The Sanborns

Lately…

Becca — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 22:41:54 +0000

How have you been?

I am currently sitting up in my bed with the laptop. It’s cold and rather than cuddling with the cat on the couch under a blanket, I’m cuddling with the laptop and the cat is trying her best to find a way to get my wedding rings, sitting on my nightstand. Yes, I take my wedding rings off at home/when I sleep because my ring fingers wells up otherwise.

It’s been a dreary few days here in Nashville and I think we can finally admit defeat, winter is here. It’s not that I dislike winter, but I was enjoying being able to take daily walks with my husband and not having to fear for my life while driving at night on the interstate. You see, winter here occasionally brings snow, but the snow usually fades quickly into black ice. Tennessee drivers have a reputation to uphold, one that usually leaves people honking or screaming at us. Naturally, that disposition doesn’t change just because some white stuff is on the ground, ice or not.

So here I sit, waiting impatiently for my final test grade. My calculation was a good outcome, but I’m dying to know if I calculate correctly, because I was super close to the pass/fail line. It won’t be the end of the world if I did fail, except it would be by one point and it’s just plain annoying.

I’m actually not feeling entirely up to par. My sinuses are going crazy because our weather can’t make up its mind. I’ve taken my allergy medicine daily and I’m beginning to think it’s time for a change.

Change is good and we’ve done some great change around here. As previously posted, on of our goals this month is to not spend extra money and to try to pay off another student loan. We’ve done great so far with the spending part, not giving in to going out once in the past eight days. I really wanted to cave last Saturday, but that’s why I have Gray to tell me no, heh. As far as the loan, it’s budgeted to be paid off, but we’re waiting on a paycheck to do so. Maybe by the end of the next week?! It’s so much fun paying off debt. I once told Brooke that it’s easier for me to keep a budget when we have debt because I want the debt paid off so I will make sure all the extra money goes towards paying the bill. So anyways, I’m sure one day when we have a mortgage, I will attack it with a vengeance!

Well, it’s time to go cook, so let me know how your life has been because school makes it hard to keep track of everyone’s blog/twitter/facebook all the time and let’s face it, I never call anyone.

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Post tags: grades, Nursing School, snow, tests, weather

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Project 365: Week 5

Becca — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 01:29:53 +0000

I am a day late because I pretty much crashed when I got home from school last night.

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February 2012 Goals

Becca — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 11:00:37 +0000

No eating out…

I should preface by saying there are three exceptions. We are allowed to eat out for Valentine’s Day, during the weekend road trip to Justin’s wedding, and we each get one day of eating bad because of school/work. Hopefully this will cut down on our trips to fast food or just to get desserts.

Focused Budget…

This probably won’t make much sense to anyone who is not in our family, but we’re tightening the budget this month, meaning no “extra” spending outside what is necessary. We do still have personal spending, but that’s the only extra, aside from the above eating out. Next month our budget is making a major change, so we’re trying to save pennies this month.

Pay off a student loan…

One of Gray’s loans is pretty close to being wiped out, so our goal is to wipe it out. Pretty simple.

Read three physical books, not via kindle…

As you probably remember, I got a kindle for Christmas. However, long before the kindle arrived I had a pile of 15-20 books that I had purchased and wanted to read. This pile has fallen to the back of my reading list, mainly because of all the library books I chose to borrow this month. My goal this month is to read three books from my pile and that includes reading “The Fault in Our Stars”, “One Thousand Gifts”, and “Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister.” I figured if I actually post this goal, I will be more likely to read these books in particular.

Donate some clothes to Goodwill…

I’ve cleaned out closets the past few weeks and one thing I really need to do is go through my closet and weed out some clothes. There are shirts I am keeping because I’d like to make them into a t-shirt quilt, but I’m not sure that will happen anytime soon.

Order some photos specifically for scrapbooking…

This weekend I finally went through a box I’ve kept of all my stuff from Disney. If you didn’t know, I did a summer project with Cru at Disney World in 2006. So it’s been almost six years and I really need to just do this scrapbook business. I also sorted through some souvenirs for scrapbooking my trip to Sweden and there is also our wedding, the honeymoon, and probably some other fun times I need to catch up on doing. Luckily, I do have a free 25 photos from snapfish to redeem so I’ll probably get this started soon.

I’m sure there are other goals I am forgetting, and I will add them here if I remember them.

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January Goals Revisited

Becca — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 19:48:46 +0000

It’s the end of January, except outside it’s so nice and warm it feels like the end of April. How odd. I’m ready to look back on ~~this month~~ the past two weeks to see how I did. I am hoping to make some more goals for February sometime this week, but first let’s see how I did with January.

Eat healthier…

I actually think I did pretty good with this one. We’ve started buying more produce so I have made a lot of smoothies and cutting down on the processed foods or eating fast food.

Exercise 3 times a week…
This was a major fail. We actually had a talk about exercise this weekend and our goal is going to be to start exercising together. We’re contemplating a gym membership, so maybe that would help us?

Read at least one book for pleasure from January 12-31…

I blew this one out of the water. I read 7 books the past two weeks. I’m sort of amazed by this because I certainly don’t feel like it was that many, but goodreads says so, and I know that’s correct. They were pretty much all library books, so I had deadlines to read them by and school has started now, so this will probably slow down.

Take a picture every day…

This was an easy task, and I’m still going strong.

Add more earrings to my Etsy shop…

Although this didn’t happen this month, I am planning on doing this in the next week, so this will just be moved to my February goals.

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Project 365: Week 4

Becca — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 11:00:23 +0000

Most of this week’s pictures took place in our living room/kitchen area.

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Recipe: Oyster Crackers

Becca — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 11:00:00 +0000

So, did you know I uploaded at least two recipes worth of photos two years ago and then never did the post for them? *hangs head in shame*

This recipe was given to me by mother-in-law Cathy. She has made these a few times and they are soooooo addicting. I apologize for the crappy quality of the photos. These were taken on my old cell phone and let’s just say it wasn’t smart. Also, this was our first apartment together, so this was ages ago!

The ingredients:

16 oz box of oyster crackers
3/4-1 cup salad oil (we used olive oil)
1/4 tsp lemon pepper
1/4 tsp dill weed
1 pkg ranch dressing mix
1/4 tsp garlic powder

First, pre-heat your oven to 350*.

Measure out 3/4-1 cup olive oil

Add 1/4 tsp lemon pepper

Add 1/4 tsp dill weed

Add 1/4 tsp garlic powder

Dump in a whole ranch packet

Now, mix it all together.

Pour the mixture over the oyster crackers, make sure to shake the crackers so it spreads well.

Place them in the oven, making sure to lower the temperature from 350* to 250*. Bake for 20-25 minutes, make sure to toss the crackers at least once.

You can pull them out when they are toasted, be sure to look them cool off before tasting!

Yum! We always have so many crackers and it’s a wonderful way to get a flavorful treat!

Recipe: Oyster Crackers

Recipe type: Snack

Author: Cooks.com

Prep time: 10 mins

Cook time: 25 mins

Total time: 35 mins

Serves: a lot

Oyster crackers, a wonderful snack!

Ingredients

16 oz box of oyster crackers
3/4-1 cup salad oil
1/4 tsp lemon pepper
1/4 tsp dill weed
1 pkg ranch dressing mix
1/4 tsp garlic powder

Instructions

Pre-heat oven to 350*.
Combine all the ingredients, except the oyster crackers in a bowl.
Place the crackers in a shallow pan (such as a baked sheet) and cover them with the mixed ingredients.
Put crackers in oven and turn the oven down to 250*.
Bake for 20-25 minutes, tossing once.

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Vloggin’ in January

Becca — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 23:13:16 +0000

After 6 months of procrastinating… here is a vlog, enjoy!

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Tale as Old as Time

Becca — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 19:07:59 +0000

Before I talk about the movie, I want to transport you back in time. I never saw this movie in theaters back when I was a kid. I’m not exactly sure when I saw the movie or even where, but I always loved it. So much so that I had a Beast Barbie doll. Seriously. The only “Ken” doll I can remember surviving. I didn’t like his long hair, so I shaved him. Oh, and that beast head was awful to get on and off, so I got rid of it too.

I also had the magic mirror, again, seriously. I loved that thing.

So yes, I always liked the animated movie, but there was another version of the story I liked just as much. Oh yes, I LOVED this version as well. You can watch the trailer here.

I told Gray last night that the reason I love this story so much is that I can identify with Belle. Now, I was raised by both parents, but reading was all I had as a kid. I’ve always been a nerd, and I’m pretty sure that’s what my school age classmates could tell you. Reading was my escape from a time where I really had no friends. Belle made reading cool, at least for me. Plus, as much as I wished I could claim red hair, let’s face it, I’m a brunette with red undertones, maybe a really dark auburn, but not enough to count as Ariel.

Anyways, we went to see the movie in 3D last night. I had hemmed and hawed about going to see the movie and then everyone and their brother had seen it and I looked up showtimes, only to realize it’s only in theaters until Thursday. We had a movie gift card from my brother and sister-in-law and hadn’t been able to decide on another movie, so we went.

I absolutely loved it, and bawled like a baby at the end, like I always do.

I’ve really enjoy seeing these “classics” that I never saw in theaters again. We’ve already made plans to go see Titanic in April, because Gray claims he never saw it and DUDE, it’s Titanic!

P.S. – Somewhere around here is the sheet music to “Tale as Old as Time” and I used to play it back in high school… love that song.

P.P.S. – Squee!

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Project 365: Week 3

Becca — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 04:28:15 +0000

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January 2012 Books

Becca — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 15:12:39 +0000

I realize January isn’t over yet, but since one of my goals was to read more for pleasure, I thought I’d share some of the books I’ve read so far. If we aren’t friends on Goodreads, please add me because that’s where I keep track of books I’ve read or want to read.

You may recognize this author, she wrote Something Borrowed, which is now a motion picture. I first heard about her back in 2008, shortly after we were first married and I had a newly acquired library card. I either bought or borrowed the first four books, even “reading” one of them via book on CD. So when I went to activate my new Nashville library card, I chose this as my inaugural read. I don’t want to get into any spoilers, so here is what Goodreads has to say about the book.

“Tessa Russo is the mother of two young children and the wife of a renowned pediatric surgeon. Despite her own mother’s warnings, Tessa has recently given up her career to focus on her family and the pursuit of domestic happiness. From the outside, she seems destined to live a charmed life.

Valerie Anderson is an attorney and single mother to six-year-old Charlie–a boy who has never known his father. After too many disappointments, she has given up on romance–and even to some degree, friendships–believing that it is always safer not to expect too much.

Although both women live in the same Boston suburb, the two have relatively little in common aside from a fierce love for their children. But one night, a tragic accident causes their lives to converge in ways no one could have imagined.”

The best part of Giffin’s books is that her “old” characters usually make guest appearances, something I always loved about Madeleine L’Engle’s books. This book was almost entirely full of new characters, but Teresa’s brother is Dex from the first novel, Something Borrowed, so you get updates on Darcy and Rachel, too.

I gave the book 4/5 stars.

Next up was Heat Wave, which should be familiar to anyone who watches the television show Castle. Castle is one of my favorite crime solving shows, so I figured I’d enjoy this book, which is the book Rick Castle writes on the show. They’ve come out with a few more books, each one corresponding to one he “wrote” on the show. It’s a neat concept.

While I enjoyed the book, it took several days to finally get me through it and I had the title for 3 weeks.

I give this book 3/5 stars.

Ah, a Nicholas Sparks novel. I have a goal to read all of his books. No matter how cookie cutter they are, I love them all. The Choice was no different. I remember someone, I think it was LoLo, asked me once if all of his books are depressing. I would say that the majority can be depressing, but the heart ache is what makes it such a good read, for me at least. I usually cry at least once while reading his books, and not many other authors can say they bring me to tears.

From Goodreads: “Travis Parker has everything a man could want: a good job, loyal friends, even a waterfront home in small-town North Carolina. In full pursuit of the good life — boating, swimming, and regular barbecues with his good-natured buddies — he holds the vague conviction that a serious relationship with a woman would only cramp his style. That is, until Gabby Holland moves in next door. Despite his attempts to be neighborly, the appealing redhead seems to have a chip on her shoulder about him…and the presence of her longtime boyfriend doesn’t help. Despite himself, Travis can’t stop trying to ingratiate himself with his new neighbor, and his persistent efforts lead them both to the doorstep of a journey that neither could have foreseen. Spanning the eventful years of young love, marriage and family, The Choice ultimately confronts us with the most heart wrenching question of all: how far would you go to keep the hope of love alive?”

Well LoLo, I think you might actually enjoy this, even if it is full of heartache.

I gave this book 4/5 stars.

I figure the only other person truly interested in this book is Trina, who probably won’t read this part because she’s afraid of spoilers. I can promise you I’m not going to post any spoilers. Dead Reckoning is book 11 in the Sookie Stackhouse series. The main storyline in this book is that Sam’s bar, Merlotte’s, has been picketed and then attacked, supposedly by people who are against Weres and other supernatural humans. In the vampire world, Eric and Pam are dealing with a new “master” and plotting to kill said master, which of course gets Sookie involved . This was the book I realized Bubba is the Elvis (yes, I am slow sometimes) and was thrilled to see a Romanov vampire. Have I mentioned I am obsessed with the Anastasia stories?

I gave this book 3/5 stars, simply because I felt this book was all over the place with too many story-lines going at once. I’ve also read enough of these books that the twists were not really twists to me, at all.

At first I was hesitant to read this book because earlier Pretty Little Liars books were heavy on the cliffhangers and I would want the next book immediately. Book 10 is actually already out and I believe the next two are coming out within the next 1-2 years, so there isn’t a super long wait for them. Also, the cliffhanger at the end of this book isn’t that bad.

The only bad thing about reading a book series that is a television show is you start to get confused between what happened in the books and what happened in the tv show. I’ve started asking myself, “Is this a book only thing or what?” So, yes, it does get confusing. Plus in the books, they have already revealed two A‘s, while on the television show they are just now going to reveal the identity of A at the end of this current season. I can’t really go into details of the earlier A’s on here, just in case it spoils the books for others, but in Twisted the girls are still recovering from what A did to them in book 8. The problem is, they have another secret, one that is even worse than anything A ever had on them before.

I gave this book 4/5 stars.

Finally, we have what may be my favorite Sookie Stackhouse book ever, A Touch of Dead. Instead of being a full novel, this is a series of short stories that occur between the other books. They include: “Fairy Dust (4.1),” “One Word Answer (4.3),” “Dracula Night (5.1),” “Lucky (7.1),” and “Giftwrap (8.1).”

I wasn’t sure how I would like these, but I ended up loving them. First of all, you get some additional details that add to the other stories, which I always love. Second, these stories are shorter, so you don’t have to build up to 400 pages of a climax before you get the good stuff.

I gave the book 4/5 stars.

So, what are you reading?

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The Sanborns

Lately…

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