{Make My Blog Into a Book??/TAG, You're It!!}

A little while back I came across the blog 2 MOMS TALK when I was redesigning my blog (they have CUTE blog freebies to over, just sayin' haha) and as I was browsing their blog, I saw an add they had about turning your blog into a book.

Has anyone ever heard of this before?

Have you thought about publishing YOUR blog?

Do you have any thoughts about turning a blog into a book?

Do YOU want to turn your blog into a book?? Well here's where you can go do it. Click HERE for more info on it. This is the exact advertisement I ran into and thought I would share it.

I haven't really looked into it much but it's definitely something I would love to do later on down the road when I have more blogging under my belt. I'm curious to see if you can pick and choose which posts you want included in the book (from what I can see so far, I think you can) because there are definitely some that I wouldn't want to include like the giveaway posts and informative posts I did for others (but I might do the informative ones, who knows?)

I think it would be really fun to be able to look back at this book of all my published posts, maybe for my kids to read one day.

What love to hear what you guys think!

Have a Rockin' Friday! :-)

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tag, you're it!


a little while ago (sorry i'm just now getting to this), i was also tagged in a fun blog-game by meghan! i always find these types of things fun because it gets your brain working and you learn things about others!

[the rules...]

{one} you must post the rules.

{two} post eleven fun facts about yourself on the blog post.

{three} answer the questions the tagger set for you in their post, and then create eleven new questions to ask the people you've tagged.

{four} tag eleven people and link them on your post

{five let them know you've tagged them!

[facts about yours truly...]

one. i will never turn down chocolate. it's my weakness!

two. i secretly want to be an interior designer or event planner

three. i HATE being alone. i mean, REALLY hate it. i don't like being in a quiet room, i always love having someone around to talk to, it's just better!

four. my pants size is 16 (eeeekk! did i really just tell you all that?!) and I actually adore my body and the curves it has. of course, i would love to tone down and be healthier, but it took me a long time to be able to say that i love the skin i'm in and i'm proud of what i have!

five. i married my high school sweetheart :-)

six. i've never once dyed my hair (although i'm very curious about dying it brown)

seven. i love anything rainbow. something about all those colors together just makes me smile.

eight. i'm a member of a sorority alpha omicron pi and now serve as the financial adviser to the chapter i was initiated to

nine. i play fantasy football and i love to watch football

ten. i love to journal and write letters

eleven. i love chickens. i have NO idea why, but ever since i was little, i always wanted the as pets. now that i'm older not only do i still want them, but i want to be the one to build a coop for them haha

[you're it...]

one. julie @ the life of being in college and married

two. megan @ h a p p yday

three. nadina @ life one day at a time

four. whitney @ around the world [in more that] 80 days

five. heather @ through my blues

six. jenny @ the imagination of jenny lynne

seven. sarah @ haapy housewife

eight. alyssa @ simply alyssa

nine. sar @ [life of love]
ten. meghan @ shine on...tales of a twenty something - tag back! ;-)
eleven.

**you're suppose to tag 11 people, but i didn't have 11 to tag...i know, i'm a lame like that haha**

[questions from caty for those tagged to answer...]

{one} what was your favorite memory in 2011?

{two} what is your favorite piece of technology that you own?

{three} who is your celebrity crush?

{four} if you were stranded on an island, what three things would you take with you?

{five} what's the first thing that comes to your mind when i say "banana"?

{six} do you have any brothers or sisters? if so, where do you fall in the rankings?

{seven} who is the last person you talked to on the phone?

{eight} what is your favorite holiday tradition?

{nine} if you could witness any event past, present or future, what would it be?*

{ten} when did you own your first cell phone and how old were you?

{eleven} what's one thing that most people don't know about you, that you wouldn't be afraid to share right now?

*props to meghan for number nine, it was such a great question, it made me want to use it!*

[questions from meghan for me to answer]

{one} what are you most looking forward to in 2012? moving back to the west side - HANDS DOWN! haha!

{two} what is the first thing you notice about people? body language. are they smiling? are they frowning? etc. kinda helps me prepare for how i want to approach them if I have to interact with them in some way. if they seems somber, i try to put a smile on their face :-)

{three} where is the furthest you've ever traveled from home? jamaica - YA MAN! i want to go back so bad!

{four} what's your favorite sport and why? oooo tough one...to watch hockey/football, to play softball

{five} what's the numero uno most-played song on your ipod? oh gosh, pretty much anything lady gaga or dave matthews band.

{six} what's your least favorite chore? cleaning the bathroom! i feel like it never stays clean more than 5 minutes.

{seven} what is one of your favorite quotes? you're killin' me for having me pick just one! ummmm "We are all a little weird, and when we find someone whose weirdness is compatible with ours, we join up with them and fall in mutual weirdness and call it love." - Dr. Suess - this one always makes me smile! but i honestly have so many favorite quotes! haha

{eight} coke or pepsi? PEPSI :-)

{nine} if you could witness any event past, present or future, what would it be? my daughter's wedding

{ten} if you could be any fictional character, who would it be? harry potter - who wouldn't want experience the things he does?! haha

{eleven} what do you miss most about being a kid? not having to pay bills LOL! on a more serious note, going to my parents baseball games

i'm looking forward to reading your answers!!!

{Thursday Thoughts 1.26.2012}

linked up with Sar at [life of love] :-)

Image courtesy of Sar! I got a new computer so I haven't made my own image yet haha

{one}

I'm ready for a vacation. Not because I've been having a bad week or it's not because I've been stressed...it's simply because I really want to go on one! LOL! I haven't been on a vacation with my hubby in a long time, like a REAL vacation...and I desperately want some alone time with him. I think it's super important to set aside time together as a couple, especially if you have kiddos. I just feel like with him being at work, school and the snow shoveling that I barely see him. 

{two}

I am BEYOND flattered right now. I've been asked to write a letter of recommendation for an AOII member that is applying for a Graduate Scholarship. I'm so unbelievably honored that she asked me! SO excited to write it, I have PLENTY of amazing things to say about this girl!

{three}

Had a rude awakening on the scale today...I had lost 17lbs when I started my weight loss journey back on July 15th...but I gained a bit back, and now I'm only down 8lbs from when I started. UGH. Nothing like seeing that number to find that motivation again! I'm not so much upset about the number that showed up, but I'm more upset at the fact that I pretty much slapped the hard work I did in the face. Not cool. 

{four}

WE GOT A NEW LAPTOP!!! Better yet, my hubby said that it's "pretty much going to be yours since you do so much with it and because I love you" haha! I LOVE IT! It has a huge screen which is awesome! Definitely plays a nice role in photo editing. The biggest upside...we have Skype again. We live 5.5 hours away from all our family members (with the exception of my brother and sister in law that live next door) and the only way for them to see us on a regular basis and watch Miss K grow up is through Skype. Our old computer was acting up really bad...it wouldn't download anything, load files, etc. We had our first Skype date with my parents on Tuesday since our computer crapped out 2 months ago and it was just perfect! Now, if we can just get a Skype date with my Inlaws, then we'll be complete! haha!

{five}
Waiting 8 more months before we can move is KILLING me! It's almost like the wait time is worse knowing that the moving date is much closer. Why does it always end up like that?! haha! Just VERY ready to be with our friends and families again. We're REALLY going to miss where we are now, but I miss having family around more :-) 

{six}

Planning showers, parties, etc. is seriously one of the funnest things EVER! I'm planning my future sister in laws bridal shower and I have SO many ideas! How the heck do you narrow down the choices!!?? LOL!

{seven}

I've really missed my blog family! Sometimes I don't like the fact that I get so busy I don't post as much. It's a love/hate thing :-)

HAPPY THURSDAY!

{Thursday Thoughts 1.12.12}

Linked up with Sar at [life of love]! :-)

I'm still slacking - this is my holiday themed "Thursday Thoughts" image lo

{one}

Getting to celebrate Alpha Omicron Pi's Founders Day last night with gals that I advise was perfect. The ceremony was great AND there were some new Alumni faces! WOO HOO for networking! Not only that, I was able to be a part of an engagement ceremony AND a lavaliering! Love AOII :-)

{two}

It's official, thanks to some of you in my blogging family, my husband and I are hooked on the show How I Met Your Mother! haha! Neil Patrick Harris is seriously my favorite! 

{three}

Even though Miss K has REALLY been testing her boundaries lately...she never ceases to amaze us and make us smile! She's getting to the stage in her life where she wants to know about EVERYTHING and her vocabulary is just exploding! Socks and shoes are her new favorite things right now haha! Just LOVE her!

{four}
Photo shoot this weekend!!! I'm beyond excited. I haven't been able to schedule a shoot for quite some time because of how busy my life and my business have been keeping me. I get to photograph a 6 month old who was my very first newborn shoot! Can't WAIT to do comparison pictures! :-)

{five}
Hubby and I bought a brand new mattress and box spring set over the weekend. We've NEVER owned a mattress this nice and even though it costs quite a bit...WORTH. EVERY. PENNY! For the first time in years we both woke up with no back pain and my daily tension headaches have disappeared. WOO!

{six}
It's amazing what a good deal will do to your shopping mood! Even though we live in Washington State University Cougar "territory", we're a family of University of Washington Husky fans and it's almost impossible to find little girl clothes with the Huskies logo...BUT it wasn't completely impossible!! Complete outfit was found on clearance for $4.00!!!!!! So, not only were our days made by finding a Huskies outfit that was reasonably priced and cute...but we felt like we were stealing with that price!!! LOL!

- - GO HUSKIES! - - 

 Gotta start them at a young age ;-)

Happy Thursday Everyone! 

{One Year, 52 lbs - Update #1}

I have to start this post off by sharing this picture my best friend, Stephanie, had on her Facebook page...

...definitely made me laugh!

Since I originally started this quest to lose 52 lbs in one year...I lost a total of 17lbs but gained back 4 lbs over the holiday season (which was SUPER shocking because when I stepped on the scale after Christmas I expected WAY worse lol) but I'm back on the band wagon and I've lost another 1 lb already so right now, I'm 14 lbs down and only 38 more pounds to go! Totally doable before July 15th, right?!

If any of you are on My Fitness Pal (or if you aren't and want to lose weight - I HIGHLY recommend this site), come add me so we can do this journey together! My username is:  cblakley0531 :-)

I'm getting really excited because my Hubby and I will be registering for Bloomsday (which is turning into an entire family affair...freakin love it!) this week AND next month I'm going to be starting the "From Couch to 5 K" program. This is seriously an amazing program, especially if you HATE running like I do! I've never done Bloomsday before so I set a small goal for myself to just run at least 5K of the race since the entire race is a 12K haha! 

I'm so ready to be back on this journey that I've made a new Pinterest board for motivation...so you know it's serious when Pinterest gets involved! LOL! I know, I'm ridiculous sometimes ;-)

Who out there is on a journey of weight loss? Are you sharing your journey? Blogging about it? Share the link to your blog or social networking site or MFP profile below! I'd love to keep up with you and support you!! :-)

{Dear Monday 1.9.12}

link up with Megan at H a p p y Day! :-) 

Dear Monday... you've already turned this into a very emotional week for me. Got news yesterday that my Great Uncle passed away and Hubby's first day back after his long holiday break from school. I won't let you get the best of me or set the tone for this week...it's going to be a GREAT week!

Dear Hair Appointment... I'm SO excited for you! Not only am I SO ready to have shorter hair again, I get to mark off #25 on my 101 Things List :-) Pretty dang excited! It's been over two years since I have my hair cut haha!

Dear Family... only 266 days until we move back to you! It feels like SO far away, but I know better...I'll blink and before I know it, I'll be freaking out about getting our apartment packed up! 8 years of being away is enough ;-)

Dear Princess and the Frog... you started out to be the movie we bought our daughter to keep her entertained, but I always end of finding myself stopping anything I'm doing and watching you with her. You're SUCH a cute movie, it gives me goosebumps every time.

Dear Financial Aid... thank you for coming 3 days earlier than normal. We really needed you! I'm certainly very thankful for your help with our single income household. We had such a fun shopping day yesterday and were able to get some much needed things for us and baby girl! It turned out to be a very nice family day!

Dear Mattress and Box Spring Set... I am BEYOND happy to be getting rid of you tomorrow to welcome our new set! You've been nothing but a "pain" for the past 6 years and we finally got the courage to spend a good chunk of change on a very nice set that we got for an amazing price! You've served your purpose but it's time for you to go so I can enjoy sleep again! :-)

Sorry about the slightly depression Dear Monday! I usually don't like to be all sappy or whine on here but I like how I can come to all of you to do just that and feel okay about it! Love all of you!!

How is your Monday going?! Share some happy news with me!! haha!

thursday thoughts...

 Linked up with Sar at [life of love] - SO glad you're doing a link up, girl! :-) 

Excuse the old "Thursday Thoughts" graphic, I haven't had a chance to make a new one haha

{ONE}

I feel like such a kid because I think I'm more excited about going to Jump N Party than my almost 2 year old daughter! LOL! It's a place full of bounce houses and inflatable obstacle courses...it's suppose to be only for the kids but parents are free and can accompany smaller children. Pretty sure the whole "free for adults" thing is just icing on the cake! I totally love reliving my childhood through Miss K!

{TWO}

Only a few short days left until my husband starts a new quarter at school *SIGH*. It's been SO amazing having him home. It's been super nice parenting together as much as we have (not that we don't anyways, but when he goes to school he's home less). I love that we've gotten a great routine down, but sadly it's going to have to change. I just gotta keep telling myself...only a little bit longer, he'll be graduating college and we'll be moving back to our families! :-) 

{THREE}

I LOVE LOVE LOVE that Miss K sleeps a minimum of 10 hours a night! I get to sleep in every. single. day. unless there's something that causes her to have a rough night. I try not to take advantage of how much she sleeps, but I seriously can't resist! haha!

{FOUR}

Grilled cheese sandwiches are seriously one of the best things ever! :-)

{FIVE} 

I love the fact that I've tackled two huge sewing obstacles and now my sewing possibilities are ENDLESS!! My Etsy shop is finally going to have a bigger variety of items! :-) Not to mention I took on some pretty cute Pinterest projects! Check out this blog post I published late last night to see what I've been up too...

{this is how i start a new year!}

{SIX}

Anytime I need a smile or need to hear a feel good story or just need a good laugh...The Ellen Show NEVER fails! I just adore her and her generosity is just unbelievable! We need more people in this world like her!

HAPPY THURSDAY EVERYONE! :-)

{Dear Monday - 1st of 2012!}

Linked up with Megan at H a p p y Day! 

Dear Monday - I'm actually liking you so far! Hubby has the day off (expect for the graveyard shift tonight), I'm struggling to find things to do around our apartment because for once in my life I'm SO on top of upkeep, that I have nothing to do!! WOO! Other than the head cold that seems to be creeping up on my little family, I'm not disliking you at all!

Dear Blogosphere - I'm LOVING the fact that I'm using my blog more than I did in the past. It's been a really nice outlet for me, especially when I don't want to clog my news feed on Facebook. I also love that I have all of you to follow and interact with as well. You all inspire me to keep my mind "physically fit" by thinking outside the box by participating in fun posts like these and I can't thank you enough for that. If you're looking for some new, amazing people to follow and interact with, my gal pal, Julie over at The Life of Being in College and Married has joined the blog world in full force and is looking to network with some fabulous people, so check out her blog!! :-)

Dear Daughter - I can't believe you're 20 months already! You've seriously brought the inner toddler out in me this week and I completely LOVE it! You've been full of energy, giggles and smiles and I just love you so much! Thank you for reminding me that the simple things in life are a very beautiful thing!

Dear Sewing Projects - you're coming along amazingly!! WOO HOO!! I've tackled a few already and I'm loving every second of it. It's nice to get excited about sewing again! :-) My creative juices are flowing like crazy!!! haha! 

Dear New Years Eve - I felt like an old, boring, lady! LOL! Hubby had to work so the kidlet and I just watched movies. However, hubby was home just in time for our New Years kiss at midnight and to toast to the upcoming year! :-) I'm really looking forward to all the amazing things that 2012 is going to bring our way!

Dear Bills - I would appreciate it if you could remember that we don't get financial aid for about another week and just put yourself on hold until we get it! Thanks so much!! :-)

How is your first Monday of the new year? :-)  

Do you have a Dear Monday post? Please feel free to comment below with your link and then head over to Megan's page to join the link up! 

Much Love,