And so, the meal planning continues. We ended up with a lot of extra leftovers last week. So, a couple of items from last week are being moved to this week.
Margarita Chicken Quesadillas
Mango Chicken
Pork Shoulder Roast
Something with beef and peppers
Not very imaginative this week. My husband will be away for most of the month of June in a training course for the National Guard. Beyond milk and a few fresh produce purchases, I am going to do my very best to buy as little as possible and just cook mostly from our pantry. Should be interesting. Considering that both Ray and I are still job searching (a few potentials but nothing firm), we really need to spend as little money as possible. July with no severance and pay check will be here before we know it.
Are you planning to many anything super yummy this week? Need any ideas? Let's talk here and share some ideas.
Showing posts with label home. Show all posts
Showing posts with label home. Show all posts
Monday, May 21, 2012
Saturday, May 12, 2012
First Things First....
Picture this, and believe it or not, there is one good thing about losing a job during this Great Recession we find ourselves in....extended unemployment.
Just after we found out I was pregnant with our first child, I was let go due to downsizing and lower sales from my job. It really was not that big of a deal because both Ray and I had decided that I was going to be a stay at home mom when we had children. In fact, when we bought our home, we based everything budget wise off of only his salary. My salary was bonus. But, I still wanted to be working up until the baby came, and I applied for and started receiving unemployment benefits as I looked for a job to hold us over.
I never found that job, and baby Derrek arrived. So, I called the local unemployment office and told them, as they requested we do, that I was no longer going to be taking the benefit. The lady asked me why. I told her that I had no intention of working at this time and that it would, in effect, be stealing. She spent 15 minutes on the phone with me trying to talk me out of it and to take the money the government was offering.
Huh? How was that possible? What would be the benefit of taking advantage of the system? What's more, is that some family and friends tried to convince me of the same thing. But, I stuck to my guns and the unemployment checks stopped coming, even when many thought we were nuts.
Now, every state and their unemployment laws are different. If all goes well, I should hopefully be eligible for an additional 20 weeks, then 14 more on top of that by reopening my old unemployment case. The laws are funky and different now, and I will only collect while we are job searching. If Ray finds a good job and I can continue to stay at home or I end up finding a great job, we will obviously end those benefits again.
I don't normally do what other people tell me to. Especially when I find a moral issue with it in the first place. Taking the unemployment benefits when I knew very well I was not really looking for a job did not sit well with me, so I did not do it even though the "free" money was VERY tempting. And, I am glad we made that choice. If all goes well, the benefits will kick in and help us get through a period when, frankly, the only income will be Ray's monthly weekend drill pay. Money that would no longer be available to us had I continued to take it before.
Doing the right thing really does make a difference. Sometimes, the difference between feeding your family or losing your home and not. So, let's pray I hear back from unemployment next week and that we can start putting that money away in savings for July when Ray will no longer be getting severance and his National Guard course will be over. And that Ray will be able to secure a great job that will both meet our financial needs AND that he will love.
Just after we found out I was pregnant with our first child, I was let go due to downsizing and lower sales from my job. It really was not that big of a deal because both Ray and I had decided that I was going to be a stay at home mom when we had children. In fact, when we bought our home, we based everything budget wise off of only his salary. My salary was bonus. But, I still wanted to be working up until the baby came, and I applied for and started receiving unemployment benefits as I looked for a job to hold us over.
I never found that job, and baby Derrek arrived. So, I called the local unemployment office and told them, as they requested we do, that I was no longer going to be taking the benefit. The lady asked me why. I told her that I had no intention of working at this time and that it would, in effect, be stealing. She spent 15 minutes on the phone with me trying to talk me out of it and to take the money the government was offering.
Huh? How was that possible? What would be the benefit of taking advantage of the system? What's more, is that some family and friends tried to convince me of the same thing. But, I stuck to my guns and the unemployment checks stopped coming, even when many thought we were nuts.
Now, every state and their unemployment laws are different. If all goes well, I should hopefully be eligible for an additional 20 weeks, then 14 more on top of that by reopening my old unemployment case. The laws are funky and different now, and I will only collect while we are job searching. If Ray finds a good job and I can continue to stay at home or I end up finding a great job, we will obviously end those benefits again.
I don't normally do what other people tell me to. Especially when I find a moral issue with it in the first place. Taking the unemployment benefits when I knew very well I was not really looking for a job did not sit well with me, so I did not do it even though the "free" money was VERY tempting. And, I am glad we made that choice. If all goes well, the benefits will kick in and help us get through a period when, frankly, the only income will be Ray's monthly weekend drill pay. Money that would no longer be available to us had I continued to take it before.
Doing the right thing really does make a difference. Sometimes, the difference between feeding your family or losing your home and not. So, let's pray I hear back from unemployment next week and that we can start putting that money away in savings for July when Ray will no longer be getting severance and his National Guard course will be over. And that Ray will be able to secure a great job that will both meet our financial needs AND that he will love.
The Truth Shall Set Us Free...
Picture this..... Your husband is in his dream job. There are some challenges, as it is a challenging job. And it has some surprise politics involved that you would not normally consider in this line of work. But, it is what it is. Our family has relocated almost 2 hours away for this job. Then, two weeks to the day that your beautiful baby girl was born (adding to the handsome toddler boy you already have), your husband is let go from his job.
No big deal. Well, having to move so soon after having a baby sucks. Making this the second move in 6ish months. And you are moving back into the house you own, but that is smaller and a totally different set up than the one you had been living in. Sigh.... At least hubs should be able to get his previous job back. Not a job he loves. Not a job he normally even likes. But yet, a job he is good at and that will pay the bills. And we have 2 weeks severance and a month long National Guard course he is going to be taking. There is no reason to panic.
And here we are. Back in our home, with two children to raise and our home and property that needs some work. Ray tried to get his job back at the prison, but will not be eligible now until November some time. Sigh....how did this happen? How are we going to survive? Am I going to have to go back to work? If so, how are we going to handle the cost of childcare?
Lots of questions still yet to be answered. We are past that emotional panic reaction and both Ray and I are in action mode. He is furiously job searching at the moment, as am I. I am taking stock of the state of our home food pantry and trying to find the best way to sell a lot of the stuff we no longer need. Our junk. Our duplicates. We are also trying to get a handle on this crazy yard. Seriously....NEVER buy a house that has no real lawn, just garden. It is more than a full time job just to weed. And covering it in river rock in no way will help the next owners replace a majority of that garden with grass. Speaking of which, anyone want some landscaping rock? We have three varieties for your rock choosing pleasure.
I am not writing about this season of our life because we want charity or pity. (Although, prayers and good thoughts would be much appreciated) I am writing this for several other reasons however:
1. To help me get all these ideas in my brain in order and down on virtual paper. Organization is the key.
2. To share with other's what has and has not worked for us while trying to find jobs and hopefully still be able to pay our bills.
3. To perhaps get some advice from others who have been there and done that, as well as provide this information to other people who may be going through a similar financial situation.
Sharing this information with the public is not easy. I still have some internal melt down moments; times of panic when I just don't know how we are gonna make it. And yet, I am moved to action. If you like, you are welcome, through this blog here, to come along on this journey with us.
God is in control. My brain knows that. But God is not going to drop a job in our laps. God is not going to transfer money into our checking account so we don't lose our house. God is not going to pull up in a 2nd car for our family. Nor fill the gas tank on the car we already have. What God has done however is given us a lot of tools and resources to help us make it through this, hopefully short, challenge for our family. So while my posts may seem a bit disjointed and have no real theme to them as a whole, they are all from this point on to the foreseeable future about all the ways we are getting it done.
No big deal. Well, having to move so soon after having a baby sucks. Making this the second move in 6ish months. And you are moving back into the house you own, but that is smaller and a totally different set up than the one you had been living in. Sigh.... At least hubs should be able to get his previous job back. Not a job he loves. Not a job he normally even likes. But yet, a job he is good at and that will pay the bills. And we have 2 weeks severance and a month long National Guard course he is going to be taking. There is no reason to panic.
And here we are. Back in our home, with two children to raise and our home and property that needs some work. Ray tried to get his job back at the prison, but will not be eligible now until November some time. Sigh....how did this happen? How are we going to survive? Am I going to have to go back to work? If so, how are we going to handle the cost of childcare?
Lots of questions still yet to be answered. We are past that emotional panic reaction and both Ray and I are in action mode. He is furiously job searching at the moment, as am I. I am taking stock of the state of our home food pantry and trying to find the best way to sell a lot of the stuff we no longer need. Our junk. Our duplicates. We are also trying to get a handle on this crazy yard. Seriously....NEVER buy a house that has no real lawn, just garden. It is more than a full time job just to weed. And covering it in river rock in no way will help the next owners replace a majority of that garden with grass. Speaking of which, anyone want some landscaping rock? We have three varieties for your rock choosing pleasure.
I am not writing about this season of our life because we want charity or pity. (Although, prayers and good thoughts would be much appreciated) I am writing this for several other reasons however:
1. To help me get all these ideas in my brain in order and down on virtual paper. Organization is the key.
2. To share with other's what has and has not worked for us while trying to find jobs and hopefully still be able to pay our bills.
3. To perhaps get some advice from others who have been there and done that, as well as provide this information to other people who may be going through a similar financial situation.
Sharing this information with the public is not easy. I still have some internal melt down moments; times of panic when I just don't know how we are gonna make it. And yet, I am moved to action. If you like, you are welcome, through this blog here, to come along on this journey with us.
God is in control. My brain knows that. But God is not going to drop a job in our laps. God is not going to transfer money into our checking account so we don't lose our house. God is not going to pull up in a 2nd car for our family. Nor fill the gas tank on the car we already have. What God has done however is given us a lot of tools and resources to help us make it through this, hopefully short, challenge for our family. So while my posts may seem a bit disjointed and have no real theme to them as a whole, they are all from this point on to the foreseeable future about all the ways we are getting it done.
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
As The Clearing Begins....
In honor of the long running "As the World Turns" which will soon be ending it's daytime soap opera tv run, I give you this blog entry.
The garden is complete. The line has been drawn in the Nebraskan soil and I have started clearing out everything. The goal is to have this part of the yard, as well as the outer beds between the sidewalk and street, cleared by the end of next week. We had a cold front and storms come through last night, so the weather will be perfect for Derrek and I to head outside.
The proof is in the picture, right? Here you go!
Here you can see where the new border is. These stones were bordering the yard and sidewalk. They have been moved to make the new garden border and so I have easier access to the part of the yard that is being cleared. So far I have about ten feet cleared.
Another view of the new garden/lawn border.
On the patio area, I moved the table and chairs a bit to make room for Derrek's pack and play. Since his babysitter is back to school, Derrek will have to hang out in the yard with me. Glad the hot weather finally broke.
The garden is complete. The line has been drawn in the Nebraskan soil and I have started clearing out everything. The goal is to have this part of the yard, as well as the outer beds between the sidewalk and street, cleared by the end of next week. We had a cold front and storms come through last night, so the weather will be perfect for Derrek and I to head outside.
The proof is in the picture, right? Here you go!
Before we get to the garden design, just a moment to enjoy the magic that happens already. Here are current blooming bellflower (blue), yellow coreopsis that resembles small rudbeckia, and white late blooming hostas.
Here you can see where the new border is. These stones were bordering the yard and sidewalk. They have been moved to make the new garden border and so I have easier access to the part of the yard that is being cleared. So far I have about ten feet cleared.
Another view of the new garden/lawn border.
On the patio area, I moved the table and chairs a bit to make room for Derrek's pack and play. Since his babysitter is back to school, Derrek will have to hang out in the yard with me. Glad the hot weather finally broke.
What a difference, eh? So much more work to do, but I'm enjoying it. There is just something about working outside and seeing the fruits of your labor so quickly that kicks me in the rear to keep going. I have already ordered some bulbs and perennials for fall planting. Oddly enough, with the exception of some very small paper whites, there are no daffodils nor tulips in the yard. There were no mums either, but I have already changed that. The yard should keep me busy though the fall and into winter.
I have some other big plans for the yard, but I'll wait until we clear our way to those parts of the yard before explaining them. Buying this house has been an interesting undertaking just in yard work alone. But it has been so worth it. Now, I need to hop off here, set up lil' D's pack an play outside, and get working!
Friday, August 13, 2010
On to the next project!
Well, I suppose I mean the continued project of this mess of a yard. I'm not going to lie, I'm embarrassed at how much of a mess I have allowed it to become. However, there is light at the end of the tunnel!
We live on a corner lot and have a decent sized yard for living in town. And, the only lawn we have borders the street. The rest of the entire yard is garden; about 60% of which right now is actually Nebraskan jungle.
Here is the game plan:
1. Identify which parts of the yard will remain garden and what will be converted back to a lawn. DONE
2. Clear out weeds and other vegetation that should not be there from the garden areas. Mulch it and spray with herbicide all areas that NOTHING should grow. COMPLETED TOMORROW
3. Transplant plants that I want to keep from areas that are going to be grass and mowed.
4. Once the garden areas are complete, totally clear out, till and plant grass seed.
Now, there is a large portion of the back yard that is nothing but river rock. I believe there used to be a pond there at some point. That area will simply be sprayed with the strongest plant killer I can buy in order to keep it weedless. I'll deal with all of that next year.
Here is the front and side sitting area that is done so far:
Note.....There was very few fall flowering plants in the yard. So, I have planted mums that you can see here in the foreground. I did finally decide on shrubs and planted three spring flowering rhododendron in the back. Oddly enough, they have buds on them now. I'm not complaning.
We live on a corner lot and have a decent sized yard for living in town. And, the only lawn we have borders the street. The rest of the entire yard is garden; about 60% of which right now is actually Nebraskan jungle.
Here is the game plan:
1. Identify which parts of the yard will remain garden and what will be converted back to a lawn. DONE
2. Clear out weeds and other vegetation that should not be there from the garden areas. Mulch it and spray with herbicide all areas that NOTHING should grow. COMPLETED TOMORROW
3. Transplant plants that I want to keep from areas that are going to be grass and mowed.
4. Once the garden areas are complete, totally clear out, till and plant grass seed.
Now, there is a large portion of the back yard that is nothing but river rock. I believe there used to be a pond there at some point. That area will simply be sprayed with the strongest plant killer I can buy in order to keep it weedless. I'll deal with all of that next year.
Here is the front and side sitting area that is done so far:
Note.....There was very few fall flowering plants in the yard. So, I have planted mums that you can see here in the foreground. I did finally decide on shrubs and planted three spring flowering rhododendron in the back. Oddly enough, they have buds on them now. I'm not complaning.
If you look in the back part of the picture, you will see the area that will be planted as grass in the next month or so.
Now that the heat warning is over and the Baltimore like humidity has floated away with the cool front that stormed through earlier today, it is time to really get moving! Tomorrow, the area beyond the sitting area and it's bordering stone walkway will be cleared and a new stone border through the yard will be done. With that, I may even have time to start transplanting some of the flowers that will remain in the yard.
Now that the heat warning is over and the Baltimore like humidity has floated away with the cool front that stormed through earlier today, it is time to really get moving! Tomorrow, the area beyond the sitting area and it's bordering stone walkway will be cleared and a new stone border through the yard will be done. With that, I may even have time to start transplanting some of the flowers that will remain in the yard.
I promise to post before and after pictures. This yard has humbled me, but I am determined to keep part of the garden and make the rest more manageable. Besides, Derrek and Ebony need some grass to play on and I need a garden to get my hands dirty in.
Monday, May 17, 2010
4 Days And A Wake-Up
And......my husband will be riding away on a bus to begin his deployment. This past week and a half has been full of good times and strong emotions regarding the upcoming separation of our family.
Mother's Day was fine. We went to church and then to my in-laws home for dinner and a visit. It really is fun to watch them enjoy our son so much. In a few short days our baby boy turns 7 months old. People always said the time would fly by and to try to not look ahead but enjoy each day. I have been taking that advice to heart and I'm so glad! He is beautiful, handsome, smart, funny and a blessing to be a mommy to.
We then left for a few days to go to a nearby state park for a little family R&R. We rented a small cabin for two nights. The best part? The fireplace. Nothing like letting my inner pyro out to play. It was cold, damp, rainy and stormy for the majority of the time but that did not stop us from enjoying each other and making memories.
We were able to get a little bit of hiking in on the first day. The park boasts of a "waterfall." Not exactly what I was expecting, but it was easy enough to explore being that the drop is maybe 5 feet. Baby Derrek did well on his first hike (and first diaper change out in the middle of the woods). I was able to do some dutch oven experimental type cooking in the cabin. Next time I think I'm going to use an actual iron dutch oven and not the kind you use on top of a stove. Gotta love just throwing stuff in a pot and letting it cook itself. I sooooooooo wish we had a wood burning fireplace here at home. I suppose that is just something we will have to look for whenever we look for our next home.
Mother's Day was fine. We went to church and then to my in-laws home for dinner and a visit. It really is fun to watch them enjoy our son so much. In a few short days our baby boy turns 7 months old. People always said the time would fly by and to try to not look ahead but enjoy each day. I have been taking that advice to heart and I'm so glad! He is beautiful, handsome, smart, funny and a blessing to be a mommy to.
We then left for a few days to go to a nearby state park for a little family R&R. We rented a small cabin for two nights. The best part? The fireplace. Nothing like letting my inner pyro out to play. It was cold, damp, rainy and stormy for the majority of the time but that did not stop us from enjoying each other and making memories.
We were able to get a little bit of hiking in on the first day. The park boasts of a "waterfall." Not exactly what I was expecting, but it was easy enough to explore being that the drop is maybe 5 feet. Baby Derrek did well on his first hike (and first diaper change out in the middle of the woods). I was able to do some dutch oven experimental type cooking in the cabin. Next time I think I'm going to use an actual iron dutch oven and not the kind you use on top of a stove. Gotta love just throwing stuff in a pot and letting it cook itself. I sooooooooo wish we had a wood burning fireplace here at home. I suppose that is just something we will have to look for whenever we look for our next home.
Speaking of our home, WEEDS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! On the next few sunny days, my yard is not going to know what hit it! Now, we just need a few sunny days and no more of this "global cooling" stuff. That's all I have to say about that.
Sunday, December 27, 2009
A snow bunny I am not!
I promised some funny pictures of my trying to tame the great snowy back yard. And, after the Raven's loss, I needed to cool off after all that yelling at the television. I put Ray's snow suit on and outside I went!
I'm not kidding, this snow is deeper than my waist! I can't imagine how much potential snow we are going to get this year considering we are only 2 weeks into winter and we have had 2 blizzards so far.
I did get my legs stuck. So I had to kick them straight out and up so that I ended up laying down on the snow. While I was there I figured I should go ahead and make a snow angel. It is still the Christmas season after all!
Yes, that is me standing on the seat of a bench. And, as I prepare to jump back into the snowy abyss......
....I get stuck AGAIN! I do have to say that playing in the snow was fun. Since rolling helped me get out before, I tried it again. The only problem this time? My arms got stuck too.
As you can see, I did eventually tame the Nebraskan Snowy Wild West Back Yard!!!!!!!! I should get a trophy or something. The weather man keeps saying we should be snow free for the next week. At this point, I'll believe it when I see it.
Even from the start, it was pretty deep. For some reason our back yard is a prime place for all the snow to drift to. Probably because the house is higher and the yard slopes away from the house. Ray, by the way, is warm and toasty inside while taking these pictures. Sheesh!
I'm not kidding, this snow is deeper than my waist! I can't imagine how much potential snow we are going to get this year considering we are only 2 weeks into winter and we have had 2 blizzards so far.
I did get my legs stuck. So I had to kick them straight out and up so that I ended up laying down on the snow. While I was there I figured I should go ahead and make a snow angel. It is still the Christmas season after all!
Yes, that is me standing on the seat of a bench. And, as I prepare to jump back into the snowy abyss......
....I get stuck AGAIN! I do have to say that playing in the snow was fun. Since rolling helped me get out before, I tried it again. The only problem this time? My arms got stuck too.
As you can see, I did eventually tame the Nebraskan Snowy Wild West Back Yard!!!!!!!! I should get a trophy or something. The weather man keeps saying we should be snow free for the next week. At this point, I'll believe it when I see it.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Lots of updates......
Ok, so it has been a while. But, I have been busy!!!!!!! That's my excuse and I'm sticking to it ;-)
Of course, we have had the beginnings of Football season. And, my Raven's are doing pretty well! Even Ebony is excited!
Of course, we have had the beginnings of Football season. And, my Raven's are doing pretty well! Even Ebony is excited!
We are also getting stuff rolling in church as the Fall came storming in. Ray is teaching Adult Sunday School and I'm leading the same study in an evening group at our home. I am also leading the youth group.
As for the yard/garden? Well....ummmmm, yeah! The weeds got it. I think it is a Nebraskan conspiracy or something! I have been able to keep up with the front yard and a bit on the side. The rest? Not so much. Bending over to pull weeds just does not jive with having a growing baby in the belly. There is always next year. Not to mention, next year we are going to be turning a portion of the back yard BACK into a lawn instead of a garden full of flowers, cactus, weeds and rocks.
Oh yeah, and we have Derrick getting closer and closer to his arrival each day. I am due on November 7th, and so far we have had a healthy pregnancy. Let's pray that does not change. Many have asked about the final update and pictures of the completed nursery and my belly. Enjoy!!!!
Thursday, July 02, 2009
It's Done!
And now.....the long awaited announcement you have all been waiting for......
THE BABY'S ROOM IS DONE!!!!!!!!!
This is the room, as you may remember, was Pepto Pink when we moved in. Well, not anymore! Good thing too since it turns out that we are having a boy. The room is painted, the carpet is in, and the dresser is in the room. My mom and sister will be visiting next week. Therefore, we still have the twin bed in there and the crib is still in a box on the porch. When they leave, the bed will go upstairs and crib will come in.
Here are some pictures of Ray learning how to paint his first room:
And now...the finished product!!!!!!!
THE BABY'S ROOM IS DONE!!!!!!!!!
This is the room, as you may remember, was Pepto Pink when we moved in. Well, not anymore! Good thing too since it turns out that we are having a boy. The room is painted, the carpet is in, and the dresser is in the room. My mom and sister will be visiting next week. Therefore, we still have the twin bed in there and the crib is still in a box on the porch. When they leave, the bed will go upstairs and crib will come in.
Here are some pictures of Ray learning how to paint his first room:
And now...the finished product!!!!!!!
It has been a long process, but I'm so excited that it is over! We learned a lot about our home as well as to not expect anything to be square or even in a house that is over 100 years old. Now we have plenty of time to get everything ready for little Derrick to arrive around November 7, 2009!
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Say goodbye to the pink!!!!
When Ray and I first looked at the house we moved into, we knew right away that one of the bedrooms on the main floor was perfect for a nursery or kids room! The problem? It was painted pink. I mean REALLY PINK!
Not only was the horrible pink and white paint all over it, the hard wood as you can see did not even reach the wall on two sides! Ack! So, we changed plans and decided to cover it with laminate flooring. Not realizing (like a dummy) that the 100 year old hard wood was probably not level, we tried in vein to lay the floor. After a few days, we knew it was not happening without a lot more work. And, my pregnant body was not up to the task considering all the manual and physical stuff the rest of the house and the yard requires.
So, we ordered carpet. We are hoping to have it installed within the next couple of weeks. Once it is in and the room is decorated with cute baby things, I'll show more pics. But, that probably won't be until much later this summer.
Baby Update: He/She is moving like crazy! It is not really hard kicks or anything like that, but I feel a ton of movement, especially in the evenings. Our doctor's office is getting new ultrasound equipment installed on the day we were supposed to go in for the 20 week ultrasound. So, we have been rescheduled for later that week. Hopefully, we will be able to find out the sex of the baby. Considering that I have caught the "I must buy all cute baby things" flu, it may be a good thing if we are not able to find out! However, I REALLY REALLY REALLY want to know.
Even if we end up having girl, who would want to sleep in a room the color or Pepto Bismol? So, it is now painted a nice soothing and neutral color. We pulled up the old and ugly slate blue carpet hoping that the hard wood under it would be good. Surprise! It wasn't!
Not only was the horrible pink and white paint all over it, the hard wood as you can see did not even reach the wall on two sides! Ack! So, we changed plans and decided to cover it with laminate flooring. Not realizing (like a dummy) that the 100 year old hard wood was probably not level, we tried in vein to lay the floor. After a few days, we knew it was not happening without a lot more work. And, my pregnant body was not up to the task considering all the manual and physical stuff the rest of the house and the yard requires.
So, we ordered carpet. We are hoping to have it installed within the next couple of weeks. Once it is in and the room is decorated with cute baby things, I'll show more pics. But, that probably won't be until much later this summer.
Baby Update: He/She is moving like crazy! It is not really hard kicks or anything like that, but I feel a ton of movement, especially in the evenings. Our doctor's office is getting new ultrasound equipment installed on the day we were supposed to go in for the 20 week ultrasound. So, we have been rescheduled for later that week. Hopefully, we will be able to find out the sex of the baby. Considering that I have caught the "I must buy all cute baby things" flu, it may be a good thing if we are not able to find out! However, I REALLY REALLY REALLY want to know.
Monday, May 25, 2009
Memorial Day, 2009
Well, the day is almost over and Ray and I have had a great one! We slept in, then worked together in getting some much needed house work done. We have lots to do over the next week to get ready for a furniture delivery on Thursday. However, the weather was beautiful and this afternoon we decided to cook out on the grill for the first time. The grill, by the way, was another perk of buying the house! Here are some pictures of Ray cooking dinner:
While he was cooking, I was enjoying the garden yard. It is so much fun because it changes every day. And, the veggies are doing GREAT!!!! In fact, I will be harvesting some lettuce tomorrow. The strawberries are also growing. We are going to have a ton of them. Good thing we really like them. I'll have to find some recipes for smoothies. That would be perfect for the summer. As for the flowers, here are some pictures for you to enjoy:
While he was cooking, I was enjoying the garden yard. It is so much fun because it changes every day. And, the veggies are doing GREAT!!!! In fact, I will be harvesting some lettuce tomorrow. The strawberries are also growing. We are going to have a ton of them. Good thing we really like them. I'll have to find some recipes for smoothies. That would be perfect for the summer. As for the flowers, here are some pictures for you to enjoy:
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Family Heirlooms
Ray and I have been very fortunate. We have been able to buy a great starter house at a price that was a steal. We are expecting our first child. We have also been blessed in some of the "things" we have acquired. Included in this has been my grandmother's china. I finally got around to washing it and putting it into our china cabinet. I don't normally care about really fancy, expensive stuff. But this is a little different. It is a part of my families history that I will be able to continue sharing with others. Here are some pictures:
You probably saw some other heirlooms, both old and not so old. But, all of them tell a story of Ray's and my heritage, present and future. I can't wait to have someone come over and visit so we can use them!
You probably saw some other heirlooms, both old and not so old. But, all of them tell a story of Ray's and my heritage, present and future. I can't wait to have someone come over and visit so we can use them!
Thank you Grandmom!!! I love you!!!
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Veggies Anyone?
All my veggies are now in the ground! Well, at least all of them that I have to plant for now. I still need to get a few tomato plants and clear one more corner of the little plot in the yard I am using.
I took the above picture to show you the process of clearing this area and getting it ready for veggies. The prior owners of the home had prepared this area for and planted several cactus. So, I had to remove all the river rocks (as you see on the right side of the picture), turn the earth to mix in the small layer of sand on top with the good soil underneath, and fertilize before planting the veggies. It is not a huge area, but enough that doing it pregnant tuckers me out after a while.
So far, we have planted:
Rhubarb
Iceberg lettuce
Red leaf lettuce
spinach
bell peppers
broccoli
zucchini
green beans
So, one corner left, then plant the tomatoes. Then all that is left is watering and watching my veggies grow! Oh yeah, then eating them up too!
I took the above picture to show you the process of clearing this area and getting it ready for veggies. The prior owners of the home had prepared this area for and planted several cactus. So, I had to remove all the river rocks (as you see on the right side of the picture), turn the earth to mix in the small layer of sand on top with the good soil underneath, and fertilize before planting the veggies. It is not a huge area, but enough that doing it pregnant tuckers me out after a while.
So far, we have planted:
Rhubarb
Iceberg lettuce
Red leaf lettuce
spinach
bell peppers
broccoli
zucchini
green beans
So, one corner left, then plant the tomatoes. Then all that is left is watering and watching my veggies grow! Oh yeah, then eating them up too!
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Home and Garden...and a lot of work!
As I mentioned before, our yard is not your normal yard. It is a garden. AN ENTIRE GARDEN! While I was working, I tried to explain this to my coworkers. I don't think they understood. One of them, Kelly, came to my house to get some rocks for her yard. She was shocked! She had no idea how big this "yard garden" really was.
Here are some pictures so you may have a better idea:
So what do you see? I see tons of plants, more rocks then one will ever need in a yard, and way too many weeds to keep up with. I have always loved to garden, and this yard is giving me my dream to have a huge one! While it is a lot of work, I'm enjoying it very much!
Right now domestically, I have 3 projects going:
1. Get the baby room painted and the floor done before furniture is delivered on May 28. (Ray is painting this weekend. Then I'm putting the laminate floor down next week)
2. Get the veggie garden plot ready (meaning getting rid of all the rocks and getting the soil ready) and get the rest of the veggies planted.
3. Keep up with normal maintenance in the yard.
Needless to say, #3 is the one that I have been slacking with the most. I think that once the baby's room is done and the veggies are in and growing, I'm only gonna take on one project at a time along with keeping up with the yard.
Life is busy, but is is fun and definitely not boring!
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