I can't believe the end of 2008 is here. It seems like this year flew by. Looking back though a lot has gone on so I guess that would make the time fly.
Probably the biggest milestone of this year was celebrating our first wedding anniversary. That year certainly flew by and was full of blessings, challenges, trials, and so much more.
We are looking up for 2009. We know that things can only go up for us as Chris finds out about a new job. He has two interviews next week - one Monday with Pioneer and one Tuesday with Syngenta. Both seeds companies. We are hopeful he will be employed soon and we can start saving for one of our goals in this next couple of years: a house! And I am hopeful that I will also be able to find a new job or at least be able to move up in mine this upcoming year. We are most excited to finally just stay put in one place for more then a year. No plans for moving!!
Have a wonderful celebration of this New Year & fresh start.
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
O Christmas Tree - Part 2
Our Christmas Tree paid for itself this year!
In my previous post, I mentioned that we got $5 off our tree plus a free round of golf at a local course because of the ad we saw on Craigslist for the nursery we went to.
Well, yesterday we got a call that Chris had won a $50 gift certificate at the nursery because of the drawing we were entered in when we first bought our tree.
So, all in all, that's a pretty sweet deal!
In my previous post, I mentioned that we got $5 off our tree plus a free round of golf at a local course because of the ad we saw on Craigslist for the nursery we went to.
Well, yesterday we got a call that Chris had won a $50 gift certificate at the nursery because of the drawing we were entered in when we first bought our tree.
So, all in all, that's a pretty sweet deal!
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Don't Forget About Me...
During this nasty snow, I've still had to drive to work most every day. No snow days for me. And for the most part my drive has been pretty good. But the most harrowing parts are the beginning and the end.
Seems the snow plows (or lack thereof) are so busy keeping the highways clear - which I appreciate - that they can't seem to get to the side roads!
Our parking lot has been pretty harrowing which is understandable. Parking lots are hard to plow, where do you put the piles of snow? But when the road looks the same as your parking lot....I'd like that to change.
And last night I almost got stuck just trying to come home from work because it looked like no plows had been out on the side road from G-Way to the hotel.
So please Mr. Snowplow Man - don't forget about those side streets just yet. You know it's going to snow more and they're just as important.
Seems the snow plows (or lack thereof) are so busy keeping the highways clear - which I appreciate - that they can't seem to get to the side roads!
Our parking lot has been pretty harrowing which is understandable. Parking lots are hard to plow, where do you put the piles of snow? But when the road looks the same as your parking lot....I'd like that to change.
And last night I almost got stuck just trying to come home from work because it looked like no plows had been out on the side road from G-Way to the hotel.
So please Mr. Snowplow Man - don't forget about those side streets just yet. You know it's going to snow more and they're just as important.
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Light it Up!
Friday night we decided to take a little adventure to see the Christmas light display at Senske Lawn & Tree Care. The display includes about 70,000 lights on the building and tress at their corporate headquarters in Kennewick.
You tune your radio to a certain station and the display runs through about 5 Christmas songs with the lights synchronized to the music.
It was really really cool! We watched it for about half an hour as it went through all 5 songs. What fun free entertainment for the Christmas season!
Watch a video here. If it doesn't start playing automatically just click on the black screen and it should work.
You tune your radio to a certain station and the display runs through about 5 Christmas songs with the lights synchronized to the music.
It was really really cool! We watched it for about half an hour as it went through all 5 songs. What fun free entertainment for the Christmas season!
Watch a video here. If it doesn't start playing automatically just click on the black screen and it should work.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Christmas Pageant Gospel
I know, two posts in one day. Eat it up, I might not have anything to write about for awhile.
While I was still in bed this morning, trying to muster up the energy to brave the cold air outside the blankets I was thinking about the Christmas program we went to see last Friday.
Some of our friends were in the Christmas program at the Nazarene church in Grandview so we decided to go with our families. It was a really good show - not just music but drama added in as well with a choir and an orchestra.
One of the songs/drama parts was about Mary and Joseph wondering why God had chosen them to bring Jesus into the world. They sang about God's ways not being their own, and His plans not being theirs. Then they asked God to lead them and they would follow.
It was a good reminder to me - and I need lots of them - to continue to trust God in the financial situation that Chris and I are in right now. It can really stress me out if I dwell on the facts of the situation. In fact, I think that's why I caught this cold I have right now - from being stressed out and worried last week as we had to pay our first of the month bills even though there was plenty of money in our bank account to do that with.
But God has given us little glimmers of hope throughout this process. Our generous parents doing what they can to encourage us and provide for us, a new job to apply for for either Chris or I, the fact that he has an interview this coming Thursday.
We want him to lead us on in this process and I know deep deep down in my heart that it's for a purpose and a reason - no matter how much it doesn't make sense right now. It's just about trusting that God will never leave us or forsake us.
While I was still in bed this morning, trying to muster up the energy to brave the cold air outside the blankets I was thinking about the Christmas program we went to see last Friday.
Some of our friends were in the Christmas program at the Nazarene church in Grandview so we decided to go with our families. It was a really good show - not just music but drama added in as well with a choir and an orchestra.
One of the songs/drama parts was about Mary and Joseph wondering why God had chosen them to bring Jesus into the world. They sang about God's ways not being their own, and His plans not being theirs. Then they asked God to lead them and they would follow.
It was a good reminder to me - and I need lots of them - to continue to trust God in the financial situation that Chris and I are in right now. It can really stress me out if I dwell on the facts of the situation. In fact, I think that's why I caught this cold I have right now - from being stressed out and worried last week as we had to pay our first of the month bills even though there was plenty of money in our bank account to do that with.
But God has given us little glimmers of hope throughout this process. Our generous parents doing what they can to encourage us and provide for us, a new job to apply for for either Chris or I, the fact that he has an interview this coming Thursday.
We want him to lead us on in this process and I know deep deep down in my heart that it's for a purpose and a reason - no matter how much it doesn't make sense right now. It's just about trusting that God will never leave us or forsake us.
Crockpot Chex
Last Friday when we were at the grocery store, Chris wanted to get Chex cereal to make a holiday favorite - Chex Mix. He had found a recipe in our slow-cooker recipe book to make it in the crockpot and wanted to try it out.
Basically, you melt the butter on the stovetop, add the seasonings to it, and pour it over the cereal mixture in the crockpot. Then cook on low for 2 hours stirring every 30 minutes.
Well, unless you are adept at stirring the mixture and getting every bit rotated from the bottom to the top or you have a HUGE crockpot, it does not cook evenly and burns!
The top layer tasted fine but the bottom layer was partially burnt and/or tasted like burnt Worcestershire sauce - which is not yummy.
Needless to say we'll be making Chex Mix in the oven from now on!
Basically, you melt the butter on the stovetop, add the seasonings to it, and pour it over the cereal mixture in the crockpot. Then cook on low for 2 hours stirring every 30 minutes.
Well, unless you are adept at stirring the mixture and getting every bit rotated from the bottom to the top or you have a HUGE crockpot, it does not cook evenly and burns!
The top layer tasted fine but the bottom layer was partially burnt and/or tasted like burnt Worcestershire sauce - which is not yummy.
Needless to say we'll be making Chex Mix in the oven from now on!
Monday, December 15, 2008
O Christmas Tree
We got our Christmas Tree yesterday - finally a day when it wasn't raining. Instead it was very cold with snow on the ground.
Chris found an ad on Craigslist for a nursery in West Richland where we went. If you mentioned their ad you received $5 off your tree and a free round of golf at either West Richland Golf Course or Buckskin Golf Course. So we got a tree for under $25 and later this summer Chris can go golfing! Win-Win deal.
We managed to find a cute plump tree that would fit in our trunk (mostly) for the ride home. It's a cute little tree and our first one since we never got one last year in Pullman, being gone so much and having baseboard heaters....we didn't want a fire.
Now all we need are some presents to go under it. :)
In other news, last night was our employee Christmas party for the Marriott. It was at the Country Club that is right across from where we live so that was convenient. We probably could have walked if it wasn't for the sub-zero temperatures brought on by the wind chill factor! BBBRRRR, winter came all at once.
Overall it was a pretty nice party and I came home with a gift I liked from the gift exchange. The first gift I opened was a "Butter Bell". You put water in the bottom and then in the lid there is basically a cup where you store your butter and it keeps fresh on the counter longer. Well I like Brummel and Brown which is always soft and Chris is the only one who really uses real butter (unless I'm baking) so it was a good gift for him but I was not too thrilled! Luckily, someone else thought fresh butter was cool and stole my gift after theirs got taken. So in the spirit of stealing I stole a cute little iron wall hanging with tea lights on it. I think it will look very nice once I find a place for it.
Friday, December 12, 2008
Cute Blog!
Now I feel caught up in the blogger world. Who knew - you can change your background to have different themes. I always wondered how my friends blogs looked so creative!
I love Christmas themes because they always include a lot of red. Speaking of Christmas, I think we might go get our tree today. Yay! Hopefully we can find one that is not to expensive and small enough to fit in our apartment without having to go in the middle of the living room!
Pictures will come soon!
I love Christmas themes because they always include a lot of red. Speaking of Christmas, I think we might go get our tree today. Yay! Hopefully we can find one that is not to expensive and small enough to fit in our apartment without having to go in the middle of the living room!
Pictures will come soon!
Financial Peace Ending
This past Tuesday was our last Financial Peace class. We agree, it has been a life-changing class for us.
I think what made it so great the fact that we were in a class with other people who are going through the same things we are. It's so much easier (for me especially) to learn with other people around.
Plus the information was so good to receive because I never knew much information about basic investing or retirement before. I just blindly followed the advice of my parents without much investigation.
The last lesson was called "The Great Misunderstanding" and was about tithing and giving. Honestly, that's probably the step I am most excited to get to. I want to be able to build wealth and give it away. I want to be a generous person to everyone around me. I know it's possible to do this without much money - but a little more money would be helpful right now! :)
So overall, we are so thankful that we were able to take this class and learn this solid principles. God provided it at just the right time.
I think what made it so great the fact that we were in a class with other people who are going through the same things we are. It's so much easier (for me especially) to learn with other people around.
Plus the information was so good to receive because I never knew much information about basic investing or retirement before. I just blindly followed the advice of my parents without much investigation.
The last lesson was called "The Great Misunderstanding" and was about tithing and giving. Honestly, that's probably the step I am most excited to get to. I want to be able to build wealth and give it away. I want to be a generous person to everyone around me. I know it's possible to do this without much money - but a little more money would be helpful right now! :)
So overall, we are so thankful that we were able to take this class and learn this solid principles. God provided it at just the right time.
Thursday, December 04, 2008
Happy Birthday Chris!
Happy Birthday to you
Happy Birthday to you
Happy Birthday dear Chris
Happy Birthday to you!
What a joy it is to be able to celebrate your birthday with you as your wife! :) I'm looking forward to Chinese food and chocolate cake tonight.
Happy Birthday to you
Happy Birthday dear Chris
Happy Birthday to you!
What a joy it is to be able to celebrate your birthday with you as your wife! :) I'm looking forward to Chinese food and chocolate cake tonight.
Monday, December 01, 2008
Thanksgiving Weekend
I can't believe today is the first day of December. I feel fully immersed into the holiday season with lights everywhere, parties to attend, plans to make, goodies to bake and Christmas music to soak up!
We had a pretty good Thanksgiving weekend. At work we basically filled out a sheet listing our preferred off holidays and so in exchange for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day off - yay! - I worked Thanksgiving evening. It's always strange to work on a holiday but people feel sorry for you and are nicer. I got a $5 tip for helping a guy with a reservation and a $3 tip for delivering a bottle of wine to a room in lieu of room service who were closed for the weekend. It'll be nice to have some coffee money especially for peppermint mochas!
Friday afternoon we had our Thanksgiving feast at the in-laws and with the in-laws. Haha! We ate at Chris' parents house with my parents and my grandma. It was wonderful. I love stuffing and mashed potatoes - why don't we eat this stuff year round?
Friday morning I also ventured out with my mom for some early morning shopping. Our biggest hit was Fred Meyer and the 1/2 off sock sale. Time to stock up. We're not ones for getting the biggest deals and plus we don't like to be up at 4am. That's just crazy.
Saturday night we hung out at a friends house and had wine and cheese and played some games. It was a great time and I can't wait to hang out with more people around the holidays.
The wedding card scrapbook is done! I really think it turned out well. Now it's on to the Christmas presents. Only 24 days to get them done. ;)
Pictures will come soon. Time to make lunch.
We had a pretty good Thanksgiving weekend. At work we basically filled out a sheet listing our preferred off holidays and so in exchange for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day off - yay! - I worked Thanksgiving evening. It's always strange to work on a holiday but people feel sorry for you and are nicer. I got a $5 tip for helping a guy with a reservation and a $3 tip for delivering a bottle of wine to a room in lieu of room service who were closed for the weekend. It'll be nice to have some coffee money especially for peppermint mochas!
Friday afternoon we had our Thanksgiving feast at the in-laws and with the in-laws. Haha! We ate at Chris' parents house with my parents and my grandma. It was wonderful. I love stuffing and mashed potatoes - why don't we eat this stuff year round?
Friday morning I also ventured out with my mom for some early morning shopping. Our biggest hit was Fred Meyer and the 1/2 off sock sale. Time to stock up. We're not ones for getting the biggest deals and plus we don't like to be up at 4am. That's just crazy.
Saturday night we hung out at a friends house and had wine and cheese and played some games. It was a great time and I can't wait to hang out with more people around the holidays.
The wedding card scrapbook is done! I really think it turned out well. Now it's on to the Christmas presents. Only 24 days to get them done. ;)
Pictures will come soon. Time to make lunch.
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