Rebel Without a Cause

This place is about to get a lot more interesting.

Well. I hope.

Somebody got a Rebel.

Somebody is already looking into "How to use this thing" classes.

From now on, I will illustrate my life a little more for you.

And hopefully as time goes on, the pictures will improve.

Oh! The kids started a new activity.

Another kodak moment, most likely.

Adios!

there was an oldish woman

who lived in a shoe

she had so many children

she didn't know what to do

she gave them some broth

with a chunk of homemade bread

and watched as they tried to swallow

and their faces turned red

it was then she enlisted

her friends through her blog

to learn to make bread

that doesn't resemble a log

the tips, they rolled in

about kneading, flour and yeast

it definitely helped her

to say the least

her dough it arose

like never before

she could hardly believe it

and almost fell to the floor

then the timer, it beeped

between her squats and her lunges

within two minutes,

down her throat a roll plunges

the next time you see her

she'll be wider it's true

it's all the fault of

none other than YOU

I know you thinking I'm being facetious, but it's true. I did quit my workout halfway through, to sink my teeth into at least one roll. I don't remember the exact amount. three. heh. It was worth it. Thanks for all of your tips. Because of you, I've been baking things that rise every day that I get a chance. My kids are loving it, my jeans are not. My favorite tips? Sugar in with the yeast, kneading to build gluten, and the fact that the dough changes as it's kneaded (you need less flour than you think). Oh, and if the proofed yeast is questionable, I start over. I also learned (on my own) that it's harder to activate yeast in milk, so I use half water/half milk and dissolve it in the water first. VOILA!

So, THANK YOU!! I (knock on wood) haven't goofed once since your tips flooded my brain. You should come to visit and I'll make you something. (NOTE: I didn't say specifically what I'd make. It might just be kool-aid. Keeping my options open.)

I actually do love my family, I do.

However, let's be honest, us mom's can relate to this first one and the second is just plain funny. I don't care who you are. Not true, but funny.

UUUUUUUUUUUUGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHH!

I really need to know the secret of making bread. Let me in on it, please.

If you read my first bread post, sorry for my bread-failure rant. I've cooled it a bit. And not by throwing my pan at the window and breaking it. Although, it did cross my mind. In a nutshell, I really have trouble getting the yeast to activate. When I actually can conquer that part, I often times can't get it to rise a second time. A-nnoy-ing. It's my goal to make a fabulous loaf of bread. Or, as I tried today, a fabulous batch of buns. (The bread variety, thankyouverymuch.) I even bought my yeast in bulk this time with that goal in mind. There is a chance that I came thisclose to throwing it out today. We both know that I don't actually want to do that. I just need to know the secret or have somebody teach me who knows a thing or two about it. Anybody...?

A home of my own.

I live in Michigan. Even after almost two years, that still doesn't feel like the truth coming out of my mouth. I know it to be true in my head. Yet, it still feels more comfortable, and exotic, to say "I live in New Mexico". Despite that, I do. I live in Michigan. And I feel like I do. Even if it feels foreign when it tumbles from my mouth.

I realized this when we turned onto our road after the long road trip from MN. I thought to myself "Whaddya know! I feel like we actually live here. Like it's familiar. I'm breaking this shoe in." It may not be the familiar that I experience when we pull in to the Twin Cities and a part of me is begging to get out and hug the ground, allowing the feeling to seep into my pores. Like I'm finally home! But, familiar like I am edging closer to my own fridge, my own shower, more than a suitcase of clothes, my own space. I'm finally to my house home. Some day I want to have a home home. More importantly, I want my kids to know a home home.

Perhaps it's the fact that I've developed the circles that I've come to realize I need in my life: a circle of close friends, a family circle, that medley of friends that provide the various things I need in my life, the women whose husbands work in the same field as mine and therefore understand any struggles and sacrifices, a work circle, church circle, my blogging circle, all those really important circles. I need them. And even without one, life isn't as full as it could be.

I'll be honest, I've struggled with settling in here. It's been a wild ride. Sometimes I've liked it, sometimes I've hated it. I've tried not to talk about it too much on here, because I realize I could offend and I didn't want to do that. Because it's not about the who. Well, in a way it is. If my family was here, I'd be happy to make this home. Still, it's not about those of you who are not my family. It was more of a "if this isn't going to be a beautiful, adventurous (as in mountains and other exotic-to-me sights) place to live, than I might as well live by my family" type of thing. In all honesty, I just needed to get over it. There is no perfect place. And this is where I was placed and I should be thankful for what I do have. Which includes a job that I love. And if I really think back, New Mexico really became home when I got a job. Next time (if there is a next) I move, I'll be wiser and find myself a job. Something for me, as soon as I feel like I've done all that I can to help my kiddos settle.

I gotta be honest: upper and lower may as well be two different states considering how different they are. Regardless of the upper/lower thing, I'm back in the state that I was born in. I've gone full circle. And my circle is full. It's a good life.

Healthy and Green

As I grow older, I find myself more open to new concepts. I'm not so quick to brush something off. I may initially, but often times it swirls around in my head for a while until it grabs hold or wears out. Since my trip to MN, I've had a new goal tumbling around and spilling into our life.

When I was there, my life changed: I got bangs! (But that isn't what this is about) Courtesy of the fabulous Ethiopifinn. And with me, to my appointment, came a fly on the wall that could hardly get a word in edgewise. One of the things she was able to get in was the idea of a word instead of a New Year's resolution. I don't remember what hers was. It was brilliant for her, I do remember that. And after a lot of thought, I came up with: Healthier. All year, I need to make healthier choices. And it affects all facets of my life: relationships, money, food, exercise, etc. You can apply it to just about anything.

Fast forward two days: I am sitting in the surgery waiting room, (with my new bangs) waiting to hear news about my little man. I was reading one of the many magazines they had laid out and in it was an article about a family who was able to reduce their garbage to one quart size mason jar per year. One per year! I can't fathom it. And quite frankly, doubt it. Regardless, even if you could reduce it to one per week, imagine the impact that could make on what ends up in our landfills! Even if you could only reduce your waste by one garbage bag per week, it would help. (If you remember, I had really purged my home before Christmas and the amount of stuff I threw out still bothers me.)

The friends that we shared Christmas lunch with only fill one bag of garbage per week. That's what my goal is. I need to learn to live with less. A healthier choice. : ) Since coming home, I've definitely made an effort. This is where I need your help. What am I missing? What can I do? Here's what I have come up with and even implemented:

*recycling seriously, not just when convenient

*burn things that cannot be recycled (Where do I find a burning barrel for the days mother nature doesn't want to cooperate?)

*"slop bucket" for food scraps

*potty train K. No more diapers!

*bake from scratch, especially bread (less packaging)

*do you know I actually washed out and reused a ziploc bag?! I swore I'd never do that.

While I am not a tree hugger, I don't think there is anything wrong with making better choices that will affect the next generation. (Ahem, government officials) Truth be told, with just a few minor adjustments, you can make better choices that also lead you to other healthier choices. For example: if you start making more things from scratch, you will have more control over the ingredients that you are filling your kids bellies with. Win, win.

Tell me how you live healthier and greener. I'd love to hear it.

BTW: I searched through my pictures to come up with a beautiful picture of our wonderful world for this post. And while the trip down memory lane was priceless, I realized that my camera did not do justice to the sights that we have seen. My next major purchase is definitely a camera. That is not a place where less is more.

Happy birthday month!

My favorite person has a birthday this month.

A BIG one. As in 4-0.

I could insert a lame joke about him and hunting dinosaurs right now.

But the truth is, he just gets better with age.

I'm really lucky to have him and I hope he's happy with where his life is, at this big milestone.

And I can't wait for many more milestones with him.

I hope this is your happiest birthday yet!

(Sorry for the rest of you to witness this mush. But, hey! You could have skipped this post.)