You call this clean?

While going through all the dry cleaning that was delivered we discovered the blankets still smelled like smoke. I decided to rewash some of the blankets. I don't think dry cleaning is the best method for removing smoke residue from stuff. Each time I went to open the lid of the washer the senses were assailed with the flavor of charred mountain springs.

This was wash cycle #1 with double soap.

Needless to say - these went through the wash again.

Fun Times

The other day Tom brought home some candy lips for Chandler. She was quite impressed and they have quickly become a favorite

We took a family outing to Lowes to get an idea on kitchen layout. We gave the kids the camera to keep them occupied. This is one of the results...

Friends whom we will greatly miss when they leave for Chicago. We are excited to see how God will use them to further His kingdom. We love you guys! by the way...we were playing a game - hence the hats.

On Tuesday the clothing from the kid's rooms got delivered. We get our Dry cleaning from Culver City. Can you believe that every single dress up piece was cleaned and pressed. It is now all hanging in Chandler's closet.


I took the kids on an outing today. A photo shoot to get some nice shots of them. Why go to an overpriced studio where the people don't care and make lame faces to try and get you to smile rather than what you want to do: wince? when you can go local and do what you want. We did get some funny looks going hiking on a trail loaded with a garmet bag, extra pair of shoes, and a large camera bag.

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A Soapbox

I don't often get on the soapbox to 'rant' but today I am.

Why is it that people are so gullible as to believe every sappy email that comes down the pike? Then have the sappiness to forward the stupid thing on to everyone they know?

Today I received yet another email asking for prayer and money for some little kid with a terminal disease...and if I forward the email the provider will give the family money for each person it is sent to. Come on people! are you really that naive as to think that it works or that the companies handle their money in such a fashion? Why does it seem that the Christian world is so easily manipulated when the words God, love, cherish, help, and any sweet bible verse is added to an email? Sweet kittens and gay angels are not going to make you godlier nor do anything else but tug at the heart strings of guilt. Do you feel that you have 'done your good deed for the day' by forwarding it? Christ calls us to be wise - this behavior is not wisdom.

Paul warns the church that there would be wolves among the flock waiting to prey upon the unsuspecting and that we need to take heed. Granted, he is talking about false teachers. But this can also be remembered when it comes to other areas in our lives. Christians are to be WISE, to be CAREFUL, to be MINDFUL. Proverbs is full of these warnings, yet we ignore them and forget to be as shrewed as the serpent.

God is greater than the things that happen on this planet, yet we forget that and place him in a cute, cuddly box that is only pulled out when we feel the need or are desperate to have Him do what we want. We are His creation to do His bidding not the other way around.

OK, I'm done. I'll get down now.

Talking + Wine = Tables

On Saturday we took a family outing to find our perfect refrigerator and stove. After several stores and reading lots of reviews we still haven't decided. Argh! But, thankfully the Lord knows the perfect ones so it will indeed happen by the time we move back into the house. After we left the last appliance store we noticed a furniture store across the street that will be closing its doors. We decided to wander in - Polo and Leather in the store name automatically means I have to go in. While there, we found a piece that will work as the dining table. Later that evening we took my Dad back to get another opinion. After a two hour conversation with the store owner about everything from Argentinean politics to work ethic - interspersed with talk about the table and chairs, all while sipping a glass of wine, we bought 2 tables and 8 chairs. Yes, two tables: a small side table and the dining table.
The concept of establishing a relationship with the person you are purchasing from is not unheard of in the rest of the world. While we can and do purchase things quickly by choosing the item then slapping the money on the counter this method does leave a lot to be desired. The glimpse into the 'Old world' style of making a purchase was so much fun and has opened a door into a possible friendship that may continue beyond just Wednesday when the purchase will be complete and the tables are delivered.