Topeka Zoo

Our Young Marrieds church group met for an outing to the zoo today. It was warm, many of the animals were being lazy. Here are a few of the actives.




The highlight of the day was the orangutans. Water was spraying on them from outside the fence and they were very entertaining!

After dark

I'm a 'city girl'

Another 'city' friend and I went to feed some horses today.

Her 'city dog' came along.
The horses were hungry when we arrived.

Mmm. Food.

What have you experienced?

I was pondering experiences on my commute for work today. I love experiencing things! I love new experiences! I love that everyone has different experiences.

I was first remembering the house I lived in for five months in college. I was trying to remember what it was like eating supper there. It wasn't an experience I had for very long and the memories of eating supper are a bit foggy.

Then, approaching the toll booth, I remembered the experience I had once, getting stuck in the K-Tag lane with a line of cars behind me. I thought how not very many people ever even have the opportunity to get 'stuck in the K-Tag lane.'

Driving in LA traffic is on thing I may never experience. Although I hope to visit a friend in LA soon, I sure hope I don't have to drive while there.

My current experience allows me to know that when a co-workers says "I'm going to NRA this weekend." I know she does not mean the National Rifle Assoc, rather the National Restaurant Association. And on that note, I never thought I would know so much about semi-trucks and all the rules that go along with driving them. But I do ... and it's fun!

I have had many experiences in my life. Many great, some not so good. Some I share with others, some you may have experienced in your own way, some only I could experience.

Participating in Dance Squad and Marching Band in high school (and all the little experiences that go along with that) ~ Living in Europe ~ bag swings ~ Yellowstone (in 2 days) ~ water skiing ~ forgiveness ~ piano lessons as a child ~ going on a road trip with a dog ~ living in college dorms ~ riding in a plane over the ocean ~ salvation

There are many things I have not experienced. Many that others have experienced. Some that I don’t necessarily ever want to. And some I hope to in the near future.

Going on a cruise ~ breaking a bone ~ siblings ~ living in a small town ~ Alaska ~ waking up, opening my eyes and seeing a blur ~ swimming in the ocean ~ riding a camel ~ having my car run out of gas while on the road

I sincerely do not regret any experience I have or have not had. I’m just so thankful that I can have and remember experiences in this life. I’m excited to have more, ultimately experiencing the Glory of God. “And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.” Romans 5:2

Money Saver?

As I sit here on my couch listening to the rain, I though I would share Ryan's creative way of saving money. I often post about deals I get on personal items and I frequent many 'frugal' blogs. Here's Ryan's (Which I personally am still uncertain about but I have faith in him and so far it seems to be working.)

Harvesting Rain water to water the lawn

Since he put the whole set up together on a nice sunny day, had to use some of the water we are supposed to be saving to test it out.

So water on the roof goes to the gutters (duh) and is sent through this thing......into the shed......into a barrel with a hose hook-up on the bottom (protected by the cinder block in the photo.)
The barrel had to be in the shed so it didn't become Camden's new chew toy.
Eventually a hose and small pump will be attached to send the water out to the grass.


This part is getting quite a work out right now. (Oh I love the rain!) And seems to be very successful. The barrel is full after only about 1" of rain in the last two days! Eventually we will have a barrel set up under the down spouts at each corner of our house. Now I'm ready to see the lawn watered on the dry days and weeks ahead.

Another good deal

I enjoy this game. Here's what I picked up at Walgreen's this week. I could have ended up a bit more ahead, but I was able to work in some things I actually needed... and some toothpaste. :-) Always the toothpaste!
Transaction #1:
5 Crest toothpastes
Cover girl Mascara
Covergirl lip stuff
Magic Eraser
Always
5 -$1/1 Crest toothpaste coupons
2 - $1/1 Covergirl product coupons (When I got home I realized I had a $2.50/2 and didn't use it)
1 - $.50/1 Magic eraser
1 - $.50/1 Always

Total $18.49
Received back $20 RRs

Transaction#2
3 Pepsi 12-packs
Venus Embrace Razor
Walgreens FAR Ultrathins
FAR Oral-B toothbrush
$.75/1 Oral-B toothbrush
$20 RR from before

Total $3.50
Got back $8 RR and $5.98 EasySaver Rebate

Favorite Local Places

I'm borrowing this idea from another blog. I love inviting friends to Topeka and showing them around. So far, I think only my parents accepted the invitation. There are , I know, many other good intentions and plans. Here's just a sampling of what I would show you if you came.

Hmm. I thought I could put these in ranking order, but can't even pick a number one. So in no particular order:

Gage Park
Kansas Museum of History trails
Trails by the Governor's Mansion
Lake Shawnee (yep there's trails there too. Are you sensing a pattern?)
Topeka Shawnee County Public Library
Bobo's
The Capitol Dome
Classic Bean
With our small groups
Farmer's Market

Wonderful Saturday

I love beautiful Saturdays with little planned. A great day to relax yet get a lot accomplished at a nice easy pace. I also happened to carry my camera around most of the day. Just documenting a day in the life of me.

8:30am It started with some garage sales and a trip to the farmers market. (sadly no photos)

10:30 A lovely walk around the prairie at the Kansas Museum of History. Prairies in spring are actually somewhat boring and very windy.
The dog and I did some good exploring. Camden is such a focused walker, until it comes to water. He loves to play in water.
I'm excited to take my kids on this trail someday. Look at this cool bridge.
12:15pm Brought some groceries home and took some time to play with pictures.

12:45pm Made some lunch using the asparagus from the farmer's market.
2:00pm Went outside to help with some yard work. First had to sneak a few photos of my hard-working hubby who doesn't let me take many. I really did cut some branches for firewood.


5:30pm Ryan and I went to the library to check out some DVDs, ended up with 6 books too.

6:00pm Came home and made supper, grilled steaks, mashed potatoes, wilted spinach and homemade bread with honey-butter. By this time I must have been so excited for such a hearty meal that I forgot the camera. :)

7:30pm. Wrap it all up with a movie and delicious cinnamon rolls.