Cleaning frenzy and ketchup

What do these two things have in common? Me. I have been craving ketchup for about a week now. This is really weird because the only time we use it in our house is on top of meatloaf, and we only have that about 6 times a year. Totally bizarre. The cleaning frenzy is what I had today. I came home from the gym and had every intention of reading a book. but my home wouldn't let me. I loaded the dishwasher and ran it. Cleaned the kitchen counters and sink. Swept the floor and then I really got started. I made the bed and set my Robomaid to work sweeping the floor. (we have all hard wood floors except the kitchen and bathroom which are tile) Then I scrubbed the kitchen floor; Swiffered the dining room, living room, both bedrooms and the bathroom floor; dusted the entire house including the baseboards and all the cabinets, pictures, etc.; mopped the floors mentioned above; scrubbed the bathroom; did a load of laundry; folded and put away the laundry that had been in the dryer; and did a bit of ironing. Now, I need only to put a few things away and get supper going and all will be well.

This Is My Country!

I have something to say about all the people I have been hearing and hearing about lately that get frustrated over some political thing they don't agree with and decide to say, "I'm leaving the country" or some such nonsense as that. Although often this may sometimes be said "tongue-in-cheek," it really annoys me. The United States of America is the BEST country in the world hands down! I have had wonderful people from other countries tell me, "you Americans, your government spoils you and you don't even know it." It's true. We have wealth untold and more freedoms than anyone. ANYONE! I remember back when our current President ran against Al Gore. 2 celebrities that I know of stated that if Bush won they were leaving the country. They didn't and neither will you. You people, if you even had the nerve to leave which you don't, would get to another country and start complaining about they way they do business. You wouldn't like it and then you'd want to come back. The cost of living here in Europe is sky high compared to USA. They pay about $6 a gallon for gasoline. That is just the tip of the iceberg too. Europe is wonderful don't get me wrong. It is beautiful and has a rich history that we wont have for centuries, but none of it compares to the United States. You don't have to like what is happening in our country. I don't like some of it either, but stop complaining, put down the chips, get off the sofa and DO SOMETHING about it. Saying that our wonderful country sucks etc. is rude, its wrong, and it hurts deeply those of us whose husbands are daily putting their lives on the line for your freedom. If you don't like something, do something constructive about it. Any idiot can complain. I'll stop now. I'm about to burst into a terrible rendition of "This is my country."

Score!

I scored some good deals at the commissary today. You see for military wives overseas grocery shopping is not what it is in the States. While we can shop at the local German stores, their prices on average are higher and of course there are no coupons on Europe. So even though they sell Always maxi pads and Coke, they will not accept a coupon for them. This, I have learned, is mainly an American phenomenon. So for most of our grocery needs we shop the commissary and the PX. This brings us to today. It has snowed all day and so I thought I'd better get my shopping done before it gets worse. I was right. It got worse and they shut down the stores at 3pm. The best deals I got were 5 boxes of Strawberry Honey Bunches of Oats. I love that cereal. I love cereal in general. They were on sale for $1.58 each. They had coupons right next to the product for $3 off of 5 and a rebate form to send in for $5 back. So basically, they paid me 10 cents to take them off their hands. The next deal was Pillsbury refrigerated chocolate chip cookie dough. I usually don't buy this as I prefer home made cookies. However, they were on sale for $0.80 each and I had 2 coupons for $0.75 off of one so I got 2 and paid 5 cents each for them. Not bad and they can be frozen until I am ready to use them! I used more than $22 worth of coupons not including that rebate. The other deal worth mentioning was the Totino's Pizza Rolls which were on sale for $1 each and I had 2 coupons for $0.50 off one. So, I got 2 for $1 or buy one get one free however you wish to look at it. Oh wait! I also got a bottle of Vaseline Intensive Care lotion on sale for $1.99. I had a $1 off coupon and so got it for 99 cents!

For anyone reading this (lol even though it may only be 2 or 3) I'd LOVE to hear about any good deals you get. Feel free to share.

Blessings!
Rebecca

Standing up for your convictions!

I was reading what Lela, over at The Joy of the Lord is my Strength, said about Sunday's sermon. Her husband is a pastor, and in his message Sunday he again spoke out against abortion at which point some people got up and left. Well this is what I have to say on the subject. GOOD FOR HIM! And good for her too. You continue to stand by your husband's side. I wish that more ministers would speak out on the evil that abortion is. The hard thing for us is that we are attending a general protestant chapel service here on post. We cannot go off post because we don't understand much German yet. The main chaplain I think is trying to be very ecumenical and thus I have never heard him speak out against anything or for that matter I have not heard an invitation for anyone to come to Christ and be saved. Although I understand what I believe is his not wanting to offend anyone, I long for a pastor who will stand by his convictions and speak out against sin. One who will call the congregation to holiness. I am sooo not perfect, but I long to be fed and ministered to in this way. I miss being in a church where we sing hymns with conviction and where we all strive to follow the Lord. A church where there is an altar call and a church whose pastor tells people how to be saved and have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ! Churches today want to run coffee cafes in their foyers. They have left their hymnals behind along with their standard of dress and behavior. They have programs instead of sermons. They are afraid of offending anyone so they don't confront sin or speak out against any wrong practices! The Word of God will always offend some. The Bible says to come out from among them and be separate! Let us go back to the days where we as Christians held ourselves to a higher standard! Well, I've gotten on my soap box again haven't I. Oh well, I just say what I think. Have a blessed day everyone!

Corrections

OK, I finally figured out what I was doing wrong and corrected the links to the blogs I read section on this blog. Yes, I'm still learning. Next, I hope to learn how to post pictures here. I guess it's a good thing that this is a new blog and very few people read it. LOL!

Junior High Children

Although I am a Registered Nurse, I work very part-time as a substitute teacher. There is little need for nurses on post. Today I substituted for a Junior High teacher. Since I started doing this I have been absolutely amazed at the dress and language of these kids. Swear words are part of everyday conversation for a large majority of them. They think nothing of it and when corrected for this they seem to have to think back and figure out what it is they said. And then there is the way they dress. Not only are the girls dressing immodestly but the boys are too. I have never been a huge fan of homeschooling, but lately I have been thinking more and more about it. I still would prefer to send my kids to a good Christian school, but if one is not available when that time comes I will probably home school. I realize that times change. When I was in high school those that did use that language refrained from doing so in front of any adult. Now days they don't seem to care. Are there any good alternatives out there aside from homeschooling? Can anyone inform me?

Concerned

I am constantly amazed at people that mind everyone else's business. I read several blogs. The first blog I ever read (and it's still a favorite) is Mrs. Happy Housewife. http://mrshappyhousewife.com/mambo//index.php Yes I'm still learning about putting in links. I read her blog today after having been away for several days and was astounded at the response she received from a reader regarding her schedule and homeschooling. Why is it her (the commenter's) business how others educate their children? I'm sure Mrs. Happy Housewife isn't teaching her children to use the foul language that person uses. The thing is that I see on the blogs lots of women minding each others business. I am not just referring to the blog authors, I am also referring to those who comment on the postings. And no, I'm not accusing any one in particular. How many children a couple has, homeschooling or not, wife working outside the home or not, birth control, all these issues are the business of the husband, wife and God. It's between the 3 of them and no one else. I applaud those who seek to be encouraging and informative in their blogs but please ladies let's remember the scripture that says, "Judge not that ye be not judged, condemn not that ye not be condemned. Forgive and ye shall be forgiven."Luke 6:37.

Wonderful Weekend

Good to be back! We have just come home from a long weekend spent in the wonderful duchy of Luxembourg! We stayed at the Golden Tulip hotel. They were great and it is located in walking distance of everything you want to do in Luxembourg City. We took a bus tour of the city and spent time walking along in the shopping district. Lol I always find it funny to be in an exciting foreign city and come across a McDonald's or Pizza Hut. We went to the Ducal Palace and enjoyed having our pics taken in front of it and looking at the guard standing so solemnly. The best part of the weekend was walking along at night with my husband and a man walked passed us, stopped and turned around and said to us, "You are Christians! I can tell by looking at your faces!" What a wonderful thing to have happen! We went to his church on Sunday which was in Portuguese and enjoyed the service. They had interpreters in English and in French. How wonderful to worship with other believers so far from our home! When I can figure out how to post pics I will.

Stuffed Peppers

I made stuffed peppers for supper tonight. They were so good! Tomorrow I'll make a crockpot full of chili and what we don't eat I will freeze. Because - Friday we are going to Luxembourg for the long weekend! It's so much fun to be here in Europe where we can travel relatively cheaply to places we've only read about or seen on TV. So far we have been to the Czech Republic, the Netherlands and France. We have traveled extensively here in Germany and will continue to do so. What fun! Thank you Lord for this wonderful opportunity!

Do busy days never end?

The PWOC kickoff today was a great success. We are sad to see some of our friends go, but so happy to meet the new ladies! I got up early this morning to make my part of the kick-off brunch which was bacon, egg and cheese cups. So easy! Then off to the meeting, over to hubby's office, to the fitness center and home to dirty dishes and laundry. Those two things never end. I honestly just want to have a nap, but I do hate for Alan to have to come home to a messy house after working so hard. Our boy Smokey seems to be better after his bath with the new shampoo the vet gave us. He had been having some dandruff like flakes all over. My late cat Baby had this but Smokey never has so we were a bit concerned. He was complaining when I got home this afternoon. We have had construction out side our window for 6 months, but they have been gone for a few weeks now and it looked like all was finished. Today the workers and all of their noise are back. Our poor boy doesn't like it much and seems to think we could make them stop if we really tried. Oh well. I'm thankful at least that they aren't using jack hammers. It could always be worse.

Busy Day

Today was such a busy day! I belong to a group here on post called PWOC. Protestant Women of the Chapel. We have a Bible study every Wednesday morning from 9-11. This semester I have been asked to facilitate a study of the book of Habakkuk. So, this morning there was a facilitators meeting (as there are several different studies each semester) from 10 - 12. After that I went to the gym for my work out. One of my goals this year is to add exercise into my daily routine and another is to add more fruit and vegetables to our daily diet. I don't choose to use "weight loss diets" because the concept always makes me panic and then I eat more than I would have anyway. Getting home about 1300 I began the housework. I put fresh linens on both beds and did 2 loads of laundry. I also finished a big pile of ironing, got dinner started (home made burritos enchilada style), set the table, did all the dishes, set up the coffee maker for tomorrow and had a 2 hour conversation with my co facilitator about our goals for the semester etc. Wow! So, now as hubby is not yet home from work, I have some spare time to blog and check email.

The Weekend

We had such a good weekend! Saturday was 3 Kings day. It's a holiday here in Germany that is the 12th day of Christmas and celebrates the visit of the magi to the Christ child. We were invited to a dear friend's home for supper and had a wonderful evening of food, fellowship and fun. Yesterday, we had a pot-luck following the service in chapel here on post. After that Alan and I took naps and spent time planning our upcoming trips to Luxembourg and Ireland.

Nicknames

What is it about Americans that they (we) tend to nickname everyone? My husband's name is Alan and yet so many people call him Al. He hates that name. Makes him sound like Al Bundy. He has never referred to himself as Al nor have I. It's the same as when people meet me and then begin calling me Becky. My name is not Becky. I don't introduce myself as Becky and yet people feel free to change my name. I do realize that in some cases a nickname is a term of endearment. In those cases my poor husband just endures it. I must admire him for this as I am not so tolerant. Goodness! A rant and only my second post! lol Oh well, those of you who know me will understand.

First Post

This is my first post. I have been noodling the idea of starting a blog for about 6 months ever since my friend Carrie suggested it. I intend for this blog to be an eclectic account of my thoughts, experiences and ideas as a person, registered nurse, wife, Army wife, and most importantly as a Christian. I believe in the Bible and not so much in denominations. Denominations are man-made and the Bible is God-made. I believe the Bible to be the authoritative and infallible word of God.