Keeping you posted

I just wanted to give a bit of an update. It's been a while!

House hunting has continued for over a month. We put down a total of four offers- two of which we were outbid, and one was accepted but we ended up having to walk away after the inspection indicated thousands of dollars of repairs that didn't meet the eye upon first glance. We're currently awaiting paperwork as we've received a verbal agreement on a house this week. As exciting as this process can be, I'm trying to keep emotions low until we receive a thumbs up on the inspection.

In some ways, getting a house can feel a lot like dating. There's the high of finding a place that seems "just perfect", the dreamy stage of romanticizing the future (in this case, picturing wonderful family memories and milestones taking place in a home, figuring out how to decorate, furnish, landscape, etc.) And then there's the low of finding out it wasn't what it seems. Or worse... it dumps you for someone better (literal translation: someone else brings a higher bid). It can be crushing! Thank heavens, I never played the dating game in high school and I married the only guy I dated because based on my house hunting experience, dating is NOT fun.

Nick continues to enjoy his new job. He started in the company's off season which helps in that it was not initially as overwhelming learning the ropes as it could have been. I'm still just so happy that he found something when he did. The economy being what it is, we continue to count our blessings that we're in the boat we are in.

I've enjoyed getting to play chef since we've been staying with Nick's parents. I asked for cooking duties to be relegated to me; I've always enjoyed cooking and it's even more fun cooking for a family of four (or four & a half if you count Luke... he's now starting to eat off my plate). I tend to stick to probably the same five or six meals when it's just Nick & I but have ventured off the beaten path this week. I made my first pot roast (with red wine & mushrooms... hmm!), chicken cordon bleu, salmon loaf (giving grilled salmon from the night before a face lift), and deer steaks this week. The last few days, Nick's mom has been home sick with the flu so yesterday I crock-potted (if that's a word) homemade chicken noodle soup with egg noodles. Yum.

Needless to say, I am very thankful that Nick's parents have a Body Gym, elliptical, and sauna in house as it's desperately needed to counter balance all the eating that's taking place. Yesterday's weather was amazing so Luke and I ventured outdoors and walked a couple miles (rather, I walked, he jostled in his carrier). I hear it's supposed to be even warmer later today which I'm greatly looking forward to.

Living in someone else's house, I've had more free time than normal and as luck would have it, all my arts & crafts are in boxes somewhere in a storage facility (go figure the ideal time to do that stuff, it wouldn't be handy). So, I've enjoyed getting using some of that free time to do internet research on frugal living and listening to online sermons. There's so much good stuff out there if you just know where to look! Anyways, I'm digging the concept of making homemade laundry soap and found a super simple recipe I thought I'd share:

Homemade Laundry Detergent Recipe

1/3 bar Fels Naptha
1/2 cup washing soda
1/2 cup borax powder

I probably won't start making my own until we're all moved in, but look forward to soon. I've also heard that you can add essential oils for fragrance. Hmm, who'd have thought?