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Post by beaglemom on Apr 10, 2018 4:05:05 GMT
There is a house coming soon on Zillow that I'm watching to see what happens with it. 2 bedroom, 1 bath, 670 sqft. 1.99 million.
Fingers crossed the market stays hot another couple months. We are hoping to put our old house on the market in May.
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Post by beaglemom on Apr 9, 2018 21:28:55 GMT
They are also dimmable, so you can ask Google to turn them on to 50% or 10% or 100%. So nice!!
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Post by beaglemom on Apr 9, 2018 21:27:59 GMT
I would need to look up what they are called but dh is in the process of replacing all the switches in our new house. They are awesome, they can be controlled via a button on the switch, with google home, or via the app. I love that I can be sitting in bed and say " okay Google turn off the master lights," and they turn off. Or that I can ask Google to turn on the kitchen lights when I'm coming in from the garage with my hands full. Dh also set up times for the outside lights to turn on and off and they are also controlled from Google and the app, which is nice because the only switches are in the garage for some of them.
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Post by beaglemom on Apr 5, 2018 5:17:57 GMT
Smitten Kitchen Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake with this chocolate frosting. I use the peanut butter between the layers and the chocolate on the outside. Freezing the layers makes a huge difference because they are so moist. I freeze them, frost the layers, freeze again, crumb layer (light frosting layer over the outside), and then freeze again and then frost again.
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Post by beaglemom on Apr 4, 2018 20:26:51 GMT
My parents bought their home in the late 70's and are still living in it. It was originally built in the 50's, but in the mid90's they did a major gut and remodel and essentially redid the entire house. I don't see them leaving any time soon. It is their retirement...they paid about $100,000 for it and it is now worth $3-4 million.
I lived there till college, then married dh right after college and we lived in a condo for 2 years. Then moved into our first home - which at the time we thought it would be where we would be for the long term. 10 years to the day that we closed on it we moved into our current home. I think that we will do some remodeling at some point - there is an unfinished basement that we could turn into 1 or 2 more floors if we wanted to - the house is built on a hillside. After that, I don't see us moving any time in the near future. My parents are 20 minutes away, my inlaws are 12 minutes away, my sister and her dh just moved back to the area as well. So there is no draw to go anywhere else. We are in a fantastic school district, we have great neighbors, we have 5 acres (which is very rare in the Bay Area), and if we wanted to move closer to either set of parents we would lose at least half of our square footage and be on less than a half acre and probably have to spend another million or two to get something close to what we have now. Plus the move is still fresh (and I was 30 weeks pregnant) and I don't want to do that again any time soon!
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Post by beaglemom on Mar 25, 2018 4:00:33 GMT
My kids are little - 7, 5, 2, newborn - I've been picking up little things for their baskets for a couple weeks now. It's hard because we have birthdays March 17, 23, & 25. So I held back some small presents. And I did a big Sees candy run today. I decided less candy, but higher quality! A couple years ago target had bags of eggs by color. I got pink for oldest dd, green for oldest ds, blue for little ds, little dd just arrived a week ago so I have a year to find eggs for her, I'll probably look for purple for her. That way they have the same number of eggs and I can put specific things in their eggs because they know to just look for their color (at least with the older two).
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Post by beaglemom on Mar 25, 2018 3:42:20 GMT
meganfornebraska.com/I'm in California, but I donated to her campaign and got a lovely handwritten thank you note.
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Post by beaglemom on Mar 25, 2018 3:40:16 GMT
I donated to princesslasertrons campaign for Nebraska legislature. meganfornebraska.com/. So fun seeing an old pea doing amazing things! |
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Post by beaglemom on Mar 23, 2018 1:16:18 GMT
I love this one!! Home I would turn the horse barn into a craft studio. |
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Post by beaglemom on Mar 23, 2018 1:04:00 GMT
Sooo glad you loved it ! I love when you find a new recipe that everyone loves. Also meant to mention, you can adjust the amount of raisins up or down. We think one cup works out perfect. I ended up using a dried berry mix that I found at the grocery store (I have a little one that doesn't like raisins). It had cherries, raspberries, blueberries, and strawberries in it....so yummy! I want to try it with currants next! |
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Post by beaglemom on Mar 21, 2018 18:05:40 GMT
Ok beaglemom, here you go. It’s soooo easy !!! IRISH SODA BREAD......... 3 Cups Flour 1/4 Cup Sugar 1 Tsp Baking Powder 1 Beaten Egg 1 Tsp of Baking Soda mixed into 1 1/2 Cups of Buttermilk 1 Cup Raisins * Preheat oven to 350. * Mix all ingredients (EXCEPT RAISINS) together, in the order above. * Now mix-in raisins. * Now plop it into a round cake pan; don’t spread-out - just leave it however it lands in pan. * With a sharp knife, start to cut a “+” (plus sign) in top, just enough that the dough starts to look like 4 pieces. * Sprinkle the top with a light dusting of flour. * Bake 40 minutes @350. * Let cool 15 minutes before transferring to wire rack to finish cooling. I LOVE it with butter; some eat it plain. You can toast it too, awesome ! SLAINTE ! This was amazing!!! Huge hit with everyone and I will be making it year round! |
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Post by beaglemom on Mar 21, 2018 2:34:50 GMT
I think it's a huge deal, especially since there has been so much other turnover!
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Post by beaglemom on Mar 20, 2018 18:38:49 GMT
It was for sale for a long time! Growing up it was white, the current colors are interesting. I actually just commented to dh recently that they had done new landscaping. It's an icon for sure!
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Post by beaglemom on Mar 17, 2018 2:45:13 GMT
Ok beaglemom, here you go. It’s soooo easy !!! IRISH SODA BREAD......... 3 Cups Flour 1/4 Cup Sugar 1 Tsp Baking Powder 1 Beaten Egg 1 Tsp of Baking Soda mixed into 1 1/2 Cups of Buttermilk 1 Cup Raisins * Preheat oven to 350. * Mix all ingredients (EXCEPT RAISINS) together, in the order above. * Now mix-in raisins. * Now plop it into a round cake pan; don’t spread-out - just leave it however it lands in pan. * With a sharp knife, start to cut a “+” (plus sign) in top, just enough that the dough starts to look like 4 pieces. * Sprinkle the top with a light dusting of flour. * Bake 40 minutes @350. * Let cool 15 minutes before transferring to wire rack to finish cooling. I LOVE it with butter; some eat it plain. You can toast it too, awesome ! SLAINTE ! Thank you, thank you! It's in the oven! |
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Post by beaglemom on Mar 16, 2018 0:47:21 GMT
Okay I need some of these recipes! Sautéed garlic ginger shredded brussel sprouts Homemade Irish Soda Bread mint chocolate chip pie with Oreo cookie crust, hot fudge and whipped cream Colcannon which elevates both potatoes and cabbage |
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Post by beaglemom on Mar 14, 2018 5:53:25 GMT
I really need a new phone. I just hate the thought of dropping $800+ on it. Plus I love my android but everyone says I need an iPhone and all of our computers are Apple The other thing I'm missing on my Android phone is FaceTime. Why isn't there an app to make that work on Android?  I'm a die hard Mac fan. Mr dad worked for them in the early years and I love my Mac book pro and my iPad. That being said, I'm Android phone all the way. Originally it was because you couldn't get iphones on our provider. Now it's that we use Google for everything and there are a number of apps I love that aren't on Apple. If you have other Apple devices use then for FaceTime. Or get everyone to use Google hangouts video chat. The purchase that I'm putting off. A new washer and dryer. I can't decide between a speed queen set or two stacked sets of front loaders. We moved in December and the dryer at the new house doesn't work correctly and baby #4 will be arriving by Saturday. So having a dryer that cooperates would be really, really nice. |
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Post by beaglemom on Mar 14, 2018 4:38:03 GMT
Fabric Fabric Fabric More fabric This would be me. In our old house I had lots of places to store (hide) it. Then we moved. The new house is 1,000 sqft smaller. Way better layout and really does work better for us. But the 1,000 we lost - that was where my fabric, scrapbook stuff, and books were. They are now in the garage. I was good for a little bit on not buying anymore unless it was to finish something. And then a bunch of the custom knit groups I'm on had amazingness (that won't arrive for 10-14 weeks) on preorder. And another favorite wovens group was having a great sale. I mostly just sew for dd (she'll be 7 next week), thankfully we have another baby girl arriving hopefully on Saturday (I really want a St. Patrick's Day baby). So I'll have another girl to sew for. My 5-year-old ds keeps asking me to sew for him, but girly floral fabric is so much more fun! |
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Post by beaglemom on Mar 8, 2018 17:47:40 GMT
Santa Clara has an incredible aquatics program! I am sure it is more than worth the money. I was on De Anza's club swim team (20 years ago) and Santa Clara was a power house. I am sure that there is probably something through Stanford club sports as well. In the Bay Area there are a number of great aquatic programs and I am sure you could find a very strong driving club team. I went to Homestead and we had at least one boy and one girl diver my year that went on to compete in college. I don't remember where they did club diving.
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Post by beaglemom on Mar 7, 2018 4:21:35 GMT
I have a BA in Philosophy and an MA in elementary education and a teaching credential.
I would love to go back and get a MA in Library Science and become a children's librarian. But those jobs are very few and hard to find and don't pay well.
I would also be interested in an AA in Custom Dressmaking/Small Business and/or Theater Costuming (both offered at our local community college). I started sewing for my daughter a couple years ago and I would love to learn more and gain more skills in it. Maybe have my own online site or just sell at local shows.
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Post by beaglemom on Mar 5, 2018 21:16:29 GMT
We did that! I love that I can throw them in a hot wash with bleach and they come out looking brand new. I honestly bought the ones that were at Costco. Hand towels, washcloths, bath towels, and bath sheets. Love it!
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Post by beaglemom on Feb 27, 2018 20:51:02 GMT
We've been annual pass holders the last two years. I want to love the Grand Californian, but I don't. The hotel is beautiful and it is awesome having access right into California Adventure. And the last time we went it was great because we had a little one that needed to go back for naps. That being said, I think it is WAY overpriced. You can stay at the Disneyland hotel at times for half the price and I personally like the rooms better at the Disneyland hotel. I think they are slightly bigger and nicer. But I know construction is going on or about to so that might make things harder. The walk from Paradise Pier and Disneyland hotel isn't bad. The pool at Paradise pier was disappointing, but LOVE the one at the Disneyland hotel.
With older kids I think that you will get a lot more for your money staying at either Disneyland Hotel or Paradise Pier. I have a fabulous disney travel agent if you need help with booking. She checks on your reservation all the way to check in to make sure you are getting the best prices.
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Post by beaglemom on Feb 21, 2018 23:01:33 GMT
It looks really nice! I would never have thought you were wearing something!
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Post by beaglemom on Feb 18, 2018 5:35:40 GMT
I totally get the wanting names for the chilis. But as someone who has done a bunch of them I would be at a loss as to what to call mine. I would just assign each chili a number when someone arrives with it and have however many you are expecting numbered out on the ballot. We have always done the chilis as a blind tasting, so the winner really is the best chili.
Have fun! I love chili cook offs!
Oh and for dessert, have a dozen or so cookies or cupcakes in addition and you should be good!
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Post by beaglemom on Feb 17, 2018 19:51:01 GMT
Yup! I have one that I am trying to nip in the bud right now. Oral herpes is usually Type 1 and genital is type 2. When I had my first really bad attack I was told by my doctor that something like 67% of people carry the virus. I get them when I am stressed or haven't gotten enough sleep. I got to the point after my first child that I take 1 Valtrex daily to prevent attacks, I still get them sometimes, but not as bad. When I do get them I take 2 pills twice a day for 2 days and that usually kills it pretty quick. At the moment I am 36 weeks pregnant with baby #4, we moved 2 months ago and I am still trying to get us unpacked, we are about to put our old house on the market, and dealing with gestational diabetes for the first time. So just a little stress!
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Post by beaglemom on Feb 17, 2018 19:42:19 GMT
I'm usually the youngest. I'm 35. My kids are 6, 5, 2, and due in 4 weeks. Most of the parents with kids in their classes are late 30's-early 50's. I have been in a book club since I was 26 that I am younger than the youngest of any of their kids - they are all mid 60's - mid 80's. Dh is 5 years older and his oldest sister is 10 years older than me. While I get good advice, there are often references to things that I don't know - culturally, since I wasn't born yet!
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Post by beaglemom on Feb 13, 2018 4:52:54 GMT
The incentives aren't nearly as good as 5+ years ago when we looked into it. Snow and rain is a total non-issue - hail depends on just how severe. The biggest question is if you have a a good roof simple roof with southern exposure. Our roof is primarily east/west facing with the added issue of tons of breaks/elevation changes/bays etc. We just couldn't get the square footage of panels to justify it. Our friends decided to use ground units - but I just didn't want to go that direction. I'm waiting for the Tesla roof tiles - I figure by the time I need to replace my roof they will have driven down the costs. I want the Telsa slate tiles! We just bought a new house and need to have it checked to see what our solar prospects are. Our last house we didn't get enough sun, but I am pretty sure this new house we do. Plus the slate roof we have is super fragile! |
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Post by beaglemom on Feb 10, 2018 2:34:23 GMT
No advice...but I would love the recipe!
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Post by beaglemom on Feb 10, 2018 2:28:50 GMT
NOOO!!! We are huge margarita fans. Dh make the most amazing ones...and I'm 35 weeks pregnant and counting down till I can have one! Thankfully we have a pretty good stash. But I think I might order some more of the good stuff to make sure we have it! We are big fans of Sauza Tres Generaciones and Reserva de la Familia - and since they are made by Sauza and Cuervo it looks like we might have a problem! And since tres quatro cinco is on sale I might need to splurge and buy dh a bottle for Valentine's day. He had it the last time we were in Cabo - served as a sipping drink (like Cognac) and thought it was pretty amazing. |
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Post by beaglemom on Feb 9, 2018 2:42:33 GMT
A couple years ago we had family that had purchased flights from Denver to Cabo months in advance and a week or two before travel the flights were canceled. They were crazy, crazy expensive to replace and they lost a couple days of time in Cabo. But since the flights are generally pretty darn cheap they still fly them often. I avoid them if at all possible.
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Post by beaglemom on Feb 7, 2018 2:12:53 GMT
All the lines of volunteering: I make cupcakes for bake sales , and cupcakes/cake for birthday parties for the group my daughter was involved in. I have been doing this for free almost ten years. I laugh that I have been with this group longer than my daughter. But this year? I have just had it with them, after a new girl sent me a text, meg, remember to bring the cupcakes today. I think the problem only one girl knows me in the group and to the rest, I am just the crazy lady that shows up with cake. I was going to do this for one more year, but I feel ready to be done with them. But then I will feel guilty because they will nearly a grand if I quit. The big problem is none of the other mothers/ dads are going to step in to take over. I'm worried this is going to become me. We have an overzealous mom in my daughter's grade, she is very nice and very civically minded. But she is a bit much. First, she tried to get our girl scout troop (which her daughter is in) to run a bake sale to raise money for a cause she is passionate about, then it became that the parents would sell girl scout cookies (while the girls were in school) to raise money for it. Once we squashed the girl scouts doing it - totally not related to girl scouts stuff. She then sent out an email to all the parents in the grade trying to get a bake sale organized to raise money for it. There has been very little if any response to her email. So I get a text today asking if 10 1st grade girls can come bake at my house next Tuesday after school. I'm 35 weeks pregnant and I have 3 kids already. But of course, she talked to my daughter about it first and got her all excited and it is close to her birthday. So I said okay...but I need more details. I need to know that other parents will be there and I am going to need help, I can't do it by myself. Wishing I had given her a big fat no when she first mentioned it a couple months ago. |
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