July 2014 and Alaska Trip Update

Six months down, six to go for the year of 2014.

I've been in Alaska for about a week now. I'm in Barrow for two weeks baby sitting my adorable nephew and then in Anchorage for a few days.

Barrow is the top of the US. It is the largest town on the North Slope of Alaska, 320 miles north of the Arctic Circle with a population of a little over 4,500. This week the weather has been alternating between sunny and raining with a temperature ranging from the upper 30's to the mid 40's (36 degrees as I write this right now). Barrow is a whaling town. Whaling is illegal but is still legal for natives. They stick very close to their historical methods by going out in small boats rather than large whaling boats. They whale in the spring and the fall. This past spring they caught 7 whales which is about average for a spring catch. They are allowed to catch up to 18 a year.

I am lucky this year that I happen to be here for Nalukataq which is several days of celebration for the spring catch. The most famous part of this celebration is the Blanket Toss. Everyone is welcome to jump, including visitors. One of Jonathan and Kim's native friends tried to get me up there but there is no way I'm doing that. I would come home with a broken leg for sure. In the below video, a guy is jumping with a bag of candy & tossing it in the air for the kids. It was so cute, like an Alaskan piñata.

Keep in mind that the video was taken at about 10:30pm. Yes, the sun is up 24 hrs a day right now. Luckily, the room they have me in has wonderful curtains that block out most of the light. The only hard part is getting the urge to go to bed when it is still sunny out. But, I've worked nights so it isn't that big of a deal for me.

My nephew is so adorable.

A time for laughter...

A time for weeping...

I'm trying to soak up all the cool air over these weeks. There is still a little ice left on the sea.

I've been away from Anthony for 7 days now and I'm, according to my phone, 3,396 miles away from him. We haven't been apart this long or this far since we met. We still have one more week to go apart from each other, then Anthony will come up to Anchorage when Kim & I go down to Anchorage. We'll get to see their new house and he'll get to meet his nephew.

Since we won't be back in Texas for part of the month, this month's menu will be a little abbreviated. I've moved some of last month's planed meals to this month's menu since several of them didn't get made last month.

June!!!

May was such an emotional month. I have a blog post drafted about it but I'm not sure I'll post it. A friend from Twitter lost his wife and I really took it hard. They were married about a year before we were & are about the same age as us. She found out she had cancer, looked like she was going to beat it, and then they found another type of cancer. She was an amazing woman and her and her husband are amazingly strong in the Faith. I cannot wait to meet her when I go Home. 

The best news though...I'm an aunt!!! Elijah was born a week early and then spent a week in the NICU but is much better now. My amazing sister labored for 35 hrs! I haven't gotten to meet him in person yet but I will be in June! Can Not Wait!

I also got to spend several very nice days on the Arkansas/Mississippi border with my Granny. We had a really nice time relaxing in a gorgeous old home on the lake, couple of trips to Sonic for Granny's favorite pineapple slush, a little shopping, and a nice picnic in the park. I missed Anthony very much but it was really nice to spend some quality time with her.

One of my three beautiful sisters-in-law graduated from high school as well. Congrats to her on that!

So, here is the menu for this month. Several of these days won't happen because I will be out of town so Anthony will have to fend for himself. :( 

We've decided to hold off on starting Kapp's Kitchen in full force until after we return from Alaska. In July, we hope to hit the ground running. Still have to get back to our amazing friend, Jordan, on what we want for a logo...never thought this would be the most difficult thing to decide, apply to sale at the Denton Community Market, order a cabana and packaging supplies, and create business cards and labels. So exciting, though!

It's May!

May 1st we woke up to 36 degrees! Nuts! Later that afternoon, it was in the 70's & felt great. The next day, it got up into the 90's. Gotta love Texas springs. :) Don't gotta love the allergies it leads too. :P

This month it the month our business will be fully established. We have both completed the required Texas Food Handlers training. Monday, we will go get our food handlers cards, register the business with the county and state, get our sales tax ID number, and open our business bank account. Once that is complete, we will be able to apply with the Denton Community Market as a vender. I still need to work with our friend to design us a logo, create some business cards, price our goodies, make labels for the goodies, and finish the website.

So far, some of the recipes we have ready are a chocolate chip cookie, white chocolate cherry cookie, corn cookie (sounds odd but is amazing), a chocolate chunk toffee cookie, a cream scone, a white chocolate cherry cream scone, a gluten-free chocolate chip cookie, a cookie we will probably call Kitchen Sink cookie, a focaccia bread, a French baguette, and a spice brownie. We are working on a chocolate cookie, a brown sugar cookie, a molasses cookie, an oatmeal cookie, among a few others.

As far as the home goes, things are getting cleaner. I'm still avoiding my arch-nemisis, the office. I will conquer that room someday...I will!

So, here is the menu for this next month. I did forget that I will be in Arkansas partying it up with my Granny in Arkansas for a few days this month, however, I never feel bad when we don't get to one of the day's plan. It just makes next month easier to plan for. :)

We actually did not have the Potato & Sausage Breakfast Popover Casserole today, after all so that will be saved for another day. Instead, I made White Chocolate and Cherry Cream Scones for breakfast. They are delicious & one of the products that we hope to sell. :)

Today my husband replaced the light fixture in our entry way. It is so bright but looks so nice! Now I just need to decorate the walls around the entry way. The seem even more empty now with all this light. :)

In other news, I took dad to the airport on Friday (yesterday) & he made it to Anchorage. Soon my parents will have their first grandchild, Kim and Jonathan will have their first child, and I'll be an aunt for the first time! I cannot wait to meet Elijah!

On To Our Next Adventure

This week is officially the third week of me being a stay at home wife. There are several reasons for me quitting my job: (1) Anthony and I have decided to start a home baking business, (2) we have already started another business (that I really need to get caught up on) called Texas Dining where we are reviewing food establishments in Texas, (3) I want to write so I'm hoping that I will have some time to devote to it, (4) I need to focus on my health and get that back under control, and (5) it is way past time for me to get this house organized. I will be going into much more detail about each of these in posts to come but that is kind of a summery of our decision.

So, for the last three weeks I have been working on getting the house clean and organized. I am still avoiding my archnemisis, aka the office, but once I get it organized, I'll feel like I've really accomplished something. :)

In order to help me with this goal, I am using a few tool. One of these is the FlyLady but customizing it for me (which is what she suggests). Each week is a different "Zone" and each day you do a 15 min "Mission" in that Zone. For example, this week's Zone is the kitchen and today's Mission is to sweep & mop. In addition, each month has a "Habit of the Month." This month's habit is making your bed. So far, I have stuck to this every day but one which, for anyone who knows my history with bed making, is a major step in the right direction. :)

In addition to FlyLady, I am using a couple of apps. FlyLady recommends the Cozi app. I'm not sold on it yet, but I am giving it a try. I also use an app called Home Routines that must have been developed by someone who was familiar with FlyLady, as well. I got it a couple of years ago but have never really used it much until now. For shopping, Anthony & I use the Ziplist app because it can be shared. I think the Cozi app can as well but I'm just testing it for now.

Some things I've learned over the last couple of weeks is that I need to be better about sticking to my schedule. I made up a schedule that, so far, I have not followed very well but I have tweaked it a bit so hopefully this will be a little better.

I also have a weekly plan for my "Daily Chore." For example, I know that the best day for groceries is on Wednesday because that is when the new sales come out, so Tuesdays I will clean the kitchen. Shopping day is Wednesday because some stores will let you use the sales from the previous week in addition to the new sales so you get double sales. Since I know I will be getting groceries on Wednesday, I will make the kitchen my "Daily Chore." This will give me a chance to clean out and inventory the pantry, fridge, and freezer. (Boy, do I wish trash day was on Thursday.) I have Saturday set to do the garage & car but as I get some of the other areas organized enough where it doesn't take as long anymore, I may work on the garage then, as well. I plan on changing this quite a bit as time goes along but this will help me until I get things under control.

I may only vacuum once a week (probably on Thursdays since Friday is trash day). Anthony says he wants to be in charge of that, so what ever day he wants, is fine with me. :)

I wish I had taken before and after pictures of each of my rooms as I go along. So far, our bedroom, the kitchen, the living room, and the bathrooms are staying pretty clean and organized. The biggest hurdles are going to be the office and the garage. I've already got a load of stuff in my car to take to Goodwill but, sad to say, you can't tell I have removed anything from the garage. Oh well, one box at a time and this mountain will be moved! ;)

The other goal I have, which we actually have been pretty good at doing for a while now, is creating menus. Last year, I did a whole month menu & we went shopping only once for a big trip & then got fresh fruits and veggies on a weekly basis. It was great. However, I was not great at doing that much more the rest of the year. I was pretty good about doing a week at a time, though. So, now, I'm hoping to go back to the monthly menu design. I'll try to remember to post our monthly menu at the beginning of each month on this blog. That will also give me the opportunity to login on my phone if I'm at the store and want to check something (I always make a list but sometimes I like to make sure I didn't miss something). So, here is this month's menu (if you click on it, it will take you to a larger view):

2013 In Review

So, I have started so many blog posts but either never finished them, became frustrated with some aspect of the post, or had so much to write/research that I didn't know where to start. In order for me to try to get back into blogging again, I decided to do a bit of a "year in review" of sorts.

• In January, I started a new job as an Imaging Systems Administrator (ISA) for the hospital that I have worked for 9 years now. I started with this hospital as the deep night (11pm-7am) CT tech. After 5 years of that, I moved to our off campus imaging center as the supervisor for 3 years. My job currently is considered an IT job handling the applications associated with the radiology department. It has been an incredibly challenging year but I work with an amazing team that has supported, encouraged, and helped me learn a complete new set of skills.

• In March, we took a trip to Alaska. We visited Anchorage, Fairbanks, and Barrow with Kim and Jonathan. We had an amazing time and got to have a couple of those "once in a lifetime" type of experiences. I got to check off one of my "bucket list" experiences...seeing the Aurora Borealis. I loved Alaska so much. I cried much of the way home. I didn't want to leave and I didn't want to leave my sister. :)

Barrow, AK

• On our way home from Alaska, Anthony and I celebrated our first anniversary. :) We had our cake topper once we got home. :)

First Anniversary Cake. It was actually really tasty.

• The choir at our church that Anthony is a member of, recorded a CD and Anthony had a solo.
  Apparently, my little 2nd cousins who my parents take care of as often as they are able, love this CD. The CD is very Southern Gospel and these 2-7 year old kids love this music...I love that. :)

• We both went on the choir trip to Killeen, Texas. The choir performed the music from the CD at two churches, one a large church in Killeen and the other a very small church near Waco. The small church was my favorite. This church was smaller than Malta but reminded me a lot of it. There were probably 4 or 5 times as many people in the choir than the congregation who came that night but they were amazing. One little old lady was so moved by the whole experience that the choir director had her pull a chair up front. We sang a great song that half way through, the little old lady was bawling. By the end of the song, half of us were wiping tears away as well. 

• In October, Anthony and I finally took our "official" honeymoon to Walt Disney World. This was Anthony's first time and he keeps talking about "the next time we go..." LOL He has joined our dark side. Mwahahaha. ;) We had a lovely time. We visited his grandfather while we were in Florida as well. 

Day 1, Magic Kingdom

• Anthony has been given additional duties at work along with a couple of raises this year. I am so proud of him. He is a very hard worker and excels in his position. It isn't the easiest job and can be quite frustrating at times but he does a great job and his coworkers love him. [Note from Anthony: They mostly love me because I bring baked goods.]

• I found out that I have hypothyroidism and that most physicians don't know much about the current research regarding hypothyroidism. I found a physician, thanks to a friend, who did finally diagnose me and would prescribe meds for me. Since being on the medicine, the severe  swelling in my legs and feet, I have suffered with for about 3 years, has all but disappeared. Other physicians I have visited simply ignored or wrote the symptoms off as "just my hormonal cycle." I have had more energy and other symptoms have improved as well. I believe that I have been hypothyroid for most of my life but due to outdated "normal ranges" provided by labs, I have never been considered in the hypo range. As you can tell, I'm not exactly happy with the majority of physicians at this point. 

• In November, we attended the Board Game Geek Convention in Dallas with our friends Alejandro and Jordan. We had a great time, got lots of games, and have decided to make this a "once every two years" thing after next year. The only downside was that there was a Doctor Who convention going on in Dallas at the same time. Oh well. ;) 

Playing Pointless at BGG Con

• Kim and Jonathan came in for Thanksgiving the week we were at the BGG Con. We picked them up at the airport and took them to Chick-fil-A (usually their first stop once getting back into Texas). We brought them home and they wanted to show us a DVD of pics from their trip up the Ice Road and of the house they are buying in Anchorage. The video ended with a picture of an Ultrasound. SHE'S PREGNANT!!!! I bawled and bawled. I am soooooo excited!

• We also attended the Tucker family Thanksgiving reunion this year. This is my mom's side of the family. Every two years, we all get together for a family reunion. This is usually filled with great fellowship, delicious food, games until the wee hour of the morning, and bocce tournaments. We were not able to be at the reunion until late Friday night due to the fact that I was on call on Thanksgiving Day. But Anthony and I had a wonderful Thanksgiving, just the two of us. 

Anthony baking his famous rolls.

• The Monday after Thanksgiving, my Granny had a heart attack. Since then, she has had at least one more. She is in a lot of pain and it has taken up to this point to get things regulated for her. In fact, things still aren't great for her, so prayers for her comfort and spirits and prayers of wisdom for the physicians are most appreciated.

• Shortly after Granny's heart attack, Shiloh ran out into the street and was hit by a car. It was a very traumatic night that ended in us having to put her down. We took the day off the next day because we were still so upset and a major ice storm hit that prevented us from leaving the house for several days. With the exception of a hike to the Walgreens for a few things we needed...thank goodness for our Alaska gear. :) We miss our little neurotic buddy, so much. I still tear up sometimes when I come home and she isn't jumping up and down so excited to see me.

• We found out Kim is having a boy. His name is going to be Elijah. I love it!

I think Kim is training Elijah to be a Baylor Bear in utero. ;)

• I have started learning to knit. I made a scarf & hat for my Grandma & a shawl for my Granny. I used a loom for those projects so now I am trying to learn to knit with needles. I've got a nephew on the way & 100's of projects I want to make for him. ;)

My first scarf.

It has been a year filled with challenges, tragedy, stress, excitement, joy, family, and friends. Not much unlike any other year. The best part of it all is that I get to share it with my best friend and love of my life, Anthony.

We totally get each other's silliness.

So what are our hopes for 2014?

• Our church has started a Sunday night service that includes a discipleship time. We are table facilitators during the discipleship time. We are very excited about this new adventure in our church.

• We are really working towards starting a baking business. Our first step is working on some awesome recipes. I've got an AMAZING chocolate chip cookie recipe and adjusted it the other night to make a White Chocolate Cherry cookie that was equally amazing. Anthony sold a fantastic Brown Butter Pumpkin Cake around Thanksgiving. Soooo good. So, if you or anyone you know is looking to purchase some cookies or cakes, we may have an offer. ;) We have a few things we need to work out like, a name for our business, a logo (I'm sure our friend Jordan will help us with that), etc... Also, if you have any requests or suggestions for items to try, please, let me know. :)

White Chocolate Cherry Cookies

• Seeing my nephew sometime in May or June.

• We hope to announce we will be adding to our family as well, but things seem to be going a bit slower than we had hoped. So, prayers on that front are appreciated as well.

• I hope to start writing more and publish some articles (just need to find out how and where). I dream of writing women's Bible studies and speaking at women's seminars. 

• I hope to study theology more and understand God more accurately. 

• We hope to finish our reading through the Bible and find a good resource to go deeper in our daily Bible reading together. Maybe a systematic theology guide or A Baptist Catechism...something to help us understand what it is we claim to believe and "to be able to give a reason for the hope that is within us" (1 Peter 3:15)

• There are other hopes and dreams we have....I guess we will just have to see what God will bring to us. :)

Be Reasonable

I actually really liked this video and thought they made an excellent point. 

Atheists, like every other group of people, have a wide variety of personalities. Some are calm, logical, deep thinkers (like these) and some are irrational, angry, vehement (like the one here...warning, the video contains very bad language) and lots of personalities in between. 

When witnessing to any person, atheist, agnostic, Muslim, Jew, Mormon, etc..., you must tailor your delivery without changing the message. 

Paul says in 1 Corinthians 9:19-23, "For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them. To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though not being myself under the law) that I might win those under the law. To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (not being outside the law of God but under the law of Christ) that I might win those outside the law. To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some. I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings." Paul met the people in the place they were in order to help them understand. To the Jews who understood the Law, he preached the law to them in order to convict them and then revealed the Gospel to them. To the Greeks, he acknowledged the fact that they were a very spiritual/religious people. He pointed out that they had an altar to "an unknown god." Then he went on to tell them about that God, Yahweh (Acts 17:16-34). 

Jesus did the same thing. To the arrogant Pharisees, He preached very harshly to them (Matthew 23). To those who needed hope, He preached the hope that is in Him (John 4).

There may be times when a Bible verse alone is enough to humble a person unto Christ. However, there are times and people who need different forms of apologetics  Apologetics comes from the Greek word ἀπολογία ("apologia") that means "speaking in defense." Many Christians say they feel uncomfortable with that word because they think it sounds too much like apologizing. That is not what it means, but when I felt this way, I thought of it more like when I do apologize for something, I usually follow it up with a reason for why I did what I did. It isn't really the same thing but it helped me get over the similar sounds. :)

There are two popular styles of apologetics; evidential/classical and presuppositional. Evidential apologetics is the most common form. This is where you used rational arguments and present evidence to support the claims of the Bible. For example, to argue that the Bible is reliable, evidential apologists may reference these evidences: compared to other ancient writings, there are substantially more manuscripts for the New Testament;  the numerous non-Biblical accounts of Biblical events/people; the vast amount of archeological evidence supporting Biblical claims; the prophecies that have come to pass have been 100% accurate (I’m not a huge fan of Reasons to Believe but this was a very interesting article on the probability of fulfillment of several Biblical prophecies); and the scientific accuracies of the Bible (also, I am a big proponent of Answers in Genesis, Institute for Creation Research, Creation Today, and Scripture on Creation if you are interested in more resources of how science and the Bible line up). Some examples of classical/evidential apologists would include Augustine, Thomas Aquinas, Norman Geisler, William Craig, JP Moreland, and RC Sproul. 

Presuppositional apologetics presupposes that there is a God and the Bible is true. “The battle is not over evidence by over philosophical starting points: presuppositions.” (David Wright, AIG, 2007) This is actually more in line in how the prophets and Apostles seemed to reason. It is difficult to find an instance where one of the prophets or Apostles made an argument for the existence of God. It is also easier for those who want to evangelize but don’t have an extensive education in evidential apologetics or a doctorate in a science, religion, debate, or philosophy. The best argument I have heard for presuppositional apologetics was by Sye Ten Bruggencate. He made this argument: when before a court, as a defense attorney, you bring evidence to defend the person on trial. God is not on trial. God is the judge, not the defendant. Presenting evidence in defense of God puts God on trial and puts the unregenerate in the place of judge and jury. That argument makes a lot of sense. There are many passages in Scripture that support this type of apologetics. 

“Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest you be like him yourself. Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes.” (Proverbs 26:4-5) 

“The fool says in his heart, ‘There is no God.‘ They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds, there is none who does good.” (Psalms 14:1)

“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,” (2 Timothy 3:16)

“As for God, His way is perfect; The word of the Lord is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him.” (Psalms 18:30)

“Then Paul, as his custom was, went in to them, and for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures,” Acts 17:2

Many people seem to say one is better than the other but, for me, I think it depends on the personality of person you are witnessing to. Personally, I can relate to both. The scientific side of me loves and really responds to evidential apologetics. I understand why the presuppositional apologist argues the way he does and agree with him, but I'm not sure I would respond to his arguments positively if I were not already a Christian. Not that his arguments are not accurate or effective. I'm just not sure it would be the right kind of apologetics to have used on me as a non-Christian or even if I had not been raised in a Christian home. Having said that, there are people who have responded to pre-suppositional apologetics.

In my Wednesday night Bible study this week, a man talked about two of his children. One is on fire for God and wants to become a pastor. The other child, has pretty much turned her back on God. The boy will call the girl and his dad and point out all their sins. The father said he has told his son that this isn't the right way to witness to his sister and he said that it gets old when he hears it as well. The problem with this son is that he preaches all law and morality without following it up with the Gospel. This is very common today. People focus on morals rather than the Gospel. This makes is no different than every other works based religion out there. Morals do not save.

Our Bible study teacher, mentioned a quote he had heard somewhere that said, "If your only tool is a hammer, everything looks like a nail." That was a good point. There is a time and place that a hammer is the perfect tool, but if you are performing an appendectomy, it probably isn't the best tool.

It's the same thing with street preaching. I have met people who heard the Gospel from a street preacher and were converted. I really admire street preachers, or at least the ones who do it properly. Then there are others who respond after years and years of a relationship and prayer. The delivery may be different, but the message is the same. In 1 Corinthians 3:6-9, Paul says, "I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth.He who plants and he who waters are one, and each will receive his wages according to his labor. For we are God's fellow workers. You are God's field, God's building." 

The couple above made a great point that we should be able to reasonably explain what and why we believe what we say we believe. The Bible even instructs us to do this in 1 Peter 3:15. In the second video, if you didn't choose to watch it, a very angry atheist goes on a several minute long screaming monologue after passing a man holding a sign with a Christian message. He finally leaves after the police ask him to leave the college campus he was jogging on. The entire time, the Christian kept his cool and offered to debate the man but he would not. A crowd gathered and some of them tried to calm the man down. Even one guy who agreed with some of his statements pointed out that his irrational behavior was actually making a statement about his claims. Because the Christian kept quite and calm, he appeared more rational and respectful than the atheist, giving strength to his case over the atheist’s. 

Just my thoughts. So, I’ll leave you with this passage. 

"But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God's will, than for doing evil." (1 Peter 3:14-17, ESV)

Wow...it's been a while

Wow. I did not realize how long it has been since I updated this blog. Man! Where do I start?

Well, like I said in my last post we got a dog. Her name is Shiloh & the vet is guessing she is about 5 yrs old. She must have had a pretty rough first part of her life because she has some scars to her back end & a broken rib that has healed but pokes out on her left side. 

She is a great dog & loves us so much. She came already trained at playing fetch & it is definitely her favorite past time...sneaking out of our back yard is apparently her second favorite...not one of our favorites. Yes, the police have already shown up at our house once with her. 

She loved every person & kid she has met (so far) & that, I couldn't be happier about. However, she is not a fan of other dogs. Today we took her to a dog park & she put a pretty aggressive pit bull & HUGE German shepherd in their places when she felt they had gotten too close. 

For the first few weeks we had her she had a terrible case of kennel cough that really worried us & we made a couple of trips to the vet & bought tons of pills that were a ton of fun to shove down her throat. Also, the day we got her we took her for a long walk & I fell in a small hole. I thought I was fine but started having pain in my foot a few days later. Two weeks later, Anthony convinced me to see a podiatrist. I ended up in a boot for 5 weeks for sever posterior tibial tendonitis & plantar faciatis. Now I'm awaiting he wants me to have orthotic inserts specially made. This $25 dog is starting to become very expensive.

On another note, Anthony & I finally found a church (Northview Baptist Church) & have joined it. We found a great Sunday school class and, on Wednesdays, I attend a systematic theology class while Anthony is in choir practice. The church is a little bigger than what I grew up in but still small enough that you won't get lost in the crowd. It think the one thing that really pulled me over was that they had the Institute for Creation Research come every Wednesday & a couple of Sundays in October to speak on creation & Genesis. This topic is a major interest to me & that they were open to speak on a controversial subject really impressed me. Also, the new members pastor teaches the theology class I attend & his belief, teaching, & adherence to solid Bible doctrine sealed the deal for me. I really think this is a place we can serve & be served.

We went to Vegas a few weeks ago. Interesting place. Never was on my list of places I wanted to visit but we had the opportunity & we went. We also got to see Kim & Jonathan while we were there which was great too. I am no fan of Vegas. We did go see Cirque de Soliel's "Ka" & it was really cool, we went to the new Bacchanal Buffet at Ceasar's Palace that was really good, & we also visited Hoover Dam which was the highlight of the trip for us. We think we may go back one day if we find pretty cheap tickets just to see another Cirque show, maybe the Blue Man Group, & take a helicopter ride over the Grand Canyon. 

I have now owned our house for 3 years which means we are released from the First Time Home Buyers Credit. Yay! So now we can look for a new house. This house is amazing. We love it. However, it is a bit small for a family...one baby or toddler, maybe but more than that, no way. So, we want something bigger but for less. Sound crazy? Well, we really would like to find a house with 4+ rooms, 2+ baths, a room that could act as an office/school room, single story, yard big enough to have a garden & play in, very little updating (we could paint or add new carpet), decent neighborhood, reasonably close to Anthony's office & our church, & for $100,000 or less. Now do we sound crazy? hahaha Well, we don't have to move out anytime soon or anything so we can wait till we find the right place & there are always houses coming up for foreclosure. We'll just keep praying about it. :)

For the last two weeks, I have planed out our menu for the week & we have made pretty much all our meals (including taking our lunch). We've eaten out I think 3 times & I've had fast food only once, Anthony maybe 2-3 times. This still may not sound great but it is monumental for us. We've been going to the grocery store on the weekends & only popping into one during the week to grab something that wouldn't have lasted long enough or the store didn't have when we went earlier. We are also starting to watch sales & find decent coupons. I must say, shopping has actually been kind of fun & we are trying so many new recipes. We are saving money, eating better, & having fun. What more could you want?

I think I am slowly turning into a hippie. I am starting to become convinced of some of the dangers of some of the chemicals we use on an everyday basis &, since Obamacare doesn't seem to have any chance of being reversed, I am starting to get interested in more alternative/homeopathic medicine. I really believe that now that healthcare has been socialized, if we have any hope of any kind of healthcare, we will need to seek it other places than in the "accepted establishment." Anyway, I have been researching some "DIY cleaners" &, tonight, we bought the ingredients to make our own laundry detergent. According to this girl, it costs approximately $0.02 per load & costs her about $2 a month for her family of 6. That is a heck of a deal. So, I'll keep you posted.

Well, Anthony has already headed to bed so I guess I'll say good night as well. :D