Happy Homemaker Monday ~ Week 13

Happy Homemaker Monday is hosted by Sandra at 'Diary of a Stay at Home Mom'

On my bedside table:
I'm reading The Other Hand by Chris Cleave.

On my TV:

I've got to cut out a whole bunch of letters and glue them into notebooks for Alia's class at school. I'm going to sit and watch "How I Met Your Mother" and "Scrubs" while I do that ...

On the menu for tonight:
We just finished dinner. We had Lemony Chicken and Israeli Cous Cous. We ran out of gas half way through cooking though ! Had to finish the chicken on the BBQ and did the cous cous in the microwave. Turned out surprisingly good. New gas bottle comes Thursday ... lucky tomorrow's dinner is an oven one and Wednesday's is a BBQ one !!

On my To Do List:
My to do list is finished for today !!

New Recipe I tried last week:
Slow Cooker Steak Fajitas.
They were delicious. I changed up the recipe a bit, I'll post my version to the beans blog soon !

In the craft basket:
Plenty that's not getting done at the moment !!

Looking forward to:
The whole family coming for the weekend !! Woo Hoo !!

Homemaking Tip for this week:

I actually have a tip this week too !!! Two weeks in a row, what's this world coming to !? ha ha

This tip involves my vacuum cleaner. It may not work for all of you. Depends how big your house is. But it works for me. I don't know about you, but I hate to be halfway through the vacuuming and then the silly thing comes unplugged. You have to stop and plug it in somewhere else. Years ago, I decided I no longer wanted to do that. I bought myself an extension cord and it lives on the vacuum cleaner !! Now, I plug into a plug near the center of the house and I never have to unplug !!! It's fantastic ... saves me a lot of irritation !!

Favorite Blog Post of the week (mine or other):

My favorite blog post this week is by Rory's Mum Mary ... it's called Backyard Beauty. Why don't you pop over and check it out ... and let her know you stopped by !!

Favorite photo from last week:

My home management station !!

Ok ... gonna have to cut this short this week ! Gotta run !!

I haven't done much blog visiting this week ! Real life has been too busy to find much time to visit in bloggy land ... but I hope to do a bit more visiting this week ... see you soon !!

Happy Homemaker Monday ~ Week 12

Happy Homemaker Monday is hosted by Sandra at 'Diary of a Stay at Home Mom'

On my bedside table:
I've finished The Reader by Bernhard Schlink
It was a quick read. Well written. I'm not sure I liked it though. It was a hard story to read. Too many emotions to process !! Having said that, I am glad I read it. I am.

Now I'm reading The Other Hand by Chris Cleave. I'm only a chapter or two in and if I can understand all of the lingo, I think I'll like it ... We'll see.

On my TV:
'tis turned off ...

I very rarely watch tv in the day. And I've decided it's time to turn the thing off in the evenings as well. You know, I didn't used to watch much tv at all but it's such an easy habit for me to fall back into. But I always always prefer when I don't watch it. I'm more productive. Less rushed. Less irritable. And I sleep better ...

On the menu for tonight:

I took the leftover Salsa Chicken out of the freezer this morning but that's going to wait til tomorrow because Mama's got a fangin' for sushi ! Plus, it's easy and I'll need that after today !

On my To Do List:

I've been swimming this morning already. Toni and I haven't been for a month or two. Not that we didn't have good excuses. With me moving house, and her having a stroke, we just haven't made it. She is a total champion and is recovering well. Me ... I haven't had a stroke but you wouldn't know it with the way I swam this morning !! How is it that it's so easy to get out of shape and so hard to get back into it ?!? The rest of today's list looks like this ...

• package up stuff to take to post office tomorrow
• card for grandma
• write my weekly letter that is looooooong over due
• plan menu
• do grocery shopping
• put food away
• pick kids up from school
• supervise homework
• prepare dinner
• enjoy dinner with my family
• play a bit of Wii with them too
  
• do 'books' with kids. i've gotten out of the habit since we moved. started back up last night.
• hang out with Rory, maybe do some knitting or embroidery
• turn on electric blanket !!
  
• read in NICE WARM bed (i can hardly wait for this part of the day to get here !!)
  

New Recipe I tried last week:

I tried Beth's Chicken, Orzo and Spinach soup and it was amazing !! It's even good leftover ... I know because I had the leftovers for dinner last night !!

In the craft basket:

I organized my craft baskets over the weekend !! I have my normal knitting basket and now I have a small one with some embroidery in it. Woo hoo !!

Looking forward to:
Showing you all what I've been up to.

But

it will have to wait til later in the week.

Maybe tomorrow ...


Homemaking Tip for this week:

I actually have a tip this week !! I finally remembered to do this to the bathroom door this morning ! Do you know the little thing that you often have on the back of a door and it has the other little thing that slides into it to hold the door back ? No ... ok ... we'll I took a photo because I knew you wouldn't have any idea what I was talking about !!

That little thing with the arrow pointing to it. Well ... those little things are often very squeeky ! Not good. My husband taught me a little trick years ago to stop the squeeks !! You just put Vaseline on it ! See where I've colored black on it ? Yeah ... put the vaseline there and the silly thing will squeek no more !! It works I tell you, it works !!

Vaseline ... it's good for more than getting little sisters out of baby swings !! (that's a story for another time though ...)

Favorite Blog Post of the week (mine or other):

Well, I haven't read it yet because it's not finished yet ... but my sister was telling me about a post she's writing that has to do with household management. I'll have to copy and paste some of it for you when it finally gets posted because her blog is private. BUT ... even though it's not written ... I know it's coming ... and it's my favorite this week !!

Favorite photo from last week:

Lesson Learned The Past Few Days:

Wii injuries are for real.

On My Prayer List:

• My Grandma.
  

Devotionals, Scripture Reading, Key Verses:

I think I need to get myself a copy of The Message, I'm liking the way he translates ...

"Do everything readily and cheerfully—no bickering, no second-guessing allowed! Go out into the world uncorrupted, a breath of fresh air in this squalid and polluted society. Provide people with a glimpse of good living and of the living God. Carry the light-giving Message into the night so I'll have good cause to be proud of you on the day that Christ returns. You'll be living proof that I didn't go to all this work for nothing." Philippians 2:14 - 16

Well ... I'd better get to planning this menu. I'm more than halfway done. Only two days left to plan and then I'll head out to the shops. Hope you all have a fabulous week !! I'll be round to visit later ...

Happy Homemaker Monday ~ Week 10

Happy Homemaker Monday is hosted by Sandra at 'Diary of a Stay at Home Mom'

This is going to be a quick one !!
I've just turned on the electric blanket in my bed and am heading there shortly !

On my bedside table:
Escape by Carolyn Jessop
It's another book on polygamy, only this one is a true story ... and it's fascinating.

On my TV:
Nada.
Zippo.
Zilch.

On the menu for tonight:
We've already eaten ... the recipes are on my food blog.
We had sushi for dinner tonight.
Mmmm ...

On my To Do List:

Ok ... so my to do list was pretty massive today. I finished about half of it. I planned the menu, did the grocery shopping, returned a shirt to target, went to the office supply store (yes, I controlled myself ... office supply stores are one of my downfalls !), did two loads of laundry but haven't hung them up (DOH !!), will do that tomorrow, bought some herbs, scheduled the guy to come put a phone jack in the office so I can move the computer out of the living room (!!) ... yeah, I'll stop here. I can hear you all snoring !!

New Recipe I tried last week:

Unbelieveably, I didn't try any new recipes last week !! So ... I'll share this one with you that I tried a week or two ago ... Loved it !

Baked Potato Soup.

In the craft basket:
There's lots in it ... there's just not much getting done !! But tomorrow's post will show you some craftiness ... it just doesn't fit in the basket !

Looking forward to:
Um, I think I mentioned already that I turned on the electric blanket ....

Homemaking Tip for this week:
Laundry does not hang itself.

Favorite Blog Post of the week (mine or other):
My Dad did a post about my recipe blog ... he called a radio station and told them about it ... I'm serious ! I wish I could have heard it ...

Favorite photo from last week:

From my post Sweet Story Telling ...

Lesson Learned The Past Few Days:

Life is fragile and can change in a blink of an eye.

On My Prayer List:
My husband who is STILL working crazy hours ... this is probably going to be on the list for a while yet !
My good friend who had a stroke on Friday.

Devotionals, Scripture Reading, Key Verses:
Psalm 4:3b ... the Lord will hear when I call to Him ...

Happy Monday everyone ... I'm heading to bed !!!

Happy Homemaker Monday ~ Week 8

Happy Homemaker Monday is hosted by Sandra at 'Diary of a Stay at Home Mom'

On my bedside table:

I've finally finished The 19th Wife. Loved it. It was such a fascinating book. But seriously, I don't know how any woman (or man) for that matter, survives polygamy. I just don't.

Now I'm readying Addition. Another absolutely fascinating book. It's about a woman who has OCD. I mean serious OCD. Almost debilitating OCD. I'm about 1/2 way through and I can't wait to read some more tonight ! It's a hard to put down sort of book.

On my TV:
Nothing. It's turned off for the night.

On the menu for tonight:

We've already eaten ...
Salmon with asparagus (in an interesting lime vinaigrette) and Greek Croustade. Recipes will be on the beans blog soon ...

On my To Do List:
I had a crazy to do list today !

Here's the things I got done ...
1. get new tires on the car
2. shop for outfit for Gregg and Cheryl's wedding
3. get Jono's outfit for Gregg and Cheryl's wedding ... he's in it !
4. put kids old beds out front for lady to collect. Gotta love freecycle !
5. do the grocery shopping
6. mail letters
7. send soccer email (I'm the manager of Jono's soccer team. Happy Happy Joy Joy)

And here are the things that will have to wait til tomorrow ...
1. call about quotes for screens
2. call about getting a phone jack installed in the office
3. send change of address letters

7 out of 10 ... not bad.

New Recipe I tried last week:

Fish with a Groovy Lime Salsa ... delish !!

In the craft basket:
My poor poor craft basket is still packed away ! I can't wait to get it out but it has to wait for a little while longer ...

Looking forward to:
Getting my craft basket out ... :)

Homemaking Tip for this week:
Toilets don't clean themselves.
I'm serious.

I wish they did though ...

Favorite Blog Post of the week (mine or other):

My friend Khrista has the coolest blog. Not surprising really as she is a cool person ! No, I am not ever going to stop saying cool. I'm too cool to stop using such a cool word. But, back to my cool friend Khrista and her cool blog that houses my favorite blog post of the week. It's a post about a pregnancy journal she's making. Super super ... or sould I say Uber cool ! See, I know other words besides cool !!

Favorite photo from last week:

A passion fruit flower from this post at Flowers In My Pocket ... my virtual flower garden.

Lesson Learned The Past Few Days:
I hate shopping.
Ok. I didn't really learn that lesson for the first time.
But ... I re-learned it today after I spent hours at the mall ... see # 2 & 3 on to do list !

On My Prayer List:
My husband who is working crazy hours at the moment.
Patience. For me. I need it. And lots of it ...

Devotionals, Scripture Reading, Key Verses:
Psalm 4:3b ... the Lord will hear when I call to Him ...

Happy Monday everyone !

Happy Homemaker Monday ~ Week 7

Hosted by Sandra at 'Diary of A Stay at Home Mom'

On my bedside table:
The 19th Wife by David Ebershoff

On my TV:
It's school holidays so the kids are home. It's also the Monday after Easter ... a public holiday in Australia ... so my Rory is home too ! It's 9:16 am. Rory is still snoozin'. The kids are watching various kids shows on the ABC.

On the menu for tonight:
The plan for this week is that there is no plan !
I have no idea what we will have for dinner tonight !! or all the tomorrow's until we move ...

On my To Do List:

• Call our current ISP to cancel
  
• Call our new ISP to find out about modem delivery
  
• Call local moving company to see if I can get paper to wrap dishes
  
• Write change of address letters
  
• pack
• pack
• pack
• pack
• Meet Karen and her family !!!
  

New Recipe I tried last week:
I didn't try any new recipes last week, but I tried this one the week before, Steamed Fish on Rice

In the craft basket:
My craft basket is sad and lonely because I haven't been using it this week. It is going to be sadder and lonelier later today when I pack it into a box !!!

Looking forward to:
Moving into our new house on THURSDAY !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Homemaking Tip for this week:

Not cleaning your house because you are moving in two weeks and want to just clean it that one time, makes for a dirty, very dirty, house.

Favorite Blog Post of the week (mine or other):
I've just discovered this blog I loved this post about her daughter the Snail Whisperer ! Too funny !!

Favorite photo from last week:

This pitcher is only an couple of inches tall ! I love it. It's from Spain. I'm not sure where. Do you know where I bought this Mom ? Was it Toledo where they make these ?

I know I haven't completed this whole thing but I need to wrap it up and get started on the days work ! I'll get back into doing the whole thing once we're moved and settled !! For now ... you'll just have to take what you get !! ha ha

Happy Monday to all of you !!

Happy Homemaker Monday ~ Week 6

Hosted by Sandra at 'Diary of A Stay at Home Mom'

On my bedside table:
The 19th Wife by David Ebershoff - loving this book ! It's fascinating !

On my TV:
Nothing at all. It's 11:00 pm and as soon as I finish this I'm hittin' the hay !

On the menu for tonight:
Nothing. The kids and Rory had leftover falafel from last night. I had a black olive salad.

On my To Do List:

1. finish this post.
   
2. go to bed.

New Recipe I tried last week:
I tried all new recipes last week !!
My favorite one was Lemony Chicken and Israeli Couscous Deliciousness !

In the craft basket:
I've added two things to Ravelry !!! :)

I am still working on a little purse. I've made another dishcloth. I'll have to show it to you. Soon ... I did a little embroidery on it. I don't know how to embroider but I saw this little idea in a knitting book so tried it out. Loved it. Gonna do more.

Looking forward to:
MOVING INTO OUR NEW HOUSE !!!! not long now ..... the finance came through last week so it's all a go !!!

Homemaking Tip for this week:
Your broom will not appreciate you running over it with your car ! I speak from experience ...

Favorite Blog Post of the week (mine or other):
My talented friend Rachel, and her post on the amazing activity center she BUILT for her kids ! If you click on her photos they will get bigger ...

Favorite photo from last week:

Sashimi from my birthday lunch.

Lesson learned the past few days:

See homemaking tip ....

On my Prayer List:
My family

Happy Homemaker Monday ~ Week 5

Hosted by Sandra at 'Diary of A Stay at Home Mom'

On my bedside table:
The 19th Wife by David Ebershoff

On my TV:
Nothing at all. Rory has gone to work. The children are still sleeping and I'm enjoying some quiet morning computer time ...

On the menu for tonight:

Falafel

On my To Do List:

• Plan Menu
• Do Grocery Shopping
• Do Menu Plan Monday post
• Swim 1 km
• Jono's parent teacher conference
• Do some more packing
• Call around about carpet cleaners
• Give the real estate notice that we're moving
• Go to post office
  

New Recipe I tried last week:
Sandra's Slow Cooker Chinese Chicken Curry

In the craft basket:
I'm making a little knitted purse for Alia ... you can see the start of it at the end of this post. Yes Khris ... I need to put it on Ravelry !!! :)

Looking forward to:
MOVING INTO OUR NEW HOUSE !!!!

Homemaking Tip for this week:

Muffins don't bake well under the broiler ! Don't even try it ...

I speak from experience ! Darn oven settings !!! They all look too much alike ....

Favorite Blog Post of the week (mine or other):
Ok ... I don't usually put one of my own but I really loved this post ....

Favorite photo from last week:

Lesson learned the past few days:

See homemaking tip ....

On my Prayer List:
Stellan ...




Devotionals, Scripture Reading, Key Verses:
The only devotionals I did last week were the kids ..............................................

Happy Homemaker Monday ~ Week 4

Hosted by Sandra at 'Diary of A Stay at Home Mom'

On my bedside table:
The Love Dare by Stephen and Alex Kendrick
Love As A Way Of Life by Gary Chapman


On my TV:
The kids are watching Ratatouille.

On the menu for tonight:

Believe it or not ... there is, as of yet, no menu planned for this week. Eek ! I just couldn't get motivated yesterday and then today ... well today lacked a bit of motivation as well. Rory is at a work seminar tonight. The kids and I are having eggs with grapes and raisin toast on the side !

On my To Do List:

• The car had another appointment with the mechanic. There were a few things they needed parts for that they couldn't fix last week. YEAH ... THAT WAS ON THE LIST LAST MONDAY TOO !!! I THINK MAYBE WE'RE FINALLY FINISHED.
• Start new devotional books with kids. Alia and I have done hers for today and I'll do Jono's with him before bed. I'll share the books with you later in the week. I just found them today and they are really neat. Aimed at 6-9 year olds !! I think they are going to be just what I was looking for !!
• Hang out with Toni. We went to the bookstore because she wanted to get "The Love Dare" I ended up getting a copy too. She also bought the movie Fireproof which we watched this afternoon. The acting left a bit a lot to be desired but the topic (marriage) and the story kept my interest ...
  

New Recipe I tried last week:

Asparagus Alfredo Pasta - one my Mom posted to the beans blog ...

In the craft basket:
A whole heap of knitting books that I got from the library. Seriously ... like 15 books !! I can't wait to try out a bunch of the patterns !!

Looking forward to:
MOVING INTO OUR NEW HOUSE !!!!

Homemaking Tip for this week:

I saw the best tip this week as I was searching blog land !! It's for repairing a door hinge ... super cool !! Go take a look ...

Favorite Blog Post of the week (mine or other):
I haven't done a whole lot of blog reading this week.

Favorite photo from last week:

MMMM ..... Tangy Olive Salad .....

Lesson learned the past few days:

I attended a seminar on Saturday ... ALL DAY ... learning how to protect our kids on the internet. It was horrifying and terrifying but also informative and useful.

On my Prayer List:
My kids !!!!!!

Devotionals, Scripture Reading, Key Verses:
Still reading the Psalms ....

Happy Homemaker Monday ~ Week 3

Hosted by Sandra at 'Diary of A Stay at Home Mom'

On my bedside table:
My Bible

On my TV:
It's turned off.

On the menu for tonight:

Spinach and Tofu Lasagna ... an old favorite.
Ya'll are going to have to try it once I post the recipe to the beans blog later in the week!!
It's soooo delicious !

On my To Do List:

• The car has another appointment with the mechanic. There were a few things they needed parts for that they couldn't fix last week.
• Swimming. I'm aiming for 1 km again.
• Having coffee with a friend at one of my favorite bakeries !
• I'm going to do some house work.
  
• I hope to do some baking.
• AND ......... we're putting an offer on a house today !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  

New Recipe I tried last week:
Israeli Cous Cous Salad

In the craft basket:
I finished my purple scarf !!
I'm still working on a baby blanket for Alia's baby. Shhhhh .... don't tell her, she doesn't know !
My shawl is underway ...

Looking forward to:
The owners of our new house accepting our offer !! Here's hoping ...

Homemaking Tip for this week:

Read everyone else who participates in Sandra's Happy Homemaker Monday to get good tips ! That's a tip ... a good one !! It's the best I can do !! ha ha

Favorite Blog Post of the week (mine or other):
The Sea and The Scarf by Angie at Bring The Rain
It's a long one so get a cup of tea before you go visit ! It's well worth the read though ... her whole blog is ! If you haven't visited Angie before, I suggest you do.

Favorite photo from last week:

From my 'I Love Gadgets' post ...

Lesson learned the past few days:
Waiting patiently has it's benefits.

On my Prayer List:
The offer on the house !!!
Amy's friend Noelle
Vikki's friend Regina

Devotionals, Scripture Reading, Key Verses:
Psalm 1 ...

Particularly the first part of verse 3 'He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season ...' Got me thinking about trees. And fruit. And how we often expect for the things we do to 'yield fruit' straight away ! But ... trees have to be planted, watered, exposed to sunlight, and grow (sometimes for a significant period of time) before they yield fruit !

I'm still thinking on this but it has been an encouragement to me this week ....

Happy Homemaker Monday ~ Week 2

I've been reading Sandra's Happy Homemaker Monday posts over at her blog 'Diary of a Stay at Home Mom' for a while now and thought it might be fun to participate. You might like to participate as well. You can, just grab the button, copy the categories and fill in your answers. Then pop back to Sandra's place and add your post to the Mr. Linky ...

Here goes ...

On my bedside table:
Blue Shoe by Anne Lamott
I'm about 3/4 of the way through this one. It's interesting enough for me to want to finish it but I'll be glad when that time comes !

On my TV:
It's turned off.
9:52 pm
Everyone else in the house is sound asleep.
I'll be joining them when I finish this post !

On the menu for tonight:

We've already had dinner. Tonight we tried the Mediterranean Rice Salad that Khrista posted to the beans blog a year ago. I can't believe I hadn't tried it before tonight. It was delish ! If you're interested in knowing what is on the menu for the rest of the week you can find it by clicking the button below.

On my To Do List:

Again, the day is done so my to do list is done too. I didn't finish everything on it. I did manage to get the car serviced, swim ONE KILOMETRE (!!!), hang out with my friend Toni, visit a cool tea shop I've been wanting to visit for ages, spend time with the kids, think through my current routine, attend a meeting because I'm Jono's soccer team manager, cook dinner ... on and on. I don't think I ever finish EVERYTHING on my to do list ... do you ?

New Recipe I tried last week:
I made an Udon soup last week that was quite acceptable. I will post the recipe this week ...

In the craft basket:
My scarf - almost finished.
I've also started a baby blanket for Alia's baby. Shhhhh .... don't tell her, she doesn't know !

Looking forward to:
Seeing Eddie, Gina and CJ tomorrow !

Homemaking Tip for this week:
Did ya'll see my freezer tip ?? Go look ...


Favorite Blog Post of the week (mine or other):

My friend Khrista, who was my original inspiration to blog (!!), had her 8 year old daughter as a guest blogger this week. It's going to be a regular spot on her blog and I just love it !! Check it out - Fruit Salad - Yummy Yummy !!

Favorite photo from last week:

Actually, I haven't shared this photo yet. Just took it today. I wonder how many of you know what this is ... Toni ... don't guess, I know you know what it is !!

I'll be doing a post about it, probably tomorrow or Wednesday, so if you don't know, you'll find out then !

Lesson learned the past few days:
I am the only one in this family who likes yellow zucchini.

Deep, I know.

On my Prayer List:
We're still contemplating buying our first house.
Such a huge decision.
We keep going back and forth !!!

Devotionals, Scripture Reading, Key Verses:

Still reading Exodus. I read about the ark of the covenant and the tabernacle and all that today. Not what I'd call riveting reading ...
I just opened my Bible now and this verse caught my eye.

Hebrews 13:16 "And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased."

Do good. Share with others. Really ? So simple !!

Happy Homemaker Monday

I've been reading Sandra's Happy Homemaker Monday posts over at her blog 'Diary of a Stay at Home Mom' for a while now and thought it might be fun to participate. You might like to participate as well. You can, just grab the button, copy the categories and fill in your answers. Then pop back to Sandra's place and add your post to the Mr. Linky ...

Here goes ...

On my bedside table:
You Sexy Mother by Jodie Hedley-Ward
and
Blue Shoe by Anne Lamott


On my TV:
Dora the Explorer.
The kids are watching it.
In French ...


On the menu for tonight:
We're having fish and chips with Rory's parents. I'll be taking Quinoa Black Bean Salad to have as a side dish ! You can see the rest of this week's menu at the beans blog ...


On my To Do List:

• bake poppy seed muffins and these cookies

• swim - aiming for 1k today

• go to some second hand shops with Toni

• friends coming over in the afternoon

• hanging out with Mum and Dad tonight

New Recipe I tried last week:
Mexican Chicken in the crock pot ... so delicious !!! You have got to try it !!!


In the craft basket:
My scarf - almost finished
Materials for a new scarf I want to make


Looking forward to:
Indoor soccer season finishing and outdoor soccer season starting !


Homemaking Tip for this week:
Come back tomorrow for the answer to this ...


Favorite Blog Post of the week (mine or other):
The secret life of a happy homemaker by Rhonda at down ---- to ---- earth.
I did a post about her post, I was so inspired !!


Favorite photo from last week:
I forgot to post this photo last week ... it was my uber healthy lunch on Friday ....

I don't know what uber means but I've always wanted to use it in a sentence.

Thought it might make me feel younger.

Can't say as though it did.

At least now I know.

Lesson learned the past few days:
Twisties and OJ make an uber orange but uber unhealthy lunch.

Nope, didn't work that time either.

I'll quit !

On my Prayer List:
We're contemplating buying our first house ...


Devotionals, Scripture Reading, Key Verses:

I'm reading through Exodus at the moment. Just finished the ten commandments. Been thinking about a day of rest. Wondering if I really have one and how in today's society, we could incorporate one ...

Any thoughts ?