I have a little fetish with looking at real estate. I love to walk through houses and just browse the MLS to see what's out there. There are a handful of houses/neighborhoods that I have fallin' in love with and dream of being in.
Last night while on the MLS during one of my browsing frenzies, I saw a house I have admired from the outside for 10 years. This house was in a neighborhood my parents had lived in. I remember going on jogs and wanting to stop and knock on the door to ask if I could see the inside. In fact one time I actually stopped and walked towards the house, then chickened out thinking they would think I was out of my mind! The house is all one level a creamy stucco color with a Spanish influence. The red tile roof goes beautiful with the big double doors and wooden shutters.
Oh I was so excited to finally see the inside. Would it meet my imagined expectations? Have I loved this house for nothing? Josh was near by and I told him briefly about the house and he remembered it( when we lived in Boise we drove around many times to look at neighborhoods/houses we liked ). Browsing through the pictures I had a big smile on my face.The house in not quite as I imagined but still beautiful. A big entry way with wooden beams in family room, a decadent bathroom, and a fabulous back porch.
Our dreams at times are not quite as we imagined them to be, but still beautiful. We can always hope for the best and expect the best. When are dreams seem to be squished out of the picture push them back in. We should love our dreams.Keep dreaming ...
I think one day I'll own that house or maybe one of the others!
Monday, October 18, 2010
Sunday, October 3, 2010
I HATE...
Momma always said hate is a strong word and to be used seldom, if at all. Since we moved to Tucson our family has had to adjust to the differences down here in the south. Over all we've done a wonderful job! But there is one thing I cannot build up a tolerance for....Crickets! I hate them! At first thought ,no big deal get a bug guy out to take care of it. After having the bug guy out 3 times and hearing their loud obnoxious chirping still blaring in the evening, it has grown to hate! They're not like the crickets back home that are small and quietly singing, they're loud like a screaming child jumping around to get away from you smacking them.
Does God expect me to be tolerant of all things??? He may, but maybe he gave us crickets to understand hate.If we loved everything how would we know hate? Without hate , there would be no love, right? At least that what's my mind is saying to justify my evil thoughts upon them. Now I can sympathise with the Egyptians for dealing with those locusts. Maybe if I repent there will be fewer in the future ;)
Does God expect me to be tolerant of all things??? He may, but maybe he gave us crickets to understand hate.If we loved everything how would we know hate? Without hate , there would be no love, right? At least that what's my mind is saying to justify my evil thoughts upon them. Now I can sympathise with the Egyptians for dealing with those locusts. Maybe if I repent there will be fewer in the future ;)
Friday, October 1, 2010
Tradition
Oh I love Halloween! The crisp fall weather in the air(though the high today was like 105)but I mean usually. I have a lot of fond memories with friends and family dressing up and getting loads of candy. My favorite costume was when I was a 9th grader I dressed up as Oscar the Grouch. One of my friends was having a party at her house, we got low on candy so all of us(around 15-20) went trick or treating for two streets. Most of the adults were giving us funny looks but we just thought we had an amazing idea cause we ended up with a ton of candy!
I love how one day out of the year you have a free pass to look anyway you really want. Surprisingly the way you act ,as long as it is not criminal, gets a pass as well. It's a form of expression. A way to draw attention to yourself or just to have fun with the friends you hold dear. A night to freak yourself or others out. Whatever the reason may be to celebrate, it's a night we repeat from past years as a tradition.
I could have learned it at some point but I have no idea where and when Halloween started. Why do we follow traditions? How can we start or replace a tradition to enhance our relationship with our loved ones? Can we pull ideas from other people's traditions to enrich our own? Remember when you do create one make sure it's good, and it will stick!
I love how one day out of the year you have a free pass to look anyway you really want. Surprisingly the way you act ,as long as it is not criminal, gets a pass as well. It's a form of expression. A way to draw attention to yourself or just to have fun with the friends you hold dear. A night to freak yourself or others out. Whatever the reason may be to celebrate, it's a night we repeat from past years as a tradition.
I could have learned it at some point but I have no idea where and when Halloween started. Why do we follow traditions? How can we start or replace a tradition to enhance our relationship with our loved ones? Can we pull ideas from other people's traditions to enrich our own? Remember when you do create one make sure it's good, and it will stick!
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Perception is Reality
There are multiple sides to one story. The black and white of life shows the right and wrong to every situation. Or is it that way? There is gray that lies in between and all of us have difference of opinion of what can be considered gray.
I believe perception is reality. You could be on the dance floor ripping it up to Micheal Jackson thinking your the next star on So You Think You Can Dance when Joe over there is thinking how much of a fool you are and how he hates the loud music. Our perceptions is what is real. That is why the stories of life are told in so many ways. In order to understand others perceptions what can we do?
Respect and appreciate our differences. Get to know others and focus on the similarities. Seek to understand. A quote from John C. Maxwell that applies:
The least important word: I
The most important word: We
The two most important word: Thank you
The three most important word: All is forgiven
The four most important word: What is your opinion?
The five most important word: You did a good job.
The six most important word: I want to understand you better.
I believe perception is reality. You could be on the dance floor ripping it up to Micheal Jackson thinking your the next star on So You Think You Can Dance when Joe over there is thinking how much of a fool you are and how he hates the loud music. Our perceptions is what is real. That is why the stories of life are told in so many ways. In order to understand others perceptions what can we do?
Respect and appreciate our differences. Get to know others and focus on the similarities. Seek to understand. A quote from John C. Maxwell that applies:
The least important word: I
The most important word: We
The two most important word: Thank you
The three most important word: All is forgiven
The four most important word: What is your opinion?
The five most important word: You did a good job.
The six most important word: I want to understand you better.
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
RAW Chili Recipe
I tried this new recipe. I think it's pretty good. Very refreshing on a summer day. You don't have to do it RAW. Choose what works for you and how you like it.
RAW Chili
1 cup water
2 cups fresh tomatoes
1/2cup dates or raisins(optional)
1 cup sun dried tomatoes
1 cup dehydrated mushrooms(optional)
1 cup chopped celery
2 Tb olive oil
sea salt to taste
1-2 Tb spaghetti seasoning
1-2Tb lime or lemon juice
Hot peppers to taste(optional) I did one jalapeno it was spicy, i would do a half if you want a little kick.
2 cloves garlic
1 bunch of basil( if you don't have fresh 1-2tsp)
Mix in blender. Add a half pound or pea, lentil or beans(don't blend). If you want it raw do pea, lentil or bean sprouts. Sprinkle with dry parsley(optional).
RAW Chili
1 cup water
2 cups fresh tomatoes
1/2cup dates or raisins(optional)
1 cup sun dried tomatoes
1 cup dehydrated mushrooms(optional)
1 cup chopped celery
2 Tb olive oil
sea salt to taste
1-2 Tb spaghetti seasoning
1-2Tb lime or lemon juice
Hot peppers to taste(optional) I did one jalapeno it was spicy, i would do a half if you want a little kick.
2 cloves garlic
1 bunch of basil( if you don't have fresh 1-2tsp)
Mix in blender. Add a half pound or pea, lentil or beans(don't blend). If you want it raw do pea, lentil or bean sprouts. Sprinkle with dry parsley(optional).
What I Learned On Vacation
While being on vacation this last week I noticed my journaling has lacked the "thought process." Only telling the facts of the day and hinting at what I thought about it. I'm glad to be home where I hope to squeeze my creative juices back into gear. I've promised myself no more driving long hauls unless I'm awake and alone(which to me means no children)! Not that I didn't have fun juggling " Mom I have to pee! Mom when are we going to get there? Mom I'm hungry, NO I'm starving! " And then the random screams from Mia not understanding why she was still in her car seat. Though the thought process has seen better days I still had an opportunity to process life. Here are a few of the things I discovered while on vacation:
Learn all you can about your weaknesses, not necessarily to become strengths but to me more aware.
Don't plan every little detail for a vacation, just a outline.
To uptain faith we need to to be obedient in thought and action.
Say thank you if someone compliments you even if you don't feel you deserve it.
Remember your wedding day or first kiss with your honey.
We all judge. Are we being too harsh with each other?
It's really nice to have a big family, as long as it's not me having the kids!
The more financial books I read, the more curious I get.
It's a great thing to share our knowledge with others, and hope the naysayers aren't listening.
Communication is key and not to take it for granted.
Everyone needs a hug, go hug someone in need!
If you need to repeat something, make it loud and clear(with a smile:).
Sit back and people watch, you'll learn a lot.
If your little boy needs to go pee, it means NOW!
Thank heaven for Binky's!
I love basements.
Take action today on the things you've been thinking about for months.
Learn all you can about your weaknesses, not necessarily to become strengths but to me more aware.
Don't plan every little detail for a vacation, just a outline.
To uptain faith we need to to be obedient in thought and action.
Say thank you if someone compliments you even if you don't feel you deserve it.
Remember your wedding day or first kiss with your honey.
We all judge. Are we being too harsh with each other?
It's really nice to have a big family, as long as it's not me having the kids!
The more financial books I read, the more curious I get.
It's a great thing to share our knowledge with others, and hope the naysayers aren't listening.
Communication is key and not to take it for granted.
Everyone needs a hug, go hug someone in need!
If you need to repeat something, make it loud and clear(with a smile:).
Sit back and people watch, you'll learn a lot.
If your little boy needs to go pee, it means NOW!
Thank heaven for Binky's!
I love basements.
Take action today on the things you've been thinking about for months.
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Peanut Thai Noodle Recipe
This looks really good. I think I'm going to try it in the next couple of weeks.
Peanut Thai Noodle
12 ounces thin rice noodles
2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
1/4 cup peanut butter, creamy or chunky ( add 2Tb more if you like more nutty)
3 tablespoons reduced-sodium soy sauce ( if you only have regular use 2Tb)
2 cups fresh or frozen sugar snap peas, thawed if frozen
1/4-1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro(to your tasting)
Salt
Freshly ground black pepper
Juice of 1 lime
2 Tb fresh grated ginger(optional)
1Tb rice vinegar
2tsp honey
-Soak the rice noodles in hot water for 10 minutes; drain and set aside.
-In a medium saucepan, whisk together the chicken broth, peanut butter, vinegar, ginger and soy sauce. Set pan over medium heat and bring the mixture to a simmer. Add noodles and the sugar snap peas; cook 2 to 3 minutes or until peas are crisp-tender and liquid is absorbed. Add honey
-Remove from heat; stir in the cilantro. Season to taste with salt and black pepper. Drizzle the lime juice over the top.
Peanut Thai Noodle
12 ounces thin rice noodles
2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
1/4 cup peanut butter, creamy or chunky ( add 2Tb more if you like more nutty)
3 tablespoons reduced-sodium soy sauce ( if you only have regular use 2Tb)
2 cups fresh or frozen sugar snap peas, thawed if frozen
1/4-1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro(to your tasting)
Salt
Freshly ground black pepper
Juice of 1 lime
2 Tb fresh grated ginger(optional)
1Tb rice vinegar
2tsp honey
-Soak the rice noodles in hot water for 10 minutes; drain and set aside.
-In a medium saucepan, whisk together the chicken broth, peanut butter, vinegar, ginger and soy sauce. Set pan over medium heat and bring the mixture to a simmer. Add noodles and the sugar snap peas; cook 2 to 3 minutes or until peas are crisp-tender and liquid is absorbed. Add honey
-Remove from heat; stir in the cilantro. Season to taste with salt and black pepper. Drizzle the lime juice over the top.
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