMWkEaGJzzoZfNe/s1600/roctheshot6.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGtiFnTS9M_4F9GqXSmiwh0ROXkpZ3E4lZnPBUCDyfgxVSzUVs6MVcWZc9AoUZQkwCzaUFZFwh6VT8F6E28ooFdVdR94nJkJSTGbAL1AQ563fp-LelG_YY5TaPdYt5CFZyDoAYdGHhOYpe/s1600/roctheshot7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGtiFnTS9M_4F9GqXSmiwh0ROXkpZ3E4lZnPBUCDyfgxVSzUVs6MVcWZc9AoUZQkwCzaUFZFwh6VT8F6E28ooFdVdR94nJkJSTGbAL1AQ563fp-LelG_YY5TaPdYt5CFZyDoAYdGHhOYpe/s1600/roctheshot7.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo22FKpAq1q_TWuFHdG8oSWR1UYbzw93wo7Q3a25QkTI7lY7Hmekb5b3nT4JFDGAQO97w3TFp0WrzwCNRIz34SmVNYeZbsGJY9T1i0A1f5s-I1HjRJQeroE-_B8lBO7jEqexZD_2vkwZg2/s1600/roctheshot8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo22FKpAq1q_TWuFHdG8oSWR1UYbzw93wo7Q3a25QkTI7lY7Hmekb5b3nT4JFDGAQO97w3TFp0WrzwCNRIz34SmVNYeZbsGJY9T1i0A1f5s-I1HjRJQeroE-_B8lBO7jEqexZD_2vkwZg2/s1600/roctheshot8.jpg" /></a></div>It was awesome.<br />
I learned so much! I got to practice! Now all I need to do it figure out how to use Lightroom. They have a class on that too! Although, I don't think I will be taking that because I am going to sign up for their <a href="http://roctheshot.bigcartel.com/product/roctheshot-styled-shoot" target="_blank">Styled Shoot</a>. This workshop will be all about wedding photography! They will create a wedding and we'll be able to shoot it to add to portfolios. I am so excited to see how this one will turn out!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf3rELcfKaI9_m2Ft-nv1SpVrzCfO5c81Obpl9fjGbqqKDrgS_rvyDCY0tWsE6gB1qo0wJmSwuODmLRt3bmYu7NREz8i4RyhQ7syymOFRj6dcq_oVyyAu-NYMrO9CcwWcr-SGo5tLkau3p/s1600/roctheshot9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf3rELcfKaI9_m2Ft-nv1SpVrzCfO5c81Obpl9fjGbqqKDrgS_rvyDCY0tWsE6gB1qo0wJmSwuODmLRt3bmYu7NREz8i4RyhQ7syymOFRj6dcq_oVyyAu-NYMrO9CcwWcr-SGo5tLkau3p/s1600/roctheshot9.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXsgIlAxXiVyOcixOpdaQa3LdfDIvqlnPlU00Ns8h0fFaDUWyCEMc73xnt3MIYtI9sKeePfQFJXJbeu-KyzrU-aLvGHIXMhWKYbtsRsJvUur1kKdUQPI0ms1zP2SdcrU5lkrvKjF7gEizr/s1600/roctheshot10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXsgIlAxXiVyOcixOpdaQa3LdfDIvqlnPlU00Ns8h0fFaDUWyCEMc73xnt3MIYtI9sKeePfQFJXJbeu-KyzrU-aLvGHIXMhWKYbtsRsJvUur1kKdUQPI0ms1zP2SdcrU5lkrvKjF7gEizr/s1600/roctheshot10.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<br />
What I learned after the workshops?<br />
<ul>1. I take too many pictures, I need to be better at taking a few good shots instead of 100 'meh' shots. 2. Manual mode isn't so difficult, but Aperture setting is okay too. Don't use the Shutter setting. 3. Dude should always keep their hand sin their pocket unless his hands on his girl. 4. Rochester is not that far of a drive, yay for day trips. 5. Practice. Practice. Practice. 6. I need to find my style and what I like. </ul><br />
I miss having hobbies and I am excited to see what I can come up with in this hobby.Sammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15668122903076894263noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2695824311363066627.post-67403685213805123722017-04-05T09:00:00.000-04:002017-04-25T11:40:01.291-04:00wedding wednesday: we booked a venue!HOORAY!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4844K8VFrwPcULzi-WzBwUbGOAYWp5eiQFLeP3KxypemsPGMtAym5wD_NmYSnWq-uD3S0-CIeM76z_Iey-1qDUvSRJg0rMaK3lAo8UQAe7y-H06vZ3eucFDm1qyOJyBSRMaf-FPPXLxWr/s1600/homestead-barn1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4844K8VFrwPcULzi-WzBwUbGOAYWp5eiQFLeP3KxypemsPGMtAym5wD_NmYSnWq-uD3S0-CIeM76z_Iey-1qDUvSRJg0rMaK3lAo8UQAe7y-H06vZ3eucFDm1qyOJyBSRMaf-FPPXLxWr/s1600/homestead-barn1.jpg" /></a></div>We signed our papers last Thursday and put a deposit on the venue and I could not be more excited. We won't be getting married until Fall 2018 so we still have a long ways away before we decide on many things. Well, I'm pretty sure I have decided on many of those things already but there will be room for adjustments. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFJf8LrcL7UjMtC1J_u3FOn_SREE0qK_KyrA6r6ZSSpDDUxoepEyZgexOmKPWyvUfkMBP7DPIq4GvfxxHSPwRHoKqxKPdbvYRpyS-bSH9I5a_JARb4McpaLV3-hHzRv_y1XC5rGCLw0vlR/s1600/homestead-barn3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFJf8LrcL7UjMtC1J_u3FOn_SREE0qK_KyrA6r6ZSSpDDUxoepEyZgexOmKPWyvUfkMBP7DPIq4GvfxxHSPwRHoKqxKPdbvYRpyS-bSH9I5a_JARb4McpaLV3-hHzRv_y1XC5rGCLw0vlR/s1600/homestead-barn3.jpg" /></a></div>I was dead set on eloping and having a small gathering of our closest friends and family. I started planning it out in Rochester, NY and calling small venues. Liam agreed, he was okay with the idea, he just wanted to marry me. One day I was searching on <a href="https://www.weddingwire.com/">Wedding Wire</a> for venues and I thought <i>there was no way there would be a venue in this area nice enough for us (me)</i>. Lo and behold, this beautiful venue I came across. I fell in love. I called right away and talked about the details, I texted Liam and he laughed. I have changed my mind on venues, eloping, weddings almost 4 or 5 times so he is used to it by now. We went to see the barn a week later and now here we are! We have a venue!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEievSpdBzeF1S1eIxTLsqL4Ly0fGwXRJxbiTYIwBdZvU-SCaUT41rEjF2zAkYxw9S6x9uhZUCRNDkpUQFxGYpYbB6DxUnzShh5oUvpUJXL4W3E0LPgk-iOE1KqgFXa7fqKhWvAsz0KAAHf7/s1600/homestead-barn2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEievSpdBzeF1S1eIxTLsqL4Ly0fGwXRJxbiTYIwBdZvU-SCaUT41rEjF2zAkYxw9S6x9uhZUCRNDkpUQFxGYpYbB6DxUnzShh5oUvpUJXL4W3E0LPgk-iOE1KqgFXa7fqKhWvAsz0KAAHf7/s1600/homestead-barn2.jpg" /></a></div>The details inside are so perfect. It is an old restored barn with beautiful structures. We will have the ceremony on the property, there are a few places available and I am so excited! There is so much potential, we also plan on building our own farm house table for inside the venue. Maybe not for every table but we will create a mix of farm house and round tables. Yellow Brick Home did a great <a href="http://www.yellowbrickhome.com/2016/09/20/our-diy-patio-table-part-i/">DIY patio table</a> that we will be using!<br />
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Get ready for the wedding DIY to begin! Well, maybe in a few months when it is warmer and we are done with the house renovations.Sammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15668122903076894263noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2695824311363066627.post-53914923827240768952017-04-03T14:37:00.000-04:002017-04-03T14:37:00.257-04:00reading list | 04This is not the best book to read when you are thinking about booking a cruise. It is probably a terrible idea actually, but I can't take that back now can I?! Other than the nervousness from reading this and my cruise in August, I enjoyed it. It is very similar to The Girl on the Train, a little dark and mysterious and it has you wondering the whole time, whodunit.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWSACDevszfCWF8Juvj_hEIiNyZszBIPkkJGLTauJfmxScm3WnHHgouZmbSIo_YvYgNmDyTzO702_-TRX2uQlkuyN62TOreW5-uLrgoXQOSeGwAomrd3RK_43FYVxoQKtvT16ZelOpNygD/s1600/woman-cabin-10.jpg" /></div><br />
I was on a roll with my reading but after this book it has taken me some time to finish the next one. Not due to the book but lack of motivation to read and falling asleep on the couch every night! Anyways, book #4 proved to be a suspenseful one and a very easy read for anyone looking for a good book. As I said earlier, it really is a whodunit type, it keeps you guessing: <i>is she crazy, maybe it happened, no she's crazy, I don't know what to think!?!?!</i> I think this book has the same feedback as The Girl on the Train, some people really enjoyed the quick read and some really didn't care for it. I assume this has the same feedback.<br />
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Nonetheless, it was a good book to read for my 30 books and I will make sure not to trust anyone on my cruise in August! haha.Sammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15668122903076894263noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2695824311363066627.post-82565419077817853842017-03-31T15:47:00.000-04:002017-03-31T15:47:41.380-04:00reading list | 03My reading has slowed down, for no real reason but I did finish this book soon after the <a href="http://ohhellosam.blogspot.com/2017/02/reading-list-02.html" target="_blank">second one</a>. Liam had gotten me this book for our one year anniversary because he knows how much I love Gilmore Girls. I love reading these autobiographies, I have read a bunch of them, including Tina Fey, Chip and Joanna Gaines, Mindy Kaling x 2, Lena Dunham, and Amy Poehler and there is still a few more on my list.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF0Nu1EzrgFPYKiExloap5ib-HLncTD5Tg4ty-PlhI0090v1fkmVf-Ro6jKPke7vXhuOv2zzNhkqhfe4aWgk037PKTvhDAxkbwdVJor9cbLuaS7DcYUA7jglPrIRunOiS8ONuaH6dMlbw_/s1600/talking-as-fast.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF0Nu1EzrgFPYKiExloap5ib-HLncTD5Tg4ty-PlhI0090v1fkmVf-Ro6jKPke7vXhuOv2zzNhkqhfe4aWgk037PKTvhDAxkbwdVJor9cbLuaS7DcYUA7jglPrIRunOiS8ONuaH6dMlbw_/s1600/talking-as-fast.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Unfortunately, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Talking-Fast-Can-Gilmore-Everything/dp/0425285170/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1488476627&sr=8-1&keywords=talking+as+fast+as+i+can" target="_blank">this</a> book was not my favorite. I struggled with it in the beginning and I think she wrote it in the same way she would speak on Gilmore Girls. I thought I would enjoy that, but sadly, I found out that it was not my cup of tea. It felt more like an annoying friend talking to me about a story I had no interest in but because I love the friend, I would listen. When she got into more detail about Gilmore Girls, it was more entertaining because I love the show but it was too step-by-step every season.<br />
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It wasn't filled with lessons learned and more fun things as I had hoped.<br />
The reviews on Amazon were great so maybe it's just me that didn't like it and I am the outsider! But for me, it was a quick read and I am glad I did it but, I wouldn't recommend anyone buying it.Sammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15668122903076894263noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2695824311363066627.post-31236904144025012922017-03-01T09:00:00.000-05:002017-03-01T10:10:32.213-05:00surprise surprise<i>...baby, last night was hands down<br />
one of the best nights<br />
that I've had no doubt..</i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp5x408XZ__inkzQEbOOuDskrmNzrD5m1joKWN7Bh57VO9ZRAEYcx5g3KJwgEmOlZj1xECgM4jveXIWDgzZK6uiuRVfUPPNueeawV_U5aMxsn0mUHVC_OU6znF7SR6WV9l4hzMZHzqt0IO/s1600/engaged-22417.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp5x408XZ__inkzQEbOOuDskrmNzrD5m1joKWN7Bh57VO9ZRAEYcx5g3KJwgEmOlZj1xECgM4jveXIWDgzZK6uiuRVfUPPNueeawV_U5aMxsn0mUHVC_OU6znF7SR6WV9l4hzMZHzqt0IO/s1600/engaged-22417.jpg" /></a><br />
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When I wrote <a href="http://ohhellosam.blogspot.com/2017/02/wedding-goals.html" target="_blank">this</a> post, I had no idea what was going through Liam's mind until now. He sat next to me on the couch that night as I was editing pictures and telling him, <i>oh just posting about wedding things from my Pinterest board and how we're going to weddings this year</i>. He never gave a hint to what was going on and when I say that I had no idea, I really had no idea. It made it all the more special.<br />
<br />
Thomas Rhett is my favorite country star. <br />
This may surprise some people, before I met Liam I did not listen to country. The closest country I came to was Taylor Swift, who is now pop. I like pop country, deemed "bro-country" by a coworker of mine. Well, for our one year anniversary I bought us VIP tickets to see him a few hours away. I tried to buy the Meet & Greet but they were sold out. VIP still consisted of a Q&A session and a private pre-acoustic concert, <i>um.. yes please!</i> <br />
<br />
So that day, we drove to Erie, PA. Three hours west from where we live, listening to Thomas Rhett on Spotify and the Home Team Tour playlist. We dropped off the dog at the hotel (terrible idea to bring her) and went out to grab a bite to eat before the show. We found a great brewery on the way and met a few people who were working the concert that night. It was filled with some good food, good beer, and fun conversation with strangers. We walked over to the venue and waited in line for the VIP doors to open and made more friends in line with a nice Canadian couple and a few other women. I love concerts.<br />
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We walked inside, wrote down our Q&A questions on index cards, I was so rushed and nervous of what my question would be, so I wrote: <i>did you take your wife to see the Eiffel Tower and the Northern Lights yet?</i> We grabbed a few beers and waited in line for the acoustic concert. We were so close! I mean not like I can touch you close, but close enough that I thought OMG HE'S RIGHT THERE! He sang a few songs, we enjoyed every minute of it. He pulled 11 random questions and guess what?! ONE WAS MINE! But he misunderstood the meaning of my question and thought I thought the Northern Lights were in Paris- I do know this is not the case! But I was on cloud 9 when he answered mine.. who knew it wasn't the best part.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL5SVJfQ2Pr8s0rekA_Q9PU1peUe30u2ltTodJdbLDf_e4Tn2F2kcrXzJH58radZwG2V-180gmJ7HsNuBXxC7bC9ppLF6kMY7XfZ7IxhDMMNdolSMXyT2RGT2kf7XJTeAm4PFrrjJhhEmP/s1600/thomas-rhett-vip.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL5SVJfQ2Pr8s0rekA_Q9PU1peUe30u2ltTodJdbLDf_e4Tn2F2kcrXzJH58radZwG2V-180gmJ7HsNuBXxC7bC9ppLF6kMY7XfZ7IxhDMMNdolSMXyT2RGT2kf7XJTeAm4PFrrjJhhEmP/s1600/thomas-rhett-vip.jpg" /></a><br />
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And then here it was... <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w2CELiObPeQ" target="_blank">our song</a>.<br />
It was amazing, he started singing and I started tearing up because I was so happy we were there, sharing this moment together. <br />
I tried to be romantic, lean up against him and snuggle into him on our song, but he kept nudging me away on my lower back. I kept thinking <i>why are you pushing me away??! This is our song!</i> I kept listening, loving every moment and then Liam turned me around, again in my moment I am thinking hey, Thomas Rhett is the other way.<br />
<br />
And then it happened.<br />
<br />
He got down on one knee.<br />
Then everything around me went so quickly. People started screaming and there he was, down on one knee, asking me (he didn't actually ask) to marry him. I started to cry and cry, I hugged him and I could not believe what was happening. I said yes, of course! <br />
The song finished and everyone around us was so excited.<br />
Thomas Rhett said thanks for stealing my thunder but congratulations! Liam was afraid he was mad, but I think he was happy for us and was teasing us for doing it. My whole world was just smiles. People around us, strangers, sent us video and pictures because they were kind enough to capture that moment for us.<br />
<br />
<br />
And now we're engaged. <br />
I have a fiancé. I am a fiancé. We are so excited for this next chapter!<br />
Sammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15668122903076894263noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2695824311363066627.post-87780015205837811232017-02-22T21:25:00.000-05:002017-02-26T22:09:07.143-05:00wedding goals<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_9HpREeIRuRO2FhNDNTLSZIuH7qan0Qtl8MrvKFc8EOk5ui8TOYzBOLZNLCgc-NkTTINuSfHkeHbLt2NcCYBrbCCxBRMK29_S4_W_MA3wJmAahgpEm1DcgBc_VuibhjqyTJiUI9c8MlNx/s1600/wedding-inspo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_9HpREeIRuRO2FhNDNTLSZIuH7qan0Qtl8MrvKFc8EOk5ui8TOYzBOLZNLCgc-NkTTINuSfHkeHbLt2NcCYBrbCCxBRMK29_S4_W_MA3wJmAahgpEm1DcgBc_VuibhjqyTJiUI9c8MlNx/s1600/wedding-inspo.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.100layercake.com/blog/2016/02/10/whimsical-hudson-valley-wedding-jacqueline-alex/" target="_blank">1</a> | <a href="http://www.modwedding.com/2015/03/whimsical-and-romantic-california-wedding-from-acres-of-hope-photography/?crlt_pid=camp.Akue2OpKuhLa" target="_blank">2</a> | <a href="http://www.bhldn.com/shop-the-bride-wedding-dresses-strapless/calla-gown?cm_mmc=instagram-_-20161225_BHLDN-_-prodPage-_-MerryChristmas" target="_blank">3</a> | <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/-rcG3UguQj/" target="_blank">4</a> | <a href="http://almostmakesperfect.com/2015/04/13/diy-wood-wedding-signs/" target="_blank">5</a> | <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BP84ULsA83X/" target="_blank">6</a></div><br />
I am getting to the age where my friends are getting married and I am attending a lot of weddings. It's true, we are "at that age" and it is extremely exciting to watch my friends marry their best friends. To recap on the wedding adventures:<br />
<ul><b>2016</b>: I attended six weddings and could not make it to two. That's eight weddings in one year. That's not even the most I have seen by other friends (apparently I'm not as cool as them, thankfully!) <BR><b>2017</b>: on the roster for this year is three weddings. One I am still unsure of it I will attend because no plus Liam and it is the weekend right before my 30th birthday, which I may want to spend with my significant other. Liam's high school best friend will be getting married and one of our mutual friends is getting hitched in August (super excited). <BR><b>2018</b>: yes, you see that correctly, we have weddings already planned in 2018! <b>THREE</b> in fact! For three amazing friends, I mean they're all amazing but we're saving dates so far in advanced for them! There is a potential fourth one for one of his friends, but we haven't heard anything yet so we'll hold off!</ul><br />
So why are we chatting about this?<br />
Well, in the last few weeks, <i>we</i> have been talking about getting married. SHOCKING. No really, there's no sarcasm there. It has been a touchy subject for us, not in a bad way but, for me, I didn't know if I saw myself getting married. I didn't know if being with one person was for me and if weddings was something I envisioned for myself. When I met Liam, it was something I said very early on, he laughed and told me he knew how he would propose to his future wife one day. I asked him to tell me but he said he didn't want to spoil it in case I was the one, I rolled my eyes at the thought. Now, 12 months later, we are having that conversation.<br />
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We went ring shopping to see what I liked and didn't like about rings.<br />
It was a new experience for me. Everything I pictured in my head was nothing of what I wanted. I like simple, minimal and that's not what I had originally pinned all over Pinterest. Yes, I still pinned tons of things even in my <i>"I don't want a wedding"</i> mindset.<br />
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We looked at future venues. Yup, call me crazy. Liam wants a wedding, I want to elope. I want to save money and he is more traditional and wants the wedding. You could say that the roles are slightly reversed in our situation. Although I had my reservations on marriage, I have found the one person who makes me feel whole, he puts up with my crazy and I can't imagine coming home to anyone other than him, and of course Fifa. We decided on a compromise for the actual wedding, if we had a wedding it would be small compared to some of the others we have gone to. We want it to be 80, I say "we" when I really mean me because if it were up to him, we would be inviting 150. So compromise. Wedding, but small-ish.<br />
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It's exciting.<br />
I am excited.<br />
We are excited. <br />
My mom is ecstatic because she wants grandkids, hold that thought for a long time. <br />
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<br />
But we're being responsible and we're going to save for something intimate and meaningful. Life is going well for us, between the crazy and the happy.<br />
Sammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15668122903076894263noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2695824311363066627.post-61606869693227068132017-02-20T21:36:00.000-05:002017-02-20T21:36:53.056-05:00reading list | 02I was on a roll when I first started the year, I mean we're only at the end of February so I have a lot of time for my 30 book reading list but it seems like so many! That is more than two a month, not every month but many. My reading has slowed down but the second book I read had me sucked in. Again, I apologize for the terrible picture quality, things are taken and edited with my iPhone because my laptop is still dead.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw2CdSphW4qQAn9qjQl6sCSau2DtQxj7ym_i9bWOFPGUOFUDuofqxIjuNKoBBWKMfi3pMSR4zFxoeiK2adH12DIDCRm5iWhyphenhyphenZcg-jo-R91uRNIy-RPGcBA7lY1Zvp3jJ7mH66mXvyXrO6M/s1600/book2-nightingale.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw2CdSphW4qQAn9qjQl6sCSau2DtQxj7ym_i9bWOFPGUOFUDuofqxIjuNKoBBWKMfi3pMSR4zFxoeiK2adH12DIDCRm5iWhyphenhyphenZcg-jo-R91uRNIy-RPGcBA7lY1Zvp3jJ7mH66mXvyXrO6M/s400/book2-nightingale.jpg" width="700" height="500" /></a></div><br />
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Nightingale-Novel-Kristin-Hannah/dp/0312577222/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1487641348&sr=8-1&keywords=the+nightingale" target="_blank">The Nightingale: A Novel</a> by Kristin Hannah <br />
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It takes me back on a history lesson during the war, Hitler, the Nazis, but a love for women who stand up for what they believe is right. I read it during the time of all of the Women's Marches and it is empowering to read. I began to really feel bad for some of the characters and even liked some of the essential 'bad guys' but had my anger towards many. The beginning for me was not nearly as exciting as the middle and end, there were nights I did not want to put it down and go to sleep. I had to put a timer on so I would remember that yes, I do have to go to sleep and wake up for work tomorrow.<br />
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This was a great book and it made me want to revisit my history books. I never appreciated history when I was forced to memorize it in high school but I wish I could remember it now. The second book in my list is a must read for me and I loved the characters, the storyline, I felt it was very well written and kept my attention. I was super sad in some situations and I would gasp in bed reading, Liam would always ask oh no what happened in your book!? As I read these books, he always asks for an update on it and at the end I explain the whole book in a short 2 minute version for him. It's like he's reading with me haha.Sammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15668122903076894263noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2695824311363066627.post-42242332076789403482017-02-15T14:54:00.000-05:002017-02-15T14:57:53.051-05:00blue apron review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4HdP_kIVfdJNPSr_2cXk8F9enaunn7YH_jMxkKK0n7wUsAXw_30X9LB-DWFUVqKDefx0cKoMW3UHmHANg0h9sMSn4aHnc-07eeiYhzNaYQDF8zUYh_SDcszLZdoCUqnK0O79VTf6zTa7v/s1600/blue-apron.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4HdP_kIVfdJNPSr_2cXk8F9enaunn7YH_jMxkKK0n7wUsAXw_30X9LB-DWFUVqKDefx0cKoMW3UHmHANg0h9sMSn4aHnc-07eeiYhzNaYQDF8zUYh_SDcszLZdoCUqnK0O79VTf6zTa7v/s640/blue-apron.jpg" width="700" /></a></div>We ordered <a href="https://www.blueapron.com/" target="_blank">Blue Apron</a> a few weeks ago because we have heard great things about its ease and good tasting food. We can not deny the fact that it has great tasting food, from what we have cooked so far but we decided this way of cooking was not for us.<br />
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This sounds confusing, I know, but our life right now is a little too crazy for the "ease" of Blue Apron. We have a beautiful new kitchen we can now cook in, but sometimes we don't have the time or, in all honesty, the energy to cook Blue Apron. Yes, it gives you everything in one box to cook it but we have <em>very</em> different pallets for food which makes choosing the meal pretty difficult. Liam is a meat guy, he loves meat and potatoes and is not a fan of vegetables. On the other hand, I only eat vegetables and occasionally shellfish and some types of fish. See how this can cause some problems?<br />
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The meals are able to be selected for the upcoming deliveries but I do not eat fish often enough to want it every week. Liam also does not want vegetables, especially ones he has no idea what they are. He really enjoyed the burgers and sweet potato fries but it's not something I can enjoy with him. Although we love cooking together, touching burger meat is not my forte. <br />
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Blue Apron works for some lifestyles but for ours right now, I don't think we have the energy to put up the effort. We cook what we're used to and I think it is what works for us. Between work, gym, walking the dogs, and Liam taking classes 3 days a week, there is too much happening during the week. In the future, this is going to be something we want to do together. I highly suggest it, I love the recipe cards that we can keep and we might still look for recipes on the website.Sammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15668122903076894263noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2695824311363066627.post-1999666053223683482017-02-01T22:06:00.002-05:002017-02-01T22:06:52.839-05:00life lately<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxDbXEPicE-gHbg_sr2v8Keva_JTyxv2QA0XCUKCnocFIFPcR0nm0fwVszqEfqpenVXoepkyc0xqj6_nUs0FqzdNWiEHC1mt5__eh17FVITPWGmjCCJVQBDHv-6vAeefXZCRiEn1Yu5m2C/s1600/coloring-planner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxDbXEPicE-gHbg_sr2v8Keva_JTyxv2QA0XCUKCnocFIFPcR0nm0fwVszqEfqpenVXoepkyc0xqj6_nUs0FqzdNWiEHC1mt5__eh17FVITPWGmjCCJVQBDHv-6vAeefXZCRiEn1Yu5m2C/s640/coloring-planner.jpg" width="700" /></a></div><br />
Coloring really is relaxing, no wonder kids love it and people have reinvented the adult coloring book. I need to begin coloring the February edition of my <a href="http://ohhellosam.blogspot.com/2016/12/7-planners-for-2017.html" target="_blank">planner</a>. My spare time has been spent mostly reading books or napping. It has not been the warmest of weathers here so my energy levels have been on low, especially not going to the gym (which I need to tomorrow). I am 1/4th through my second book and it's pretty good. I don't love it as much as <a href="http://ohhellosam.blogspot.com/2017/01/reading-list-01.html" target="_blank">Station Eleven</a>. <br />
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Blogging has been difficult since my MacBook died. My heart broke when I realized it wouldn't turn on, I restarted it a few times and it never actually turned on. I have not backed it up in 3 months so... oops there goes my stuff. Luckily, we have Liam's laptop that he never uses so here I am! The sad thing is that it has no photo editing software so my phone is all I have right now! I need to replace the hard drive, which I bought a few months back knowing it would crash. I have had it since college and it was my first big purchase alone. Hopefully I can revive it instead of spending $1500 on a new one.<br />
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A lot in life is going on all around us and it's going to be a tough few years. It breaks my heart every time I see a new story with how much hate is going on and blatant disregard for humanity. I think another update is needed for that though.<br />
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So if my post seems sporadic, it's because they are. <br />
Sammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15668122903076894263noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2695824311363066627.post-39633816461638971482017-01-29T21:44:00.000-05:002017-01-29T21:44:43.565-05:00reading list | 01Every year I attempt some sort of reading list and occasionally it will work out with one or two books read. Last year, I don't even think I read one book! My nose was too deep into Instagram or Facebook to have time for reading an actual book. My problem was also not wanting to buy a book and not like it. Liam bought me a book for our anniversary and I really don't like it (I wanted it) but it's not good. This is when I rediscovered a library card. Yup, take me back to first grade again to check out books from the local library. Here's a secret, I love it.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrAMsclkktragtleJ3L_G0CyAR5GA4tQaG22FGYUypBBYNz14kTKkBaQQFFORd1jl7X4cN7j0pGxQseh7CPkTFDn3bC9ppW7671ghyphenhyphenTd422RRRxJR7D_dXa-LbzYElknloTeM6iq4N1h5m/s1600/Station-Eleven.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrAMsclkktragtleJ3L_G0CyAR5GA4tQaG22FGYUypBBYNz14kTKkBaQQFFORd1jl7X4cN7j0pGxQseh7CPkTFDn3bC9ppW7671ghyphenhyphenTd422RRRxJR7D_dXa-LbzYElknloTeM6iq4N1h5m/s640/Station-Eleven.jpg" width="700" /></a></div><br />
My local library is between five counties and you can check out books from either one. I can check audio books or even digital copies, which I haven't done yet but definitely plan on it when we travel and I don't want to carry books around. Discovering something that I already knew existed. This year I decided I wanted to read 30 books for the year that I turn 30, it's quite the feat for me but I already have read one in January! I am starting with my Summer <a href="http://ohhellosam.blogspot.com/2016/05/books-on-deck.html" target="_blank">reading list</a> that I never got to. The Goldfinch was last year (so I guess I did read one).<br />
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Up first:<br />
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Station-Eleven-Emily-John-Mandel/dp/0804172447/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1463282019&sr=8-1&keywords=station+eleven" target="_blank"></a><br />
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Station-Eleven-Emily-John-Mandel/dp/0804172447/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1463282019&sr=8-1&keywords=station+eleven" target="_blank">Station Eleven</a> by Emily Saint John Mandel.<br />
A very enjoyable read and a hard one to put down when I got down to the nitty gritty. It was written in a world before and after a pandemic flu from the perspective of three different main characters. The book keeps you on your toes wanting to know more about each character and how this has effected them with tons of 'what if' questions. By the end I was hoping it wouldn't end. I am not great at book reviews so I apologize for my lack of detail. My reviews are more along the lines of <i>I really enjoyed this, it was alright but wouldn't read it again,</i> or <i>oh god no</i>.<br />
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I would recommend this book to anyone who isn't freaked out but post-apocalyptic types of books and movies but enjoys a good read. I was on a kick with this post-world because we watched two of the previous Resident Evils so we could see the newest one this weekend on a date night! <br />
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Now on to my next book...Sammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15668122903076894263noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2695824311363066627.post-37533998744679179402017-01-23T21:16:00.000-05:002017-01-23T21:17:00.715-05:00things that make me happy | 05I'm a little behind on the week with a lot going on. It's not a bad thing at all but I am happy to report that this week will be a slow week for us. We have no real plans and it's exactly what we need after two weeks of going here and there every night.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRbcXl01WVvoEi3uVzV8Wy8kbwBXFYao8m8RBh5zDfFfJeUvu_bQkli39aj8ATSJaYcs24CxT1B3_IvueKDQs9pBuMChugAoPcKEAOHSpaeJdShpEnESYNTK-wjTKTfPORQD8o6N0bntqf/s1600/ice-skates.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRbcXl01WVvoEi3uVzV8Wy8kbwBXFYao8m8RBh5zDfFfJeUvu_bQkli39aj8ATSJaYcs24CxT1B3_IvueKDQs9pBuMChugAoPcKEAOHSpaeJdShpEnESYNTK-wjTKTfPORQD8o6N0bntqf/s1600/ice-skates.jpg" /></a></div>Ice skating! It has been so long since I have gone ice skating and it was a blast. Liam had never gone before and we decided we would go with two of his friends. We had such a good time and no one fell! Liam was adorable, I don't think he ever got the hang of it comfortably. We will be going again in the next few weeks.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcajPoUneYY3-juI7VobWPQP5EFNnz7a9ucfJNlY7w9r_fGAoWeZS4LTgY01w_OI6YmMtbxeON1wMh5zWix4bDIhxDtzUzyhV7hmU9CUlLSkKs0cBG-9QZI5o1qJ9fc6uL4_Ptrbf8j7I3/s1600/dinner-friends.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcajPoUneYY3-juI7VobWPQP5EFNnz7a9ucfJNlY7w9r_fGAoWeZS4LTgY01w_OI6YmMtbxeON1wMh5zWix4bDIhxDtzUzyhV7hmU9CUlLSkKs0cBG-9QZI5o1qJ9fc6uL4_Ptrbf8j7I3/s1600/dinner-friends.jpg" /></a></div>We had dinner with some friends at our place. It was the first time us hosting dinner with more than each other! Hooray! They loved the <a href="http://ohhellosam.blogspot.com/2017/01/the-kitchen-reveal-day.html">kitchen</a> and thought it turned out great. I think we're biased and think it's the best but it's wonderful.<br />
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I went to the public library and got my library card for the first time since I was in second grade. Now I can read all the books I want and not have to buy them. It's exciting because I have been wanting to read and haven't had the time. Now I am going to make time.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVXPWLKQ4I9VRnhdmB9pD0uxSb293xRdCKl_vJhuyeFo4CTYr15XHxnhGPC9g8e_p1XqQo6KwRdV5ZJm-XKclKAVx_y5ZPTo-QcBjtq3IaTCRwmu14T7IrjTwySUudHWSQ2lLYZBYkgX6I/s1600/wine-event-cmog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVXPWLKQ4I9VRnhdmB9pD0uxSb293xRdCKl_vJhuyeFo4CTYr15XHxnhGPC9g8e_p1XqQo6KwRdV5ZJm-XKclKAVx_y5ZPTo-QcBjtq3IaTCRwmu14T7IrjTwySUudHWSQ2lLYZBYkgX6I/s1600/wine-event-cmog.jpg" /></a></div>We did some wine tasting at the local glass museum fo' free. It's one of the events when we started seeing each other so it was a walk down memory lane for us.<br />
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Best part about last week?<br />
We went browsing for shiny objects and came closer to deciding on the style of rings I liked and what I didn't like. We found out that I have tiny hands (duh) so getting the ring that I seemed to Pin a lot was out of the question. Damn tiny hands. Well, it was a fun outing together, talking about our future and what looks good and doesn't. He ultimately wants to buy something when I'm not around but with our situation, it's more difficult for him to get around without me. We'll see how he pulls it off. It was super exciting though!<br />
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Now it's Monday and possible winter storm warning so we are going to go cuddle on the couch with some hot chocolate and The Bachelor (don't judge us).Sammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15668122903076894263noreply@blogger.com1