Q&A: An interview with me by me

Q: Why on EARTH have you not blogged in weeks?
A: Well, it's a combination of the following things: nothing that exciting to report, some kind of interesting things that I don't feel comfortable sharing and some spiritual things that are kind of personal and I'm unsure HOW to share them.  So I just haven't blogged. 

Q: Is it true you went to Target today for tissues and gum and spent $80?
A: Yes, alas that is true.  Having a Target a block away from my office is painful to my bank account.

Q: What do you think of the Bachelor this season?

A: I like it but obviously not as passionately as in previous seasons.  Thus, no blogs about it.  But I'm guessing I hate the same girl you hate (Michelle - ugh.)  I like Brad more than I did at the beginning of the season.  I still hate the way he talks but LOVE the way he hates drama and takes care of it by quickly getting rid of the drama-causers (except stupid Michelle.)

Q: How's the calling going?

A: WAY better.  We sort of hit a major rough spot in December but things have been working better ever since then.  I'm also feeling more comfortable speaking up in our committee meetings, which makes this calling more bearable (I despise feeling like I don't have a voice or don't get to vote.)

Q: What are your latest food obsessions?

A: Vanilla yogurt with granola and celery with a little peanut butter.  (Yes I'm trying to be healthier this year and it's feeling really great.)

Q: How many unread items in your Google Reader?

A: 788

Q: Well, if you're not reading blogs regularly, what are you reading?

A: Um, nothing.  I haven't read a book since December.  That's very sad, I know.

Q: What play are you seeing this week?

A: Rock of Ages.  I think Constantine from American Idol is in it too. My early 20's self is really excited to rock out for a couple of hours.  It will be difficult to not sing out loud.

Q: What restaurant are you going to for the first time ever this week?

A: Ruth's Chris.  KMZT and I are going before the play.  I'm not sure how it will play into my healthy eating pledge but I'll figure out a way to make it work.

Q: Is there anything else you want to share?

A: Have I mentioned that I'm helping with our stake's Trek this summer?  Well, I am.  I'm still Pa-less so obviously I won't be pulling a handcart but I get to be in charge of activities with my dear friend Lisa.  I'm very excited but a little bit overwhelmed thinking about all that my assignment entails.  But it will be wonderful - I know it.

And with that...nighty night!

Full heart

Here's why:

I went to the temple yesterday morning with dear friends, carrying my darling new bag given to me by my bosom friend, Kim.  (My bag is super cute - black and white damask. My old one was about 15 years old and in dire need of replacing.)

I spent the day yesterday celebrating the marriage of a girl I adore to her cute husband.  Anna was a beautiful bride and she and Zach were just so happy the entire day. The reception was beautiful too. Tricia, the mom and my baking buddy, did an amazing job creating a winter wonderland at the church.  Three huge trees in the center of the cultural hall.  Touches of pink, silver and white everywhere.  Just beautiful!

I sat with Anna's darling sister Adrian at the luncheon and loved catching up with her and her equally cute husband, Aaron.  To top it all off, Robert was there too.  I love that family! It was a perfect day.

Today I taught Relief Society.  It's so not something I'm comfortable doing but I made it through.  I'm so grateful for the women who speak up and help fill the time.  I worried I would run out of material but thankfully it all worked out okay.

I felt inspired to do something for someone I love today and I'm so glad I did it.  She was grateful and so am I for inspiration and the means to help those who need it.

One of my former young women is home from a semester in Jerusalem and told me that she wrote my name on a piece of paper and placed it in the Wailing (Western) wall while she was there.  It was all I could do to not cry when she told me. 

I'm so blessed.  I'll try not to forget next time I'm feeling sorry for myself.  Really!

A whirlwind weekend

I had such a busy weekend and I thought you'd all like to know what I've been doing the past few days.

Friday, I went to Portland with Boni & Lisa to a Stampin' Up Regional event.  We didn't want to have to pay for a hotel so we got up super early and left at 5:15.  Yes, that's AM.  When the sun finally came up, we kept seeing these huge flocks of geese flying overhead.  I got some pictures but they really don't do it justice.

Boni and I were obsessed with these geese.  I think we saw about 8-10 flocks flying overhead like this.  Crazy.

The best part of the day was getting to see my fabulous friend Shannon.  Isn't she pretty?

We started out as blog friends but we're for real friends now.  We were going to have dinner Friday night after the event but she was a little under the weather plus we were tired and dreading the drive home so we canceled.  Sigh.  Why do so many of my fun friends live so far away?  (Yeah, you know you who are.)

We got home Friday night around 9 PM and then Saturday morning, I was out getting new tires on my car by 10 AM.  Then I went to Trader Joe's (why oh why can't I have one closer to my house?) and then to see The Music Man that the next stake over was putting on.  The leads used to be in my ward and it was super fun to see them in the show.  My cute friends Skyla and Lily were also townspeople and it was so great to see them up on stage too.  (No pics...just imagine the cute costumes and stage makeup.) Skyla is 10 (I think?) and she apparently spotted me in the audience from the beginning and she was so excited to come hug me afterward.  I write this so I will remember to keep going to things like plays and concerts because it makes the people in them so happy when their friends and family attend.

Then Saturday night was the adult session of Stake Conference (great meeting) and then a stake youth dance. I got home at 11:30 PM.  Ugh. Long day.

Sunday we had an 8 AM "fireside" for the youth with our visiting general authority, Elder Ringwood.  Then conference at 10 AM which ended a few minutes early so I was home by noon.  I ate lunch, then took a  short nap (mmmm...nap.)  My home teachers came over at 4:00 (which means I had to pick up a little because my entry way was filled with shoes and bags.)  At 6 PM I went to a YW in Excellence night. I came home at 7:30 and was in my pajamas at 7:35.

What did YOU do this weekend?

August summary

It has been nearly a month since I blogged last.  Why?  I really don't know.  To catch you up, here is a nice neat bulleted summary of what I've been doing since I last signed in to this here blog:

• Attended a four hour stake YW meeting.  No, I am not exaggerating.  I wasn't sure how busy I would be in this new calling but guess what?  I'm busy in this new calling.
• Attended a few more camp meetings.  One of them was to discuss names of people who could replace me as assistant director next year.  That felt weird.
• Kim and I sang at a funeral of a six year old girl from my ward.  Katie had serious health challenges but her death was still very unexpected and shocking.  She was a darling girl with a beautiful smile and we all miss her sweet spirit in our ward. You can probably imagine how emotional this funeral was so I prayed hard that I would make it through our song without crying (we were asked to sing For Good from Wicked - yes, an encore after we sang it last February.)  Heavenly Father totally did me a solid and I made it through without breaking down.  I'm still not a singer but I think it went okay. Kim wrote a great report about it here.
• I took Amtrak to Vancouver, WA to visit my friend Patty and her family.  The train was easy, quiet, inexpensive and took the same amount of time as it would to drive.  Patty drove me back home so I only took it the one way but I'd totally do it again.
• I went to two different Coach outlet stores while visiting Patty and bought nothing.  Yes, you read that right. NOTHING.  I thought this deserved its own bullet because it really was that amazing an occurence.
• I'm watching but not totally obsessed with "Bachelor Pad."  Most of the time, I forget it's on until about half way through.
• I'm thinking seriously about giving up my home phone and just using my cell phone.  Should I?  The only people who call me on my home phone are my mom, Kim and solicitors.  Decisions, decisions.
• I started reading my first Sarah Dessen book, The Truth About Forever, based on Janssen's glowing recommendation and I am absolutely loving it.  It's a teenage girl book but totally engrossing and just super sweet and lovely.  There are about a dozen or so swear words (that warning was for a cute girl I know who reads my blog...)
• I baked two carrot cakes, made three pans of scotcheroos, tried out this fantastic tortellini salad (seriously, make that salad) and these red velvet cupcakes for various birthdays and events this month.  Okay, let's discuss the red velvet cupcakes for a moment.  Can I just say, I still can't believe I made something so pretty? They sure had a lot of frosting on them but they looked and tasted amazing. (If you want to make them using this recipe, it made about 28 cupcakes and if you frost them like mine, you will need an extra half batch of the frosting.)

And there you go...a link-filled tour of my August, so far.  Was it worth the nearly month long wait?

The I's have it...a summary

I haven't done this in awhile but here are some highlights since I last blogged.

I dreamed awful things last night.  Finally, something evil/ghost-like grabbed me and I woke myself up at 3:30 AM when I yelled out loud.  I had to turn on "Pride & Prejudice" to take my mind off of the bad dream and then couldn't wake up when my alarm went off a couple of hours later.

I attended a bridal shower and reception for a darling girl I've known for years.  It was so wonderful to see her so happy and the reception was decorated so beautifully (my favorite was the black and white damask tablecloths -- stunning!)  But more than anything, it was such a fun party.  I love going to receptions where I know 80% of the people there.

I enjoyed attending two camp meetings with my 2nd YCLs.  I cannot express what a difference a year makes.  While it's still hard fitting everything into my busy life, this year's planning is going so much better.  The girls actually show up to the meetings and I think they might even like being there! ;) Kidding...mostly!  Anyway, it's going great and we have wonderful young women who are planning fun things for this summer (um  camp is just over two months away - scary.)

I accepted an invitation to have lunch with Mr. Crushworthy later this week.  I want to figure out how to get a picture of the two of us since this will be the last time I see him before he moves.  Any ideas how I can make this a reality?  It's really for all of you, dear readers...I want you to see just why he is Mr. Crushworthy to me.  I don't expect any of you to start drooling once you see him because hello, he's all mine.  But I know you will because he is just, sigh, dreamy.

I made two pans of manicotti and a brownie trifle for my mom and sisters (and their families) for Mother's Day dinner yesterday.  We had such a nice day being together (and the food was quite fabulous, if I do say so myself.)  I loved getting to do something nice for three of my favorite mothers.  Want to know the other reason why it was such a great afternoon? Well, I'll tell you.  It was because...

I basked in the 70 degree sun both days of the weekend.  It was pure heaven here -- sunny, blue skies and just lovely.  I never realize how much I miss the sun until we have a great sunny day.

I cried throughout Sacrament meeting and into Primary yesterday.  I've said it before and I'll say it again: I'm so much better living in oblivion rather than focusing on what I don't have.  I do just fine on Mother's Day until one of the speakers starts to quote Sheri Dew and then I imagine everyone's looking at me with pity in their eyes so I find something interesting in my scriptures or study the bulletin.  I couldn't do that for long yesterday because one of my former Laurels was one of the speakers and she talked a little about me without mentioning my name.  I kept it together the best I could but then she came into the Primary room afterward to tell me she had in fact been talking about me.  Then she hugged me for like five minutes so of course, I fell apart. I'm grateful -- so grateful for every wonderful opportunity my singleness has afforded me but I will always long for more.  Always.

Five before bedtime

1. I interviewed for "the job" yesterday. It went very well and now I'm playing the waiting game. I loathe playing the waiting game. It's my least favorite game.

2. My favorite candies are now available in stores, staring at me as I try to pay for my healthy groceries. Dear Cadbury Creme Eggs and Peanut Butter M&Ms/speckled egg variety, why are you so fabulously good??? Get thee hence.

3. This should really be a post in and of itself but last week I took a day off work so I could watch my sister's four kids overnight while Jen and her home from Iraq husband could go stay downtown. Here's what I did while playing favorite auntie/pseudo mom...

I made my bro-in-law's favorite cookies:

I let this cute dog (and the other one who isn't quite as cute) in and out all day.

I went shopping at the mall during the 3 hours Natalie was at school on Friday and found my way cute interview outfit. I celebrated by stopping at Sonic on the way home. I got a lovely drink chock full of limes and crushed ice. Yum.

I attempted to do Natalie's hair before school. I should have taken a better picture but it was not pretty. I'm not one of those girls who grew up doing everyone's hair. I can barely style my own hair, let alone anyone else's. She was nice about it though. Thank goodness she's only five and doesn't care (and seriously isn't she just the cutest?)

I played this very fun game. Love it although now it's stressing me out because it's gotten too hard.

But the best news is that this restaurant paid for Jen & Matt's dinner after Jen told them Matt was home on R&R. THEN their hotel gave them an upgraded room for free. I love it when businesses are kind and generous so I linked to them and when you are so inclined, you should give them your business as a thank you.

4. I spent time with these wonderful girls this weekend. It does my heart good to see them. My favorite thing was laughing uncontrollably during games on Saturday night (Celebrity Taboo!) Sigh. I love to laugh almost as much as I love these girls. I think I'm laughing (or more likely, talking) in this picture. I'm a dork.

5. Should #5 be A. that I played on the trivia team again this week and we won for the second week in a row, despite the fact that two of my correct answers were pooh-poohed in the final round (the animated sequel to Disney's Peter Pan is what? And what 80s movie series was set in Hill Valley, CA?) Or B. should it be that my boyfriend, Mr. Crushworthy came to visit me today? Hmm. Both are good and noteworthy. The latter included a hug so I'm thinking I'll go with B.

Snaps for an excellent weekend

A couple of years ago, "Legally Blonde the Musical" was shown on MTV and I've kept it on my TiVo ever since. Since then, I've had Christina, Kim, Lynda and Rachel over to watch it and they loved it as much as me.

When I heard last year that the show was finally coming to our corner of the world, I knew we had to go. I bought Christina's ticket as her high school graduation gift and she flew up from Provo for the weekend. The morning of the show, we went to breakfast at this cute little place out in the country. So yummy! I'm still dreaming about the hash browns and bacon. Why does bad food have to taste SO good?

Finally, 5 PM came and it was time for our big night on the town. We had dinner at Old Spaghetti Factory before heading into the city. Ahh, mizithra cheese, how I love thee (again, why is food SO good?) My dear friend Boni joined us and got to experience the craziness that is us (so happy she did!)

Here we are downtown outside of the theater and note that we all wore pink because it's Elle Woods' signature color. We're cool like that.

The show was so darling and happy. Of course, they had to throw in stuff that wasn't in my TiVo'd Broadway version (i.e. naughtiness that was not necessary) but I still smiled throughout the whole thing. Christina and I were probably the most giddy about being there and we tried hard to not sing along out loud. :)

During intermission, we decided to try and take a self-portrait in front of the "no photography" sign - ha. Kim tried first but we decided that "kids" have better skills in taking self-portraits because Christina took this awesome one of us (okay, I love how I look in this one - yes, I'm vain. We've discussed that already. Get over it.)

We had such a good night. I'm so glad we take advantage of opportunities like this to see fun musicals when they come to town. I love making memories with fun experiences like this.

I'm so grateful for the special relationship I share with Christina. I know she used to think I didn't love her as much as I love her sisters (haha -- remember that, Chrissy??) but hopefully she knows now how much I totally love her. She's a beautiful, special, hilarious, smart, faith-filled young woman and I'm so proud and grateful to be her friend. Love you, Christina!

What I've done today

1. Woke up at 7:30 AM
2. Finished my book (so good - read it.)
3. Did one load of laundry
4. Made my favorite soup (recipe at the end of this post)
5. Worked on my 2010 schedule for Primary music
6. Worked on YW camp plans (first meeting with the girls is Feb 10!)
7. Uploaded (downloaded?) all of the Primary songs for the year to my iPhone
8. Got sucked into the Biggest Loser season 3 marathon on Bravo (I've seen these shows before so why on earth am I watching them again?!)
9. Did yoga on Wii Fit
10. Started my favorite jigsaw puzzle
11. Did not get dressed but did brush my teeth.

Creamy Chicken Tortilla Soup (thanks, Boni!)

1 can refried beans
2 cans chicken broth
1 can black beans (drained)
1 can pinto OR great northern beans (drained)
1 can rotel tomatoes OR 1 can diced stewed tomates plus one can chopped green chiles
1 small can corn OR a handful of frozen corn (add as much as you like)
2 large cans (Costco/Sam's size) chicken breast (drained & de-chunked -- ha)

Mix the refried beans with the broth until combined, add everything else. Heat to a boil then simmer until you're ready to eat. I top with a little shredded cheese, a little sour cream and a few of the santa fe flavored tortilla strips you can buy at Winco. Soup freezes great.

Numbers of the week

25 -- Difference in degrees in our temp from yesterday to today...cloudy and high 60s after 90s yesterday. Sigh...I want summer back, please.

5 -- Ice cream treats consumed at DQ tonight. I took my birthday girl/sister Jen's kids out tonight so she and Matt could party it up. We went to Target, over to Boni's to visit with the stamp club girls, stopped for treats and told stories on the drive home. It was such a fun night. One of the stamp club girls said the kids looked like they could be mine, which I thought was sweet. But seriously, aren't these four super cute kids??


3 -- Hours I lost while watching "Lost in Austen" that I will never get back. I so wanted to love it but I only liked it occasionally and hated everything else about it (especially the ending, which was so terribly wrong.)

4 -- Bald eagles I saw while eating at this restaurant last weekend, which made me super happy. I had Copper River salmon -- total perfection.

60 -- Bridal shower invitations made on Monday night. My dear, kind and wonderful friend Boni stayed up late on a work night and helped me put them together. I kept them simple considering the numbers - here is a so-so picture. They turned out really cute and now I'm just trying to decide what to do at the shower (besides hope that less than 60 people show up.) I want the shower to be completely different from Callie's, which was so perfect. Wish me luck!

My week in emotions

So in case you haven't noticed, I haven't blogged since last Saturday - a case of blogger block, I suspect. But today I've got a recap for you. This week, I felt...

• Honored: I was interviewed by the warm and wonderful Gabi. I so enjoyed having the opportunity to answer her thought-provoking questions about my life as a single girl. If you're not too sick of me, click here to read the interview.
• Thrilled: I have lots of wonderful young women I love (and the ones who read my blog are my favorites - you know you are!) However, I have two young men I'm especially close to and one came home from his mission this week. Greg spent the last two years serving and loving the people of Mozambique and I was blessed to be included in the family welcome home party on Thursday. (I didn't cry at the airport but I am now just remembering it.) It was such a wonderful, heartwarming, almost dream-like experience to see him home again, safe, tan and with a permanent smile on his face. Being in his presence Thursday night was just fantastic - he's an incredible young man. His mom called yesterday, his first full day at home, to say, "today has been a little bit of heaven." I'm crying again! Now, if his big suitcase would miraculously come home...sigh. We're not sure if it was stolen in Africa or if it's just lost. Prayers are welcome & appreciated! I can't post pictures here but they'll be on Facebook today.
• Nervous: I was officially given extra responsibilities at work this week because someone was laid off. I love being busy but I'm worried about adding the new stuff into an already busy workload. One of the projects is a little overwhelming in scope, as well. Can I really do it all?
• Excited: I loved seeing David Osmond make it to Hollywood on American Idol this week. I absolutely love his voice. I was obsessed with this performance he and his brothers did "after the show" on Oprah last year. I could not stop watching it even though Oprah did the whole "I'm trying to sing along even though I don't really know the words" thing. Oh, Oprah!
• Annoyed: I woke up to kitchen outlets that refused to work. I spent 20 minutes hitting the stupid test/reset buttons and flipping the breaker and now they work. Being a home owner is good except on morning's like today.

With that, I must go. I have to shower, shampoo and shine. ;) Today I'm preparing my Sharing Time for tomorrow, going to Costco with Kim, baking for Greg's open house tomorrow night, and going to watch Road Shows performed by our fantastic youth tonight. Fun, fun, FUN!

The I's have it -- a weekly summary

This week...

I tried a salted caramel hot chocolate at Starbucks. Interesting but good. I prefer the black and white when I go there but truly, the best hot chocolate is the Cocoa Trio at Seattle's Best Coffee. Trust me.

I listened to the "Wicked" soundtrack. It's been a long time but it's still so wonderful.

I cried while watching "Grey's Anatomy." Between the Izzy/Denny stuff and then Meredith falling apart at the end, it was a sobfest at my house watching this week's episode.

I missed my mom who is in Hawaii this week.

I baked two cakes: the infamous carrot cake and a chocolate cake with a white chocolate mint ganache filling (will email recipes if you want them.) Tomorrow I'll be baking more brownies for our oft-rescheduled Priesthood Preview.

I bought some non-ugly glasses to read with at night when my eyes are tired and...

I feared that I will soon need to get bifocals so I can see. Getting old sucks.

I worried about YW camp. Our first 2nd YCL planning meeting is February 4 and this year's group is likely going to be a challenge to lead. I asked my home teacher for a blessing and he of course said yes and he and his wife invited me over for dinner as well (we're doing it the Sunday before the meeting.) I love having a wonderful home teacher.

I sighed with relief when my boss returned home safe and sound from a trip to a scary place.

I laughed watching Bill Clinton appear to stare longingly at Michelle Obama in her beautiful lemongrass outfit when she turned away after they greeted each other on the dais at the inaguration. Did nobody else notice this?

I read the New York Times on my Kindle. It's a free subscription for two weeks. It makes me feel smarter (at least until the two weeks are up and then I'll be "normal" again.)

I anticipated a fun dinner party with old friends tonight (the reason I baked the chocolate cake.) The girls I'll be hanging with are like my sisters.

Hope you all had a great week too!