Musings by Melissa

Well, let the research begin! Ugh! Purchasing new windows for our home is almost as hated a task as purchasing a new vehicle. Ugh! But, our house really could use new windows. Some of them are pretty bad. None of them clean easily. And only two of them are fairly air-tight.

The problem is that we have two dozen window in our house (including the two garage windows). That’s a lot of windows! We don’t have enough in savings to redo them all, so it’s a matter of picking where we want to start. Decisions… decisions…

Today we stopped by Lowes to see what they had and what their prices ran. As I walked by the Moen kitchen faucets I couldn’t help but think how much easier our kitchen project was in our old house.  First we did this, and then we’d do that.  Yes, it took awhile, but this window project seems daunting.  Terms like aluminum-clad, sash, jamb, and vinyl are running through my mind.  And I never did get a good answer as to what kind is best, let alone which brand.  ~sigh~

And so, let the research begin.  Have you ever replaced windows?  Were you happy with what you purchased?  We’d like to get these installed by the end of the year so we can qualify for the tax credit.  So, it’s a decision I’d like to make fairly soon so we can get them in by the time the snow flies!

I found a way last year to get Alicia to learn her multiplication facts without me being the bad guy!  Timez Attack is a great (FREE!) game.  She actually enjoys playing it.  You can play it at www.bigbrainz.com.

I’m now looking for something to help with adding facts.  If anyone knows of anything, please feel free to let me know!

Thanks much!

Okay, I finally made the switch a year or two ago.  We are now digital when it comes to taking pictures.  The problem is that now I never get them printed.  I have a handful of memory cards just sitting in our gun safe.  They are full of nice pictures… wonderful memories, but alas… there they sit.

One of these days I’m going to have to go through them and have some printed so I can put them in albums.  (How people ever find time for scrap-booking, I’ll never know!)  I guess I’m waiting for the day when I can easily find digital photo albums.

I’m sure part of my problem is finding a good softward program to crop/resize, etc.  I don’t need anything fancy.  Just the basics will do.  But unfortunately, as is often the case it’s hard to find something decent without spending a lot of time researching.  Oh that it were as easy as “click here for prenatal vitamins!”  I’d click, and poof!!!  All my researching would be done, and all my pictures would be in books.  Oh, to be so fortunate!  ~grin~

So, if you have a photo program that didn’t cost an arm and a leg, and you’re happy with it, please let me know.  Maybe I’ll be fortunate and not have to spend as much time researching. 

In advance, thank you!

I picked up an interesting book the other day at a used book sale.  I don’t remember the exact title of it, but it was something to the effect of “Twelve Things they Don’t Want You to Know.”  Well, with a title like that, who wouldn’t be intrigued?!?  And so, for a dime, I brought it home.  (Although it’s one of those books that may not stay long.)

One of the chapters in it was on how to really loose weight and keep it off.  Now, it’s March.  The weather has been beautiful.  And who doesn’t want to shed the few extra pounds they gained over the holidays/winter?

So, what is the secret to weight loss?  According to this book it can be a colon cleanse.  Now I haven’t read any colon cleansing reviews, but I have read a few weight loss articles in the past six months or so, and colon cleansing has come up a couple times.  I’m not sure why that would be so important to weight loss.  (Maybe I’ll have to re-read that chapter in the book!)   But I was wondering if anyone has any experience with this. 

Thanks in advance for any input!

Well, our vacation is officially behind us.  We’re back in the routine of lessons, work, getting groceries, laundry, church activities, etc.  And after the way that last vacation ended, it’s good to be in a normal routine again!

I’m now working a bit more on planning my vacation to Kenya to see my good friends Jeff & Van who moved there last summer as missionaries.  They are expecting their first child in April, and I’m excited to see the little one!

Planning a trip to Kenya isn’t exactly like planning one of the numerous Orlando vacations we’ve taken!  Not that we haven’t had fun in Orlando.  We have had a lot of fun there.  Between Gatorland, Green Meadows Petting Zoo, the nature trails, the beautiful weather, swimming with manatee, spending time with good friends, etc. 

Kenya is a bit different though.  First of all, it’s a matter of finding some new outfits.  Kenyan women don’t wear shorts or pants.  And their skirts come down to their ankles.  Hmmm…  I don’t have any clothing like that.  Plus it’s very hot there.  So, I’ll need something very lightweight.

Another difference is getting a passport, but that was easy.  Get a picture taken, and send in some money.  ~smile~

The hurdle I’m working on now is flights.  Finding a decent priced flight isn’t an easy task.  Obviously, I’d like to spend the least amount possible.  But I would like to get there within three days, too!  So, that’s what I’ve been working on lately.   I’ve come to the conclusion that summer travel is much more expensive.  So, I’m looking at May or sometime this fall.

If anyone has any tips on finding a deal on airfare, I’ll gladly put them to good use!

I came across an organization about a year or so ago that I have really enjoyed being a part of.  It’s called One Million Moms.  (Do a google search if you want to look it up.)  If one of their members sees or hears something that is offensive, OMM will research it, and compose a letter to the appropriate person.  Then OMM contacts all its members and informs them of the situation.  They also provide a link to a well-written letter with the appropriate email address of the recipient.

Because I don’t watch a lot of television, I’m not always aware of what’s going on.  And even if I were I probably wouldn’t take the time to do the research and track down who I should send a letter to.  One Million Moms has done all the legwork, and they just need people to send the emails.  They won’t fill up your inbox.  I usually get one a week.  But it’s definitely worth looking into.

I can’t promise that your children will never come to you asking what enzyte is for, but I can tell you that you will indeed be making a difference.  Check ‘em out.  It’s worth your time.

We installed a wood burner in our basement, and it does a good job of heating the main room.  The problem is that our bedroom is also in the basement.  (We live in a bi-level.)  And our basement remains very cold.  Last winter I checked and it was 47 degress!  (No wonder why I don’t want to get out of bed in the morning!)

I’ve often seen ads for those Amish fireplaces, and I’ve wondered what they were like.  If I understand correctly, they are basically electric heaters that look pretty.  Why the Amish would be pushing electric, I don’t know.  Electricity has always seemed like a very expensive way to heat a home. 

But I’m interested in hearing from anyone who has purchased one of these.  Are you pleased with your purchase?  Or would a basic space heater do the same thing?

I guess I’m a bit doubtful on this product.

Thanks in advance.

I posted the other day about chopping wood and using our wood stoves.  While I like our two wood-burners, there are times when my true American colors show, and I want INSTANT heat!  I know it takes awhile to warm up a cold room, but it takes even longer to haul logs and get a fire burning steadily.  I’ve often seen ads in the paper for an Amish fireplace, and they look appealing.  Iwant to say 47 degrees was normal last winter.  But if we could set one of those Amish fireplaces on a timer, it wouldn’t be such a hardship to get out of bed in the morning!  ~smile~ 

If anyone has any experience with one of those fireplaces, I’d love to hear it!  Thanks!

Normally by this time I have our kids’ Christmas gifts pretty much under control.  For the past few years we have made each of our kids one nice gift, and then put the rest of the money we normally would have spent on Christmas gifts toward a family vacation.  I’ve sewn them each a denim quilt made from old jeans.  Wayne’s made them shelves for their rooms.  And I’ve knitted each of the a nice afghan.  But this year I’m stumped for ideas.  And time is running out for making anything nice. 

After having given of myself for the past few years, just buying something seems like simply throwing money at a dilemma.  And I don’t like that feeling.  And so, I’m left in a quandry.  Carl needs a new pair of slippers.  I could knit a pair of those by Christmas.  But then what about Alicia and Justin.  Alicia likes my cedar chest that I refinished years ago.  I could give that to her.  But it’s full of my stuff.  And the cedar chest I want to refinish is still sitting in the garage.  (Somehow I couldn’t work on it this summer with my foot elevated.  Imagine that!)  And that still leaves Justin unaccounted for.  It just doesn’t feel right.

So, I’ve been thinking about getting one thing for all three of them.  A Wii comes to mind, but I find myself debating the pros and cons of that as well.  ~sigh~

I could get each of the boys a nice toolbox and some tools.  But in regards to Alicia, would tools really be unique gifts for her?  Would she appreciate them?  Maybe if they had flowers on them!  ~smile~

And so, that is my latest quandary.  What to do?  What to do?  Maybe lessons for something…

Any and all suggestions would be greatly appreciated this year!

Thanks!

The kids were out playing in our back field yesterday when they stumbled across a cat.  It’s mainly black with white markings.  I think it has what some would call a white tuxedo vest on its chest.  It also has white on its belly. 

Being very allergic to cats, I didn’t get too involved in the “cat project.”  But the kids enjoyed loving on it.  They thought the cat looked hungry, and so they fed it some of Scout’s dog food.  The result?  We now have a kitty that won’t leave! 

Obviously, I’m not bringing the cat into the house because of my allergies.  But it is sticking around.  I’m sure it wants another free meal.  I think this cat was a kitten this spring because it’s not very big.  But I could be wrong.  I’m definitely not a cat expert.  I do know it’s quite skinny, and it sure enjoyed the dog food the kids fed it.

If you know of anyone who is missing a black and white cat in the Allendale area, please let me know.