A tip...just in time for Christmas

My sister, Anna, is starting a blog. She has beautiful brown hair, but she has a tendency to act a little blonder than your average brunette-hence the name of her blog. (Apologies to all Blondie's out there!) She had a post a bit ago about opening packaging for items that are harder to get into than Fort Knox. Actually, did you know that Fort Knox is really wrapped in hard plastic and welded shut? No one can get into that place. Until now.

I remember reading and hearing that you can open that type of packaging with a can opener, I was skeptical-especially if you have seen my can opener. When Taryn got some more Story Reader books for Christmas (Thanks Auntie Anna!), I decided to try it out. Here are the results:

Scary packaging


Can opener around the edging of the packaging. It was surprisingly very easy to cut and kind of self-propelled itself along.


Ta-Da! Impenetrable force penetrated! Watch out Fort Knox! (Maybe now they will resort to wrapping it in cellophane like a c.d....those I have yet to find an easy way to open).

On another note, my mom ordered my gift online and had it shipped to my house. She asked Dan to wrap it for me. Should have known the man wasn't going to just wrap it. Thanks Dan (and Mom)!

(click on picture to enlarge)

Non-Haircut Double Dog Dare

The other night Dan and I were having a conversation and this scene from the beloved Christmas classic "A Christmas Story" came to mind.



What does this have to do with Dan and I?

What has Dan challenged me to?

Well, here is kinda how the conversation went:
Reb: I think I am going to grow my hair out.
Dan: Yeah (as he rolls his eyes)
Reb: What?! (she says incredulously)
Dan: You always say that then you go and cut your hair.
Reb: Well, this time I mean it.
Dan: Yeah.
Reb: What?!
Dan: I'll like to see you try. (I Double Dog Dare you, he thinks)
Reb: o.k. then you tell me how long I have to wait to cut my hair again
Dan: a year.
Reb: A year?
Dan: yes, a year from this date (which was on Tuesday, Dec. 15).
Reb: O.k. I'll do it.
Dan: I don't think you will. (I am sure at this point he was thinking of triple dog daring me).
Reb: That's all the incentive I need! I won't cut my hair for a year. (Says the stubborn one)

So there you have it. No cutting my hair for one year.

Here is how it looks now:

Let's see how it will look in a year...so mark your calendars! Really, I have to, otherwise I will forget. It probably won't look much different. I don't know if he thinks I will have locks like Reese Witherspoon or Penelope Cruz or someone. (Who probably all have weaves anyway!)

Finished basement

When Dan and I were house hunting back in the fall of last year, we had a list of things we were looking for in a home. One of those things was a playroom of sorts. In VA, we have friends who use their formal living rooms or dining rooms as playrooms. Because, let's admit it, at our stage of life why do we need anything formal? Formal means breakable. Not really a war I want to fight. I have had our Christmas tree up for 2 weeks and already I am ready to take it down just because of the daily battle of ornaments vs. 18 month old. So I couldn't imagine having a formal room 365 days of the year that I would have to protect.

We would walk into a home that was beautifully staged and look at the dining room or living room and say that would be a great playroom. If it had doors that was even better. Our realtor was catching on so by the 20th house she would be looking at those formal rooms and be thinking how we could convert it to a playroom. Then we walked into the home we live in now. There is a nice office on the main level that we thought would be perfect for a playroom. But, even better, this house had a finished basement. When we moved in we decided that the office would remain an office and the basement would be where all the toys would go. It was one of the best decisions we have ever made. For one, my mess of papers, lists, coupons, mail, etc. can stay behind closed doors in the office. And the kid mess, toys, toys, toys, can stay, well, in the basement...







Yep, best decision EVER!

Awkward Phase

I tried to google a definition for the term "Awkward Phase." All I got was a bunch of pictures of people in their awkward phase, not really what I was looking for. Even good ol' Wickepidi@ didn't have a definition. I suppose I could come up with one myself, but I think all you know what I mean when I talk about an "awkward phase." There is a time (perhaps a span of a few years) when you look back at those years and you just kinda cringe. Usually this occurs when you happen across a box of old pictures that really should be burned. There was the hair (especially the bangs!), the way you dressed, and most likely there were braces and glasses involved. Thankfully, when you look at those pictures you are surrounded by people who look pretty similar to you. Not that it makes it any better, but it does help a little. I went to high school in the early 90s where t-shirts, flannel, and doc martens were the bomb. Actually, I still wear these...NOT! O.k. I have to stop this. Anyway, back to the people with you in those pictures. Most likely, these were the friends who were going through this right along side of you. Perhaps, you were probably pretty unaware that you were all going through this awkward phase. At least I was, but maybe that's not saying much.

Well, this past weekend I was able to spend a fun weekend away with two of my friends who survived this phase with me. I went to school with Rachel from kindergarten all the way through high school. Stephanie, I met my Sophomore year because she was a "military brat" who just transferred to our high school. (Even though she's the farthest thing from being a brat). These gals know WAY TOO MUCH about me. They know all about my crushes, first kiss, embarrassing moments (which are too many to recall), attempts at being cool, bad hairdos, really bad outfits-you get the idea. This weekend we reminisced about all of the above plus some stuff I haven't thought about for years! Can I just say there were some tears? Thankfully, they were tears of laughter.

I think about those years and what I would tell 16 year old me if she was sitting in front of me right now. Perhaps I would tell her that boys jeans (even though they were the only ones long enough for my legs) are meant for boys. Smile big even though your mouth is full of metal. Be secure in who you are and don't take yourself too seriously. Thank your dad for teaching you how to "drive stick." Keep in touch with good girlfriends. Crushes are fun, but it's nothing compared to the crush you will have on the man you marry.

I am so glad I have friends in my life like Rachel and Steph. The "high school" stuff that we went through is a little bit of who I am today...take it or leave it. Plus, I need to keep them close, because did I mention? They know way too much!!

Steph, me and Ray in 1995...



14 years later...

Baking away

We are still baking away at Half Baked Beauties. If you are curious, you can check out my posts on Bagels and Brioche.

Hooked on Wicked

Have you ever read a book, seen a movie, watched a show, etc. where at the end you sat back and just said WOW. But then you continue to think about it and the more you think about the more you realize how much you really loved it? Last week, Dan and I had an experience like that.

To preface, around the time of my birthday, I mentioned that I would love to see the musical Wicked. It was coming into town and I thought it would be great to see. Both my sisters and my mom have seen it and said how great it was. It's only fair that I see it as well! I happened to catch a commercial while Dan was fast forwarding during one of our many DVR'd shows. I really didn't think he was listening when I casually said that I would like to see the musical. But, our husbands have a way of doing that, don't they? You think they really aren't listening and, lo and behold, they come out and do something all romantic and stuff. Well, guess what I got for my birthday? Wicked tickets. For my New England readers, that would be the musical I am referring to and not the adjective. But, yes, it was wicked. I was so very excited even though the show wasn't for another 2 months.

Anyway, Dan was looking forward to going to the show but more just because we were going out and not because of anything to do with the actual show. Plus, we were going with some friends and Dan is all about having a good time with friends. Little did he know how much he would fall in love with this musical. Serious, the man has a crush on a musical, if that's at all possible. That night as we were laying in bed he was talking about it, the next day at work he had researched the singers, he "youtubed" performances of his favorite songs, and he even convinced his mom and sisters to go see it when they were in town for Thanksgiving.

I am not sure what it was about this show. Maybe it was because the storyline is so clever and thoroughly enjoyable. The characters were done brilliantly. The music was spellbinding (pardon the witch reference). The stage and set were masterful. It was a show that you wanted to go on and on just to hear more of the incredible singing and witty references. It was appealing on all levels. I have seen a fair share of operas, plays and musicals and this one is by far my favorite. So, Mr. Ebert, we give it a 2 thumbs up! If this Musical is anywhere near you or within a 3 hour driving distance, see it. See it. See. It.

How about you? What have you seen or read or listened to that you just didn't want to stop? Or it made you think the whole next day and the next and the next because it was just. that. good. I (and my two readers-Hi mom!) would love to hear about it!

Hobbit foot

Hey friends! Just wanted to tell you we have been a little busy this week (like I bet most of us are!). We've got some family coming down from Iowa to celebrate Thanksgiving with us like last year. Been cooking and cleaning and all that good stuff. Plus, I kinda feel like the United States Postal Service...nothing will stop us, even a hobbit foot. What? Yesterday I was helping clean up after a MOPs meeting and while I was talking to someone I felt a terrible pain in my foot. Somehow a chair fell onto the top of my right foot. You know, right where the bone is. OOwwww! I knew it hurt and kinda tingled but didn't really look at it until I got home. This is how it is today...ain't that pretty?!


Once I get the sheets changed, the dishes done, the kitchen floor swept and mopped, the whole house vacuumed, and the playroom picked up, I will be sure to elevate my foot. I am sure a glass of red wine will help the swelling go down, right?

Anyway, hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving. Be sure to remember to put your feet up and relish in all of God's incredible blessings!

Blog posts to come after Thanksgiving: Brioche and Bagels and feeling Wicked.

Feels like home to me

Last weekend was one of the best and the most relaxing weekends I have had in a long time. Where was I? you ask. On a warm beach in Mexico? On a cruise in the Caribbean? No, I was in cold and rainy Virginia, and I loved every minute of it. Should I mention that I went by myself? No kids. Really, I didn't know what to do with myself. I got on the plane and I felt so empty handed. I sat down with my book and thought to myself, o.k. there is something else I should be doing here. And there wasn't! For once in a long time I was able to order coffee right away without the fear of spilling scalding hot liquid over my lap or, heaven forbid, the lap of someone else. Other than a bit of anxiety for leaving my kids and my hubby behind, I sat back and just knew it was going to be a great weekend. It didn't disappoint.

It started out with two of my best friends picking me up from the airport and heading out for a night on the town. Let's just say we aren't 23 any more! We were sitting at a nice lounge surrounded by a bunch of young up and comings (you know, the typical D.C. type) and our discussion ranged from how we clean our shower stalls to Beth Moore to private vs. public school. If those around us only knew! Wow, we stayed up way too late! Remember, I didn't have kids but those I stayed with did! Oops!! We made sure to schedule in some nap time the next day. See, I told you were weren't 23 anymore! On Thursday and Saturday night, I was able to get together with some girlfriends for good ol' Girls' Night Outs. It was wonderful to see these women and be reminded again of the great blessing of Christian friendship.


As I boarded the plane on Sunday afternoon, I looked back at the past few days and did get a little choked up. It was hard to say goodbye. Even though I talk to these friends on the phone, there is nothing like sitting face to face in your comfy clothes with a cup of coffee and talk about everything to nothing at all. These are women that have seen me grow from a newly married to a momma of three. We have cried together and laughed so hard that we've cried. Our kids love each other and our hubbies enjoy spending time together (that's huge!).



Yep, it was hard to say goodbye again. If you have read my blog for any period of time, you may have noticed that this past year has been a bit tough for me emotionally because of the move. So this trip was good for me in many ways, one of them being it helped me let go. No way will I let go of those friendships, not for a million years. (I hope we have mansions in Glory next to each other!) It helped me realize that Virginia isn't home anymore. My home is here in Kansas (gulp!). I look past over the last year and I think I wasn't really ready to say that until just now. I was unwilling to let myself feel that. I was afraid if I did then I would be too sad. I didn't want to invest the time and energy to plant any roots. But, this weekend reiterated that no matter the miles, these friends aren't just friends that will come and go, but will be friends no matter where the journey takes any one of us.

As I pulled into my garage on Sunday night I whispered, "God, thank you for bringing me home."

The B-I-B-L-E

It's the Book for us!

Trick or Treat!

I am thankful that my girls don't get into Halloween too much, or at least at this point they don't have a strong opinion of how they want to dress up. It reminds me of when we were younger. Our costumes were definitely last minute and were from things we could find around the house (a chef anyone? All you need is a mixing bowl and apron!). Heaven forbid my parents would spend money on this most pagan of holidays...but, I digress. That is why we were princesses, items from our dress up box were sufficient for one more year. I did get a little puppy dog costume for Landon (cheap off of Cr*ig's List). I didn't think it would be appropriate to dress him in a a poofy dress and heels...his sisters do that to him enough. No need to bring that out in public. Poor guy. We spent the evening with our friends who live two streets down. We walked up and down a total of 2 streets and that was enough for the kids. There was no complaining from the adults.



The whole crew (Chiefs Player, Hannah Montana, Tinkerbell, Belle, Cinderella and Landon the Wonder Dog)


Once again, Dan carved us some wonderful pumpkins. Last weekend when he asked what they should carve, you should have heard the suggestions! A variety of princesses and Disn*y characters were requested. It was funny how the girls thought that surely daddy could carve anything!! He, however, did his best to oblige and I think the end results were fantastic. It brought some pretty big smiles to their faces!

Mickey


Cinderella



Now, bring on Thanksgiving. I just love this time of year!!

Cheese with a side of zzzz....

Sorry about the lack of posting...Annika's been on Fall Break all week so we are a little out of routine. (Please ignore the fact that my son is still in his p.j.s and eating lunch).

It's all Greek to me!

Made my second loaf, and first boule, of bread.
This Dutch girl started out in Greece and ended up with something French.
See for yourself... Half-Baked Beauties

Why moms don't ever get anything done!

I know a lot of you have probably seen this little bit of prose before, but it's a good one and it's kinda how I feel today!

If You Give a Mom a Muffin (Original author unknown)
If you give a mom a muffin, she’ll want a cup of coffee to go with it.
She’ll pour herself some.
Her 3-year old will spill the coffee.
She’ll wipe it up.
Wiping the floor, she will find some dirty socks.
She’ll remember she has to do the laundry.
When she puts the laundry in the washer,she’ll trip over some boots and bump into the freezer.
Bumping into the freezer will remind her that she has to plan supper.
She will take out a pound of hamburger.
She’ll look in her cookbook(101 Things to Make with a Pound of Hamburger).
The cookbook is sitting under a pile of mail.
She will see the phone bill, which is due tomorrow.
She will look for her checkbook.
The checkbook is in her purse that is being dumped out by her 2-year old.
She’ll smell something funny.
She’ll change the 2-year old.
While she is changing the 2-year old, the phone will ring.
Her 5-year old will answer and hang up.
She’ll remember that she wants to phone a friend to come for coffee.
Thinking of coffee reminds her that she was going to have a cup.
She will pour herself some.
And chances are, if she has a cup of coffee,her kids will have eaten the muffin that went with it.

Hope you all have a very productive day!!

It was a run, not a race.

Because, let's be honest who was I racing against? Yesterday when I told Annika that I would be running a race, she asked me "Are you going win?" Competitive already?

Here begins the chronicling done by my crazy hubby who ran the KC 1/2 Marathon with me. His goal was to run ahead and get a picture of me by every mile marker. Some I was running so fast it's just a blur...others it looks like I am walking. Really, I ran every mile!! Promise!!

Enjoy the documentary:
Getting ready to run. It was VERY cold!


Are we going to start soon?


Just a typical Saturday morning at 7 a.m. with 10,000 of my closest friends.


Mile 1: Pure adrenaline (or just running to keep warm)


Mile 2: Too fast for the camera


Mile 3:


Mile 4: I was starting to warm up so I took my long sleeve layer off.


Mile 5: Getting a little harder to take pictures and run at the same time.


Mile 6: At this point Dan would run ahead to the mile marker and stand by it to take a picture. Yep folks, that's love.

Mile 7: Over 1/2 way!!


Mile 8:Still feeling pretty good.


Mile 9:


Mile 10: This was at the end of a long and gradual hill that started somewhere in between mile 8 and 9.


Mile 11: Has anyone seen my legs? Somewhere around here they turned into bricks.



Mile 12: Home Stretch!!! Just sippin on some gatorade


To God be the Glory, I am done!!


Rock stars! (At least in our own minds!)


Now, can someone come over to help me off this chair?

I. can't. move.

A special day and a special guest

On Wednesday Taryn and I were able to join Annika's class for their field trip to a pumpkin patch. Boy, was it cold!!! By the way were were dressed you would have thought it was December and we were on our way to cut down a Christmas tree! A BIG thank you to EH who let Landon take a nap at her house. He was a much warmer and happier guy because of it. Annika's 1/2 day Kindergarten class is only 8 kiddos. It's a sweet class but they still have the energy of a class of 20!





On Thursday night we had a special visitor come over! Grandpa P was in town! He has to travel all over the country for his job and his latest trip brought him to Our Plain Life's neck of the woods. We were very happy that he could visit with us for a night. He even got to be an "official taste tester" for my first loaf of Anadame bread (check out my post over at Half-baked Beauties). Thanks Grandpa P for coming to visit us!





On another note, by this time tomorrow, Lord Willing, I will be done with the Half-Marathon! So if tomorrow morning around this time you are lying in bed, drinking your coffee, and reading your paper, would you say a prayer for me? It's supposed to be a balmy 37 degrees at race time!!

But who's counting?

Seven months has flown by and now it's almost here. By Saturday afternoon I hope to be laying on my couch (because I won't be able to move), drinking a beer, and not thinking about running again for a very long time.

Reading about bread

I usually try to limit myself to reading two books at a time. The first book is the Word of God and the second book is whatever fact or fiction novel, biography, autobiography etc. I have chosen for "fun" reading. Well, I have been slowly picking up books here and there that I want to read. Needless to say my nightstand is looking a little overwhelmed. I know there are some people who can read multiple books at a time but my slightly ADD mind can't handle things like that.


However, the book that I am trying to focus on the most is the book on the bottom of the stack The Bread Bakers Apprentice: Mastering the Art of Extraordinary Bread. It's part of a new venture I am starting out with some other friends across the country. My dear friend and the "Martha Stewart" in my life, BG at Famiglia Grande is the brains, er I mean the baker, behind the idea of Half-Baked Beauties. We are going to bake bread and blog about it...ala Julie & Julia (which is a fabulous movie by the way). Then why I am reading the book rather than baking the bread?! Well, apparently there is a lot that goes into making a loaf, and am I learning. There are formulas and ratios and all sorts of good stuff to know before I pull out my apron, but once I get through that part, watch out! There will be all sorts of leavening going on! I have until October 15 to crank out some Anadama bread. Better get reading and be sure to follow along!

Just a little off the sides please.

Grandma E gave Landon his last haircut, and even though it turned out good we'll just say the experience wasn't the greatest. Landon screamed through the whole thing as though we were branding him. So I was a little apprehensive when I decided to bring him to the "salon" to get his hair cut. I was going to wait until we saw Grandma E again, but that won't be for another 2 months and he was getting a little shaggy. I can cut the girls' hair, but don't know where to start with little boy hair. I was surprised when the gal took out the clippers, but it seemed to work just fine despite his soft baby hair. I took notes so maybe Daddy can do it next time.

He wasn't too sure about the clippers.

Little man!! Now we can really see his baby blues (plus his uber-long eye lashes!).

Why I love screens!

This was, thankfully, on the OTHER side of our screened in porch this morning...

This thing is 4 INCHES long!

It kept the girls attention for awhile.

Now, I am not sure what is scarier to me, this HUGE bug or the fact that we are starting potty training today. Maybe I will ask this Praying Mantis to pray for me!

Happy Moving Day Anniversary, or something like that.

Wow, it's been one year since we said "goodbye" to Virginia with all our earthly belongings packed up and headed West. Really, are you sure?! No, it can't be. It's like these past 365 days have been a complete blur. When we talk about Kansas, I say that I am "new to the area." I guess I'm not "new" anymore, am I? There is still a part of me that feels like I am the new kid on the block. Sure, I am getting to know more people. We have friends who we enjoy hanging out with and getting to know more. But, I think it's that "getting to know" part that reminds me that I am "new." There's not that history yet, but all history has to start somewhere. Even though it's not as often as before, I do get choked up when I talk about moving from VA. It was such a special place where we made such special friendships. And what's funny, is that there are even some close friends who don't live in Virginia anymore, but they are still my "Virginia Friends."

I think one of the hardest parts about moving to someplace where you know no one is that you have a "clean slate." No one knows anything about me. Is this a good thing? I suppose it could be. There are some things in my past that just don't need to be known and are best forgotten. On the other hand, this clean slate can be a burden because there is comfort in being around friends who know you, you know?

I was reminded of this tonight. I was on my way to a Girl's Night Out for moms at Annika's school. I was nervous because I knew I would only know one, maybe two, other ladies there. Even worse, I knew there would be a lot of them who knew each other. Now, I can come off as an extrovert, but not too deep inside is an insecure high schooler who just wants people to like her and gets really nervous at the thought of meeting new people. I tried on a few outfits, put on some jewelry, and even put on some of that long-lasting lipstick. I felt like I was getting ready for a date. Isn't that high school-ish?! (Other than the fact that I didn't date in high school, but that's another story). And don't even get me started on the snack I brought. I didn't want to run out to the store and get stuff, so I tried to go with what ingredients I had in the pantry. I tried something new, and realized having a candy thermometer around would've been nice. Let's just say the Chocolate Pecan Caramels, were more like Chocolate Pecan Goo. I even threw them in the freezer. That worked, but as I cut them up, I prayed the room wouldn't be warmer than, say, 40 degrees. I just put them on disposable plates so I wouldn't have to reclaim them at the end of the night.

As I was in the car on the way, I turned on the radio. Now, there are times in my life where I have turned to a random passage in the Bible and felt that what I read at that moment was just what I needed to hear. But tonight, on my way to my "first date," God gave me a holy slap in the face. I turned on the Christian radio station just as a woman was wrapping up a short devotional time on Proverbs 31. The verse she was reading was verse 30, "Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised." It really made me catch my breath. For the past hour (maybe 2), I had been concerned about what these women would think of me. "Would they like my shirt, how about my jeans, would they notice any of my jewelry, or would they like my dessert, or notice that I brought a plate of goo?" Not once, did I think "Will they see that I am a daughter of the King, a sinner bought at a price?"
As I was pulling into the parking lot, I sat in my car and looked up to see a rainbow. SERIOUS! I couldn't make this up if I tried!!! It was the coolest rainbow. It wasn't an arc like rainbow, but one that went straight up from the ground into the sky. And the verse "never will I leave you, never will I forsake you" came to my mind. It was a very cool moment between me and a God who cares deeply for little insecure me.

Sometimes in my moments of homesickness, and even some loneliness, I still wonder why God brought our Plain Life out here. As I continue into the next year of this chapter of my life, I need those rainbows to remind me that I am not here to impress people with my charm or the latest and the greatest (because we already know that's not going to happen). I serve a God who can't be impressed. He doesn't want our best outfit or even the best snacks, he wants me. He's the only one who can make this "clean" slate as white as snow.

Soccer Dad

I think Dan has been waiting for this day since we knew we were going to have kids. Annika's team name is the Bumblebees, I think Dan is just happy the colors are black and yellow!

Why buy the professional pictures when you can just sneak in behind the photographer?! We sure are Dutch!!

We think Annika likes to play. However, the first game took a little coaxing. She had two "fastbreaks" but both times she kicked the ball a little wide. Ah, well. It's not about the score, it's about having fun, right? Right? Dan said I have to watch my sideline manner. I think I did just fine, I was encouraging! And he's the competitive one in the family! We are hoping for the next Mia Hamm, no pressure or anything.