Carrie and her mom spent most of the day on Friday making grapes jelly from the grapes on our grapevine and Carrie continued the process today. All in all there were 84 jars of grape jelly made and about 3 quarts of grape juice. It was an amazing process to watch. The jelly is simply the best I have tasted!

Enjoy the pictures!

From this…(these are only about 1/3 of the grapes)

To this…

YUM!!!

I hope you enjoyed! We did!

Spend time with your children, you might not have them too long!

Just some thoughts,

Chris

There are exceptions to this concept. Holiday decorations find an exception because they will be used, even though it is once a year. Other items find their way into the “6 Month Rule Exception”: family photos, sentimental items from childhood and the like.

Following the “6 Month Rule” has found us ridding our home of things we once thought we needed. Some of the “necessary” items from our attic, closets and the garage have found their way on eBay, Craigslist and yard sale. Other items have been donated to Goodwill and some have been passed along to friends and family.

To date, the items sold have allowed us to save some extra funds in a savings account and others have helped to pay off debts. Just today, I sold an item from our home which was only being used once or twice a year and generated $125.

So, what do you think about the “6 Month Rule?” Think you could do it?

Just some thoughts,

Chris

Earlier today, Carrie wanted to take a trip to Lowes to buy paint so she can begin painting several rooms in our home over the next few weeks. Since I have not desire or ability to paint, I told her I would buy her a Wagner Power Roller to use.  I bought her one several years ago and she used it until it fell apart. 

When in Lowes today she got the Wagner Power Roller and placed it in the cart. After finding me as I roamed around the store aimlessly, she told me the price and I decided to see if there was a better price in the area. Quickly, I pulled up Google and search the internet for a better deal. Home Depot was the first price that came up and their price was $17 below Lowes. Knowing Lowes would match their price, I took my phone to the register and they matched the price plus took an extra 10% off the price!

Great work LOWES!!

Who knew using your phone could save you over $20!

Just a tip,

Chris

Current time –1:52 pm

Situation – Annoyed!

Here Emma and I sit awaiting a tonsil consultation. (Say that three times fast) President Obama is on CNN lecturing about the future of health care and we are in a packed waiting room with no one listening. Seems ironic doesn’t it. As the President speaks, the receptionist is busy working her tail off handing out forms, shuffling papers, scanning  insurance cards and greeting patients.

Before Emma and I sat down I was handed a stack of paper equivalent to an abridged version of the Encyclopedia Britannica to complete for Emma’s medical file. I am sure the amount of paper in my hands consisted of  two entire oak trees and a small maple. While handing me the medical forms, the receptionist asked me for our insurance card – oops!

I could tell you exactly where the insurance card is located. It is twenty minutes away stashed in my desk between my new business cards and an unused credit card. The receptionist told me is was not a problem and I could fax them a copy later. When the billing lady her this she let out a sigh only matched by the sigh of agony when parents open up a note home from school. Her attitude towards me forgetting my card began to make Jezebel of the Bible look like a trusted friend. To never figured out who stole her Malibu Dream, Barbie, but the better return it in a hurry.

Forty minutes after walking in the door and 30 minutes after filling out the paperwork, we are  now sitting in a small room listening to people walking around and laughing outside the thin door. We were promised a visit from the doctor in a few minutes. I am amazed how the time continuum ceases to exist once the door is shut to the little white examination room. Since they are still laughing outside, I figure it must be us, so I take all the tongue depressors out and lick them and put them back! Ha!

Looking around the room, I notice the doctor’s credentials on the wall. His undergraduate degree is in Mechanical Engineering. Since we are hear for a tonsil consultation, I wonder if I should be nervous. I wonder if he is a good doctor or he is just good at fixing the medical equipment.

After all is said and done, we finally saw the doctor and he asked me questions about Emma. Apparently, Emma’s charts were not written well or he did not read them because all the information is there. Well, anyway, for now Emma will get to keep her tonsils until we hear back from the other doctor.

Oh yeah, remember that tongue depressor statement? I did not lick all the tongue depressors, I licked two or three and put them back! See if you can figure out which ones they are! Ha!

And another thing, we arrived at 1:15 pm and left at 2:35 pm. Just sayin’.

Thanks for stopping by,

Chris

Last week, I wrote a small blurb on my ministry website, The Preacher’s Pen, about our decision to make the “Netflix Jump.” You may take a moment and read the post here –> Click here to read the post.

Our decision to make the “Netflix Jump” was pretty easy. The rates on DirecTV were going up  and we wanted to find an alternative. Cable seemed like a possibility, but we had been down that road before only to see our rates rise there too.

After making the jump approximately two weeks ago, we are progressing well.  The Roku boxes I purchased for streaming Netflix to our televisions work great. We are able to select movies in our Netflix instant queue and the Roku box pulls that instant queue to a menu screen on our TV. We are able to select from the movies on our queue and watch them at anytime.

Recently, I got a couple converter boxes off of eBay, a couple antennas locally and began the process of searching for over-the-air channels in our area. Most of the channels come in clear, but there are others which need a little signal boost. At least it is not like the “old days” where you were going outside to turn the antenna to get a better signal. For now, I decided to point the antenna at the window and see what happens.

All in all, I am pleased with our change of media. Our Netflix plan gives us unlimited online and viewing through the Roku plus 3 DVDs out at a time.  Watching over-the-air channels is like watching the locals on DirecTV or cable, but FREE!

We figure we will save approximately $45 a month (possibly more) by cancelling DirecTV. Our Netflix subscription runs $16.99 a month and our locals are free. As I mentioned in the previous post on my ministry blog, we are taking the $45 a month and placing it in a TV fund. It will be interesting to watch the fund grow over time.

Making the “Netflix Jump” has brought some old shows into our daily viewing experience:

• Super Mario Brothers from 1989 – One of Caleb’s favorite
• Airwolf – One of my childhood favorites.
• iCarly – The girls are able to watch several season of iCarly.
• Suite Life – One of the girls favorite shows.
• Carrie has been watching a variety of movies instead of the television shows on Netflix.

Personally, I will admit that 150+ channels might be nice, but we are enjoying a very rich viewing experience and saving money at the same time.

Stay tuned for more on the Gallagher Adventure!

Thanks for stopping by,

Chris

Several weeks ago, Alexis was asked to participate in a art contest called “Reflections.” The elementary school where she attends asked certain children to participate and Alexis was asked to participate in two categories: art and film.

As many of you know, Alexis is the artist in our family. Her abilities are definitely God-given, because Carrie and I cannot draw a stickman much less a picture. The art section consists of creating a picture based on the theme, “Beauty is…” The film production was based upon the same theme, but Alexis had never done a film so the fun was about to begin.

When the projects were submitted to the school, Alexis won first place in the school in the art and film categories! Since she was first place her projects would be sent to the state level. Several days later, the email came into school that Alexis had won third place in the state of South Carolina!!

Below are copies of her film and art project!! Congratulations Alexis!!!

The film production below was designed by Alexis with no adult assistance. I taught her the program and where to find the pictures and music. The next day she sat down and created the film in approximately 30 minutes. (The pictures used were taken from our personal collection over the years)

The picture below was created by Alexis without any adult assistance. The picture is of Alexis’ teacher, Ms. Hartwell.

Congrats Alexis!!

Just another day in the Gallagher Adventure!

Thanks for stopping by,

Chris

Below is a video from yesterday that Carrie took of Caleb going on a 1 mile run on Wii Fit. As you listen to him run, he is saying “Hello” to the images of members of our family running by his player.

Check it our as he runs…

Hope you enjoyed!

Chris

With the children staying at Carrie’s parents, Carrie and I ventured off to hear our friends, Glenn Beck and Bill O’Reilly.  Some close friends of ours got some tickets for us and as we sat together this afternoon, we laughed and appreciated the significance of the event we were in. The passion and pride Glenn and Bill have for our country and the quest to see it become the greatest country it can be was truly seen.

I have been a Glenn Beck listener Since we moved to Charleston. While Glenn may seem like a wild maniac to many, I found myself enthralled with his thoughts and commentary on the news of the day.  Today brought a powerful message today that anyone can achieve success and hope in the country. It is possible, but the choice has to start with each one of us.

As you can see from the picture, our seats were not too far from the stage. The picture really does not do our seats justice. The two large projections screens provided an up-close view of their facial expressions and looks.

I am thankful for the opportunity that we had to attend such an event.

When Bill O’Reilly came out, the blend was perfect from Glenn’s part to Bill’s part. While Glenn provided a hilarious, yet, serious look regarding the country, Bill gave a serious look at the choices that are being made and the road that lay ahead. Bill was the same Bill as his television show; the information he shared with the crowd caused emotions to flow through the crowd. Bill’s purpose was the same as Glenn’s –> Success is possible, but it starts with each one of us!

The last section of the show was Glenn and Bill going one-on-one with a small question and answer session that provided some great responses, personal information and hilarious moments. 

Carrie and I really enjoyed the show and look forward to gaining more insights.

Yes, we are a Fox News family!

Just some thoughts!

Chris

Here is the video –> (By the way, watch him throw a spiral at the end.)