tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-63965958945532234462024-02-19T10:46:53.736-05:00GroundwireBecause all that loose energy needs to be channeled somewhere.Kimberlee Turleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04695299361596799423noreply@blogger.comBlogger88125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6396595894553223446.post-90891989875821081652021-03-16T10:00:00.030-04:002021-03-16T10:00:00.464-04:00Carmen San Diego Mystery Heist Birthday Party <p>I hosted this party four years ago and figured I should document the clues and game play before I forget something. </p><p>Supplies:</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><a href="https://www.orientaltrading.com/my-passport-sticker-books-a2-9_1081.fltr?categoryId=551486" target="_blank">My Passport Sticker Books (12)</a></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDgD6G3iV3DfPuaJNe0LylAj1VDpgvk5w806YrQe6znph4gZvWRySptT_D0DA3Co-r3BDmgKaAO5s_4uOGYpbOo4nkRnMH6em2Y6Sb6-2uK2JM25HL_2-KmKUBFAMWNgJzYfIUl-ARhg/s1500/my-passport-sticker-books_9_1081.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1500" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDgD6G3iV3DfPuaJNe0LylAj1VDpgvk5w806YrQe6znph4gZvWRySptT_D0DA3Co-r3BDmgKaAO5s_4uOGYpbOo4nkRnMH6em2Y6Sb6-2uK2JM25HL_2-KmKUBFAMWNgJzYfIUl-ARhg/w200-h200/my-passport-sticker-books_9_1081.jpg" width="200" /></a></b></div><b><br /><o:p></o:p></b><p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b><br /></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><br /></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><br /></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><br /></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Valentines-Interesting-Creative-Romantic-Birthday/dp/B0768HY6PQ/ref=sr" target="_blank">Cryptex</a></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvRRPL2SnEtkl_Mfpmv6FqDUckuYxPVA-ZyDOuhV1XMHowis_OdL9e30NRjUqgsRm4apTzXPUNSpeYb9N4VK1SU4vC7cDnjgo1puyySVAeJmAvvLO4O4_CULecdno2Sbb2Tbd0a3p_5A/s1024/61xdnILdgxL._SL1024_.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="652" data-original-width="1024" height="127" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvRRPL2SnEtkl_Mfpmv6FqDUckuYxPVA-ZyDOuhV1XMHowis_OdL9e30NRjUqgsRm4apTzXPUNSpeYb9N4VK1SU4vC7cDnjgo1puyySVAeJmAvvLO4O4_CULecdno2Sbb2Tbd0a3p_5A/w200-h127/61xdnILdgxL._SL1024_.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b><br /></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><br /></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Master-Lock-646T-Combination-Luggage/dp/B00004Y8DQ/ref=sr_1_5?dchild=1&keywords=mini+combination+lock&qid=1612761960&sr=8-5" target="_blank">3 Digit Custom Combination Lock (1)</a> </b></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPoNswrzGa4YaxJOrYihTHwZdyJw1tC27lNzJWShPI5Epg534tRY-eXQ2xkIw37UHNvCXEHFVNtSL0iTQUc2oPivHw9W1egp0PQG4H_ElJOdylZyNU6T24I-aCIiOtgvl9A0UXLwIBWA/s960/51AEk-BMNCL._AC_SL1000_.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="620" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPoNswrzGa4YaxJOrYihTHwZdyJw1tC27lNzJWShPI5Epg534tRY-eXQ2xkIw37UHNvCXEHFVNtSL0iTQUc2oPivHw9W1egp0PQG4H_ElJOdylZyNU6T24I-aCIiOtgvl9A0UXLwIBWA/w129-h200/51AEk-BMNCL._AC_SL1000_.jpg" width="129" /></a></div><b><p class="MsoNormal"><b><br /></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><br /></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><br /></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><br /></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><br /></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Combination-Sports-Employee-Outdoor-Storage/dp/B08GPH1ND1/ref">Four Digit Custom Combination Lock (3)</a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIyABhNOHEGj7Zd3B3LbFClhsUa1eGYiUjJfl05CbcAVNuSdiZ5qJotwK1B_qZZRl0C35gydQ7m83HrJOjXiDJsKfnRJPVeVy_KSE9mOJYQoCT4vAdQmjsxw_0B6xqxys4VyQEO3NFig/s1377/71rlmZ8xWeL._AC_SL1500_.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1249" data-original-width="1377" height="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIyABhNOHEGj7Zd3B3LbFClhsUa1eGYiUjJfl05CbcAVNuSdiZ5qJotwK1B_qZZRl0C35gydQ7m83HrJOjXiDJsKfnRJPVeVy_KSE9mOJYQoCT4vAdQmjsxw_0B6xqxys4VyQEO3NFig/w200-h181/71rlmZ8xWeL._AC_SL1500_.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Kate-Aspen-Around-Wedding-Decorations/dp/B00HWS1Y8K/ref=sr_" target="_blank">World Party Favor Boxes (12)</a></b></p></b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBnWgWG7sflGij0Ao99pAwL6dNlHJpfhta0svbxYaWISScxq9Kaxao863DCgp2ehdVksMPyJEV_lrKqX7VjX8kBWhUHqydJSylravVVsaPqg3lpoO9rejgE__4XR-TCO6jdOv2mjYvGA/s600/rustic-adventure-map-favor-box-20pcs-3.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBnWgWG7sflGij0Ao99pAwL6dNlHJpfhta0svbxYaWISScxq9Kaxao863DCgp2ehdVksMPyJEV_lrKqX7VjX8kBWhUHqydJSylravVVsaPqg3lpoO9rejgE__4XR-TCO6jdOv2mjYvGA/w200-h200/rustic-adventure-map-favor-box-20pcs-3.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Safari-679604-Around-World-Figurines/dp/B0081GG6KI/ref=sr" target="_blank">S</a></b><b><span style="color: #0f1111; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Safari-679604-Around-World-Figurines/dp/B0081GG6KI/ref=sr" target="_blank">afari Around the World TOOB</a></span></b><div><p></p>
<h1><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOHGWJHBnG-i-fMsWdgXJ32KKa3SGLIZGaAXAOtBvYERuOujiGTrWdGdm6HuX-cxOVFWAnvflLyRUz1Vwku13_M7ccoMKYYJRxghYChTMC3iZiRMP0eqT8G4eBjxjm_oCrqjlSrexpMw/s1500/81e1Gfhd73L._AC_SL1500_.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1061" data-original-width="1500" height="141" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOHGWJHBnG-i-fMsWdgXJ32KKa3SGLIZGaAXAOtBvYERuOujiGTrWdGdm6HuX-cxOVFWAnvflLyRUz1Vwku13_M7ccoMKYYJRxghYChTMC3iZiRMP0eqT8G4eBjxjm_oCrqjlSrexpMw/w200-h141/81e1Gfhd73L._AC_SL1500_.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><span class="a-size-large"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><h1><span class="a-size-large"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></span></h1><h1><span class="a-size-large"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></span></h1><h1><span class="a-size-large"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></span></h1><h1><span class="a-size-large"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></span></h1><h1><br /></h1><h1><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Safari-Ltd-World-Landmarks-TOOB/dp/B00B5TO40M/ref=sr" style="font-size: 12pt;" target="_blank">Safari WorldLandmarks TOOB</a></h1></span></span></h1>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV-unBp1MuI0GJWFitHnTra9xpNRzYRv-3W_bFVx_yMmWM45ObSPTjQSY6P7z1L2V_JSXuj9WsTEK9N_HY2NNReIZX44_bftxeIOZMtVE-RBEozdFjN-SRvYzq04aYKNgivm7cabtQSw/s1500/718DvmXP40L._AC_SL1500_.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="453" data-original-width="1500" height="61" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV-unBp1MuI0GJWFitHnTra9xpNRzYRv-3W_bFVx_yMmWM45ObSPTjQSY6P7z1L2V_JSXuj9WsTEK9N_HY2NNReIZX44_bftxeIOZMtVE-RBEozdFjN-SRvYzq04aYKNgivm7cabtQSw/w200-h61/718DvmXP40L._AC_SL1500_.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><b><p class="MsoNormal"><b><br /></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00745JDEI/ref=ppx_od_dt_b_asin_title_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1" target="_blank">International Travel Posters</a></b></p><o:p></o:p></b><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpOOx1AEz605zqzWGw7SpJRXTwrMlWeC8X8zpZgbuESrg0FO87hz_1UvoZfrdy-ZI23eI-Q3n-KZYUZgZjRYhCvSg_Ee4hRZ2_DixDtlhkfLTpzNVnKXCzdPGNI9lO-hMSNihBNeunjw/s1500/917EuSET5fL._AC_SL1500_.jpg" style="clear: left; display: inline; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1066" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpOOx1AEz605zqzWGw7SpJRXTwrMlWeC8X8zpZgbuESrg0FO87hz_1UvoZfrdy-ZI23eI-Q3n-KZYUZgZjRYhCvSg_Ee4hRZ2_DixDtlhkfLTpzNVnKXCzdPGNI9lO-hMSNihBNeunjw/w142-h200/917EuSET5fL._AC_SL1500_.jpg" width="142" /></a><br /><b>Large Suitcase with Outer Pocket (Generic)</b></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><b>Backpack (Generic)</b></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Ping Pong Eyeball </b><b>or another "eye" object like an Egyptian Eye of Horus charm etc.</b></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAnVwbpf-adYgfD7aG4-ERmnGElw0blYQsG8Xf631FLYW3pE3CW5LBPbPviqrjWVWokUFxZ6J6vsT8ny-1OsZmw9wHtqNzsQfH_hLaGUWKdVB8iVWEnhikdzlVav-o9z-rBpmOTfug_g/s500/ping+pong+eye+ball.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="375" data-original-width="500" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAnVwbpf-adYgfD7aG4-ERmnGElw0blYQsG8Xf631FLYW3pE3CW5LBPbPviqrjWVWokUFxZ6J6vsT8ny-1OsZmw9wHtqNzsQfH_hLaGUWKdVB8iVWEnhikdzlVav-o9z-rBpmOTfug_g/w200-h150/ping+pong+eye+ball.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br /><b><br /></b><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><br /></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><br /></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><br /></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><br /></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>Object or picture depicting "Full" I crafted a fuel gauge with a 2 oz metal tin and a red tooth pick</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRQWKCTDSoGRXuLgZe8mSrrBtT6d_VnnIeJ-X4mB-BJpA3L5YBDxyn6cNaD4UB5n0z6Qv03enJGS8usab_scExb2DyIOmh7_7XBy4EU3gioIKhmRIhF7KWn0GBId7SZNTdoK89DN2J8Q/s1470/61ZE7KQ4JSL._AC_SL1500_.jpg" style="clear: left; display: inline; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="920" data-original-width="1470" height="125" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRQWKCTDSoGRXuLgZe8mSrrBtT6d_VnnIeJ-X4mB-BJpA3L5YBDxyn6cNaD4UB5n0z6Qv03enJGS8usab_scExb2DyIOmh7_7XBy4EU3gioIKhmRIhF7KWn0GBId7SZNTdoK89DN2J8Q/w200-h125/61ZE7KQ4JSL._AC_SL1500_.jpg" width="200" /></a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbKWvMEqTwhPQN6spzen4l8ySbWsnmI_E1OLg5nTT5mY6FvN7A23UEnp5Hm6COrzjqF3EYF1YA0JnZE8jfOyAOrvX_m4thVWFdAb8mWU_4_Syfba4H20IdKeHdZLicIr5zt5hVpXAxHA/s852/FUEL.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="852" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbKWvMEqTwhPQN6spzen4l8ySbWsnmI_E1OLg5nTT5mY6FvN7A23UEnp5Hm6COrzjqF3EYF1YA0JnZE8jfOyAOrvX_m4thVWFdAb8mWU_4_Syfba4H20IdKeHdZLicIr5zt5hVpXAxHA/w200-h112/FUEL.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><p></p><p></p><b><br /></b><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><br /></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><br /></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><br /></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>Tow Truck Toy/Picture</b></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfbN4zWqKYXtiDM3hCkZJ8474Anrfw4oh47367dGavj7K-1_7LRpcLXoNlRMrl4OdxjboA8dHVw0zBoN8P4HwjdfG6sCyXMF_2_kEijTNr7A2a_WcEoVWlrBYg2UxuzKZpr3W7oNYmiw/s673/tow_truck.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="256" data-original-width="673" height="76" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfbN4zWqKYXtiDM3hCkZJ8474Anrfw4oh47367dGavj7K-1_7LRpcLXoNlRMrl4OdxjboA8dHVw0zBoN8P4HwjdfG6sCyXMF_2_kEijTNr7A2a_WcEoVWlrBYg2UxuzKZpr3W7oNYmiw/w200-h76/tow_truck.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br /><b><br /></b><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><br /></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><br /></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>Hershey Chocolate Bar (in half) only showing the letters HER</b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDvEg99vYAgEB79QGrEYbM8SXdXekKxKcQV3mC2fUQvZkR1_xttbK1tSmvTUAbEjZh9Xf_m8Mu4J0NNBieomwi_PD3LeTBfr1zKcKrqS0hHKplWID-57NPRX3xXnF4OLadBrwmPpdkXQ/s310/hershey.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="163" data-original-width="310" height="105" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDvEg99vYAgEB79QGrEYbM8SXdXekKxKcQV3mC2fUQvZkR1_xttbK1tSmvTUAbEjZh9Xf_m8Mu4J0NNBieomwi_PD3LeTBfr1zKcKrqS0hHKplWID-57NPRX3xXnF4OLadBrwmPpdkXQ/w200-h105/hershey.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>The Invitation</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div>Back before I had two young kids.... Every bit
of care was given to customizing the travel ticket, from the departure airport
code to the arrival city. I picked Rome because I had reserved the party room
at a pizza place since it fit the international theme. The corners were rounded with a circle punch
and I even switched out my regular scoring blade for a perforated one to make
it truly a tear off ticket. In the present day... I would feel pretty proud of myself if I remember to tell my husband what I want for my birthday in time for him to order it from Amazon Prime and have it delivered by my actual birth date. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVZj9QWN1BnsLWSYOAjLTtcvGH4-dE9yga7aIbJfTNA1XoqSHV9KxuDoa35_HzPCk7l7LMhkNKXG8jjvdxh0sY-yypIBXGjks-1-ZldQ4KNY_3tuLz9-ypT0cZkvZH1hNE1ta2YSd7Pg/s2100/Carmen+Invite.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="986" data-original-width="2100" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVZj9QWN1BnsLWSYOAjLTtcvGH4-dE9yga7aIbJfTNA1XoqSHV9KxuDoa35_HzPCk7l7LMhkNKXG8jjvdxh0sY-yypIBXGjks-1-ZldQ4KNY_3tuLz9-ypT0cZkvZH1hNE1ta2YSd7Pg/s320/Carmen+Invite.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAiT-OA8YqZ9UkucRxSqXIF6ySf4Y5I6Yr4U1SFd_jKddNxmRcO-83xzeIUnPSd3zCODumD1aCZjju0wO2QP21KW5t3CHGZ7tqciJw5DVaMkN1tpXEx_HRMXh9DoUm1kt__-U2HHcTGA/s2100/CARMEN+Blank.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="986" data-original-width="2100" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAiT-OA8YqZ9UkucRxSqXIF6ySf4Y5I6Yr4U1SFd_jKddNxmRcO-83xzeIUnPSd3zCODumD1aCZjju0wO2QP21KW5t3CHGZ7tqciJw5DVaMkN1tpXEx_HRMXh9DoUm1kt__-U2HHcTGA/s320/CARMEN+Blank.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blank for your own use! </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><p class="MsoNormal"><b>Passport books:</b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Each page was meticulously thought out and I took special
care to match the pictures and clues with the stickers. The clues must be placed
in order. In hindsight, I needed to make the capital letters more pronounced as
it was not clear that the capital letters spell out a message. Also, it is best
to try to make sure each book is identical so guests don’t think that the differences
are clues. </span><span style="text-align: left;">The passport books were placed on each chair </span></div><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2tgvWHShq_iUisOXNF1zKKy7iSl_9-d4qeU3VoxdnZ77lJIpoOdeexrn5SYuGxuJJfhcwlOeFh5h56sm3dN2T9Xox5hBkd93R8ENb1oANTkY_hDjsGdTsG4as_WCcr4WyK5v2chSPsQ/s1221/Carmen+San+Diego+Passport0001.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1221" data-original-width="812" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2tgvWHShq_iUisOXNF1zKKy7iSl_9-d4qeU3VoxdnZ77lJIpoOdeexrn5SYuGxuJJfhcwlOeFh5h56sm3dN2T9Xox5hBkd93R8ENb1oANTkY_hDjsGdTsG4as_WCcr4WyK5v2chSPsQ/w213-h320/Carmen+San+Diego+Passport0001.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLS4EcRITAJYlNXfv-W96pW4kMeCWLa_TmKnsjdApevxj4jSh06sQCmfHXJ4W2NefyjonVSxqilKBzwHcXHdLji_03l78WlwaDZq8qd1HxSPWd07DHmS1jP0uz1lAG-2NiliAyujIYjQ/s1605/Carmen+San+Diego+Passport0002.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1221" data-original-width="1605" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLS4EcRITAJYlNXfv-W96pW4kMeCWLa_TmKnsjdApevxj4jSh06sQCmfHXJ4W2NefyjonVSxqilKBzwHcXHdLji_03l78WlwaDZq8qd1HxSPWd07DHmS1jP0uz1lAG-2NiliAyujIYjQ/w320-h243/Carmen+San+Diego+Passport0002.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><p class="MsoNormal">This was the message inside the front cover. Why does ermine frosting matter? It doesn’t, it's only my personal favorite. </p></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiBxEtxu4nRtixhLTFU1gSGy3orVpyv2c4LagU1TNOfp22jMeUdE4CkvKUpKVm226fIoQStlinvVJUgZ4drcKWlRecvXMN759myaCOzKTQY65x_hlW_Rwl_Zbi3dyohsxtlp6ol880Gw/s1591/Carmen+San+Diego+Passport0003.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1193" data-original-width="1591" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiBxEtxu4nRtixhLTFU1gSGy3orVpyv2c4LagU1TNOfp22jMeUdE4CkvKUpKVm226fIoQStlinvVJUgZ4drcKWlRecvXMN759myaCOzKTQY65x_hlW_Rwl_Zbi3dyohsxtlp6ol880Gw/w320-h240/Carmen+San+Diego+Passport0003.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs4PaueKLQGZExzvMgKF7mEHUcyUbgRgCgx438vq_DdA_gJnftHpBjEA4CLJ54muYsk2ngXc8XSGJ5osv2jwnY2FTpVnMiQdVDHZP48MnPpFQlXJt58-L4X6KPfBI2Soz2dcTuVQC72g/s1586/Carmen+San+Diego+Passport0004.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1221" data-original-width="1586" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs4PaueKLQGZExzvMgKF7mEHUcyUbgRgCgx438vq_DdA_gJnftHpBjEA4CLJ54muYsk2ngXc8XSGJ5osv2jwnY2FTpVnMiQdVDHZP48MnPpFQlXJt58-L4X6KPfBI2Soz2dcTuVQC72g/w320-h246/Carmen+San+Diego+Passport0004.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p class="MsoNormal">I removed the sticker insert from the middle of the book and
glued in a second message:<o:p></o:p></p></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOBrWI5vjJJ3u_JuNwY0cgvVI9xthy92SdzUaHLAnlh0RDhe1S1Lff8gXqsooBowFAAx-ReoEMEnpvh7cIMAYcrmvj1_MhoGnb-LFL9b4wri7I3bF5EFsc9_4HRWHXtHDHL-Y5hL9zRQ/s1581/Carmen+San+Diego+Passport0005.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1226" data-original-width="1581" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOBrWI5vjJJ3u_JuNwY0cgvVI9xthy92SdzUaHLAnlh0RDhe1S1Lff8gXqsooBowFAAx-ReoEMEnpvh7cIMAYcrmvj1_MhoGnb-LFL9b4wri7I3bF5EFsc9_4HRWHXtHDHL-Y5hL9zRQ/w412-h319/Carmen+San+Diego+Passport0005.jpg" width="412" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD9r5dSFRHxsvzM9PCpiQ7_OuFoIJln1aJFWdHyvjOm25FkYwhOuYgtICb-vXKHJNDwDBcQxRhuKfqX69f4BksdeCHn1tW8xIsuRft32PfoMfADYO_BVsnto0BpkBumqltjMGEhQ6nQw/s1586/Carmen+San+Diego+Passport0007.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1207" data-original-width="1586" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD9r5dSFRHxsvzM9PCpiQ7_OuFoIJln1aJFWdHyvjOm25FkYwhOuYgtICb-vXKHJNDwDBcQxRhuKfqX69f4BksdeCHn1tW8xIsuRft32PfoMfADYO_BVsnto0BpkBumqltjMGEhQ6nQw/s320/Carmen+San+Diego+Passport0007.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">Tip #1: The passport book scripts say: WEST TO EAST, but this wasn't obvious how I originally printed them with just the capital letters in bold, so if I did it again, I would use the larger capital font version below: </p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: 49.5pt; text-align: left; text-indent: -13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 18pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">W</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">alked through the largest museum in the world</span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 49.5pt; text-align: left; text-indent: -13.5pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 18pt;">E</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">xplored the world’s deepest blue hole</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 49.5pt; text-align: left; text-indent: -13.5pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 18pt;">S</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">t. Paul's cathedral</span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 49.5pt; text-align: left; text-indent: -13.5pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 18pt;">T</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">ook a trip up the Yangtze river and visited the
Terracotta Warriors</span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 49.5pt; text-align: left; text-indent: -13.5pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 18pt;">T</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">here’s a caribou on the quarter and beaver on the
nickel</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 49.5pt; text-align: left; text-indent: -13.5pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 18pt;">O</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">ver half of the world’s cork is produced here</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 49.5pt; text-align: left; text-indent: -13.5pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 18pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">E</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">urope’s most populated city is Moscow</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 49.5pt; text-align: left; text-indent: -13.5pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 18pt;">A</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">ncient Theater of Epidaurus</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 49.5pt; text-align: left; text-indent: -13.5pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 18pt;">S</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">aw the Neuschwanstein Castle and Bradenburg Gate</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 49.5pt; text-align: left; text-indent: -13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 18pt;">T</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">hree vertical stripes and a picture of an eagle eating a snake on their flag</span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 49.5pt; text-align: left; text-indent: -13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Next, <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -13.5pt;">I taped the cipher below to the back of the Pisa/Italy poster with a corner of the cipher visibly poking out as a clue. The other posters were taped up for decorations. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -13.5pt;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYU0CHEGuGbBRzdvoNSvsu0PW2obiklgpdLk5NhHsuEoS66QGlev3mN3Kf2e-oxhl9b0Ghrxnd9SKn6L85CkLf63RDg1o0-3z5_CCtxFrftkFIDOkXZ14ANpwfQNgKhpCKwA2YurZJKg/s555/Cipher+Cut+Marks.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="555" data-original-width="370" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYU0CHEGuGbBRzdvoNSvsu0PW2obiklgpdLk5NhHsuEoS66QGlev3mN3Kf2e-oxhl9b0Ghrxnd9SKn6L85CkLf63RDg1o0-3z5_CCtxFrftkFIDOkXZ14ANpwfQNgKhpCKwA2YurZJKg/w213-h320/Cipher+Cut+Marks.jpg" width="213" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZMWIAzFAtS7JIXCPN8h-sxJlXiy2qn2vx3GyoYjLl23so5gk5w5EcvMIzhDdulcZGG6ngIINXitm3gLpo8uRnH0xcJuU266XzwGCQZhe6cPfxuTsMU6s6iGp8MYz86aF4nCPWgLO-hw/s1368/Carmen+San+Diego+cipher.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: right;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1231" data-original-width="1368" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZMWIAzFAtS7JIXCPN8h-sxJlXiy2qn2vx3GyoYjLl23so5gk5w5EcvMIzhDdulcZGG6ngIINXitm3gLpo8uRnH0xcJuU266XzwGCQZhe6cPfxuTsMU6s6iGp8MYz86aF4nCPWgLO-hw/w351-h316/Carmen+San+Diego+cipher.jpg" width="351" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Tip #2 Use cardstock with a pattern or picture to make it easier to know which direction faces up, not solid black. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Tip #3 : For personal use, cut out the " 's and not the "i" in the space for the name. </div><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><b>The cipher reveals the message: the weight is the answer. </b></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">The landmark figurine Buddha of Lantau/The Big Buddha was placed in the outer pocket of the suitcase. The suitcase was locked with the smaller three digit combination lock. The figurine is goldish so it was a little confusing because some of the guests were mistaking it for the Golden Buddha in Bangkok. They eventually figured out the mix up. </p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYxF4WTadqbdcOXPyHBulDHpEjBLqaUeDfbqmBYqyQjLGWqrKYyi5ZrugP7H9FiVdwSK2WtdQ4J2lavCyoHF-j73CMnPy5vWF6IXnyI2li1ORHtAsDC1NnktrbQLgxYC0YLcUNYPKNLw/s1500/91DKsfc%252B2WL._AC_SL1500_.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: right;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1226" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYxF4WTadqbdcOXPyHBulDHpEjBLqaUeDfbqmBYqyQjLGWqrKYyi5ZrugP7H9FiVdwSK2WtdQ4J2lavCyoHF-j73CMnPy5vWF6IXnyI2li1ORHtAsDC1NnktrbQLgxYC0YLcUNYPKNLw/w164-h200/91DKsfc%252B2WL._AC_SL1500_.jpg" width="164" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">weight is 250 Tons</td></tr></tbody></table></div><br /><div>The weight ( #250) is the code which opens the three-digit lock on suitcase. Inside the suitcase I had the backpack (more on what's in it later), the dozen world boxes, and this clue:</div><div><br /></div><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Bell MT",serif; font-size: 24pt;"><b>Sometimes
when you’re puzzled it’s best to retrace your steps from the beginning.</b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">(This was a hint for them to go back through their passports and to decipher the message </span><span style="text-align: left;">WEST TO EAST.)</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;">World Boxes</b></p></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5iANN4q1AIs2nIzFa8zDh_ol_ZZn7HPBFeCOliMYZ3EcpZFpv4GQRaBtWvkGCXAylmDvBFXWY1E7NhNnuxWLDWYRHyF_K5B6LOqwXi6FdEPTdd4ZprgsmgjOg6GSzxTDpLbhqlXhIXQ/s600/PXL_20210215_230112403.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5iANN4q1AIs2nIzFa8zDh_ol_ZZn7HPBFeCOliMYZ3EcpZFpv4GQRaBtWvkGCXAylmDvBFXWY1E7NhNnuxWLDWYRHyF_K5B6LOqwXi6FdEPTdd4ZprgsmgjOg6GSzxTDpLbhqlXhIXQ/w300-h400/PXL_20210215_230112403.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Landmarks have color-coded numbers.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><p class="MsoNormal">Each box had a map that fit in the bottom of the box
identifying the famous landmark. (I did not use all of the landmarks, only the ones listed below.) On the back of each map, I wrote the latitude
and longitude of the landmark for faster reference.</p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZSmlnsJBb7RTcKSKXXmHd-4Jp0jkFpUVbmYMrNGY8T_-9jiOtlEBCRRTWYwCCBJEF6j_SlOk2c3sr68XvVdf7eoaNftguPsWRAduWyYq1WDjhPHhmj6v7o9LFppvmmMuArDy9lqWNCw/s1683/BOX+MAPS+1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1683" data-original-width="1301" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZSmlnsJBb7RTcKSKXXmHd-4Jp0jkFpUVbmYMrNGY8T_-9jiOtlEBCRRTWYwCCBJEF6j_SlOk2c3sr68XvVdf7eoaNftguPsWRAduWyYq1WDjhPHhmj6v7o9LFppvmmMuArDy9lqWNCw/s320/BOX+MAPS+1.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeZlI-elPBhzjDKT5PUlQ4qF7AfAJafixqit9gWMrAbplh3A-fqmuKC2tAs_5pAI02rzPwtTETnX0_cZCQ1scLzZuokRziQbzjDpkeeYac7qUnB9IC12jDdz2gslPRIykfxD3cIZZLPg/s1683/BOX+MAPS+2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1683" data-original-width="1301" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeZlI-elPBhzjDKT5PUlQ4qF7AfAJafixqit9gWMrAbplh3A-fqmuKC2tAs_5pAI02rzPwtTETnX0_cZCQ1scLzZuokRziQbzjDpkeeYac7qUnB9IC12jDdz2gslPRIykfxD3cIZZLPg/w230-h320/BOX+MAPS+2.jpg" width="230" /></a></div><br /> Originally, I had the boxes numbered on the bottom, but these were easy to mix up once the maps were removed. If I did it again, I would number the landmarks (as pictured) instead of the bottom of the box. <p></p><p class="MsoNormal">Sample numeric code from West to East: 2017<span style="color: #70ad47;">0318</span><span style="color: #4472c4;">2021</span></p><div><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p></div><div>2 Easter Island: 27.1130 S, 109.3496 W</div><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">0 Mount Rushmore: 43.8791 N, 103.4591 W<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">1 Temple of the Inscriptions: 17.4836 N, 92.0470 W<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">7 Statue of Liberty: 40.6892 N, 74.0445 W<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #70ad47; mso-themecolor: accent6;">0 Stonehenge:
51.1789 N, 1.8262 W<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #70ad47; mso-themecolor: accent6;">3 Big Ben:
51.5007 N, 0.1246 W<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #70ad47; mso-themecolor: accent6;">1 Arc de
Triomphe: 48.8738 N, 2.2950 E<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #70ad47; mso-themecolor: accent6;">8 Leaning
Tower of Pisa: 43.7230, 10.3966 E<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #4472c4; mso-themecolor: accent1;">2 Colosseum:
41.8902 N, 12.4922 E<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #4472c4; mso-themecolor: accent1;">0 Parthenon:
37.9715 N, 23.7267 E<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #4472c4; mso-themecolor: accent1;">2 Great
Sphinx of Giza: 29.9753 N, 31.1376 E<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #4472c4; mso-themecolor: accent1;">1 Great Wall
of China: 40.4319 N, 116.5704 E<o:p></o:p></span></p></div>The more random the code the better, especially if they're color-coded as this makes it easier for the guests to group the numbers in fours and guess the code instead of figure it out. It's okay to do all black numbers but then it might be hard to know which code goes with which lock. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>The Backpack</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div>The backpack had the three, four-digit combination locks on the zipper to keep it closed. If I had more lockable containers, I suppose I could have done a box within a box within a box etc... When the backpack was opened, inside was the Hershey bar, tow truck, eye ball, fuel gauge, and cryptex. </div><div><br /></div><div>The elements together represented the words “Eye-Full/Fuel-Tow-Her”
(Eiffel Tower) obeying a loose phonetic similarity scheme.</div><div><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">As an alternate, one of my guests guessed THIEF (Tow-Hershey-I/Eye-
Empty/Full) following a pattern where each object represented one letter. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The word PARIS opens the Cryptex and reveals the message: <o:p></o:p></p></div><div> </div><div><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Bell MT",serif; font-size: 28pt;">ask for the “czech” <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></p></div><div>The deal I made with the server was to bring out the cake when I asked for the check. This ended up being better than I expected as one of my guests was really into the mystery and asked the server to bring out the to-go boxes and checks with a super heavy Russian accent. I'm not sure it could have been better if I'd made the key phrase something ridiculous like, "Bring me your biggest meatball on your smallest plate." As a backup plan, I could have locked the cake in the car if they didn't allow outside food and drink in their serving areas and used a license plate number as the next clue. </div><div><br /></div><div>Final note on the cake box said:</div><div><br /></div><div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Bell MT",serif; font-size: 24pt;">Let’s
be honest, who has room for cake after a pizza buffet—especially Brick Oven’s
super delicious dessert pizza? Good job, detectives, until next time<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 24pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Autograf PERSONAL USE ONLY"; font-size: 24pt;">Carmen
Sandiego<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Autograf PERSONAL USE ONLY"; font-size: 24pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwZ7CpcymhTC3gNOV6s8DbUBAW-Qh-bPANNSYiCgyz_OfMEVTaZNs2qsD-b1C_De-rzZDs7Hst9xIZOTyI4S3pVkD29Ni8m0x5WMXn54UhYEqW1hFePdwWm5AGpd6bxMXnbECD6MOINw/s2048/DSC_7202.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwZ7CpcymhTC3gNOV6s8DbUBAW-Qh-bPANNSYiCgyz_OfMEVTaZNs2qsD-b1C_De-rzZDs7Hst9xIZOTyI4S3pVkD29Ni8m0x5WMXn54UhYEqW1hFePdwWm5AGpd6bxMXnbECD6MOINw/w400-h266/DSC_7202.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: "Autograf PERSONAL USE ONLY"; font-size: 24pt;"><br /></span><p></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><b></b></div></div></div>Kimberlee Turleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04695299361596799423noreply@blogger.com0Salt Lake City, UT, USA40.7607793 -111.891047412.450545463821157 -147.0472974 69.071013136178848 -76.7347974tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6396595894553223446.post-57699411376395371882018-07-10T17:54:00.000-04:002018-07-10T20:27:23.625-04:00Breakfast at Tiffany's Game<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
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<br />
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While I admittedly enjoy perusing Pinterest for ideas, I
often feel guilty because it’s easier to copy someone else’s idea rather than
to come up with something new.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then, even when I do think of something new, I
lack the photography skills to make a pinnable post. Or I start fretting over fair use and copyright laws. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Still, I'd like to give something back, so here's an original game I created for my “Breakfast at
Tiffany’s” themed birthday party from a few years ago. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>If you want to fill in your name at the top in a photo editing program, I used the various fonts: </div>
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<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
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<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
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<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
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Arabic typesetting</div>
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Kunstler script</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Monotype Corsiva</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Lucida Console </div>
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<br />
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<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmaq-4hmAN7oINa5jxRKpnkKu5p0umvHNtX_9LYM7hwPkHV89P3oMxvjN_3FLbT1et3m6D1s9EQYVmFtUeL5PU_p_LEJT1HgihSTCFX8SIKMmONnmx1eD-EYM052TWPQeNlEPL5LVlyQ/s1600/gemstone+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1279" data-original-width="1600" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmaq-4hmAN7oINa5jxRKpnkKu5p0umvHNtX_9LYM7hwPkHV89P3oMxvjN_3FLbT1et3m6D1s9EQYVmFtUeL5PU_p_LEJT1HgihSTCFX8SIKMmONnmx1eD-EYM052TWPQeNlEPL5LVlyQ/s400/gemstone+1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gemstone images from https://www.jewelry-secrets.com/Blog/diamond-shapes/</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikgSQb_ibs0cm9iIIMuV8Xv1X8UQaJaFDTK6RY89aODHGF0gjwKbfuV2Q73yz0rPYTMWQMAbXRP8cSHXKwzdxN2OUWpD2uaSI9EhSk0tI_yJlTAOliLFHliSRs-QqkfeBYicd829AH1w/s1600/gemstone+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="709" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikgSQb_ibs0cm9iIIMuV8Xv1X8UQaJaFDTK6RY89aODHGF0gjwKbfuV2Q73yz0rPYTMWQMAbXRP8cSHXKwzdxN2OUWpD2uaSI9EhSk0tI_yJlTAOliLFHliSRs-QqkfeBYicd829AH1w/s320/gemstone+2.jpg" width="141" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Answer Sheet</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTI2E72duYZuBRjn9qtLjX_UprR6x77K8e_hmRK9BDyFavbh0x_Fd2Qcpk8eCHausxcgJqfAPHVMU9BIP4wejbEJZ9fk9yxmnLK1PBIzveXhyntpZVJ6sGc5b25TC8N7W8Ax8-u45H5Q/s1600/gemstone+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="701" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTI2E72duYZuBRjn9qtLjX_UprR6x77K8e_hmRK9BDyFavbh0x_Fd2Qcpk8eCHausxcgJqfAPHVMU9BIP4wejbEJZ9fk9yxmnLK1PBIzveXhyntpZVJ6sGc5b25TC8N7W8Ax8-u45H5Q/s320/gemstone+3.jpg" width="140" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Answer Key</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
I modified two bridal shower games from Etsy, which both no longer seem to be available, to create the templates.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The first was <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">a <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/175936702/breakfast-at-tiffanys-printable" target="_blank">scattergories game </a> by <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/TrishaDesignCreation" target="_blank">TrishaDesignCreation</a></span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>. The second was a <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/228172996/breakfast-at-tiffanys-purse-scavenger" target="_blank">purse-scavenger hunt game</a> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>from <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/ShameronStudios" target="_blank">ShameronStudios.</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I picked 30 out of the 100 different diamond cuts on the website because I was turning thirty. I probably could have stopped at 8 in hindsight because most of my friends couldn't name any cuts besides the basic shapes (square, round, heart, triangle, rectangle.) We still had fun going over the answers together at least. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></div>
Kimberlee Turleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04695299361596799423noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6396595894553223446.post-37791766183171469062018-02-14T13:00:00.000-05:002018-02-14T13:00:18.546-05:00Laptop Keyboards<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
When you realize it has been over THREE years since you last
blogged and that it is definitely time to say goodbye to your oldest, dearest
friend of 10+ years…</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvO5Uh_ukESUvISABxsX-K8vSBYnduPEQ7jkAY6fE4ubIaWtV1mZv2Mx7NZRWX539oJjpKl4pcGRF4W_B3fd1aCx93gdkbrUeCfffpHvxHNyCYvySMMDhUzlBaeKBw5M_SHrRzkArz-w/s1600/DSC_1691.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvO5Uh_ukESUvISABxsX-K8vSBYnduPEQ7jkAY6fE4ubIaWtV1mZv2Mx7NZRWX539oJjpKl4pcGRF4W_B3fd1aCx93gdkbrUeCfffpHvxHNyCYvySMMDhUzlBaeKBw5M_SHrRzkArz-w/s400/DSC_1691.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Toshiba Satellite</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
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<div class="MsoNormal">
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<div class="MsoNormal">
Goodbye, <i>mi amor</i>. You had the perfect keyboard and you were everything I ever wanted in a
laptop. I’m sorry, but Windows no longer
supports Vista and the guy at the PC place says it would cost $900 to install
all the hardware you’d need to run Windows 7 and even then, you might not last
another 2 years. Your battery no longer holds any charge and it’s really
frustrating losing so much unsaved work when my toddler trips over the cord or
when you go into sleep mode. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I replaced your DC port three times and your power supply
cable twice. I never downloaded any games on you and I never installed anything
besides Microsoft Word and Itunes to your 16 GB hard drive. Thank you, Toshiba Satelite, for allowing me to backup all my
files onto those free SWAG thumb drives my husband brings home from his work conventions,
it was really convenient.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I really did everything I could to prolong your life, but I
couldn’t find your battery for sale on Ebay and a new battery wouldn’t fix your
process freezes and lag which were beginning to get annoyingly frequent. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Which brings me to the following rant regarding the purchase
of my new laptop:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ul><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW-TpZwEry_AXWelb3a-ox3Z8jtrGggYNmHl9nde8fQeB95SVrydDAVvF5WlMka0CkVgmYH64nzeWHDn-Wddng_9BfCbq1gPWTcnXKnrkZAksDYgcZwAzUisqO_cz3b9LT1jNhfnK1QQ/s1600/microsoft_surface_book_keyboard_2016_58947.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1125" data-original-width="1500" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW-TpZwEry_AXWelb3a-ox3Z8jtrGggYNmHl9nde8fQeB95SVrydDAVvF5WlMka0CkVgmYH64nzeWHDn-Wddng_9BfCbq1gPWTcnXKnrkZAksDYgcZwAzUisqO_cz3b9LT1jNhfnK1QQ/s200/microsoft_surface_book_keyboard_2016_58947.jpg" width="200" /></a>
<li>There seems to be a disturbing trend that all laptop
manufacturers are no longer including right and left click buttons beneath their
touch pad mouse sensors. They’re either built in or there is no mouse
pad because it’s a touch screen. </li>
</ul>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ul>
<li>All laptop manufacturers (or at least 95% of the models on
display at Best Buy, Fry’s Electronics, Office Depot, PC World, and the local
college bookstores) have done away with island-style keys and switched to a
chiclet style keyboard. </li>
</ul>
<o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy0AGLIpB21XjarY08PQRxaCt-c2T7fB3VqlbMZElj5c0_duAq8W6FCeMhE2L1Etr0APcLtq_4Na6Ppyca3b159ngjlxJnKKOHcb9rdwQerDL4ZbVyqB5DYKD3In2K2BtSdY45jMl9_Q/s1600/Dell_Inspiron_laptop_keyboard_2014-02-07-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="363" data-original-width="923" height="125" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy0AGLIpB21XjarY08PQRxaCt-c2T7fB3VqlbMZElj5c0_duAq8W6FCeMhE2L1Etr0APcLtq_4Na6Ppyca3b159ngjlxJnKKOHcb9rdwQerDL4ZbVyqB5DYKD3In2K2BtSdY45jMl9_Q/s320/Dell_Inspiron_laptop_keyboard_2014-02-07-2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ul>
<li>Laptops with screens larger than 15 inches will invariably
have a 10-key keyboard. This sometimes significantly offsets the mouse pad to
the left.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>The UP/DOWN directional arrows are half sized or crammed
into the space of 3 keys instead of 4.</li>
</ul>
<ul><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_CQ9m9qLWuYagExOZHtf5oZ_NTrSXPVOOs22yoCpHbRg-Imx0BzcYKTAq3uTCIeqDpgtKzMdL2_zfxRFb7lGrq3vnAXHX-XBOyeaEQe2x_Y2rBTBSFGk8UjGbCtU5_R2_6AZUc1nVgQ/s1600/DSC_0097+hp+folio+elite+book+9740.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_CQ9m9qLWuYagExOZHtf5oZ_NTrSXPVOOs22yoCpHbRg-Imx0BzcYKTAq3uTCIeqDpgtKzMdL2_zfxRFb7lGrq3vnAXHX-XBOyeaEQe2x_Y2rBTBSFGk8UjGbCtU5_R2_6AZUc1nVgQ/s200/DSC_0097+hp+folio+elite+book+9740.png" width="200" /></a>
<li><o:p> </o:p>Page Up, Page Down, Home, End are more commonly assigned as
Function secondary keys instead of being independent keys. I only found one other laptop, the HP Folio
Elitebook 9740 (almost as old as my Toshiba) that has these keys placed vertically along the far right side.</li>
</ul>
<o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<ul>
<li>Lastly, I will really miss having the delete key in the top
right corner.</li>
</ul>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxjoTbA2waCN2mHhi98oHy-yxQpuaXukDjyg-HlzIJ30l8lJQdHb3U7C1OU3Q7WNvJThvTmBiW-ZIlVWC8WdWPzlLCs1R4Ry1d3Knjvdc7SKXUMTqorlbKGxZoR-AVIB1TEp3QjBoDUg/s1600/DSC_1694.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxjoTbA2waCN2mHhi98oHy-yxQpuaXukDjyg-HlzIJ30l8lJQdHb3U7C1OU3Q7WNvJThvTmBiW-ZIlVWC8WdWPzlLCs1R4Ry1d3Knjvdc7SKXUMTqorlbKGxZoR-AVIB1TEp3QjBoDUg/s320/DSC_1694.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I will use you, but I will never love you like the Toshiba.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
Kimberlee Turleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04695299361596799423noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6396595894553223446.post-58913537982227823482014-12-01T10:00:00.000-05:002014-12-01T10:00:02.183-05:00Candy Land <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinm4DJXivTpiqUfWRPJHMVEWsO-AmYKIlE6xIuC9qEvVqOvD3NAclpPG8r7Xs5uIFiDhWC1gQ6FR3hgZlNJlJCIIo1OSDf4zN9eMKuQ0p8yeCMymXv6uemksAaHEfEYQoWUSf2xwjrxg/s1600/candy+land+original.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinm4DJXivTpiqUfWRPJHMVEWsO-AmYKIlE6xIuC9qEvVqOvD3NAclpPG8r7Xs5uIFiDhWC1gQ6FR3hgZlNJlJCIIo1OSDf4zN9eMKuQ0p8yeCMymXv6uemksAaHEfEYQoWUSf2xwjrxg/s1600/candy+land+original.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vintage</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
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Maybe I'm just being too nostalgic, but I was really bummed
when I went to buy a copy of CANDY LAND and realized the artwork had been
updated. I'm now in a dilemma where I must decide if I want to spend $40 for a
vintage version on Ebay or if I should just suck it up and save myself $30.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New Candy Land</td></tr>
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<br /></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH4dYnSD_nR7FZVU7RgwMju9Ows_N235CcVWu9POT5CVbTmXA-xQxTRa0-RFvFd5OLmQgVOqkj5hjGB8ajYwElGjEF6yf1lR0bS7fuCSaRNd7Mm_R6h0Ztq-cBpeRFqrUA3P6YPuCZGw/s1600/DSC_0786.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH4dYnSD_nR7FZVU7RgwMju9Ows_N235CcVWu9POT5CVbTmXA-xQxTRa0-RFvFd5OLmQgVOqkj5hjGB8ajYwElGjEF6yf1lR0bS7fuCSaRNd7Mm_R6h0Ztq-cBpeRFqrUA3P6YPuCZGw/s1600/DSC_0786.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kiwi Loco, Holiday Parade, 2012</td></tr>
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In December 2012, a year and four months before we closed our frozen yogurt store, we participated in
ourcity's annual holiday parade. Estimated turn out was 15000+ people out of
70,000 or so in the city. In 2012, we had a simple walking group and handed out
3,000 coupons for 3 oz of free yogurt with an 8 oz purchase. We had an amazing
return of 300 coupons. </div>
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<br /></div>
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Last year, we decided we'd do a float. Candy Land seemed like
a fun theme since it combined sweets and toys and I knew I could borrow the
Princess Lolly costume from someone. </div>
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<br /></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQY7PWr7TmQBdd6q47iQCdHfX3eUIWsYzrqhZY-JCShjUDBxAnvplj_uG2Noj7iJERAMQcnACs9w-MKInh9ZmgnKqMLd8pyhB4WxQM5AYIkNUzZ7IhTJL3sQp9N121AJ9GurCTg50MKQ/s1600/IMG_20131207_173958_258.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQY7PWr7TmQBdd6q47iQCdHfX3eUIWsYzrqhZY-JCShjUDBxAnvplj_uG2Noj7iJERAMQcnACs9w-MKInh9ZmgnKqMLd8pyhB4WxQM5AYIkNUzZ7IhTJL3sQp9N121AJ9GurCTg50MKQ/s1600/IMG_20131207_173958_258.jpg" height="300" width="400" /> </a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNuzc76H5DmNyLPD2PbKdoOz33cYAqVEKulWgXgMoz9dYaeekjy1qyrwu-o0Gl27VBjd48yNh5__EmCbLdWiTFLVYzwx0qamOjfCb1gNyOv6zpM9t5vBSp6mB9V8MsphHWVvyGliwTFw/s1600/IMG_20131207_173858_335.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNuzc76H5DmNyLPD2PbKdoOz33cYAqVEKulWgXgMoz9dYaeekjy1qyrwu-o0Gl27VBjd48yNh5__EmCbLdWiTFLVYzwx0qamOjfCb1gNyOv6zpM9t5vBSp6mB9V8MsphHWVvyGliwTFw/s1600/IMG_20131207_173858_335.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kiwi Loco, Holiday Parade, 2013</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I'd printed twice as many coupons using the
exact same promotion, format, graphics etc... Out of 6,000 coupons, we had 25
returned. Ouch. Many
families later said it was a struggle to buy gifts for their kids and they had
to cut back expenses in anticipation of higher health care costs for 2014. I
can't say I blame them because when money gets tight, the first thing I'd cut
is ice cream too.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Maybe this year I'll get to watch instead of walking for once! </div>
Kimberlee Turleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04695299361596799423noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6396595894553223446.post-89451451394957299962014-11-05T07:18:00.000-05:002014-11-05T07:18:17.189-05:00Night Circus SkirtI'm published! Sort of...<br />
<br />
Caroline is a dear friend of mine and co-author of JUST FOR YOU: Selfish Sewing with Your Favorite SewCanShe Bloggers.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3fSUCaTerPZlwzNdHxI7m4Rny7KaTX9Usi52fu8I7lOi9ks_OG1TaSt6RqEVKSH7RhrAHqzgLjfJfHSakHvwgpkGeZDmuinQqn8XlCUAWM0SEvuTg74LQtlCqITY25p77BOyuW_fwFw/s1600/14396664421_5163523b39_o.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/AVvXsEg3fSUCaTerPZlwzNdHxI7m4Rny7KaTX9Usi52fu8I7lOi9ks_OG1TaSt6RqEVKSH7RhrAHqzgLjfJfHSakHvwgpkGeZDmuinQqn8XlCUAWM0SEvuTg74LQtlCqITY25p77BOyuW_fwFw/s1600/14396664421_5163523b39_o.jpg" height="200" width="160" /></a><br />
I am the designer of one of the 24 simply stylish sewing projects... and I have a free copy from Stash Books to give away! *Entry details below.*<br />
<br />
<br />
I forget when Caroline first mentioned she and Sarah were considering collecting some of their daily sewing blog tutorials into a book-- but the time stamp on my digital file is dated back to June 2013, so I know it's been longer than a year.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHVtjXQtNV5g1gYNWpzPV5WHaEzbtTafRcCKG9r7t_U1wkcfhXlK968Jf5_nP0sFCX3uvpWa0hzzPQWYCCdFIWB2bk7mj56P4qpVyI1f48-o0fzDdjghzZSTSZlaykNvpKnTx16UqiRA/s1600/Night+Circus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHVtjXQtNV5g1gYNWpzPV5WHaEzbtTafRcCKG9r7t_U1wkcfhXlK968Jf5_nP0sFCX3uvpWa0hzzPQWYCCdFIWB2bk7mj56P4qpVyI1f48-o0fzDdjghzZSTSZlaykNvpKnTx16UqiRA/s1600/Night+Circus.jpg" height="200" width="161" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Night Circus Skirt Designs</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The inspiration stemmed from an idea I had to make a red and white striped, circular tent style skirt to wear as the hostess of a circus themed Halloween party . (Check it out here: <a href="http://edensguest.blogspot.com/2013/11/the-fright-circus.html" target="_blank">The Fright Circus</a> )<br />
<br />
Moving away from the costume side of things, I drew up a few designs. <br />
Next, the designs were evaluated on sewing difficulty, how it would fit with the rest of the collection, and how well the design would translate into other fabric/pattern choices.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSyHW7uYanCiSJu5Q3-xmAaXgCnyeXCB2K7cCEH9iUah6HIzeEO4eJqgUWMW-MM8c-n-svh_jLhqM0gWJ6W6NA7Mz8PJkyEX3LcGCGCylOdV1VO1fWsONvgbkdEBzzMBchYWLPRScvuw/s1600/Modeled+Skirt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSyHW7uYanCiSJu5Q3-xmAaXgCnyeXCB2K7cCEH9iUah6HIzeEO4eJqgUWMW-MM8c-n-svh_jLhqM0gWJ6W6NA7Mz8PJkyEX3LcGCGCylOdV1VO1fWsONvgbkdEBzzMBchYWLPRScvuw/s1600/Modeled+Skirt.jpg" height="320" width="252" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oh la la! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
So, here's a sneak peek at my "Night Circus" inspired color-blocked skirt.<br />
The skirt pairs fabulously with the red infinity scarf by Jessica Christian of Craftiness Is Not Optional .<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoPeRCGWEuQvAAKkG_0M-Jhp-Eg2eHSif0xsT63SJCoT0Tk999WF8alip92rf9SH9avDuiBeOfWeGzEBUxCWH1uxuJuj-1Ig9LvX85PTp3vg6BrTZtGZfGzTKwlekCwMntszw2Zdk5VQ/s1600/ParallelTrianglesFINALcover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoPeRCGWEuQvAAKkG_0M-Jhp-Eg2eHSif0xsT63SJCoT0Tk999WF8alip92rf9SH9avDuiBeOfWeGzEBUxCWH1uxuJuj-1Ig9LvX85PTp3vg6BrTZtGZfGzTKwlekCwMntszw2Zdk5VQ/s1600/ParallelTrianglesFINALcover.jpg" height="320" width="206" /></a></div>
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<span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1409447525401_2659" style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: small;"><span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1409447525401_2658" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"></span></span><br />
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<span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1409447525401_2659" style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: small;">How does a cruise change your life?</span></div>
<span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1409447525401_2659" style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: small;">
</span><br />
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<span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1409447525401_2659" style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva;">By sailing through the Bermuda Triangle.</span></span></div>
<span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1409447525401_2659" style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: small;">
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<span style="font-family: verdana, geneva;">Carly Carmichael has one goal in
life--to perform on Broadway. She refuses to have a Plan B because she's
never needed one--until now. When Carly's parents send her on a cruise
as a graduation present, she takes her best friend and their boyfriends
along with her. Once the ship sails into the Bermuda Triangle, Carly
finds herself unable to sing or walk, much less preform. And things just
go downhill from there. Hoping for help from the ship's doctor, she
ends up with more questions than answers about the mystery behind the
Bermuda Triangle and why her life is now unrecognizable. If Carly can't
get her real life back on track, she may end up spending the next sixty
years trapped in a life the Triangle chooses for her. </span></div>
</span><br />
<br />
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<span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1409447525401_2659" style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: small;"><span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1409447525401_2658" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">
</span></span>
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<span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1409447525401_2659" style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: small;"><span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1409447525401_2658" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">T</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">itle:</span><span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1409447525401_2656" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Parallel Triangles<br />
Release date: April 28th 2015<br />
Publisher: Spencer Hill Press<br />
Formats: Paper, e-book<br />
Goodreads: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20656543-parallel-triangles">https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20656543-parallel-triangles</a><br />
</span></span></span></div>
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Kimberlee Turleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04695299361596799423noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6396595894553223446.post-83162092157027531232014-08-30T20:54:00.001-04:002014-08-30T20:54:45.523-04:00High Tea Anyone?<br />
Not going to pretend to make up excuses why I haven't blogged in months, just going to get back into it.<br />
<br />
I got bit by the Halloween bug sometime in July and was toying with the idea of doing a Fairytale Gone Bad theme for the party this year.<br />
<br />
Somewhere in the process of browsing Alice in Wonderland/ Red Queen themed parties on the internet I ended up falling in love with the concept of high-tea-stand serving platters and decided I needed one for myself.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA0ysZEY9sYRnOnRToHTLI8tMEShSfM7dMm5K2B_xoKWpBQoftTNFwPleUEHk_-CPoXxWzMnETLIJcT1cjWgiBsGQtJE_LvhMsBxPden65Q9n0ypX43GzQKFxcyY7_kTjwqSVXcCd7HA/s1600/DSC_1904.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA0ysZEY9sYRnOnRToHTLI8tMEShSfM7dMm5K2B_xoKWpBQoftTNFwPleUEHk_-CPoXxWzMnETLIJcT1cjWgiBsGQtJE_LvhMsBxPden65Q9n0ypX43GzQKFxcyY7_kTjwqSVXcCd7HA/s1600/DSC_1904.JPG" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
Materials:<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAU9DKAZfpzhqUMlOW05Dp_qyYrnoaVSYx1mUAWtkIe3miiODviEj9TkVjdm0ovbzNcOI191nxXZZSI1eCPUmbAbYNFlxcX5EKvNcA9V3QTToTsGT9dNukVy8qfv7-EPnmiioOXzt1_A/s1600/DSC_1829.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAU9DKAZfpzhqUMlOW05Dp_qyYrnoaVSYx1mUAWtkIe3miiODviEj9TkVjdm0ovbzNcOI191nxXZZSI1eCPUmbAbYNFlxcX5EKvNcA9V3QTToTsGT9dNukVy8qfv7-EPnmiioOXzt1_A/s1600/DSC_1829.JPG" height="133" width="200" /></a><a href="http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/store/product/mikasa-reg-venetian-lace-10-5-inch-dinner-plate/1014298487?Keyword=mikasa+bone+china+plate" target="_blank">Mikasa Venitian Lace Bone China Set</a> from Bed Bath & Beyond (Don't be fooled by the high sticker price, I lucked out and picked up this set for $15 in the clearance section. I'm guessing it was a return or the display set since it was unboxed.)<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.homedepot.com/p/DEWALT-1-4-in-Diamond-Drill-Bit-DW5572/202548301" target="_blank">1/4" Diamond Drill Bit</a> from Home Depot/ Lowes/Ace Hardware etc.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.ebay.com/itm/Cake-Plate-Stand-Handle-Wedding-Party-Tea-Fitting-Hardware-Rod-2-3-Tier-/221480595392?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&var=&hash=item339145afc0" target="_blank">Cake/High Tea Stand Kit/Hardware </a> from Ebay. Measurment of the pieces from the seller said the rods were 6mm so I bought a 1/4" or 6.4 mm drill bit. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitrtydMNN0OTvdEe1pUzOXM7iksRTb8SsIbtxvsPWjKbW_4mi5KA0Mnc_BhJL4mrnvioTUfGSMMYAYSTBJp81g9Xo-jEP5nkLAVSr_BtWlQk9e5A3SIxVRZxUEOyCs3MGkuuyMeSwcPQ/s1600/diamond+drill+bit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitrtydMNN0OTvdEe1pUzOXM7iksRTb8SsIbtxvsPWjKbW_4mi5KA0Mnc_BhJL4mrnvioTUfGSMMYAYSTBJp81g9Xo-jEP5nkLAVSr_BtWlQk9e5A3SIxVRZxUEOyCs3MGkuuyMeSwcPQ/s1600/diamond+drill+bit.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a>Cordless Drill<br />
<br />
Teacup Variation requires in addition to the above: <br />
<br />
*Specialty Threaded Rod<br />
*6mm nuts (Qty: 5) <br />
*Superglue<br />
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DIY Instructions:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkIzszCey7iwvWDZQWn6yGSZnLI4XFe2e7Lh-oTLQfAqGzkXUgf5ECRqKBKp5QhXL4tjLHf8Vo8MLGoU7aiYQZz7UZqxTFDcsVaEdUU_WH1cTJJVxzh4AmS4MGIx8Xsq79Xv3r0S3B7w/s1600/DSC_1830.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/AVvXsEhkIzszCey7iwvWDZQWn6yGSZnLI4XFe2e7Lh-oTLQfAqGzkXUgf5ECRqKBKp5QhXL4tjLHf8Vo8MLGoU7aiYQZz7UZqxTFDcsVaEdUU_WH1cTJJVxzh4AmS4MGIx8Xsq79Xv3r0S3B7w/s1600/DSC_1830.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
Make a template for drilling the circular hole by setting the plate on a towel and placing a piece of paper over the bottom. Crease the paper around the rim of the base to form a circle. Fold the circle in eighths until the creases form a point in the center. Using the tip of a pen, pierce a hole where the lines intersect. Replace the template over the plate bottom and mark the center with a permanent marker. <br />
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Drilling the hole: Getting the hole started in the right place is the hardest part, and did I mention this is a wet drill bit so your mark may wash off if you didn't use a good marker? Start by tiling the drill at a 45 degree angle and using the edge to form a slight groove. Gradually ease the drill into an upright, vertical alignment, applying gentle pressure. Be sure to keep the area you are drilling saturated with water. If the area becomes too milky, rinse with more water and continue drilling.<br />
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I was worried the top finish of the plate would chip when the bit pushed through, but the gentle pressure and water worked perfectly. <br />
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Assemble the tiers: The kit came with a 6mm screw and metal washer to support the bottom.<br />
<br />
However, I wanted to have the tea cup on the top, which required some additional hardware since the threads of the middle rod were too short to pass through the cup and the small plate.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUn9ZP7rl2Q1MKboYLeYwpx7Z4jQa3Xw8exlL_1EN9TmHhCjVhtoMyxRLbYNAvi7wafdaIxLEv0yNCKsQ_vZ4dDLyHVOqRPur2XDvhhE76Ffa0EseIVKjs4NjldpD7kBjgoo4HokbAOA/s1600/DSC_1905.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUn9ZP7rl2Q1MKboYLeYwpx7Z4jQa3Xw8exlL_1EN9TmHhCjVhtoMyxRLbYNAvi7wafdaIxLEv0yNCKsQ_vZ4dDLyHVOqRPur2XDvhhE76Ffa0EseIVKjs4NjldpD7kBjgoo4HokbAOA/s1600/DSC_1905.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Specialty 6mm threaded extension piece.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
In Lowes or Ace Hardware there's an aisle with drawers and all kinds of special threaded rods, nuts, and bots. The extension piece I used for the tea cup was in the Specialty/Automotive drawer. <br />
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The extension piece screws into the top handle. <br />
<br />The next problem was that the middle rod had a threaded end and there's no such thing as a 6mm male to female converter that will still fit through a 6mm hole.<br />
<br />
So... I flipped the rods upside down. This now meant that I had a thread sticking out of the bottom instead of the original securing screw. I used a washer and locking nut to secure the plate and glued four more nuts on the bottom to make feet to fix the stability issue created by having a 6mm nut on the bottom instead of a flat headed screw. <br />
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<br />Kimberlee Turleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04695299361596799423noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6396595894553223446.post-91759516727482513872014-05-01T23:17:00.001-04:002014-05-01T23:17:34.123-04:00Kiwi Loco is CLOSED<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP3yCg0E5IrSC_4tkS96zTTfY9MlB4IyYs4-JrMYNzDyoCaIcVHNSg-fHCPWbe1B5TUY5NskuJvZvX9qxxNyAEzzWlMCYc3jqUY19D3w_s9zzV4yN8MwzJsvTDiuhx30a5wTWQD8drbA/s1600/Kiwi+Loco+is+Closed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP3yCg0E5IrSC_4tkS96zTTfY9MlB4IyYs4-JrMYNzDyoCaIcVHNSg-fHCPWbe1B5TUY5NskuJvZvX9qxxNyAEzzWlMCYc3jqUY19D3w_s9zzV4yN8MwzJsvTDiuhx30a5wTWQD8drbA/s1600/Kiwi+Loco+is+Closed.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br />
May 4th would have been the 2 year anniversary of our frozen yogurt store, Kiwi Loco. Sadly, we had to close our doors last month due to poor sales.<br />
<br />
<span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption"> This has been a significant financial loss for me and my husband, though we are blessed that we are not in serious debt because of it and that my husband still has a good paycheck from his original employer. It just really sucks that it seems even if we try to sell the equipment/assets we might not even be able to recoup 30% of what we put into it. </span></span><br />
<span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption"></span></span><br />
<span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption"><span class="text_exposed_show"><br /></span></span></span>
<span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption"><span class="text_exposed_show">Closing our doors would have been much more difficult and saddening if I didn't truly believe in my heart I did everything I could to make it work. I have learned a hard lesson that the return business of advertising is only about 1% and sure enough... LOCATION LOCATION LOCATION. </span></span></span><br />
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<span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption"><span class="text_exposed_show">So many of our customers were sad to hear we were closing and it always pained me to have the conversation with them because they'd all ask "Have you tried _____?" More like, what didn't I try? And gee, if I knew what was wrong, I would have fixed it already! </span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption"><span class="text_exposed_show">So, I encourage everyone to think of a locally owned business (or better, an indie bookstore) they have not been to in the last 4 months and to go spend some money there! </span></span></span><br />
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<span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption"><span class="text_exposed_show"><br /></span></span></span>Kimberlee Turleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04695299361596799423noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6396595894553223446.post-28566260785909028702013-11-04T14:36:00.001-05:002013-11-04T14:41:20.916-05:00The Fright Circus<script type="text/javascript" data-pin-hover="true" src="//assets.pinterest.com/js/pinit.js"></script>
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Let me start by saying that Halloween is my favorite holiday. Since the last week of August, I have been making weekly trips to Michael's, Jo-Anns and Target, looking for the most original Halloween decorations to add to my 7+ crate collection.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwICWZPikAuysQH9oOAkRYwhgEFBX9VpjuKCtAupq_RZ3nbBq3Te6sbvhrcq__C3hUytvx7asln0s_yg9MdlJC2aVTKYZ_Ga2qAR0_0cNr2C1FOVKljPlmOstgOt6C7wap4tz46wbdwA/s1600/Michaels+Sept+17th.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwICWZPikAuysQH9oOAkRYwhgEFBX9VpjuKCtAupq_RZ3nbBq3Te6sbvhrcq__C3hUytvx7asln0s_yg9MdlJC2aVTKYZ_Ga2qAR0_0cNr2C1FOVKljPlmOstgOt6C7wap4tz46wbdwA/s320/Michaels+Sept+17th.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Michael's Craft Store, Palm Bay, FL Sept 17th 2013</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Michael's was seriously disappointing this year. I'm not even kidding--they started clearing out their Halloween stuff and putting up the Lemax Christmas displays the second week of September. They're taking that whole Christmas "season" thing literally since you can count on this stuff being out until the middle of January.<br />
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For Halloween, I co-hosted a party with a friend at her house. Thought I'd share a few of our fun decorating tips: <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVbRinv1KyOFvrGFxtpcce9lIjK-phLmbWJKwPMI7tPHMc6dkPAWni5r-1EPVXLGgjuLQ0gI8SCn2q0babwq8lsNBDXNA7rDK2NIe1g3CsEBMC0CiqHYyB5YaIXJwKyz9Min3TBqjDcA/s1600/DSC_1384.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVbRinv1KyOFvrGFxtpcce9lIjK-phLmbWJKwPMI7tPHMc6dkPAWni5r-1EPVXLGgjuLQ0gI8SCn2q0babwq8lsNBDXNA7rDK2NIe1g3CsEBMC0CiqHYyB5YaIXJwKyz9Min3TBqjDcA/s400/DSC_1384.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Replace your family portraits with portraits of movie stars and superheros. </td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMpIvdwuTNrdJkaO72AQHdJ8XI8TK1OiQpu-JSi0GXjUWHmO5QeyMfv8e6ame5zP3ypWgSmcw4pnz00UoowCpLba7ZmlcJgkl40xmVsLG88_M-yPxKLtRjdqRCEq8LR1H8ZstOfG5vUw/s1600/DSC_1390.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMpIvdwuTNrdJkaO72AQHdJ8XI8TK1OiQpu-JSi0GXjUWHmO5QeyMfv8e6ame5zP3ypWgSmcw4pnz00UoowCpLba7ZmlcJgkl40xmVsLG88_M-yPxKLtRjdqRCEq8LR1H8ZstOfG5vUw/s320/DSC_1390.jpg" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">See no evil, Hear no evil, Speak no evil skeletons.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit3KYQZ6bVYxm9M2wNXXh86ByHAC1TK672zBZTYXlIpjmRWlp2yP14q7LDRDVpUZDvjR1FBGyAzJ1FlumsOoX23cqbdIxSjtVNBmCPWkeI0VtJ6E93GXmG3YxCLjVYAc9oGs_kIj3oIw/s1600/DSC_1403.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit3KYQZ6bVYxm9M2wNXXh86ByHAC1TK672zBZTYXlIpjmRWlp2yP14q7LDRDVpUZDvjR1FBGyAzJ1FlumsOoX23cqbdIxSjtVNBmCPWkeI0VtJ6E93GXmG3YxCLjVYAc9oGs_kIj3oIw/s400/DSC_1403.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We loved the construction paper bat Pinterest trend!</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik8capgXY17XZKsUT_BZ7LpM6LcYyU2wXMUCzuv-uDejmkb1IqSU87i444Cd5qTDcOP1nixC8x0_PxTcsj7DeKtPfmgmkXiGEuov8tt8F9Jmm8qibjplU9K-zpjVkei2Hm0TcqFjkG-w/s1600/DSC_1404.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik8capgXY17XZKsUT_BZ7LpM6LcYyU2wXMUCzuv-uDejmkb1IqSU87i444Cd5qTDcOP1nixC8x0_PxTcsj7DeKtPfmgmkXiGEuov8tt8F9Jmm8qibjplU9K-zpjVkei2Hm0TcqFjkG-w/s320/DSC_1404.jpg" width="256" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQY_rfoES1sO-qx8dfAnEWu3pmJt5QAJaQclGFFq0qONT2D28w4ejeejnJxSj-IoClvJmZsXyAPVUksONnsAT3ApGOLpfogDFbV83rQIEqbk0CSTsC6-DoMnCSis-PHPO3oble1CqQhw/s1600/DSC_1421.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQY_rfoES1sO-qx8dfAnEWu3pmJt5QAJaQclGFFq0qONT2D28w4ejeejnJxSj-IoClvJmZsXyAPVUksONnsAT3ApGOLpfogDFbV83rQIEqbk0CSTsC6-DoMnCSis-PHPO3oble1CqQhw/s320/DSC_1421.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Convert a cluttered office desk into a spooky setting with a white sheet and construction paper chains</td></tr>
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Martha Stewart's Spooky Fence Post Deep Edge Punch helped us decorate
mini water bottles for our refreshments--because it can be a challenge to
keep a bowl of punch filled for a party of over 40 people.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT8yz5I0WXerqU16UW6ujDWyQ8CBHMerVHoMMWeUGebSQ7FoSXUqsUKbbqsHavAxz4FEHiRtIe40eEpp-pDTOMacrjhZwGH2R0UjXX-OUj5KiGxe3mIaJRSW-uN3H6OURU-U3wa68SQg/s1600/DSC_1413.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT8yz5I0WXerqU16UW6ujDWyQ8CBHMerVHoMMWeUGebSQ7FoSXUqsUKbbqsHavAxz4FEHiRtIe40eEpp-pDTOMacrjhZwGH2R0UjXX-OUj5KiGxe3mIaJRSW-uN3H6OURU-U3wa68SQg/s320/DSC_1413.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kid's Halloween Activity Table</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb8w_t2T8GlA_0o_f2vrPgGrGA3Z9lSbIYKZTebf8tllFf_jVBFNL5hPdGOb4gTmwSvrQEGEkRRiAZKYGnLW_dgNIAo39hmsPueOjJcBq4-lZfgeCVwaty96R7UoIWL49SNvKMGURYxg/s1600/DSC_1498.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb8w_t2T8GlA_0o_f2vrPgGrGA3Z9lSbIYKZTebf8tllFf_jVBFNL5hPdGOb4gTmwSvrQEGEkRRiAZKYGnLW_dgNIAo39hmsPueOjJcBq4-lZfgeCVwaty96R7UoIWL49SNvKMGURYxg/s320/DSC_1498.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Magician's Assistant</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDpHxbQeebrvbcAF_LfMYbsogIAVvKY9cneYgfLh2mMQQlmmiXu-BpFZbNo9DiDymSiJZZjRwTBvCI0l-IbZz61M2Mopn7s38q7EOPxyrbTaV9cCoZ-t93ifbL6IchUFUsLDvQyJ6D7w/s1600/DSC_1411.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDpHxbQeebrvbcAF_LfMYbsogIAVvKY9cneYgfLh2mMQQlmmiXu-BpFZbNo9DiDymSiJZZjRwTBvCI0l-IbZz61M2Mopn7s38q7EOPxyrbTaV9cCoZ-t93ifbL6IchUFUsLDvQyJ6D7w/s320/DSC_1411.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oh the fun things you can find at Good Will. </td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaGq2oTM8lRuDwhIuQBjVTcs-Vc0bnuM2NUcmG6MhcD1DLLH_OQegx-oZTRaVCjUPPzB5x2tGmHZ6jbhzNL4Eya6X1Bw3HxPxiqGoyMRXDziqsTv-IqbV9-1lZNVuT6k_cC3rLOCBUTA/s1600/skeleton+game.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="257" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaGq2oTM8lRuDwhIuQBjVTcs-Vc0bnuM2NUcmG6MhcD1DLLH_OQegx-oZTRaVCjUPPzB5x2tGmHZ6jbhzNL4Eya6X1Bw3HxPxiqGoyMRXDziqsTv-IqbV9-1lZNVuT6k_cC3rLOCBUTA/s320/skeleton+game.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Skeleton Game</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwq9Vwbl_ongoZPiLtZ7cPetGlgloC1aB8cDk7ftZ7u9o51HBASXTaxZePVEo2NwZZ3gVACSoiZB2A4d_qUHxps06pO6JOx6tKbPF6sUZURGCjjxa8vOQJ-g2vW5aGPZTajzhhf9snHw/s1600/DSC_1349.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4fiVj804R3eAYx0B1XPSv15KvK8Qcr-ohajupbblLQYxftHzkpf3HZdikSpfFBokMQH5Z42UHhfM4cdCB7d8uHYnJfCkVQQEAAR2BjO74-nmKILFFqQFBM9On3Ir_5WWDa-IMMvw79g/s1600/DSC_1366.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4fiVj804R3eAYx0B1XPSv15KvK8Qcr-ohajupbblLQYxftHzkpf3HZdikSpfFBokMQH5Z42UHhfM4cdCB7d8uHYnJfCkVQQEAAR2BjO74-nmKILFFqQFBM9On3Ir_5WWDa-IMMvw79g/s200/DSC_1366.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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With our large group, we decided potluck was the way to go. Along with the invitation, we included a ticket stub with the following message:</div>
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<i>To our Wonderful Guests,</i></div>
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<i></i><br />
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<i>Please Bring a dish to share and provide the food category when you RSVP. There will be a prizes for the best dressed and spookiest dishes! </i></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl1ZniiaaOIsoWJZQjBElOfjOGKFPYYE1h-LJEbrDNoSx4QqzF4s-oIYThuAFDHabNlKbwulOKBpdXA0ckreQLX1wYSVVgX0R4qzvSi_cys6jTE3aBjbs6l31zAgb2mfWxW1Leyh-pdg/s1600/DSC_1422.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl1ZniiaaOIsoWJZQjBElOfjOGKFPYYE1h-LJEbrDNoSx4QqzF4s-oIYThuAFDHabNlKbwulOKBpdXA0ckreQLX1wYSVVgX0R4qzvSi_cys6jTE3aBjbs6l31zAgb2mfWxW1Leyh-pdg/s320/DSC_1422.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Best Costume received the skeleton trophy (purchased at Spirit Halloween.)<br />
Best Dish received a pair of hand towels (purchased at Target.) <br />
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<br />Kimberlee Turleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04695299361596799423noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6396595894553223446.post-39293280162921519552013-07-03T14:00:00.000-04:002014-08-30T19:23:39.912-04:00Black Widow Cosplay<br />
UPDATE! The pattern is now available in my ETSY shop Sorry, but it's just the one size until I have time to grade it larger
or until I have more money to hire someone else to grade it. Check it out here: <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/199165877/black-widow-avengers-cosplay-sewing?" target="_blank">https://www.etsy.com/listing/199165877/black-widow-avengers-cosplay-sewing?</a><br />
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When I'm not running our yogurt store or writing I enjoy sewing Cosplay commissions.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpmev8ALO39A2fHGilz1HJSdQ-7Ig-Cyqs16WBc3ucngLFAiPByyqlGJzhBbma2bgvECKVi5yo0nvSklX1CCLYSnaK8f7AIAu7t9d-S3k4cpRl3edx_lzKp1gcaAVrsbeXijeiY9kV2g/s280/Black+Widow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpmev8ALO39A2fHGilz1HJSdQ-7Ig-Cyqs16WBc3ucngLFAiPByyqlGJzhBbma2bgvECKVi5yo0nvSklX1CCLYSnaK8f7AIAu7t9d-S3k4cpRl3edx_lzKp1gcaAVrsbeXijeiY9kV2g/s280/Black+Widow.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black Widow, Avengers</td></tr>
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For the 2013 Fanime Convention, I created a catsuit and gloves for "Black Widow" from the avengers.<br />
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Modeling the costume is <a href="http://cosmic-empress.deviantart.com/" target="_blank">Cosmic-Empress </a><br />
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For the record: Cosmic-Empress usually crafts her own costumes, but since I was planning on making this costume for myself, I offered to share the pattern. She purchased the fabric, provided the shoes,props, accessories, and wig--the essential elements that transformed this from a plain black catsuit into a recognizable Black Widow. <br />
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This was one of the easier projects I've done because she selected a heavyweight knit instead of using a woven fabric and her measurements are very proportional. <br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNa37KfWTy7uLXcQyh0csPl569F5_TMrxLi5YkadKzfFyBQpptICZ1BPyeDKMUaFVjd6KSnOo3QTAnrv2wsT1ntEkAucLWS6-aaCrhGPmzxTcaiwHS1KuTrdsbmliecOQ8rd37MOHl3Q/s1600/Black+Widow+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNa37KfWTy7uLXcQyh0csPl569F5_TMrxLi5YkadKzfFyBQpptICZ1BPyeDKMUaFVjd6KSnOo3QTAnrv2wsT1ntEkAucLWS6-aaCrhGPmzxTcaiwHS1KuTrdsbmliecOQ8rd37MOHl3Q/s400/Black+Widow+2.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cosmic Empress</td></tr>
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Tip: <br />
The SHIELD patches were purchased online.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black Widow Technical Flat</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Kimberlee Turleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04695299361596799423noreply@blogger.com12San Jose, CA, USA37.3393857 -121.8949554999999836.9351767 -122.54040249999998 37.7435947 -121.24950849999998tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6396595894553223446.post-67343704595799945492013-06-25T13:13:00.001-04:002013-06-25T13:13:29.108-04:00Triangles<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; tab-stops: 257.25pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<b><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Triangles</span></b><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
<b>by <a href="http://mostlyyabookobsessed.us6.list-manage.com/track/click?u=3c46be723ce1fdc018c5f5545&id=b6d9007152&e=35efd34797">Kimberly
Ann Miller</a></b><br />
<b>Release Date: 06/18/13</b><br />
<b>Publisher: Spencer Hill Press</b><br />
<br />
<b>Summary from Goodreads: </b><br />
<b><i>A cruise ship. A beautiful island. Two sexy guys. What could possibly go
wrong?<br />
<br />
In the Bermuda Triangle—a lot.<br />
<br />
Hoping to leave behind the reminders of her crappy life--her father's death
years ago, her mother's medical problems, and the loser who’s practically
stalking her--seventeen-year-old Autumn Taylor hops on a ship with her sister
for a little distraction. When she wakes up in the Bermuda Triangle, she fears
she's gone nuts for more than one reason: that loser’s suddenly claiming
they're a happy couple... a hot guy is wrapping his arms around her and saying
"Happy Anniversary"... and suddenly, she’s full of bruises, losing
her hair, and getting IV medication. Autumn visits the ship's doctor, hoping
for a pill or a shot to make the craziness go away. Instead, she's warned that
these "alternate realities" could become permanent.<br />
<br />
She just has to ask herself one question—how the hell is she going to get out
of this mess?</i></b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><b><i><br /></i></b></span>
<br />
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<br />
<b>***Excerpt***</b><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Are
you all right, honey?”<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">I
opened my eyes. An attractive young woman with red hair and brilliant<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">green
eyes was looking at me. What I thought was salt water from the<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">ocean
must have been tears because my face was the only one nearby that<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">was
wet. I glanced at her concerned expression and smiled. “Yes, thank<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">you.
I’m fine.” I swiped away a tear with my finger. “Just…everything’s<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">fine.”<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">She
stepped closer and lowered her voice. “This cruise will change<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">your
life. Nothing will be the same when it’s over, but it will be worth it.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">You’ll
see.” Her emerald eyes twinkled, and she nodded her head once.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">I
forced a laugh to be polite. “Thanks. Enjoy your cruise.”<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">What
a weirdo. What did that even mean? How could a cruise change<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">my
life? I moved from my spot to avoid more weirdness from her and<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">found
a less populated area at the back of the ship. New York and New<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Jersey
disappeared behind us as we charged toward Bermuda and away<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">from
the mess my life had become.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">A
cloud covered the retreating sun, sending shivers through me. A<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">white-haired
lady dropped her purse and lots of change tumbled out. A<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">penny
hit my foot and landed on tails.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">My
cell phone buzzed. I pulled it from my pocket. I had thirteen<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">messages
and thirteen texts. How would Nisha survive the next five days<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">without
hearing from me? I took care of the messages and told her I’d call<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">her
when we got back to Jersey.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Even
though I was not very superstitious, a bad feeling crawled into<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">the
pit of my stomach and took up residence.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">I
knew what I was leaving behind, but what was I floating toward?</span></b></div>
</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGUC9ICdvk5DxG6uxU6G1vnboKBfmNaEtMUHfczUuVzNWCu0z81VhEvKE_k8Kt8duCHGWcSzQfQujU5k_sF58h0-ThJCzx42r2lJ8-jsiwyWn4KRf84p1YQPxv8bciuO4YG1vgH8JOBJE/s1600/kimberly+ann+miller.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/AVvXsEhGUC9ICdvk5DxG6uxU6G1vnboKBfmNaEtMUHfczUuVzNWCu0z81VhEvKE_k8Kt8duCHGWcSzQfQujU5k_sF58h0-ThJCzx42r2lJ8-jsiwyWn4KRf84p1YQPxv8bciuO4YG1vgH8JOBJE/s200/kimberly+ann+miller.jpg" height="179" width="200" /></a><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Kimberly
Miller received Bachelor's degrees from Georgian Court University and Rutgers
University and a Master's degree from The University of Medicine and Dentistry
of New Jersey. She is an avid reader and particularly enjoys true crime and
young adult novels. She grew up in New Jersey and currently resides in Monmouth
County with her husband and three cats. When she’s not writing, she loves to
travel to sunny islands where she snorkels by day and stargazes by night. She
always takes her Nook with her. <o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">***GIVEAWAY***<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">(2)
$10 gift card to Amazon or Barnes and Noble<br />
Spencer Hill Press is also doing a giveaway for a cruise! Click <a href="http://www.site.spencerhillpress.com/Triangles_Sweepstakes.html">HERE</a>
to enter to win!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/2348b9116/" id="rc-2348b9116" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
<script src="//d12vno17mo87cx.cloudfront.net/embed/rafl/cptr.js"></script><br />
<br />Kimberlee Turleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04695299361596799423noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6396595894553223446.post-1416175065379407332013-03-31T21:04:00.001-04:002013-03-31T21:04:08.808-04:00TentsHaven't blogged in FOREVER but am hoping to start again soon. <br />
<br />
I just moved within the last month and it has come to my attention that I own backpacking equipment and a sleeping bag, but no tent.<br />
<br />
Went to Craigslist looking for a cheap tent and was inspired to write this post based on the exaggerations of what Coleman thinks qualifies as a "6 person tent". (Means 2 people, 1 midget, and their bags.) <br />
<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="343" id="yiv1717721980irc_mi" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c5/CircusTent02.jpg" style="height: 291px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 25px; width: 372px;" width="457" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div>
3-compartment tent, spacious, lots of fun for the whole family.</div>
<div>
Great condition, downsizing 'cause our elephant retired.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="263" id="yiv1717721980irc_mi" src="http://hawaiihousingnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/termite-tent.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 65px;" width="350" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div>
<div>
Supersized tent, comes in sections. Create your own unique shape.</div>
</div>
<div>
Allergy alert--this is not from a non-smoking home.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="296" id="yiv1717721980irc_mi" src="http://risingriveryouth.files.wordpress.com/2009/08/01-tabernacle-in-situ.jpg" style="height: 265px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 48px; width: 407px;" width="457" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No delivery--you pick up. Sinai Desert.</td></tr>
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Kimberlee Turleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04695299361596799423noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6396595894553223446.post-71846055177423890782013-01-04T19:01:00.001-05:002013-01-04T19:01:25.882-05:00Clutch Murder in the Second DegreeAs long as I've been married, I've told my husband that he needs to quit sitting on the clutch of our standard-shift truck at the stoplights. It is not that hard to shift it to neutral and hold the foot brake, and it's not like Florida has a ton of hills where he has to worry about rolling backwards. <br />
<br />
My husband's response has always been: "I've driven tons of stick-shifts and I've never worn out the clutch."<br />
<br />
I say: "My dad is a mechanic and he says it wears it out faster."<br />
<br />
He says: "Whatever, I'm not changing the way I drive because I don't think that's true." <br />
<br />
So... not only today did I get to tell him "I told you so." But so did the transmission mechanic as he handed us a bill for $730 dollars. (Clutch and slave chamber replacement.) The icing on the cake though... is that this is the same guy we just paid $2000 dollars two days prior to rebuild the transmission on our 05 Taurus because that failed on my way home from picking my brother up at the airport at 1 am.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>!!TWO FREAKING TRANSMISSIONS IN ONE WEEK?!!</b></span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTlXf5aHW5Xqs5WGrDAyO3EsyqFxActNoxfbUFbNzOoRvQYTa6vxsc-shz7e9_9IU8Xrir4mKJUboL2CTEJSbeL2sJVFX5VCe7smZvZqu7TMG67YTHVrD6TJ-mpJ6DsLrkS1JFXaRr2A/s1600/torque+converter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTlXf5aHW5Xqs5WGrDAyO3EsyqFxActNoxfbUFbNzOoRvQYTa6vxsc-shz7e9_9IU8Xrir4mKJUboL2CTEJSbeL2sJVFX5VCe7smZvZqu7TMG67YTHVrD6TJ-mpJ6DsLrkS1JFXaRr2A/s1600/torque+converter.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I see you removed my transmission, now can you put it back where you found it? </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
(For the record: both vehicles are Fords.
The Taurus is an automatic and has 75k. The tranny problem was
inherited from the manufacturer because Ford used cheap metal to make
the torque converter. The truck is an 03 Ranger at 90k, and I do take regular and good
care of all our cars.)<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOQPGY7UkG_Jc60103t9_cXNeHP7RDW08D7oEkV5gxdSDzmzWyctTWEylGXx5LZ_TCQ5-vw7sVhsuVfP5jB1ujKXdm35a924qpTZDYcbxhXlt35baeE14NNLmAZ1lKYVeM4dtUq-7vuQ/s1600/clutch+plate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOQPGY7UkG_Jc60103t9_cXNeHP7RDW08D7oEkV5gxdSDzmzWyctTWEylGXx5LZ_TCQ5-vw7sVhsuVfP5jB1ujKXdm35a924qpTZDYcbxhXlt35baeE14NNLmAZ1lKYVeM4dtUq-7vuQ/s320/clutch+plate.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clutch disc worn down to the rivets.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<b>Today's lesson is: It is much cheaper to replace your brakes than to pay someone $85 an hour to take out the transmission and replace the clutch. </b><br />
<br />
<b>It is also cheaper to replace a clutch than to rebuild an automatic transmission. </b><br />
<div style="color: black; font: 10pt sans-serif; height: 1px; overflow: hidden; text-align: left; text-transform: none; width: 1px;">
<br />
Read more here: http://www.kansas.com/2009/11/28/1074502_save-your-clutch-be-neutral.html#storylink=cpy</div>
<br />
<span style="color: red;"><b>DON'T SIT ON THE CLUTCH AT RED LIGHTS, AND DON'T SAY I DIDN'T TELL YOU SO!</b> </span><br />
<div style="color: black; font: 10pt sans-serif; height: 1px; overflow: hidden; text-align: left; text-transform: none; width: 1px;">
<br />
Read more here: http://www.kansas.com/2009/11/28/1074502_save-your-clutch-be-neutral.html#storylink=cpy</div>
<b> </b>Kimberlee Turleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04695299361596799423noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6396595894553223446.post-7451471252508237912012-12-10T15:58:00.000-05:002012-12-10T15:58:19.822-05:00Why I hate love triangles...So... over the weekend I ended up reading Cassandra Clare's CLOCKWORK ANGEL & CLOCKWORK PRINCE from the Infernal Devices series. <br />
<img height="320" id="il_fi" src="http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1327137475l/7171637.jpg" style="padding-bottom: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px;" width="211" /><img alt="clockwork-prince_211.jpg " height="320" src="http://img2-3.timeinc.net/ew/i/2011/11/28/clockwork-prince_211.jpg" width="210" /><br />
I am in love with everything about this series--except for the love triangle, which is sadly a large part of the character development. <br />
<br />
Cassandra Clare has written an equilateral love triangle, rather than your typical isosceles triangle.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" class="rg_hi uh_hi" data-height="176" data-width="178" height="176" id="rg_hi" src="https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTvL6hza5Qb6O7Vf2yHnYmYqp7AB3fErqlqrVDRFDxj4K4QZ-gb" style="height: 176px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; width: 178px;" width="178" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Equilateral </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" class="rg_hi uh_hi" data-height="129" data-width="89" height="129" id="rg_hi" src="https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRv_yai-f0EJnPZaCd3NPH16MWxYTMiBCKU2rwJoFT4q0U9209m" style="height: 129px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; width: 89px;" width="89" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Isosceles</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
In an isosceles triangle, there's usually one girl and two boys that she will have to choose between. In the Infernal Devices series, the two guys, Will and
Jem, have a blood brother relationship which they consider equally important as their love for the girl, Tessa.<br />
<br />
The problem... is with a perfect setup like this, there is no way the story can possibly end happily. Someone is going to get their heart broken, and in this circumstance, that someone is going to be me, the reader. : (<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Kimberlee Turleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04695299361596799423noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6396595894553223446.post-83477272175371409782012-11-18T18:28:00.001-05:002012-12-11T15:08:33.340-05:00Jonestown<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<b>Today, I found an interesting news article my mother had saved from November
18, 1988 in a school manual I was researching. It was a 10 year anniversary
memorial on the Jonestown Massacre, and because it's coincidentally the
anniversary of the incident, I feel I should do a post on the subject. </b><br />
<br />
<b><img height="211" id="il_fi" src="http://altereddimensions.net/images/crime/jonestown/JonestownArielBodies.jpg" style="padding-bottom: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px;" width="320" /> </b><br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="fn">The Jonestown Massacre</span>, November 18, 1978</span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span> <br />
<b>Historical Importance of the Jonestown Massacre:</b> It was the most
deadly non-natural disaster in U.S.
history until September 11, 2001 and has a death toll of 918.<br />
<br />
Founded in 1956 by Jim Jones, the Peoples
Temple was a racially
integrated church that practiced "apostolic socialism”. Jones originally
established the Peoples Temple in Indianapolis and then moved it to Redwood Valley, California
in 1966. He later found a remote location in the South American country of Guyana,
where he leased some land to build his utopian society. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In 1977, the Jonestown compound in Guyana had
several hundred members.<br />
<br />
Jonestown was meant to be a utopia, however, many of the members ended up
wanting out. Unfortunately, because the compound was surrounded by miles of
jungle and armed guards, no one could leave without Jones’s permission. And Jones didn’t want anyone to leave.<br />
<br />
<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Eventually,<b> </b></span>U.S.
Representative Leo Ryan from San Mateo,
California hears reports of
physical and psychological torture from Jonestown residents’ relatives and decides
to go to Jonestown to <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>find out for
himself what was going on. He takes his adviser, an NBC film crew, and a group
of concerned relatives of Peoples
Temple members.<br />
<br />
At first, everything looks fine to Ryan and his group, but he later
receives a note that some of the people are being held against their will.<br />
<br />
The following day, November 18, 1978, Ryan offers to take anyone who wishes
to leave Jonestown back with him to the United States.<br />
<br />
Ryan’s group, on board a truck with the few dissenters, makes it to the
airport. However, as they’re waiting for the planes to get ready to leave, some
Peoples Temple members show up and start
shooting.<br />
<br />
Five people were killed on the tarmac, including Congressman Ryan, and many
were severely wounded. A few escaped into the jungle.<br />
<br />
Back in Jonestown, Jones spoke to his congregation and said that it was time
for them to go through with their <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“revolutionary
suicide.” Jones claimed his supports would go down in history by saying they
chose their own way to go and that they refused capitalism in support of
socialism.<br />
<br />
Large kettles filled with grape flavored Flavor-Aid (not Kool-Aid) and
poison were placed in the pavilion.<br />
<br />
On that day, November 18, 1978, 912 people died from drinking the poison--<i>the majority of them doing this WILLINGLY</i>. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>276 were children. Jones died from a
self-inflicted single gunshot wound to the head.<br />
<br />
Only a handful or so people survived, either by escaping into the jungle or
hiding somewhere in the compound.<br />
<br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">People want to believe that those
people were crazy and ‘it couldn’t possibly happen to me.’ But it could happen
to almost everyone... Those who do not remember the past, are condemned to
repeat it. </b><br />
<br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Never forget that power corrupts, and
absolute power corrupts absolutely. </b><br />
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<![endif]-->Kimberlee Turleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04695299361596799423noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6396595894553223446.post-8448965698042984432012-11-16T21:03:00.002-05:002012-11-16T21:04:45.061-05:00Express Yourself<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://jackiefelger.blogspot.com/2012/11/express-yourself-pic-of-workwriting-area.html" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifRPthJHUzW9-VCaIJi4F6U1XCSTry7i_ZGqwbZ1FlHtdYMgEdAbM2N1ttReuAu_AWPlVvFaO9DZYH8jj_XXWeWK2APSvjpiuDhNUSgo_hdT0ea128fyl4X1mJM7q1JXNmXrVv6Ss8ND4/s1600/imagesCAKURTHO.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://jackiefelger.blogspot.com/2012/11/express-yourself-pic-of-workwriting-area.html" target="_blank"><br /></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It's <a href="http://jackiefelger.blogspot.com/p/express-yourself-weekly-meme.html" target="_blank">Express Yourself</a> time!</span><br />
<span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This week's subject... </span><br />
<span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>post a pic of your work area, writing, cubicle, craft, etc. Then explain what it is that you do.</b></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWLUdrU0GzwhCZsDNG5g-S9AZIYz4ZInLoPkc_vOcwMlf4kE5C8BDSMFOx8yVhmIE71bCAwjE-Di7TyFMkHS27MbCCybvfUadgTHRPoBZq_vykHotblwAz-iaLjaQU543B-_gj-pru5A/s1600/DSC_0772.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWLUdrU0GzwhCZsDNG5g-S9AZIYz4ZInLoPkc_vOcwMlf4kE5C8BDSMFOx8yVhmIE71bCAwjE-Di7TyFMkHS27MbCCybvfUadgTHRPoBZq_vykHotblwAz-iaLjaQU543B-_gj-pru5A/s320/DSC_0772.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="color: purple;"><br /></span><span style="color: purple;"> This is my writing workspace. I like to sit cross legged on the cushions or I'll lean against the arm rests with my legs sprawled toward the corner. I change positions about every hour and the cat moves to wherever the laptop was sitting last. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7vY9AbATw7312BZ0pXPb54fESkMBkqPcvreLAKlB8dyz1N_PJe8cKsOo_kJBkrD_jfjC1TCQpxP638pOIVlOSYSusLyMM1PMHvDDsICCZM2PhxUlg1NimaAU8OSadt0hUhK316Qa__A/s1600/DSC_0750.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7vY9AbATw7312BZ0pXPb54fESkMBkqPcvreLAKlB8dyz1N_PJe8cKsOo_kJBkrD_jfjC1TCQpxP638pOIVlOSYSusLyMM1PMHvDDsICCZM2PhxUlg1NimaAU8OSadt0hUhK316Qa__A/s320/DSC_0750.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #741b47;">I spend the reset of my time at our yogurt store. My various activities revolve around making phone calls, coordinating networking events, graphic design for our Facebook page, and a very little bit of "sampling" the yogurts. </span><span style="color: purple;"><span style="color: #741b47;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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Kimberlee Turleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04695299361596799423noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6396595894553223446.post-48489113827119821542012-11-12T15:48:00.001-05:002012-11-12T15:48:52.610-05:00The Cat in the AtticMy cat has been acting NUTS over the last three days. Crying at the ceiling and scratching at the walls and doors. Running rampant from one end of the house to the other.<br />
<br />
I went through the usual checklist to find out what was wrong:<br />
<br />
-food in his dish<br />
-water in the spare bathtub <br />
-clean litterbox<br />
-window blinds in the second bedroom up 12"<br />
-vacuum cleaner put away in the closet<br />
<br />
Nothing out of the ordinary, so I started squirting him with water whenever he was being noisy to discipline him, or shutting him in the bathroom for a "time-out."<br />
<br />
... I have since apologized to my cat with treats, catnip, and cat grass--because he was apparently trying to tell me that the neighbor's cat was stuck in our attic.<br />
<br />
There must be a spot on our roof gable where the ventilation siding is movable--like an office ceiling tile grid. The cat got on the roof and pushed his way up into the attic, but then couldn't get back out when the panel dropped behind it.(We have access to the attic through the garage, but I haven't used it in months.)<br />
<br />
Just glad that after fifteen minutes of crawling through the attic framework and insulation --it really was a cat and not this guy:<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinndMfxntK6cMhLsugymgA7_ApqLLaNzM7zuBO3CO8j9x9z2AI85gXkGwd8M0cErWKeW0Wn5edJb5wELSrVWtouUCJs6Am_67eXTxqXFeOqWYwYyNMSCsc9S5ZRA6QXStoSIhRp0lxUg/s1600/attic+raccoon.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinndMfxntK6cMhLsugymgA7_ApqLLaNzM7zuBO3CO8j9x9z2AI85gXkGwd8M0cErWKeW0Wn5edJb5wELSrVWtouUCJs6Am_67eXTxqXFeOqWYwYyNMSCsc9S5ZRA6QXStoSIhRp0lxUg/s400/attic+raccoon.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Do roofers get some sort of discount for using excessively long nails?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />Kimberlee Turleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04695299361596799423noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6396595894553223446.post-64450825155037581242012-10-22T19:00:00.000-04:002012-10-22T19:00:54.615-04:00Rain Rain Go AwayLet me start by saying... when it rains, it pours.<br />
<br />
The
last two months have been terrible, but since I'm certain everything I
could write about it could be topped by someone else's trials, I'm just
going to keep my mouth shut.<br />
<br />
Instead, I wanted to get back into blogging with a quick post on THREE DIMENSIONAL CHARACTERS.<br />
<br />
I
have tried for a long time to put up a facade that I am a writer and
not a Vulcan/nerdy math/science kind of person so it's always harder for me to make believable characters than to fix plot issues. <br />
<br />
While creating character charts for my current novel, I asked myself the following question:<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Is there a character from another book that would do a better job "acting" if given the role as the MC?</b><br />
<br />
My
first thought was that this would be an easy experiment and that I was
going to find that my favorite characters were the protagonists of my
favorite books. <br />
<br />
Not so.<br />
<br />
As it turns out, I'm pretty willing to overlook two-dimensional characters as long as there is a page-turning plot, and so I had a hard time creating a list of characters I would enjoy reading about in ANY setting.<br />
<br />
Once I found a winner, the question now becomes: <br />
<br />
<b>How would the story be different if [Han Solo/Princess Leia] were replaced as the MCs?</b><br />
<br />
Keeping the answer in mind, my goal is to make my characters lovable in any setting and not just the one I originally wrote for them to star in. <br />
<br />
Please add your own tips in the comments! I really appreciate them all!<br />
<br />Kimberlee Turleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04695299361596799423noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6396595894553223446.post-37435950730512151052012-08-15T23:44:00.001-04:002012-08-15T23:44:37.955-04:00New Look!Just wanted to say that you're in the right spot, but GROUNDWIRE has gotten a facelift.<br />
<br />
Can't say enough what a beautiful job Staci from Blogging Bella Designs did.<br />
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1701374023"><br />
</a> <a href="http://www.bloggingbelladesigns.com/">http://www.bloggingbelladesigns.com/</a><br />
<br />
<img alt="Blogging Bella Designs" height="132" id="Header1_headerimg" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU6A1U7WSY7EsoaCyxXq_etLLWswsh2X3pBiTjnQ0v6oV_5RoovVKM4V-ZaprUJ8c8ROg3xTGxa_IcBFiQQssUFjKdnYzBd29xtJZalE6dB1NezLGi8eb1_t5U3ztsNAOQboAvcvMbxpg/s320/newheader.png" style="display: block;" width="320" /><br />
<br />
Her prices were very affordable and she was really patient while I nitpicked all sorts of small details.<br />
<br />
Ah... there's something nice about knowing no one else has the exact same template anymore.<br />
<br />
The sidebar pages will be updated eventually. (Would love to say by the end of the month, but realistically, it'll be later rather than sooner.) <br />
<br />
Thanks for stopping by!Kimberlee Turleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04695299361596799423noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6396595894553223446.post-49359502146502751162012-08-02T15:58:00.000-04:002012-08-02T15:58:14.167-04:00Crack BatterIt's now our third month of business and things are steady but just barely.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWbhUr90uuc8sGZ1YseMQcm_ijbLL8_i-3tLuyXHIo2w7qAi98tpKSCt5YZ9UwtC_n6Wn7TJOH0fN8PiT56oB17JovAuRAg-sKhHwFEovet3Jti2JSfwKgDElSF5Jtbk1qCc7HsIOjng/s1600/cake+batter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="100" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWbhUr90uuc8sGZ1YseMQcm_ijbLL8_i-3tLuyXHIo2w7qAi98tpKSCt5YZ9UwtC_n6Wn7TJOH0fN8PiT56oB17JovAuRAg-sKhHwFEovet3Jti2JSfwKgDElSF5Jtbk1qCc7HsIOjng/s400/cake+batter.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
I'm now at the point where I can guess the weight of most yogurts within 50 cents of the total price just by sight. <br />
<br />
Our top five toppings are:<br />
<br />
Diced strawberries, Crushed Reese's peanut butter cups, popping bobas, sour worms, and marshmallow sauce.<br />
<br />
However, the one thing that will bring our store to a screeching halt should we run out ... is the Cake Batter yogurt.<br />
<br />
I don't know what YoCream is secretly putting in it, but people will get NASTY when we're out. <br />
<br />
On Sunday a mini storm rolled through and brought down a tree on the power lines in the back of the shopping complex. Everyone in the center was out of power for over 5 hours and we ended up throwing out some of our product due to spoilage concerns. <br />
<br />
So in the 2 hours we were out of Cake Batter while waiting for the product to thaw after we removed it from the freezer... <br />
<br />
-we had a half dozen people walk out and say they were going to drive 20 miles to our competitor <br />
-a dozen decided they just weren't going to get any yogurt<br />
-one person threw their half-filled cup on the floor and just walked out<br />
-one person swore at my employee and threatened to leave her friend at the store (since she was driving) if he still got a yogurt when she couldn't get any because we were out of her flavor. <br />
<br />
<br />
And that is why I am officially renaming this flavor to "Crack Batter".Kimberlee Turleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04695299361596799423noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6396595894553223446.post-43706521628990292562012-06-22T10:22:00.003-04:002012-06-22T10:22:00.732-04:00Smooth Sailing!<span style="color: black; font-family: Comic Sans MS,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Comic Sans MS,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<div><span style="color: black; font-family: Comic Sans MS,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Comic Sans MS,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif; font-size: small;">I know I've gotten way out of touch in the blogging community, but I couldn't miss the chance to be a part of Kimberly Miller's cover reveal for TRIANGLES. </span></span></span></span></div><div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Comic Sans MS,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Comic Sans MS,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif; font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis43j-3rxTjpBriDy8cIzJahuPo6vwihMfbFHAIomgNgwyoxL_CHM9uArlmpUEEzzCEyJ2isFQoBa_TVuCxWe_rwitrd_8iQ_igGlCKJQneFJyT5g6WVUJGeXTFIFgraUBhunNppXmmw/s1600/TRIANGLES_cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis43j-3rxTjpBriDy8cIzJahuPo6vwihMfbFHAIomgNgwyoxL_CHM9uArlmpUEEzzCEyJ2isFQoBa_TVuCxWe_rwitrd_8iQ_igGlCKJQneFJyT5g6WVUJGeXTFIFgraUBhunNppXmmw/s320/TRIANGLES_cover.jpg" width="212" /></a></span></span></span></span></div><div></div><div><span style="color: black; font-family: Comic Sans MS,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Comic Sans MS,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif; font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13610402-triangles" target="_blank">Check it out on Goodreads</a> </span></span></span></span></div><div></div><div><span style="color: black; font-family: Comic Sans MS,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Comic Sans MS,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif; font-size: small;">I met Kimberly through Query Tracker and am so excited to have been able to watch this go from first draft to publication. Here's the super awesome blurb~</span></span></span></span></div><div></div><div><span style="color: black; font-family: Comic Sans MS,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Comic Sans MS,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif; font-size: small;"><i><b>Triangles</b></i></span></span></span></span></div><span style="color: black; font-family: Comic Sans MS,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Comic Sans MS,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif; font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></span><br />
<div><span style="color: black; font-family: Comic Sans MS,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Comic Sans MS,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif; font-size: small;"><i><b><br />
</b></i></span></span></span></span></div><div><span style="color: black; font-family: Comic Sans MS,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Comic Sans MS,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif; font-size: small;">A cruise ship. A beautiful island. Two sexy guys. What could possibly go wrong? </span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Comic Sans MS,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Comic Sans MS,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Comic Sans MS,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Comic Sans MS,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif; font-size: small;">In the Bermuda Triangle--a lot. <span style="font-size: 10pt;"><br />
<br />
Hoping to leave behind the reminders of her crappy life--her father's death years ago, her mother's medical problems, and the loser who's practically stalking her--seventeen-year-old Autumn Taylor hops on a ship with her sister for a little distraction. When she wakes up in the Bermuda Triangle, she fears she's gone nuts for more than one reason: that loser's suddenly claiming they're a happy couple... a hot guy is wrapping his arms around her and saying "Happy Anniversary"... and suddenly, she's full of bruises, losing her hair, and getting IV medication. Autumn visits the ship's doctor, hoping for a pill or a shot to make the craziness go away. Instead, she's warned that one of these "alternate realities" could become permanent. </span> <span style="font-size: 10pt;"><br />
<br />
She just has to ask herself one question--how the hell is she going to get out of this mess?</span> <span style="font-size: 10pt;"></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span style="color: black; font-family: Comic Sans MS,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Comic Sans MS,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><br />
</span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span style="color: black; font-family: Comic Sans MS,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Comic Sans MS,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">And now, the technical info: <br />
</span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span style="color: black; font-family: Comic Sans MS,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Comic Sans MS,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><br />
</span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span style="color: black; font-family: Comic Sans MS,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Comic Sans MS,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Title: Triangles</span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span style="color: black; font-family: Comic Sans MS,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Comic Sans MS,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Author: Kimberly Ann Miller</span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span style="color: black; font-family: Comic Sans MS,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Comic Sans MS,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Publisher: Spencer Hill Press (<a href="http://www.spencerhillpress.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1340151674_3">www.spencerhillpress.com</span></a>) <br />
</span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span style="color: black; font-family: Comic Sans MS,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Comic Sans MS,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">ISBN: </span><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1340151674_4">978-1-937053-36-9</span></span><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span id="yiv561378463GD__CURSOR"></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span style="color: black; font-family: Comic Sans MS,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Comic Sans MS,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif; font-size: small;">Release Date: June 18, 2013</span></span></span></span></div><div><span style="color: black; font-family: Comic Sans MS,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Comic Sans MS,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif; font-size: small;">Formats: Paper, e-book</span></span></span></span></div><div><span style="color: black; font-family: Comic Sans MS,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Comic Sans MS,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></span></span></div><div></div><div><span style="color: black; font-family: Comic Sans MS,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Comic Sans MS,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></span></span></div>Kimberlee Turleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04695299361596799423noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6396595894553223446.post-31712375530810429892012-06-04T12:24:00.000-04:002012-06-04T12:24:04.030-04:00Amazon Merchants Beware<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4XojtGx5efbIAqlf-_QCckMgRVzD6_sVUx1KABTPdlzQQ7_O22IgQ6ir4mhnqIRjXlRuYaFInnJrbkgvwTNtlWQ24jOUDnHu8RRNA2e7EbP_zY_t9blcJhYBKjI2PurAB5fzun-vrVA/s1600/amazon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4XojtGx5efbIAqlf-_QCckMgRVzD6_sVUx1KABTPdlzQQ7_O22IgQ6ir4mhnqIRjXlRuYaFInnJrbkgvwTNtlWQ24jOUDnHu8RRNA2e7EbP_zY_t9blcJhYBKjI2PurAB5fzun-vrVA/s320/amazon.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I created an Amazon Merchant account so that I can sell all of my husband's college textbooks which he foolishly bought new and at full price from his school. (Because he didn't know to look up the textbooks required for the course in advance and purchase them online rather than letting the school provide them.) <br />
<br />
I recouped anywhere from 25-50% of the original price, which is a lot better than letting them sit in a box in the attic until a newer edition is released and they're worth less than the price to ship them.<br />
<br />
Yesterday, I got an email from Amazon.com saying that I had a request for a return.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX4r2FIbvMEMFTUBR-ULb7RNhiyCNuwXYigvUJiman2-DTVmf8OSm1_HB4HrQ_QxldsySmBTp7gioLq_BHc8XK4VOB7rKU-imHqRu6uwuLghm2l-_9SmPmJnvUxCP3lO5fuC53eQTNvg/s1600/dummies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX4r2FIbvMEMFTUBR-ULb7RNhiyCNuwXYigvUJiman2-DTVmf8OSm1_HB4HrQ_QxldsySmBTp7gioLq_BHc8XK4VOB7rKU-imHqRu6uwuLghm2l-_9SmPmJnvUxCP3lO5fuC53eQTNvg/s320/dummies.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
I thought:<i> It's got to be that Astronomy for Idiots book I shipped out two weeks ago. They must not have been happy with the accuracy of my description of its condition. </i><br />
<br />
I was way wrong.<br />
<i> </i><br />
It's one of the students who bought one of the textbooks I shipped OVER FOUR MONTHS AGO. Reason provide for the return request: No longer wanted/needed.<br />
<br />
Yeah buddy, you bought the books for the school term and now you're trying to get a refund by using the return policy? To add insult to injury, he paid $14.95with S/H for a freaking "LIKE NEW" college book that I originally purchased for $60. <br />
<br />
It took all of my self control to not tell him how cheap he is. <br />
<br />
I hope he leaves me a bad review, because then I get to go back to Amazon and have his account flagged for abuse because his requested return is even outside of Amazon's 90 day A to Z Guarantee.<br />
<br />
It just makes me wonder how many of the super merchants automatically grant the refund because they're too busy to look up the dates or handle small claims like this. <br />
<br />
<br />Kimberlee Turleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04695299361596799423noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6396595894553223446.post-47959056437254927932012-05-24T02:07:00.000-04:002012-05-24T02:07:08.375-04:00Used Cars<br />
I am at the point where I can no longer resist getting a car. I've held out for two years and now it's time... <br />
<br />
It has rained every day last week and there's no way I can tie a flat of strawberries to the passenger seat on my motorcycle.<br />
<br />
My dad is a self-proclaimed mechanic and has only bought one car from a dealership in his life. (It was the car he took me home from the hospital in, and the same car I took my driver's test in.) I've followed his example and have only paid cash for every car I've bought, and I've only bought my cars through private dealers. <br />
<br />
I found this on Craigslist, and was really excited because it's the same model my dad drives and so he would know how to fix it if something breaks.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGY0prHC08URo7_1fK02ZbjApjiJTF-S5vw3LAinj_94jilA_SSUDzXgasfb_0tiDmHaKb5Sz3jpdv4zQl61tdNm9_Azj-TcCtnWC4iZzZi2pMLkk1r1WQInSsTejMWkrcbUJ7lhIXUg/s1600/Ford+Escort.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGY0prHC08URo7_1fK02ZbjApjiJTF-S5vw3LAinj_94jilA_SSUDzXgasfb_0tiDmHaKb5Sz3jpdv4zQl61tdNm9_Azj-TcCtnWC4iZzZi2pMLkk1r1WQInSsTejMWkrcbUJ7lhIXUg/s320/Ford+Escort.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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It's a 2002 Ford Escort, and it only has 28,000 miles on it. </div>
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According to the guy selling it, it was owned by his friend's mother, who only drove it to bingo and the grocery store.<br />
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So, I took the car to a mechanic (my dad actually lives in another state) and asked him to do a used vehicle check because the guy's offer was really tempting.<br />
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As it turned out, the car needed new front and rear brakes, new tires, the AC was hardwired to the battery or something else screwy. And all the belts and stuff need to be changed because even though the car has such low mileage, rubber still breaks down and goes bad.<br />
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Total repair bill would be over $1000. Ouch.<br />
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But here's what killed the deal for me-- I checked the vehicle's history on Carfax and it turns out it was rear-ended two years ago.<br />
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It has been fixed and looks all nice and pretty now, but I was told on the phone it hadn't been in any accidents...<br />
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*sigh*<br />
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Here's hoping for dry weather...<br />
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<br />Kimberlee Turleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04695299361596799423noreply@blogger.com25tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6396595894553223446.post-79864859699873321902012-05-03T17:59:00.001-04:002012-05-03T17:59:26.046-04:00Now Open!For everyone wondering where the heck I've been...<br />
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Our yogurt store, Kiwi Loco, is now open!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3gkyU7SEfIYNcqAa1j_4UEvIA8POJ5oQY-GLpvEqYi7J3zLHEsQIGI5x3DlAX-8euO0-2GTjVP6p8CNCHsikcYpkbeFPp77jzz-qLYDQ-yI10DqldosxZ5CYLdLNbjKsecnuqm3TfUg/s1600/Store+finished.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3gkyU7SEfIYNcqAa1j_4UEvIA8POJ5oQY-GLpvEqYi7J3zLHEsQIGI5x3DlAX-8euO0-2GTjVP6p8CNCHsikcYpkbeFPp77jzz-qLYDQ-yI10DqldosxZ5CYLdLNbjKsecnuqm3TfUg/s320/Store+finished.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Hope to get back into blogging soon, but it may be a few more weeks.<br />
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In writing news... My wonderful agent, Kathleen Ortiz, is now on submission with my YA Gaslamp fantasy novel. (It has a new title, but I'm not saying what yet. ;D)<br />
<span id="goog_1823119280"></span><span id="goog_1823119281"></span>Kimberlee Turleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04695299361596799423noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6396595894553223446.post-2103951137451391262012-04-21T06:34:00.003-04:002012-04-21T06:34:01.001-04:00S is for Speed Read TestYou'd think I'd read more books at this rate... and yes, I did get all three of the comprehension questions right. However, I should include a disclaimer: it was mostly dialogue. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFdmMOdjKeeIrwETMVj1mLkoqkIwzNC0xGdolyNi3MK8lhqjPY-hqM_T-q5pH1UfuogsXjHlwwljmyxkORlSJZECxP6OQqDpGVvIOjK_K-X4K6UgQE1guLfGhQr_Haa36AXLe5EJYLrg/s1600/speed+read.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFdmMOdjKeeIrwETMVj1mLkoqkIwzNC0xGdolyNi3MK8lhqjPY-hqM_T-q5pH1UfuogsXjHlwwljmyxkORlSJZECxP6OQqDpGVvIOjK_K-X4K6UgQE1guLfGhQr_Haa36AXLe5EJYLrg/s320/speed+read.jpg" width="249" /></a></div><br />
So, how fast do you read? Take the test below and feel free to post your scores in the comments! <br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.staples.com/sbd/cre/marketing/technology-research-centers/ereaders/speed-reader/index.html"><img alt="ereader test" height="297" src="http://www.staples.com/sbd/cre/marketing/technology-research-centers/ereaders/speed-reader/img/og_thumb.png" title="Click to launch" width="400" /></a><br />
Source: <a href="http://www.staples.com/sbd/cre/marketing/technology-research-centers/ereaders/speed-reader/" target="_blank">Staples eReader Department</a></div>Kimberlee Turleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04695299361596799423noreply@blogger.com18