Just another day (in paradise)

I added the last part in parentheses because my title made me think of a country song - which actually is kind of relatable.

I decided to leave the sheets for later in the week (that's supposed to be my self-appointed duty for today). I have something for every weekday. Not only to keep me occupied but also so I don't feel overwhelmed with everything piling up. I've been starting to realize lately that I've changed so much in my thinking and overall attitude over the past few years. Almost every day something comes up that makes me think "wow, I used to believe something completely different".

For instance, yesterday, I was folding laundry which I now do twice a week and thinking how I actually love doing laundry now. But I used to hate laundry so much I would literally let it pile up for weeks to the point where I would have to wash 3+ full loads (when I was living by myself)!

Another example, I used to think I would have just 2 children one girl and one boy and now I understand that every child is a blessing from God and I'm hoping He grants me the privilege of raising a large family. Then there's the fact that I used to think bottles were acceptable even if you were breastfeeding, and now I know the best way to follow God's plan for life is to ecologically breastfeed (no bottles, no pacifiers, exclusive breastfeeding for 6+ mos, etc).

It just amazes me how every day I see God opening my eyes to something wonderful about my vocation and how I can find blessings even in the every day chores!

I started reading this blog on Faith & Family - which led to me adding the quote by Mother Teresa to my blog. It was about this couple in Quebec who are suing the hospital whose ethics committee overturned their decision to stop the feeding tube for their infant daughter. One woman in the comments even brought up something that I've never heard of called "wrongful life"/"wrongful-birth" suits where the parents sue the doctor for not finding a disease in-utero that would have led them to abort their child. Some people's gall just astounds me.

A New "Craft"

I pulled out my home design things yesterday and started drawing up plans for a home when Robert and I can afford to build one. I was up past 2 a.m. last night drafting! I started the larger scale today. I can't believe how I've never had the urge to draw but as soon as I get the stuff out, I go crazy. Robert gave me the idea because I had gotten a jigsaw puzzle out Saturday and was trying to put it together Saturday and Sunday but I finally gave up. It was too frustrating for me. So I didn't know what to do to stay occupied over the weekend. Now I have a project for this coming up cruise that Robert will be on. They're not going far, but he'll be gone for 7 days so I need something.

I made lasagna tonight. Robert thought it was my best yet. I used up some carrots and spaghetti sauce that was in the fridge so it had a unique (but excellent) taste. I liked it but was a little upset with it because I forgot my last layer of noodles so they had to go on the top (and got a little hard). It wasn't too bad though. Then he wanted a dessert so I made brownies. I didn't have enough chocolate for fudge brownies (that I usually make) so I tried cake brownies. It really does taste like eating a cake and I can tell you - though they're not terrible, I don't think I'll ever make them again!

Lasagna
(my sister's recipe)
Makes: 9x13 pan Bake:60 minutes

8-10 oz	lasagna noodles
1	sausage and/or hamburger
1	medium onion
1	clove garlic
3 c	spaghetti sauce (or 1 lrg jar)
1 T	basil
2 T	parsley
1 t	sugar
2	eggs
24 oz	ricotta and/or cottage cheese
¼ c	parmesan cheese
1 t	pepper
1 ½ t	oregano
2 c	mozzarella cheese

Brown meat, onion, and garlic; drain. Stir in spaghetti sauce, basil, parsley, and sugar. Simmer. Cook and drain lasagna noodles. Mix eggs, ricotta/cottage cheese, parmesan, pepper, and oregano. Layer ingredients (sauce, cheese/egg mix, mozzarella, noodles) alternating with noodles. Cover and bake for 30 minutes. Uncover and bake 15 more minutes. Let stand 15 minutes before cutting and serving.

Can be refrigerated before baking for up to 24 hours or frozen for up to 2 months.

Okay, my blog still stinks

I missed a couple days here. I've been making homemade pizza for the past few weeks (homemade dough, fresh vegetables, etc) and I must say it tastes so much better than the restaurants. The recipe I have actually makes enough for 2 pizzas so we make cheese sticks or bread sticks with the extra dough.

I never thought I would loving cooking/baking as much as I do but now that I've started, I just can't seem to stop. Robert's always wanting me to try new things. He's the one that encouraged me to make homemade pizza. And even though he sometimes balks at what I'm making or what I'm putting into the dish, he always loves the finished product!

I'm wanting to get back into crafting but I haven't got the resources to start something right now and I don't know what to do with the finished product when I'm done. I scrapbooked a lot last year but we haven't had very many outings or excursions for me to scrapbook. I used to crotchet, paint, sew, make cards, and draw houses but since all my craft supplies are tucked away in the closet, I haven't even thought to take them out when I'm bored.

Second Day ... Getting Better :-)

Things are going well. Robert will be home in a little bit and we're having homemade pizza tonight! I need to go start chopping all the vegetables and shredding the cheese. It's laundry day today and catch-up day because I didn't do my "chores" yesterday. I've got to wash sheets, wash laundry, dust, and clean bathrooms. I just finished it all in 20 minutes (except for the laundry which is still going right now).

I got my sleep schedule WAY out of whack right now. Because I love to stay up and watch Golden Girls - two hours which ends at 2 a.m. But last night I stayed up until 4 a.m. and woke up today at 12-something. I need to try to stay up all night tonight (maybe) to get back on track.

I've learned over these past few months that I love to cook. And Robert says I'm good at it! : ) Most meals are recipes right now though. I don't just throw foods together except for burrito night and spaghetti night. I love casseroles and the Crock Pot.

I put together the playlist down at the bottom today. I was looking at other women's blogs on here (linked from Faith & Family) to get some ideas to spice mine up a bit. I thought the music was a nice touch. Next I'm going to put something(s) on the side. I'm really looking forward to inviting people here once I get "the place" spruced up a bit!

Just starting out ...

I've never done this before so it might be a rough start. :-)

Today Robert's on duty - which means he has to stay on the ship overnight and do whatever work needs to be done (which is sometimes nothing) - so I'm all alone at home. I wanted some mac and cheese, so I tried adding Campbell's Cheddar Cheese soup to the noodles but it was bland. So I threw in a handful of shredded cheddar and it still wasn't that great.

I've been surfing the web all day long. I made an Alphabet chart with upper and lower case letters and pictures. I've been really interested in homeschooling things lately. So this was just one of many pre-planning things I've accomplished.

We're over budget on almost everything this month but somehow we're still $200 under the paycheck - figure that one out! lol And somehow my checking account balance on my budget is like $50 off (lower gladly, but still off). I don't know how that happens either because I only round up to the nearest dollar with expenses and down to the nearest dollar with income.

I love budgeting. I can't believe I finally found my calling. It's so great. And the more I get into it, the more I'm trying to find ways to save money! I have our monthly budget done all the way out to December 2012! I have 11 funds in my Freedom Account (only 4 of which have balances above $0 right now). BTW - a Freedom Account is a savings account to free you from living paycheck to paycheck. We are fully funded for all our insurance premiums for the year and for our deductibles. My current funds are: car insurance, renter's insurance, Robert's uniforms, insurance deductibles, moving expenses, contingency fund, car, house, paycheck (used when they screw it up), Christmas & gifts, and vacations. A contingency fund is used when you find yourself without a paycheck (fired, laid-off, switching jobs, etc).

We plan to pay cash for our next vehicle and pay at least 20% (hopefully more) down when we buy our first home. We will also be debt free by the end of the year! We're really excited about that (me mostly)!!