The Girls

Emma and Clare are growing up very fast. Emma is reading a book to us every night. That is really exciting. And clare has the cutesy personality. Really looking forward to the holidays.

Test

Healthy Slaw

I have had a couple of people ask me about this new "Veg" lifestyle.  So I thought I would share some of our "Veg" recipes occasionally.

So I wanted to find a way to eat more of the sprouts and I found a Healthy Slaw Recipe.  I really like all these flavors..  

Borrowed From the Blog (GNOWFGLINS.com). 

I take whatever greens we have available locally (right now: chard, kale, and cabbage) and chop them up in about 1 centimeter pieces. I add lentil, mung bean and garbanzo bean sprouts that I grow myself. I also add cubed goat cheese, red onion slices, pumpkin seeds… really, anything I have on hand that I think would be good and won’t wilt quickly. Even nuts would be good. The dressing is: extra virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar (good quality, sulfite free), sea salt, pepper, dill, basil, thyme — all to taste. Toss and serve. 

This is So Good..Doug

The Coming Year

It is funny this blog has been an on and off thing for me for several years.  I guess that is how it goes.  I really want to be very intentional about posting here daily.  I have several blogs that I write in.  This being the "personal" blog.  

WE are entering in the new year with much anticiapation about the new adminstration.  And finding out tonight that Hilary might be the new secertary of State is scary.  Very Scary.  

So we will see what comes of that.  

Hopefully more later..

Happy 2 months Clare

Clare is now 2 months old...

more lter

Babelgum and Joost

So I have been beta testing as you know joost. Know I am checking Babelgum. I can't yet give you the breakdown on which one is better but it only confirms that this is the future. BTW, I still have PLENTY of JOOST INVITES. So if you want one leave a comment and I will hook you up.. No invites yet for Babelgum

Unlimited Joost Invites

Joost content is improved tremendously. There are now four National Geographic Channels and Much More. We watched several documentaries today. And I have to admit that I watched an episode of my Super Sweet 16 on MTV channel it was crazy how spoiled these kids are!

So I have Unlimited JOOST invites. If you want one... it is yours!!

All Things and Life

So several exciting things have been going on. This blog is in total transition from personal to informational to tech to whatever... I have so many things that I am trying to keep up with at the same time it is hard to stay focused. I am resolved that this will always be a hodge podge of information. It may or may not be useful. But I started the blog for the purposes of sharing my adventures. I was trying to simplify. And in the process things got more complicated. Simplify with a Blog you say? No just simplify my life. We don't have TV. But we watch a lot of TV shows. We Watch Joost. We Watch Netflix. I guess it is more managed but it is still TV. I like entertainment. I watch a lot video podcast. Anyway, so I rant....

But Life is Grand I have Clare and Emma and there are incredible. Real Estate is a tough market but I have launched several new websites and that is cool. Learning a lot about marketing. The youth group is going well. Kids lives are being changed. I am starting to see why God has us here in Blue Ridge. Anyway, so I rant...

The Garden.... I have restarted three times...

So I Rant!

Later

NetFlix - Watch Now

Very Excited Today. When I logged onto our netflix account we now have the Watch Now Feature Available to us! Been waiting for this after we switched back for Vongo!

JOOST JOOST JOOST

I have more invites. More than ever. I hesitate to do this but I am opening the flood gates. If you want INVITE. Leave a comment and I will do my best to hook you up. SO let the REQUEST begin.

Update 10:36 a.m. - I have given out 9 total invites as of this morning. It looks like they are unlimited. If you want them I will give them.

11:39 - 10 invites total

9:43 - 16 invites total

5/05/2007 - 18 invites total

Skinny Quest

Quest to Be Skinny is going pretty well. I am going to hit it hard core again this week. It has been really hard to stay on the diet we have been blessed by folks bringing us food to our house. But I hopefully that I can get refocused very soon.

The Best Ice Cream...

This is the best tasting Fat Free Ice Cream that I have ever put in my mouth and the Best Part is that it is only 1 weight watcher point per 1/2 cup of Ice Cream... Seriously go get this... I am not getting paid to say this. It is true

Diet and Moore

We finally made it home this weekend. Clare and Emma are doing really well and Mom is hanging in there. I have been stuck in my weight loss. But I hoping that will pick up this week.

I found this awesome Weight Watchers Recipe.


These are Only 1 Point each.

Baking instead of deep-frying these popular Chinese appetisers allows us to serve up egg rolls for a mere fraction of their pre-renovated version.

• 1 head chinese cabbage, outer leaves removed, shredded
• 2 medium carrot(s), peeled and shredded
• 2 medium garlic clove(s), minced
• 2 medium scallion(s), white and green parts, chopped
• 1 Tbsp ginger root, fresh, minced or 1/2 tsp dried
• 1 Tbsp low-sodium soy sauce
• 2 tsp cornstarch
• 1 tsp sesame oil
• 8 average egg roll wrapper(s), about 1/2 oz each
• 1 sprays olive oil cooking spray

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 350ºF. Coat a large baking sheet with cooking spray.
  
  
• Place cabbage in a microwavable dish and cover. Microwave on high until wilted, about 4 minutes; drain and transfer to a large bowl. Add carrots, garlic, scallions, ginger, soy sauce, cornstarch and oil; mix well.
  
  
• Arrange egg roll wrappers on a clean, dry surface. Spoon cabbage mixture diagonally onto each wrapper. Fold over one corner to cover filling. Fold up both corners. Moisten edges of remaining flap with water and roll up wrapper jellyroll style until sealed. Transfer egg rolls to prepared baking sheet and coat with cooking spray.
  
  
• Bake until golden brown, about 25 minutes. Serve hot.

Coming Home

We got to come home. Baby Clare is doing well she is going for a quick checkup this morning and then we are going to pick up Emma late morning and we are going to all head home.

At the Hospitial

10:40 - We are at the hospitial today. Naomi is being Induced.

Tomorrow

Tomorrow the doctors are planning on inducing Naomi for our second birth. More to come..

Joost - More Invites (UPDATED 4/23/2007)

I have already given away several Joost Invites and I have a few more to give. The quality of Joost is getting better daily. I have had no stuttering lately of any programs. So Just a few more to give. Leave me a comment and I will hook you up.. STILL HAVE INVITES - Leave a comment if you want one... 4/15/2007...

4/23/2007 - UPDATE I have sent all the invites I have out. Watch here and when I receive more I will announce.

How to Avoid the 8 Most Common Home Buying Errors.

Shopping for a new home is an emotional experience. It is, however, also a business transaction, and must be treated as such. Three of the most devastating things that can go wrong are:

• Paying too much

• Losing a dream home to another buyer

• Buying the wrong home

When you have a systematic plan before you shop, you’ll be sure to avoid these costly errors. Here are some tips on making the most of your home purchase:

Get the information you need
What price do you offer a seller? Is the seller’s asking price too high? Is it a deal? Your own research is important, as is the assistance of a Realtor®. A professional Realtor® can offer an unbiased opinion on the value of a home, based on many factors and a great deal of information. Without knowledge of the market, your offer could be too much. Or worse, you could miss out on a great buying opportunity. Hire the right person and trust that person to represent your interests.

Buy YOUR home
What do you need and want in a home? Sounds simple, but clearly identifying your needs and bringing an objective view to home shopping leaves you in a much better position. How much space do you really need? Too small and you may feel like you live in constant clutter. Too big and maintenance may become too daunting. Outline all of your priorities, and work on finding not just a great home, but a great home for you.

Check the title
Before you sign any document, be sure the property you are considering is free of all encumbrances. As a part of his or her services, a Realtor® can supply you with a copy of the title to ensure there are no liens, debts, undisclosed owners, leases or easements against the title.

Update the survey
Before the purchase is completed, an updated survey is essential. This report will indicate boundaries and structural changes (additions to the house, a new swimming pool, neighbor’s new fence which is extending a boundary line, etc.), and will guarantee that you are indeed getting what you pay for.

Minimize the unexpected
For $300 - $500, a professional inspector will conduct a thorough inspection of the home. Their expertise can mean the difference between uncovering major flaws before or after you own a home. Make the final contract subject to the report’s findings.

Get pre-approved
It only takes a few days to get financing pre-approval. When you are shopping for a home, this gives you more power. A seller is more likely to consider an offer from a serious buyer.

Remember additional costs
Besides the funds for the purchase of a home, you’ll need funds for items such as loan fees, insurance, legal fees, surveys, inspections, etc.

Take a deep breath
Before you sign, ensure that all documentation clearly reflects your understanding and conditions of the transaction. Has anything been forgotten? Don’t rush. You could lose money, financing, or even the sale if you attempt to push things through too hastily.

Get the latest listings in Blue Ridge, Ellijay, Blairsville, Jasper, Young Harris, Hiawassee and Talking Rock directly emailed to your inbox goto http://www.quicklistingalerts.com

Joost Invites

Ok... I do Have joost invites if you want one... let me know..