Saturday

Kennedy Space Center - Titusville, FL - Part 2

The last post I put up a bunch of pics from our trip to Kennedy Space Center.  Those pictures were all indoor shots.  I had a few shots that were outdoors as well, so I thought I should add these as well.

Once again ... this is just a cool place to visit.  There's so much to do and see.



 

 

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

 


It's cool to be here during the launch process.  Every single launch brings tons and tons of tourists pouring into the area hoping to see the lift off.  We talked with people from Europe and Canada.  And there were families from Japan as well.   Plus, all the weird, local Floridians hoping to catch the launch.  It's really a neat experience.  Almost like being part of the Super Bowl, or the Olympics, or something lots of people never get to experience. 

Finally, you'll notice some fuel cells in one of the pictures near the top.  There are two long white tanks on the sides of a large orange/brown tank.  This article talks about why those white shuttle launch fuels cells ended up being the size that they are.  (Thanks Rob for this interesting read!)

Friday

Kennedy Space Center Weekend

As you may have noticed, we reached the east coast for a great weekend with Chris' folks.  While we were there, we made it back to the Kennedy Space Center.

The last time we were there, was about 4-5 years ago.  The girls were much younger.  So young, in fact, that while we were there we didn't get to watch any of the IMAX movies.  Why?  Well, because Kaitlyn absolutely freaked out when we went into the first one.  So we had to leave without watching it.

Unfortunately, that meant we missed out on a couple of the coolest pieces of U.S. history.  Additionally, we were never able to take the bus tour around the complex last time we were there.

So ... finally, we got to experience the entire thing.  And man is it cool.  The other great thing about Kennedy Space Center is that they allow you to come back for a second day free, when you purchase your one day pass.  And it's a good thing.  In my opinion it takes about 2 days to see everything entirely.

Anyhow ...

I wanted to share some of the pics we took while we were there.    If you ever get the chance, this is a place you should definitely visit.  It's pretty cool.

These pictures are all of the inside photos.  I'll put up the outside shots in a day or two, when I've had a chance to go through them a bit.  You even get to see a picture of Chris' Dad - David. 

 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  


One last note ...

About 5 pictures from the bottom, you'll see an international space station bathroom picture.  Take a look at the words listed in that picture.  Especially the bottom words.  Let me know what you think?


Al

Thursday

More Great Savings!

Today is Thursday and I did my weekly shopping trip. There really was not much that I wanted to get. But I did manage to get some great deals! Sadly I used up the last of my Knoxx coupons,:( so I will not be getting all that wonderful overage anymore. Hopefully they put another out soon! I can hope anyway.Here are the numbers, total before sales and coupons, $102.68. Total after sales and coupons $8.92! 91%Savings!!
And a photo to show what I got...
 
And the list,
4- Boxes Knoxx gelatin
4-Boxes Golden Grahams Cereal
2- Bottles Juicy Juice
2- Boxes Lipton Teabags (for Al's Iced tea!)
4- blocks Kraft Extra Sharp Cheese
6- Cans Planters Nuts
4- Cans Hormel Chilli
2- Cans Pam non stick spray
8- Boxes Betty Crocker Supreme Brownie Mixes
1- Loaf Publix Itialian Sliced Bread

Not to bad for $8.92 if I do say so myself!
I will also be doing a bit of shopping at Albertsons this week as they have some great deals on fruit and a couple other things. The closesest Albertsons is a bit of a drive so I only go if they have great sales. With Al on his fast the sales that they have on fruit are too good too pass up. We are really going through a ton more produce it seems.

Monday

The Daniel Fast

Hello there again ...

I just got to day 7 of a 21 day cycle of what people call the Daniel Fast.  It has been an interesting experience.  Not nearly as bad as I was expecting.

According to the Daniel fast you basically lean towards a vegetarian diet.

- No sugar
- No meat
- No dairy
etc. etc.

I wasn't sure how I was going to do, or what I could possibly eat for 21 days.  But actually finding food hasn't been that bad at all.  Lots of fruits, veggies, and organic, whole grained foods.

Here's the greatest part of it all!  Now, instead of being just a good pooper ... I'm an Optimal pooper.   HA!  Love it!


Anyhow, all of that background to say this ...

I am sharing this to seek your assistance in backing me up with prayer support.  We are beginning to feel very unsettled and unsupported in our current situation.  I am looking for some sort of indication of direction and leading for our family.  Thus the reason for my personal fast.

I would appreciate any thoughts and prayers you could send our way to help move us in God's direction for us.  There are LOTS of factors that all have to come together to make these types of decisions work ... and I want to be aware of what I feel is our calling.   I believe and expect big things to happen on our behalf.

Thanks again for all your love and support.
I appreciate you sharing a few moments with me. 
Talk soon!
Al

Thursday

It's Grocery Shopping day again!

I am so loving Thursdays! Today I actually did a little shopping at Winn Dixie. They actually had sales that were good enough to go in for. I also went to my trusty Publix! That is still where I got the best savings!
Here is the Publix Trip...
 

 Total before sales and coupons, $97.12. What I paid after sales and coupons $8.28! A savings of 91%!!
This is what is here,
12- Cans Green Giant Corn
8- Cans Green Giant Green Beans
4- Pillsbury garlic bread Sticks
4- Jars Classico Alfredo Sauce
4- Boxes Betty Crocker Muffin Mixes
2- Packages Rubbermaid Produce storage containers
12- Boxes Mueler Whole Wheat Pasta
2- Progresso Bread Crumbs
5- Boxes Knoxx Gelitin
4lb- Pears

I think that I will be going back and getting more of the pasta and possible more of the canned veggies! They are just too good of deals to not stock up a bit more!

And here is my Winn Dixie trip. The total before sales and coupons $49.63. After sales and coupons $13.85. A savings of 72%. Not as good as Publix but not too bad for all that I got. There were some great deals in there! I had added the Potatoes and Lemons when I got there, They were not on my list to start with but I decided to get them any way. so had I not gotten them my percentages would have been better. But oh well I guess that I can't get everything with a coupon all the time.
This is what I got...
3lbs- Lemons
5lbs- Potatoes
4- packs McCormicks seasoning mix
2- bags Dole Salad mix
4- boxes Betty Crocker Brownies
8- Pillsbury Cinnomon Rolls
6- Cans Hunts Tomatoe Sauce
2- Boxes Nabisco Saltines

Even when I go back To Publix for more Pasta and veggies I will be under $30.00 for the week! Not bad!

Wednesday

BIG Wakulla Inn Weekend Visit

Not too many days past, Chris' folks were here for a nice visit. Their first weekend here we ventured over to the east coast ... after a long hiatus. It was a great weekend, and her folks took great care of us over there.

It ended up being a HUGE week in Florida. It was the Superbowl weekend in Miami. The last night launch of a space shuttle, with Flight STS130 of Space Shuttle Endeavor. And the Daytona 500 was coming up later in the week.

So, it was great to get over there and have a little bit of fun. Here are some pics from our visit to the Wakulla Inn and their beach area. You can even see Kaitlyn dreaming of mermaids ... or dreaming of being a mermaid in one of the pictures.

 
  
  
  
  
  
 

After that, you'll catch a couple pics of us watching the shuttle launch from the same beach ... about 4AM on February the 8th.  This was one of our BIG goals when we came to Florida, to watch a launch live.  It had been called off the night before.  Thankfully we stuck it out one more night and were rewarded with a great view and a one in a lifetime event.  Although our pictures and videos don't do it justice, when we post up our pictures of our visit to Cape Canaveral, you'll catch a glimpse of the actual size of these shuttles.

 
  
  


 Talk soon!
Al