14 August 2012

Hey there! Wherever you are, I wish I was there. I have someone playing the flute very loudly and a yippy dog in his crate. UGH! One of those days....

6 Aug 2012

Hello again! We had a good weekend! DJ returned from a week in Aberdeen. We went on a date to a fun little Mexican restaurant. They had someone who came to your table to make fresh guacamole! It was amazing! I paid attention and here are the ingredients: 1 avacado, 1/4 onion, 1/2 tomato, 1 small lime, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp garlic powder (like lowry's). I attempted to make it yesterday and discovered my kitchen knives are nowhere near as sharp as they should/could be. Next time I'll use the food processor for the tomato and onion to get it chopped fine enough. The lime is simply juiced, the avacado crushed/mashed. He used a whisk for this, I think I have a whimpy whisk. :) Anyway - as DJ has trouble with garlic, we omitted that when we made it at home and it was wonderful! I will probably chop the tomato and onion in the food processor then add the lime juice, avacado and salt and just pulse so I still have good chunks. Had to share the tastiness!

We have a friend over today for the little ones. I wonder if I will always think of the two younger girls as the little ones....McKay is busy doing extra jobs to earn Kindle time. :) Kimball is reading on the porch. Before long, they will all be off to the park for lunch. Should be fun! I think I'll make some more guacamole to share with DJ for our lunch. The girls have adjusted wonderfully to more chores. We have a rotating chore wheel with morning chores being: making bread in the bread machine, making cookies, emptying the dishwasher, and doing laundry. They each do one of those for a week, then we change. We also have evening chores: setting and cleaning off the table, loading the dishwasher, sweeping/mopping floors, and cleaning the bathroom.

Today I'm hoping to finish emptying boxes in the back room and get the office arranged. I got the winter coats hung up downstairs and a bit of the camping things arranged. It would also be good if I scheduled dentist visits for this fall.

That's about it for me.

2 Aug 2012

The second of August?!? Really? I am so sorry to have been MIA for so long. We are moved back to our house. I'm getting over the surreal part and digging into the phase - rental repair. Mom was over mid-July and painted our living room for us. Thanks again, Mom! Overall, it could have been so much worse. However, I have learned over the course of the last month that I was overly generous in returning a portion of the rental deposit. From what we have learned, it seems we came back just in time. Our renters mail is finally going elsewhere - but from what we saw, they had several legal problems as well as other issues. Our neighbors report that there were about 9 people living in the house at one time. Unbelievable! Still....we are doing well. I have ordered a couple of parts for the microwave and dishwasher that were missing, I need to find my mineral spirits and clean their "repair" of the scratches on the floor. The grass has already recovered from not being watered at all this year, waiting to see if one of the apple trees is going to live after having most of the bark stripped from it from the ground to about 3 feet up. We'll be working on the yard for quite a while - probably at least a year to get it back looking good. So many little things.....

In good news, the music/guest room is ready for company. I got things hung on the walls, and all the boxes have been emptied from that room. Now I just need to do the back/office and the basement :) Still no job offers - so discouraging! DJ is doing well with his new job. The girls are enjoying their space again and especially like the new puppy - Perry. I'll post some pics sometime.

Part of the craziness of it all is that the day we were moving in, DJ and I got new callings in the ward. He is a clerk and I am 1st counselor in the RS. I am feeling rather overwhelmed with it all. We are beginning to have our good days, though. Just wanted to let you know what was up with us. Loves to you and yours. More sooner rather than later....