Cable or No Cable?

My friend Lisa has been living without cable for two years now. She uses the internet and downloads what shows she would like to watch using uTorrent. I have always been curious about doing this. My Timewarner bill always makes me sick seeing how much it costs. We have like two hundred and eighty channels and we watch maybe ten of them. So finally Reiggin threw out the idea of downgrading to just basic cable and keeping the internet.  We would be using this program called Boxee to watch some of the channels that are not offered with basic cable. We would still have Netflix too which is great.  I was sold on the idea. I won't lie I am a little nervous about going to just basic cable and relying on the internet for my shows. I think it will be something that we both will have to get use too. The money we will save will make it all worth it though.

Ok so I am on day 2 of just basic cable. I have to say that it has not been that much of a change. I say this and think that most my shows are on holiday break. So ask me in January how I am doing.  I have had more time to read my book and play with Virginia. I am still able to follow my morning routine of watching The Early Show and then The Rachael Ray Show. Life is good!

It's Christmas Time!

It is really starting to feel like the holidays. We have our porch fully decorated and a tree all lit up with a few ornaments that we have collected. The delight of my nights is watching ABC Family's 25 Days til Christmas. I love this time of year. It is much more enjoyable now that I don't work in a restaurant. I even love listening to the Christmas music that plays on Pandora.  My Mom's post on Facebook about her and my Dad decorating the tree and their making plans for the annual trip to McAdenville made me think of the Christmas traditions that we had growing up and the traditions that I will be creating with my family now.

For the Fords, it was always tradition for my Dad and Susan to put the lights on the tree. My Mom and I would start putting the ornaments and balls on the tree. Susan would always put a old school picture ornament of her on the top as our angel. Then to finish off, the orange squirrel would find its rightful place on the tree. Don't ask where the orange squirrel came from, but the tree never feels complete until it is on. On Chrismas Eve, we would all pile into the car and drive though McAdenville to see all the Christmas lights. Man, I am going to miss that trip though McAdenville this year.

Now, I think ahead to what kind of traditions I will make with my family. Virginia is getting older and she is starting to enjoy watching the Christmas movies and cartoons with me on TV. She was thrilled watching "Yes, Virginia" the other day. Reiggin helped me decorate the tree as Virginia enjoyed the lights. We have hidden the presents for Virginia in the closet. Which reminded me that every year my parents hid our presents under their bed. I would always go and try to peek in the presents when they were gone by pulling up part of the wrapping paper. I believe they knew. If not, sorry Mom! It is amazing I stayed on Santa's good list. Virginia is no fan of Santa just yet. Reiggin dressed up as Santa for work and Virginia was scared to death. So that trip to see Santa will be postponed.

I just love this time of year and I do try to remember the true meaning behind Christmas that it is more then just the gift giving and dinners with family. But that the most important thing is that Jesus was born. So I would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Also, share with me what traditions you grew up with and what traditions you have started with your family.

Book Club

I had a little wild hair telling me that starting a book club with Lisa Harland would be a great idea. Luckily I didn't pull that wild hair and decided to go for it. The first book we decided to read was The Wednesday Letters by Jason F. Wright.  I was a little worried at first about the book club. Most of you know I am not a big reader. I can't even remember the last book that I have finished. But I was determined to make this book club work. If only to proof some jokers wrong that teased and made jokes about me going to the library.

So I rushed off to the Statesville library, Virginia in tow.  First I had to get  a library card. To be honest libraries always make me a little nervous. They are always so big and finding my way around them sometimes is a challenge.  The ladies at the library were very helpful and I was on my way. I got my book pretty quickly. Then I decided since I was getting a book that I should get Virginia one too.

We made our way downstairs to the children's area.  I some what remember what the Gastonia libraries children's area looked like. But I was truely amazed at the set up that the Statesville Library had. They took up the whole downstairs. There was an area for kids to use computers. Then the best of all they had each section organized by age.  It was very easy for me to find the baby section and find a good first book for Virginia. Her first book was a great Peek A Boo book. Virginia has fallen in love with this kind of book. So when we returned my first book I found a great series called Peek A Boo!

Overall I was very happy and our book club was off to a great start. I rushed home and jumped right into my book. It took me about a week to finish the whole book. It wasn't to long or to short of a book. It made me cry, laugh, and say what? I would recommend this book to anyone. It has a little romance, mystery, and full of emotions. I also enjoyed being able to call Lisa up and discuss with her what was going on in the book. I started reading the book a few days before Lisa. Which was a good thing because I remembered that Lisa is a super fast reader.

Now we are on to our second book which is The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger. I just picked it up from the library yesterday. I read a little last night and so far so good. But I am a little worried at how big this book is. I am sure that it will be ok and that Lisa will keep me motivated though this book.

If you guys have any suggestions on books that we should read, please leave me a comment and tell me the name of the book.

Broiled Herb Butter Chicken

I have been trying to improve my cooking skills lately. So every week I am trying to cook one new dish. Reiggin was closing tonight at Walgreens and I decided to test run a new recipe. I get almost all my recipes off of allrecipes.com. I love this site it is so easy to find what you want. So tonight I tried out the Broiled Herb Butter Chicken. I did make some changes. First instead of using parsley I used oregano. Second instead of using thyme I used garlic salt. Third I added a dash of paprika. Last but not least I used a dash of salt and pepper. I cooked the chicken in 5 minute stages. Each time the 5 minutes were up I turned the chicken over. Man this dish was delicious. I even didn't need to use ranch as a dipping sauce. For all of you that know me that says a lot. The dish was quick to make too. I think I may have spent 20 or 3o minutes total. I also made instant mash potatoes as the side item. I would highly recommend everyone trying this dish.

Of course I will add a picture of the dish as soon as I find my camera cable to transfer the image. Again, I need to improve my organization of my house. What is a blog entry without a photo. So here are a few Christmas photos. I decided to go all out on decorating our porch. Virginia was just a little excited about the Christmas lights. For a nice end a photo of our Christmas tree.

I Am Not My Mother...

I am not my mother. This statement is becoming more and more clear. Now that I am married and have a young child, I am realizing that I am not my mother. I am amazed at how well my mom took care of the household and my sisters and I. I definitely fall short of keeping up with my household. I believe I just lack the motivation. I also find myself occupied with the laptop more then I should be. My mom worked full time and still managed to cook us breakfast and dinner. There was also never a day that our house was so messy that it would be embarrassing for someone to come over. Our house was spotless as far as I can remember. My house now does not come close to being clean every day. I am trying to develop a cleaning routine. I know that if I just do a little cleaning everyday that this will help me keep on top of the mess. My biggest problem is the dishes. Yes, we have no dishwasher. Don't ask me what I was thinking when I agreed to live in a house without a dishwasher. I hate washing dishes, especially the glasses. Here come my excuses. I know that they are lame, but they are mine. First, most days Virginia will not let me clean for hours without wanting to be picked up. Second, the last thing I want to do is clean when Virginia is napping. Third, I am just overwhelmed at how fast my house gets messy. Ok so I know my excuses are bad, but I am determined to become better at being the Great HouseMom. Hopefully one day I can say that I am my mother. To wrap things up here is a super cute video of Virginia taking some of her first steps. You heard right we have a walking baby now.