Coffee - We have a lot of Starbucks giftcards, so we are getting addicted to going regularly. I have a coupon for a free Chantico that expires tomorrow, so we'll definitely go on a Starbucks date tomorrow. The Chantico ought to be sold in 2 oz. containers instead of six. It's way too rich to drink that much on your own! I can only drink it if Mike and I are sitting there, sipping on it together and mixing it with other drinks, over a long period of time.
Sam's Club - I love being a Sam's member. My parent's have a business membership, and added Mike and I awhile back. I get the best deals on some stuff -- like baby spinach, for instance. We get a 24 oz. bag of triple washed spinach for $3.47 -- cheaper than what a small bag costs in the grocery store. We eat spinach salad every day, so that's a really good deal.
Slings - I'm willing to make slings at cost right now for a few people. I'm considering trying to sell some through a baby boutique, and I want to see how professional I can get with practice. Plus, I really think slinging is a great thing to allow babies to snuggle close while letting moms go about their business. So, email me (check the sidebar) if you want one. I use the best fabric and rings, so cost is ~$25, with shipping. I'll bill you exactly what I paid for materials.
Beth is my friend who convinces me the most that I am a judgemental jerk, and yet, I still love hanging out with her. Mike thinks that sounds mean, but I think it's great that I have friends who challenge the way I think and help me to see my sin and arrogance. And Beth and I about to become Y buddies. Great good fun times to be had.
Genevieve lives around the corner and is my "whenever, whatever" friend. She's just so helpful in tangible ways -- babysitting, lending a car, printing off something... Plus, she's got the greatest sense of humour of anyone I've ever known.
Meadow is the person who knows me the best. She might not live in town, but I probably talk to her as much as anyone else because of the joys of Sprint PCS mobile-to-mobile minutes. She understands me, and knows exactly what sort of encouragement I need. I can't imagine not being friends with her.
I drove to Raleigh on Monday to get a CD player installed in my car. My parents bought it for me for Christmas, and had worked out free basic installation at Best Buy, which the Richmond store wouldn't honor. I figured it was a good excuse to bring Kate down and visit with my family. On Tuesday morning, I went into Best Buy and left my car and CD player. I went off to run errands with my mom. About 2.5 hours later, the installer called and told me he couldn't find all the wires he needed in my dash, and that I would need to get something from the Volvo dealership. Wanting to return home, I declined the service at Best Buy, got my car, ran another errand and returned to my parents' house. I packed everything in, and pulled out about 3:45. Later than I had hoped, and without a CD player, but I thought to myself, "at least I will be home before it is very dark." The drive usually takes 2 hours, 15 minutes.
When I got about 45 minutes from home, I went to turn my headlights on, as is customary when it starts to get dark. I had a funny feeling that they didn't turn on, but I looked at the time and thought, "I can still make it home before it is very dark." Unfortunately, about 10 minutes later, traffic stopped. There was a very large accident, requiring several fire trucks, EMTs, etc. We moved 2 miles in more than an hour. In that hour, it got dark, very dark. The darker it got, the more apparent it was that my headlights were not working. The install kid at Best Buy had disconnected them. I called my husband. I called my dad. I turned on my flashers. I could see because I was stuck in a pack of cars with operational headlights. As soon as I passed the accident, it became very very scary. I was driving on the interstate and couldn't see. I had Kate in the car. I was losing it. I saw an exit with a McDs and several gas stations listed, and got off, so Mike could come rescue us. I had never taken that particular exit before, and the only way to get to civilization (gas stations, etc.) was to make two immediate left hand turns, which I could not do with my flashers on and no headlights. I had to keep driving, into scary, scary, desolate areas, with nowhere lit enough to pull over. And I couldn't see. Finally, I came to a side street after 2 or 3 miles. A trailer park. I never thought I would be so excited to see a trailer park in all of my life. But it was a place to stop. It took about 5 or 10 more minutes for Mike to find us.
Now I am dealing with Best Buy corporate, trying to get my headlights fixed and my CD player installed. I can't drive at night or in the rain. They are very lucky nothing happened, because we both could have died. And I very easily could have hit someone. It was absolutely the most frightening experience of my life. They are also very lucky we are not the lawsuit kind.
I don't know how he does it, but Tim is giving more stuff away. Well, apparently these DVDs have been donated by MonergismBooks, but Tim makes a habit of this. Anyhow, I've entered the drawing to win these DVDs and you can too. They look pretty good and have come on good recommendation.
Use referral id: 21468.
Also, do check out Tim's website. He has a beautiful site and some great pictures, to boot ... and the theology ain't half bad either.
Today is the 32nd anniversary of Roe v. Wade. Two years ago, as I walked through campus on my way to class, I was offered cake to celebrate. 40 million children and hundreds of women die, and they want give me cake.
We are the Roe v. Wade generation. We could have been aborted. I think this, coupled with the advances of science, has sobered many of our peers towards abortion. The vast majority of my pro-choice friends in college maintained that while they thought the right to an abortion was necessary, they themselves would never excercise it. Granted, they had never had to choose. But the fact that abortion is no longer thought of flippantly by many is an encouragement to me.
There are women right now making choices about what they are going to do about unplanned pregnancies. I am praying for one in particular that I know about. Please join me in praying for her and others. If you can, support your local crisis pregnancy center, whether monetarily or with donations of maternity and infant clothes, formula samples, etc. As Donna always says, love one another.
So, an inch of snow paralyzed my home county yesterday. Routine, 15 minute commutes turned into 7+ hour marathons. And 3,000 students had to spend the night at 50 different county schools, including my alma mater, Wake Forest-Rolesville High. Did I mention that it was just ONE INCH of snow?
Is it wrong that I shouted "YES!" when I saw that my school will be closed tomorrow? I'm so behind on grading. I probably shouted louder than my ninth graders, who were supposed to have an exam tomorrow.
And our first shipment of DVDs (3 total) came in from Blockbuster Online today. I'm seriously leaning towards keeping this.
I'm not sure which is better. This article by Tom Friedman from 16 Jan 2005 or the short message that followed.
The article argued that our status in the Muslim world will only get better when the lives of Muslims actually get better. Saudi Arabia spent less on Tsunami aid than it did on King Fahd's two vacations. Our foreign policy for the past 15 years has been about liberated Muslims from tyranny, yet we are still hated. We do more for the betterment of Muslim lives than other Muslim nations. Friedman argued that the possible outcome is to get the elections off soon, so Iraq can govern itself and focus on itself, rather than hating America. It's a decent article, I recommend you read it.
Here's our living room. I should upload a few pictures of our living room from last year so you can appreciate the vast improvement! For example, comfortable seating went from two (three if you count the computer chair) to SEVEN. I want to get this print and have it framed for above the couch.
Back in September, I got my very first sewing machine. I've done a few projects trying to learn to sew this fall. I made myself a sling to carry Kate in, and I made two placemat purses as Christmas gifts.
We were given some furniture during the holidays which was such a blessing to us, including a Queen Anne chair. It's comfortable and a nice size, but it had been reupholstered plaid, which really didn't suit it well. I bought some fabric before Christmas, which has draped over the chair for the past month. Finally, today, I jumped in with both feet and made it a slipcover.
We've become smitten with Mac, but that was their plan. Just the other day, while organizing our iTunes and listening to our iPod, I read up on the new Mac Mini. Its Mac's sub-$500 (i.e., $499) computer. Unfortunately, to get it where you need it to surf wireless etc. it takes an additional $500 (monitor, mouse, keyboard, wifi 'stuff').
However, in our great capitalistic country, there is of course a "free MacMini website." We decided to give Blockbuster online a try and see if we can win a Mac. Unfortunately, unlike the iPod, the Mac Mini requires 10 referrals.
Remember: (1) Make sure your cookies are on. (2) Make sure you're not using Safari. [see Barlow's troubles] and (3) Help us win a Mac Mini (pst, here's your chance, Wayne!)
Welcome back, Mosleys! Nathanael and Sarah are blogging again, and we're excited about it. So excited, I am going to post a recipe Sarah requested from me to commemorate this happy occasion.
TOMATO BASIL SOUP 1 1/2 c. Vidalia (sweet) onions, diced 10-15 basil leaves, chopped 2 T. garlic, chopped 1 28 oz can of whole tomatos 2 28 oz cans of diced tomatos 1/8 c. sugar salt ground pepper 2 c. reduced fat milk or cream
Saute onions, basil and garlic in the bottom of the pot (sprayed with non-stick spray or in a bit of olive oil). Process whole tomatos in blender or food processor for 10 seconds, set aside. When onions are soft, add all the tomatos and sugar. Simmer on low for 2 hours. Season with salt and pepper, add the milk or cream and heat through. Vary the taste* by adding red pepper flakes, frozen chopped spinach (thawed and drained) sauted with the onions or add mozzarella cheese and garlic croutons before serving.
* We have never tried the red pepper flakes or spinach, but we always add about a half a cup of parmesean cheese to the soup and serve with mozzarella and croutons.
I'm going to tackle these a few at a time, so I actually do them!
My Life For Yours by Douglas Wilson (9) I loved this book. It's a practical guide to family life and hospitality centered on the home. Like most of the family series, it's not particularly new ideas, but wonderful reminders and oftentimes good reasoning to keep on doing what I'm doing.
The No-Cry Sleep Solution by Elizabeth Pantley (10) If you have an infant (or expect one) this book is a must read. It's basically a book full of suggestions for helping your baby sleep longer and more soundly. No system. No hard-and-fast rules. Just tips for a better night's sleep!
I am Charlotte Simmons by Tom Wolfe (6) This is a pretty decent modern novel that captures modern college life perfectly. That means it includes a good deal of profanity and "adult situations". It is an interesting account of what happens to morality without a solid worldview and a deep faith when it comes under pressure.
A few weeks ago, our php started to mess up. We haven't changed ANYTHING. It will pop back to normal with a refresh or two. We're sorry about that. If anyone knows how to fix it, just let us know.
Moms (and Dads too) -- how do you keep a six month old happily quiet during church? There are about eight babies in service right now, though Kate is the oldest infant. She's generally okay, nothing too awful, but I'd love tips on how to occupy her. We basically pass her around and let her look at a board book or play with a quiet toy.
We missed telling y'all Happy Epiphany yesterday. Epiphany is such a wonderful season. We're singing "When Christ's Appearing Was Made Known" and "Brightest and Best" with joy.
Kate is a force to be reckoned with on all fronts. What a fun kid.
We're still trying to get settled back in from our Christmas whirlwind. A trip to Ikea is helping our living room look that much cozier. Pictures forthcoming...
Someone asked what my favorite book read in 2004 was. Too hard to choose. Here are some finalists --
Best memoir - Girl Meets God by Lauren Winner Best non-fiction (non-memoir) - Remember Who You Are by William Willimon Best fiction read because of hype - The Brothers K by David Duncan Best Dorothy Sayers - Clouds of Witness Best Chaim Potok - My Name is Asher Lev
This year I probably read less "reformed" books than I have in 5+ years. It was a nice break. I think I am ready to read them again!
The UNC Marching Band was needed at the bowl game on Thursday, so when we arrived at the basketball game they were noticeably absent. They played recorded music. It was... strange. With about 4 minutes left, they arrived in the Dean Dome to great cheering and applause. It was as if the players came out of the tunnel for a second time. I wonder how often the Marching Tar Heels have an entrance like that!
This Classical Life is a website designed and operated by Michael and Kristen. We'd like to thank HostPC, who graciously accepts our money in return for hosting our domain; Blogger, who allows us to make comments and have fun, all the while they get rich soaking up the money they received from Google -- Big Brother's best friend; Jon Barlow, the created of Sensus Plenior, the best darn commenting software around -- believe us, we checked!
Michael is a pretty classy guy who likes to read and watch DVDs with his wife. When he isn't working, he studies Early Church History and Indo-European Languages (wishlist: US | UK). He is also a Presbyterian (PCA) who is a member of All Saints Reformed Presbyterian Church. He can be contacted at: Email.
Kristen is a stay at home mom and retired elementary school teacher. Her interests include Children's Literature and American Religious History (wishlist). She is also a Presbyterian (PCA) who is a member of All Saints Reformed Presbyterian Church. She can be contacted at:
Email.
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