... how long I've been trying to post.
How many times I've been thwarted by technology and it's quirks.
How many episodes of Gilmore Girls have gotten in my way...
But here I am now. Today. Well, at the end of the day but it still counts. Ya know, because we're all keeping track of these things.
And now for an update...
Last post in the saga that is my life, I was a scout widow. I had a list. A long list of things to get done. My hopes were high, my reality not quite as. However, I did get some of the things done. Let's review.
* Clean the house from top to bottom. Really clean. Vacuum under everything, clean the curtains, dust the world. (This one got done! Well, more than it had been done before even though it only lasted a day. It was a good clean day.)
* Make a wall hanging for the bedroom. (Totally did it! Wood cut, nailed and glued together, painted and everything! And when I get my room cleaned again I will take a picture of it hanging in all of it's glory over my bed. I kind of might be in love with it.)
* Finish the pictures I started to frame and get them hung. (Done and done! I had 4 prints that were waiting for their home and it finally happened. We won't discuss how much dust had collected on them while waiting for said home to appear.)
* Paint the downstairs living room. (Yep, done! Thanks again to Sharon and her excess of paint, I had the color I wanted and my sister came and did Ben interference while I painted the living room walls. As an extra added bonus I rearranged the furniture to just get David good and confused when he came home. And as far as a picture goes, see above wall hanging for excuse.)
* Make a wall hanging for the kitchen. (I got this a third of the way done. I painted the platter that will have some witty kitchen saying that has nothing to do with love and more to do with death... you are so curious now aren't you! Just wait till my ambition hits again and you'll know how awesome it really is.)
* Paint the laundry room so that it no longer feels like the orphan room of the house. (Not even a little bit close. In fact it looks worse than when I put the list together. Might have something to do with my inability to really clean up after a project. So much easier just to throw it in the room that has a door to hide it.)
* Organize Ben's room and get rid of what we're not using for him. I have a bajillion pairs of pajamas that are all too hot for his size stuffed in drawers and shelves to get them out of the way. (Room... not so much. 2 drawers totally done though! Baby steps right?)
* Go through my clothes and get rid of things that I don't wear anymore. (I pretty much spent time in my room when I slept... that's about it. So no, that did not get done.)
*Organize the kitchen drawers and shelves. I seriously wish I had time to take every little thing out of every little space in my whole house and place it with purpose. (Next scout camp maybe? Not so much on the done or even started part. More like the laundry room. It just got messier.)
Well that about sums that up! David was surprised when he came home. So was I!
Since then I've really hit things hard. Things like Star Trek (I'm on a Star Trek kick that I'm not sure I completely understand. Perhaps I have been neglected my inner nerd/trekkie? I'm watching the old series and the old movies and enjoying them thoroughly despite the obvious sexist nature of the uniforms for women. Can we still be friends?)
I've also made pie, fudge, and pumpkin chocolate chip cookies, and brownies. I even gave some away!
Yesterday I mowed the lawn and rewarded myself for my hard work with several back to back episodes of Gilmore Girls. I'm concerned I may have a problem but not enough to really do anything but hit play for the next episode. Today I made breakfast and lunch and rewarded myself accordingly. It's a good thing I have a patient husband who loves me in my times of productivity as well as gluttony.
With that said, happy Wednesday my friends. May your Thursday be wonderful, however you define it!
Showing posts with label Oh my.. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Oh my.. Show all posts
Wednesday, August 7, 2013
Tuesday, July 9, 2013
Out of Retirement
I know, you didn't know I was in retirement right!?! Well it was one of those things that sort of befell the blog. It was neglected. It was forgotten. I apparently retired it and didn't tell anyone. I was content to let it go.
But like actors, ball players, and musicians everywhere, I've decided to make a comeback. I should start with something big, maybe with fireworks. So here you go.
Okay, now that that's taken care of. On to the blogging. I've had a busy Summer. A good chunk of it has been spent on the yard. I've made three flower beds where there were none before. I have planted the garden, mowed the lawn faithfully, and tackled the plethora of tree stumps in our yard.
When we moved in three years ago, this is what one section of our yard looked like. I wish that I had a better shot of this. Something that could show the whole thing top to bottom. It was just...well amazing. Impenetrable. A section of forest. Someone could have set up camp back there and we'd have never known.
It happens to be the section that I have been removing stumps from. I have taken out no less than 23 stumps from our backyard. Some big, some small. Some will have to be professionally removed because they are just too big. So of the ones that I can do myself I have 5 to go. This has taken me all summer thus far and I honestly can't wait to get the last 5 out and gone. Some tricks that I have learned about stump removal:
1) If at all possible, don't cut down the trees, get a truck and a chain and pull them out because then the stump comes with it and no need for removal or buckets of sweat for years to come. Had I known this three years ago when we moved in... Oy.
2) Since I didn't know about the glory of tree removal by truck, we had lots and lots and lots of stumps. So the next step, or first, is to prune the snot out of it so you can see where the stump actually is without the camouflaging effect of wannabe branches.
3) Next dig all around it, nice and deep. Depending on size you can start prying them out with your shovel and some of them will actually come up! I think 2 of mine did... early on so that I thought it was easy and would keep going.
4) After you've dug and hopefully located the major roots get your handy dandy pruning sheers and clip em! At first I just tried to chop through them with my shovel. That is stupid. And hard. My pruners are much sharper than my shovel and it goes much much quicker. I'm pretty sure I had 7 stumps under my belt before I learned that little trick.
5) Now that you've cut the major arteries, pull the sucker out! If it still won't come then position yourself ground level, feet towards the offending stump, place your foot (either one, I prefer my right foot) on the stump and start kicking the tar right out of it! This does 2 things. First it helps you get some anger out at having to still deal with the stump and your own stupidity at not getting a truck and a chain in the first place; you can even grunt if you want to. Second, it shakes more dirt loose and you can often find the one major artery that slipped by the clippers making it impossible to pull out.
6) Now you can truly remove the stump! After clipping the artery, stand yourself up, brush yourself off and pick up that stump. Hold it high for the world to see and declare your victory! "Down you offending and badly placed tree! May your remaining roots rot!"
Too dramatic? Well it's kind of what I felt like doing. But mostly I just threw the stump to the side and laid on the grass while I caught my breath.
This is what that section of yard looks like now.
So how there's a fence? At the tops of the pine trees that you saw in the first picture, well there are three of them. Well actually there were 4 but we took one out last year when we FOUND it! That's right, entire trees were living in our yard that we didn't know where there.
Here's another shot.
It's not really all that great still, but before the summer is out we hope to have most of that area under the trees converted back to grass with a bench seat underneath the pines and maybe some Virginia Creeper along the fence line for a bit more privacy (since we cut the privacy right out). Which means 5 more stumps and a whole lot of digging and tilling the ground to get things evened out. Oddly taking out 23 stumps leaves a few holes.
What have you been up to? Any cool gardening tips? I need all the help I can get!
But like actors, ball players, and musicians everywhere, I've decided to make a comeback. I should start with something big, maybe with fireworks. So here you go.
Okay, now that that's taken care of. On to the blogging. I've had a busy Summer. A good chunk of it has been spent on the yard. I've made three flower beds where there were none before. I have planted the garden, mowed the lawn faithfully, and tackled the plethora of tree stumps in our yard.
When we moved in three years ago, this is what one section of our yard looked like. I wish that I had a better shot of this. Something that could show the whole thing top to bottom. It was just...well amazing. Impenetrable. A section of forest. Someone could have set up camp back there and we'd have never known.
 |
1) If at all possible, don't cut down the trees, get a truck and a chain and pull them out because then the stump comes with it and no need for removal or buckets of sweat for years to come. Had I known this three years ago when we moved in... Oy.
2) Since I didn't know about the glory of tree removal by truck, we had lots and lots and lots of stumps. So the next step, or first, is to prune the snot out of it so you can see where the stump actually is without the camouflaging effect of wannabe branches.
3) Next dig all around it, nice and deep. Depending on size you can start prying them out with your shovel and some of them will actually come up! I think 2 of mine did... early on so that I thought it was easy and would keep going.
4) After you've dug and hopefully located the major roots get your handy dandy pruning sheers and clip em! At first I just tried to chop through them with my shovel. That is stupid. And hard. My pruners are much sharper than my shovel and it goes much much quicker. I'm pretty sure I had 7 stumps under my belt before I learned that little trick.
5) Now that you've cut the major arteries, pull the sucker out! If it still won't come then position yourself ground level, feet towards the offending stump, place your foot (either one, I prefer my right foot) on the stump and start kicking the tar right out of it! This does 2 things. First it helps you get some anger out at having to still deal with the stump and your own stupidity at not getting a truck and a chain in the first place; you can even grunt if you want to. Second, it shakes more dirt loose and you can often find the one major artery that slipped by the clippers making it impossible to pull out.
6) Now you can truly remove the stump! After clipping the artery, stand yourself up, brush yourself off and pick up that stump. Hold it high for the world to see and declare your victory! "Down you offending and badly placed tree! May your remaining roots rot!"
Too dramatic? Well it's kind of what I felt like doing. But mostly I just threw the stump to the side and laid on the grass while I caught my breath.
This is what that section of yard looks like now.
So how there's a fence? At the tops of the pine trees that you saw in the first picture, well there are three of them. Well actually there were 4 but we took one out last year when we FOUND it! That's right, entire trees were living in our yard that we didn't know where there.
Here's another shot.
It's not really all that great still, but before the summer is out we hope to have most of that area under the trees converted back to grass with a bench seat underneath the pines and maybe some Virginia Creeper along the fence line for a bit more privacy (since we cut the privacy right out). Which means 5 more stumps and a whole lot of digging and tilling the ground to get things evened out. Oddly taking out 23 stumps leaves a few holes.
What have you been up to? Any cool gardening tips? I need all the help I can get!
Thursday, May 23, 2013
Taking the Plunge!
I've done it. I've created a photography blog with samples of my work. Not all of it, but some of it. Check it out here: http://mothernatureslight.blogspot.com/
I'm also offering my services for hire. And I'm cheap. Not in the trashy kind of way but in the "hey, I could actually afford to hire you" kind of way. So if you want photos taken of your kids, or you and your kids, or your kids prom dates, or even an event in your backyard, I'm your man... well woman. And if you know someone who would like my services, feel free to pass it on. Contact me via email: mdmarian02@hotmail.com or phone 435-760-5639, or comment on this blog. I'm easy. But not in the trashy kind of way.
Now, get outside and enjoy this beautiful weather!
I'm also offering my services for hire. And I'm cheap. Not in the trashy kind of way but in the "hey, I could actually afford to hire you" kind of way. So if you want photos taken of your kids, or you and your kids, or your kids prom dates, or even an event in your backyard, I'm your man... well woman. And if you know someone who would like my services, feel free to pass it on. Contact me via email: mdmarian02@hotmail.com or phone 435-760-5639, or comment on this blog. I'm easy. But not in the trashy kind of way.
Now, get outside and enjoy this beautiful weather!
Thursday, August 19, 2010
A-Hem...
This is what started it. This tree. This tree that I saw, that I loved, that I wanted in my house.
These windows encouraged me. They said, "get the tree, we'll make it all worth it."
I had visions of these windows over the tree on my wall looking so fun.
These windows told me, "yes, get the tree, put it behind your bed, you won't regret it."
I complied.
I played with the windows behind the bed. A faux headboard if you will.
I bought stuff to hang them up.
David helped. We used modern technology to play around with where the windows should go.
Right over the tree?
To the sides?
Should some tree show through but most not?
Do we move the windows to the sides and not have them touch the tree at all?
We couldn't decide.
Then we got brilliant ideas out of desperation.
Desperation is an ugly word.
This is what we decided would be a good idea in the middle of the night after a very long day.
It's cute, it's original... it's just not quite right.
It felt like a Barry White room at night.
Like we should have 4 poster pillars...
or pink tiaras.
It just wasn't us. Perhaps we should tweak it.
Let's try this
Flowers make everything better don't they?
They'll save me from having purchased fabric frivolously.
A more elegant swoop?
And that's when I realized that I kind of hate it.
That sheer fabric shouldn't have been there in the first place.
That it was silly to even think about making a window/headboard out of a bedroom wall.
We are not children.
We are adults.
We need an adult room.
This is not an adult room.
This is almost embarrassing.
Or really all embarassing.
This needs to go away.
But we ran out of money.
And now we're stuck in a Barry White Princess bedroom.
At least there's no pink.... right.
It could be pink.
Sigh.
David's the best to put up with this, to encourage me when he was secretly rolling his eyes. To humor me. A saint that's who I married... a saint.
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Out with the old
SO, some of you already know this story but I would hate to keep it from the rest of the world because of it's awesomeness. (I hope you can sense my sarcasm on that one.)
So, new house, not so new stove, but workable. I have been using the stove top quite a bit and though not ideal, it works. Keep in mind that I came from an apartment where a lovely double oven with a smooth stove top was in residence and I loved it. Upon moving I knew I would miss it even more than the garage. But alas, it wasn't mine so on to things I own.
K, so stove top good. How about that oven part? Last Wednesday I decided to give it a try. I am always apprehensive about unfamiliar ovens. More often than not they run warmer than the desired temperature and my first adventure with a new-to-me oven ends up with something smoking or charred. So I made a lovely pasta dish that needs a mere twenty minute bake to finish off it's goodness. I pre-heat the oven and halfway through warm-up a smell assaults my senses. It's got an ammonia hint to it and I figure it must be oven cleaner burning off. I open the oven, no smell only heat. Hmm. Smell gets worse. Inside still fine. Decide to go ahead and bake anyways.
5 minutes into the 20 minute bake time my eyes start to burn and the windows go open. 2 more minutes and the patio door is open and a candle is lit to help with the smell. Still, not coming from the inside of the oven so at least my dinner is safe. Bake time ends, oven goes off, smell subsides but windows stay open to get the rest of the ickyness out. I feel it okay to share that the smell could only be referred to as ammonia with a strong undertone of urine. (I know, some of you just dry-heaved.) Oven off, Lora calls David and vows to never use again until source of foul smell is determined and annihilated.
Saturday. First on the list of chores is find out what the deal is with the oven. Pull it out from the wall, no obvious anything. Quite clean in fact.
Next step, take back paneling off to check out the insulation. Top part of panel comes off and what before my wondering eyes should appear but unsightly mounds of mouse turds so clear. EWWWWWW! Vaccuum retrieved and used before side panel removal is attempted. Side panel is pulled slightly away and leaves, grass, and other foilage among other things spill forth. We have looked enough to know that there is no way in h#11 that that stove will be spending any more time in our house.
So, out with the old and, after a flying trip around Cache Valley's appliance stores, in with the new. I now have a brand new stove that is almost exactly like that one that was left behind. With the extra added feature of a warming spot and a very large burner that can be converted into a medium size burner with the flip of a switch... well, I'm pretty happy.
Let the baking begin.
So, new house, not so new stove, but workable. I have been using the stove top quite a bit and though not ideal, it works. Keep in mind that I came from an apartment where a lovely double oven with a smooth stove top was in residence and I loved it. Upon moving I knew I would miss it even more than the garage. But alas, it wasn't mine so on to things I own.
K, so stove top good. How about that oven part? Last Wednesday I decided to give it a try. I am always apprehensive about unfamiliar ovens. More often than not they run warmer than the desired temperature and my first adventure with a new-to-me oven ends up with something smoking or charred. So I made a lovely pasta dish that needs a mere twenty minute bake to finish off it's goodness. I pre-heat the oven and halfway through warm-up a smell assaults my senses. It's got an ammonia hint to it and I figure it must be oven cleaner burning off. I open the oven, no smell only heat. Hmm. Smell gets worse. Inside still fine. Decide to go ahead and bake anyways.
5 minutes into the 20 minute bake time my eyes start to burn and the windows go open. 2 more minutes and the patio door is open and a candle is lit to help with the smell. Still, not coming from the inside of the oven so at least my dinner is safe. Bake time ends, oven goes off, smell subsides but windows stay open to get the rest of the ickyness out. I feel it okay to share that the smell could only be referred to as ammonia with a strong undertone of urine. (I know, some of you just dry-heaved.) Oven off, Lora calls David and vows to never use again until source of foul smell is determined and annihilated.
Saturday. First on the list of chores is find out what the deal is with the oven. Pull it out from the wall, no obvious anything. Quite clean in fact.
Next step, take back paneling off to check out the insulation. Top part of panel comes off and what before my wondering eyes should appear but unsightly mounds of mouse turds so clear. EWWWWWW! Vaccuum retrieved and used before side panel removal is attempted. Side panel is pulled slightly away and leaves, grass, and other foilage among other things spill forth. We have looked enough to know that there is no way in h#11 that that stove will be spending any more time in our house.
So, out with the old and, after a flying trip around Cache Valley's appliance stores, in with the new. I now have a brand new stove that is almost exactly like that one that was left behind. With the extra added feature of a warming spot and a very large burner that can be converted into a medium size burner with the flip of a switch... well, I'm pretty happy.
Let the baking begin.
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
What kind of a day are you having?
I thought I was doing pretty good today until Marketing Meeting. It's at 11:00 am and I have been here walking around and talking to people since 8:30.
Marketing meeting.
Lindsey: Did you mean to wear two different earrings?
Me: No, these are the same. (I clearly remember picking up the gold dangly ones I love that would go perfectly with my hairdo that is cutely fashioned away from my face so as to accentuate the earrings and their cuteness)
Lindsey: No they aren't.
Me: (feeling them as proof).... crap! ( 1 gold dangly, 1 beaded nowhere close to the same color other) Tells you what kind of a day I'm having!
How's yours?
Marketing meeting.
Lindsey: Did you mean to wear two different earrings?
Me: No, these are the same. (I clearly remember picking up the gold dangly ones I love that would go perfectly with my hairdo that is cutely fashioned away from my face so as to accentuate the earrings and their cuteness)
Lindsey: No they aren't.
Me: (feeling them as proof).... crap! ( 1 gold dangly, 1 beaded nowhere close to the same color other) Tells you what kind of a day I'm having!
How's yours?
Monday, April 26, 2010
Under the Knife
In the name of all that is random and odd, I ask you dear readers, if you were to have cosmetic surgery what would it be?
I don't ask this out of vanity or an obsession with the perfect body. I can tell you right now there will be no chest altering in the future, or liposuction for that matter. Don't get me wrong, I would love to have a few pounds of fat just sucked out of my trouble spots, but what would that say about me?
Perhaps I fear the judgements of man too much. I was joking about some magic way to melt away the fat in the general area of my tummy. Believe it or not my husband would actually support me in that. Not because he thinks I'm fat or that I need it, he's just watched as I've tried to work my behind off and it just won't go. He would support it because he hates to see me work so hard to no avail. What no one realizes is that no matter how hard I try to work my behind off my addicition to chocolate/sugar is the real thing that is standing in my way.... sigh. It's just so darn good! Some people have their coffee addiction, I have my chocolate addiction. It could even be called my coping device. I think another sigh is appropriate here.
Back to the topic. No seriously body altering surgery, but I confess the prospects of laser hair removal sound marvelous to me. And if I could choose only one spot, it would be my stupid chin!! Seriously, what is up with that! Women bear the children, the laundry, why do we have to deal with errant chin hairs! And why oh why does no one prepare us for this at home. Or perhaps I'm the only one who deals with this problem? Hmmm. could it be a family trait? Either way, it totally stinks! So if I were to change myself cosmetically it would be laser hair removal.
What would yours be? You can tell me, this is a safe place. (insert smiley face here)
I don't ask this out of vanity or an obsession with the perfect body. I can tell you right now there will be no chest altering in the future, or liposuction for that matter. Don't get me wrong, I would love to have a few pounds of fat just sucked out of my trouble spots, but what would that say about me?
Perhaps I fear the judgements of man too much. I was joking about some magic way to melt away the fat in the general area of my tummy. Believe it or not my husband would actually support me in that. Not because he thinks I'm fat or that I need it, he's just watched as I've tried to work my behind off and it just won't go. He would support it because he hates to see me work so hard to no avail. What no one realizes is that no matter how hard I try to work my behind off my addicition to chocolate/sugar is the real thing that is standing in my way.... sigh. It's just so darn good! Some people have their coffee addiction, I have my chocolate addiction. It could even be called my coping device. I think another sigh is appropriate here.
Back to the topic. No seriously body altering surgery, but I confess the prospects of laser hair removal sound marvelous to me. And if I could choose only one spot, it would be my stupid chin!! Seriously, what is up with that! Women bear the children, the laundry, why do we have to deal with errant chin hairs! And why oh why does no one prepare us for this at home. Or perhaps I'm the only one who deals with this problem? Hmmm. could it be a family trait? Either way, it totally stinks! So if I were to change myself cosmetically it would be laser hair removal.
What would yours be? You can tell me, this is a safe place. (insert smiley face here)
Monday, March 29, 2010
Toilet Texting
Okay, admit it. Most of you are grossed out but like a train wreck you just have to keep watching/reading.
I work at Utah State University in the Catering office. Conveniently located on the second floor of the Taggart Student Center where all the action happens. My office also just happens to be across the hall from the rest room that also functions as a mother's lounge (lactation station)/dressing room/there's-clearly-no-better-place-to-sleep-than-in-here. I suppose in fairness there are two over-stuffed black leatherish couches in there. Why? Seriously, no idea. But there are several other places on campus I can think of to take a quick snooze that don't involve other people's bodily functions and the hearing thereof.
This restroom has provided many an office discussion. Like the time there was a couple of girls looking up each other's noses while lying in each other's laps. Or the TP vandalist who would fill entire toilets full of tp so they wouldn't flush and then just leave. Structurally speaking, my favorite feature is the tile floor that earily resembles a half played minesweeper field. It's all I can do sometimes not to flag the bombs and declare victory. But enough.
So, as I was visiting the rest room this fine March day I noticed the sounds of texting coming from the stall next to me. That's right, texting. I couldn't help but think how irresponsible this was. Seriously. Laws have been passed outlawing texting while driving because it causes too much distraction on the road. I shudder to think what would happen if one were distracted in the bathroom! Sure it looks harmless enough. You even have the illusion of control. But one slip is all it takes to send your phone plunging to where no one will go after it. All your unmemorized numbers, your cool apps, music, pictures... all gone because you just had to text someone while on the pot. Like it was all that urgent in the first place. What could possibly not wait until you are finished and away from the swirling death?! I mean, are you out of toilet paper and texting for help? Fallen and can't get out? Play by play on twitter? Seriously people, just put it away.
I work at Utah State University in the Catering office. Conveniently located on the second floor of the Taggart Student Center where all the action happens. My office also just happens to be across the hall from the rest room that also functions as a mother's lounge (lactation station)/dressing room/there's-clearly-no-better-place-to-sleep-than-in-here. I suppose in fairness there are two over-stuffed black leatherish couches in there. Why? Seriously, no idea. But there are several other places on campus I can think of to take a quick snooze that don't involve other people's bodily functions and the hearing thereof.
This restroom has provided many an office discussion. Like the time there was a couple of girls looking up each other's noses while lying in each other's laps. Or the TP vandalist who would fill entire toilets full of tp so they wouldn't flush and then just leave. Structurally speaking, my favorite feature is the tile floor that earily resembles a half played minesweeper field. It's all I can do sometimes not to flag the bombs and declare victory. But enough.
So, as I was visiting the rest room this fine March day I noticed the sounds of texting coming from the stall next to me. That's right, texting. I couldn't help but think how irresponsible this was. Seriously. Laws have been passed outlawing texting while driving because it causes too much distraction on the road. I shudder to think what would happen if one were distracted in the bathroom! Sure it looks harmless enough. You even have the illusion of control. But one slip is all it takes to send your phone plunging to where no one will go after it. All your unmemorized numbers, your cool apps, music, pictures... all gone because you just had to text someone while on the pot. Like it was all that urgent in the first place. What could possibly not wait until you are finished and away from the swirling death?! I mean, are you out of toilet paper and texting for help? Fallen and can't get out? Play by play on twitter? Seriously people, just put it away.
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Look into my crystal ball...
Are you tired of not knowing what's around the corner?
Sick of making plans only to have something unforseen gunk them all up?
Well wait no more! Yesirree my friends, your future is about to be revealed. The EBOFC is the ticket to win. With this newly found no-fail system your future can be revealed. Know when it's best to plan those get togethers. Find out how to avoid high stress situations before they happen.
Here's how it works. Think of a question, something you really want to know. Now chant it quietly to yourself. Focus. Don't let anything distract you. Are you ready?
Your answer is...
"You will always be surrounded by friends when you need them."
I know, you are amazed! Let's try it again.
Got your question? Chanting? Focused?
Your answer is...
"Something on four wheels will soon be a fun investment for you!"
Please, please, hold your applause. Your amazed! Mystified! Dying to try it again! Chant it out loud and clear this time baby!!
The answer is!....
"An unexpected even will soon make your life more exciting."
Never before has life been so easy for you! The EBOFC is the answer!
Just what is the EBOFC you ask? How can you get it? Simple my friends. All you have to do is rummage through the Primary closet long enough and you can find your very own Expired Box Of Fortune Cookies! Crack 'em open and your future can be revealed too!
I know mine was:
"You create your own stage and your audience is waiting!"
Words to live by my friends.
May fortune smile upon you.
(Not valid in all 50 states. Licensing requirements and fees may apply. Headdress and gypsy jewelry sold seperately)
Sick of making plans only to have something unforseen gunk them all up?
Well wait no more! Yesirree my friends, your future is about to be revealed. The EBOFC is the ticket to win. With this newly found no-fail system your future can be revealed. Know when it's best to plan those get togethers. Find out how to avoid high stress situations before they happen.
Here's how it works. Think of a question, something you really want to know. Now chant it quietly to yourself. Focus. Don't let anything distract you. Are you ready?
Your answer is...
"You will always be surrounded by friends when you need them."
I know, you are amazed! Let's try it again.
Got your question? Chanting? Focused?
Your answer is...
"Something on four wheels will soon be a fun investment for you!"
Please, please, hold your applause. Your amazed! Mystified! Dying to try it again! Chant it out loud and clear this time baby!!
The answer is!....
"An unexpected even will soon make your life more exciting."
Never before has life been so easy for you! The EBOFC is the answer!
Just what is the EBOFC you ask? How can you get it? Simple my friends. All you have to do is rummage through the Primary closet long enough and you can find your very own Expired Box Of Fortune Cookies! Crack 'em open and your future can be revealed too!
I know mine was:
"You create your own stage and your audience is waiting!"
Words to live by my friends.
May fortune smile upon you.
(Not valid in all 50 states. Licensing requirements and fees may apply. Headdress and gypsy jewelry sold seperately)
Monday, February 1, 2010
Lurking...
What could possibly be scary about a Valentine's balloon with a happy face!?
I'll tell you what, a Valentine balloon with a happy face bobbing up and down in front of your window when you get up in the middle of the night to get a drink. That's what!
Happy February Everyone!
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Be of Good Cheer
"Be of good cheer and accept what comes your way."
This was given in a talk today at church. It was a blessing given by President Monson, then a counselor in the first presidency, to a the sister of one of the women in my ward. She had cancer. She passed away, not sure how long after, but she had peace in her heart. How difficult is it to be of good cheer no matter what.
My patience and good cheer was certainly tried today. Being the Sunday after Christmas it was inevitable that people would be missing, particularly primary teachers. Substitutes were hunted but not too many were to be found. In fact, I ended up teaching the entire Junior primary with my husband because there were some no-shows. Armed with a lesson manual, plenty of pictures, papers and crayons, David and I braved the 11 children ages 4-6 with faith in our hearts and purpose in our eyes. I'm still not entirely sure what happened but in about 4 minutes time I felt completely out of control. Perhaps it was my extended late nights accumulating in severe sleep deprivation (and we want kids!) but I think if I would have had duct tape there would have been at least two either taped securely to their seats or with a goodly portion of the stuff across their mouths. Thank heavens for David who was able to keep a calm head about him. He told stories and helped move things along in a more spiritual direction. I on the other hand was frazzled. Nothing but frazzled. I wanted to come home and cry.
Be of good cheer and accept what comes your way no matter what. Apparently I need a little more work in that direction... cheerfulness and all. I am willing to try though. Might make a good new years resolution.
This was given in a talk today at church. It was a blessing given by President Monson, then a counselor in the first presidency, to a the sister of one of the women in my ward. She had cancer. She passed away, not sure how long after, but she had peace in her heart. How difficult is it to be of good cheer no matter what.
My patience and good cheer was certainly tried today. Being the Sunday after Christmas it was inevitable that people would be missing, particularly primary teachers. Substitutes were hunted but not too many were to be found. In fact, I ended up teaching the entire Junior primary with my husband because there were some no-shows. Armed with a lesson manual, plenty of pictures, papers and crayons, David and I braved the 11 children ages 4-6 with faith in our hearts and purpose in our eyes. I'm still not entirely sure what happened but in about 4 minutes time I felt completely out of control. Perhaps it was my extended late nights accumulating in severe sleep deprivation (and we want kids!) but I think if I would have had duct tape there would have been at least two either taped securely to their seats or with a goodly portion of the stuff across their mouths. Thank heavens for David who was able to keep a calm head about him. He told stories and helped move things along in a more spiritual direction. I on the other hand was frazzled. Nothing but frazzled. I wanted to come home and cry.
Be of good cheer and accept what comes your way no matter what. Apparently I need a little more work in that direction... cheerfulness and all. I am willing to try though. Might make a good new years resolution.
Sunday, October 4, 2009
General Conference Chaos
New message on the home phone:
"Hi Lora, this is Abby. You really need to call me or Jarom before you come home! Just go to Jarom's house because there is no power at Mom and Dad's because of the fire. K, bye."
Isn't that a wonderful message to send you into a panic! Fortunately, we found out about the house fire before we heard the message. My parents had a bit of a house fire early this morning. Dad got up to get a drink and noticed that the front porch light finally started working... and flickering... odd. He went outside to get a better look and that's when he noticed the flames!
Apparently, the wind was so bad during the night that it was blowing some wires together against the house. The constant touching of the wires closed the circuit and the electricity kept trying to ground itself, therefore heating up the wires, melting them together, heating up the siding on the house and eventually starting the insulation on fire. Nice huh. Fortunately everyone was okay, dinner just got moved down the road to my brother's house. Always fun. And of course, thank heavens for insurance and a neighbor who also happens to be an electrician.
Then of course there is the general chaos of having a house full of adults and kids trying to cook dinner and watch General Conference at the same time. At least it kept us all awake!
Extra special treat:
I made a new cookie recipe yesterday. I meant to only do one batch, but upon completion of first batch I realized I had accidentally doubled the salt. So, another batch got made, sans salt, and mixed with the first. Result: I brought a salad and cookies to dinner. They were quite good though and people asked for the recipe. Here it is.
White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies (courtesy of Ocean Spray)
2/3 cup softened butter or margarine
2/3 cup brown sugar
2 large eggs
1 1/2 cups oats
1 1/2 cups flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
6 oz craisins (1 package)
2/3 cup white chocolate chips or chunks
cream together butter and sugar till light and fluffy.
add eggs and beat till smooth
add oats, flour, baking soda and salt, mix well
add craisins and white chocolate chips
bake at 375 for 10-12 minutes
makes 2 1/2 dozen.
Enjoy!
"Hi Lora, this is Abby. You really need to call me or Jarom before you come home! Just go to Jarom's house because there is no power at Mom and Dad's because of the fire. K, bye."
Isn't that a wonderful message to send you into a panic! Fortunately, we found out about the house fire before we heard the message. My parents had a bit of a house fire early this morning. Dad got up to get a drink and noticed that the front porch light finally started working... and flickering... odd. He went outside to get a better look and that's when he noticed the flames!
Apparently, the wind was so bad during the night that it was blowing some wires together against the house. The constant touching of the wires closed the circuit and the electricity kept trying to ground itself, therefore heating up the wires, melting them together, heating up the siding on the house and eventually starting the insulation on fire. Nice huh. Fortunately everyone was okay, dinner just got moved down the road to my brother's house. Always fun. And of course, thank heavens for insurance and a neighbor who also happens to be an electrician.
Then of course there is the general chaos of having a house full of adults and kids trying to cook dinner and watch General Conference at the same time. At least it kept us all awake!
Extra special treat:
I made a new cookie recipe yesterday. I meant to only do one batch, but upon completion of first batch I realized I had accidentally doubled the salt. So, another batch got made, sans salt, and mixed with the first. Result: I brought a salad and cookies to dinner. They were quite good though and people asked for the recipe. Here it is.
White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies (courtesy of Ocean Spray)
2/3 cup softened butter or margarine
2/3 cup brown sugar
2 large eggs
1 1/2 cups oats
1 1/2 cups flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
6 oz craisins (1 package)
2/3 cup white chocolate chips or chunks
cream together butter and sugar till light and fluffy.
add eggs and beat till smooth
add oats, flour, baking soda and salt, mix well
add craisins and white chocolate chips
bake at 375 for 10-12 minutes
makes 2 1/2 dozen.
Enjoy!
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Lessons in the Kitchen
So I've started on a new adventure. I've decided to cook.I know, many of you are shocked, especially my husband! He's very thankful though. I used to cook all the time, then I got a job in food services. You'd think that being around so much food and so many ideas of food that I would come home and create marvelous dishes for the eye and the palate. Not so my friend. Not so.
In all fairness I did get excited about trying to reproduce items on the menu in my own kitchen. Then I got tired. Tired of coming up with new ideas for the customers. Tired of trying to find a chicken dish to inspire. Tired of thinking about food period. The only dinner choice I have wanted to make for a long time is what kind of cereal tonight... Life or Captain Crunch with Crunchberries. So what changed you ask.
I read a book. "The Sharper Your Knife the Less You Cry" by Kathleen Flinn. She is a journalist who found herself in a position to fulfill her dream of attending Le Cordon Bleu cooking school in Paris. She wrote about her experience. I found it fascinating. Believe it or not, I actually took a Culinary Basics class at Utah State University. I was curious about the course and it didn't hurt that my uncle taught it. This proved to be both good and bad. While I had a friendly face in the classroom, I also couldn't fall asleep in class and get away with it unknown and unseen. The seating chart put me in the second row for the 7:30 am class. (The first and last 7:30 class I took) Moving on, as I read about her culinary journey laced with terms such as concasse and knappe I remember that I once knew those terms and did just those things on a regular basis. The more I got into the book the more I wanted to pull out my knives, notes, and recipes and re-learn some of the things that I once knew. That's when it got... interesting.
It was Saturday. I had just finished a chapter with emphasis on the importance of a good sauce. I remembered a lovely sauce that we did over a pan-fried fish dish. It was Lemon Buerre Blanc. Though I wasn't planning on fish, I did have a couple of chicken breasts that were dying for something new to be done with them. I decided to give it a whirl. I pulled out my trusty "cards" that contained the recipe for the sauce and dove in and promptly belly-flopped in my efforts. One of the things that became second nature while in class was the method of sauce making. So much so that I didn't actually take any notes on the method of making the sauce. I delved deep into my memory and brought out such terms as reduce and de-glaze. I also knew there was some serious whipping with a wire whisk somewhere towards the end and lots of butter. I began.
It was a mess. My first attempt was just embarrassing. The recipe calls for white wine. In class we used sparkling white grape juice. I had neither. What I did have was white wine vinegar. I put it in my sauce and was immediately floored by the pungent aroma of vinegar. "No one pours themselves a glass of white wine vinegar to drink with dinner!" I thought to myself. Down the disposal. I try again. This time I opt for a different substitution which just makes me laugh. No white wine in the house (crazy huh... what would it look like if the primary president had a wine rack!) and no grape juice, I opted for the next best thing. Western Family condensed orange juice. I added a bit of the white wine vinegar for the kick. It was a mess. I finally just whipped in the butter with all my strength and threw it on the chicken not caring anymore.
David thought it was great. I thought it was.... was. Just think how much he would have liked it if I had done it right!
Despite the fact that the sauce was less that presentable, it did renew my desire to cook and cook well. Not just mom's tried and true spaghetti dinner with a packet of Western Family spaghetti seasoning thrown into a can of tomato and mushroom soup. But really cook. Fresh ingredients, new flavor profiles, classy presentation.
Crazy thing about it is that it actually feels good.
Friday, July 17, 2009
Oh yeah, it's that good
Here's the link, just read the article, I know you'll get a kick out of it.
Pork Barba-coca-cola
Thanks Stef!
Pork Barba-coca-cola
Thanks Stef!
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
In Common
What do a nursing mother, an avid reader, and someone who drinks a lot of water have in common?
Yep, the women’s restroom in the Taggart Student Center.
Not to be mistaken for ordinary, this restroom offers relief for a variety of women and their needs. It’s deep black faux-leather couches offer the average person a place to sit back, kick off your shoes and read a good book or even take a quick nap.
During certain times of the day your R&R can also be accompanied by the soft swish swish coming from the ‘lactation station’ as resident employee pumps.
And don’t forget the flush of the toilets and the crank of the paper towel dispenser!
As an added bonus the wall-mirror lets you know whether you look your best or need to straighten a few loose strands.
Yes indeed, a restroom fit for royalty.
Yep, the women’s restroom in the Taggart Student Center.
Not to be mistaken for ordinary, this restroom offers relief for a variety of women and their needs. It’s deep black faux-leather couches offer the average person a place to sit back, kick off your shoes and read a good book or even take a quick nap.
During certain times of the day your R&R can also be accompanied by the soft swish swish coming from the ‘lactation station’ as resident employee pumps.
And don’t forget the flush of the toilets and the crank of the paper towel dispenser!
As an added bonus the wall-mirror lets you know whether you look your best or need to straighten a few loose strands.
Yes indeed, a restroom fit for royalty.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Don't worry, I can blackmail myself. Part 1
So, moving always presents itself with it's ups and downs. The downs are that you have to pack up your life and move it to a new location. The ups are that you get a chance to remember your life... for better or for worse.
As I was going through a box that I have hauled around since High School, I stumbled upon a variety of items that made me laugh right out loud! I feel the need to share.
First. One of my favorite things about going to my Grandma's house was sneaking into her room and playing with her grandma jewelry. The chunky beads and gaudy earrings were just so dang fun. So, in my infinite wisdom, I decided to make a collection of my own. I was going to keep those items of jewelry that I had outgrown but my kids and grand kids would be sure to love. I kept them in a Noxema box of all things. I have literally hauled it around for years and just today I decided to open it up and see what treasures I had vowed to pass on to my posterity.... oh my.
I give to you the single earring that used to be a set. Why on earth I kept them... My favorite it is the 2nd half of the "best friends" earring. I'm pretty sure that Ed had the first half.
Next come proof of my once-upon-a-long-time-ago infatuation with dragons. Sorry it's a little blurry, couldn't get it any better in current conditions. I used to wear it with a purple shirt.
This one actually did come from my Grandma! Shazaam!
Did I ever tell you I had a rock tumbler? I got it for Christmas one year. No one knew that the stupid thing had to run for months on end in order for it to work. My parents regretted it the moment I took it out of the box. I only made it one round myself.
I honestly don't remember this one, but I must have kept it for the many beautiful colors that my kids were sure to love!
And who can forget the friendship bracelets handmade in the comfort of Mr. Washburn's arts and crafts class.
And my all time favorite laugh out loud collection. Each one is slightly smaller than the palm of my hand and made of plastic. I can hardly find the words. It was these gems that made me laugh the hardest,
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