In with the Gas... Bye-Bye Electric

We just got our new range. To some this probably seems like no big deal, but to me it is the coolest. When we build our home twelve years ago I wanted gas range. Jeff thought it was just too expensive. He talked me out of it when he pointed out that the kids would be able to touch the burner dials, the kids were 2 and 5. I caved. Disappointed I have spent the last 12 years making do with the electric range that I hate. As anyone with a traditional electric stove will tell you the burns don't last. Cooking eggs had become a true challege and Jeff wanted me to replace the burners. So at Home Depot I went. Once there, I stood in front of the display "doing the math" and went there is no way I am going to put this much money into a stove I hate. If nothing else I can get the gas line run into the house for what it is going to cost me for burners. So in June this year I had the gas run into the house. Now I need to find a deal on a gas stove. Not an easy task. Gas stoves last forever so I don't want to settle, I want what I want and because I know I am only going to get one chance I'm not going to cave. So this November I saw an ad for a gas stove that looked like it might work. Just one hitch, the store didn't have any on display so I would have to purchase it from a picture. So I asked if we had to take it if it showed up and we didn't like it. The store said that we could refuse the range if we didn't like it. So here it is. Everything I hoped for but didn't think we could find at our price point. Stainless Steel, 5 burners, cast iron continous grate, and self cleaning oven. I am over the moon. Thank you Jeff for all your patience, love and understanding. I love you.

A New Addition

We have a new pet, her name is Jocie. As you can see she is a hedgehog. She is really pretty friendly. We have a great friend who is moving to Virgina. I am going to miss her so much. Tiff has had all kinds of pets and when she has been out of town we have had the chance to look after some of them. I think the best part of looking after Jocie is that she will always remind me of Tiff. We will miss Tiff , Brint and their little guy C but will keep in touch with them with email and myspace.

Pumpkins, Jack o Lanterns and things that go bump in the night

We had a great Halloween this year. The kids got out of school at 11:30am and we spent the day together carving pumpkins with friends, roasting pumpkin seeds and watching a movie. This year Rissa wanted to carve a pumkin puking out its guts. Ok, note to all parents out there this is a very cool effect however make sure it is cleaned up the next day. Today we are trying to clean the "guts" up off the cement. It is adheared like glue. We are soaking the spot with newspaper and scrubbing with a brush. Uck! However as you can see too cool and will worth the clean up.

Just when you think you have it...

College… My son, now a senior in High School is beginning the process of scholarships and college applications. As he faces this new world he is excited as well as, I suspect secretly terrified. We are a close family. Jeff being military we have picked up and moved leaving all our friends and our families. With our families not close enough to visit much he and his sister are pretty close. So this kid who we spent a summer visiting colleges with, is now dragging his feet to get the applications off. I will persevere; I know there was a time when I too buried my head in the sand when it came to applying for colleges. Regret is a tough business. Some opportunities only come up once. So, lately I have had to catch him as he dodges back into his room hoping to bury his nose in a book. He rolls his eyes, grumbles, huffs and then…”Now?” “ Yes, now.” Today it is hard being the mom, however he is such a good kid and student, he has big dreams. I know this is what it needs to be. Tomorrow will be better.

New Neighbors/New Friends

After Jeff and I married, we were soon stationed in England.
When we moved on into base housing, I had a couple of my new neighbors knock on my door and introduce themselves. They turned into some great friends that help me through my husband’s deployment during Operation Provide Comfort. So now when families move into our neighborhood we take them “Friendship Brownies” and introduce ourselves.


I got a note the other day from our old neighbors. It was a cute note. Letting us know that they missed us and all the fun times together and letting us know about their new joy, a baby. It is great to have met them and wonderful to keep up with such great friends. With their leaving we have had new neighbors move in. So we have made the rounds to all of the new neighbors. Lots of new families with very little children but, more importantly a new opportunities to make new friends.

One Summer Gone

This summer was wonderful, busy and for me a little terrifying. To start out we went to Disneyland/California Adventure Park. After returning we had a Girl Scout trip to Yellowstone and the oldest went to Boy Scout Camp. After returning we, as a family attended a Leadership Course through our local Scout Council. We finished our summer with a car trip to 3 colleges that our oldest was interested in attending, then we took a break on the Oregon Coast. I can’t believe that it is time for the kids to move on. I am going to miss him next year. My head knows that it is time for him to move on; however my heart will miss him.

The First Post

Here it is - my first blog. I have been following a friend's blog since August. She has captured her story so well. I check her page often. She has inspired me to try my hand at this new world of blogging.

I love this picture. We were home, Mass, for our cousin's wedding one fall. The kids had never been to the east coast in the fall before. It was a wonderland of leaves and experiences. We spent the week raking leaves just so they could jump in, apple picking and visiting their cousins. We have always lived so far away from relatives that they just couldn't get enough. If it hadn't been for school we would have stayed longer.

Even though it seems like just a couple of years ago it has been seven years. If it weren't for the kids I don't think I would notice how fast time passes. It is one of the joys of my life to watch them as they enjoy these new experiences.