The Simple Life at Home

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My friend, Leeann, submitted my name and story to win a wonderful prize for me. Last week we received The Enchanted Table - a game designed to promote family communication. My kids have really enjoyed sitting together and sharing their thoughts and ideas prompted by the cards. It's been so fun for them that I actually took it away so we can have some cards left to surprise us once we get to Qatar! They would have just gone through all of them in one sitting. Thanks to Dayna for arranging this great giveaway! And especially thanks to Leeann, who has been a rock for me as I go through this process.

Things are looking up with regards to our houses here. I have a woman who wants to sign a TWO-YEAR LEASE on our townhouse! That means not having to worry about it for two years! Whoo-hoo!

Also, I have a couple who wants to rent our house with an option to buy. This is FINE with us. Since we will be renting in Qatar, we don't need a chunk of cash to buy something else with (although I would like to have had that money to pay off debt).

That just leaves one more house to get either rented or sold. Or course, I don't have money in hand for anything yet. I'm going to hold an open house today and tomorrow - I'd still prefer to sell.

Thanks to everyone who's been praying for these situations to be resolved!

We have our church picnic this weekend. Because of my last name, I've been asked to bring chips and dip. I've decided to bring tortilla chips and black bean salsa. Here's the recipe (for a crowd!):

3 (15 ounce) cans black beans, drained and rinsed
1 (11 ounce) can Mexican-style corn, drained
2 (10 ounce) cans diced tomatoes with green chile peppers, partially drained
2 tomatoes, diced
2 bunches green onions, chopped
cilantro leaves, for garnish

This is really, really good and a nice departure from your typical salsa (which gets a little boring).

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Thanks for wandering through my mind with me. I'll try to have a more cohesive post next time!