I just thought that I should let all of you out in cyberspace to know that I am a TOTAL Collective Soul freak! Whenever I'm having a bad day, or feeling sad, or cleaning house, or feeling really great, or what ever, I listen to Collective Soul and I feel better. They've been my favorite band since I had a favorite band (over 11 years) and I love 'em even more now than I did back in 1995! I even listened to the cd Youth while I was in labor with Elias!
I've gone to two of their concerts, one on my 19th birthday (that was only like the best birthday, ever!) and Dale and I went two days after our anniversary last summer (July 17, 2007). It was Dale's first concert and he finally understands why someone would pay more to go to a concert only to hear songs once than just buying the CD and listening to it as many times as you want.
So, if you're looking for some rockin' good music, check 'em out! (I'm listening to them right now!) They're albums are in order of release, as follows: Hints, Allegations, and Things Left Unsaid; Collective Soul; Disciplined Breakdown; Dosage; 7even Year Itch (Greatest Hits); Blender (this is the only album I wouldn't recommend buying--I don't know what happened with this one, but it wasn't that great; in fact, it almost made me stop liking them, yikes!), Youth; and Afterwords. They also have a newer acoustic CD that I don't have, and I don't remember what it's called. I have all of the aforementioned CD's, except Afterwords. I used to have Afterwords, but I gave it to my best friend and fellow Collective Soul-mate, Tamra. It's only for sale at Target and she lives over a hundred miles from the nearest Target (poor thing!), so I gave mine to her, thinking that I'd just get another one at the Target here. The only problem was that was 3 months ago and Target never has it in stock when I go! Luckily, you can listen to all the songs from Afterwords on http://www.collectivesoul.com/, so I haven't had to go too long without my Collective Soul fix (besides the other 6-7 CD's that I have), but I would like to listen to it in the car, too! I just looked online, and it says that there's some in-stock at Target, so I'm going to call today and make sure before I go over there. Wish me luck!
Update: I went to Target and (gasp) there was only one copy of the CD left, so I quickly grabbed it and didn't let it out of my sight the rest of the time I was in the store. I looked online to see if you can get Afterwords on half.com or ebay, and you can, but it's really expensive, so I'm tempted to buy any/all copies I find at Target (if it's possible to buy any) and sell them online for a profit. Would that be wrong? On one hand, it'd be profitting off my favorite group, and on the other hand, I'd be sharing them with others who might not get the CD any other way....such a dilemma!
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Wonder Woman Strikes Again!
I've been pretty bored lately, what with the taking care of a 1st grader, wild boy (aka Dalan), princess (Elora), and little goobling, and doing laundry, cleaning, and making meals; so I thought, "Hey, why not do another home improvement project?!" (Note the slight hint of sarcasm.)
So, after about $125 and two days later, here's the 'after.' (Don't you just love how I took a picture of myself in the mirror!) As you can see, I still need to get some trim and fill in the gaps where the old vanity used to be and I need to replace the light fixture, but other than that, everything is done. It's hard to tell from this picture, but the walls used to be white and now they're light green. I replaced the vanity and mirror, replaced the wax ring on the toilet (Dale helped with that part), laid vinyl tiles for the flooring, and painted. I think it looks pretty good and it's not so crowded anymore. Well, my children are beating on each other again--they must be training for a career in cage fighting--so I better sign off. If you ever need a home improvement helper, call me and I'll be right over. (I just love doing this kind of thing!)
Redoing the bathroom was a much bigger pain than I thought it would be. I had to replace part of the subfloor where the old vanity was and I basically had to beat the old vanity with a hammer until it was in pieces before I could get it out and still leave the pipes intact. Also, the pipes I had aren't the right size, so the sink still isn't hooked up. I'm hoping my dad can help me when he comes to visit next week.
So, after about $125 and two days later, here's the 'after.' (Don't you just love how I took a picture of myself in the mirror!) As you can see, I still need to get some trim and fill in the gaps where the old vanity used to be and I need to replace the light fixture, but other than that, everything is done. It's hard to tell from this picture, but the walls used to be white and now they're light green. I replaced the vanity and mirror, replaced the wax ring on the toilet (Dale helped with that part), laid vinyl tiles for the flooring, and painted. I think it looks pretty good and it's not so crowded anymore. Well, my children are beating on each other again--they must be training for a career in cage fighting--so I better sign off. If you ever need a home improvement helper, call me and I'll be right over. (I just love doing this kind of thing!)
Snowshoe trek update and pics
Well, the guys all made it back safely, but a little sore. Here's some highlights from their trip.
Here's a giant slide that they played on by the girls camp.
Ahhh! A nice warm fire!
They had to climb on the roof to get cell phone reception to send us a text message so we'd know they were okay. Notice Ben on the roof in the upper left-hand of the picture.
The old men (Dale and Kelly) were about to die by the time they made it back to the truck.
The youngster looks like he's ready to go again.
I am so proud of my husband for trying this out. He actually wants to go back with just me; I told him I'd be happy to go in the summer!
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Recipes
I was reading on a friend's blog, (thanks, Darcy) and she suggested that we (the people whose blogs she reads) post a favorite recipe every week so that we can all get new ideas for meals. I thought it was a great idea and have taken it upon myself to spread the word. So, all of you reading this, please post good meal ideas on your blogs, every week, if possible. Then we can all have new, tasty ideas from other busy moms to try out.
For my first, I'm going to post a family favorite. It's the most requested meal from my children--besides cold cereal :-). Oh, by the way; it sounds kinda , well actually, totally weird, but just make them and taste them and you'll be hooked, I promise! (I got this recipe from my sister when she was living in Tennessee--I think it gets it's name from the cornbread and pork and beans)
Tennessee Tacos Tortillas (for lack of a better word):
Make corn bread batter from your favorite recipe, or mix, and add extra milk until it's the consistency of pancake batter.
My corn bread recipe is:
1 c. flour 1 c. milk
1 c. corn meal 1/4 c. oil
1 Tbsp baking powder 2 eggs
1/2 tsp salt
2 Tbsp sugar
(I'm guessing I add about 1/4 c. milk, maybe less, to make right consistency, but I'm not sure).
Pour out on griddle and cook like you would pancakes (6in diameter circles).
Taco Filling:
Brown 1/2 pound of ground beef (or turkey). Add 2 cans of pork and beans and 1 packet of taco seasoning mix. Heat thoroughly.
Serve like Navajo tacos: lay cornbread pancake-tortilla-thing flat on plate, spread filling on, top with shredded cheese, salsa, sour cream, whatever else you normally put on tacos. (Eat with fork; don't try to pick up and eat unless you want a big mess!)
Like I said, it sounds really weird, even bordering on gross, but it's really yummy! Also, my kids like to have the leftover cornbread things as pancakes the next day.
For my first, I'm going to post a family favorite. It's the most requested meal from my children--besides cold cereal :-). Oh, by the way; it sounds kinda , well actually, totally weird, but just make them and taste them and you'll be hooked, I promise! (I got this recipe from my sister when she was living in Tennessee--I think it gets it's name from the cornbread and pork and beans)
Tennessee Tacos Tortillas (for lack of a better word):
Make corn bread batter from your favorite recipe, or mix, and add extra milk until it's the consistency of pancake batter.
My corn bread recipe is:
1 c. flour 1 c. milk
1 c. corn meal 1/4 c. oil
1 Tbsp baking powder 2 eggs
1/2 tsp salt
2 Tbsp sugar
(I'm guessing I add about 1/4 c. milk, maybe less, to make right consistency, but I'm not sure).
Pour out on griddle and cook like you would pancakes (6in diameter circles).
Taco Filling:
Brown 1/2 pound of ground beef (or turkey). Add 2 cans of pork and beans and 1 packet of taco seasoning mix. Heat thoroughly.
Serve like Navajo tacos: lay cornbread pancake-tortilla-thing flat on plate, spread filling on, top with shredded cheese, salsa, sour cream, whatever else you normally put on tacos. (Eat with fork; don't try to pick up and eat unless you want a big mess!)
Like I said, it sounds really weird, even bordering on gross, but it's really yummy! Also, my kids like to have the leftover cornbread things as pancakes the next day.
Friday, February 15, 2008
Men and the silly things they do...
At six o'clock this morning, I sent my husband off on a snowshoeing backpacking trip--yes, you read that right; my husband! I'm talking about a man who hates snow, has never been backpacking, or snowshoeing (much less did them at the same time), who never heard of a sterno can until last night when I showed him how to make pigs-in-a-blanket (another thing he'd never heard of), gets lost really easy (if I point out north and ask him which way is east, he can't tell me), and did I mention the hating snow part?! I am so nervous!
He and his two buddies decided this would be a great time of year to go backpacking; personally, I think they spent too much time together and got high off the testosterone fumes, but whatever. Anyway, only one of them has ever actually made a snow cave (oh, yeah; I didn't mention that part; they're sleeping in a snow cave), or has been snowshoeing, or backpacking. Do any of them think there's any problem with this? No way! "If he can do it, I can!"
Ben (the one who's done all these things) almost couldn't go because he couldn't find a babysitter for their two-month-old son (their normal babysitter was sick). Last night at about 8 'o clock, he calls and tells us that he might not be able to make it, but he'll just tell Dale and Kelly (his other buddy) how to get to where they're going. Kelly has watched someone build a snow cave and he's been in the same area (aka: on the same mountain range) that they're planning on hiking, so he figures that's pretty much the same as having done it and been there himself, so no problem! (At this point, I was getting extremely nervous. I mean, I wouldn't mind having my house paid for, but I'd rather have my husband instead of life insurance money.) I told Ben that I'd watch the baby while his wife worked. He thought I was being so benevolent, but the truth is, I was much more comfortable sending my husband out into the wild outdoors with Ben, and the only way he could go was if I watched his kid.
So, now I'm at home taking care of my 4 kids and another one who's two months younger than Elias. I've always wanted twins and today's probably the closest it's gonna get, so I guess I'll see how I would handle it. I don't know who has the greater chance of surviving, me or Dale...I'll let you know about the funeral arrangements as soon as possible! :-)
Update: Dale, et al found a church girls camp (minus the girls) and are staying in one of the cabins overnight instead of a snow cave. (I have no idea if they broke in, or what; Ben's wife just got a short text message and that's all we know) Also, I made it through the day just fine and figure I can handle having twins. I guess all I have to do now is put my order in and wait...
He and his two buddies decided this would be a great time of year to go backpacking; personally, I think they spent too much time together and got high off the testosterone fumes, but whatever. Anyway, only one of them has ever actually made a snow cave (oh, yeah; I didn't mention that part; they're sleeping in a snow cave), or has been snowshoeing, or backpacking. Do any of them think there's any problem with this? No way! "If he can do it, I can!"
Ben (the one who's done all these things) almost couldn't go because he couldn't find a babysitter for their two-month-old son (their normal babysitter was sick). Last night at about 8 'o clock, he calls and tells us that he might not be able to make it, but he'll just tell Dale and Kelly (his other buddy) how to get to where they're going. Kelly has watched someone build a snow cave and he's been in the same area (aka: on the same mountain range) that they're planning on hiking, so he figures that's pretty much the same as having done it and been there himself, so no problem! (At this point, I was getting extremely nervous. I mean, I wouldn't mind having my house paid for, but I'd rather have my husband instead of life insurance money.) I told Ben that I'd watch the baby while his wife worked. He thought I was being so benevolent, but the truth is, I was much more comfortable sending my husband out into the wild outdoors with Ben, and the only way he could go was if I watched his kid.
So, now I'm at home taking care of my 4 kids and another one who's two months younger than Elias. I've always wanted twins and today's probably the closest it's gonna get, so I guess I'll see how I would handle it. I don't know who has the greater chance of surviving, me or Dale...I'll let you know about the funeral arrangements as soon as possible! :-)
Update: Dale, et al found a church girls camp (minus the girls) and are staying in one of the cabins overnight instead of a snow cave. (I have no idea if they broke in, or what; Ben's wife just got a short text message and that's all we know) Also, I made it through the day just fine and figure I can handle having twins. I guess all I have to do now is put my order in and wait...
Friday, February 08, 2008
Snow, snow, and more snow
It has snowed almost every day since we got home from Christmas break! The snow is so deep, Elora can't even walk around in it. Our roof has so much ice that it keeps leaking when it gets warm enough to melt, so Dale and I have to climb up an icy ladder and chip away the ice with a hammer. I will take some pictures and post them ASAP. Oh, by the way...we haven't even gone sledding yet because it's been so cold, so we can' t even enjoy all this snow! Kydee's already had two days of cancelled school because of the cold and we're expecting more. Take this as a warning to stay away from Idaho! It's too cold!
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