Countdown to Move

I'm so happy I finally got Jarred to write his first blog. He has really enjoyed brewing his own beer (it's a cool process) and I'm sure he would say there is nothing more relaxing than to sit on the porch on a summer evening with a cigar and a home brew. Intellectual conversations abound!

Today was an awesome day at work. I almost choke when I hear myself say that, but really, it was good. T and I worked very hard and there wasn't any pressure to 'go go go!' like there is lots of times. It's good to come home after a day of work knowing you got something done.

Jarred and I had to go to the AT&T store this morning before he dropped me off at work. There would be no other time for us to get my new phone and switch over to his plan. It's basically been all straightened out, but it sure did take a long time this morning. Sheesh. I guess it's universal though, nothing is ever quick and easy when it comes to wireless carriers. Or the DMV. Ugh.

I've got a test tomorrow and then I am going bargain hunting! I'll try to hit up the Habitat store and some other consignment shops for furniture. It's not a complete necessity right now, but I'd love to have a bureau and a couch (if the prices are right).

We are on a countdown now until we move in and we are super excited. Nervous at the same time. But here's a big M and J HOORAY for being a big boy and girl!

First Home Brew

Meaghan has finally gotten me to write my first post!

I recently became interested in brewing my own beer at home. Meaghan's store was selling the Mr. Beer kits and I had to have one! I got the kit about a month ago, so I've been having to wait all this time to finally get to try it. The kit came with a 2.5 gallon keg in which you ferment the beer for a minimum of one week but I personally recommend waiting a little longer, its especially harder to do with your first batch because you just can't wait to try it! The kit also included a packet of one-step sanitizer, a packet of "booster" which is just a form of dextrose to add body and alcohol to the beer. Also a can of hopped malt extract called "West Coast Pale Ale" was included with a small packet of dry brewer's yeast (not the kind you buy at the grocery store). I add to purchase bottles as well to bottle the beer but some kits come with bottles.

You start out by fermenting all your utensils in the keg with half of the sanitizer packet. After that sits for ten minutes you drain with no need to rinse. Then fill the keg to the 4 qt. mark with cold water. Next you mix in the "booster" with 4 cups of water until it completely dissolves then bring it to a boil. After that you add the hopped malt extract, give it a stir and pour the mix into the keg. Then sprinkle the yeast on top and let sit for 5 minutes then stir vigorously. After that it's waiting time! Place the lid on the keg and let sit in a dark, cool place for at least one week.

When it comes time to bottle you need to prime with sugar to help carbonate the beer. Depending on what size bottles you use you will add different amounts of sugar. I used the 1 liter Mr. Beer bottles that are re-usable. I added 2 1/2 tsp. of sugar to each bottle and then filled them. the batch makes approximately 8 liters of beer. Then its more waiting! Again with another week of waiting for carbonating then its on to conditioning. I warm conditioned my beer since there is not much room in the fridge so its been sitting for about 3 weeks. I put two bottles in the fridge on Thursday so after 2 days of getting cold and lagering they would be ready to try tonight! I will post pictures of my first brew at the bottom of the post!

When I opened the first bottle I was reassured with a nice psshhhtt sound that carbonating drinks make, therefore I knew that the necessary processes had taken place. The beer poured nicely with a golden yellow color and a light ring of head at the top of the glass. It tastes like a good standard micro brew, with a particularly "mouthy" feel to it, a hard term to describe but beer drinkers will know what I mean. The alcohol content is rated at 3.7 for this batch but I've read that a level of 3.7 of a home brew is a little more than the standard 5% that you find in a Bud or Miller and keep in mind I am in NO WAY SHAPE OR FORM comparing my beer to a domestic, Bud and Miller and good for what they are but nothing beats the satisfaction and taste of drinking your own home brew!

I have already started on my second batch which is the Classic American Blonde Ale. I even added a third of a cup of honey to boost the alcohol content another .3% to be right at 4%. It should be bottled sometime next week as it will have sat in the fermenter for about 3 weeks then. I am pleased with my first attempt and cannot wait to try more recipes in the future!

Visit this site to catch the bug: www.mrbeer.com

Prost!

Life Gettin' Going

Jarred and I finally found a place! We looked at one set of apartments this afternoon. It's within our budget and has beautiful grounds and is in a very safe location. We are very excited to be moving in soon!

More information later!

Frosty Cake

Jarred dubbed it the Frosty Cake because of the color of the frosting and the light chocolate flavor. We're letting it set up for tonight, but we'll dig in tomorrow!
It's a three layer white cake and whipped icing.
It took me all night to make, but it will be well worth it tomorrow!

My Apologies

Such a tiring week. But it's awesome not having to work. But if I don't work, I don't get paid. And such is life.

I made a good trip to Target this afternoon. I went in for one thing and came out with another. Happen to anyone else? But this was different from the usual. I went in looking for one thing I needed but decided to forgo that purchase to buy something else I needed.

It felt good.

I actually went in to get some polo shirts and khakis. Because that is what we are 'supposed' to wear to work. But if I don't have the funds to buy new clothes, then I guess Home Office can kiss it! Or buy me the clothes. Either will work.

I decided after trying on a bunch of clothes that I didn't want to spend money on work. I instead needed some folders and a pencil pouch for school. And my calculator. So I'd say that was a much better $30 spent.

In other news, I'm really ready for my summer class to be over. I'm ready for fall semester!

I'm so sorry to all my (used to be) readers. I know I've been super boring this summer. But please believe me when I say that things really do happen in my life, but there is never a camera around to capture the moment. Maybe once fall begins, there will be more for me to blog about. I'm not taking a break from the blog or anything, but the posts might not be anything too good. So just don't read it if I bore you to tears. I really don't mean to.

People Like This...

Read this ridiculous article

I'd like to get up on my soapbox and give this woman a piece of my mind:

Lady, do you have any idea how long and hard Jarred has worked to finally find that first full-time job?? Do you know how many times he beat the pavement, going from office to office asking if they were hiring? Do you know how many job opening websites he looked at? Do you know how many newspaper want ads he has looked through? Do you know how many applications he has filled out and how much testing he has gone through?

He graduated from a tiny private college that literally offered no help with career advancement. He had to do it all on his own. He talked with people in the field. He got information about job openings. He was the one who had to do it all. He didn't expect a job to fall into his lap.

He graduated in May 2008. It took him a year to find a steady full-time job. A year.

But he has a job now.

You. You graduated a little over 3 months ago. Did you expect an employer to be waiting on the other side of the graduation stage to offer you a job?

There are thousands of people without jobs. College graduates without jobs. You are no more special. Not everything in life is instantaneous. Sometimes you have to work to get what you want. Sometimes life isn't what you thought. Sometimes life plans have to be put on hold. But we deal with it.

Lady, you need to wise up. I hope you lose this lawsuit. You are the epitome of what America is coming to. Lazy and selfish. Good luck ever finding a job now. Any employer would be stupid to hire you because you'd sue them if you ever lost your job.

Okay, I'm done. Thanks for listening.

Cell Phone Central

I really don't know which phone to choose. I was look at paying up to $150 for the phone, and the two I have in mind are in that range. I saw an ad for the Motorola Karma and almost instantly fell in love. It's so cute, but I'm not sure about all the applications on it. I love having the full QWERTY keyboard, so I don't want to go back to a regular phone. But Jarred and I are going to have to be limited in talking and texting, so I am not sure the phone is worth it, because I won't be using a lot of the applications.


But at the same time, most phones nowadays come with so much extra stuff on them that I would be having the same issue regardless.

The other phone I am looking at is the Blackberry Curve 8900. Again, a lot of the features I won't use because I don't want to pay $30 a month for a data plan. But I love utilizing the calendars and notepad and other organizational tools on my current smartphone. And I am wanting a phone that is going to last me a good while and looks grown-up.I have a week to decide, but I can't make up my mind so far! HELP!