off the grid

I give up.

After receiving two different booty calls in email form from guys on that OkCupid site, I've gone off the grid. I deleted my profile from all the online dating sites it was on.  I'm done.

The internet is stupid.

movie reviews

#1. What to Expect When You're Expecting

• I liked that there were 5 different stories with different problems/outcomes.  
• I liked that not all of the stories were happy.
• I didn't like that in two of the stories the couples weren't married.  I understand that's the world nowadays, but I still didn't like it.  
• Elizabeth Banks' storyline was probably my favorite because it showed the not so glamorous side to pregnancy/childbirth.
• The dude's group cracked me up, but what was the deal with Davis?  They all had a man-crush on this random guy that they saw in the park every week and I didn't understand!  LOL!

Bottom line: It was enjoyable.  I laughed.  I cried WAY more than I was expecting too.  Probably not going to buy it or need to watch it again. 

#2. Battleship

• Went in with very low expectations and came out LOVING it!
• The movie took place in Hawaii, specifically Oahu, and made me want to go back--something I didn't expect to have happen.  I didn't think I'd ever want to go back to Hawaii.
• I didn't understand why the aliens were there other--their purpose was never explained
• I kept waiting for someone to say the famous line ("You sunk my battleship!") but no one ever did.  Slightly dissapointed.
• Loved when they were actually playing the game with the aliens on the radar screen with the grid--firing, missing, firing again, getting a hit...it was great!
• Loved, loved, LOVED when they had to pull in all the retired old guys to help them man the battleship USS Missouri into battle.  I think that was my favorite part!

Bottom line: LOVED it!  Will probably buy it and watch it again.  

friday night

Got an email from a guy on OkCupid.  Yes.  I put my profile up on this site.  It's free.  However...I'm not sure if it really caters to LDS guys.  So we'll see.  This first guy that emailed me is named Chase but said he goes by Chaser.  

What?  LOL  *insert eye roll*  

His profile, though, seemed interesting.   I'm pretty sure he's not LDS, but I emailed him back and said I'd like to get to know him a little more.  If nothing else I'm just making a new friend...

After sending Chaser an email, I ate dinner: bean and cheese tostadas.  Yum!

While eating I watched a couple episodes of Four Weddings.  I love this show.  

Lots of great ideas on what NOT to do at your wedding.  And also some really great ideas TO do!  

On the way home from work I stopped by Redbox and picked up a couple movies.  

So, now I'm going to sit on my couch, in my comfy pants, and watch the above movies while working on my current crossstitch project.  

Wow.  

No wonder I'm single and have resorted to using Okcupid.... 

frozen cookie dough

So.  Last week I made some cookies for my team at work.  Because I'm awesome.  I only cooked up half of the batch, though, and scooped the rest of it into cookie-size balls and froze them to use later.  Last night I ate one of these frozen cookie dough balls.  Turns out frozen cookie dough is the best thing ever.

the race of life

Today's lesson in Relief Society was on President Monson's talk in April General Conference called "The Race of Life."  It was a great lesson about changing our perspectives and priorities to what's really important in life and remembering who we are, why we're here, and where we're going.

On the front of the program for Sacrament Meeting was this quote:

"How often in life we turn around because we don't know where the finish line is, only to discover later that is was right there all along.  Even if you have to ditch your previous goals and walk the rest of the race, it is so much more satisfying to cross the finish line than to give up.  At church we often hear the phrase 'endure to the end'.  The word endure makes me think that it won't be pretty.  It's going to be hard and we might be a little worse for wear.  But finishing is important.  They don't give finishers medals to people who did the majority of the race, they only give them to people who cross the finish line.  It doesn't matter what condition you are in when you cross the finish line, if you cross it you get one.  When you set a goal, don't quit when the end is in sigh.  Sometimes almost isn't good enough.  But goals that are worthwhile usually aren't easy.  Make sure you cross that finish line."  -Amy Nelson

In sticking with the theme of goals, and enduring to the end, one of the speakers in Sacrament Meeting today said, "If you want something, you have to go get it" which I really liked.  So, to that end, I am going to focus this next week on changing my perspective a little bit and making sure I am focused on the things that really matter in life--the things that will make me happy.  

hospital survival kit

Kristen's baby shower was this morning.  I wanted to do something different when it came to giving a gift.  This is what I did (thanks, Katy, for the awesome idea!):

I did a "Hospital Survival Kit."  I gave her: fuzzy socks, a cute journal and pen, chocolate, Chex mix, hair ties and head bands, tissues, hands wipes, face wash clothes, a small compact mirror, chapstick, lotion, hand sanitizer, mints, thank you notes, some cute onesies and hairbows for baby, and a framed copy of this quote:

brownie trifle or the best thing i've ever put in my mouth

I made the brownies for this awesome dessert that me and two other girls on my team brought as the dessert for our team potluck at work today.  It was ah-mazing!

Brownies:
1 c. butter
2c. sugar
4 eggs
1 1/2 tsp vanilla
1/2 c. cocoa
1 1/3 c. flour
1/2 tsp salt

Cream butter and sugar together.  Add eggs and vanilla and blend well.  Add salt, cocoa, and flour.  Don't over-beat.  Pour into a greased 9x13 pan.  Bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes or until done.  Cool completely.  Once brownies are cooled completely cut into 1 inch squares.

Remaining ingredients:
1 (3.9 oz) box instant chocolate pudding mix
1/2 c. water
1 (14 oz) can sweetened condensed milk
1 (8 oz) container Cool Whip
1 (12 oz) container Cool Whip
3 Heath candy bars, crushed

In a large bowl mix chocolate pudding mix, water, and sweetened condensed milk.  Fold in 8 oz container of Cool Whip until there are no streaks remaining.

In a trifle bowl or glass serving dish layer:

1/2 of the brownie squares
1/2 of the pudding mix
1/12 of the 12 oz container of Cool Whip
Remaining brownie squares
Remaining pudding mixture
Remaining Cool Whip
Top with crushed Heath bars

Refrigerate 8 hours before serving.

blind date fhe

Once upon a time (about two weeks ago) I was lying in bed (at 9:30pm) reading a book.  Randomly, my cell phone beeped alerting me to a text message. (I say randomly because, let’s be serious, why do I even have a cell phone?!  No one ever calls me.  Except Kristy.  And my mom.)  The text said (and I quote) “Can you come to our house for FHE on the 17^th?”  I looked at it, only needing a second to know what was going on.  My sister-in-law, Esther, was setting me up and trying to be sneaky about it.  Why, do you ask, did I know this without out any further information being given to me?  Because this is the first and only time I have been invited over to Esther and J.R.’s house for FHE (when I wasn’t living with them) and I just knew.  Esther mentioned wanting to set me up with someone she knew towards the beginning of the year, but then nothing ever happened with it.  Fine.  Whatever.  If it’s meant to be, it’ll happen (and all that crap).  I asked her a few months ago about what ever happened to the guy and she said, “He’s lame and said he’s given up on dating and has decided he’s just not going to get married.”  Awesome.  Sounds exactly like the kind of guy I want to be set up with.   However, that apparently all changed rather suddenly (as evidenced by this text message).  I said, “Yes” (because I’m a glutton for punishment, apparently.) 

Fast forward to tonight…

He was 15 minutes late.  But, I’m not going to hold that against him.  Surprisingly, he was cute.  VERY tall (and I’m not just saying that because I’m short.  The top of my head only came up to his shoulders).  Glasses and dark hair.  A big guy, but not necessarily fat.  We had an opening song (Barbara and John decided they wanted to sing Jesus Wants Me for a Sunbeam) then had a prayer and family business.  Family business turned into more of a get to know you session, which was good.  He knows how to carry on a conversation and didn’t freeze up in awkward/new social situations (which is a point in his favor).  Found out he also works at UOP as a Finance Advisor, so we had a lot to talk about swapping stories about students and complaining about things.  We talked about different books we’ve read and TV shows that we watch (by his own admission he’s a big TV watcher like myself and we had some of the same favorites—Firefly, Bones, White Collar, and bonus!  He said he liked Once Upon A Time after I said I’d just spent the weekend rewatching the first season).  He’s dyslexic and he and J.R. got in to talking about guns and paintballing, so it seems like he’d fit in with my family.  Found out his grandparents used to live up in Oregon and he used to go up there every summer to visit them, so we have that in common as well. 

Esther texted me sometime last week (I don’t remember the exact day) and asked me to be in charge of giving a five minute spiritual thought.  Turns out my thought was actually the lesson, so I was the keynote speaker.  No biggie.  (rolls eyes)  I just shared a few thoughts from my lesson yesterday about deciding who’s side of the line we’re on and making sure we’re keeping the commandments, which lead into a good little gospel discussion for a few minutes.  The kids started getting restless at that point, so we had refreshments and sat and talked some more (side note: we both chose the same ice cream flavor—chocolate chip—which I saw as a good sign).  Then we had family prayer and he left. 

There weren’t any plans made to see each other again, but I did tell him to IM me at work so…we’ll see.  I don’t know how old he is, but he’s been in a family ward for a while which leads me to believe he’s in his 30’s somewhere.  His name is Jeremy Jenkins (and no, I’m not make that up).  I’ll definitely keep you posted if anything more happens…

   

choosing sides

This past week I've noticed a running theme in my life: choosing sides.

I finished the last book in the series "The Great and Terrible" that I've been reading (see this post for more information on these books).  At the beginning of the last book was this quote:

"Are you willing to help Him [Christ]?  Are you worthy of His cause?  The battle lines are drawing.  Which side are you on?  No one can stand on the sidelines, hoping the storms will pass them y.  This battle will sweep every generation and every people on earth...prepare now while He gives you this final moment of peace.  Prepare now for the darkness that is building before the final storm."

The lesson I taught in Relief Society today was entitled, "Stay on the Lord's Side of the Line," which is why the quote from the book stuck out to me so much.  The topic has been running through my head all week as I've been preparing my lesson.  There were several quotes from the lesson that I love.

"There is safety for us only on the Lord's side of the line...all that enriches our lives and makes us happy and prepares us for eternal joy is on the Lord's side of the line." (George Albert Smith manual, page 191-192).

"All the happiness that has come to me and mine has been the result of trying to keep the commandments of God and of living to be worthy of the blessings that he has promised those who honor him and keep his commandments.  If we will follow the advise and counsel that the Lord has given, our pathways will be one of happiness.  It will be a pathway, perhaps not of ease and comfort always, but in the end it will terminate in the presence of our Heavenly Father, and glory, immortality and eternal lives will be our portion" (page 194).

"We must learn to overcome our passions...we must learn to resist temptations...in order that we may more perfectly do that, the gospel has been restored to the earth, and we have been made partakers of it, and we have the strength that comes to us as a result of the power of the Holy Ghost" (page 197).

"We choose where we will be.  God has given us our agency.  He will not take it from us, and if I do that which is wrong and get into the devil's territory, I do it because I have the will and power to do it.  I cannot blame anybody else, and if I determine to keep the commandments of God and live as I ought to live and stay on the Lord's side of the line I do it because I ought to do it, and I will receive my blessing for it.  It will not be the result of what somebody else may do" (page 198).

Which side are you on?

questions

So, I've been re-watching season one of Once Upon A Time today because it's on Netflix.  I have a couple questions that I hope are answered in season two:


*What happened to Mr. Gold/Rumpelstilskin's son?
*Do we ever find out the real story about who Henry's dad is?
*What fairytale character is Dr. Whale?

perception and go on

There are two TV shows on right now that I love because they appeal to my inner psychologist.

Perception makes me feel like I'm getting a psychology lecture every week, which I love, and Go On is a humorous look at group therapy.  They make me happy and I'm crossing my fingers that Perception comes back for a second season and that Go On stays on for a while. 

diy project

Faith helped me do this project on Monday.  I love it!

Fabric, decorative drawer pulls, and the cupboard door from an old dresser:



Faith drilling holes:

Ironing the fabric and gluing it to the wood:

Placing the drawer pulls:

Adding picture hangers to the back:

 

The finished project!  An awesome necklace holder:

the end of the world

The last couple weeks I've been reading (and when I say reading I mean listening to the audio CDs) the series "The Great and the Terrible" by Chris Stewart. 

There are six books in the series and I finished book five yesterday.  They are AMAZING.  The author is incredible and I'm jelous and extremely covetous of his writing ability and talent.  The amount of time and research and information that have gone into these books blows me away.  They are so incredibly realistic and believable that I've decided I don't want to be alive when all this stuff actually starts happening. 

The series follows four individuals from the premortal life to their mortal lives here on Earth.  They characters are alive today and it chronicles the last days and the ongoing war against Satan.  I'm not sure how the series ends.  I know I could look it up somewhere online, but I don't want to know until I read (listen to) it for myself.  I've spent so much time crying at my desk while listening to these books.  The narrator is also AMAZING and beleive me.  I've listened to A LOT of audio books and there are some TERRIBLE narrators out there that completely ruin books. 

But back to what I was saying.  I don't want to be alive when the $h!t hits the fan. 

In the books several nuclear bombs are detonated in different locations around the world and then several EMPs (electromagnetic pulse) are set off that fry everything electronic--now, just think about that.  EVERYTHING electronic--and basically throw the entire United States back to 1850 technology-wise in a split second.  Once people figure out there's no way to go anywhere (unless you walk or somehow magically have a horse), and realize that means there's not going to be any food deliveries so all the store shelves are emptied within hours, everyone starts to go crazy.  It's terrifying to think about how easily this entire country can be immobilized and cut off at the knees.  When the end really happens, it's going to happen very fast, which is frightening to think about. 

I need to get serious about my food storage and maybe get a gun...

nice mustache





Yesterday I bought the DVD of The Lorax.  The movie came with a mustache that you can wear.  I thought it would be funny to get everyone to wear it....

 

 

John didn't want to wear the Lorax mustache but when we were having dessert he ended up with a chocolate one instead...

Here are some other pictures of what we did for Labor Day...

 

Swimming!

 



Homework!

 



Making Christmas presents!

 



 

Eating!

 



Celebrated Faith's Birthday!

 



Dessert!