tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-43273326155612444422024-03-05T10:47:37.312-06:00A Rae of SunshineA lifestyle blog.Michelle Raehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05064821679683711135noreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4327332615561244442.post-14956825958972028772014-03-28T14:31:00.002-05:002014-03-28T14:31:35.975-05:00Lulu Lemon Sale: Don't Miss It! <div style="text-align: center;">
Ok guys... seriously <i>listen up</i>... this sale I just went to...you don't want to miss! I am not kidding they have deals on deals at the one-weekend only sale of Lulu Lemon!!!! </div>
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Here I go, I will tell you everything you need to know about this amazing opportunity!!</div>
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Hours:</div>
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<br style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px; text-align: left;">Friday, March 28: 8AM - 8PM (last entry 7PM)</span><span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #141823; display: inline; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px; text-align: left;"><br />Saturday, March 29: 8AM- 8PM (last entry 7PM)<br />Sunday, March 30: 8AM- 8PM (inventory dependent)</span></div>
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Bring debit/credit cards and your ID's only. No Cash Accepted and NO returns. </div>
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/209761332557023/?ref_dashboard_filter=upcoming">Facebook Information</a> <-- Click Here to see more! </div>
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We waited in line to get in...and it was totally worth it. Arrived at 7:30am and the line was out the door..</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs2HzVwyqV0gsOtCMEs_aK7TdyEMcryeKryKLaY6feFXjScwsbX5JgGmmBYsLind7IsSJHDGZhMWXJGQysAEnDhHgLOdNgEUv5Nj8CmD_3URmso0dNIOSzvTqw8ClY7e42zAnnYnbp5_U/s1600/Bj0W4DbCIAA37N_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs2HzVwyqV0gsOtCMEs_aK7TdyEMcryeKryKLaY6feFXjScwsbX5JgGmmBYsLind7IsSJHDGZhMWXJGQysAEnDhHgLOdNgEUv5Nj8CmD_3URmso0dNIOSzvTqw8ClY7e42zAnnYnbp5_U/s1600/Bj0W4DbCIAA37N_.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://twitter.com/MyFOX9">[Photo Credit]</a></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyZLgS8ar6loho2WJ4TcUg7YHXXPmFnfVo_fqrW-ndYl7g7kGQrQ6X-8mmy4XO6hqTj8yGJf9SwvWmy5V393mCb-ufANeY2bpGRNFxKGuPlei5BNFOwlIKBfd4fAMFNNIBJJUgkIH3mkQ/s1600/IMG_9588.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyZLgS8ar6loho2WJ4TcUg7YHXXPmFnfVo_fqrW-ndYl7g7kGQrQ6X-8mmy4XO6hqTj8yGJf9SwvWmy5V393mCb-ufANeY2bpGRNFxKGuPlei5BNFOwlIKBfd4fAMFNNIBJJUgkIH3mkQ/s1600/IMG_9588.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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And once we got in.... </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKetxGP1aJTkUh7-m_A63zyb6j-8digubiJMEz9-FlUWstReSfKMgcCCTqSssBHnktdop5YoXfmvkhDN4LPN9AxWExbYJki-kiVH4_lL3azHPDsxCrT5xqLLHg0Wf4TvUdu8HGr9qK7BI/s1600/IMG_9594.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKetxGP1aJTkUh7-m_A63zyb6j-8digubiJMEz9-FlUWstReSfKMgcCCTqSssBHnktdop5YoXfmvkhDN4LPN9AxWExbYJki-kiVH4_lL3azHPDsxCrT5xqLLHg0Wf4TvUdu8HGr9qK7BI/s1600/IMG_9594.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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It was heaven!!!!! </div>
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Here is the Price List:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYieowvA2JKL0L7DEmCNM5y6jKJfUz_NiLoqynrhz_cSEnKv2sVbkpXdks7dYesNiI8aDbL0T0qQabmtYMvefU3BYEXmOwZzWA2AQ5_p3Lqd-P-uib-pbkWnJT5f_LVFr3SDxTXmrhEyI/s1600/IMG_9591.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYieowvA2JKL0L7DEmCNM5y6jKJfUz_NiLoqynrhz_cSEnKv2sVbkpXdks7dYesNiI8aDbL0T0qQabmtYMvefU3BYEXmOwZzWA2AQ5_p3Lqd-P-uib-pbkWnJT5f_LVFr3SDxTXmrhEyI/s1600/IMG_9591.jpg" height="400" width="342" /></a></div>
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CHECK IT OUT... Seriously though, SO cheap for SUCH good stuff!!</div>
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Here are my recommendations:</div>
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- <b>If you have the time, go EARLY tomorrow morning.</b> We got inside by 11am and things were still pretty organized, stayed for two hours and by the time we left...things were getting pretty unorganized and messy... but if you don't have the option of going tomorrow in the morning, anytime will work! Just prepare to stand in the line for a while, they moderate the amount of people inside which makes for a smooth and great experience! *When we left, there was a line inside the building but not outside at that point at 1pm on Friday*</div>
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-<b>Don't bring coats, strollers, etc!</b> It gets busy in there and that stuff is a hassle to carry and hold while shopping anyways. I had my ID and Credit Card and cell phone in a pocket and that was it! Easy, hands-free shopping! </div>
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-<b>Be Patient</b>. Remember there are thousands of other shoppers there, looking to get these <u>amazing</u> deals as well!! Such a fun environment..almost like Black Friday Shopping! </div>
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Heres what I scored:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ13LIBK3uIkleV2yceYHoA6KRv2gPTfVNVJz85tnKArIkhsW2ROEMLjRx5AvHQrAZHzNokpa9LnExVusJSUUBw9UBOwaI5BjQMGgEhyphenhyphenELuB2XxtfZSxzHlDrDuWA4xUvjVtv7hi0P-9Y/s1600/IMG_9603.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ13LIBK3uIkleV2yceYHoA6KRv2gPTfVNVJz85tnKArIkhsW2ROEMLjRx5AvHQrAZHzNokpa9LnExVusJSUUBw9UBOwaI5BjQMGgEhyphenhyphenELuB2XxtfZSxzHlDrDuWA4xUvjVtv7hi0P-9Y/s1600/IMG_9603.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
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You can follow the warehouse sale at: <a href="https://twitter.com/lululemonWHUS">https://twitter.com/lululemonWHUS</a></div>
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&& with the hashtag: #March2MN</div>
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Did you go?? What were your favorite finds?? </div>
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<i>Appreciate the Moment.</i></div>
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Michelle Raehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05064821679683711135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4327332615561244442.post-20295208914071625202014-03-19T14:27:00.000-05:002014-03-19T14:27:18.790-05:00Wordless Wednesday: Florida Edition<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Hw_2GyP51H4G6-Yq44ofz7tBGWVPhFmam_B0879N9MmSlBxlLG_T-ABZAdmKfj8YJ4JOPOU9tOC_3cVlvgFSeyVVTTifAx9UlNt2SBJ1SukkozXNJzjXxasjCpxKeAH_hSOXCwuqLTo/s1600/IMG_9156.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Hw_2GyP51H4G6-Yq44ofz7tBGWVPhFmam_B0879N9MmSlBxlLG_T-ABZAdmKfj8YJ4JOPOU9tOC_3cVlvgFSeyVVTTifAx9UlNt2SBJ1SukkozXNJzjXxasjCpxKeAH_hSOXCwuqLTo/s1600/IMG_9156.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYst1pncLAvNsa9_q3a3xtZO9InUCRUv1guOpjFK1NevGFRJFFR4xuMrtlxYadXu9rRS9id5670YzduQNVf4kmycV08eGN9HYHkWGwCGsT5UHRSCJWI95_cmHkCqoUipmrP2BAq4bjdo8/s1600/IMG_9154.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYst1pncLAvNsa9_q3a3xtZO9InUCRUv1guOpjFK1NevGFRJFFR4xuMrtlxYadXu9rRS9id5670YzduQNVf4kmycV08eGN9HYHkWGwCGsT5UHRSCJWI95_cmHkCqoUipmrP2BAq4bjdo8/s1600/IMG_9154.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Photo Credit: Alex Lang</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkvJhUpSb9U6XxsgpeA2plM8EMpa_NW52SFkCIeJH69zy5rQ7imJ2-Kji4RAJ7HwEBy4Dq02WsTc89DHu9Or18syU6WI5HSljS3vQg2AjK6qe6au47AA89nQ1loN2bLrRwKapL0otI4zY/s1600/IMG_9160.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkvJhUpSb9U6XxsgpeA2plM8EMpa_NW52SFkCIeJH69zy5rQ7imJ2-Kji4RAJ7HwEBy4Dq02WsTc89DHu9Or18syU6WI5HSljS3vQg2AjK6qe6au47AA89nQ1loN2bLrRwKapL0otI4zY/s1600/IMG_9160.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />Michelle Raehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05064821679683711135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4327332615561244442.post-7489925868770770872014-03-10T16:53:00.000-05:002014-03-10T17:06:38.836-05:00Friendship Though Miles ApartThis past weekend, I took a road trip down to Lacrosse, Wisconsin to visit one of my best friends & old roommate from college. Since graduation, we have taken several trips to see each other. Friendships and girlfriends are so important in life...I am lucky to have met her in school, and thankful for her in my life!<br />
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The distance is not always easy...but any true friendship works and survives.... whether you have the ability to jump in their bed to snuggle at any hour of the day & be roommates, or long-distance friendship where we have to schedule those phone dates and plan ahead for fun weekend trips to visit each other! We've been fortunate to have the experiences of both the situations :)<br />
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Here are some of the fun ways we maintain our friendship though miles apart:</div>
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<b>-Snail Mail: </b>& if you know me, you know I LOVE getting some real live mail! Holidays, birthdays, letters, you name it, theres a reason to put it in the mailbox and surprise a friend :) </div>
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-<b>Phone calls/text messages at any time of the day: </b>with that said, we are both RNs an sometimes work the overnight shift...days become nights and who knows what time we end up chatting at!</div>
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-<b>Taking road trips to visit each other:</b> because who doesn't appreciate some quality time together?! And road trips are good for the soul.</div>
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-<b>Facebook. </b>Having her subscribed as a "close friend" via the Facebook setting app allows me to get notified when she posts a new pic, changes her status, and puts any videos up...& you bet I am typically one of the first to 'like' anything :) How else would it be? :)<br />
<b>-Snapchat: </b>sending pics of our daily life throughout the day helps us stay in touch with what we are doing...and of course those silly selfie photos make for a great laugh also! </div>
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<b>-Facebook messaging. </b> This goes hand in hand with the previous methods of contact...but through Facebook messaging I feel like we use this as our 'email' of sorts...to send each other goofy links, links about life, inspirational quotes, what we are seeing that catches our eye on Pinterest, and any other daily findings... including great DEALS like Caribou's BOGO deals, or freebies that we find! And we do love our free things! :) </div>
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On our Road Trip in Lacrosse!</div>
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How do you stay in contact & maintain your long-distance friendships? </div>
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<i>It's the little things in life that mean the most. </i></div>
<br />Michelle Raehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05064821679683711135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4327332615561244442.post-62255405219524195092014-03-06T08:34:00.001-06:002014-03-06T08:34:26.770-06:00#100happydaysRecently, I just discovered a challenge called 100 Happy Days. It is a way to encourage you to be present in the moment, and appreciate the little things that bring joy to your life. This is something I strive to live by regardless, so when hearing about this personal challenge from my friend Marin, I decided to jump on board! No better way to have a constant, daily reminder on how beautiful life is.<br />
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You can go to this website to learn more: <a href="http://100happydays.com/">http://100happydays.com/</a></div>
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Follow along on my Instagram to see my daily posts! <a href="http://www.instagram.com/michellerae23">www.instagram.com/michellerae23</a></div>
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They state that research has shown that those who complete the challenge are in a better mood daily, realize how lucky they are, become more optimistic, and much more. How great of a feeling is that?<br />
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I challenge you to see happiness in each day, whether it be a small act of kindness, or just taking time for yourself to realize how blessed you truly are! One does not have to post a photo or link up with this challenge to truly be happy, but it is an opportunity to reflect and share happiness onto others!<br />
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<span style="text-align: center;">Check out the hashtag on Instagram #100happydays to see more!</span><br />
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And with that, I leave you with this: my amazing sister, over at <a href="http://nicolesass.blogspot.com/">Happiest Girls are the Prettiest Girls</a>, is in her junior year in college. She is taking on many credits, working, and is a perfect example of a motivated, busy, stressed person. I left her this quote to help her a bit ago realize how blessed she is:<br />
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<i>Remember, you are too blessed to be stressed.</i></div>
Michelle Raehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05064821679683711135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4327332615561244442.post-70695919527823680922013-12-25T21:09:00.003-06:002013-12-25T21:10:57.280-06:00Merry Christmas 2013<div style="text-align: center;">
Merry Christmas 2013 from the Sass Family!</div>
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We had a wonderful day filled with food, family, fun, and games. I am so blessed to have such a great family and two wonderful sisters! </div>
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Decorating Cookies, family tradition</div>
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The night before Christmas...</div>
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Rocky loves his new Animal Planet Blanket and bone...</div>
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Merry Christmas from the Sass Family!</div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.09375px; text-align: start;">Isaiah 9:6 - <i>"For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."</i></span></div>
Michelle Raehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05064821679683711135noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4327332615561244442.post-48688570043144567812013-11-13T15:35:00.000-06:002013-11-13T15:35:11.171-06:00Water<div style="text-align: center;">
Random thought of the week: am I drinking enough water?</div>
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During the summer months, it is easier to consume and drink water...it is hot outside, you sweat, and your body tells you it needs water... but when late fall and winter rolls around, the cues that remind you to drink water in the summer are no longer there.<br />
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I was on a run a few days ago, and the temperature is definitely getting colder...for example, it was just a mere 17 degrees on Monday but "felt like only 3!" When I got back from my run, I did my usual stretching and took a shower, only to realize afterwards that I still hadn't had anything to drink.... I compared that to in the summer when I would run, and when I would get back I'd immediately go for a tall glass of h2o and even after that, it wouldn't take long for me to refill it.<br />
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I am a person who loves to drink water. When I used to be in school, I would always have to have a water bottle sitting at my table with me to help me focus and stay energized. Drinking water is important for so many reasons:<br />
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<b>1. Drinking water is GREAT for your skin: </b>Not drinking enough can lead to dry skin, so make sure you drink water to keep your skin moisturized and reduce that chance of wrinkles!<br />
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<b>2. Drinking water helps you lose weight:</b> It suppresses your appetite, making you eat less. Water also prevents fluid retention and helps your body burned stored fat. Your organs including your liver and kidney will work more efficiently, flushing toxins from your body.<br />
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<b>3. Drinking water makes you stronger:</b> Water carries oxygen to your muscles so when you are working out, you can work longer before you feel tired.<br />
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<b>4. Drinking water makes you smarter: </b>Water also carries oxygen to your brain. Drinking plenty of water enables your brain to get more oxygen!<br />
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<b>5. Drinking water helps your joints: </b>it keeps them strong, and the moisture helps them stay flexible.<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">(Information retrieved from fitday.com)</span><br />
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These are just 5 of the amazing reasons it is important to be drinking water in your daily life. How do you make sure you drink enough water? Do you feel like it makes a difference when you drink a lot one day compared to a day where you don't get enough aqua in your body?<br />
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<i>"We never know the worth of water, until the well is dry." -Thomas Fuller</i></div>
Michelle Raehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05064821679683711135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4327332615561244442.post-68471207318259164982013-11-08T10:40:00.002-06:002013-11-08T10:40:25.912-06:00Road TripThe last week of October, I took a road trip out East with my parents. We made a stop in Chicago, then went to DC for a long weekend filled with football, tourist events, and fun! It was my dad's 30th class reunion, and it was so fun to see where my parents attended college, Gallaudet University- the only deaf university in the United States.<br />
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Chicago was amazing</div>
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At the Football Game the Bisons are undefeated! </div>
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Note my dad sporting his class of '83 jersey :)</div>
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Some fun times with my parents old friends</div>
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Exploring DC and H street, playing mini golf</div>
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Starting the trek back home, it was a trip to remember :)</div>
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Have you ever been to DC? What was your favorite memory about the trip?</div>
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<i>"Wherever you go, go with all your heart." -Confucius </i></div>
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Michelle Raehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05064821679683711135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4327332615561244442.post-67576017289008198892013-10-22T08:19:00.001-05:002013-10-22T08:23:37.818-05:00Happy HomecomingThis past weekend, I took a trip down to Winona to celebrate my first homecoming as an alumni. It was a great weekend filled with fun friends, laughter, and drinks. <div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC_tHmI2GLDfhxgb_HaJf_ecUGHQIkbspDwHmYNjf7H-t24I71z6kUJGhVnUWr5qgXA4e34wM2KaZp_Af_h11Nc1hkeeyvOb6CYQnfMUiuiLmC2qHVBoNGxE6am41jxkzeNY2ROv_H2K8/s640/blogger-image-1118569727.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC_tHmI2GLDfhxgb_HaJf_ecUGHQIkbspDwHmYNjf7H-t24I71z6kUJGhVnUWr5qgXA4e34wM2KaZp_Af_h11Nc1hkeeyvOb6CYQnfMUiuiLmC2qHVBoNGxE6am41jxkzeNY2ROv_H2K8/s640/blogger-image-1118569727.jpg"></a></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> All smiles </i></div></div><div><i><br></i></div><div><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj72zv8fbsMff5Ts0ZlW2W-eB7-Y7c9vmrlq2ge3Xr-WtAJcKk_529bf_3Op7L90cGzfprukHy2ziA0NPKUI1UC9d6lk0wvl4UnZvsuId5oSBspny57yVXO7vNQPA4XIn1XeDnEKw-et8w/s640/blogger-image--1063698631.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj72zv8fbsMff5Ts0ZlW2W-eB7-Y7c9vmrlq2ge3Xr-WtAJcKk_529bf_3Op7L90cGzfprukHy2ziA0NPKUI1UC9d6lk0wvl4UnZvsuId5oSBspny57yVXO7vNQPA4XIn1XeDnEKw-et8w/s640/blogger-image--1063698631.jpg"></a></div></i></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTZzg0lLL3_G-Oh5AAk8aIfaUodEWXV4IgOlVRBiughU_gXHBe8tYnuy5YYUQQOLx6twv6isjAjmM23fHcz1i4OhAT6m7yGp6MaEgp7M-VrAtHAOMEVkwZe2qZon4W3OEZmPCqTSPszSM/s640/blogger-image-914333230.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTZzg0lLL3_G-Oh5AAk8aIfaUodEWXV4IgOlVRBiughU_gXHBe8tYnuy5YYUQQOLx6twv6isjAjmM23fHcz1i4OhAT6m7yGp6MaEgp7M-VrAtHAOMEVkwZe2qZon4W3OEZmPCqTSPszSM/s640/blogger-image-914333230.jpg"></a></div> <i>My "vest" buddy :)</i></div><div><br></div><div><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqRccbGN0Lgw32gAuBDL3FK0fAufNfBZ2jeCC81kvmM0KGoCb0rI7T3zZHc7XL0jhflmm4bu_Wpwlo6Py-_d_o0RmgDnlsUO2adSO6TWDhl8sUSGfW_xLXBl426A685u8Sy5HFQERX_w8/s640/blogger-image-178199236.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqRccbGN0Lgw32gAuBDL3FK0fAufNfBZ2jeCC81kvmM0KGoCb0rI7T3zZHc7XL0jhflmm4bu_Wpwlo6Py-_d_o0RmgDnlsUO2adSO6TWDhl8sUSGfW_xLXBl426A685u8Sy5HFQERX_w8/s640/blogger-image-178199236.jpg"></a></div></i></div><div><div class="separator" style="font-style: italic; clear: both;"><i> </i><i style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Reunited with my best friends <3 </i></div><div class="separator" style="font-style: italic; clear: both;"><i style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">And although I've never made it to the actual homecoming game.. Winona won against Wayne State, with a final score of 45-41. Go warriors!!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Hope you all had a fantastic weekend! I'll leave you with one of the best quotes of the weekend...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><i><br></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><i><br></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><i>"You wanna do a keg stand??! We don't have any keg left, but we have apple pie!" -Hermes</i></font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span></div></div>Michelle Raehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05064821679683711135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4327332615561244442.post-46134500727031742912013-10-16T14:50:00.002-05:002013-10-16T14:52:35.945-05:00We DayI had the opportunity to volunteer at an event last Tuesday at the Excel Energy Center called We Day. It was a huge event inviting school-aged children who have contributed to making a difference to celebrate their achievements in making local and global efforts to improve the world.<br />
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<i>We Day MN 2013</i></div>
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We Day is an event where a student must get invited to attend, there is no way to buy a ticket, as it had to be earned. The event was made possible by two organizations "Me to We" and "Free the Children." We Day Minnesota was a successful event with over 18,000 students involved to celebrate creating positive change in local communities. They could be agents of change from raising money for water for people in Africa, to stopping people from getting bullied at their own schools.<br />
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<i>18,000 students from all over Minnesota</i></div>
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There were so many famous people that spoke or did a performance for this great event- including Martin Luther King the 3rd, Mark Dayton, The Jonas Brothers, Carly Rae Jepsen, Barbara Bush, Demi Lovato (over skype), Jack Jablonski, the Vikings, and many more!<br />
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<i>Jonas Brothers Live</i></div>
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To read more about this amazing event, and what their goals are, visit their site:<br />
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http://www.weday.com/</div>
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http://www.freethechildren.com/</div>
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<i>If you want to see a change, be the change you want to see. </i></div>
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<i>#WeDay #FreeThePeople</i></div>
Michelle Raehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05064821679683711135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4327332615561244442.post-12451564155979337952013-10-03T15:02:00.000-05:002013-10-16T14:52:25.224-05:00Pumpkin CookiesFor years, my wonderful friend Alyssa has a tradition where she makes pumpkin cookies in October...I have had the benefits of eating those delicious cookies throughout my last few years in Winona. However, now that we do not live in Winona anymore, I made those cookies on my own this year to bring in October and the fall season.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAdURsSKqm4HOaHuvoGsRpKSmIS05CR5H7auTKo17MdV7pGr8vMXKealY5N7p0aGhBOcq0Hb-51pPLLBHXXnW6yL04rzOXYrUTcnkIRDn7kXQstNi0m486dDCXy1Il1ekCILrv4M3DITA/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-10-03+at+11.22.27+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="118" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAdURsSKqm4HOaHuvoGsRpKSmIS05CR5H7auTKo17MdV7pGr8vMXKealY5N7p0aGhBOcq0Hb-51pPLLBHXXnW6yL04rzOXYrUTcnkIRDn7kXQstNi0m486dDCXy1Il1ekCILrv4M3DITA/s320/Screen+Shot+2013-10-03+at+11.22.27+AM.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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For my birthday last year, Alyssa made me an awesome recipe box with some recipe cards inside. This was one that she was nice enough to share with me so I could continue this yummy cookie making on my own!</div>
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I posted some pictures on instagram, and several people have asked me for the recipe. So, here it is, enjoy! It is a two part process with making the frosting separate. </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Pumpkin Cookies</span></div>
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2/3 c sugar</div>
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2/3 c brown sugar</div>
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3/4 c butter or margarine, softened</div>
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1 tsp vanilla</div>
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1/2 c pumpkin (not pumpkin pie mix)</div>
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2 eggs</div>
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2 1/4 c all-purpose flour</div>
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1 tsp baking soda</div>
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1 tsp ground cinnamon</div>
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1/2 tsp salt</div>
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1. Heat oven to 375 degrees. In large bowl, beat granulated sugar, brown sugar, butter, and vanilla extract with electric mixer on medium speed, until well blended. Beat in pumpkin and eggs until well mixed. On low speed, beat in flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. </div>
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2. On un-greased cookie sheets, drop dough by heaping teaspoonfuls.</div>
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3. Bake 10-12 minutes or until almost no indentation remains when touched in center.</div>
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4. Immediately remove cookies from cookie sheets to cooking rack. Cool completely, about 45 minutes before frosting.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-5-3PNYwqb0vD30GUWkYLMMFyoYqYXby0L2QZ0mW2XT520PptBuKiZN0zOqSLo7ANSl4uJKSMiPdFFZwtoinG48sKkoNVNmP6pQj1Y5-XghETRaffAH9Vyv1KTTxeIVKBeRRM6Dz4ILg/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-10-03+at+2.42.15+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-5-3PNYwqb0vD30GUWkYLMMFyoYqYXby0L2QZ0mW2XT520PptBuKiZN0zOqSLo7ANSl4uJKSMiPdFFZwtoinG48sKkoNVNmP6pQj1Y5-XghETRaffAH9Vyv1KTTxeIVKBeRRM6Dz4ILg/s320/Screen+Shot+2013-10-03+at+2.42.15+PM.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Browned Butter Frosting</span></div>
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3 c powdered sugar</div>
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1 tsp vanilla</div>
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3-4 tbsp milk</div>
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1/3 c butter (not margarine)</div>
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1. In medium bowl, place powdered sugar, 1 tsp vanilla, and 3 tbsp of milk.</div>
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2. in 1 qt saucepan, heat 1/3 cup butter over medium heat, stirring constantly, until just light brown.</div>
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3. Pour browned butter over powered sugar mixture. Beat on low speed about 1 minute or until smooth. Gradually add just enough of the remaining 1 tbsp of milk to make frosting creamy and spreadable.</div>
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4. Generously frost cooled cookies. </div>
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Some things I did/suggest:<br />
-For the cookies, I used tablespoon size heaps of dough for a more larger cookie :) Also, because of this, my cookies needed to be in the oven for longer- I would say an addition 3 or 4 minutes so about 16 minutes total per cookie sheet.<br />
-For the frosting, I did not end up needing to use an additional 1 tbsp of milk, as the frosting was already creamy for me!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlQ3y8z_7ILm8XkF3eFj_ATigYP9YM5T4OCPvdEHyzY7qQ-yFxU_sUueokoLbki8tQ8KJwiVj0yL9efSZ4_WLtR0RHvr9N8cxnNt3A_hOm3hFLhmDVZ0O9SyuKCCL9xc0dI-IFLe4GAAI/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-10-03+at+2.42.31+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlQ3y8z_7ILm8XkF3eFj_ATigYP9YM5T4OCPvdEHyzY7qQ-yFxU_sUueokoLbki8tQ8KJwiVj0yL9efSZ4_WLtR0RHvr9N8cxnNt3A_hOm3hFLhmDVZ0O9SyuKCCL9xc0dI-IFLe4GAAI/s320/Screen+Shot+2013-10-03+at+2.42.31+PM.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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Final product</div>
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Please make these at home :) I highly recommend! They are an absolute favorite, and I will continue this tradition year after year. What is your favorite thing to do or make in the fall?? </div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">“Autumn...the year's last, loveliest smile.”- William Cullen Bryant</span></i></span></div>
Michelle Raehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05064821679683711135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4327332615561244442.post-51857132063996947242013-10-01T19:50:00.004-05:002013-10-01T19:51:33.740-05:00Hello October.Happy October! I'm back in business :)<br />
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I've been wanting to work on my blog and never found the time...but I'm excited and committed and cannot wait to start blogging again! I love reading blogs and I make time for that, so there will be time for me to write blog posts too.<br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I took this photo in my neighborhood, today is October and with the temps in the high 70s you can't beat that. I love living in Minnesota :)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Now I am planning on revamping my blog....meaning I need to create a blog name and that has been so difficult for me to try to think of something creative that fits with me. So if anyone has any suggestions, feel free to help me out.</span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Don’t say you don’t have enough time. You have exactly the same number of hours per day that were given to Helen Keller, Pasteur, Michaelangelo, Mother Teresea, Leonardo da Vinci, Thomas Jefferson, Albert Einstein, etc…</span></span></i></div>
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Michelle Raehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05064821679683711135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4327332615561244442.post-6850113693954456402013-05-05T21:14:00.001-05:002013-05-05T21:14:04.332-05:00Last week of college?Hello everyone :) Hope you have had a great week and weekend.<br />
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This past Wednesday I presented a semester long nursing project with my clinical group. It was a fun (but long) morning of lots of presentations as our whole nursing class presented their projects that they have worked on throughout the semester.<br />
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Here we are :)</div>
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We have had quite the temperature change. Thursday I woke up in Winona to SNOW and lots of it! It was the weirdest thing to see snow in May.... so naturally I had to use our snowmen mugs for coffee, and turn on our holiday lights.<br />
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Our holiday festivities at 619 Grand St....in May!</div>
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Fast forward a bit to only to Saturday, three days later, and the snow is completely gone already. So many people said they woke up to the sound of rain, only to figure out it was actually the sun melting all the snow off the roofs. Too funny. I ran today in shorts and I was hot. Such a temperature difference, its bizarre. Lets hope there is not snow on the ground later this week for my pinning ceremony and graduation (doesn't look like it, thankfully).</div>
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This weekend I had a great time with some great friends that I will truly miss down here in Winona. </div>
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Having fun at Gabby's :)</div>
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One of our nursing songs came on. So sentimental.</div>
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<i>Don't Stop Believin' </i>By Journey </div>
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Great times. Good laughs, and good memories.</div>
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This past weekend was just what I needed...great times with good friends. I cannot believe how fast life is flying by! I am excited for graduation, and the next chapter of my life, but I am going to miss my friends here so much. Its coming up fast. </div>
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In my previous post, I explained how I only have one more day at the daycare that I work at. I decided to make a craft for the wonderful head teacher who I work for in the baby room. I am going to miss her and all of our good times. She is such a great teacher and has taught me so much in the three years I have worked there. </div>
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My Teacher Craft!</div>
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I got this idea off of Pinterest. I saw this cute idea of having flowers and a note that says:</div>
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If Teachers Were Flowers, I'd Pick You!</div>
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I thought this would be a great idea to give to her in honor of her being the head teacher for the room we work in. I went to the dollar store and spent a grand total of $3.21 (tax included) on this project. I used index cards and some nice markers to write the message and found a stick outside to glue the message on to to put inside with my vase of flowers. The vase, rocks, and flowers cost $1 each, making this craft such an affordable, thoughtful gift. I am so excited to give it to her this Tuesday when I work. It was an easy project and did not take much time to make at all. </div>
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<i>"Nobody who ever gave his best regretted it." -George Halas</i></div>
Michelle Raehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05064821679683711135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4327332615561244442.post-63977479770765515002013-04-30T23:18:00.004-05:002013-05-05T21:14:15.124-05:00Terrific TuesdayToday was such a beautiful day! Temperature was hot, the sun was out and I was ready to spend as much time outside as I could.<br />
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I started off the day by doing about a two mile run. I use nike+ to track my workouts and I love it! Here is what it does:<br />
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This is an amazing way to know how far and where I ran, and also the speed of my run throughout the entire thing, I love using it and then I automatically import it into MapMyRun where I currently log all my workouts and can view it on a monthly view.<br />
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Then I went to the daycare where I work to spend time with the babies :) I only work Tuesday's this semester, so next week Tuesday is my very last day there and I cannot believe it. I have been there for over 3 years and it will be so hard to say bye :( We spent time today on a walk and the babies loved the warm weather and loved saying "puppy" every time there was a dog walking by.<br />
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I returned home shortly to then go hike up sugar loaf in Winona with some great friends. It was too warm of a day to spend time inside, plus, this was one of the things on my 'bucket list' for Winona!<br />
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The view!</div>
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Just enjoying life :)</div>
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The girls</div>
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I am so glad that we were able to spend time doing this today, it was perfect. I did not make it to the top of sugar loaf, but we hiked to the base and that was enough for me ;) Heights are not my specialty...</div>
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Tonight for dinner, we had a celebratory dinner at Lakeview Drive Inn for Winona's American Sign Language Club to end the school year meetings, started off sunny sitting outside and less than 10 minutes in it started to pour & we quickly had to go inside.</div>
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The group [inside due to the rain] enjoying some dinner and ice cream</div>
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What have you been doing during this warm weather we have been having? Ps lets all hope it doesn't snow this week...</div>
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<i>"Sometimes you don't know the value of a moment until it becomes a memory." -Dr. Seuss</i></div>
Michelle Raehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05064821679683711135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4327332615561244442.post-39742590679622808172013-04-29T22:26:00.002-05:002013-04-30T23:19:04.796-05:00I'm BackHello blogger friends :)<br />
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Not sure who all is here..but after my <strike>successful</strike> two posts months and months ago, I'm going to take a spin at this again. I am an avid blog reader and seriously follow so many great blogs and now it's my turn to take a try at this for the second time!<br />
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So here I am...about one week away from graduating with my degree of a bachelors of science in nursing to become an RN. I had my last test today of my undergrad college life and it was a weird feeling. I finished my test and came and sat on my couch and just realized that after I study and take my boards for nursing (the NCLEX test)...I will have nothing more to study for or homework to do...and that is a very strange feeling for me after being in school for mostly my whole life.<br />
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These past few weeks and upcoming weeks are being spent with my best friends in Winona doing things that we love doing and also things that are on my 'bucket list' of things that I want to do:<br />
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1. Enjoy the beautiful lakes<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Dani and I enjoying a walk around the lake on this fantastic day we had.</span></td></tr>
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2. Go to Penguin Zesto for ice cream :) </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Alyssa is like me & never turns down ice cream, so we jumped at this idea last Saturday night and enjoyed some hot fudge sundaes at one of the local ice cream shops in Winona.</span></td></tr>
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Those are the two completed items on my Winona Bucket List and things that are left to do include:<br />
3. Run around the big lake (in preparation for the 10k I plan to run in July!)<br />
4. Climb Sugar Loaf<br />
5. Kayak on the Winona Lakes<br />
6. Take a long bike ride around the town<br />
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I was able to spend a great weekend in Winona<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My old 619 roomies for life, Tsana and Jen! </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fun times at the bars with great friends</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mangos for drinks with my favorite ladies</td></tr>
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This is kind of a long blog post for my first time back...but it is just a small glimpse of my week and there will be more blog posts to come...stay tuned for a layout and title change..I need to personalize this thing and make it unique for me! </div>
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<i>"Life begins at the end of your comfort zone." -Neale Donald Walsch</i></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">(Thanks to Tsana for this quote-directed to what I am going through now with graduation and new things to come for me) </span></div>
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Michelle Raehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05064821679683711135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4327332615561244442.post-7656598011170414332012-08-30T21:56:00.001-05:002012-08-30T21:56:57.963-05:00Almost one week through!Besides for the 4 hours of classes I have tomorrow...I can say I am done with one week of my fall semester. It has been a long and exhausting week realizing what is to come this semester...but some of the benefits of being back include having my new roommate and best friend move in and decorating our house (always missing Tsana and Jen though!), seeing my friends, and being back in Winona is nice too.<br />
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My second day back, I was able to go to the beach with some friends...with this heat, being in the sun was a nice way to spend the afternoon before classes began for us on Tuesday. It was also a good way to catch up on our summers, have a few laughs, and get our last minute tan in ;)<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the beach</td></tr>
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My room last year was shared with my sister Kari. Between our two loads of nursing stuff and personal stuff...we mostly only had room for dressers and furniture which made decorating a little bit of a challenge. Now that I have this huge room to myself, its been fun being able to decorate it.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our Living Room!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Some of my nursing friends today, working on a group project (yes already!) and doing a 'thumbs up' for teamwork.</span></td></tr>
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Alyssa, my best friend, and I always have a great time together. Recently, as we begin our senior year...reality is starting to hit us that in less than 9 short months... the "real world" begins.. and in denial of this.. we decided to do a photo shoot to embrace the fact that we are NOT grown ups yet.... </div>
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Hope everyone had a great week, and that you have a great Labor Day Weekend. I will be going home to help my second family move into their new home in Excelsior, and I am very excited to be part of that process!Michelle Raehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05064821679683711135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4327332615561244442.post-28898518635291618982012-08-24T22:54:00.000-05:002012-08-24T22:54:30.714-05:00First PostWelcome to my very first blog post. I have been wanting to have my own blog as I love following blogs of all sorts- blogs of my friends/family lives, recipes, organization ideas, photography, fashion....the list goes on. And here I am, finally starting to create my own! I will use this to post a variety of things including snapshots of my life, recipe ideas, photos, and much more.<br />
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This weekend marks the last weekend of my very last summer before I start my senior year at Winona and graduate with my nursing degree in May 2013. It has been an amazing summer filled with lots of family and friend time, I also had the opportunity to be a student nurse intern at North Memorial in the NICU, and I was a nanny this summer as well. The summer definitely flew by as I feel I say each summer, especially as I get older. Some major events of the summer include a trip to Denver to see where one of my best friends, Jenn, goes to school and taking a road trip back with her, going out on Lake Minnetonka often, going up to Connor's cabin with friends for a weekend, doing the Color Run in July with my sister and friends Heather and Laurel, and many many more things!<br />
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Some highlights of the summer....<br />
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<i>Connor and Michael wakeboarding on Lake Minnetonka</i></div>
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<i>The group up at Connor's Cabin</i></div>
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<i>The Color Run 5K</i></div>
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<i>Lake Minnetonka Summer Days on the boat</i></div>
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Today I went to one of my favorite places- the Minnesota State Fair! I went with my boyfriend, Max, and two great friends from high school Alex and Madison. The 4 of us had a great time despite the extreme heat. We went on the River Raft Ride which was a great way to cool down. Some traditional things I had today include the delicious candy-on-a-stick (Milky Way) and Sweet Martha's Cookies with all you can drink $1 milk. This year, for the first time, Madison and I stopped at the Grannie's Kitchen Fudge Puppies and had a chocolate peanut butter cup fudge waffle on a stick...it was delicious. It was a successful day and I am so glad I was able to squeeze a visit to the fair in before heading back to school.<br />
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<i>State Fair with Madison and our waffle-on-a-sticks! </i></div>
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Thanks for reading my first post! I will try to post soon as I start my new semester this Monday...should be a busy semester for me. </div>
Michelle Raehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05064821679683711135noreply@blogger.com1