Going to college at 18 years old made scene for me because I didn't know what else to do! I had been in school for 13 years and school is all I knew how to do.
Meeting S has transitioned me into learning how to "run" a house and have a (small) family of my own.
Unfortunately the things I went to school for is not very easy to find a job in right now. I had dreams of great things and working for wonderful companies doing things I believe in for enough money to pay for my education and live comfortable. Right now, that isn't happening though.
Now my dreams are changing. I love to bake! I would love to be a pastry chef! My friend in high school always wanted to be a pastry chef and my co-worker now wants to go to culinary school!
I have been thinking about Australia a lot recently and this is what I stumbled across today. Wholefood a natural chef training program by a chef and cookbook author in Australia! Wouldn't that be amazing! 4 months cooking in Australia to become a natural chef!
Oh, a girl can dream!
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Ice, and my posessed dishwasher
Yesterday the ice started coming down. Well, now that I think about that sentence I realize that it was freezing rain but the roads and grounds and sidewalks and cars and.... all started to ice!
The temp was around 24*F while I was at work and around 3pm my boss Mike decided to send my coworker Karen and I home. It worked out well because S got off around 2 and came over to shoe store. The Rodeo was deiced and we headed home around 4pm. We drove less than 30mph the whole way home! The dirt roads were still traveled enough that they were more like mud than ice but when we got into the driveway Grace was already home and it was pretty icy!!! I parked over a spot where there isn't really any grass (i.e. traction) and when I got out of the car I almost bit it! I made it to the grass and we let the dogs in and spent the whole evening holed up in the house after being apart for 3 days.
I had been craving a bath (due to my FREEZING working conditions) so I got in the bath and left S to his own devices. When I came out of the bath S has started super cleaning the kitchen!!! I was so thrilled! We had been behind on the dishes but I did manage to get one load done while he was gone. He had unloaded the dishwasher, reloaded it with the stuff in the sink, scrubbed the counters and top of the microwave, cleaned the coffee maker, and was starting to wash the pots and pans (which were ALL dirty). I was thrilled! I was hired as the dryer and kept getting distracted. We had a really great time cleaning together!
I made (some not very good) pasta bake with the bowtie pasta I made at Graces house the night before and we watched the movies we rented on the couch. It was a great evening.
Ok, now the possessed dishwasher. Most nights I start a load of laundry and then set the dishwasher for a delay start (you can pick 1-4 hours). Before we started the movie I put detergent in the dishwasher and put it for 4 hours. Before we went to bed I started the load of laundry and the dishwaher still had 1 hour before it started.
We have a great dishwasher. I love it! It has one of those spinny things on the bottom and top rack. I rarely have a problem with it getting everything sparkely. But don't get me wrong it has a very long run cycle.
Last night I got up at 5am with Cache (she needed to go out and drink some water) and the dishwasher was still running. I though that was odd! We had gone to bed at 11pm, so it should have started around midnight. Why was it still running? I didn't think too much more about it and went back to bed.
Fastforward: this morning at 8:30am. S is in the shower and I was getting ready to start breakfast (breakfast tacos) and I noticed that the dishwasher had just barley started! I went and asked S if he restarted before he got in the shower and he said no. So the dishwasher ran from around midnight untill 8am? WOW! I opened it up and everything still looked pretty normal! After S got out of the shower I restarted it and it just now finished up.
Oh well! Who knows what is up with it, I just feel bad that it worked all night!
What should I bake today? Homemade bread, Cowboy Cookies or Date Bars? Something, anything to get the kitchen heated up! It is currently 20*F but feels like 9*F with the wind chill!
The temp was around 24*F while I was at work and around 3pm my boss Mike decided to send my coworker Karen and I home. It worked out well because S got off around 2 and came over to shoe store. The Rodeo was deiced and we headed home around 4pm. We drove less than 30mph the whole way home! The dirt roads were still traveled enough that they were more like mud than ice but when we got into the driveway Grace was already home and it was pretty icy!!! I parked over a spot where there isn't really any grass (i.e. traction) and when I got out of the car I almost bit it! I made it to the grass and we let the dogs in and spent the whole evening holed up in the house after being apart for 3 days.
I had been craving a bath (due to my FREEZING working conditions) so I got in the bath and left S to his own devices. When I came out of the bath S has started super cleaning the kitchen!!! I was so thrilled! We had been behind on the dishes but I did manage to get one load done while he was gone. He had unloaded the dishwasher, reloaded it with the stuff in the sink, scrubbed the counters and top of the microwave, cleaned the coffee maker, and was starting to wash the pots and pans (which were ALL dirty). I was thrilled! I was hired as the dryer and kept getting distracted. We had a really great time cleaning together!
I made (some not very good) pasta bake with the bowtie pasta I made at Graces house the night before and we watched the movies we rented on the couch. It was a great evening.
Ok, now the possessed dishwasher. Most nights I start a load of laundry and then set the dishwasher for a delay start (you can pick 1-4 hours). Before we started the movie I put detergent in the dishwasher and put it for 4 hours. Before we went to bed I started the load of laundry and the dishwaher still had 1 hour before it started.
We have a great dishwasher. I love it! It has one of those spinny things on the bottom and top rack. I rarely have a problem with it getting everything sparkely. But don't get me wrong it has a very long run cycle.
Last night I got up at 5am with Cache (she needed to go out and drink some water) and the dishwasher was still running. I though that was odd! We had gone to bed at 11pm, so it should have started around midnight. Why was it still running? I didn't think too much more about it and went back to bed.
Fastforward: this morning at 8:30am. S is in the shower and I was getting ready to start breakfast (breakfast tacos) and I noticed that the dishwasher had just barley started! I went and asked S if he restarted before he got in the shower and he said no. So the dishwasher ran from around midnight untill 8am? WOW! I opened it up and everything still looked pretty normal! After S got out of the shower I restarted it and it just now finished up.
Oh well! Who knows what is up with it, I just feel bad that it worked all night!
What should I bake today? Homemade bread, Cowboy Cookies or Date Bars? Something, anything to get the kitchen heated up! It is currently 20*F but feels like 9*F with the wind chill!
Monday, January 26, 2009
I crave one large adventure. I have been feeling this stirring ever since I didn't get a job after graduation. I got really excited with the Wisconsin adventure- and every day that I put on my North Face jacket that we bough for the trip I remember the fun of a whole new place.
As the boys are (hopefully) on there way home from there small adventure in the woods I have started fantasizing about my own adventure. I defenatly see S and I together. Maybe that stems from the ideas that we would move after graduation to more than likley a new place where the only people we would know would be eachother.
Today I even looked up how to be on that show "The Amazing Race". Wouldn't that be fun? Racing across the world with video cameras fallowing us! Finding our way in a strange place- together. I even invite the arguments and rough times, just somthing to shake things up.
I am sure that I will have my adventures in due time.
*Hi Barb!*
As the boys are (hopefully) on there way home from there small adventure in the woods I have started fantasizing about my own adventure. I defenatly see S and I together. Maybe that stems from the ideas that we would move after graduation to more than likley a new place where the only people we would know would be eachother.
Today I even looked up how to be on that show "The Amazing Race". Wouldn't that be fun? Racing across the world with video cameras fallowing us! Finding our way in a strange place- together. I even invite the arguments and rough times, just somthing to shake things up.
I am sure that I will have my adventures in due time.
*Hi Barb!*
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Here comes color!
Spring is coming and so is a serge of new colors. Last years hot color- much to my dismay- was purple. It was everywere and I did not feel invited to take part.
This year as I start to prepare my wardrobe for spring and this career-thing I currently have I am being very careful of color.
At the previous store I didn't really care what I wore. I tried to look at the store and wear items that were on the shelves. That was easy! This year at a shoe store I have less guidance- and discounts on different types of things (i.e. shoes and socks!).
I have started to shop and feel a little lost as to what colors to pick! Lauren and I went shopping yesterday at a store going out of business here in town. I chose three shades of RED! Seriously! I got a pinkish sweater, a bright red sweater and a darker plum V-neck long sleeve shirt. While putting on the pinkish one for church today I noticed I have another, totally different shape sweater in the exact same color!
The thing that is even funnier is that as I search the clearance pages of online stores I am seeing more and more of the same colors! Almost that melon/ orange range of color.
I plan on organizing my closet by color soon to see exactly what I already have before I commit to anymore clothes (no mater how cheap they are!).
*Yesterday I picked out 15 items from OldNavy.com from the clearnce pages and it amounted to right at $100 with shipping. 15 things for $100! Pretty good. But no, I buy any of it. I have enough clothes for a few weeks while we get all of our finances in line!
This year as I start to prepare my wardrobe for spring and this career-thing I currently have I am being very careful of color.
At the previous store I didn't really care what I wore. I tried to look at the store and wear items that were on the shelves. That was easy! This year at a shoe store I have less guidance- and discounts on different types of things (i.e. shoes and socks!).
I have started to shop and feel a little lost as to what colors to pick! Lauren and I went shopping yesterday at a store going out of business here in town. I chose three shades of RED! Seriously! I got a pinkish sweater, a bright red sweater and a darker plum V-neck long sleeve shirt. While putting on the pinkish one for church today I noticed I have another, totally different shape sweater in the exact same color!
The thing that is even funnier is that as I search the clearance pages of online stores I am seeing more and more of the same colors! Almost that melon/ orange range of color.
I plan on organizing my closet by color soon to see exactly what I already have before I commit to anymore clothes (no mater how cheap they are!).
*Yesterday I picked out 15 items from OldNavy.com from the clearnce pages and it amounted to right at $100 with shipping. 15 things for $100! Pretty good. But no, I buy any of it. I have enough clothes for a few weeks while we get all of our finances in line!
Home Alone
While S is off with Jared I have had time here home alone.
I could have cooked some great things that S dosen't like or spend lots of time crafting, or even- gasp- cleaning, but no.
I have spent the last two nights doing nothing on the couch. I love work but with the sun going down so fast I just don't have much energy after dark.
The dogs have been enjoying the attention and warmth of the house when I get home. I know it is cold during the day and they have been behaving well while I work.
Maybe today I will get something "real" done. Thinking that maybe operation Studio will resume after church today. Lauren and I are going to the store after church but then I don't have anything planned.
I don't expect the boys to be home anytime respectable so I am sure to get something done. Right?
I could have cooked some great things that S dosen't like or spend lots of time crafting, or even- gasp- cleaning, but no.
I have spent the last two nights doing nothing on the couch. I love work but with the sun going down so fast I just don't have much energy after dark.
The dogs have been enjoying the attention and warmth of the house when I get home. I know it is cold during the day and they have been behaving well while I work.
Maybe today I will get something "real" done. Thinking that maybe operation Studio will resume after church today. Lauren and I are going to the store after church but then I don't have anything planned.
I don't expect the boys to be home anytime respectable so I am sure to get something done. Right?
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Camp On!
S and our friend Jared are currently camping out in the cold out of state. Jared had some vacation time he needed to use and S has been itching to get out into the "great outdoors".
They left yesterday after work and drove to the trail head to camp. They called last night a little before midnight to ask for directions! Those crazy boys- whatever will I do with them!
They were suppose to camp last night and then hike to another camping spot 11 miles away today and make camp for the night. Then tomorrow they will hike back to the trail head and get into the car and drive home. Drive around 5 hours. I have a feeling they will be exhausted!
I think S was trying to only take off one day of work (Saturday) so he could work on Monday. Yes, the money will be nice but if he is all tuckered out he will be... difficult?... to deal with.
Oh well, boys will be boys and I am sure they are having a great adventure and lots of fun. When they called last night they were laughing and said that the already had stories.
On another note: Preparation. I don't think they took a camera, but they might have had Jared's video camera. On the morning before they left S showed me his loaded pack- so I had some questions. Toilet paper? Duck tape? Advil? All answered with a quiet no and a hurry off to gather more supplies.
I do know that he had some parachute rope, tent/pack repair tape, 3 sleeping bags, an axe, a pillow, folding tree saw, and a few other necessities. I do know they will be well fed because I bought there food the night before they left stocking packs full of oatmeal, trail mix bars, granola, tortillas, peanut butter, instant coffee and cocoa with some packets of sweeten~low. They also have a camp meal of (vegetarian) lasagna and chocolate mouse. They did leave there bag of individually wrapped cheese in the fridge- so I took some to work! Yeah!
They left yesterday after work and drove to the trail head to camp. They called last night a little before midnight to ask for directions! Those crazy boys- whatever will I do with them!
They were suppose to camp last night and then hike to another camping spot 11 miles away today and make camp for the night. Then tomorrow they will hike back to the trail head and get into the car and drive home. Drive around 5 hours. I have a feeling they will be exhausted!
I think S was trying to only take off one day of work (Saturday) so he could work on Monday. Yes, the money will be nice but if he is all tuckered out he will be... difficult?... to deal with.
Oh well, boys will be boys and I am sure they are having a great adventure and lots of fun. When they called last night they were laughing and said that the already had stories.
On another note: Preparation. I don't think they took a camera, but they might have had Jared's video camera. On the morning before they left S showed me his loaded pack- so I had some questions. Toilet paper? Duck tape? Advil? All answered with a quiet no and a hurry off to gather more supplies.
I do know that he had some parachute rope, tent/pack repair tape, 3 sleeping bags, an axe, a pillow, folding tree saw, and a few other necessities. I do know they will be well fed because I bought there food the night before they left stocking packs full of oatmeal, trail mix bars, granola, tortillas, peanut butter, instant coffee and cocoa with some packets of sweeten~low. They also have a camp meal of (vegetarian) lasagna and chocolate mouse. They did leave there bag of individually wrapped cheese in the fridge- so I took some to work! Yeah!
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Things I Love
I often fall in love with physical objects I can not afford. This is normal, has been this way all my life.
Cars: First a VW Bug (old style, then new style), then the Nissan Xterra, for a breif period of time the Nissan Murano (it matched my luggage!) and most recently the Toyota FJ. While they are super cool (so cool even Jessica wants one!) I relize that the practicality of a huge, gas hogging monster SUV is not very practicle- I still like the look and idea of one.
I have lots of other examples but S is forcing me to finish up and hem my pants for work tomorrow (I am currently blambing him for me not getting them done this morning for work today- I wore my other, dirty, pants instead).
The point of this is I am currently obsessed with home fernishings, even if they are outlandish.
I like this Candelabra set from Red Envilope-
see it here
Enjoy!
*Yes, work is good but today was rough with mean customers!
Cars: First a VW Bug (old style, then new style), then the Nissan Xterra, for a breif period of time the Nissan Murano (it matched my luggage!) and most recently the Toyota FJ. While they are super cool (so cool even Jessica wants one!) I relize that the practicality of a huge, gas hogging monster SUV is not very practicle- I still like the look and idea of one.
I have lots of other examples but S is forcing me to finish up and hem my pants for work tomorrow (I am currently blambing him for me not getting them done this morning for work today- I wore my other, dirty, pants instead).
The point of this is I am currently obsessed with home fernishings, even if they are outlandish.
I like this Candelabra set from Red Envilope-
see it here
Enjoy!
*Yes, work is good but today was rough with mean customers!
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
I miss my camera!
I have got to find my camera battery charger before I go crazy! I want to spend my day off taking pics of everything cool- like the enchiladas I am about to make but alas! My camera is DEAD! We do have S's point and shoot around here somewhere... I could take the time to find it.
Monday, January 12, 2009
Money tips for the new year!
Ever notice all the money that you wash down the drain- as in soap?
I used to use an entire handful of shampoo and get my hair all huge and soapy- then I realized what a waist! I started to slowly reduce the amount I needed until I found the amount that would create enough to lather everything up well but not too much- more like a quarter size amount. My shampoo now lasts a lot longer!
Another place to look for wasted soap is in the washing machine and diswasher. Read the back of the bottle and see how much is needed vs. the lines on the cap. I have found a good rule of thumb is about half the recommended amount works well!
Good luck!
I used to use an entire handful of shampoo and get my hair all huge and soapy- then I realized what a waist! I started to slowly reduce the amount I needed until I found the amount that would create enough to lather everything up well but not too much- more like a quarter size amount. My shampoo now lasts a lot longer!
Another place to look for wasted soap is in the washing machine and diswasher. Read the back of the bottle and see how much is needed vs. the lines on the cap. I have found a good rule of thumb is about half the recommended amount works well!
Good luck!
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Hobby Lobby What Happened?
Every Sunday I get an email from Hobby Lobby with their sale flier and an internet coupon.
Normally the internet coupon is for a specific item or group of items. A few weeks ago it was 50% off all Wilton products, no limit. About every other week the coupon is for 40% off any one regular priced item. I often wait for these to buy things I don't need immediately.
Not this week! The coupon is only for 25% off any one item!
I wonder if Hobby Lobby is having financial trouble also! I found an article with David Green the founder published by the Oklahoman on the 4th of this month and there was no mention of any finances. Hoovers.com reports that the company is privately owned so I am not even going to try and find any more financial information.
Just thought that was interesting!
This weeks flier did say that a select group of home furnishings are marked 66% off, so maybe I will check that out on Tuesday- my day off.
*Side note: Tomorrow I get my first full paycheck from my new job- I worked 46 hours and had around $25 in commission. I still have to figure out my tax stuff and finish my new hire paper this week, but for the most part I am really enjoying my job and my coworkers!
Normally the internet coupon is for a specific item or group of items. A few weeks ago it was 50% off all Wilton products, no limit. About every other week the coupon is for 40% off any one regular priced item. I often wait for these to buy things I don't need immediately.
Not this week! The coupon is only for 25% off any one item!
I wonder if Hobby Lobby is having financial trouble also! I found an article with David Green the founder published by the Oklahoman on the 4th of this month and there was no mention of any finances. Hoovers.com reports that the company is privately owned so I am not even going to try and find any more financial information.
Just thought that was interesting!
This weeks flier did say that a select group of home furnishings are marked 66% off, so maybe I will check that out on Tuesday- my day off.
*Side note: Tomorrow I get my first full paycheck from my new job- I worked 46 hours and had around $25 in commission. I still have to figure out my tax stuff and finish my new hire paper this week, but for the most part I am really enjoying my job and my coworkers!
Thursday, January 1, 2009
A new year- a new job!
Wow I have not posted in a long time!
I start my new job tomorrow at 9:30am. I am training to be an assistant manager of Brown's Shoe Fit Co. here in Stillwater.
I am excited about the opportunity and the opportunity for advancement. The down side is that the hours are long (50 hours a week) but the pay is much better than at my other position. The staff is also smaller so I expect less drama.
Today is New Years Day! Yeah! We have lots of things to do such as work on our budget and set some goals for the upcoming year.
Our first and foremost goal is start knocking out our debt. School loans and a car loan are all we have but the freedom found from having no loans and only savings gets me so excited! It also frees us to possibly become missionaries in the upcoming years.
Our friend Jared has an interesting goal. He wants to only drink 52 sodas this year. He plans on making himself a card that he can check off each one as he drinks them. I don't know if I can do it! Dr. Pepper is my drug! Every time I try to quit I just keep coming back! Ah!
I also want to save up money for us to go on a mission trip somewhere this year. That has really been weighing on our heart. Maybe somewhere here in the US, maybe South America! Our church has one leaving January 24th but I don't think we can arrange it so fast.
Another goal I have is to grow my alternative income ventures. The aprons and magnets will be up on Etsy.com soon!
Happy New Years everyone! Eat your black eyed peas- I know my mom will be!
I start my new job tomorrow at 9:30am. I am training to be an assistant manager of Brown's Shoe Fit Co. here in Stillwater.
I am excited about the opportunity and the opportunity for advancement. The down side is that the hours are long (50 hours a week) but the pay is much better than at my other position. The staff is also smaller so I expect less drama.
Today is New Years Day! Yeah! We have lots of things to do such as work on our budget and set some goals for the upcoming year.
Our first and foremost goal is start knocking out our debt. School loans and a car loan are all we have but the freedom found from having no loans and only savings gets me so excited! It also frees us to possibly become missionaries in the upcoming years.
Our friend Jared has an interesting goal. He wants to only drink 52 sodas this year. He plans on making himself a card that he can check off each one as he drinks them. I don't know if I can do it! Dr. Pepper is my drug! Every time I try to quit I just keep coming back! Ah!
I also want to save up money for us to go on a mission trip somewhere this year. That has really been weighing on our heart. Maybe somewhere here in the US, maybe South America! Our church has one leaving January 24th but I don't think we can arrange it so fast.
Another goal I have is to grow my alternative income ventures. The aprons and magnets will be up on Etsy.com soon!
Happy New Years everyone! Eat your black eyed peas- I know my mom will be!
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