Spinning Heads

I have just been "getting by" in the blogging world. I used to blog so much more! I'm trying to figure out the change. I know I've changed some priorities around, but still. Now, I feel like I'm barely keeping up. We HAVE been busy. I feel like if we aren't running around with our heads cut off, my mind is spinning anyway. I've just got so much stuff running through my head, it's amazing I can sleep at night. First of all, if any of you did not know, we are moving to Gilbert (I won't say exactly where for safety purposes) around the 1st of April. I have packed some boxes but most things you just can't pack til the last minute. The stuff I can pack, I need Shar's help with so we're going to have to shift our errands to the weekday mornings so we have Saturday's at home. I know I can't do much now, but I don't want to be completely overwhelmed the week of the move. As I pack, we have been making DI runs. In the process of that I have found excellent buys there which I'll post in the near future. With the move, we are selling our washer/dryer, fridge, and odds and ends including a blow-up pool, comforter, stroller, interior paint, and our Samsung cell phones. All of those things either are or will be on Craigslist in the near future. We will be getting rid of our cell phones and service and trying this out instead http://www.magicjack.com/

You can't beat phone service for 20 bucks a YEAR!!

Meanwhile I've already sold a few things. One thing I know is I majorly de-junk before every move! The place we will move into has washer/dryer and fridge so that's why we're selling those. I made myself a deal that if I sell those for decent prices I am allowed to buy myself one of these

I have had my thoughts and focus on Food Storage and Self Reliance for some time now (btw, did anyone read this month's Ensign...AMAZING!) and I am creating monthly goals, meaning one goal per month that revolves around getting prepared, for instance my March Goal is to accumulate all the water my family needs for our 72 hr. kits. (12 gallons) Little by little. I didn't want to make the whole kit my goal, I don't want to get overwhelmed, these goals should be easy to complete and whatever I do on top of my goal that particular month is a plus. I really loved the Ensign because so much of it was on self reliance. I am on a big kick of that. I am determined to weine myself away from the Grocery store as much as possible. This includes making my own foods as much as I can. I am not trying to save money with this. I am trying to learn so that I can rely on myself and not feel like I'm enslaved to the grocery store. It will give all of us more peace of mind if we will try to do this. I am starting right now to make my own jam, bread, tortillas, and butter. I will buy what I have to buy from the store, but I want to learn how to do all of this so in the future when we all have to, I can focus my learning on other stuff that will need to be dealt with. This year I am hoping to purchase a Bosch, my own wheat grinder, and a pressure canner, right along with my food and water. All of this occupies my mind like you wouldn't believe and it consumes it. I guess that's why I feel like I'm busy in the head. There's a lot to learn and think about. It's not just a matter of doing it...it's a matter of preparing and planning and doing it right. That takes brain power! I am loving life right now though. The changes that I've subconsciously and consciously made this year are so great. I'm really happy with myself right now. I'm just really happy period. It's really amazing. I just feel so much peace, and an apathy towards anything that isn't essential, and that feels SO GREAT!

By the way, I am loving Primary! We are teaching the 4 year olds...the very basics of the Gospel. I fee like even I am learning!

Lastly, our lives are that much more crazy because we are working on my goal of having a date at least once a month. We have always wanted to date but never have. Now, 4 years and 2 kids later, we are making it a priority (see what I mean about priority changes?) We've been on one date so far this year and are planning our next. It is a wonderful thing to look forward to and it gives you a little R&R! I have a surprise planned for Sharrid, hopefully happening this Saturday night but I'll post about it after the fact! He's gonna love it! Think: authentic Brazilian food!