How a Non TV Family Ended up with a BIG Screen TV

Our day went a bit catty-wampus. We have been considering our entertainment options since we moved into the house.  We had thought we'd use the family room as a family room - but it's really  more of CoRielle's living room. We don't want to be down there waking up baby S with our games and movies. We were looking ahead to Mom and Dad living in the basement apartment - or renting it out as the case may be...so we decided it was wise to put our "stuff" upstairs from the beginning.

We really have no wall big enough upstairs for our previous movie screen which is 8ft 6 in x 6 ft 2 in.  We researched a pull down screen. We've been unimpressed with the hours of life in the projectors we've purchased. We tend to replace them (or wish we could) about once a year.

However, we've not had a TV in our living room for over 32 years. We've never had cable.  When we considered the prices a flat screen TV was cheaper.....and is rated with 100,000 hours of use as opposed to the average of 5,000 hours for the projects we were researching.

In the end we decided we'd get a TV, not get cable, and treat the TV as a  screen for our movies/Tim Hawkins and Wii. Of course, they tried to sell us the newest X box which has a 4k player on it. Nope.  I got cold feet when Michael looked at the biggest screen which will fit on the wall. We shelved the purchase.

Two things happened to convince me it was a good thing to do....1. Michael shared he wanted the big TV because his vision is getting bad...and we heard this can be Parkinsons related.... 2. It was on sale. ::wink::  It's always about principles vs rules in our home and our principles will remain in place. LOL

To make this happen Michael had to find Jamin at a shooting range and trade vehicles. Then he drove in to Anchorage, purchased it, drove back to the valley and dropped off the TV, and then back to Eagle River to switch cars again.

Meanwhile, we enjoyed the view as the fog finally lifted in our part of the valley. 

They made it back with  a TV in tow...

I desperately needed to go grocery shopping. It was dark and late when we left to go across town to Walmart. I couldn't put it off as Sunday will bring a potluck and an extended family dinner.  When we made it home, I baked a dessert for each of  Sunday's events and headed to bed.

Afternoon/Evening in Anchorage - #WYFF

Woot! Friday. We drove in early and checked out a TV at Best Buy.  We didn't purchase it because it wouldn't fit in our car. We wanted to sleep on the decision just a bit longer! LOL 

We met JaRissa, Jamin and Josiah at Panda Express and then we went to the movies!  

It was fun to have some time with the Eagle River bunch....and we liked the movie. Win/Win. 

Frost

After the fog, or in the midst of the fog, came frost. It is beautiful! 

We were warm and cozy inside, busy with school and Japanese lessons......and gazing out the windows.

 Michael had a swallow test today. They wanted to do a new one and he is having more trouble. They offered a new therapy, for which he now qualifies. He would go in 5 days a week and they would attach electrodes to his neck and give him "mini shocks." The thought being it would strengthen the muscles needed for swallowing.  

He opted to try "traditional swallow" therapy. We'll get that set up for next week.  We are happy to have speech/swallow/cognitive therapy set up with a VA approved source. The saga began with them saying there were none in Alaska. Sort of like we were told there were no Motion Disorder Specialists either. I think it's the first answer one has to push through to find the right resources. 

 If we could only use one of these for a Christmas Tree this year. We want to buy an evergreen and plant it in the yard.....but I was hoping for  bigger than table-top this year and I assume that's all we'll be able to find. We've been looking but having seen any bigger to buy now. 

Even moose poop is pretty when decorated with frost. 

We ended our day with life group and youth group.  Another full Wednesday. 

Fog

So....what is an Alaskan Fall like? This week it was foggy, frosty and snowy.  It was sort of fun to have this sort of fog on Halloween. LOL  The view from the living room was surreal. 

The fog doesn't bother Bella (18 m). She's recently taken to changing her baby's diaper. 

As for Halloween? I bought a huge bag of candy. We had three groups. That's IT. One of the groups was Cory and Arielle - snuck out their door and came around and rang our bell.

The fog lasted four or five days.  I have no idea if this is normal for the area. We'll find out.

Monday Visits

Poor Bella is a bit under the weather 

Josiah came out for a visit with us and Beth.

We enjoyed lazing around, eating and visiting.....Jared and Larissa came out in the evening and brought Roscoe. What a cute puppy!!!! His bread is trained to fight bears - he'll make a great hiking partner for Rissa next spring.

I was sure there would be snow on the ground for Halloween. I remember that always being the case when we were assigned up here....but no snow is in the forecast for tomorrow.

Beth is Here!

 This Sunday (a week ago) was unlike any other. The kids stayed home and Michael and I headed in to the Anchorage airport.  I have two sister friends from college, Beth and Julie. Beth's sweet mama joined Jesus in heaven earlier this month. I longed to see her and hug her neck. Her sweet daughter works for an airline and encouraged her to use the benefits and come see us. So Beth flew in Sunday and left Tuesday. It was a quick visit - but a great visit. It is always refreshing to touch base with Beth.  As it turned out we got bad news on Monday and it was priceless to have Beth on the ground as we sorted it all out.

But FIRST - we picked Beth up. Jared had texted and suggested we meet up. We met up with him, Larissa and Jamin in Eagle River and grabbed a quick bite and some visiting time.

Beth and I spent the rest of the morning afternoon catching up....and prepping for the family dinner.

Tonight we had a potato bar and an earthquake cake. Sounds simple... except I have a hard time doing simple. I tell myself to keep it simple.....Bre said these were the best potatoes ever. Beth and I rock.

Baby S is joining us soon....

 We had teriyaki chicken, beef and broccoli, fajita steak, pulled bbq pork,  onions, peppers and mushrooms, bacon and all the traditional toppings....and Izaak brought steak and mushrooms! YUM - it was good. It was NOT the easy dinner option I envisioned.

Our little warrior 

Jamin led our devotional tonight as we work our way through Philemon

The joy of having family near was enhanced by the joy having Beth join us too. My cup is full!

Earthquake Cake

While I've seen recipes for Earthquake Cakes all over, I found this one at South Your Mouth. You'll want to visit for photos and a traditional and haters recipe as well.  I made this for dinner tonight using a yellow cake mix and a few chocolate chips on top. I've also done with spice cake and no chips on top. 

Chocolate Works - recipe below

INGREDIENTS

1 cup chopped pecans 

2 cups sweetened flaked coconut

1 box chocolate cake mix

Eggs, oil and water for cake mix

1/2 cup butter, melted

1 8-ounce package cream cheese, at room temperature

3 cups powdered sugar

1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

DIRECTIONS

Spray a 13x9 pan with cooking spray. 

Scatter pecans and coconut evenly into pan.

 Prepare cake batter per box's directions and pour over pecans and coconut.

Combine melted butter and cream cheese in a medium-sized bowl,  beat until smooth. Add powdered sugar, one cup at a time, and beat on low until smooth and creamy.

Dollop heaping tablespoons of the cream cheese mixture evenly onto cake batter. 

Sprinkle cake with chocolate chips. 

Bake at 350 degrees for 40-45 minutes or until set. (Mine take longer)