Friday, February 27, 2009
A Giveaway...
If you go to this website: http://thecreativemama.com/?p=322 she is giving away cute bags and you will be entered to win if you leave a comment with your best move-in tip. It ends on Saturday, February 28th though. Hope you win!
Sunday, February 15, 2009
The Bathtub Test
It doesn't hurt to take a good hard look at yourself from time to time, and this should help get you started.
During a visit to the mental asylum, a visitor asked the Director what the criterion was which defined whether or not a patient should be institutionalized.
"Well," said the Director, "we fill up a bathtub, then we offer a teaspoon, a teacup, and a bucket to the patient and ask him or her to empty the bathtub."
"Oh, I understand," said the visitor. "A normal person would use the bucket because it's bigger than the spoon or the teacup."
"No." said the Director, "A normal person would pull the plug. Do you want a bed near the window?"
During a visit to the mental asylum, a visitor asked the Director what the criterion was which defined whether or not a patient should be institutionalized.
"Well," said the Director, "we fill up a bathtub, then we offer a teaspoon, a teacup, and a bucket to the patient and ask him or her to empty the bathtub."
"Oh, I understand," said the visitor. "A normal person would use the bucket because it's bigger than the spoon or the teacup."
"No." said the Director, "A normal person would pull the plug. Do you want a bed near the window?"
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Choosy
As I was washing dishes, I looked over and saw my roommate's jar of Jif peanut butter sitting on the counter. Then I saw the little label which read "#1 choice of choosy moms." Hmm, I wonder what criteria Jif uses to define choosy? Is it only moms who choose Jif that are choosy? Or maybe it's a certain number of moms out of so many who choose Jif. Maybe some moms are choosy in some things but they don't care what type of peanut butter they buy for their family, are they still considered choosy? Probably not, since they didn't buy Jif. Maybe Jif is bought more often than other brands and that's why they consider themselves more chosen. Any thoughts?
Then I kept on thinking, how choosy am I? Should I be choosier? (is that a word?) Are some of the things I watch, listen to, read, or spend my time doing not quite appropriate? Are they uplifting and a good use of time and helping me to progress toward my goal of being more like Heavenly Father? Not that the things are really bad, but if they are not uplifting, maybe I'm not choosy enough and could be making better choices. All this from one little statement. Thanks Jif, for helping me to be more choosy.
Then I kept on thinking, how choosy am I? Should I be choosier? (is that a word?) Are some of the things I watch, listen to, read, or spend my time doing not quite appropriate? Are they uplifting and a good use of time and helping me to progress toward my goal of being more like Heavenly Father? Not that the things are really bad, but if they are not uplifting, maybe I'm not choosy enough and could be making better choices. All this from one little statement. Thanks Jif, for helping me to be more choosy.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Ice, ice baby
Since I don't have a digital camera here in KY you won't be getting any pictures, but I think you'll get the idea anyway.
Over the weekend I went home for my mom's birthday and had trouble deciding whether to drive back to Lexington on Monday or Tuesday. I checked my email and had received one from my roommate saying that Lexington was supposed to get a big snow/ice storm starting on Monday night and going into Tuesday. I still wasn't sure what to do so I hemmed and hawed and finally decided to drive back on Monday. Well, sure enough we did get a big snow storm. It was big enough that school was cancelled Monday through Friday! I'm currently working as a substitute teacher, so I haven't been at work at all this week. I could have stayed in Columbus, if only I had known.
I decided to stray out today and try to scrape off my car. It didn't work out so well. On Monday I had thought about bringing my ice scraper into the apartment, but decided to leave it in the car. That was not such a good decision on my part. I wasn't able to get my car unlocked (or get the ice scraper out) because there was an inch worth of ice surrounding the car. Poor Elzbeth. Hopefully tomorrow I can borrow one of my roommate's scrapers and get the ice off. Plus, the driver's side door handle is broken. I have to open the door on the passenger's side, climb over and unlock the driver's side, open the driver's side door, crawl back out, shut the passenger door and walk around to get in on the driver's side. Such is the joy of having an older car! I have a friend who said he could repair it this week, but with all the ice, I don't really know if that's going to happen. I guess if I don't get the ice off, at least on Sunday we are supposed to have a high of 40 degrees, and it will melt off. A wonderful heat wave!
Another reason to be grateful is our still working electricity. 607,000 homes and businesses here in KY are without power. Ours has stayed on the whole time. The news said it could be at least another week until it's all working again. There was even another bright side to all this: on Wednesday we ate snow cream for dessert, and it was so tasty. I sure do love winter! Jeanette, you really should invent those heated sidewalks!
Over the weekend I went home for my mom's birthday and had trouble deciding whether to drive back to Lexington on Monday or Tuesday. I checked my email and had received one from my roommate saying that Lexington was supposed to get a big snow/ice storm starting on Monday night and going into Tuesday. I still wasn't sure what to do so I hemmed and hawed and finally decided to drive back on Monday. Well, sure enough we did get a big snow storm. It was big enough that school was cancelled Monday through Friday! I'm currently working as a substitute teacher, so I haven't been at work at all this week. I could have stayed in Columbus, if only I had known.
I decided to stray out today and try to scrape off my car. It didn't work out so well. On Monday I had thought about bringing my ice scraper into the apartment, but decided to leave it in the car. That was not such a good decision on my part. I wasn't able to get my car unlocked (or get the ice scraper out) because there was an inch worth of ice surrounding the car. Poor Elzbeth. Hopefully tomorrow I can borrow one of my roommate's scrapers and get the ice off. Plus, the driver's side door handle is broken. I have to open the door on the passenger's side, climb over and unlock the driver's side, open the driver's side door, crawl back out, shut the passenger door and walk around to get in on the driver's side. Such is the joy of having an older car! I have a friend who said he could repair it this week, but with all the ice, I don't really know if that's going to happen. I guess if I don't get the ice off, at least on Sunday we are supposed to have a high of 40 degrees, and it will melt off. A wonderful heat wave!
Another reason to be grateful is our still working electricity. 607,000 homes and businesses here in KY are without power. Ours has stayed on the whole time. The news said it could be at least another week until it's all working again. There was even another bright side to all this: on Wednesday we ate snow cream for dessert, and it was so tasty. I sure do love winter! Jeanette, you really should invent those heated sidewalks!
Monday, January 26, 2009
Brilliant Bookcases
Some day when I have more money I would like to (even though I probably won't) buy this bookshelf. Isn't it wonderful?
According to Woman's Day these are awesome bookshelves too. I especially like “Albero della Cuccagna” (Tree of Knowledge) and "Book-Lined Staircase." Too fun! And so I dream...
Sunday, January 4, 2009
2008
5 Best things that happened in 2008 (in no particular order)
- Graduated from OSU in June
- Moved to Kentucky
- Bought a car
- My father kept his job
- Hannah came to us
5 Worst things that happened in 2008
- President Hinckley passed away
- Wynnie passed away
- Brenna's car died
- Moved to Kentucky
- The whole fiasco with my dad's job
Hopefully 2009 will be a better year.
Saturday, January 3, 2009
No strings attached
The following was an ad that we saw recently. For some reason we had a really good laugh over this. Poor hamster, hermit crab, parakeet, or tropical fish to be given away free. Petland must really be hurting for business. Thank goodness it's only one per family!
Friday, January 2, 2009
Christmas
Christmas this year was different than in past years. My dad had to work the night before (from Christmas eve to Christmas morning), so we didn't open presents until about 4 pm. I came home the Saturday before Christmas and my sister came home on Dec 13th. Even though we had about 6 days, it felt like we didn't have enough time to get everything done. My mom waited until my sister and I were both home to put up decorations and make cookies, which I am really grateful for, but it was strange to have so little time in which to do everything. But, it was good to be together as a family, even though things have changed. Here are a few pictures from our Christmas this year.
Hannah is waiting for Christmas. She's ready!
Dressed up in reindeer antlers.
We made Christmas cookies to give away. We made at least three kinds, but sadly these are the only pictures I took of them.
We have a really good recipe for sugar cookies. They have just the right amount of sweetness without being too sweet. They're really good! My sister has a good glaze recipe that we used on top. And of course, we didn't forget the sprinkles.
This is the tree on Christmas morning. I love it with the lights, I think it's so beautiful.
Save the best for last...my beautiful sister just after opening her presents! (A little blurry, but still fun).
Hannah is waiting for Christmas. She's ready!
Dressed up in reindeer antlers.
We made Christmas cookies to give away. We made at least three kinds, but sadly these are the only pictures I took of them.
We have a really good recipe for sugar cookies. They have just the right amount of sweetness without being too sweet. They're really good! My sister has a good glaze recipe that we used on top. And of course, we didn't forget the sprinkles.
This is the tree on Christmas morning. I love it with the lights, I think it's so beautiful.
Save the best for last...my beautiful sister just after opening her presents! (A little blurry, but still fun).
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Have you ever...?
Let me just start off by saying that I'm so excited for Christmas! I went home this past weekend to be there when my sister got off the plane (kind of long story, but she's safe!) and I'm going home this weekend and will be there until January! Soo, excited! Really, I don't think you understand how excited I am. There is no place like home for the holidays! I still have shopping to do... I really haven't started on it. But, I will get it done in time, I promise.
Now, onto the "Have you ever" part... (by the way, if you are reading this, I tag you). I bolded the ones I have done.
1. Started your own blog- I definitely think I have
2. Slept under the stars- Yup, at girl's camp. The stars are beautiful
3. Played in a band- Sadly, no
4. Visited Hawaii-Not yet
5. Watched a meteor shower - No
6. Given more than you can afford to charity - Not sure how to answer this
7. Been to Disneyland - I've been just outside the gates, does that count? (ok, it doesn't really count)
8. Climbed a mountain - No
9. Held a praying mantis - Yes!
10. Sang a solo- No
11. Bungee jumped - No, but I sort of want to. That whole feeling of jumping up and down really fast sounds fun (Dramamine, here I come).
12. Visited Paris- No, but hopefully someday I will!
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea - No
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch -The art of perfecting 7-layer bars
15. Adopted a child - No
16. Had food poisoning - I really think I have (there was this pizza place...)
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty- No, but I've seen it in pictures. Again, someday I hope to see it
18. Grown your own vegetables - Yes, and they tasted delicious!
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France -No
20. Slept on an overnight train -No, but it sounds fun
21. Had a pillow fight -Yes
22. Hitch hiked -No
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill - Isn't that dishonest?
24. Built a snow fort - Yes, I have. It was tons of fun
25. Held a lamb - They are so cute! (Jeanette, remember Judy in Powell?)
26. Gone skinny dipping - Umm, no I haven't
27. Run a Marathon- No
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice - I have in my dreams
29. Seen a total eclipse -Yes, it was in 8th grade I believe, and we had those special glasses
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset - Yes
31. Hit a home run - No
32. Been on a cruise - No
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person -Yes, it's beautiful, really on both sides but more so on the Canadian side
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors - No, but someday we will go
35. Seen an Amish community -Yes
36. Taught yourself a new language- No, I tried to learn sign language, but I didn't really teach myself
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied - How do I answer this?
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person - No
39. Gone rock climbing - No, but I have been rapelling
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David - No
41. Sung karaoke - Sort of, if you count doing it at home
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt -Yes, I have! We waited for about 45 minutes and it was worth it!
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant - No, but I hope to one day
44. Visited Africa - No
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight -Yes
46. Been transported in an ambulance - I have ridden in one when somebody else was being transported on the stretcher
47. Had your portrait painted - No
48. Gone deep sea fishing -No
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person - Someday...
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris - No *sigh*
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling -No
52. Kissed in the rain -No
53. Played in the mud -Yes, I'm sure I made mud pies when I was younger too
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie- No
56. Visited the Great Wall of China -No
57. Started a business -Does selling lemonade count?
58. Taken a martial arts class? -No
59. Visited Russia -No
60. Served at a soup kitchen - Yes
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies -Yes, I love those things!
62. Gone whale watching - No
63. Got flowers for no reason- No
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma - Yes to the blood donation (no to the platelets or plasma. You might just convince me though, Brenna!)
65. Gone sky diving - No, see # 11 (I want to, but I'm also afraid of heights. It's quite the dilemma)
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp - No, but I would like to go sometime
67. Bounced a check - Actually, I have (just once though)
68. Flown in a helicopter - No
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy - From being destroyed by a dog
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial - Yes
71. Eaten Caviar - Yes, and I was surprised it didn't taste as bad as I had imagined
72. Pieced a quilt - Helped to piece one
73. Stood in Times Square - No
74. Toured the Everglades -No
75. Been fired from a job - No
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London -No
77. Broken a bone -No (keeping my fingers crossed)
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle - No
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person-No
80. Published a book -No
81. Visited the Vatican -No
82. Bought a brand new car - Well, it was brand new to me...
83. Walked in Jerusalem - No
84. Had your picture in the newspaper -Yes
85. Read the entire Bible - Yes
86. Visited the White House - I stood outside the gates, but I wasn't able to inside. So, technically I have visited it. (But, I will go back and tour it)
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating - Sadly, I have killed and prepared an animal for eating but I couldn't actually eat it (somebody else did though, so it didn't go to waste)
88. Had chickenpox- Sort of...
89. Saved someone’s life - My stuffed animal (see # 69)
90. Sat on a jury - No, but oh, boy have I always wanted to!
91. Met someone famous- Yes
92. Joined a book club - Yes
93. Lost a loved one - Yes
94. Had a baby - No
95. Seen the Alamo in person - No
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake-No
97. Been involved in a law suit - Yes, but unfortunately I haven't received any money from it
98. Owned a cell phone - No. Really, I think I am one of the last people on earth not to own one
99. Been stung by a bee - Yes
100. Seen Mount Rushmore in person - No
101. Learned to play an instrument - Yes, but sadly I didn't pratice as much as I should have
Now, onto the "Have you ever" part... (by the way, if you are reading this, I tag you). I bolded the ones I have done.
1. Started your own blog- I definitely think I have
2. Slept under the stars- Yup, at girl's camp. The stars are beautiful
3. Played in a band- Sadly, no
4. Visited Hawaii-Not yet
5. Watched a meteor shower - No
6. Given more than you can afford to charity - Not sure how to answer this
7. Been to Disneyland - I've been just outside the gates, does that count? (ok, it doesn't really count)
8. Climbed a mountain - No
9. Held a praying mantis - Yes!
10. Sang a solo- No
11. Bungee jumped - No, but I sort of want to. That whole feeling of jumping up and down really fast sounds fun (Dramamine, here I come).
12. Visited Paris- No, but hopefully someday I will!
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea - No
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch -The art of perfecting 7-layer bars
15. Adopted a child - No
16. Had food poisoning - I really think I have (there was this pizza place...)
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty- No, but I've seen it in pictures. Again, someday I hope to see it
18. Grown your own vegetables - Yes, and they tasted delicious!
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France -No
20. Slept on an overnight train -No, but it sounds fun
21. Had a pillow fight -Yes
22. Hitch hiked -No
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill - Isn't that dishonest?
24. Built a snow fort - Yes, I have. It was tons of fun
25. Held a lamb - They are so cute! (Jeanette, remember Judy in Powell?)
26. Gone skinny dipping - Umm, no I haven't
27. Run a Marathon- No
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice - I have in my dreams
29. Seen a total eclipse -Yes, it was in 8th grade I believe, and we had those special glasses
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset - Yes
31. Hit a home run - No
32. Been on a cruise - No
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person -Yes, it's beautiful, really on both sides but more so on the Canadian side
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors - No, but someday we will go
35. Seen an Amish community -Yes
36. Taught yourself a new language- No, I tried to learn sign language, but I didn't really teach myself
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied - How do I answer this?
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person - No
39. Gone rock climbing - No, but I have been rapelling
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David - No
41. Sung karaoke - Sort of, if you count doing it at home
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt -Yes, I have! We waited for about 45 minutes and it was worth it!
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant - No, but I hope to one day
44. Visited Africa - No
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight -Yes
46. Been transported in an ambulance - I have ridden in one when somebody else was being transported on the stretcher
47. Had your portrait painted - No
48. Gone deep sea fishing -No
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person - Someday...
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris - No *sigh*
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling -No
52. Kissed in the rain -No
53. Played in the mud -Yes, I'm sure I made mud pies when I was younger too
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie- No
56. Visited the Great Wall of China -No
57. Started a business -Does selling lemonade count?
58. Taken a martial arts class? -No
59. Visited Russia -No
60. Served at a soup kitchen - Yes
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies -Yes, I love those things!
62. Gone whale watching - No
63. Got flowers for no reason- No
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma - Yes to the blood donation (no to the platelets or plasma. You might just convince me though, Brenna!)
65. Gone sky diving - No, see # 11 (I want to, but I'm also afraid of heights. It's quite the dilemma)
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp - No, but I would like to go sometime
67. Bounced a check - Actually, I have (just once though)
68. Flown in a helicopter - No
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy - From being destroyed by a dog
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial - Yes
71. Eaten Caviar - Yes, and I was surprised it didn't taste as bad as I had imagined
72. Pieced a quilt - Helped to piece one
73. Stood in Times Square - No
74. Toured the Everglades -No
75. Been fired from a job - No
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London -No
77. Broken a bone -No (keeping my fingers crossed)
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle - No
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person-No
80. Published a book -No
81. Visited the Vatican -No
82. Bought a brand new car - Well, it was brand new to me...
83. Walked in Jerusalem - No
84. Had your picture in the newspaper -Yes
85. Read the entire Bible - Yes
86. Visited the White House - I stood outside the gates, but I wasn't able to inside. So, technically I have visited it. (But, I will go back and tour it)
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating - Sadly, I have killed and prepared an animal for eating but I couldn't actually eat it (somebody else did though, so it didn't go to waste)
88. Had chickenpox- Sort of...
89. Saved someone’s life - My stuffed animal (see # 69)
90. Sat on a jury - No, but oh, boy have I always wanted to!
91. Met someone famous- Yes
92. Joined a book club - Yes
93. Lost a loved one - Yes
94. Had a baby - No
95. Seen the Alamo in person - No
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake-No
97. Been involved in a law suit - Yes, but unfortunately I haven't received any money from it
98. Owned a cell phone - No. Really, I think I am one of the last people on earth not to own one
99. Been stung by a bee - Yes
100. Seen Mount Rushmore in person - No
101. Learned to play an instrument - Yes, but sadly I didn't pratice as much as I should have
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Giving Thanks
"Thanksgiving Day is the one day that is purely American." ~O. Henry
I enjoy this time of year to reflect on what I am thankful for. Granted, I'm trying to be better about "living in thanksgiving daily" but it's also nice to have a day to celebrate those things that we're specifically thankful for. I also love being with family to celebrate the holidays.
I enjoy this time of year to reflect on what I am thankful for. Granted, I'm trying to be better about "living in thanksgiving daily" but it's also nice to have a day to celebrate those things that we're specifically thankful for. I also love being with family to celebrate the holidays.
Here are a few things that I'm thankful for this year:
*My family. I really don't know what I would do with out them. I am grateful for their love and patience. I am so happy I was able to spend the majority of this week with them! But, right now, I'm also sad it's coming to a close. Did this week seem to go by faster than usual, or was it just me that noticed it?
*The gospel. The gospel means everything to me and I honestly don't know where I would be without it in my life. I love the gospel!
*My Savior. I am so grateful to Christ for His love for us and the ability that we have to draw closer to Him.
A few of the other things I am thankful for:
*Warm house
*Job
*Down comforter :)
*Pets
*The opportunity to live in this country and all the freedoms that go along with it
*Food to eat
*Money
*A car that runs
*Temples where families can be sealed for eternity
What are you thankful for this year?
My family has a tradition of going out the Saturday after Thanksgiving to cut down our Christmas tree. Usually we have a specific place we go but last year and this year my mom and I went to a new place to cut it down. Growing up our whole family would go to cut it, but both years my dad was working and my sister was in Idaho so my mom and I just went. Honestly, it takes a while to find the perfect tree, and this year was no different...but I think we found one in record time. It only took a little over an hour! We started out looking at the trees in the front of the farm and wound our way to the back. We would see one that we thought might work from a distance, but when we got up close it was either too bare or had a twisted trunk or was too short. (The poor trees, they're probably thinking to themselves "gosh, humans are so picky!")
After looking at many trees and not really finding one that was "perfect", we decided that we needed to pick one from the ones we had looked at. We narrowed our choices to about three from the front of the farm that we thought would be fine. Unfortunately, we just remembered them in our heads, but forgot to tag or identify them in some way. When we went up front to look at them again, we realized we had built them up to be "the" tree but couldn't actually remember which ones they were! Luckily there was one that we put a stick in (from the back of the farm) and we decided to go back to that one. After looking it over one last time, we decided it would work and cut it down. They had a little tractor that the tree was put on, so we wouldn't have to carry it, and it was driven up to the front of the farm. A little elf was even driving the tractor! He was so cute. After they shook it to get all the dead needles off, they put netting over it, put it in the car, and we drove it home. Now comes the fun part of setting it up and putting the lights and decorations on it. Such memories we have (and will have) of cutting down the Christmas tree! I love this time of year!
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