Rest Easy

I'm sure you have heard.

Guido is back home.

If you're not a Brewers fan, he is the Italian sausage in our beloved racing sausages.

Apparently, he was forced to join some seedy underbelly of society that kidnaps meat products and takes them barhopping.  Well, the seedy underbelly doesn't exist but he was taken from his home and taken to a tavern or two.


Read more about it here.

That's Guido in the lead.

photo source

Once Again, I'm Late To The Ball

So I just finished watching the Oscars tonight and I have just a few thoughts.

Yeah, yeah, I know. I am a few days late but I had to work Sunday night.

First off, I hated Seth McFarlane as host. I never liked him to begin with and this gig just cemented his status as total @$$hat.

Secondly, the show was boring. Of corse it was long, but it just seemed even more so with the aforementioned host and horrible jokes. Old Bill Shatner really didn't add anything to it either.

Third, I kept getting distracted by the girl in the wedding dress in the front row every time they panned over the crowd. If you're thinking of Jennifer Lawrence, you're wrong. Amy Adam's dress practically went across the aisle.



If that's not a wedding dress then I'll sell my husband's first born.



Another thing: Why does Kristen Stewart's eye makeup always look like the morning after a slutty drunken night out?



It doesn't look as bad in this photo. However, every time they showed Steven Spielberg I just wanted to take a wipe and clean that up. A smoky eye is fine but she just goes to far under her eye with it.


Lastly: Jennifer Lawrence.

I love her. Her fall was a misfortune but she just handled it perfectly. I wish I could put a video on here but I'm posting this from my iPad and don't know how. I loved her comment when they gave her the standing ovation. She is the kind of girl I want to be friends with.

That's all and have a great night.

Holy Hip Pain, Batman!

I often say things that sound downright inappropriate when taken out of context.

For example, the other day Ken and I were heading out of a restaurant and I just said to him, "I'm awfully tight.  I need you to loosen me up."

His response: "Why would you even say that in public?"

Cue the snickering couple right behind us.


That conversation happened to refer to my hip flexor on my left side.  It's so tight that I am in almost constant pain.  I've been doing stretches, yoga, and physical therapy exercises to loosen this up but it doesn't seem to be helping.  After five days of this, it actually seems to be getting tighter.

So of course, I hit up Dr. Google because that's what hypochondriacs do.  I'm not a hypochondriac but Ken claims I'm one.  Just because I self diagnosed carpal tunnel syndrome does not a hypochondriac of me make. 

I actually found some modifications of stretches and exercises that I'm already doing.  Hopefully they work because I don't really want to go to the doctor so he can refer me to physical therapy so I can pay out the whazoo because our deductible is pretty high.

Hope you all have a more pleasant night than I will have. 

Right Outta My Hair

I have a client who is a smoker.  It doesn't bother me when I am around her but I sure notice the smell on me once I get in my car to go home.  I swear I have taken more showers in the last two weeks than I had taken in the previous month. 

Don't judge!  I get very dry skin in winter.

So every evening when I wash the stank out of my hair, "I'm Gonna Wash That Man Right Outta My Hair" from South Pacific runs through my head.

I hope Ken doesn't think my singing is any reference to him.

A Small Step

(I know, I've already missed a day writing here.  But just because you have three slices of chocolate cake doesn't mean you just quit dieting all together.)

Today was the first time I have gone to church in quite a few months.  I think the last time I went was in September.  I had wrote about why I haven't gone here. 

I started a new job and work every other weekend.  Since my client lives in the same city where I go to church (about 15 miles away), I figured this was a good reason to go back.  I guess reason is the wrong word.  It gave me a push to go back today.

I felt weird wearing jeans to church since I haven't worn pants to church in about ten years.  Once I arrived at my meetinghouse, I just felt right.  I knew I belonged and I knew what had been missing.  I was nervous about socializing with people but because I was leaving early instead of staying the full three hours, I knew I could handle it.

Even though I usually sit near the front, I sat down in  a back pew because I didn't want to noticeably walk out in the middle of a talk.  It was nice to say hello to people that I truly enjoy seeing and even love.  Admittedly, I was feeling a bit like a cornered animal after ten minutes of hellos and small talk. Social anxiety really sucks.  Even more so because I have no logical reason to fear being around my fellow church members.

I really wish I could describe the sense of peace that overtook me during the first hymn.  Such an amazing feeling!  Then when sacrament was passed, I just felt like burdens were lifted and that I was not going to handle my difficulties alone.  I truly believe that through Christ's Atonement, he not only took on the burden of our sins but also of the hardships that are sent our way.  It was the same feeling when I was little and my parents would kiss my owwies.  It didn't take away the pain but comforted me more than any medicine.

My friend gave a wonderful talk that put tears in my eyes.  Much like learning a new skill, faith and testimony are often gained in increments.  I wish I paraphrase what she said better.  That is what I took away from it.  It definitely left me thinking and was a nice note to end my time at church today. 

Have a great week!

30 Day Journal Challenge

I have always wanted to document my life.  I try to start journals and after a few weeks, writing in them is completely forgotten.   I guess this is why I attempt to blog.  I have no problem sitting in front of a computer and typing out silly things from my life. 

However, I really like the idea of leaving behind something that my grandkids will stumble upon in a dusty old box and find out what I was really like.  That's why the act of writing out my thoughts, feelings and activities appeals to me.  It's a record of who I am in a certain period of time.  I just wish I was better at carving out a chunk of time to write.

I still really admire people who can document their lives on actual paper though.  I just wish I had the determination to make it a regular habit.  Since I read that it only takes twenty-one days for a new habit to stick, I decided to start a journaling challenge that would last for thirty days.  A 30 Day Journal Challenge.

I've put some thought into pursuing this.  Since I consider blogging a form of journaling, I will post something new everyday.  I will also do a printable guided journal page each day.  The third and hardest part will be writing daily in my very pretty journal that I purchased over a year ago.

I look at these pictures and realize my photography skills are crap.  Oh well, you can tell that that is my journal and a few guided pages.  I'm ready to get this started.

What inspired me to do this challenge?

One of my favorite blogs is Making This Home.  Katie makes these wonderful prompted journals under the name Gadanke that I still haven't purchased. (They're on my to-do-list.  I promise.)  I'm having a hard time deciding which one I want.  Her website was really the driving force behind this challenge.  Every single person has a story.  She wants to make it easier to record.

Katie sells her journals  here.   Just so you'll go take a peek, I'm going to borrow a few of her pictures so you can see how beautiful and funky they are.

The she Journal  is great for documenting the essential things that make you who you are.

Wedding Card Scrapbook

 I'm swooning over that wedding card scrapbook.  I should really locate where ours are kept so that I can get this one and finally have a nice way to put the story of our wedding together with the cards.

Anyways, go check out her store and her blog.  Seriously.  Like now.

Since I wanted to start this challenge now, I decided to google "printable journal prompts".

I came across these lovely guided journal pages by Christie.  She has fifty (FREE!) printable pages that have quotes and different prompts.  The one I filled out for today asked me to describe something beautiful that I may have overlooked and list "3 snack foods that make my day".  Of course there are other things on them but you will just have to check them out for yourself.

According to my calendar, I should complete this challenge on March 24th.  This will definitely push me as I'm much better telling a story through speaking than writing.  I'm up for it though.

Mature Mormon Men

I love facebook ads.  For the most part, I just get ones for stores or makeup and the like.  The ones that I hate are for all the baby stuff, which are because I like pages regarding infertility.  Seriously, I think not being able to get pregnant would preclude you from ads for Pampers and Enfamil.

And then I get these little gems...

Another one geared towards an infertile woman.  Yeah, those are pretty standard.

The real diamond is Mature Mormon Men. 

Yes, I'm LDS.  I liked the pages for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and Mormon.org.

I don't know why I would need to meet "Handsome latter-day saints men near [me]." 

And let's face it.  That man is not Mormon.  A Mormon dating site would not feature a man wearing a Hanes undershirt that shows off a huge tattoo.  No good Mormon girl would go for that.  She wants a nice returned missionary who looks nice and clean cut.  Not to mention that tattoos are verboten and modesty rules in the LDS world. 

This is what a woman expects from a single adult man.

Not the Google image of some generic "sexy" guy. 

Speaking of Google image, my search results for "return missionary" returned a lot of shirtless men.  Not kosher.

Lest One Should Actually Have To "Conversate"

picture source

Okay, before anyone gets butthurt and wants to point out that this isn't a real quote, I don't care.  I don't know if it's a real quote. I didn't feel like taking the time to verify it.  The image just fits well with my little post today.

About a year ago, my little sister and I went out to eat at the Olive Garden.  Two tables over was a mother and daughter having lunch together.  Sounds nice, doesn't it?  They never talked to each other.  The entire meal was spent on their respective cell phones.  I had to just shake my head sadly.  If I am taking the time to go out to eat with someone, they deserve my attention.  

When Ken and I were dating, we had a no cell phone rule when we went out to eat.  We (gasp!) turned them off for the duration of our meal and conversed* with each other.  Whoever felt the need to get in touch with us was put behind the person we were with in real life.  Whoever was calling or texting could wait an hour or two until we finished our meals.

We don't need that rule anymore since we got rid of our cell phones.  But if we decide to get phones again, those same rules would still apply. It's also nice when the person you are with has your undivided attention and vice versa.

We have friends who thankfully ignore their phones when out with us.  If they must answer, they make it quick and get back to the people they are with.  I really appreciate this.  I can't understand seeing a group of friends out with at least half of them checking their phones every five minutes.  I think that just says to your companion that whomever is on my phone is more important than you. 

I understand an if it's an emergency or if you are waiting for an important phone call.  But if I have to listen to you comisserate with a friend about how expensive something is or telling your spouse exactly what to purchase when he/she goes to the store tomorrow, I'm going to think you are rude.

Let's face it.  

If someone is important enough to spend time with in person, they are important enough to give your undivided attention. 

And that means not answering every little buzz or ringtone.

*Yes, the word is converse, not conversate.  During my weekly visit, I converse with my parole officer about cats. Last Tuesday, I had a conversation with my parole officer about cats. Just because a few musical artists made up the word to fit in a few songs does not make it acceptable to use in actual life. 

My Husband is a Sucker for a Pretty Face

We have a wonderful cat named Puddin'.  Of our three cats, she is the baby.  She's also the prettiest.  I rescued her from the street.  My girlfriend and I were outside one day (back inthe spring of 2010) and she came running up to us, purring and rubbing up against our legs.  She has a gimpy back leg that looks like a club foot.  My gf's neighbor was going to take her to the pound but I couldn't let her go there and possibly not be adopted.  After all, who's going to pay over 100 dollars for a malformed kitten.  So I brought her home, locked her up in the bathroom, and posted on facebook that I had a free kitten. 

Let it be noted that I had no intention of keeping her.  In fact, my sister called right away and said she wanted her but couldn't pick her up for a few days.  Ken came home and had a conniption.  "We are not getting another cat.  Why do you always bring animals home knowing you're going to get attached and want to keep it?  Yada, yada, yada."  I quickly reassured him that my little sister was going to take her and that she was going to stay in the bathroom for a day or two. 

As the night progressed, Ken went to the bathroom a few times.  Every time took a little longer.  Finally, we were both in bed, me reading and him watching tv, when he got up to use the facilities again.  He comes back in and this is how our conversation goes:

Ken:  How badly do you want to keep her?

Me:  Well, she's pretty sweet.  I'd kind of like to keep her.

Ken:  Fine.  But you can't bring home any more animals.  If you do, I get to buy myself a $500 gun.

Me:  Okay. 

Ken insists that I was the one who decided to keep her.  I believe she worked her witchcraft on him and his cold, insensitive heart.

We have been the proud owners of this cuddly girl since then.  (It's a good thing because my sister got another kitten and left it with her loser ex-boyfriend when they broke up.  I hate the idea that Puddin' would have been his.)  I have been prevented from bringing home other animals because I don't want my husband to spend money we don't have on a gun.  I did let him get a bow though.

That's our baby girl!

Puddin' has been a wonderful addition to our little family.  Okay, I'm lying about the wonderful part.  She's a temperamental little thing.  She is great at doing the whole "you cuddle me and I'll kiss you and then I'll bite you" thing.  She gets crabby whenever we pick her up.  If I accidentally kick her because she's sleeping by my feet, she will bite my toe and hiss at me.  She stalks and attacks (gently) our old ninny of a cat. 

She's so witchy that when we sent her to be fixed, the people who picked her up thought she was a feral cat. 

She does have her good points.  She is about three and a half years old and still looks somewhat like a kitten.  She plays well with my cat.  She loves treats.  If I'm eating candy with foil wrappers (think mini peanut butter cups), she comes over and gives those poor-pathetic-love-me eyes.  She knows I'll end up making her a little foil ball to bat around on the floor.  She's a little cuddle bug.  If you are sitting or laying down, she will find her way into your lap or curled up behind your knees.

She's also Ken's favorite color.  Camouflage.  Or as normal people say, tortoiseshell.

Best of all, she absolutely adores Ken.  She loves me but Ken is her person.  Ken always says that I have spoiled her with cuddles but he is the one who actually does.  If he is laying down on the couch covered with a blanket, she will jump up to cuddle by his legs.  He will then pull her under the blanket and cuddle her like a baby.  So now, whenever anyone is laying on their side covered up, she will push her way under arm and blanket. 

But I'm the one who has spoiled her.

Ken (in the camouflage hat) and Puddin' sleeping one afternoon

I really did catch her sleeping like this.  Ken didn't want to be in the picture but that is his arm she's laying on.

I told you I wasn't the one who spoiled her.

And just because she looks so cute, here's Puddin' looking adorable this last Christmas.  If you look closely, you can just make out her gimpy leg stuck out next to her tail. 

Not the best picture but she looks so cute under our tree.

Have a great day.

Free Fonts I Currently Love

I love Pinterest.  I admit it.  I like to scour the site for pretty fonts.  I even have my own board dedicated to those pretty typesets.  Can they even be called typesets?  I decided to make my own very basic (keyword: basic) little visual for others to pin.  These are currently a few of my little darlings. 

 

Barrelhouse   A Yummy Apology  Burton's Nightmare

Coventry Garden  Little Lord Fontleroy  Elegant

Airplanes in the Night Sky

 

Bon Appetit and Save the Liver!

I admit that I have a small girl crush on Julia Child.  She is fascinating.  I remember watching her on PBS when I was little and watching Dan Akroyd's famous sketch on Youtube.  I've never cooked from her cookbooks or read any books about her.  Shame on me.  Cooking just seemed too time consuming and I never remembered her when at the library.  I watched Julie and Julia and was not that impressed with the movie.  Mostly because Julie Powell irritated the piss out of me.

I was at the library two weeks ago and picked up Dearie: The Remarkable Life of Julia Child by Bob Spitz.  Despite my annoyance with Spitz's writing style, I could not put it down.  I devoured this book.  Here is my opinion (though not very well written).  Before I was finished with this book, I went to the library and checked out Mastering the Art of French Cooking and My Life in France, Julia's autobiography.  I paged through the cookbook, which is incredibly thorough, and thought the recipes looked incredibly complicated.  So I decided to hit Youtube.  I watched her first episode of The French Chef, the Boeuf Bourguignon episode.  And it looked easy.  So I watched her quiche episode (watch it here), and that looked easy, despite the complicated recipe.  That's just it.  Her recipes are not that complicated.  They are written so that every step is fully explained for the beginner.

I felt inspired.  I wanted to cook something.  So I made a quiche.  I wish I would have taken a picture.  It turned out beautifully.  We were starving though and wanted to dig in right away.  It made a very nice light supper (and was excellent for lunch). Ken surpised me by saying it was good.  He doesn't like "fancy" cooking.  The only thing he said was that it would have been good with something more added, like tomato or bacon.  I just added sauteed onions and Muenster cheese.  I enjoyed it too.  A2 just said it was okay.

Find her Quiche Lorraine recipe here.  

Just in case you want to watch it, the Boeuf Bourguignon show.

And because Julia loved to show people this, I have to share it.  Sadly, I couldn't find one to post directly here but here is a link.   It's a classic.

Bon Appetit!