Question 365

Q:  What is your most cherished memory of this year?

A:  When my 17 yr old said, "So this is how you feel all the time.", after shopping with his sister for Christmas gifts.  They did it on their own and loved it and the feeling they got.  Lovely.

Question 364

Q:  List what you've eaten for the past week.

A:  There is too much.  Highlights:  Sausage, artichoke, greek olive pizza, Artichoke cheese dip with sourdough bread, Mint brownie bites, and SF sourdough loaf (I ate the whole thing...)

Question 363

Q:  What are your top three wishes?

A:  Tylor to ___________.  Be a better person/parent.  Get the house clean.

Question 362

Q:  Snuggle down or go out and party?

A:  Snuggle down.

Lauren ski bunny and Connor goofy foot

Aren't they cute?

First snow trip of the season.

 

Tylor & I were bundled up in a movie

theater talking and laughing through

Thor.  We have decided renting out

an entire theater is the only way to

watch movies from now on.

If only our budget agreed....

Questions 359 - 361

Q:  Write down 5 words that describe today.

A:  Fun, silly, relaxing, annoying and done.

Q:  On a scale of one to ten, how spontaneous were you today?

A:  7.  It was Lauren's birthday so a few things had to be planned.

Q:  When was the last time you felt at peace?

A:  December 25, 2011.

Question 358

Q:  Write down a recent transition.

A:  I am moving on to the Old Testament this week in Gospel Doctrine.

Question 357

Q:  What's your favorite cereal?

A:  Frosted Mini Wheats (healthy).  Lucky Charms (totally not healthy)

Question 356

Q:  Did you meet someone new recently?  If so, who was it?

A:  Does meeting someone you forgot you know count?  If so, Sister Bailess.

Question 355

Q:  If you could be the best at anything, what would it be?

A:  Parent.

Question 354

Q:  What is your dream vacation?

A:  Around the world ... slowly.

Question 353

Q:  If you could change one thing about today, what would it be?

A:  Me forgetting I stripped the caulking out of the shower... and flooded the family room ceiling.

Question 352

Q:  What do you like to talk about?

A:  Recipes/food, books, and gospel principles/teaching ideas.

Question 351

Q:  If you had to move to a new city, where would you move?

A:  Denver, Seattle or San Francisco.

Questions 348, 349 & 350

Q:  Why are you impressive?

A:  Uh....

Q:  Moderation or excess?

A:  Moderation.

Q:  What do you find irresistible?

A:  Fresh hot bread with butter... and homemade jam .... toasted first .... yummmmm....

Questio 347

Q:  What is your biggest regret?

A:  Mistakes I've made with my kids.  And that moldy bread in 1984.  And those questionable ginger snaps in 97.  Maybe I should have paid attention in that decorating class too.... ;-)

Question 346

Q:  What's on your wish list?

A:  World peace, hairless legs, better bones, more obedience (mine, the kids, blah, blah), oh, and a crockpot.

Questions 344 & 345

Q:  What surprised you today?

A:  How happy I was wrapping gifts and watching sappy Christmas movies.

Q:  Where do you find joy?

A:  In serving.

Question 343

Q:  What is your most recent act of generosity?

A:  Lauren and I spent 4 hours at Innvision - an interim housing project - with NCL throwing a Christmas party.  We made several dozen cookies, donated pillows and linens and books.

Questions 341 & 342

Q:  Where do you see yourself next year?

A:  On a beach in Tahiti with a large stack of books, running shoes and goggles.

Q:  How ambitious do you feel today?

A:  I got up!

Question 340

Q:  Today you gained __________________.

A:  Probably nothing since nothing good happened today.  Nothing.

Question 339

Q:  Who do you miss?

A:  My mom.

Question 335 - 338

Q:  What would you like your epitaph to read?

A:  Shhhh, she's reading!

Q:  What details from today would you like to remember?

A:  Uh, nothing happened today.

Q:  On a scale of one to ten, how happy are you?

A:  "14!", she says sarcastically.

Q:  Do you want to know how it ends?

A:  No.  Yes.  No.  Yes.....

Question 334

Q:  Today you almost _____________.

A:  Drifted off into the sun.

Question 333

Q:  What five words describe your mood?

A:  It's.  My.  Birthday. Today. Sucka.

Questions 331 & 332

Q:  Who inspires you?

A:  Duh, my sisters!

Q:  What was the last risk you took?

A:  Not much of a risk taker... can't remember any ... at all.

Lauren's baptism Day

This is Lauren with Elder Yanez, Elder Watanabe and Elder Tripp.

A little history here.  Elder Yanez came to our ward from Florida but he grew up in Long Beach California.  He went to live with his grandmother in Florida because his family wasn't supportive of his membership in the church.  When he arrived in our ward he was shy and scared.  He hardly spoke for the first two months or so.  He finally started to come out of his shell about the time he got a new companion - his first one went home.  He started to talk to people and tease Lauren occasionally.  He seemed happy.  His second one went home and then he got Elder Watanabe.  Elder Watanabe is from a small town in Japan.  His father teaches English but he never learned it from him.  Elder Watanabe's grandfather was the mission president of one of my good friend's mother while she was on her mission in Japan.  He is great.  He has a great sense of humor and a very positive attitude.  After only about six weeks Elder Yanez was transferred to Sunnyvale into a Spanish speaking mission and we got Elder Tripp another newbie.  While he is nice, he is nervous and doesn't know when to stop talking often.  He obviously misses home but he will grow into being a good missionary under Elder Watanabe's tutelage.  This was a great group of young men to help Lauren get baptized.

Question 330

Q:  What three words describe your family?

A:  HUGE.  Eclectic.  Interesting.

Questions 325 - 329

Q:  What are your favorite shoes?

A:  Kenneth Cole gray tones faux snake heels.

Q:  What are you trying to do?

A:  Finish up all the details for Lauren's baptism (23rd!)

Q:  What is your favorite brunch food?

A:  Not really a brunch gal but if I am attending one quiche.

Q:  Who have you recently deleted from your contacts/address book?

A:  Several I would like to but I won't mention names...

Q:  How much water did you drink today?

A:  Probably one 16 oz glass total.

Question 324

Q:  What are your favorite pair of shoes?

A:  My Adidas.  They take me where I need to go!

Sausage Leek and Red Pepper Quiche

I made this for a friend's birthday brunch today.  It was awesome!  Sorry no pictures but take my culinary word for it it's good.

Sausage Red Pepper and Leek Quiche

 

◾1/2 package shredded frozen potatoes

◾1 pounds hot or sweet sausage (I used Jimmy Dean Sage Sausage)

◾1 red bell pepper, diced medium/fine

1 leek cleaned and chopped medium (rinse thoroughly!!)

2 Tbls butter

◾1 1/4 cup grated mozzerella

◾1/2 cup grated parmesan

◾4 large eggs

◾3/4 cup half and half

◾1/3 cup milk

◾Salt and pepper

 

Directions:

Preheat oven to 425.

 

Microwave bag of potatoes for 5 minutes without opening it. (You are only using about 1/2 but I just let the portion I don't use cool on the counter and use it in the morning for hash browns.)

 

Cook sausage in large skillet.  Break up sausage and stir until sausage is no longer pink.  Drain sausage and set aside.  Add butter, bell peppers and leeks to skillet.  Cook until just tender, about 3-4 minutes.  Mix sausage, veggies and cheese in a bowl.  Add salt and pepper to taste. 

Spread the potatoes in the bottom of a 9x11 greased pan.  Place the sausage mixture over the potatoes evenly.

Whisk together eggs, half and half and milk in bowl.  Pour egg mixture over sausage mixture and bake on baking sheet for 20 minutes.

Reduce oven temperature to 350 and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes until center of quiche is no longer runny.  (To fancy it up I add a generous sprinkle of parmesan the last 5 minutes.)

Questions 322 & 323

Q:  When was the last time you checked social network?

A:  15 minutes ago.

Q:  What do you have to get done?

A:  Baptism pulled together!

Questions 318 - 321 Birthday and Anniversary interuption

Q:  Waking up was __________.

A:  Easy.

Q:  What are you obsessed with right now?

A:  Connor's birthday Sunday, Lauren's baptism (23rd), our anniversary Sunday.

Q:  Which friend did you last speak to?

A:  Debbie.  This morning.

Q:  What is your dream job of the day?

A:  Baker.

Questions 312, 313, 314, 315, 316, & 317 WHAT?

Q:  Did you leave work on time?

A:  No work currently so, yes.

Q:  Where do you find pleasure?

A:  Between the covers of a book.

Q:  What do you always avoid?

A:  Crowds.

Q:  Is there anything missing in your life?

A:  Eternity.

Q:  What song could be your self-portrait?

A:  No clue.

Q:  What do you need to vent about?

A:  Shall I start a list?

Question 310 & 311

Q:  Who is your hero?

A:  My sisters.

Q:  What topic are you bored talking about?

A:  Bored isn't the right word but T.

Question 309

Q:  What time did you go to bed last night?

A:  Which time?  9 pm to read for an hour.  11:30 after putting Lauren back to bed - sore throat and a headache - and taking away the boys electronics, turning off the Wi-Fi and letting some cat in.  3 a.m. after Jim finally rolled over and stopped snoring.  Blah.

Lauren's baptism dress

Skirt is already lined.  From the measurements it should hit her just below the knee (I hope!)  Now, do I have her wear a white camisole underneath or do I try to line it?  And what to do about the skirt coming up?  How do I weight it?

Question 308

Q:  What should remain as-is?

A:  Red Vines.

 No contest.  Ever.

New Display at Nob Hill

This is a cute new display at Nob Hill.

It is on an end cap next to the Energy Bars & Supplements.

I like that it was interactive and fun!

 

(Lauren saw the newly cleared space and we both looked at

each other smiling.  She jumped up and I snapped a shot.)

Question 306 & 307

Q:  When did you last hold a baby?

A:  It was Autumn Haag on October 16th.

Q:  Today you made ____________________.

A:  A trip to Safeway BEFORE school.  (out of milk)  And cinnamon rolls later.

Question #305

Q:  What is your biggest expense right now?

A:  Mortgage

Question 304

Q:  What was something you couldn't do today?

A:  My husband was home sick with a head cold so I couldn't put out my Festive Fall decorations because he was napping for 3 hours.  I couldn't mop - he can't stand the smell of cleaning products (I think it is a long time ruse on his part and I fell for when I was young.).  I couldn't vacuum; see nap and head cold.  I couldn't yell upstairs to the kids;  again, see nap and head cold.  I couldn't watch my 15 minutes worth of a cooking show I like; again x 3 see nap and head cold AND remote hog.

(I did clean up from our Halloween party and put all of the decorations and such away!  Quietly.)

Question 303

Q:  Halloween plans?  What's your costume?

A:  Party at our house!  Saucy serving wench....

Question 302

Q:  Can you tell when you've had enough?

A:  Most of the time.

Questions 299, 300 & 301

Q:  What was the last goofy thing you did?

A:  I'm not very goofy.

Q:   _________________ is completely ridiculous.

A:  Oh, so many things ... the current tax codes, government waste/excess, most drivers, etc...

Q:  Camping or hotel?

A:  HOTEL!

Questions 297 & 298

Q:  What is the most honest thing you have said today?

A:  I have no idea.

Q:  How do you feel about your body?

A:  Fine.

Questions 295 & 296

Q:  Who is the last person on your missed call list?

A:  Jim.

Q:  How are you?  (Write it in a rhyming couplet.)

A:  I'm a little bit dizzy and feeling weird.
      It could be worse: I could have a beard.



Question 294

Q:  Write a haiku about your day.

A:  Pain waves rolling in
      Surprise! Three hour root canal
      Blessed sleep take over

Question 293

Q:  What new word have you learned?

A:  Inwind (spelling variation; Enwind): to wind around or about

Question 292

Q:  Who do you count on?

A:  The Lord.  And my sisters.  And my family.

Question 291

Q:  What was your last credit card purchase?

A:  A pair of Cole Haan loafers in blue and mint.

Question 290

Q:  What famous living person would you want to meet for drinks?

A:  Boyd K. Packer, L. Tom Perry ... so many, so little time.  (and it would be cocoa)

Question 289

Q:  What's the most valuable thing you own?

A:  Probably my wedding ring.

Question 288

Q:  You woke up at _______________.

A:  3.45, 4:10, and finally, at 5:01 a.m.

Question 287

Q:  How much time do you spend commuting?

A:  13 steps.  :-)

Question 286

Q:  What expression do you overuse?

A:  "Oh, really?".

Where do you find buckled pointy witch shoes anyway?

I need this.....  

Questions 284 & 285

Q:  One word for today.

A:  Maximized.

Q:  You have no patience for _______________.

A:  Idiot adults.

Question 283

Q:  What makes you feel wonderful?

A:  My husband.

Question 282

Q:  Write down the name of someone you had a good conversation with recently.

A:  Suzanne & Debbie

Question 281

Q:  You want a new __________________.

A:  Drug.  No wait.  Uh, I got nothin'.

Question 280

Q:  What is your biggest dream?

A:  An Eternal Family.

Questions 278 & 279

Q:  Do you have any new friends?

A:  My newest friends are my neighbors Randy and Kara and Kaia (4).  Kaia spends a good amount of time here.

Q:  Are you happy with your choices today?

A:  I found something out today that makes me think many of my choices have been poor.

Question 277

Q: What question makes you anxious?

A:  Ward Clerk, "Can you meet with the bishop this morning?"

Question 276

Q:  In three words describe your love life.

A:  Uh, well, ummmmmm.....

Question 275

Q:  What was the last bad movie you watched?

A:  Sharktopus.  A shark with tentacles that can breath air (or so it seemed for the amount of time it was out of the water).

Questions 271, 272, 273, & 274

Q:  Bad news: sugarcoated or straight up?

A:  Straight up.

Q:  How do you get out of a rut?

A:  Change my game plan.

Q:  What are you a geek about?

A:  Meeting an author.

Q:  What do you crave?

A:  Sweet & salty.

Busy week Grandpa sitting.... Whew.

Lauren Cross Country Racing!



Lauren very nervous before her big race against 65 other girls.

They are waaayyy at the end.

 






And they are off!  Lauren is almost smack dab in the middle.

Lauren's time on a 1.2 mile course, up two hills and against
some good teams.  Her team came in 4th overall out of
14 teams competing.  Way to go!

Question 270

Q:  How hungry are you right now?  (7:08 pm)

A:  A bit.  I had a stressful day and don't eat much when I am stressed.

Questions 268 & 269

Q:  Today was amusing because ______________________.

A:  Not amusing.

Q:  Do you handle rejection well?

A:  No.

Questions 266 & 267

Q:  When was the last time you went dancing?

A:  Does dancing at a wedding count?  If so, August 2012.

Q:  Do you plan, or are you flying by the seat of your pants?

A:  PLANNING!

Question 265

Q:  Write a quote for the day.

A:  There is nothing to fear but fear itself ... and spiders.

Panera Style Broccoli Cheese Soup

Tylor fell in love with this soup and has had it for lunch the last three weeks.  He tasked me to make a facsimile.  I researched a bunch of bad recipes - cheese whiz & heated cheddar soup? - and some decent but none hit the nail on the head.  Here is my rendition:

Broccoli Cheese Soup

2 cup medium-fine chopped broccoli tops - no stems
4 cups vegetable stock - I used bouillon cubes.
1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar - plus a bit for topping, if desired
1 cup shredded regular (NOT smoked) gouda - remove rind before shredding
1 cup shredded carrots
2/3 cup white onion - chopped fine
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup half and half
3 tablespoons flour
3 tablespoons butter
1 bay leaf
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/8 tsp allspice
1/8 tsp nutmeg
1/8 tsp basil

Prepare vegetables.  Put stock in a medium large pot and bring to a slow boil over medium heat.  Add broccoli, onions, carrots, garlic and bay leaf.  Cover and let veggies cook until soft - about 8 - 10 minutes.  About 6 minutes into the veggies cooking take a large pot and melt your butter.  Whisking constantly add flour.  Remove from heat and add the vegetable stock.  Stir until incorporated well.  Add vegetables but pull out the bay leaf.  Stir in half and half slowly.  Add the spices.  Turn the heat down to low and let everything heat up.  Once it is hot add the cheese slowly stirring constantly.  Serve with extra cheese and parsley on top if desired.

I made a nice parmesan focaccia to go with it.  It was a lovely First Day of Fall meal.



Question 263 & 264

Q:  Where do you think your road is going?

A:  Forward!

Q:  What shocking news have you recently learned?

A:  A guy I kissed in HS died suddenly.

Journaling Page 1

 
 
This is a sketch of my bedroom my junior and senior year in high school.  Dad and Mom agreed I could have my own room but there was no place to put me.  David had the bedroom in the garage - which was a terrible idea since he wasn't doing anything good.  So Dad built a deck over the back sliding door in the entry hall.  The room was tiny.  I think it was just three sheets of plywood set side-by-side on the opposite sides of the roof.  My bed was on the roof slant and had shingles under it.  The floor was bare and uninsulated.  The closet was a rod with a sheet curtain.  The window was a good size but only a single pane.  I painted the room with my $20 budget a light green and tacked up a floral sheet on the wall by the door. 
 
It was freezing in there during the winter.  I used a ton of blankets and only let my nose stick out of the blankets.  Suzanne would come join me in bed on a regular basis.  When Keira could walk she would toddle in too.  Snuggling with them was the warmest memory of that room. 
 
I also had a picture of Oscar the Grouch I had colored taped to the back of my door and I titled it "My Idle".  I was so funny.
 
I didn't spend a lot of time in my room but I did have a space of my own for a while.

I need this today....

Questions 258 - 262

What a Week!

Q:  What would you want to study at school?

A:  Culinary Arts.

Q:  What's your favorite snack food?

A:  Prunes (I am sooo old.), dried mango and Goldfish crackers.

Q:  A decision you made today ________________.

A:  To Grandpa sit.  (Jim's dad.)

Q:  What a new place you've recently been to?

A:  Uh ...

Q:  What's your favorite television show?

A:  Project Runway.

Question 256 & 257

Q:  Who can help you?

A:  I misread this last week and thought it was "who can I help".  Oops.  My sisters help me all the time.

Q:  Who are the most important people in your life?

A:  My Family.

Me, Debbie,   ??  ,  ?? (1974-ish)

Some uncle holding Brian, Mom holding John, Some aunt holding cousin, Marcy and Dad
(front row) Some cousin, David, me (serious chicken legs!) and Kelly (1971-ish)

Grandpa Hanna, Grandma Hanna holding me, Mom holding David
Grandma Walley, Dad
(Front row) Debbie and Marcy (1964)

Question 255

Q:  Write down a minor, but chronic, problem.

A:  Aging.

Question 254

Q:  What are you chasing at the moment?

A:  My sanity.

Questions 251, 252, and 253

Q:  What comes to mind when you think of fear?

A:  Me falling off the edge of a cliff.

Q:  This is utterly confounding: ________________.

A: Why Monday's are so hard.

Q:  What advice would you give to a second grader?

A:  Skip school more.

Friends of the World

 

Praying Mantis Bob

 

I have been finding all sorts of praying mantis around outside lately.  About four years ago I did a Primary activity and had kids release Lady Bugs and Praying Mantis in our backyard.  We don't see many Lady bugs but those praying mantis have flourished.

 

I had Lauren put her finger near it just so you could see how big it really is.  I was about 8" long in the body and his antenna were another 2 1/2", no kidding.  I think they are the coolest bug.

Questions 249 & 250

Q:  What's the newest thing you are wearing today?

A:  We had a birthday party to go to so I wore my month old polka dot dress.

Q:  Who are you jealous of?

A:  People who pick things up - knitting, crocheting, sewing - easily.  I have to work at it and I plod along but I can get things sewn.  Don't ask me to knit - can't remember how and crocheting takes me forrrreeevvveeerrr.

Question 248

Q:  What was the last on-line video you watched?

A:  A friend posted a video trying to get her 2 1/2 yr old to wink.  Very cute.

Questions 246 & 247

Q:  Where do you see yourself in five years?

A:  On the verge of being an empty nester.

Q:  Today you learned ________________.

A:  Cross Country meets are fun.

Lauren's First Cross Country Race

 

Lauren's first cross country meet at

Montgomery Trail behind

Evergreen College

 

She came in 22nd out of 39.

 

I am soooo proud!!

Question 245

Q:  Where have you found evidence of a higher power?

A:  Prayer.

Question 244

Q:  Is your home clean?

A:  Mostly.  I have kids: it's never really clean.

Questions 241, 242 & 243

Q:  What's your simplest pleasure?

A:  Reading.

Q:  What was the last wedding you attended?

A:  My nephew, David, and Xuihui.

Q:  Teacher or student?

A:  Depends.  If I know the subject or can learn enough to teach about it, teacher.  If I want to learn about it, student.

Question 240

Q:  What did you have for dinner?

A:  Chicken Alfredo, no salad, no bread, no nothin' else.  Boring.

They grow up soooo fast!!

Lauren and Sanya in Capitola, CA
July

Well, maybe not quite so grown up...
August

Lauren and Karina at Taylor Swift Concert
Sacramento, CA
They made their t-shirts to match one
TS wears in a music video.
August

Sydney and Lauren - definitely not grown up
June

My Shelves

I just wanted to show off that while purging my office closet I also purged my shelves.  We now no longer have a hamster habitat, hamster running balls and wheel, rabbit feeder, rabbit feed, several tons of scrap paper, fifty-thousand of single type thank you cards, mismatched envelopes, Christmas cards from up to 8 years ago and a lot of duplicate art supplies.  What a difference!

Question 239

Q:  How would you describe your victory dance?

A:  Not much of a 'victory dance' girl.

Lauren Babysits!

This is Lauren and Kaija.  Kaija lives two doors down and is 4.  Kaija comes down to play with Lauren on a regular basis.  Last Friday night one of Lauren's leaders from the ward called and asked Lauren to babysit her 4 yr old Aubrey.  Kaija was here too.  This was Lauren's first real babysitting job.   Lauren spent 3 1/2 hours trying to keep up with both of them.  Lauren slept in until 10 on Saturday.  And she hasn't said a word about a little sister in days....Hmmmmm.....

Question 238

Q:  When was the last time you worked out?

A:  This morning at 5:15 a.m..  I know, late start.

Let's Get It Together!

Having a background in banking and auditing I have a tendency to get paperwork more in order than it needs to really be for most folk.  But having said that I still think that everyone should have a Financial Binder/File/Plan.  I hear/read stories about these poor people that lose a spouse and suddenly they have no idea where the money is, what insurance they have, don't know if they have life insurance, a 401k means nothing and SEP is September. 

I just finished updating our binder and thought I would share what you need to know and what needs to be handy.  Situations will vary but if you have questions ask away.

Need:
1 1/2" binder
Tab Dividers
Tab Notes/Flags
3 hole punch

Step 1:  Decide how many sections you need.  You should have one for each of the following:
                         A.  Primary Residence
                         B.  Rental Property (one for each)
                         C.  Financial (Bank/Stock/Mutual) Statements (one for each institution or one for all)
                         D.  Retirement Statements
                         E.  Work Retirement/Stock/Benefit Statements
                         F.  Life Insurance (Work and/or Individual)
                        G.  Auto Insurance
                        H.  Health Insurance
                         I.  Credit Card

Label each Tab for each section.  I used a P-Touch so they were nice and neat.

Step 2:  I have accordion files for each of the last three years with an additional four years of tax return documentation.  The actual tax returns are on my computer and backed up on a separate drive.
Go through and pull out the following documentation for each section:
                        A.  County Tax Assessment Statement (highlight dates and how to challenge)
                              County Tax Bill (highlight parcel#, due date and amount)
                              Insurance: Earthquake, Flood, Homeowners (highlight agent contact information)
                              Mortgage Statement(s) (highlight contact #'s and account #(s))*
                        B.  Same as A PLUS
                              Management Company contract and contact information
                              Rental Agreement(s)
                              Bank Statement from rental account*
                        C.  You should have the year end statement but if you are starting in the middle of
                              the year use the most recent.  In January, replace it with the year end statement.
                        D.  You should have the monthly/quarterly statements and then replace them with the
                               year end statement.
                        E.  Same as above.  If on-line only (*)
                        F.  Monthly/Quarterly statements with year end.
                             Benefit and beneficiary statement with contact information
                       G.  Annual or bi-annual statement with declaration page, agent contact, payment and
                             renewal date
                       H.  Certificate of Creditable Coverage for each person covered with beginning date
                        I.  One statement per credit card account with contact information in case of loss.

I flagged each item within each tab so that it was clear what items were.  It's not a glamorous thing but the surviving person will appreciate that they aren't going to miss something important.

Our binder is kept in our safe in garage.  I can't remember the combination so Jim made it part of our password app and he wrote it somewhere in the house - yes, I remember where - so I can get to it if I need it right away. 

Someday I want a really good scanner that I can just scan these things and shred the paperwork.  For now this will do and I am secure in knowing my spouses financial well-being is taken care of.

*If you have on-line account access you should have a password app of some sort.  Make sure you note a HINT or something to remind the person reading this they should get on-line for more information.  Don't make it so difficult that no one else can ever get in - it is useless if you can't use it.

Question 237

Q:  What's the best part about your life right now?

A:  My calling.

Question 236

Q:  What would you like to tell your father?

A:  Inigo Montoya: Let me 'splain.
[pause]
Inigo Montoya: No, there is too much. Let me sum up. Buttercup is marry' Humperdinck in a little less than half an hour. So all we have to do is get in, break up the wedding, steal the princess, make our escape... after I kill Count Rugen.

Question 235

Q:  Write your recipe for creativity.

A:  Uh.  Well.  Um.  No clue.

Question 234

Q:  Yes or no: everyone should have a backup plan.

A:  Yes.  Always.  Yes.

Questions 232 & 233

Q:  In 140 characters or fewer, summarize your day.

A:  Ran 8 miles, 2 loads of laundry, painted sliding doors twice, put 90% of office closet away, Costco trip, Safeway trip, touched up paint in boys room, put away paint, worked for a bit, talked to Deb and Suz, made bacon wrapped meatloaf and spaghetti, cleaned up two files, dropped near dead in bed.

Q:  What can't you forget? 

A:  To pick up Lauren at 5.

Questions 230 & 231

Q:  ________________ really bothered me today.

A:  I could find lamb for dinner.

Q:  Whose team are you on?

A:  I am on no teams.  Not really a joiner.

Honey Chocolate Chip Cookies

I owed someone baked goods and when I asked her what she wanted she said, "Chocolate and no sugar.".  Hmmmm..... All my baked goods call for, oh, sugar of some sort!  I found this recipe on Nanaclaireskitchen.com  Definitely a honey flavor to them and more flat cupcake than regular cookie.  But if you are trying to go natural they aren't bad at all.


Tips for swapping out honey instead of sugar:
• In a cake or cookie recipe that calls for other sweetening, the general rule is to substitute 2/3 cup honey for each cup of sugar in the recipe.
• Also reduce the amount of liquid by ¼ cup for each cup of honey used.
• When substituting honey in baked goods, add ½ tsp baking soda to the recipe for every cup of honey used.
• Bake it about 25 degrees lower than called for to prevent over-browning.

adorn with an extra chip or two

This is a small batch – about 2 dozen cookies. If you’re not sure about baking with honey, this is a good one to cut your teeth on. The cookies are softer than cookies made with sugar and a bit more cakelike. And the flavor is subtle, but definitely honey.

dark chips really work well

Ingredients for Cookies
½ cup honey
½ cup butter
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla
1 ½ cups flour
½ tsp soda
¼ tsp baking powder
½ tsp salt
½ cup walnuts – I roast mine in the oven first for 8 minutes to bring out the snap of the nuts.
1 cup chocolate chips – I used Ghiradelli Dark

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees
Cream the honey and butter and add the egg and vanilla.
Sift dry ingredients together and add to the honey mixture.
Mix just until blended and then add the nuts and chips and stir to blend.
Drop by teaspoonfuls.
Bake for 10 -12 minutes.
Dark Ghiradelli chocolate chips, snappy walnuts and honey make this a wonderful cookie to enjoy.

Question 229

Q:  What's your favorite piece of clothing?

A:  Flip-flops (shoes are clothes too!)

Question 228

Q:  If you had to spend five years in prison, what would you finally have the chance to do?

A:  Why am I in prison?  What?  Okay, make believe, right.  I would learn to be couture seamstress, crochet sweaters, hats and such, learn a language and learn to do sit ups upside down.

Question 227

Q:  What question (or questions) do you love to answer?

A:  "What do you like to do?" (Run & Cook)

Question 226

Q:  What do you like best about your body today?

A:  What kind of question is that?

Question 225

Q:  Did you complete your to-do list for the day?

A:  An emphatic YES! (Skirt, check.  Cupcakes, check. Work, check.  Sweep & mop, check. Maybe I'll throw in a cookie post but that isn't on the list...:-)

Question 224

Q:  What is your favorite thing to do on a Saturday morning?

A:  My longest run of the week, typically 12-15 miles.  Then a little yard work, shower, bike to the farmer's market, and bagels.

Question 223

Q:  What is your resolution for tomorrow?

A:  Finish the chairs and my skirt.  Maybe bake the blackberry hand pies.

I am totally counting this as a real post... twice.

http://hannasmeasuretwice.blogspot.com/

Question 222

Q:  How many stamps are in your passport?

A:  One.  (I want Jim's because he has like 30.)

Question 221

Q:  What are you running from right now?

A:  The large angry list of things I have to do.

Question 220

Q:  Write down your last sent text message.

A:  Coffee Cake x2 (to Tylor last night)

Questions 216, 217, 218 & 219 (My arms hurt from sanding so give me a break!)

Q:  Today you destroyed ________________.

A:  I'm sure my lungs from all the sanding.

Q:  Who are you?

A:  I am just me.

Q:  What was your last great meal?

A:  Pancetta & green beans, artichoke & grilled chicken pasta and homemade garlic bread.

Q:  Do you make enough money?

A:  For our day-to-day, yes.  For the things going on in my head, no.

Questions 212, 213, 214 & 215

Q:  Do you need a cold shower today?

A:  What?

Q:  Describe the room you are in right now.

A:  8'x10' office with a large window on one wall and a smaller window on another, light brown floor and too much stuff in it.

Q:  What do you lie about?

A:  My age - up not down.

Q:  When was the last time you were on a plane?

A:  Trip to Washington to Debbie's last year.  Wow, that's a long time in between trips.

Question 211

Q:  Today were you a wallflower or a social butterfly?

A:  Talked to two of my sisters, chatted with my kids, texted Tylor, posted a few comments on FB and am trying to go to the movies with my hubby.  Very social for me.

What's not to love about Harrison Ford?

Question 210

Q:  Today was unusual because ________________.

A:  I had a pedicure with Lauren.

Question 209

Q:  What was the last road trip you took?

A:  It's been too long, I can't remember.

Questions 205, 206, 207 & 208

Q:  If you could hire any artist (living or dead) to paint your portrait, who would you pick?

A:  Vermeer

Q:  Are you working hard or hardly working?

A:  Working hard. (Painted my linen closet, touched up my bath, cleaned all three bathrooms, scrubbed my vanity floor, two loads of laundry, made breakfast and lunch, took the kids to the movies (Wolverine 29), made dinner, made coffee cake, made cookies, made my bed and mopped the floors.)

Q:  What can you smell right now?

A:  Air? I'm outside doing some clean up gardening.

Q:  Write a phrase to describe your year so far.

A:  Full.

Questions 203 & 204

Q:  What was the last thing you baked or cooked?

A:  Grilled chicken and pancetta in rigatoni.  And lemon bread.

Q:  What's in your fridge?

A:  Lots of veggies, chicken breasts, thin sliced roast beef for Panini, and all the typical stuff.

Question 201 & 202

Q:  Who was the last person to make you angry?

A:  I don't get angry often so I don't remember.  I was a little mad at Lauren on Saturday night but mad isn't the same as angry.

Q:  Where do you go for good ideas?

A:  My knees, Pinterest, my sisters and my friends.

Content vs Happy

Someone asked me if I was happy today.  I didn't know how to answer them.  I know what answer they wanted since I was smiling and I didn't want to confuse them but I didn't want to answer incorrectly either.

I can't say that I am particularly a happy person.  I am more of a content person.  I like being satisfied with my efforts. I spent most of the last week painting.  I like to paint.  It can be tedious but I can pop in 80's rock or an audio book with a good plot and I am perfectly satisfied to paint away for hours.  I enjoyed when I got the job done and how well I did it.  I can also do tedious jobs that other hate with a passion and be content with a job well done or just done because it needed to be done. I am the 'even keel' of attitudes most of the time.  I don't get flustered with too much.  I have been told by Realtors I work with that I don't sound 'panicked enough' for a given situation.

I can be happy.  I can be very happy at times.  Last summer being with Suzanne and all for a week made me happy.  Even with the deluge I was happy.  I was happy because I was with my family having a good time in spite of the weather.  I get happy when my kids, Jim, my family or even myself does something that is an accomplishment to be proud of i.e. Keira's new baby, Danny graduating (both for Danny and Debbie), Marcy overcoming cancer, etc. 

But I like being content.  It makes me happy.

Question 200

Q:  Does anything hurt today?

A:  My shoulders and arms.  Painting with the long heavy pole yesterday was tough.

Questions 197, 198, & 199

Q:  How can you help?

A:  Be involved and don't hesitate as much.

Q:  What are the ingredients for a perfect day?

A:  A pool or beach, comfy chair, umbrella'd drink, great book, not too hot. And shade.  And family. And occasional food.

Q:  What do you need to throw away. 

A:  I am sorting through things as it becomes necessary - so, a lot.

Question 196

Q:  Are you wearing socks?

A:  Why, yes I am.  I shouldn't be soon because it is summer and manicured toes should be out.

Question 195

Q:  What is your heroic downfall?  Your Achilles' heel?

A:  Pastries?  Bread?  Croissants?  Carbs.  Nothing heroic here.

Questions 189 - 194 (Busy week!)

Q:  Today was delightful because ______________.

A:  I finished painting my bathroom and putting it back together.

Q:  When was the last time you spoke to your parents?

A:  Two weeks ago.

Q:  If you were a literary character who would you be?

A:  Elizabeth Bennett.

Q:  _________________ was perfect.

A:  Lunch at Sweet Mango.

Q:  What are you sentimental about?

A:  My family.

Q: Do you have a secret?  More than one?

A:  Yes.  Yes.

Question 188

Q:  What do you have to lose?

A:  My bad attitude, bad mood, that jiggly stuff on my thighs, that line in between my eyebrows, the brown spots on my cheeks, the crusty stuff on the bottom of my feet, the bumps on the outside of my upper arms, the gray at my temples.... I could go on and on.....

Question 185

Q:  What is the next book you want to read?

A:  Sarah's Key by Tatiana De Rosney

Motto Possibilities

1.  "I may not be right but I am not confused."

2.  "I can organize that in XX days/hours/minutes."

3.  "Well, if I can't I have a sibling who can!"

4.  Stay Calm and Bake On.

5.  If the ending isn't up to your liking it's not over yet.

Would you like to vote?  Go ahead.

Question 182, 183, & 184

Q:  ____________ is funny.

A:  Kaija, a four year old down the street, who thinks she is 25.

Q:  What is your motto?

A:  I don't really have one but now I will think about it and come up with one.

Q:  Who is your best friend?

A:  My sisters!

Questions 180 & 181

Q:  Today you cancelled _________________.

A:  Dinner.  Too hot too cook.

Q:  What was the last beach you went to?

A:  Henry Coe Beach in Aptos, CA.  Lauren and I spent two beautiful hours walking and talking.

Question 179

Q: Water, ice or steam?

A:  Okay, I'm leaning towards ice because it is so freaking hot but it is the middle of summer.  During the winter I would say water.  Never steam.  Never.

Questions 177 & 178

Q:  What are the top songs on your 'recently played' list?

A:  I don't have one since I am listing to local radio lately but Lumineers would be on it.

Q:  What can you live without right now?

A:  The heat. (103' yesterday, 100' today, 103' tomorrow and a cool 98' on Tuesday... ugh.)

Question 175 & 176

Q:  When was the last time you ate pizza?  What kind?

A:  June 22nd, sausage from Round Table. 

Q:  If your mood were a weather forecast, you'd be ____________.

A:  Mild sunny day with gusty winds out of the Northwest. (Good mood, having to drive kids around)

Questions 172, 173 & 174

Q:  What is your next social engagement?

A:  A girls night out on Friday.

Q:  Who is your closest companion?

A:  Jim?

Q:  What's your biggest indulgence?

A:  Running.

Croissant sandwich with egg

This recipe is NOT for Debbie.  So, if you are Debbie stop reading now.  No.  I mean it, stop.  Now.  The rest of you can read on.

 I have made croissants and they are not for the weak of heart or the time challenged.  They take two days to make with the real French recipe.  And it isn't just being lazy baking either.  No you have to work for these.  But I'm not making croissants.  I just wanted to talk about them.  The French recipe is why I love Costco croissants.  Someday I am going to work in the Costco bakery and figure out how they do it.  I am.  You can't stop me.

I wanted a croissant sandwich and so I put this little beauty together.

1 Costco croissant split sandwich style
Sweet Hot mustard
2 lg Basil leaves (that you grew yourself so it's even more organic .. and everything)
Black Forest Ham (about 4 slices)
Smoked Turkey (about 4 slices)
Heirloom tomato sliced medium-thin (that you grew yourself so it's organic and everything)
Pepper Jack thinly sliced

One fried egg lightly salted

Spread the mustard on the bottom of the croissant.  Layer all other ingredients in the other listed.  Place under broiler for about 1 - 3 minutes until cheese has melted.  (I put the top of the croissant under the broiler for about 30 seconds so it gets just a tad crisp and warm.  Remove from oven and add the fried egg to the top of the cheese. Slap the top of the croissant on the top of the egg and enjoy with a crisp, cold dill pickle wedge. Oh, and an IBC Root beer too.  Can't forget that.

(L and I shared this because it was so big.)

Supporting the YW to go to camp

Shhh, don't tell anyone but I have a little bit of a competitive streak and this jelly fish is proof.

The YW decided to do a silent auction to raise money for Girls Camp.  They had a lot of great donations including; a night at a fancy hotel, donuts, baskets and baskets of movie nights and glamor stuff, fitness memberships, and some knitted stuffed animals that a sister in our ward makes.  (Sarah Tubbs does these when she is bored.  I clean or organize things, so boring.)

I fell in love with this little guy.  So darn cute!  I placed my first bid and then went on my merry way thinking no one would out bid me. I texted someone and asked if I was still high bidder - best to check this sort of thing if you are competitive and hate losing - then sneaky Leda Nelson wanted it for one of her grandkids.  She almost doubled my bid.  WHAT? I almost dashed back to place another bid and then I hovered over it just waiting.  Leda placed another bid.  I bid again. Then Leda looked at it but she decided I wanted it more than she needed it for her grandkid. HA!  I win!

I was thinking that wasn't very nice of me but then Leda kneed me and I felt better about winning it.

Teeny Tiny Tomato

Eight weeks ago I bought a small tomato plant - just one because we have had three in previous years and had so many tomatoes we were eating bruschetta and salsa for weeks - and put it in a large pot.  I am a very decent gardener and try to read up on the variety of plant I am putting in, which I did.  I chose an Heirloom that said it was a meaty, medium sweet, medium sized tomato plant.  There are 11 other tomatoes growing but it supposed to produce through mid-August.

Here is my very first tomato of the season.

The tiles are 2.75" squares. My tomato is about 1" across. 

"Meaty" is questionable.  "Medium Sweet" fairly accurate.  "Medium Sized" not close.

 

Is it too late to ask for my money back?  I think I am a victim of those marketing guys over embellishing their product.

Question 171

Q:  When was the last time you cried?

A:  Three weeks ago, when T decided not to attend church any longer.

Question 170

Q:  What was the last movie you saw in a theater?

A:  The Great Gatsby with Leonardo Dicaprio.  Very decent.

Once Upon A Ball

Once upon a time Jim and Sherri bought a house with windows that looked out over the backyard.  Lovely view to see their three sweet children cavorting hither and yon. 

Middle child Tylor likes balls.  One baseball through a window when he was 4 convinced us we should use wiffle balls instead.  Did you know that wiffle balls go through 80 year old glass really easily?  Yes, it's true. Two windows on the garage down.  Only one more on the garage and three on the back of the house to go.  Sherri put in tall bushes that protected those windows for years.  Good job!

Fast forward to 13 year old Tylor putting a soccer ball through another window.  How lucky have Jim and Sherri been to have kept the other two windows  in single pieces?  Very lucky.

Seven months after the soccer incident Jim stays home from work to tear out that window.  And the window on the far side of the picture and the moulding around the back door.  Why so much you ask?  Silly people.  It is because of a ball.  Jim found 3 more balls behind the dryer (the big white thing in the first window) and thought we should put in shatter resistant glass in the other two windows on the back of the house.

Jim also found out why Sherri's office is sooo cold during the winter and soooo hot during the summer.  There is no insulation in the walls around the office.  None.  Zip.  Zero.  Jim guesses the building inspector was not paying attention or was bribed with a cheap bottle of vino.  I'm going with the vino. 

So those balls that Tylor likes so well has turned the back of Sherri and Jim's house into a construction zone for a few weeks - the windows won't be in for about 10 days. (They said six weeks to start.)

Oh, and it's supposed to rain Sunday. 

The End!

Question 169

Q:  Who do you want to know better?

A:  Heather Jance from church.  She seems nice and interesting.

Question 168

Q:  Write the first sentence of your autobiography.

A:  I am Three of Twenty-seven.

Beach Tote

Beach tote for YW Fundraiser

Isn't this cute?  L did this at sewing camp this week

and is donating it to the YW Fundraiser for

Girls Camp.  She filled it with beachy things

from the Dollar Store.  Love it.

Question 167

Q:  What was the last personal letter you received?

A:  A thank you for a teacher gift.

Question 166

Q:  What was the last meal someone cooked for you?

A:  Jim made three kinds of wings for Father's Day; teriyaki, bbc and hot.

Question 164 & 165

Q:  What makes you cynical?

A:   It's in my nature.

Q:  The best hour of today was __________?  Why?

A:  5 a.m..  I run.

Question 163

Q:  What is your favorite gadget?

A:  My smart phone.

Red, White and Blue

Lauren saw a pair of shorts like these at a big name store that cost $54!  She really liked them but not how short they were OR the cost.  So, my little crafter thought up a plan.

She taped off the a pair of $9.99 Target shorts and bought some red fabric paint.

(We already had the white.)

This is the finished product that came in under $13.00. 

What do you think?

Question 162

Q:  Did you exercise today?

A:  Yes.  I ran 10.25 miles, 500 crunches, 100 side lunges and 75 pliés.

Questions 158, 159, 160, & 161 (It's been a busy week!)

Q:  How many cups of coffee did you drink today?

A:  Zero.

Q:  What is your favorite thing to do on a Friday night?

A:  Dinner at the food trucks (close and fun!) and relax with my family watching a movie.

Q:  Is something in your way?  Can you move it?

A: Sometimes.  I can change my attitude.

Q:  Something that made you worry today _________?

A:  Being late for the missionaries visit.  (We weren't.)

Food Trucks & Bucket seating... love it.

Questions 156 & 157

Q:  What makes you miserable?

A:  Tooth pain.

Q:  What makes a good friend?

A:  A mom (she makes the sisters).

(Before I get calls, I love you all, but I really liked this pic of Suz.)

Questions 154 & 155

Q:  Which family member are you closest to?

A:  Depends but either Suzanne or Debbie on any given day.

Q:  What do you feel grateful for today?

A:  School is out!

Reason 27 Not to Travel to Third World Countries

I had the weirdest dream last night.  I was studying a seemingly peaceful tribe when I discovered a bunch of freshly cleaned human bones.  They didn't know I now knew what type of people they were.  We were supposed to take a boat across a wide but fairly slow moving river but I 'accidentally' pushed off without the oars and couldn't get back to them.  As the river narrowed it got faster and a bit steeper but still rolling type hills.  But then (enter dramatic music) I snatched a child out of the river that looked in trouble and we starting to go faster ... and steeper.  We were just getting to some rapids when I noticed I couldn't see any more vegetation ahead.  I threw (gently) the child on to the short grass of a small fall (think Pirates of the Caribbean) and leaped off behind him.  It was just steep enough that we couldn't really go up so we started climbing down and it got steeper and steeper until it looked like Bridal Veil Falls (Utah).  We were clinging to this short grass and the incline seemed to start to be so that we were almost upside down in places.  I was climbing with the child underneath me so he wouldn't fall but he seemed fine with it all.  But the grass was getting sparse and I was starting to panic.  This is where I woke up... in a cold sweat ... wondering where the cannibal were.  Ugh.

Question 153

Q:  What was the last fruit you ate?

A:  Raspberry.

Question 151 & 152

Q:  Who do you miss the most right now?

A:  Debbie and Suzanne, they both know why.

Q:  Today you wore ___________?

A:  Stone colored slacks, navy nicer t-shirt, canary yellow short sweater and flats.

Questoins 149 & 150

Q:  On a scale of one to ten, how healthy are you?

A:  Let's see, I have high cholesterol but it isn't clogging my arteries.  I have borderline medicatable thyroid levels but I don't have a single symptom.  I have bad teeth that will probably fall out someday.  I run a lot.  I work on my core.  I eat pretty well - I go with the theory of 10 good, 1 bad (or for me, not so bad).  So, overall, I'm giving myself a 9.

Q:  Should you trust your instincts?

A:  Definitely!  I read Blink years ago and really think we need to trust ourselves more.