Q: What did you have for dinner?
A: Chicken Alfredo, no salad, no bread, no nothin' else. Boring.
Thursday, August 29, 2013
Wednesday, August 28, 2013
They grow up soooo fast!!
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| Lauren and Sanya in Capitola, CA July |
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| Well, maybe not quite so grown up... August |
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| Lauren and Karina at Taylor Swift Concert Sacramento, CA They made their t-shirts to match one TS wears in a music video. August |
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| 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!
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.....
Tuesday, August 27, 2013
Question 238
Q: When was the last time you worked out?
A: This morning at 5:15 a.m.. I know, late start.
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.
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.
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.
Monday, August 26, 2013
Sunday, August 25, 2013
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.
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.
Saturday, August 24, 2013
Friday, August 23, 2013
Thursday, August 22, 2013
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.
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.
Tuesday, August 20, 2013
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Sunday, August 18, 2013
Saturday, August 17, 2013
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.
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.
Friday, August 16, 2013
Question 227
Q: What question (or questions) do you love to answer?
A: "What do you like to do?" (Run & Cook)
A: "What do you like to do?" (Run & Cook)
Thursday, August 15, 2013
Wednesday, August 14, 2013
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...:-)
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...:-)
Tuesday, August 13, 2013
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.
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.
Monday, August 12, 2013
Question 223
Q: What is your resolution for tomorrow?
A: Finish the chairs and my skirt. Maybe bake the blackberry hand pies.
Sunday, August 11, 2013
Question 222
Q: How many stamps are in your passport?
A: One. (I want Jim's because he has like 30.)
A: One. (I want Jim's because he has like 30.)
Saturday, August 10, 2013
Question 221
Q: What are you running from right now?
A: The large angry list of things I have to do.
A: The large angry list of things I have to do.
Friday, August 9, 2013
Thursday, August 8, 2013
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.
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.
Sunday, August 4, 2013
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.
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.
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