Weekend Adventure

In an attempt to try to be interesting people and do interesting things, Doug and I went to the International Spy Museum in Washington DC.  We got a great deal on tickets and decided to go for it.  It was tons of fun and I totally recommend it.  We took on secret identities, underwent training, and then went on a top secret mission.  Unfortunately though, they didn't allow photography, so our experience was picture-less.  We got t-shirts and free key chains that say, "Deny Everything."

We walked around for a little while in DC.  I really can't understand why someone would want to live in a city.  I just felt unsafe the whole time.  Maybe I was still in spy mode... We walked to Chinatown which is right around the corner from the Spy Museum and ate had some authentic Chinese food.  (Is it authentic if it's in Chinatown and not China?)  Every single time we ordered something off the menu, she would respond, "Anything else? ...anything else? ...anything else?" in her accent.  My sesame chicken was really good.  Doug's noodily swamp of chicken something or other made my stomach turn just looking at it.

I'm already planning all of things that I am going to do this summer.  I have a to do list on my phone.  Some ideas include staying in a Bed and Breakfast in Berkeley, WV; going camping at New Germany State Park; driving Skyline Drive and going to Luray Caverns; seeing the baby leopards at the National Zoo; and maybe a trip to somewhere outside of the states... I started the paperwork for a passport, not because I have plans, just because I WANT to have plans.  Also included on my to do list is making my house more homey by doing things like painting and maybe buying a few decorative items.  I'm seriously thinking about offering babysitting or tutoring in exchange for someone to tell me how to decorate my house.  That's right... just tell me how to do it.  I'm indecisive and the amount of decisions that I will need to make might kill me.  I just want it done.

I just need to the weather to warm up soon.  Spring, where are you?

Cookie Imposter!

It's that time of year again!  Yes, Girl Scout cookies are being sold at every elementary school, church, and door step in America.  I was surprised to find out that the boxes this year are smaller and more expensive because of increased costs.  Did you know that Girl Scout cookies can be bought for different amounts in different places?  The price can vary anywhere between $2.50 to $4.00 a box depending on the location where they are sold.  Each year I am approached by several students and each year I buy TWO boxes; one box of Samoa cookies from a Girl Scout at church and one from a student in my class.  I was, after all, part of this massive army of cookie selling girls.  Uniform and all.  So I can understand the pressure from the troop to SELL ALL cookies.  It also helps pay for things like Girl Scout Camp, oh the memories...

Each day that I commute with Doug, we treat ourselves to two Samoas a piece during the trip home.  Being the thrifty person that I am, I decided to calculate cost per cookie.  A box of Samoas costs $4.00 here in Northern Virginia and there are 15 cookies (Why such an unfriendly odd number??) in a box of Somoas.  Divide 4 by 15 and you find that each cookie is costing you a little more than a quarter (27 cents to be exact). 

We were at Walmart buying only the necessaries for the week when we stumbled upon these...  They were *surprise* on special during this time of year for $1.98 a box plus tax.  Usually we don't splurge on such items, but we wanted to see if we could tell the difference between a bonifide Samoa Girl Scout cookie and it's recently released imposter "Coconut Dreams."  When I opened them in the car, I was pleasantly surprised to find 18 cookies (bonus points for an even number) inside.  Let do the math.  Divide 2 by 18 and you find that each imposter cookie costs 11 cents! A whopping 16 cents less than a Samoa!

After careful analysis, Doug and I decided on the main differences between the two.  The real Samoa definitely has more crunch to it and uses a darker chocolate.  The Coconut Dream has a milkier chocolate and seems to have a little more caramel.  If you place them side by side, they are the same size and thickness.  Both cookies are also 70 calories a piece.

 

Can you tell the difference?

So the real question is, will I continue to buy ridiculously overpriced Girl Scout cookies each year with these babies on the shelf?

YES, of course!  Have you seen the uniforms they have to wear?

Schedulitis

Define: Schedulitis:

• A disease which primarily affects those on a strict schedule.  It is primarily troublesome for those that were raised in a home setting with no real schedule and have the genetic predisposition to be at least five minutes late to everything.  Positive side effects include having a solid eight hours of sleep a night, getting sick less, and enjoying higher mental functioning.  Negative side effects include waking up before freakin' five o'clock in the morning and not having enough time to fully blow dry hair.

Doug and I started commuting probably about two months ago.  My husband is all about sticking to a schedule.  Something that I never did my whole life before him.  So for all of those that want to know about my extravagantly scheduled life, I will go through my daily schedule because you care...

4:58am - The alarm goes off. (We probably left at 5:32am one day, so it was bumped up.)

5:30am - Pull out of the garage

6:00am - Doug drops me off at my school.  (Only a 30 minute commute!)

...Work for Doug and I...

3:15pm - Doug picks me up. (We're home in 45 minutes to an hour because of traffic.)

4:15pm - Make Dinner/Pack Lunches

5:00pm - Dinner

...Watch a TV show, computer time, reading, or chores...

8:00pm - Read

8:30pm - Lights Out!

It's actually gotten to the point where I wake up about 2 or so minutes before the alarm goes off.  Sometimes this schedule stuff makes me feel crazy.  Like it's against my nature or something.  I wonder if this will change with time or if it will always make me feel this way.  I'm pretty sure that not having a schedule would be against Doug's nature.

Some great things about commuting:

• Extra talking time in the car
• No waiting for the car to heat up in the winter
• Curbside pick-up
• Gas savings/Car maintenance savings
• I don't have to drive.

Not-so-great things about commuting:

• Doug's road rage toward just about any vehicle in front of him.
• Learning to be on time.

Catch Up

New things since I last blogged that may be subjects of future blog posts...

-I take care of a mission blog not connected with this one for my little brother.
-I have a new phone with internet and such that has changed how I do things pretty significantly.
-There are 28 students in my class this year.  (In case you're wondering, that's A LOT!)
-I am team lead this year for the fourth grade team at my school.
-Doug has a new job that he loves and it is closer to home than the last one.
-Doug's grandma was diagnosed with cancer and is going through chemo right now.
-We carved some pretty cool pumpkins this last Halloween.
-Doug took up the hobby of shooting and I have now fired a real gun.
-We went to Utah over Christmas break.
-My sister Kierstan is pregnant.
-Doug and I started commuting to work together at least three days a week.
-I cook dinner almost every night now.
-We both gained 15 pounds.
-There are vegetables in my refrigerator and a treadmill in the basement now.
-I finally got in and organized Doug's closet!
-I've drawn up plans to finish the basement of our house.
-My sister Kate is finally coming back home from Hawaii.
-I have a new calling at church in the nursery, but for now I'm helping in Sunbeams.

That is all.