Home is Beautiful

Our load doesn't have to be in Granite City until tomorrow at 10 a.m. so that means we had time to stop by the house for the night.  Home sweet Home!!!  I know I have only been gone from home for a week now but it was great to be back even for just one night.  I immediately started cleaning since my boys really didn't do anything while we were gone and usually I would be upset but it was great to stretch my legs and be busy.  Josh did a load of laundry that we had and I made spaghetti for us to eat and while cooking I emptied and loaded the dish washer.  I will never complain again about how small my kitchen is as it seems like paradise now. 

My wonderful mom came to visit us while we were here and was excited to show her all the pictures I took so far on our trip.  After looking at all the pictures I realized that I took 258 pictures and almost all of them were of mountains!  I really loved trying to get some amazing pictures to show how awesome they were and I guess I really got carried away.  Ethan was teasing saying it must of been like Josh was the tour guide and I was the tourist taking all the pics.  I forgot my manual on the ins and outs of what my camera is capable of as it has so many options it makes my head spin.  I am really wanting to learn how to take great pictures and see what I am capable of. 

I was feeling a bit restless still and was wanting to do some more cooking but was having trouble coming up with much with what was available in the house but of course I managed to find something, a cherry pie, my favorite.  We are waiting for it to cool yet and I'm getting a little impatient.  I do love to cook and that is something that I know I am going to miss more and more as we spend more time out on the road. 

I have a small pet peeve too when it comes to cooking and that is using disposable items.  I can't tell you the last time I bought paper plates or even paper towels.  I really was trying to cut down on our spending and cut down on what we put in our trash and right now in the truck it is easier to use these items than not but I am hoping to change that.  I am bringing a wash basin with me on this trip and it will have dual uses, wash dishes in and wash my hair/body in.  When it comes to daily use items that we spent a lot of money that didn't need to be I was more than ready to cut those expenses out.  One step I took is making our own laundry soap and I love it!  It is fraction of the cost and does a great job that I don't even miss using store bought soap.  I mentioned to my family about using cloth instead of toilet paper and then of course washing them and reusing them as I hate buying expensive toilet paper.  That idea didn't fly with anyone in the house and Josh's mom heard about this and had a huge laugh and bought Josh toilet paper for his birthday and told him that was just for him.  Needless to say that idea never came to fruition.  Oh well. 

That brings me to another point.  There is nothing better than pooping at home!  I know that is too much information but I have learned something important, riding in a truck seems to have a constipation effect.  That wouldn't be too bad but if we are going to be out for two weeks at a time I may explode before I get home.  Literally.  I guess all that vibrating is not good on your body but when I got home and relaxed it was finally time for some relief!  Did I mention I was happy to be home?

I will be getting a shower, at home, get some sleep, at home, and watch a bit of tv, at home and going to enjoy it while it lasts.  We will be up early and back on the road.  Since I took so many pics of the mountains here are a few more for you to enjoy.