Pure Cane Soda

Recently I became aware that Coca-Cola uses different recipes around the world. An example of this is the substitution of pure sugar for high-fructose corn starch in Mexico. HFCS was not originally used in Coca-Cola, so the Mexican blend would be much close to the original recipe (which, believe it or not, actually used Cocain). So, recently I began somewhat of a quest to locate the nearest facility in which I could purchase the "Real Thing" (That was Coke's slogan while I was in high school).

I called a few Mexican grocery stores in St. Louis. One said they had it, but I don't think the lady understood what I was asking for. I put up a post on the Register-News Forum for it. There, I also found out that you can order Pure Cane Dr. Pepper from a bottling company in Texas called the Dublin Texas Dr. Peppar . Someone also mentioned that Jones Soda is sold at Kroger, and it also is made with real sugar cane. I did make the trip to Kroger, but the flavors they had at the time did seem to appealing.

Well, today I found out there is a place in Centralia that is supposed to have it. We will see. Oh, and by the way, Coke mostly stopped using cocaine a long time ago, and completely removed it by 1929. Presumably part of the coca leaf is still used, however hence the name.

We Won, We Won, YIPEEEEEEEE

Today was a day of mixed emotions. We woke up this morning to the sound of water dripping from the roof. Actually, it was more of a gushing sound than dripping sound. I was in the middle of a roofing project (see below) and had put a tarp over the roof. Unfortunately, we had a downpour, and the tarp did not do much good.

But, the day got much better. It stopped raining, the roofing guy came by, and the project got finished! Then, to our great delight, we were informed that we had won the People's National Bank prize! We won a FABULOUS gas grill complete with all the accessories! WOW! We were both so excited, and can't wait to use it!

Below are a couple of pictures from the roofing project. It was more than I really wanted to get into. The chimney leaked, and so I took it out! I've spent almost everyday this week up there. Although this week was cooler than most, it was still blazing hot on the roof, especially with a hole from the attic next to you.

So, thus ends Spring. Happy Summer Solstice!

Busy Summer

The rummage sale is finally over! Yeah, we made it through it. Now comes the tasks of fixing up the house, taking care of the yard, and doing all of the other normal summer activities. I think I have a couple of yards to mow in the neighborhood, so that should also help to keep me busy.

Tonight I installed two fans just under the eve on our back patio. I'm hoping that Amy and I can enjoy some quality time out there after the kids go to bed. The patio is nice at night, but the mosquitoes are terrible. I've heard they are not very good fliers, so hopefully I can blow them away.


That's most of what's going on right now. A special "THANK YOU" to Briannah (one of my former students) for watching the kids for us during the rummage sale! They had a blast!

Pictures of the Girls

Ryan got our swimming pool put up and the girls have already enjoyed playing in it. Here is a picture of them in the pool as it was filling up. They had a great time.



We took a few pictures of the girls tonight. Callie wanted to hold Chloe and wanted to have her picture taken. It is more difficult than you might think to get both of them looking and smiling at the same time.



Cassidy also wanted to hold Chloe and have her picture taken. She is a great big sister. She helps me a lot. Sometimes she will read books and sing with both Callie and Chloe. She is growing up so fast.

Amy Is Interviewed by Channel 3

We had quite a treat today. Haley Stewart from WSIL TV 3 came to interview Amy. As many of you know, Amy has been clipping coupons and searching the blogs for good deals. Sometimes it is absolutely amazing how much money she saves! Apart from our air conditioner going down just before they arrived, the interview went great. Haley asked Amy several questions about where she gets her coupons, and how she finds the deals. Then, we all loaded up and went to Kroger. It was really a lot of fun to walk through the isles with a reporter and a camera man. Some people asked what we were doing, and some people just ducked to get out of the way. All in all it was a blast! The interview ran tonight at 6:00pm. We are hoping that they will rerun it at 10:00pm or tomorrow morning. If you didn't get a chance to watch it, click HERE.

Summer Vacation Has Begun

Summer vacation is finally here. One of the great benefits to being a teacher is a nice long break in the summer. You would really be surprised, however, at how difficult it is to make the adjustment from going to work everyday to being off. I think that is because the job of teaching is a bit stressful from time to time.

This past year was difficult to say the least. In fact, it was probably the most difficult year I have ever had. But, it's over now, and I'm committed to making this the best vacation I have ever had!

So, I thought I would take a moment and write down some of my personal goals for this summer.

#1. Put up the pool for the kids.
#2. Continue Tae Kwon Do through the summer.
#3. Install a sink and faucet in the utility room.
#4. Fix several boards on the house, and paint them.
#5. Get the roof fixed.
#6. Paint the foundation to match the house.
#7. Finish the drywall in the utility room.
#8. Paint the kitchen cabinets.
#9. Take off the wallpaper in the kitchen and paint.
#10. Find a different stove and refrigerator for the kithen.

Okay, so those things don't sound that fun do they. Alright, here is another list.

#1. Take the kids to Holiday World.
#2. Take the kids to the Zoo.
#3. Take the kids to the Science Center and possibly the Magic House.
#4. Take the kids bowling.
#5. Buy a remote control airplane and learn to fly it.
#6. Go to a big mall.
#7. Start a garden of some kind.
#8. Finish the budget book Amy and I are writing.
#9. Finish the children's book I wrote a long time ago (needs illustration).
#10. Spend quality time with Amy.

Okay, so that's much better! Oh yes, I forgot to mention that I plan to post on here a bit more over the summer. Of course, I don't think I can compete with Amy now. She is getting a ton of views on her website, and is supposed to be featured on a television news program in the near future. So, check out Amy's Life. I'm so jealous.