Any of you fellow bloggers out there ever used the 'Monetize' option for your blog before? I finally clicked on it in my dashboard yesterday to see what it was, and it turns out that advertisers will pay you for allowing them to put an add on the sidebar of your blog. It doesn't show how much they pay per click or per advertisement, so I was wondering if anybody else knew the secrets. It seems kinda silly not to do it, considering its all for free and you don't have to do anything extra for it, but it could be just a waste of blogspace too. Any thoughts?
P.S. For a real read-worthy post, look below...:)
Monday, March 30, 2009
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Whew!!
Sorry it's been so long everybody! We have been a couple of seriously MOBILE people these last couple days! We got home for about 3 hours on Wednesday, then unpacked to repack and got back on the road to drive to Myrtle Beach to see the in-laws. Luckily, both his mom and dad had a day off while we were there so we got to spend some good time with them. We went to a couple of seafood restaurants right on the beach (which I don't appreciate nearly as much as Chad does, since he actually LIKES seafood. I, on the other hand, loathe not just the taste, but even the smell of the nasty fishies. Needless to say, I'm a steak & chicken orderer at these places.) It's still nice to sit and look out at the ocean while you're eating though, so I appreciate that part. We went window shopping, played some Monopoly & Spades, and just kinda hung out the rest of the time. Nothing too exciting, but a good weekend with the fam.
Seems like God has been taking quite a few showers over a lot of us. Texas got some rain & some snow if I'm not mistaken and both North and South Carolina seemed to have been soaked pretty good recently. The rain is always nice and refreshing. We got to see a nice lightning storm in MB on Friday night while we were eating at Texas Roadhouse. Then we got wet running to the car. Ha.
We are finally back into our own house, which is still only 15 percent full. Majority of our stuff as you know is in storage and PACKED in there. We have now had our house on the market for about 7 weeks and it hasn't been shown to even one person...quite frustrating, but it looks pretty in here. :) We considered going into the storage unit this evening to pull out some of our pots and pans, maybe some plates and bowls, and our router to get the Internet set up tomorrow, but all of that fell through when we realized how much of a hassle all of that would have been. Instead, we Wal-Marted it up and bought some really cheap replacements for temporary use. I feel like a college student all over again, ha. Byebye Calphalon and hello cheapo-brand. Oh well, it'll only be this way for a little while, right?
Chad got some deployment news from work the other day. Looks like they might send him in May instead of June (don't know which part of the month yet) and that they will be going to Germany, which is way cooler than the alternative. Also, it may be a two monther which would be A-MAZING. If he has to go, I would like it to be for half the time! So, we'll see how all of that works out. As you know by my many venting blogs, you never know something for sure in the AF until it's already happened, so I'll keep you updated. I guess that's all I got for now!
P.S. You like how I created my own words with -er and -ed at the end throughout this post. My English teachers would be so proud...Ha.
Seems like God has been taking quite a few showers over a lot of us. Texas got some rain & some snow if I'm not mistaken and both North and South Carolina seemed to have been soaked pretty good recently. The rain is always nice and refreshing. We got to see a nice lightning storm in MB on Friday night while we were eating at Texas Roadhouse. Then we got wet running to the car. Ha.
We are finally back into our own house, which is still only 15 percent full. Majority of our stuff as you know is in storage and PACKED in there. We have now had our house on the market for about 7 weeks and it hasn't been shown to even one person...quite frustrating, but it looks pretty in here. :) We considered going into the storage unit this evening to pull out some of our pots and pans, maybe some plates and bowls, and our router to get the Internet set up tomorrow, but all of that fell through when we realized how much of a hassle all of that would have been. Instead, we Wal-Marted it up and bought some really cheap replacements for temporary use. I feel like a college student all over again, ha. Byebye Calphalon and hello cheapo-brand. Oh well, it'll only be this way for a little while, right?
Chad got some deployment news from work the other day. Looks like they might send him in May instead of June (don't know which part of the month yet) and that they will be going to Germany, which is way cooler than the alternative. Also, it may be a two monther which would be A-MAZING. If he has to go, I would like it to be for half the time! So, we'll see how all of that works out. As you know by my many venting blogs, you never know something for sure in the AF until it's already happened, so I'll keep you updated. I guess that's all I got for now!
P.S. You like how I created my own words with -er and -ed at the end throughout this post. My English teachers would be so proud...Ha.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Snow Skiing in March...who woulda thought?!
Chad & I drove 11 1/2 hours yesterday from Little Rock, AR to Blowing Rock, NC (lots of 'rocks' out there I guess). We came here because there is ONE ski slope that is still in use this time of year. Believe it or not, we went snow skiing today...in North Carolina of all places! Kinda crazy! :)
This was our first snow skiing experience together so it was super-fun! It was the weirdest thing. We drove up to the mountain, not seeing a flake of snow or any remnants of there ever being any snowfall the whole way up. Even pulling into the parking lot we were wondering if we had made the drive for no reason at all. Then, we turned around and there it was. It was crazy, but there was actually a snow-covered mountain with about 10 runs and 4 lifts still open. It was awesome.
I have only been snow skiing once before today. I was 15 and on a church ski trip my freshman year. That experience started out all peachy-keen, but on my last run down the mt., a kid got in my way and to miss him, I turned and heard my knee pop...then I went down and hit the snow. That knee injury is what ended my 12-year and counting soccer career. It was a sad, sad time. But, I hung in there and didn't let it take me out of my second love which was volleyball, so it was all good. Needless to say, snow skiing hasn't always been the most positive of topics, ha. But, I was totally ready to get back on the horse and try it again. That's how we got here and I'm so glad we came!
Based upon a suggestion by my best friend, Elya (who was there with me the first time when I got hurt and I realized how badly I sucked at skiing), I decided to try out the newest thing to ski on called Snow Blades. They are exactly what they sound like. Shorter skis in which you don't need any poles and you feel as though you are 'blading' instead of skiing. Well, it definitely still feels like you're skiing, but it was super-fun! Chad went with the usual ski and pole combo. It was his 7th or 8th time to go skiing, so he was a bit less reserved than me going down the hills. It was a great time! We even got a bit of sun on our very pale faces! haha.
Here are some pics:
The cutest little Italian Restaurant called Pssghetti's...it was delicioso! :)
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Sex & the City...
I will admit that I never thought this show would be something I was interested in. I, until today, had managed to never see even 1 episode. I guess it's one of those shows that you don't just want to jump in to without knowing the background to the characters and what's REALLY going on, so I avoided it anytime it was on TBS or whatever channel it is that plays all the re-runs these days.
Well, no longer can I claim to be a Sex & the City virgin. Cassandra has the entire dvd collection and showed it to me the other day before she went to work. She said, and I quote, "Ohhh Kelly...seriously, once you start you won't be able to stop." And now, after watching the entire first season this morning, I sit here, trying to decide if I should be a TOTAL couch potato for the remainder of the day and continue on with season 2. I guess this is what happens when your husband is gone all day and you have absolutely nothing else to do.
On that note, I believe I'm gonna go load the machine...season 2 here I come. :)
Well, no longer can I claim to be a Sex & the City virgin. Cassandra has the entire dvd collection and showed it to me the other day before she went to work. She said, and I quote, "Ohhh Kelly...seriously, once you start you won't be able to stop." And now, after watching the entire first season this morning, I sit here, trying to decide if I should be a TOTAL couch potato for the remainder of the day and continue on with season 2. I guess this is what happens when your husband is gone all day and you have absolutely nothing else to do.
On that note, I believe I'm gonna go load the machine...season 2 here I come. :)
Thursday, March 19, 2009
The end of Nomadism...
Well, at least we hope it comes soon. By nomadism, for those of you who don't know, I am referring to the fact that the hubs and I have been in Arkansas for Chad's training for a few days over 3 months now. A program that is supposed to take 6-8 weeks to complete has doubled itself in complication and length. UGGGHH!
When we got to AR, we were living with our friend Shannon whom Chad has lived with before (as just a roommate, of course). We were happy there and are very thankful for her hospitality and for opening her house up to us. And, a couple weeks ago we decided to move into Cassandra's house to give her some company and to make more room in Shannon's house for a new resident.
It's been great being able to live with all of the comforts of home that both houses have offered us. But after 3 months of living out of a suitcase, you get quite tired of it. I am a person who lets my clothes explode out of their bags and then it just looks like a disaster at all times. Then things wrinkle, you can't tell what's really clean or dirty, and the thing you really want to get to is always at the very bottom. It never fails. So, needless to say, we are ready to be home and back in our own house. Understandable, I know.
Chad has one more flight tomorrow in which he has to get ONE more event done to finish out his upgrade checklist (yay). Assuming everything goes smoothly on that flight, he should have his last flight (what they call a "check ride") on Saturday. Opening us up to leave this Natural State of AR come Sunday, or Monday...whichever day they let us. YAY! :)
We were really hoping to maybe get to stop in the mountains of NC to see and maybe ski on some snow on our trek home. I haven't been snow skiing since I was 15...and folks, that was 9 years ago. Sad day. So, we will just have to play it all by ear and see how things work out. If we don't get out of here soon, there won't be ANY snow to speak of at all!
Wish us luck! :)
When we got to AR, we were living with our friend Shannon whom Chad has lived with before (as just a roommate, of course). We were happy there and are very thankful for her hospitality and for opening her house up to us. And, a couple weeks ago we decided to move into Cassandra's house to give her some company and to make more room in Shannon's house for a new resident.
It's been great being able to live with all of the comforts of home that both houses have offered us. But after 3 months of living out of a suitcase, you get quite tired of it. I am a person who lets my clothes explode out of their bags and then it just looks like a disaster at all times. Then things wrinkle, you can't tell what's really clean or dirty, and the thing you really want to get to is always at the very bottom. It never fails. So, needless to say, we are ready to be home and back in our own house. Understandable, I know.
Chad has one more flight tomorrow in which he has to get ONE more event done to finish out his upgrade checklist (yay). Assuming everything goes smoothly on that flight, he should have his last flight (what they call a "check ride") on Saturday. Opening us up to leave this Natural State of AR come Sunday, or Monday...whichever day they let us. YAY! :)
We were really hoping to maybe get to stop in the mountains of NC to see and maybe ski on some snow on our trek home. I haven't been snow skiing since I was 15...and folks, that was 9 years ago. Sad day. So, we will just have to play it all by ear and see how things work out. If we don't get out of here soon, there won't be ANY snow to speak of at all!
Wish us luck! :)
Sunday, March 15, 2009
"The Shack" by William Young...
I am a little embarrassed that this is a big deal to me, but still proud of myself all the same. I actually started and finished reading a book in about 2 weeks time. Let me explain myself a little further (for those of you who just snickered to yourselves after me saying that).
I, Kelly Sellers, do not particularly appreciate or look forward to the act of reading...especially for pleasure. Although, in my latest years, I have become more open to learning what 'reading for pleasure' truly means. There are only a handful of books that I can think of that I've read which really captivated me and kept me wanting more. And, I've figured out that that kind of reoccurring draw is what is necessary in a book to get me to pick the thing up again. If there isn't any mystery or exciting events happening, I'm probably not continuing the adventure. Sorry, but that's just how I am.
Well, for Valentine's Day I got my husband a book called "The Shack". I will admit that I bought it for him knowing that I would also be reading it, so call me selfish if you want. :) But anyways, we were told by the crazy people that we got sat with on our last cruise that it was a must-read, so we picked it up at Barnes & Noble one day and decided it was something that looked interesting. So, we bought it to give it a try. Well, it was $16 there, and $10.50 at Wal-Mart...so that's where I got it from. Ha...I win. :)
I started the book soon after V-Day and finished it on my trip to Texas a couple weeks ago. I won't go into too much detail about it just in case you pick it up off the shelves for own reading pleasure (which you should...it's VERY interesting), but I would like to express how much I enjoyed reading it. For those of you out there who are regulars at this mind-drifting, nose-in-a-book, creativity seeking stuff; this book is for YOU.
To be as vague as possible (for your sake), the book is about a man who faces a tragedy and is brought back to the place in which the tragedy happens years later by God, whom he lovingly refers to as 'Papa' throughout the whole book (So fabulously endearing...*sigh). While he's there, God shows him several examples of what He really wants from us as his children and the author really takes a different spin on so many of the things that we grew up learning about in Sunday School and church. Some may say it's a slightly controversial book, but for me, being the open-minded person I am, I truly enjoyed the creative approaches the author took in his portrayal of what a true meeting with God would be like. You feel like you become even closer to God through this book, even though you know it's fiction..........(or is it?). :)
Anyways, I just wanted to share my good reading experience with you all and encourage you to pick it up and enjoy it, too. It's a good warm and fuzzy & I would love to hear what you think (or thought) about it if you read (or have already read) it. Cuz good things are meant to be shared...and everyone needs to have their own meeting with Papa. :)
I, Kelly Sellers, do not particularly appreciate or look forward to the act of reading...especially for pleasure. Although, in my latest years, I have become more open to learning what 'reading for pleasure' truly means. There are only a handful of books that I can think of that I've read which really captivated me and kept me wanting more. And, I've figured out that that kind of reoccurring draw is what is necessary in a book to get me to pick the thing up again. If there isn't any mystery or exciting events happening, I'm probably not continuing the adventure. Sorry, but that's just how I am.
Well, for Valentine's Day I got my husband a book called "The Shack". I will admit that I bought it for him knowing that I would also be reading it, so call me selfish if you want. :) But anyways, we were told by the crazy people that we got sat with on our last cruise that it was a must-read, so we picked it up at Barnes & Noble one day and decided it was something that looked interesting. So, we bought it to give it a try. Well, it was $16 there, and $10.50 at Wal-Mart...so that's where I got it from. Ha...I win. :)
I started the book soon after V-Day and finished it on my trip to Texas a couple weeks ago. I won't go into too much detail about it just in case you pick it up off the shelves for own reading pleasure (which you should...it's VERY interesting), but I would like to express how much I enjoyed reading it. For those of you out there who are regulars at this mind-drifting, nose-in-a-book, creativity seeking stuff; this book is for YOU.
To be as vague as possible (for your sake), the book is about a man who faces a tragedy and is brought back to the place in which the tragedy happens years later by God, whom he lovingly refers to as 'Papa' throughout the whole book (So fabulously endearing...*sigh). While he's there, God shows him several examples of what He really wants from us as his children and the author really takes a different spin on so many of the things that we grew up learning about in Sunday School and church. Some may say it's a slightly controversial book, but for me, being the open-minded person I am, I truly enjoyed the creative approaches the author took in his portrayal of what a true meeting with God would be like. You feel like you become even closer to God through this book, even though you know it's fiction..........(or is it?). :)
Anyways, I just wanted to share my good reading experience with you all and encourage you to pick it up and enjoy it, too. It's a good warm and fuzzy & I would love to hear what you think (or thought) about it if you read (or have already read) it. Cuz good things are meant to be shared...and everyone needs to have their own meeting with Papa. :)
Friday, March 13, 2009
Hubby's Homemade Chili Recipe...
Well, we ate our chili and were very happy 9and full) campers last night. It was, in Rachael Ray terms, "Yummo!". I figured since cold weather is making things yucky pretty much everywhere, it might be nice to share how the hubs gets his chili to be so tasty. Here is the secret (don't tell him I'm telling you :)).
Ingredients:
1 lb. ground beef
2 small cans of tomato sauce
1 can of kidney beans
1 can of diced tomatoes
1 chili packet
1 jalapeno*
1/2 large onion*
(*sliced and if desired)
Instructions:
Brown the beef in a high-sided skillet until pink is gone. Drain the grease. Rinse the kidney beans of the gunk that may be present from the can (that's what he does...don't ask, ha). Add in remaining ingredients and cover for as long as you want it to cook. Pretty darn easy and super-duper tasty.
Extras:
We eat it with a side of French bread for dipping and the occasional shredded cheddar cheese for topping.
A yummy meal for a cruddy and cold day outside! Plus, it keeps well for lunch the next day! Enjoy! :)
Ingredients:
1 lb. ground beef
2 small cans of tomato sauce
1 can of kidney beans
1 can of diced tomatoes
1 chili packet
1 jalapeno*
1/2 large onion*
(*sliced and if desired)
Instructions:
Brown the beef in a high-sided skillet until pink is gone. Drain the grease. Rinse the kidney beans of the gunk that may be present from the can (that's what he does...don't ask, ha). Add in remaining ingredients and cover for as long as you want it to cook. Pretty darn easy and super-duper tasty.
Extras:
We eat it with a side of French bread for dipping and the occasional shredded cheddar cheese for topping.
A yummy meal for a cruddy and cold day outside! Plus, it keeps well for lunch the next day! Enjoy! :)
Thursday, March 12, 2009
NASTY...
It is an U-G-L-Y day outside right now. It's been sleeting since we woke up and is all kinds of dreary. It's nice that the ground is getting wet, but the cold can GO! I know it's like this in most parts today, so I hope everyone is being safe on the roads and what not. Thank GOD for the moisture!
I'm gonna go eat some homemade chili that my hubby was so wonderful to make for me. It's a great day to stay inside! :)
I'm gonna go eat some homemade chili that my hubby was so wonderful to make for me. It's a great day to stay inside! :)
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
K for Kelly...
Scattergories for Kelly (everything must start with a 'K'):
(I stole this from someone cuz I'm bored...feel free to do the same if you wish)
1. Things that float: Kayaks
2. Song with a Person's name in it: Kitty from Kansas City by Rudy Vallee (had to Google that one, sorry)
3. Nicknames for Cities: K*Ville (ya know, like that tv show that went off-air already...a name for part of New Orleans, I think?)
4. Things that come in threes: Kittens
5. Nonverbal gestures/cues: Kisses (mmm)
6. Cold locations: Kreamery (not such a stretch these days with the misspelling)
7. Something you would do for a Klondike bar: Kick a Kangaroo (that's double isn't it?)
8. Things found in Texas: Kites
9. Things on a road trip: Kaleidoscopes (in the car, to keep the kids busy, duh! :))
10. Words associated with kids: Kickers
11. Disney characters: Kanga from Winnie the Pooh
12. Items you collect: Kraft Macaroni & Cheese (uncooked)
Wow...yes, the torture is over. Read the one below if you're bored. No promises that it won't increase your current state. :)
(I stole this from someone cuz I'm bored...feel free to do the same if you wish)
1. Things that float: Kayaks
2. Song with a Person's name in it: Kitty from Kansas City by Rudy Vallee (had to Google that one, sorry)
3. Nicknames for Cities: K*Ville (ya know, like that tv show that went off-air already...a name for part of New Orleans, I think?)
4. Things that come in threes: Kittens
5. Nonverbal gestures/cues: Kisses (mmm)
6. Cold locations: Kreamery (not such a stretch these days with the misspelling)
7. Something you would do for a Klondike bar: Kick a Kangaroo (that's double isn't it?)
8. Things found in Texas: Kites
9. Things on a road trip: Kaleidoscopes (in the car, to keep the kids busy, duh! :))
10. Words associated with kids: Kickers
11. Disney characters: Kanga from Winnie the Pooh
12. Items you collect: Kraft Macaroni & Cheese (uncooked)
Wow...yes, the torture is over. Read the one below if you're bored. No promises that it won't increase your current state. :)
Monday, March 9, 2009
I've fallen off...
Sorry for my absence, everyone. Even though I haven't felt like there's much to write about, there has been quite a few things going on in the last week and a half. So, bullets it is! :)
*I was waiting to post until I uploaded pictures from the wedding, but I'm too lazy and haven't gotten that done yet, so here is my alternative post.
*The wedding was fabulous. I was so glad to be there for Brandi and Derek. They looked beautiful & we had a lot of fun.
*I realized how extremely selfless and dedicated my husband is to me, once again. He drove 9 hours to get to the wedding on time and then turned around a day and a half later to get home in time for work...all by himself. I'll just let you sit there and imagine how painfully boring an 18-hour road trip would be all alone. He's so good to me.
*Chad & I have moved in with Cassandra for the remainder of our time here in AR. It's been fabulous & her queen-size guest bed is fabulous. And, now we get to play with Texas every day. :)
*Dancing with the Stars starts tonight and I'm super-excited! Go Shawn Johnson! I'm gonna go ahead and call it...I think she's going to win & I haven't even seen her dance yet.
*We watched 4 movies this weekend. Talk about LAZY. They were a weird collection: Nights in Rodanthe, My Sassy Girl, Beverly Hills Chihuahua, & Ghost Town. A couple of them were okay, but mostly just a good waste of time.
*I've been working hard on a digital photo book for all of our pictures from 2006 on Walmart.com. I don't know if you have discovered all of the cool stuff you can do through their online photo department, but there's a lot of fun to be had creating things there. If you're a photo freak like me, create a free account and go check things out...I assure you a new addiction will arise.
*I've fallen off of the workout regiment we were on. I've officially become too lazy to care. I don't want to be at this point, so I need to take some good time to fix it and get back on the wagon. Ugh.
*Chad may be done with his upgrade by the end of this week if everything goes smoothly. I guess we will see...
*It's crazy hot like a summer day outside. Maybe I should go out there and try to get a tan! ha.
*I guess that's it for now. I have to go cook dinner. Adios.
*I was waiting to post until I uploaded pictures from the wedding, but I'm too lazy and haven't gotten that done yet, so here is my alternative post.
*The wedding was fabulous. I was so glad to be there for Brandi and Derek. They looked beautiful & we had a lot of fun.
*I realized how extremely selfless and dedicated my husband is to me, once again. He drove 9 hours to get to the wedding on time and then turned around a day and a half later to get home in time for work...all by himself. I'll just let you sit there and imagine how painfully boring an 18-hour road trip would be all alone. He's so good to me.
*Chad & I have moved in with Cassandra for the remainder of our time here in AR. It's been fabulous & her queen-size guest bed is fabulous. And, now we get to play with Texas every day. :)
*Dancing with the Stars starts tonight and I'm super-excited! Go Shawn Johnson! I'm gonna go ahead and call it...I think she's going to win & I haven't even seen her dance yet.
*We watched 4 movies this weekend. Talk about LAZY. They were a weird collection: Nights in Rodanthe, My Sassy Girl, Beverly Hills Chihuahua, & Ghost Town. A couple of them were okay, but mostly just a good waste of time.
*I've been working hard on a digital photo book for all of our pictures from 2006 on Walmart.com. I don't know if you have discovered all of the cool stuff you can do through their online photo department, but there's a lot of fun to be had creating things there. If you're a photo freak like me, create a free account and go check things out...I assure you a new addiction will arise.
*I've fallen off of the workout regiment we were on. I've officially become too lazy to care. I don't want to be at this point, so I need to take some good time to fix it and get back on the wagon. Ugh.
*Chad may be done with his upgrade by the end of this week if everything goes smoothly. I guess we will see...
*It's crazy hot like a summer day outside. Maybe I should go out there and try to get a tan! ha.
*I guess that's it for now. I have to go cook dinner. Adios.
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