What is it?!!! Part 1

Several months ago Troy developed a growth. It grew and grew and his hair started to thin. We went to see the doctor. The doctor didn't know what to do until the test came back positive. It's official- Troy is pregnant!!!!! Looks like he's about 4-5 months in this picture, don't know how the Army is going to take this. Will he have to be put on the Army's "fat-boy" program and have to do special workouts and get measured? Will he be able to fit in the Apache and what about all the potty breaks? How does that work when you're flying? So many ?'s that need answered, is he going to need some prego clothes? To be continued...

Hey, Mister Garbage Man, you forgot one!

Thursday mornings are my nemesis. I generally wake to the sound of the garbage truck only to remember that we forgot to take out the big green garbage can. Waking up, throwing on some cloths, and taking the garbage can across the street are an option but not likely to happen. Oh well, there's always next week. Probably only one bag in there anyway.

There's no place like home!

A lady came into work the other day that reminded me of my mother. It brought tears to my eyes and made my heart wish that I was going home for Christmas. Never thought that I'd miss my first home so much. I'm trying not to get too "trunky" so that I don't miss out on fun Alabama memories but...

"There's no place like home for the Holidays. No matter how far away you roam. If you want to be happy in a million ways, for the Holidays you can't beat home sweet home."

Ain't that the truth!

O Christmas Tree!

When Troy came home from work today I surprised him with our decorated Christmas tree. The first tree of our married lives. Ain't it a beaut? Merry Christmas everyone!

Turkey Bowl

The athletes arose early from their beds Thursday morning to join their fellow team mates for the infamous (meaning more than famous) game of touch football.

The line up

I got it!

Hey, Look what I can do!


I think their dancing a jig

Jenny asking Steven again, "Now what do I do with the ball?"

The weather was clear and warm and the cheerleaders were excited.

Nothing like hot chocolate on a warm day!

A new recruit tearing it up.

Chaz won the most colorful contest

but hands off guys, he's taken.

Synchronized running. Not an Olympic sport...yet!

Run Michael, run!

Their circling in on their prey

Josh contemplating the meaning of life

and how much longer his will last.

That's some fantastic choreography.


When the dust had settled nobody was hurt, just feelings and sore legs.
Happy Turkey Day!

"Fall is in the air, every where I look around." Actually it looked like this a week ago. Now it looks more like baren winter and it's freezing. I woke up one morning last week and looked outside at my potted tomato plant. It looked droopy so I filled up a pitcher and went out to water it. When I checked the soil it was good and moist so I felt the leaves. They felt like frozen lettuce. Oops! Lesson learned: Next time I'll be sure to watch the news for the forecast and make sure the plants are covered. I wonder what frozen green cherry tomatoes taste like?

Peanuts!

Mmmmmm...peanuts! My friend gave us a bag of peanuts yesterday after church. Ever since I've had visions of peanut brittle, fresh roasted peanuts, and peanut butter. The possibilities are endless. If you have any ideas please share. :)

Frugality Bites Back

The motor in our driver side window doesn't always work optimaly. Troy loves to take things apart and try to fix them or see how they work. I, on the other hand want a garantee that things will work after someone fiddles with them. So as Troy is taking the door apart I repeatedly suggest that we take it to someone who knows what they are doing who has the proper tools. Troy reminds me how much this could possibly cost and says it will be fine. In the end we couldn't get the motor out of the door to fix it so it still doesn't work properly but hey, at least the automatic door opener doesn't work either. We got two broken features for the price of nothing. Now that's a steal!

Window Pains

We're on our way home from the Kuhni's when I spy some old windows put out for the garbage man. Troy groans as I tell him to stop, "you don't need any more stuff. What are you going to do with those anyway? We have no room." I reply, "please just pull over." I ran back to the Kuhni's and told Jenny about the awesome find. I put five of them in the trunk and sent three to Jenny Kuhni's house. I only ended up with two old windows in the end and even found a place for them on my kitchen wall. Thanks again Troy for stopping the car.

Office Party Halloween Style

These pictures are from our Halloween/Office party held on the eve of Halloween (last night). We watched the Office of course, made orange flavored Sugar cookies, carved pumpkins and cooked pumpkin seeds all while listening to General Mills "13 Days of Halloween" CD. A moment of silence for the missed presence of our other Office mates, the Bonners and the Bowns, who were not able to attend our hallowed party...

Troy chose a dragon image to carve on our pumpkin. I let him do all the intricate portions.

Steven originally chose a Terminator image that was too big for their pumpkin so Steve and Jenny chose this adorable haunted house instead.

Mmmm Cookies!!

Pumpkin Seed Recipe

seeds from one pumpkin

2 Tablespoons butter

2 teaspoons worcestershire

garlic salt to taste

Melt butter on a cookie sheet in oven. Remove from oven add seeds, worcestershire and garlic salt. Mix well then spread out on pan. Bake at 350 for 15 minutes stirring occasionaly. I prefer to eat these seeds like sunflower seeds, throwing a handful in my mouth, sucking of the seasoning and then cracking the shell and eating the inside part.

Happy Haunting Ya'll!

1st Sewing Project

Voila, my first sewing project. No it was NOT difficult to sew bias taping around the apron but it helped me get to know my new sewing machine better. If I can keep it threaded correctly than I think we'll get along fine. :)

p.s I recommend using a thicker fabric when making an apron.

Frugality 101

I know the pic is sideways. Fix it later. So I painted myself a sewing table/desk and voila. Just for public information, Troy is always complaining about me picking up "junk" on the side of the road." I just want you to know that this table was free on the side of the road. Yes it sat in our garage for a few months but in the end I didn't have to go buy me a sewing table. Just paint. Yea for frugality!

Mobile or Bust!

Friday we headed off into the sunset direction: Mobile, Alabama. We spent the night in Mobile and woke early on Saturday for a fun filled day of sights. First we went to the Mardi Gras Museum. Troy hated every minute, but he was a good sport for my sake.




These trains were anywhere from 50 to a hundred pounds. Only those born in Mobile can become King and Queen of Mardi Gras. Unlike in Louisianna, the royalty pays for all of the festivities and their costumes. Too rich for my blood! But if you're going to Mardi Gras then Mobile's is more family oriented than Louisianna. Our next stop was the USS Alabama. Troy couldn't believe how many guns the ship had but in the end he said, " don't sign me up for this; too many guys, too much water, and too many months." This was cause to put Troy in the Brig for a few moments to think about it.

This ship held and supported over 2,500 men. They had their own dentist, doctor, surgeon, barber, chefs, post office, cobbler, machinist shop, police, marine detachment, chapel, and enough ammo to make any terrorist happy for many a year.

After five hours of sight seeing we decided to skip the last two destinations and drive home to Ozark. It was nice to get out of town for a bit but ever so much nicer to come back home.

Singer

On the left we have item A: Singer Sewing Machine. Said sewing machine was bought by Rebekah at a garage sale and used by Troy to mend 3 or 4 pairs of clothing.

And there was much rejoicing because a: Rebekah didn't have to mend Troy's cloths, b: the garage sale purchase was actually useful, and c: Even if Rebekah never uses the machine Troy will.

Thanks Becca for teaching your son how to sew!

All these things shall give thee experience.

I don't often talk about this subject publicly but I want all you childless mothers to know that I feel your pain. Yes it is hard and it hurts! I want to share an experience. My last doctor's appointment/test results were negative. Not Pregnant again! I thought that would be for sure the month that it would take. I thought what next, invitro or adoption but neither of those felt right? I didn't cry on the way home. For the first time in my life I got angry at God. I was tired of being sad, and hopeful, and powerless. I didn't want to pray or read my scriptures. Finally the next day I broke down and decided to read about Job because his life was full of so many trials. While reading about Job in the Bible Dictionary I cross referenced D&C 122 which was given to the prophet Joseph in liberty jail. After listing all of the terrible things that had happened or could happen to Joseph the Lord says, "that all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good. The Son of Man hath descended below them all. Art thou greater than He?" Things I'd already told myself but they didn't sink in until I read them in context. That changed my heart and I was able to start reconstructing. I never thought in a million years that I would be saying this but here it is..."If this is what it takes to come closer to my Heavenly Father, closer to Troy, and more empathetic to others then by all means, bring it on!"

Oh where, oh where, did our ghetto car go?

We finally did it...gave our car a facial so now it's all one color. The day we went to pick it up my heart sank because I didn't recognize it any more. My old friend was red, grey, black, and rusty colored with a busted bumper. After mourning my loss I decided that I liked the change. I think that it would have looked better with pink and black flames on the sides but Troy said a definate NO! At least the police at the post gate don't double check the decal to see if it's actually registered for driving on post anymore.

Carn Bred

Here it is...Somebody elses corn bread recipe. It's moist with a lovely texture and I think it's a Paula Deen special. But don't quote me on that...

1 box Jiffy corn muffin mix
1 can creamed corn
1 can corn, drained
1 stick butter, soft or melted
1 cup sour cream

Mix. Put in greased 13x9 inch baking pan. Cook for 45-60 minutes at 350

Bon Appetit!

LITTLE BUDDIES

We have discovered a solution to our bug problem...FROGS, GECKOS, and LIZARDS.

There are a couple of tree frogs that hang around on our front and back doors. We have noticed fewer bugs when they are out and about. The geckos and lizards hang around the rain gutters. Troy even found a toad burrowed into one of the planters on our deck. Isn't he cute? Troy calls them "little buddies" because they are on our side. :) Go insect eaters!!

Home Sweet Shanty

Our back yard view. Did you notice the trees?
This is our front yard.
Oh look more trees over here too!

"Oh give me a home where the bugs do not roam and the spiders are drunken with Raid! Where the kitchen is large and the Wife is in charge and the Husband is slaving away." Unfortunately none of the later are true but one can dream can't they?

We are enjoying our new home in Ozark, Alabama. All exept the smoke smell, bugs, spiders, and leaky kitchen sink. It's smaller than our last place so I've had to donate stuff to the Salvation Army, much to Troy's delight. Please feel free to stop by anytime. If you're lucky you'll be in time for one of Troy's visits to the garage (see previous post). A bientot! (see you soon!)