starbucks, etc

Today a few of us (my mom, Nat, Ben, Leah and I) went to Starbucks because the local one is having a 'buy one, get one free' deal. You can't really pass that up can you?! Besides, I hadn't had an upside down caramel macchiato in ages. On top of a couple of free drinks, while we were sitting down we were asked to fill out some surveys...and in return were given cards for free drinks! Then, after we enjoyed our drinks and after us ladies went down to a clothing store and browsed a bit, Ben and I went into Wal-Mart briefly and he bought me some chocolate. I must say, Starbucks and chocolate in one day is pretty nice. :D
I'm pretty sure I'm taking my GED very soon. I called up the testing center today and found out when they do tests and how much it will cost, etc, and all being well I'm going to take the test on the second and third weeks of February. I'm a little bit anxious about it even though I've been sailing through my preparatory book. I guess we'll see how it goes.

I've been still up to the usual (cleaning, studying, etc). It's hard to believe how much clutter can collect and how much laundry has to be done in a house with just four people... it seems like every other day I end up spending hours doing housework, and even on those in-between days things can get shockingly out of order. Which is all ok, since I don't mind cleaning house, of course.

of ultrasounds, fireplaces, and music

Yesterday Hayley and I went to the hospital so she could have an ultrasound done. (Poor James couldn't be there; working full-time and doing school full-time doesn't give you much time left over for anything!) It was so exciting to find out what the baby is, we decided to "celebrate" and stopped at IHOP for lunch and ordered crepes. :D

It has been dismally grey and very cold for the past few weeks, but yesterday evening was delightful, because we had a fire in the fireplace! It was so warm and cozy...once we got it going. We smoked up the house and set off some smoke-alarms in the process of starting the fire.I couldn't sit there very long... it was extremely hot right next to the fire! And lots of hot air going up the chimney, of course, it being a fireplace and all. We won't be doing it too often because of the rate it burns wood!

The other night John, Mark, and Sam came for dinner. Sam brought his violin. With three violins, a tin whistle, and a guitar there was quite a bit of music (or noise, I suppose some might call it.) At one point Mom, Sam, and I were playing Psalm tunes together on violins; Mom played soprano, and Sam and I played bass and alto. I'll readily admit I did a pretty bad job, but there were some moments it sounded quite lovely. ;)

of microwaves and lemon juice...

Well, I discovered something today, and I'm very pleased about it. I happened to run across a tip on the internet about cleaning microwave ovens. It said to pour water in a small/medium-sized microwavable bowl, add a generous dash of lemon juice, and boil it in the microwave for a minute or two. Then take it out, discard it, and "that stuck on food simply wipes away!!" I was rather skeptical that I'd really be able to simply "wipe" my microwave oven clean, but I gave it a try. And guess what? It really does work!! It was amazing. :D Now I'm really curious what would happen if I boil lemon juice water in a regular oven...

In other news, ...well, there's not much to say, really. I've been cleaning, studying, cooking, baking, drinking coffee, playing tennis on weekends, etc. Last night Ben and I went over to Caleb and Leah's for a little social gathering of young, college/highschool aged people (James, Hayley, John, and Sam), since before long they will all be back in school, studying away and not having any time do anything else!

And to liven up this post (although for me, really, that lemon juice trick is plenty exciting by itself... :P) here's a picture from the 29th of December:

Oh, and I guess this is my first post of the new year. Happy new year! :)