May not send you to hell, but it will make you smell like you've been there!

So there is something I was not expecting when moving to Virginia.  I did not anticipate the amount of smoking. I knew people would smoke as they do in California. However, I didn't expect so many. In California because of the anti-smoking campaigns and the high cost of taxes on cigarettes I would say most people don't smoke.

 In Virginia it is completely different. Smoking is not for a particular type or people group. Smoking never used to bother me but I think California has changed my perspective. I have associated it with low class and low income people who do not care for their health or children. How judgmental I have become. I think the non smoking propaganda has worked on me. I am kind of disappointed in myself.  I thought I was resistant to such tactics.

Anyway, I know I will get use to the smoking again and I do enjoy the smell.  The kids just don't know how to handle it. Beware, when you visit I might be on the front porch with my pipe.Maybe it isn't horrible for your health if you just do it every once in a while. Always thought that would be a fun hobby...hmmmm!

Can you spare $2.25 a day?

Okay...so we're not really asking you to support our children. However, this is one thing I didn't expect when moving here to NOVA. The cost of FOOD is ridiculous. My gracious it is enough to make me need to get a job. I am so used to ur cheap prices in California. I am not overly sure why food is so much more expensive here. However, my theory is that it probably has to do with shipping costs. We aren't really near any majour routes for supplies so I am sure many of them are trucked here and that has to make for higher costs. We will survive this but man it is crazy!

Other news in our neck of the woods are the storms. Most everywhere has been declared a state of emergency. We will be getting another group of them the next few days. Praying that our power doesn't go out and we remain safe. Thankfully we live far enough out that they didn't affect us too much! However our Pastor's family/good friends lost all of their power so we hosted them at our house this weekend. It isn't just the power that is the issue it's the fact that the heat is almost unbearable. By 10 a.m. we are all indoors because it is sweltering outside. If you think of it please keep praying for the people in this area because so many are just not handling the lack of electricity well and it could be up to a week before all the power is back up and running.

Peace Out!