Wednesday, January 23, 2013
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
I'm officially no longer a Vicar's wife, so what will happen with this blog you may ask? Well, I think I'm done :) It's served its purpose; to update everyone on our exciting life during vicarage and while on the beach!
Not that Seminary and St. Louis life isn't exciting... it just isn't really... ;)
A note to our STL peeps; we'll be at Christ Memorial Sunday, so look for us!
And from me, I hope you enjoyed a little glimpse into our life this year. It's been fun!
Not that Seminary and St. Louis life isn't exciting... it just isn't really... ;)
A note to our STL peeps; we'll be at Christ Memorial Sunday, so look for us!
And from me, I hope you enjoyed a little glimpse into our life this year. It's been fun!
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Goodbye New Friends, Hello Old...
Six days from now we'll be shipping out of the Sunshine State on our way to the Gateway of the West. And still... it feels like a month away...
This time last year we were saying goodbye to our dear friends who we had only known for two short years. I remember how hard that was for me, because even though I knew we'd be returning, it was going to be different. I have no way of knowing what the friendships will be like that have been put on hold this past year. Their lives have been continuing on as usual, while our STL life seems like it was just put on pause and should re-start at the same place when we get back.
At least that's how I think it will be with our Seminary friends. It honestly wasn't as hard to say goodbye to my Sem friends, because I knew we were all in the same boat. I knew we'd be staying in contact with each other from our strange new worlds, and picking our lives up together right where we left off. And I'm confident in that.
This year will be just as hard to say goodbye to our new friends. Even though it's only been a year, this time around there's really no plan of returning. Sure, everyone wants us to come visit, but like leaving St. Louis, their lives will continue on as normal, we will be far away, and eventually we'll just look like a blip on the screen of their lives' history.
Sorry to sound so depressing! But that's kind of the reality of what seems like a nomadic life. I began this blog discussing how many moves I've been through (this will be my 17th in my lifetime), and how that really makes it hard to have long lasting, deeply rooted friendships. Every new place I go, I make friends with people who already have lifelong friends with people they grew up with, and I can't help but envy them. Maybe one day John and I will be in a place forever and we'll develop deep long lasting friendships :) But then I won't know what to do with myself!
John and I both will dearly miss the friends we've made here. I sincerely hope we can maintain a kind of friendship with these people. And everyone's told us, once you get the sand stuck in between your toes, it eventually leads you back...
This time last year we were saying goodbye to our dear friends who we had only known for two short years. I remember how hard that was for me, because even though I knew we'd be returning, it was going to be different. I have no way of knowing what the friendships will be like that have been put on hold this past year. Their lives have been continuing on as usual, while our STL life seems like it was just put on pause and should re-start at the same place when we get back.
At least that's how I think it will be with our Seminary friends. It honestly wasn't as hard to say goodbye to my Sem friends, because I knew we were all in the same boat. I knew we'd be staying in contact with each other from our strange new worlds, and picking our lives up together right where we left off. And I'm confident in that.
This year will be just as hard to say goodbye to our new friends. Even though it's only been a year, this time around there's really no plan of returning. Sure, everyone wants us to come visit, but like leaving St. Louis, their lives will continue on as normal, we will be far away, and eventually we'll just look like a blip on the screen of their lives' history.
Sorry to sound so depressing! But that's kind of the reality of what seems like a nomadic life. I began this blog discussing how many moves I've been through (this will be my 17th in my lifetime), and how that really makes it hard to have long lasting, deeply rooted friendships. Every new place I go, I make friends with people who already have lifelong friends with people they grew up with, and I can't help but envy them. Maybe one day John and I will be in a place forever and we'll develop deep long lasting friendships :) But then I won't know what to do with myself!
John and I both will dearly miss the friends we've made here. I sincerely hope we can maintain a kind of friendship with these people. And everyone's told us, once you get the sand stuck in between your toes, it eventually leads you back...
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Couponing Burnout
After a year of not quite "extreme" couponing, but definitely a form of religious couponing, I have to confess... I'm getting tired...
I've been collecting coupons from people at church, driving around to area Starbucks grabbing discarded inserts, and (confession) even grabbing Sunday coupons from recycle bins around the block, because one set of inserts just isn't enough! Most deals need at least 2 like coupons, and some of the BEST deals need 5 or more. So I gotta get them. I hate missing a deal. Like it literally gives me a sick feeling in my stomach.
Then there's the check out counter. Besides arranging my schedule to avoid a long line of impatient customers behind me, there's always the annoyed and unbelieving cashier who I swear is out to reject my coupons. So there's the conversation that has to happen about how my coupon-deal combination is valid, showing their store's coupon policy, and even maybe a manager that has to come key in some code in the evil register that doesn't want to make my deal.
Of course it's no fun when you walk into the store with a whole long scenario in mind, and to your dismay it's only day 3 of the sale and your deals are sold out... This happens about 50% of the time.
Let's not forget the time it takes to read the coupon blogs, print, find the necessary coupons from your large file box, organize and plan your trips. This takes longer than you'd think...
So with all this... I'm getting tired...
Of course, it's definitely fun to come home with 10 boxes of Gain dryer sheets, 12 sticks of Right Guard deodorant, 7 bottles of Nivea body wash, 5 tubes of Crest toothpaste, 6 Reach toothbrushes, and 4 bottles of Garnier shampoo for free, or even earning $4 of store-specific bucks. Or spending .33 on boxes of Loreal hair color, .50 on Quaker Granola cereal, .13 on Bertolli pasta sauce, and $2.50 for a pack of 40 Huggies diapers. (All these deals I actually got, just look at my pantry... it's a mess.) These scenarios are what makes me sick to pay full price for anything.
But I just don't know if I can keep up with it anymore. It's a little exhausting. I guess if it was easy, everyone would do it. But at the same time, I don't know if I can let go of all these deals! Sigh... We'll see how I feel in the next few months...
Do any other new "couponers" feel this way?
I've been collecting coupons from people at church, driving around to area Starbucks grabbing discarded inserts, and (confession) even grabbing Sunday coupons from recycle bins around the block, because one set of inserts just isn't enough! Most deals need at least 2 like coupons, and some of the BEST deals need 5 or more. So I gotta get them. I hate missing a deal. Like it literally gives me a sick feeling in my stomach.
Then there's the check out counter. Besides arranging my schedule to avoid a long line of impatient customers behind me, there's always the annoyed and unbelieving cashier who I swear is out to reject my coupons. So there's the conversation that has to happen about how my coupon-deal combination is valid, showing their store's coupon policy, and even maybe a manager that has to come key in some code in the evil register that doesn't want to make my deal.
Of course it's no fun when you walk into the store with a whole long scenario in mind, and to your dismay it's only day 3 of the sale and your deals are sold out... This happens about 50% of the time.
Let's not forget the time it takes to read the coupon blogs, print, find the necessary coupons from your large file box, organize and plan your trips. This takes longer than you'd think...
So with all this... I'm getting tired...
Of course, it's definitely fun to come home with 10 boxes of Gain dryer sheets, 12 sticks of Right Guard deodorant, 7 bottles of Nivea body wash, 5 tubes of Crest toothpaste, 6 Reach toothbrushes, and 4 bottles of Garnier shampoo for free, or even earning $4 of store-specific bucks. Or spending .33 on boxes of Loreal hair color, .50 on Quaker Granola cereal, .13 on Bertolli pasta sauce, and $2.50 for a pack of 40 Huggies diapers. (All these deals I actually got, just look at my pantry... it's a mess.) These scenarios are what makes me sick to pay full price for anything.
But I just don't know if I can keep up with it anymore. It's a little exhausting. I guess if it was easy, everyone would do it. But at the same time, I don't know if I can let go of all these deals! Sigh... We'll see how I feel in the next few months...
Do any other new "couponers" feel this way?
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Join The Food Fight!
John and I watched this quick series last year, so intrigued by this man's quest in the states, and eager to see how the rest of his mission would pan out.
For months I didn't see any hint of hope that ABC would bring his show back. Until yesterday I pulled up hulu to watch a little Jimmy Falon while William slept, and what did I see? Jamie Oliver staring back at me! And it was the THIRD episode! YES!
So I've done a little catch up and must say am LOVING this second season as much as the first! It's so eye opening and appropriate for our generation.
One part that stuck out to me; concerned parents in LA telling Jamie "My kid ate well, until he went to school!" I don't look forward to the day when William goes to school full time and he'll be subject to the poor eating habits that have sentenced our society to a 25% obesity rate. People are sick, hurting, and dying because of the toxic food we're ignorantly putting into our bodies. Organizations that are designed to protect us have failed miserably. I'm not advocating super regulation; the government can't tell us what to and what not to eat. However, it can keep fast food and other food services from preparing and handling food in such a way that is harmful to our health! Why are we nervous about food and toys that come from China? Because their government doesn't regulate the way we so proudly boast of our government. Yet if someone suggests the government crack down on the way food is handled and processed, there's an uproar of people crying "big government!" (As a side note, people in FL are upset b/c the governor wants to require people applying for welfare to take a drug test. Really? Just take the test and stop doing drugs!)
Here's a clip that really opened my eyes to the USDA's leniency towards processed meat. I've tried to just duck my head and ignore this for many years, but now I know... (this is the only version of this clip I could find, sorry, it's someone videoing their TV, but it's watchable!)
I'm nervous that Jamie Oliver's efforts here in the US will soon come to an end. His struggles this season are even greater than last season, and even his own network keeps bumping his show! I'm afraid it'll be canceled due to low ratings. If you think the way America allows food to be handled, processed, and prepared is a serious problem (as evidenced in the 1:4 obesity ratio), consider tuning into the show and supporting his efforts. Here's a clip from this season that summarizes what this season's going to look like (this one's actually in HD :))
Check Out Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
The Y.A.G. of B.L.C.: Vicar John and the BLC 3
Had to share for any STL folks; we're still jamming, hope you are!
The Y.A.G. of B.L.C.: Vicar John and the BLC 3: "Here's a video from the fourth Sunday of Easter. Thanks Tammy for your awesome video skills! She was able to sneak this in while doing the s..."
The Y.A.G. of B.L.C.: Vicar John and the BLC 3: "Here's a video from the fourth Sunday of Easter. Thanks Tammy for your awesome video skills! She was able to sneak this in while doing the s..."
Monday, May 16, 2011
Mr. William Is Two, Are You?
Has it really been two years already? William knows his colors, numbers, and even Spanish 1-10, and will even put several words together in a sort of fragment sentence. What is going on?? I love to hear his little toddler words, like "I yah yoo" (I love you), "sah-soo-suh" (construction truck), or "dah-yah-doh" (There ya go!), but I'm a little startled when what he's saying sounds very close to how a big kid speaks! I don't want him to start talking like an adult! Before I know it, he'll be wiping off my kisses in front of his friends, and be annoyed when I ask him what he learned in school... Sigh...
But I threw him a party anyways. When we were planning the party, we asked him "what kind of party do you want?" to which he responded "wha-pah-y-want?" so we had to answer for him. What does William love more than anything else....? Milk! He loves milk! A milk party? What else does he love.... he's always asking for yogurt, and cheese... he loves books! He always asks us to read Mr. Brown Can Moo, Can You? That's it! A book/cow/dairy themed birthday party!
We had milkshakes, build your own yogurt parfait, string cheese, hamburgers and beef hot dogs of course, beef jerky in the take home bags, and finally, an ice cream cake shaped like a cow. Still if anyone says the word "cake" William chimes in "cow cake?" Here's just a "few" pics from the big day :)
But I threw him a party anyways. When we were planning the party, we asked him "what kind of party do you want?" to which he responded "wha-pah-y-want?" so we had to answer for him. What does William love more than anything else....? Milk! He loves milk! A milk party? What else does he love.... he's always asking for yogurt, and cheese... he loves books! He always asks us to read Mr. Brown Can Moo, Can You? That's it! A book/cow/dairy themed birthday party!
We had milkshakes, build your own yogurt parfait, string cheese, hamburgers and beef hot dogs of course, beef jerky in the take home bags, and finally, an ice cream cake shaped like a cow. Still if anyone says the word "cake" William chimes in "cow cake?" Here's just a "few" pics from the big day :)
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