I got an iPod from my husband this year on my birthday. Who knew something so small could open up such an immense world of music? Okay, maybe everyone knew that but me. Anyway.
I'd like to share my current list of Christian music favorites. Don't worry, I only typed out the full lyrics to one song, even though I love them all. This first song has become my personal theme song as we anxiously await the end of pilot training and finding out what comes next. . .
"Hallelujah" -Bethany Dillon
Who can hold the stars
And my weary heart?
Who can see everything?
I've fallen so hard
Sometimes I feel so far
But not beyond your reach
I could climb a mountain
Swim the ocean
Or do anything
But it's when you hold me
That I start unfolding
And all I can say is
Hallelujah, hallelujah
Whatever's in front of me
Help me to sing hallelujah
Hallelujah, hallelujah
Whatever's in front of me
I'll choose to sing hallelujah
The same sun that
Rises over castles
And welcomes the day
Spills over buildings
Into the streets
Where orphans play
And only you can see the good
In broken things
You took my heart of stone
And you made it home
And set this prisoner free
Hallelujah, hallelujah
Whatever's in front of me
Help me to sing hallelujah
Hallelujah, hallelujah
Whatever's in front of me
I'll choose to sing hallelujah
My current list: (In no particular order)
1. You're Not Alone - Meredith Andrews
2. When The Rain Comes - Third day
3. You - Britt Nicole
4. Take You Back - Jeremy Camp
5. Only A Prayer Away - Cadia
6. Strong Tower - Kutless
7. Your Grace Is Enough - Chris Tomlin
8. Free To Be Me - Francesca Battistelli
9. You Never Let Go - Broken Vessels
10. You Carried Me - Building 429
11. Arithmetic - Brooke Fraser
12. I Will Not Be Moved - Natalie Grant
13. Love Is Here - Tenth Avenue North
14. While I'm Waiting - John Waller
15. It's Your Life - Francesca Battistelli
16. By Your Side - Tenth Avenue North
17. I'm Letting Go - Francesca Battistelli
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Monday, April 27, 2009
Tornado Season
Tornado season is officially here. It rolled in right down our street. However, it was polite enough to leave our little house standing. Even the garden braved the storms and came through not much worse for the ware.
What a weekend! None of our plans panned out. We ended up not going down to the city on Saturday because Jared was tired and sore after his Friday PT test. It was a good thing in the end since that is when all the tornado business began. We were up until almost 2am watching the weather, listening to tornado sirens, and watching the incredible lightening storm.
Sunday we didn't make it to church because we slept in. And just as we were settled in for lunch, more storms. We had both a tornado warning and a flood watch yesterday! We did get more sleep, and there was no actual touchdown last night, but boy did it storm again! My garden won't need to be watered for weeks.
So anyway, we are tornado alley veterans, and I just hope that the next one has the decency to hit in the middle of the day so a person can get a little sleep. :)
Jared flew today, around ten, and all went well as far as I know. He is still at work... and I am starving waiting for dinner! I had quite the productive day at home. Got up early to exercise, and then played house wife the rest of the day. I got the bed linen changed, did all the laundry (and even put it away), scrubbed the bathroom and kitchen, dusted the furniture and vacuumed the rugs. I always feel like a new person after the house has been thoroughly cleaned.
Dinner tonight is teriyaki marinated pork loin, rice and salads. I even picked fresh spinach from the garden for the salads tonight. Such a little luxury!
What a weekend! None of our plans panned out. We ended up not going down to the city on Saturday because Jared was tired and sore after his Friday PT test. It was a good thing in the end since that is when all the tornado business began. We were up until almost 2am watching the weather, listening to tornado sirens, and watching the incredible lightening storm.
Sunday we didn't make it to church because we slept in. And just as we were settled in for lunch, more storms. We had both a tornado warning and a flood watch yesterday! We did get more sleep, and there was no actual touchdown last night, but boy did it storm again! My garden won't need to be watered for weeks.
So anyway, we are tornado alley veterans, and I just hope that the next one has the decency to hit in the middle of the day so a person can get a little sleep. :)
Jared flew today, around ten, and all went well as far as I know. He is still at work... and I am starving waiting for dinner! I had quite the productive day at home. Got up early to exercise, and then played house wife the rest of the day. I got the bed linen changed, did all the laundry (and even put it away), scrubbed the bathroom and kitchen, dusted the furniture and vacuumed the rugs. I always feel like a new person after the house has been thoroughly cleaned.
Dinner tonight is teriyaki marinated pork loin, rice and salads. I even picked fresh spinach from the garden for the salads tonight. Such a little luxury!
Friday, April 24, 2009
Count Your Blessings
What an eventful week we've had here! So many wonderful blessings to share.
First, Jared. He flew 3 times this week, Tuesday-Thursday. Although he still comes home pretty exhausted, he's transitioning well and likes the flying. He's gotten an Excellent on all all 4 of his first flights, that's the highest grade possible. He also had the biggest and hardest test so far today, and got 100%! Since every single person in his class wants the C-17 (including him) only the top students are going to get it. The past few classes the top students have been divided by hundredths of a point, so the fact that Jared is doing so well is a very big deal. We are so thankful for God's awesome work in Jared and so many answered prayers. It seems like the struggles of the T-6 are part of a different life now.
My big exciting news this week is the garden. The vegetables continue to grow well, and even some of the flowers I thought were long gone have started to come back! Thursday the shipment of tomato plants I ordered back in February arrived. There are five large type, and five cherry type plants. I spent the morning transplanting them into their pots in our garage. They will stay in there for at least a week getting used to their new homes before I start introducing them to the Oklahoma elements. Namely the crazy wind! I have some pictures below as well as a link to the complete garden picture album.
This weekend is going to be a full one. Saturday we are hoping to make it to civilization (aka. Oklahoma City). The plan is to get in some time at the range, where I will out shoot everyone as usual, and then maybe dinner and a movie. Sunday Jared has to go in to work at 1pm. Yuck! They want them to get some extra class work, briefs, etc. done. We may end up going to the base chapel instead of our regular church, otherwise he might not make into work on time!
Next week's big events are a test for Jared Friday. It's their last one! We are also getting new neighbors next door. Strangely enough they are not Military, but are from Michigan. I can already see a friendly rivalry. I met them while I was in the back yard earlier today. They seem really nice, 2 kids and a giant, but friendly, black dog. I think I'll cook something for them next week. Wednesday is a meeting at work, and more to get done for my work project.
Thank you for all your prayers and support as we started T-1s! Continue to pray for Jared as he flies next week and finishes up academics.
The whole garden, hasn't it grown?! The tomato containers are in the garage for a few weeks.
An abundance of spinach. Yum!
Garden peas starting to climb their netting and the green, leaf lettuce
Close up of the big, "celebrity" tomatoes in the garage. So far they are looking great!
The cherry tomatoes are in the yellow container, the big, celebrity variety are in the white.
First, Jared. He flew 3 times this week, Tuesday-Thursday. Although he still comes home pretty exhausted, he's transitioning well and likes the flying. He's gotten an Excellent on all all 4 of his first flights, that's the highest grade possible. He also had the biggest and hardest test so far today, and got 100%! Since every single person in his class wants the C-17 (including him) only the top students are going to get it. The past few classes the top students have been divided by hundredths of a point, so the fact that Jared is doing so well is a very big deal. We are so thankful for God's awesome work in Jared and so many answered prayers. It seems like the struggles of the T-6 are part of a different life now.
My big exciting news this week is the garden. The vegetables continue to grow well, and even some of the flowers I thought were long gone have started to come back! Thursday the shipment of tomato plants I ordered back in February arrived. There are five large type, and five cherry type plants. I spent the morning transplanting them into their pots in our garage. They will stay in there for at least a week getting used to their new homes before I start introducing them to the Oklahoma elements. Namely the crazy wind! I have some pictures below as well as a link to the complete garden picture album.
This weekend is going to be a full one. Saturday we are hoping to make it to civilization (aka. Oklahoma City). The plan is to get in some time at the range, where I will out shoot everyone as usual, and then maybe dinner and a movie. Sunday Jared has to go in to work at 1pm. Yuck! They want them to get some extra class work, briefs, etc. done. We may end up going to the base chapel instead of our regular church, otherwise he might not make into work on time!
Next week's big events are a test for Jared Friday. It's their last one! We are also getting new neighbors next door. Strangely enough they are not Military, but are from Michigan. I can already see a friendly rivalry. I met them while I was in the back yard earlier today. They seem really nice, 2 kids and a giant, but friendly, black dog. I think I'll cook something for them next week. Wednesday is a meeting at work, and more to get done for my work project.
Thank you for all your prayers and support as we started T-1s! Continue to pray for Jared as he flies next week and finishes up academics.
The whole garden, hasn't it grown?! The tomato containers are in the garage for a few weeks.
An abundance of spinach. Yum!
Garden peas starting to climb their netting and the green, leaf lettuce
Close up of the big, "celebrity" tomatoes in the garage. So far they are looking great!
The cherry tomatoes are in the yellow container, the big, celebrity variety are in the white.Monday, April 20, 2009
Foodie Blog Request
In response to a recent request, I am dedicating this blog to one of my favorites things: food! I love to cook, and I adore baking! And since we all know that I'm a little (or a lot) OCD, I'm also an organized weekly menu planner.
So without further ado, here is one of my weekly menus with select recipes. If you see something you'd like a recipe for that I don't include, you know where to find me.
Monday- Trying a new recipe, Sunday Chicken Stew. It's an all-in-one crock pot meal that can cook while I do my Monday house clean.
Recipe:
1/2 C. flour
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. white pepper
1 broiler/fryer chicken (3 lbs.) cut up & skin removed (I'm lazy and cut up boneless, skinless chicken breasts.)
2 Tbsp. vegetable oil
3 cups chicken broth
6 large carrots cut into 1 inch pieces
2 celery ribs cut into 1/2 inch pieces
1 large sweet onion thinly sliced
1 tsp. dried rosemary, crushed
1 1/2 C. frozen peas
DUMPLINGS:
1 C. all purpose flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 dried rosemary, crushed
1 egg beaten
1/2 C. milk
Combine flour, salt & pepper; add chicken to coat a few pieces at a time. In a large skillet, brown chicken in oil; remove & keep warm. Gradually add broth to the skillet, bring to a boil.
In a 5-qt. slow cooker, layer the carrots, celery and onion; sprinkle w/ rosemary. Add chicken & hot broth. Cover & cook on low for 6-7 hours and stew is bubbling. Stir in peas.
For dumplings combine flour, baking powder, salt & rosemary. Combine egg & milk; stir into dry ingredients. Drop by heaping teaspoonfuls onto simmering chicken mixture. Cover & cook on high for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in dumplings comes out clean.
Tuesday- Luke Casserole by request (It's an oldie but a goodie and one of Jared's favorites!)
Wednesday- Taco Night! This is another boys favorite, and since I've got a long out of town meeting I needed something easy and fast tonight.
Thursday- BBQ Sesame chicken tenders, rice and fresh salads. I am anxiously awaiting my mature garden for truly fresh and organic salads!
Friday- Do I even have to write this one down? Homemade pizza night. It just wouldn't be Friday otherwise :)
Saturday-We're planning on going to the City this weekend so I don't have anything planned. But I always have ingredients for Chicken & Cheese Crescents just in case (They are fast and easy).
Sunday- Some Sundays I make a big meal, this is not one of them. We're having farmhouse BBQ muffins with mac and cheese. Yummy!
Recipe:
1 lb. ground beef
1 C. Katsup
2 Tbsp. sugar
1 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
onion powder to taste
Grands refrigerated biscuit dough
shredded Cheddar cheese
Brown ground beef in skillet w/ onion powder, drain off extra grease. Add the rest of the ingredients, stir, and simmer until thickened. (Approx. 15-20 minutes).
Grease a cupcake pan and fill with one biscuit per hole. Using a 1/4 C. measure fill biscuit dough with ground beef mixture, top with Cheddar cheese. Bake in a 375 degree oven for 15-20 minutes or until biscuits are golden brown and cheese is melted.
Each week I make a dessert as well. This week it's a request from Andy for babycakes. This makes a lot of little cupcakes, so some will go in to Jared's flight on Thursday along with their weekly hot lunch.
Recipe:
Ingredients
Cupcake Batter Ingredients:
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 teaspoons double-acting baking powder
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
3 eggs
1/4 cup clover honey
1/2 cup light brown sugar
3/4 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 (4-ounce) jar pumpkins with pears baby food (recommended: Nature's Goodness brand)
2 (4-ounce) jars applesauce and apricots baby food (recommended: Earth's Best brand)
1/2 cup ground pecans
Frosting Ingredients:
1 teaspoon almond extract
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
4 tablespoons sweetened condensed milk
4 ounces cream cheese, softened
3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 1/4 cups powdered sugar
1/4 cup ground pecans
Special equipment: 2 (12-cup) mini muffin pans
Cupcakes:
Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
In a small mixing bowl add the baking soda, salt, baking powder and flour. Mix thoroughly with a fork and set aside. In a large mixing bowl add the eggs, honey, both sugars and butter. Mix until smooth using a hand mixer. Add the cinnamon and baby food. Mix until smooth. Using a rubber spatula fold in the pecans. Slowly add the flour mixture using a sifter and fold in until ingredients are evenly mixed.
Place 24 mini baking cups (2-inch, non foil) into each hole of the mini muffin pan. Place a 1-gallon resealable freezer bag into a bowl (for support) and pour the cupcake batter into the bag. Seal the bag and cut the tip off 1 of the bottom corners of the bag. Squeeze the batter into each baking cup, filling them only 3/4 of the way full. Place the mini muffin pan in the oven on the center rack. Bake for 12 minutes.
Frosting:
In a small mixing bowl add the extracts, milk, cream cheese, butter and powdered sugar. Mix until smooth and creamy using a hand mixer. When the cupcakes are done baking remove each cupcake from the pan and place on a cooling rack. Place the cooling rack in the refrigerator for 5 to 7 minutes.
Once the cupcakes are cooled remove them from the refrigerator. Frost each cupcake by putting a generous dollop of frosting on the top with a spoon. Garnish top with ground pecans and they are ready to serve.
How I shop: We have a little white board on the fridge and keep a running list of things we need as we run out and get low. On Sunday or Monday I sit down and plan menus for the next week: Tuesday-Monday. Between the white board list and the list I compile from my recipes for the week, I make my final shopping list. I divide my list into store sections (ie. produce, meat, dry goods, non-food, frozen, etc.) I shop every Tuesday.
So without further ado, here is one of my weekly menus with select recipes. If you see something you'd like a recipe for that I don't include, you know where to find me.
Monday- Trying a new recipe, Sunday Chicken Stew. It's an all-in-one crock pot meal that can cook while I do my Monday house clean.
Recipe:
1/2 C. flour
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. white pepper
1 broiler/fryer chicken (3 lbs.) cut up & skin removed (I'm lazy and cut up boneless, skinless chicken breasts.)
2 Tbsp. vegetable oil
3 cups chicken broth
6 large carrots cut into 1 inch pieces
2 celery ribs cut into 1/2 inch pieces
1 large sweet onion thinly sliced
1 tsp. dried rosemary, crushed
1 1/2 C. frozen peas
DUMPLINGS:
1 C. all purpose flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 dried rosemary, crushed
1 egg beaten
1/2 C. milk
Combine flour, salt & pepper; add chicken to coat a few pieces at a time. In a large skillet, brown chicken in oil; remove & keep warm. Gradually add broth to the skillet, bring to a boil.
In a 5-qt. slow cooker, layer the carrots, celery and onion; sprinkle w/ rosemary. Add chicken & hot broth. Cover & cook on low for 6-7 hours and stew is bubbling. Stir in peas.
For dumplings combine flour, baking powder, salt & rosemary. Combine egg & milk; stir into dry ingredients. Drop by heaping teaspoonfuls onto simmering chicken mixture. Cover & cook on high for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in dumplings comes out clean.
Tuesday- Luke Casserole by request (It's an oldie but a goodie and one of Jared's favorites!)
Wednesday- Taco Night! This is another boys favorite, and since I've got a long out of town meeting I needed something easy and fast tonight.
Thursday- BBQ Sesame chicken tenders, rice and fresh salads. I am anxiously awaiting my mature garden for truly fresh and organic salads!
Friday- Do I even have to write this one down? Homemade pizza night. It just wouldn't be Friday otherwise :)
Saturday-We're planning on going to the City this weekend so I don't have anything planned. But I always have ingredients for Chicken & Cheese Crescents just in case (They are fast and easy).
Sunday- Some Sundays I make a big meal, this is not one of them. We're having farmhouse BBQ muffins with mac and cheese. Yummy!
Recipe:
1 lb. ground beef
1 C. Katsup
2 Tbsp. sugar
1 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
onion powder to taste
Grands refrigerated biscuit dough
shredded Cheddar cheese
Brown ground beef in skillet w/ onion powder, drain off extra grease. Add the rest of the ingredients, stir, and simmer until thickened. (Approx. 15-20 minutes).
Grease a cupcake pan and fill with one biscuit per hole. Using a 1/4 C. measure fill biscuit dough with ground beef mixture, top with Cheddar cheese. Bake in a 375 degree oven for 15-20 minutes or until biscuits are golden brown and cheese is melted.
Each week I make a dessert as well. This week it's a request from Andy for babycakes. This makes a lot of little cupcakes, so some will go in to Jared's flight on Thursday along with their weekly hot lunch.
Recipe:
Ingredients
Cupcake Batter Ingredients:
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 teaspoons double-acting baking powder
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
3 eggs
1/4 cup clover honey
1/2 cup light brown sugar
3/4 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 (4-ounce) jar pumpkins with pears baby food (recommended: Nature's Goodness brand)
2 (4-ounce) jars applesauce and apricots baby food (recommended: Earth's Best brand)
1/2 cup ground pecans
Frosting Ingredients:
1 teaspoon almond extract
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
4 tablespoons sweetened condensed milk
4 ounces cream cheese, softened
3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 1/4 cups powdered sugar
1/4 cup ground pecans
Special equipment: 2 (12-cup) mini muffin pans
Cupcakes:
Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
In a small mixing bowl add the baking soda, salt, baking powder and flour. Mix thoroughly with a fork and set aside. In a large mixing bowl add the eggs, honey, both sugars and butter. Mix until smooth using a hand mixer. Add the cinnamon and baby food. Mix until smooth. Using a rubber spatula fold in the pecans. Slowly add the flour mixture using a sifter and fold in until ingredients are evenly mixed.
Place 24 mini baking cups (2-inch, non foil) into each hole of the mini muffin pan. Place a 1-gallon resealable freezer bag into a bowl (for support) and pour the cupcake batter into the bag. Seal the bag and cut the tip off 1 of the bottom corners of the bag. Squeeze the batter into each baking cup, filling them only 3/4 of the way full. Place the mini muffin pan in the oven on the center rack. Bake for 12 minutes.
Frosting:
In a small mixing bowl add the extracts, milk, cream cheese, butter and powdered sugar. Mix until smooth and creamy using a hand mixer. When the cupcakes are done baking remove each cupcake from the pan and place on a cooling rack. Place the cooling rack in the refrigerator for 5 to 7 minutes.
Once the cupcakes are cooled remove them from the refrigerator. Frost each cupcake by putting a generous dollop of frosting on the top with a spoon. Garnish top with ground pecans and they are ready to serve.
How I shop: We have a little white board on the fridge and keep a running list of things we need as we run out and get low. On Sunday or Monday I sit down and plan menus for the next week: Tuesday-Monday. Between the white board list and the list I compile from my recipes for the week, I make my final shopping list. I divide my list into store sections (ie. produce, meat, dry goods, non-food, frozen, etc.) I shop every Tuesday.
Thursday, April 16, 2009
We're moving on up
Yesterday was Jared's first flight in the T-1 Jayhawk (his new trainer plane). Most importantly, he did well, stayed safe and did NOT get sick. Such a blessing! His post-flight text message to me read (and I quote), “Back alive w/ all stomach contents”. Since it was his first T-1 flight everything was new, and, obviously, incredibly different from the T-6. He said it was hard to tell how much he's going to like it this soon. One thing is for sure though; he already likes it much more than the T-6!
T-6 flights (his first trainer) from beginning to end lasted about 3 hours. The T-1 is considerably longer; It lasts a little over 5 hours. Three of those hours are actually flying the plane. The other time is spent briefing and de-briefing. The other new thing is that instead of 2 people, there are 3 in the T-1. Two students and one instructor go on every flight. The students switch out halfway through the ride, so Jared got about an hour and a half of flight time in. They flew with a FAIP (first assignment instructor pilot) and Jared really liked him.
Originally Jared was scheduled to fly again tomorrow but, due to the senior class using extra jets, his fight got cancelled. However, with the stormy and wet weather headed our way (which always includes obnoxiously high winds) it looks like no one will be flying tomorrow anyway.
I've been pretty busy this week, mostly continuing work on the project I'm doing for my job. I got a lot accomplished over several hours in the office today and feel a lot more organized. My boss and the other nurses in the office all seem to like my ideas and steadily, my ideas are becoming reality. It's nice to see your hard work realized! I've still got several pieces to finish for the project to be complete, but it's getting there.
The garden is doing... okay. For some reason my flowers have all died. We had a pretty bad wind storm a few weeks back, and I'm not sure, but I think that was the cause of death. Still, the important things, my veggies, are thriving! The peas are shooing up, the lettuce is looking like lettuce, and getting bigger. My spinach looks like spinach and I really want to pick it already! Just tonight, while I was watering everyone (I suppose I should say everything, but that's just too impersonal!), I noticed that my wispy little carrot sprouts are even starting to look like real carrots. The tomatoes will be here in a week or so. All my herbs are doing really well too. Maybe this weekend I'll get some more pictures up.
That's the Enid news. Hope you are all doing well!
T-6 flights (his first trainer) from beginning to end lasted about 3 hours. The T-1 is considerably longer; It lasts a little over 5 hours. Three of those hours are actually flying the plane. The other time is spent briefing and de-briefing. The other new thing is that instead of 2 people, there are 3 in the T-1. Two students and one instructor go on every flight. The students switch out halfway through the ride, so Jared got about an hour and a half of flight time in. They flew with a FAIP (first assignment instructor pilot) and Jared really liked him.
Originally Jared was scheduled to fly again tomorrow but, due to the senior class using extra jets, his fight got cancelled. However, with the stormy and wet weather headed our way (which always includes obnoxiously high winds) it looks like no one will be flying tomorrow anyway.
I've been pretty busy this week, mostly continuing work on the project I'm doing for my job. I got a lot accomplished over several hours in the office today and feel a lot more organized. My boss and the other nurses in the office all seem to like my ideas and steadily, my ideas are becoming reality. It's nice to see your hard work realized! I've still got several pieces to finish for the project to be complete, but it's getting there.
The garden is doing... okay. For some reason my flowers have all died. We had a pretty bad wind storm a few weeks back, and I'm not sure, but I think that was the cause of death. Still, the important things, my veggies, are thriving! The peas are shooing up, the lettuce is looking like lettuce, and getting bigger. My spinach looks like spinach and I really want to pick it already! Just tonight, while I was watering everyone (I suppose I should say everything, but that's just too impersonal!), I noticed that my wispy little carrot sprouts are even starting to look like real carrots. The tomatoes will be here in a week or so. All my herbs are doing really well too. Maybe this weekend I'll get some more pictures up.
That's the Enid news. Hope you are all doing well!
Monday, April 13, 2009
Easter
Hard to believe, but Easter 2009 has come and gone. Wasn't it just Christmas?
We had guests all the way from Ohio over Easter. Jared's parents (Scott and Cathy) flew into Oklahoma on Thursday, April 9th. They were supposed to arrive in Oklahoma City around 2:45pm, but because of high winds were diverted to Tulsa. Andy got to drive an extra 2 hours to pick them up, and they didn't arrive to our house until after 9pm that night! Just about the same time Jared got home from his night sim.
That was also the day wildfires were sweeping through the state, and Andy got a first hand view as he drove through them. Luckily he stayed safe and the fires never got as far North as us.
Friday both boys had to work, but were out early and got in a round of golf with their Dad. We all met up at a local Italian restaurant, Napolis, for dinner and it was dubbed a great find by the visiting Scherffs. Jared and I love their Stromboli. A lot!
Saturday the boys again hit the golf course. Cathy spent the day at Andy's doing massive amounts of laundry and other various cleaning tasks. I made homemade rolls for our Easter dinner and read my new book "Bleak House". Dinner that night was burgers. We spent the rest of the evening playing cards and coloring Easter eggs. (To be honest the boys were sort of forced to color eggs...) However we made an Army camo egg for the deployed Army boys!
Sunday was dark, grey, and wet. It rained, and I mean poured, the entire day! Not that we don't need the rain, we do. But it made for quite a dismal Easter Sunday here in Enid. We had homemade waffles and then headed to church at 11am. We went to the base chapel and enjoyed a nice, traditional service.
Sunday dinner was glazed ham, the rolls, mashed potatoes, corn, applesauce, and Easter eggs. Dessert was Grandma's birthday cake and 3 kinds of cookies. The Blake's came over in the afternoon to help us eat all the dessert. The cake is long gone, but there are still cookies to see us through this week.
Since the weather was so ugly on Easter, instead of playing golf we all watched it. We were hoping that Kenny Perry would win the Master's... oh well, it was still fun to watch!
Monday it was back to work. Jared had to be in at 5:30am and had test number 6. He got 100% and only has 2 tests left! His very first T-1 flight is scheduled for this coming Wednesday. Please keep him in your prayers! I drove Scott and Cathy to the airport this morning, got home and cleaned house this afternoon. Tomorrow is yet another work meeting for me.
We had guests all the way from Ohio over Easter. Jared's parents (Scott and Cathy) flew into Oklahoma on Thursday, April 9th. They were supposed to arrive in Oklahoma City around 2:45pm, but because of high winds were diverted to Tulsa. Andy got to drive an extra 2 hours to pick them up, and they didn't arrive to our house until after 9pm that night! Just about the same time Jared got home from his night sim.
That was also the day wildfires were sweeping through the state, and Andy got a first hand view as he drove through them. Luckily he stayed safe and the fires never got as far North as us.
Friday both boys had to work, but were out early and got in a round of golf with their Dad. We all met up at a local Italian restaurant, Napolis, for dinner and it was dubbed a great find by the visiting Scherffs. Jared and I love their Stromboli. A lot!
Saturday the boys again hit the golf course. Cathy spent the day at Andy's doing massive amounts of laundry and other various cleaning tasks. I made homemade rolls for our Easter dinner and read my new book "Bleak House". Dinner that night was burgers. We spent the rest of the evening playing cards and coloring Easter eggs. (To be honest the boys were sort of forced to color eggs...) However we made an Army camo egg for the deployed Army boys!
Sunday was dark, grey, and wet. It rained, and I mean poured, the entire day! Not that we don't need the rain, we do. But it made for quite a dismal Easter Sunday here in Enid. We had homemade waffles and then headed to church at 11am. We went to the base chapel and enjoyed a nice, traditional service.
Sunday dinner was glazed ham, the rolls, mashed potatoes, corn, applesauce, and Easter eggs. Dessert was Grandma's birthday cake and 3 kinds of cookies. The Blake's came over in the afternoon to help us eat all the dessert. The cake is long gone, but there are still cookies to see us through this week.
Since the weather was so ugly on Easter, instead of playing golf we all watched it. We were hoping that Kenny Perry would win the Master's... oh well, it was still fun to watch!
Monday it was back to work. Jared had to be in at 5:30am and had test number 6. He got 100% and only has 2 tests left! His very first T-1 flight is scheduled for this coming Wednesday. Please keep him in your prayers! I drove Scott and Cathy to the airport this morning, got home and cleaned house this afternoon. Tomorrow is yet another work meeting for me.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
April Updates. . .
Today was Andy's Track Select. He was hoping for T-44s, which would mean moving to Texas and eventually flying the C-130. However he got his second choice, the T-1, and is staying on at good 'ole Vance AFB. While he will still be a class behind Jared, the two classes will be sharing the same flight room and instructor pilots. It should be interesting to see how confused every is at first! Although Andy is disappointed, he's not taking it too hard. Jared on the other hand couldn't be happier! He was really not looking forward to the possibility of having to say goodbye to Andy so soon. We went out to Rib Crib, Andy's favorite, to celebrate for dinner. And all too quickly it's back to the grind, Andy starts T-1s tomorrow.
Andy and his class right before Track Select started
Andy finding out about the T-1s
I have been busy with my work project this week. I have my first meeting with the other nurse assigned to the project Monday afternoon. I'm hoping it goes well and gives us both a better feel for the direction we need to continue in. I have also been busy working away at my garden. It seems to have weathered the blizzard in the garage very well and is growing like mad! I just can't get over it. Jared thinks I'm funny; what did you expect them to do, not grow? maybe I was secretly harboring failure...? The peas are just shooting up, and my red leaf lettuce is turning red now. It's all quite exciting.
Mass veiw of my garden; you can just see all the little green plants starting to grow!
Close up of my zinnias (and parsley I think).
Peas and my little leaf lettuce that is turning red.The next big event for us "Enoids" will be the arrival of Jared's parents, Cathy and Scott, for Easter next Thursday. The boys have visions of Grandma's Birthday cake and golf dancing in their heads already.
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Where did spring go?
It has been a fairly uneventful week here in Enid. Our exciting news is the "blizzard" that we got Friday evening into Saturday mid-afternoon.
Friday morning was eerie; it was so dark I thought the clock was wrong when I woke up! It had been windy and stormy all night, then around 9am it started to hail/ice because our temperatures dropped so rapidly. I spent half of Friday at our friend’s house up the hill helping supervise pack-up day. Oh and most importantly being the bearer of hot chocolate and marshmallows! They found out at our track select two weeks ago that he got T-44’s which meant moving to Texas. Jared had a sim at 5:15 that morning, and class. All of which went very well.
That night as the snow started and we entered the blizzard warning our friends from up the hill ventured down for dinner and to borrow linens and blankets for the weekend. Oh the utter disorganization of moving! No matter how organized a person you are, moving always makes you seem completely helplessly lost. I think that is the chief reason I so dislike it.
Saturday it was blowing and snowing until early afternoon, but it didn't add up to very much actual accumulation on the ground. It was mostly just cold, and ugly and a wonderful day to stay in sweats under a cozy blanket with tea and books. I was thankful I didn't have to go out and work in it! Of course things started melting, and then re-froze Saturday night. Now that the sun has been out for a little while things are again melting this afternoon. But although it's sunny, it is still cold!
Thursday night before the storms hit Jared and I "transplanted" my garden into the garage. I'm so thankful that we did because I'm sure all that wind and snow wouldn't have done my little plants any good! I've kept my pots watered, decently warm, and left the light on a fair amount of time for them. They must have been alright because when I checked on everything this morning the last 3 containers without sprouts had pushed little leaves up! It makes me so proud. Now let’s hope we get our spring back so they can grow nice and strong!
This week Jared starts back to formal release. For the non-military folks, that is mandatory 12 hour days again. Neither of us is very happy about the prospect, but hoping that they won’t be on formal release as long this time around! We shall see. Jared has test number 4 on Tuesday. So far he's gotten two 100%, and only missed 2 questions on the other test. What a very smart husband I have!
My big plans for the week are to start on two new projects. One is for work. Last week at our meeting I was appointed to help redesign their orientation program. That is actually quite comical as they do not actually have an orientation program. (Something I have brought up several times!) I will be getting paid to brainstorm ideas at home, draw them up, and then meet with one of the office nurses to help implement things. I'm rather excited at the prospect; I just hope that they will execute the plans we come up with!
My other new project is to feed Jared's class of 14, plus instructors a hot lunch once a week. Now that they are back on formal release and stuck in the same tired room all day I thought it would be nice for them. I stole the idea from two wives in our class who brought hot lunch in to their husband’s flight weekly during T-6s. Working full time there was just no way that I could do something like that then. But now that I'm home more I'm excited to be able to do it! The other 2 wives left in the T-1 class are going to help with buying things, and I'll cook and deliver. At least that is the plan until they hit the flightline mid-April and then I'll have to see. When they start flying there may not be anyone around to eat the food, especially once they are off formal release. But it's a project for a few weeks at least.
Friday morning was eerie; it was so dark I thought the clock was wrong when I woke up! It had been windy and stormy all night, then around 9am it started to hail/ice because our temperatures dropped so rapidly. I spent half of Friday at our friend’s house up the hill helping supervise pack-up day. Oh and most importantly being the bearer of hot chocolate and marshmallows! They found out at our track select two weeks ago that he got T-44’s which meant moving to Texas. Jared had a sim at 5:15 that morning, and class. All of which went very well.
That night as the snow started and we entered the blizzard warning our friends from up the hill ventured down for dinner and to borrow linens and blankets for the weekend. Oh the utter disorganization of moving! No matter how organized a person you are, moving always makes you seem completely helplessly lost. I think that is the chief reason I so dislike it.
Saturday it was blowing and snowing until early afternoon, but it didn't add up to very much actual accumulation on the ground. It was mostly just cold, and ugly and a wonderful day to stay in sweats under a cozy blanket with tea and books. I was thankful I didn't have to go out and work in it! Of course things started melting, and then re-froze Saturday night. Now that the sun has been out for a little while things are again melting this afternoon. But although it's sunny, it is still cold!
Thursday night before the storms hit Jared and I "transplanted" my garden into the garage. I'm so thankful that we did because I'm sure all that wind and snow wouldn't have done my little plants any good! I've kept my pots watered, decently warm, and left the light on a fair amount of time for them. They must have been alright because when I checked on everything this morning the last 3 containers without sprouts had pushed little leaves up! It makes me so proud. Now let’s hope we get our spring back so they can grow nice and strong!
This week Jared starts back to formal release. For the non-military folks, that is mandatory 12 hour days again. Neither of us is very happy about the prospect, but hoping that they won’t be on formal release as long this time around! We shall see. Jared has test number 4 on Tuesday. So far he's gotten two 100%, and only missed 2 questions on the other test. What a very smart husband I have!
My big plans for the week are to start on two new projects. One is for work. Last week at our meeting I was appointed to help redesign their orientation program. That is actually quite comical as they do not actually have an orientation program. (Something I have brought up several times!) I will be getting paid to brainstorm ideas at home, draw them up, and then meet with one of the office nurses to help implement things. I'm rather excited at the prospect; I just hope that they will execute the plans we come up with!
My other new project is to feed Jared's class of 14, plus instructors a hot lunch once a week. Now that they are back on formal release and stuck in the same tired room all day I thought it would be nice for them. I stole the idea from two wives in our class who brought hot lunch in to their husband’s flight weekly during T-6s. Working full time there was just no way that I could do something like that then. But now that I'm home more I'm excited to be able to do it! The other 2 wives left in the T-1 class are going to help with buying things, and I'll cook and deliver. At least that is the plan until they hit the flightline mid-April and then I'll have to see. When they start flying there may not be anyone around to eat the food, especially once they are off formal release. But it's a project for a few weeks at least.
Friday, March 20, 2009
Changing Gears
We are at the end of Jared's first full week in the T-1. It couldn't have been more different from T-6's! Although it's just a lull, a calm before the storm, it's been nice!
Our typical day while Jared was in the T-6 was, get up in the dark, make sure he took his medicine and got breakfast. He left for work, I either worked or did things around the house. He was usually gone a good 10-12 hours everyday. It was not very fun trying to guess when he'd get home either, I never knew when to have dinner ready. Once he was home and fed, I cleaned up dinner, packed his lunch for the next day, and woke him up from sleeping on the couch to put him to bed. Oh, but only after calling the flight room recording to check his schedule for the next day at 9pm. Super exciting huh?!
This week the earliest he's had to be at work was 9am! He's been home for lunch everyday. He got 100% on his first test. He's been able to tell me when he'll be home for dinner. And we've even had his daily schedule two whole days in advance. Since the weather has been so great (70-80 and sunny) he even took an afternoon and went golfing. Needless to say it's been a drastic change! But a welcome one.
Now, we both know that his class will be going back on "formal release" aka. 12 hour days, but we're not sure when. His PT test is April 13th, and he starts flying again the next day. So there is lots of academics left, but the way this first week has flown by we're going to be done in no time. That's a happy thought!
I get a nice mid-phase break in May since I'm going home for a friend's wedding. Jared would like to come home that weekend as well, but as is the Military norm, we have no idea if he'll get any time off for Memorial Day yet. We'd also like to do something fun for July 4th, but again, we have no idea if he'll be getting any time off. I'm trying not to plan out that far yet, but it's hard!
We are also getting excited to hear about the various family plans for coming out for his graduation! Otherwise nothing much to report from Enid. Hope you guys had a nice week!
Our typical day while Jared was in the T-6 was, get up in the dark, make sure he took his medicine and got breakfast. He left for work, I either worked or did things around the house. He was usually gone a good 10-12 hours everyday. It was not very fun trying to guess when he'd get home either, I never knew when to have dinner ready. Once he was home and fed, I cleaned up dinner, packed his lunch for the next day, and woke him up from sleeping on the couch to put him to bed. Oh, but only after calling the flight room recording to check his schedule for the next day at 9pm. Super exciting huh?!
This week the earliest he's had to be at work was 9am! He's been home for lunch everyday. He got 100% on his first test. He's been able to tell me when he'll be home for dinner. And we've even had his daily schedule two whole days in advance. Since the weather has been so great (70-80 and sunny) he even took an afternoon and went golfing. Needless to say it's been a drastic change! But a welcome one.
Now, we both know that his class will be going back on "formal release" aka. 12 hour days, but we're not sure when. His PT test is April 13th, and he starts flying again the next day. So there is lots of academics left, but the way this first week has flown by we're going to be done in no time. That's a happy thought!
I get a nice mid-phase break in May since I'm going home for a friend's wedding. Jared would like to come home that weekend as well, but as is the Military norm, we have no idea if he'll get any time off for Memorial Day yet. We'd also like to do something fun for July 4th, but again, we have no idea if he'll be getting any time off. I'm trying not to plan out that far yet, but it's hard!
We are also getting excited to hear about the various family plans for coming out for his graduation! Otherwise nothing much to report from Enid. Hope you guys had a nice week!
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Garden
"One of the most delightful things about a garden is the anticipation it provides." ~W.E. Johns
This year I am attempting my first garden. If you have ever been to Oklahoma you will know that the ground is mostly tough, red clay. You will also find that quality, fresh produce is nonexistent! If you have ever been to our house you will know that our yard is roughly the size of half a postage stamp, and full of weeds. Taking these facts into consideration I have elected to undertake a container garden this year. Being a novice I am all excitement and optimism; I do not yet know what to worry about.
I spent much of my time after Christmas devouring an excellent book entitled, The Bountiful Container: A Container Garden of Vegetables, Herbs, Fruits, and Edible Flowers - McGee & Stuckey. I then became excited to start receiving the many seed catalogs I had sent away for as spring drew nearer. There are so many choices, and pictures, and ideas. It was utterly enjoyable to sit and make lists, cross half of it out and rewrite a new one! I also bought a cheap, wire ring journal to keep all my notes about this year in. I am hoping it will help me as I try to make planting a yearly garden a habit. (Well, at least when we’re not moving around for the Air Force!)
My final list for this year’s container garden is as follows:
1. Peas: 2 kinds; green arrow and sugar sprint 2. Lettuce: 2 kinds; green & red salad bowl
3. Spinach: melody
4. Carrots: 2 kinds; thumbelina & sweet treat hybrid
5. Nasturtium: 3 kinds; fordhook favorites, semi-tall double gleam & double dwarf jewel
6. Sunflower: elf
7. Herbs: 3 kinds; basil, oregano, parsley (indoors)
8. Zinnia: candy mix (it was a free bonus, so I'm trying a pot!)
9. Lavender: lavender lady
10. Tomatoes: 2 kinds; celebrity & super sweet
I have planted everything but my sunflowers, lavender and tomatoes. The lavender and tomatoes are shipping as plants from two different seed companies later in the season. And after two days of gardening, I am too tired to wrestle with the front "flower bed" where I want to put my little sunflowers. But I am hoping that by the end of the week I will be done planting and organizing everything I have. Then come April the rest of my plants should arrive!
Below are a few garden pictures. For the entire album, please follow this link! http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2271922&id=23322261&l=5cd6df7d44
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