Blonde Again!

One of the things on my list was to do something different with my hair.  I thought about a shocking fancy short do, but since it takes FORever and ever to grow my hair out I played it safe.  

Most of our "extra" expenses were done away with when I decided to stay home and we started living on one full income....and that luxury was included.  It had been approximately five years since I had regular highlights.  Once I let it return to its  natural shade just looking in the mirror was a huge change.  In fact, I was almost brunette (gasp!) 

I admit that it's easy to become a "frumpy housewife".  On the days we don't leave the house I stay in my pjs til noon and I don't bother with hair or makeup.  Jarrod reminds me that I should do nice things for myself more often but it's really hard for me to justify doing so.  I always joked that I would immediately run to the salon the second I discovered my first gray hair.  Anyway, Jarrod encouraged me to start highlighting again so I did it before he changed his mind :) ( I also had the layers cleaned up and a created a bang.)

BEFORE:

AFTER:

A little dirt won't hurt!

Today I learned how to change my own oil.  Of all the things listed on the "to do" list this one I received the most (doubtful) feedback on!  I figured I would get it out of the way (and my car was waaay over due).  This was my first experience underneath a vehicle and I must say it was a little strange.  There's a lot to look at down there!

This was a dirty job.  Absolutely filthy!  I got grease on my forehead and oil all over my hands.   It was definitely an old T shirt and no makeup kind of project!

For those of you not familiar with the process, it is not extremely challenging.  

Step 1:  Place a large/shallow/disposable reservoir under the car.  Carefully position your body under there (note: if you are claustrophobic this job is not for you!). 

Step 2: Loosen the oil plug.  Unless you are Superman/woman a ratchet is absolutely necessary.  This will immediately release an astonishing amount of warm, gooey, dark golden liquid. 

Step 3: Tighten the oil plug back on and crawl back up to find fresh air.

Step 4: Open hood.  Briefly examine all visible bits and pieces to make sure all is well.  Top off antifreeze, etc. if needed.  Loosen oil cap & replace with new oil (note: this can also be done with a baby on your hip!)

Here is my handsome lead mechanic and his cute assistant checking out something interesting under the hood :)

Evidently the Trailblazer requires waaay more oil than most models (7 quarts to be exact).  This was something outside my realm of expertise but now I know how if I needed to do it again.

And the Procrastination award goes to.....

.....ME!!!!

Hi friends!  Are any of you still following my journey?  Sorry there hasn't been much action here but I promise to pick up the pace very soon.  Afterall, I have less than 5 months left (147 days to be exact)...yikes! 

Procrastinate - to put off until another day or time; to defer or delay

All my life I have been a major procrastinator.  Especially with packing, cleaning, studying and leaving the house on time.  I always get the task done....but I just wait until the last minute to start!  I have a feeling that the completion of this list will be the same way.  I will finish it....even if I don't start some of the tasks until the first week of October (wink!) 

Memaw's Rolls

For as long as I can remember my maternal grandmother ("Memaw") has made the BEST pies and rolls!  Her most requested pies are pecan and chocolate (with homemade crust and perfect meringue, of course). 

My mom actually discovered the roll recipe in her high school Home Economics class.  With her special touch and lots of experience Memaw became the pro!  Growing up the whole family looked forward to them at all holidays and gatherings.  Several aunts and cousins have attempted and I figured it was my turn!  I decided they would serve as one of my contributions to Easter lunch this year. 

Here is the recipe with ingredients listed in bold:

Dilute one pkg of yeast in1/2 cup of warm water.  Set aside. 

Mix in a separate bowl: 1 egg slightly beaten, 1/2 cup shortening or butter, 1/3 cup sugar.

To the egg mixture, add 1/2 cup very hot water.  Careful with hot water.  (Boil 1/2 c water in a pan, remove it, count to ten, then slowly add hot water to mixture while carefully stirring--be careful w sudden temperature change in glass bowls and avoid splashing).  Immediately after blending hot water, add 1/2 cup cold water and yeast mixture. Mix well.

To this mixture, add 4 1/2 cups of flour and 2 tsp of salt.  Here is where more flour may be needed depending on the weather.  Flour hands and kneading surface.  When mixture holds together, knead gently until it's not sticky, but too much additonal flour can make it heavy.  Experience makes perfect!!

Allow mixture to rise one hour before making into balls for baking at preheated 350 degrees until brown.  Mom and I have always made it ahead of time, placed it in refrigerator to rise overnight covered w plastic wrap.  Three hours before serving, flour hands and gently pull a piece of dough from risen ball, keeping flour handy if dough gets sticky.  Make balls a little larger than golf balls, place on greased baking sheet, cover, and allow to rise 3 hours on or around warm kitchen.  You may also make three smaller rolls and place in greased mufin tins for a Parker House type roll.  Also makes breakfast cinnamon rolls but need to rise 3 hours before baking.

29 and a half

Today is my half birthday.....I am officially 29 and a half.  It sort of makes me shiver. 

I owe all of you loyal blog readers an update on accomplishing my list.  Look here for my very first entry and see the updates in blue.  To date I am 23.33% done with my list and many of the remaining goals are in the works.  I hope to enjoy my last 6 months of being 20-something!

Prayer Journal

And my God will supply ALL your needs according to His riches in glory in Jesus Christ. -Philippians 4:19

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and repeition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. -Philippians 4:6

During our time living in Oklahoma I kept a prayer journal (pictured in the middle above).  It had a space for me to reflect on 'a moment of thanks', 'a prayer' and 'an answer'.  This made it very simple for me to keep track of how God was working in my life.  The first entry was April 7, 2002 and the last entry was on January 29, 2006.  One of the last entries reads:

"Be with Jarrod and I as we discover what you have in store for our lives.  Please calm our concerns regardng moving and finances.  Please speak to us and let us know when the time is for a baby...."

We had just decided to move back home to Texas, but little did we know Emma would be born that year!

After that prayer journal had been filled I never started a new one.  I always had intentions but never got around to it.  That is, until last night!  My new one (pictured to the left) has its first entry.  To the right is the Women's Study Bible Jarrod got me for Christmas.  God knows our needs/wants/feelings, long before we do.  This is AMAZING!!  Even so, he desires for us to voice those to Him in prayer.  He desires an open line of communication. 

Grow garden, grow!!

Well, here it is.  Our very first veggie/fruit garden.  I am hoping and praying that it is very bountiful :)

 Little did I know that my husband is a professional gardener.  He says that his college horticulture class really came in handy :)  We had so many different types of seeds that he kept having to add rows alongside other rows! 

I did the easy part.  Emma enjoyed helping and I think it will be really neat for her to watch over the next few months.  We planted tomatoes, squash, onions, peppers, lettuce, corn, orange & white pumpkins, watermelon, strawberries and cantalope.  There could be more, I can't remember right now. 



I will definitely keep you all updated on our garden.  Hopefully we will have enough to share with all of you!