I was tagged!! My sister is a daily blogger. I really love reading her blog and always make it a goal to read it every day. One of her most recent posts she posted this game of tag. The idea is this:
She answered 8 questions that another blogger wrote. She (my sister) then made 8 new questions and tagged 8 new people. It's like a chain. Fun, right?!?
1. What specific thing made you happy today? (I accidentally erased this question but it was something like that...):
I worked out this morning. I've been working out three days a week now for a month. I've also upped, that's a word right!?!, my fruit and water intake. I even lost a little weight. It's been nice to work towards something.
2. Are you a morning person or a night owl?
Can I be both? In reality I am.
3. If you had/have free time, what would you/do you spend that time doing?
Spending time with Michael; whatever that may mean. I have a friend who told me that, not in a bad way, I spend way too much time with Michael. She said that I need to spend more time with my friends and with myself. I just can't help it though. I love being married and I love who I'm married to so why wouldn't I want to spend time with him?
4. What is your favorite breakfast?
Eggs, sausage, fruit, and possibly a pancake or two.
5. You are alone in the house. No one is watching. You are listening to your favorite music. What kind of music is it? Are you singing along? Are you dancing? Remember, no one is watching. =)
Most likely I'm listening to Wicked or something really dancey. I can't help but sing along to anything I'm listening too and of course I'm dancing. Who do you think this is?
6. What have you never tried but really want to?
I have tried it but I really want to do it again; does that count? I want to be on a dance team again. I would love to be a professional dancer (not in a naughty way).
7. Do you have a favorite holiday? If so, what is it and why?
I'm constantly fighting this. I love Thanksgiving because of the food thing. I love to cook and eat. Oh I love to eat. At the same time, though, I love Christmas because who doesn't love Christmas?
8. What is the most recent thing that someone has done for you that made a difference in your day?
Just the other day I was feeling kind of down and my friend, Toni, wrote on my Facebook wall a little comment about how she was thinking of me or something. It really meant a lot to me.
Ok here are my questions and the people I'm tagging:
1. What is your favorite part about you?
2. If you could vacation any where, where would you go?
3. What does the best meal ever involve?
4. Name your favorite sweet.
5. Up to now what is your greatest accomplishment?
6. What would be your best day ever?
7. Favorite season and why?
8. What is the best book you've ever read?
1. Toni, because she always has such a funny blog.
2. Jenny, because I'm sure she could use some time to think about her. I have to explain to everyone that she is a mom, a wife to a student, pregnant, and just got called as the Relief Society President in her ward.
3. Janelle, because I love reading her blog.
4. Aynna, Best. cousin. ever. Ok, I have a lot of really great cousins but she is almost like a twin cousin.
5. Chelsey, because I love her and she needs a reason to blog.
6. Heather, because she hasn't blogged in a while and I love reading it.
7. Britta, she is a daily blogger anyways so I might as well get a little glory from it.
8. Amanda, because I haven't heard from her in a while.
By the way, I would have a link to each of these blogs but my computer is absolutely ridiculous and won't let me do anything like that and Michael has his computer with him.
Now go! I can't wait to read.
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Monday, September 20, 2010
This is so odd...
I was on Panera's website doing some work when I found this story. I just had to share it.
A Panera Wedding Featured News
The last-minute surprise one couple will never forget
Jeff and Natalie Daniels were supposed to be married at 10 a.m. on August 16, 2008, in an outdoor ceremony at Lake Eola in Orlando, Florida. The bride was 45 minutes late but, unfortunately, Tropical Storm Fay arrived right on time with wind-swept rain that quickly soaked guests, drove the bride into her car, and sent the preacher scurrying into a nearby Panera Bread.
“We didn’t have a backup plan,” recalls Jeff. “I was so soaked, the dye from my tuxedo went right through my shirt. But then the reverend called and said it’s nice and dry in Panera, and the manager was willing to let us get married in there. I thought this is going to be one of the strangest weddings ever….”
The Reverend Glynn Ferguson and the Panera staff took charge, handing out towels and moving tables. A cloth was draped over a trashcan, and the couple’s Unity Candle was set on top. Meanwhile, the groom and his party were sequestered in the men’s room while guests formed a canopy of umbrellas so the bride could get from her car to the bakery-cafe.
“Once everyone was in position, I gave the staff the nod, they turned up the classical music, the bride and her father walked down the aisle, and I married them,” says Reverend Ferguson. “Everyone clapped, customers included. It was one of the most unusual weddings I’ve ever done, but it was warm, inviting, classy, and it sure smelled wonderful.”
“Natalie and I plan on going back to that Panera for our anniversary and giving the staff a photo of us taken in front of the store that day,” says Jeff. “Whenever we tell people this story, they can’t believe it. But it was very special, and we’ll never forget it.”
Publish Date: September 8, 2010
A Panera Wedding Featured News
The last-minute surprise one couple will never forget
Jeff and Natalie Daniels were supposed to be married at 10 a.m. on August 16, 2008, in an outdoor ceremony at Lake Eola in Orlando, Florida. The bride was 45 minutes late but, unfortunately, Tropical Storm Fay arrived right on time with wind-swept rain that quickly soaked guests, drove the bride into her car, and sent the preacher scurrying into a nearby Panera Bread.
“We didn’t have a backup plan,” recalls Jeff. “I was so soaked, the dye from my tuxedo went right through my shirt. But then the reverend called and said it’s nice and dry in Panera, and the manager was willing to let us get married in there. I thought this is going to be one of the strangest weddings ever….”
The Reverend Glynn Ferguson and the Panera staff took charge, handing out towels and moving tables. A cloth was draped over a trashcan, and the couple’s Unity Candle was set on top. Meanwhile, the groom and his party were sequestered in the men’s room while guests formed a canopy of umbrellas so the bride could get from her car to the bakery-cafe.
“Once everyone was in position, I gave the staff the nod, they turned up the classical music, the bride and her father walked down the aisle, and I married them,” says Reverend Ferguson. “Everyone clapped, customers included. It was one of the most unusual weddings I’ve ever done, but it was warm, inviting, classy, and it sure smelled wonderful.”
“Natalie and I plan on going back to that Panera for our anniversary and giving the staff a photo of us taken in front of the store that day,” says Jeff. “Whenever we tell people this story, they can’t believe it. But it was very special, and we’ll never forget it.”
Publish Date: September 8, 2010
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
See TV can teach us something
Have you seen the most recent commercial from Nutrigrain Bars? The screen is split in half and it shows a woman who starts her day with a pastry and her day with a Nutrigrain Bar. She goes throughout her day making different nutritional decisions. The idea of the commercial is that if you start your day with a Nutrigrain Bar you will make healthier decisions throughout the rest of your day.
The first few times I saw this commercial I though, "Yeah right." Even if I had a Nutrigrain Bar for breakfast I would still choose the piece of brownie over the piece of apple that they were sampling at the grocery store any day of the week. I thought about it quite a bit and wondered if it was really true. I decided to conduct an experiment.
I made a goal three weeks ago that I would work out every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. So far, so good. On the days that I work out I tend to drink more water, eat more fruit, and eat a little healthier. I usually do spill over with my healthy living on days that I don't work out but still I have my days. Plus, I was working on my experiment. One morning there was 1/2 of an Almond Joy waiting for me to eat sitting on the kitchen counter. I ate it for breakfast. All day long I ate like crap. I didn't do it consciously either. It wasn't until later that day that I realized how bad I had eaten. On Monday, Wednesday, and Friday I usually open at work. This means that I'm eating breakfast there. If I eat eggs or a breakfast sandwich, a healthy one, I usually end the day well. But if I eat a sweet and high calorie bagel or a pastry I usually end the day feeling like crap because of all the crap I ate.
On top of that at the end of my good days I am more likely to cook dinner, have a different kind of energy (even though I'm still tired) and read my scriptures. I'm friendlier and easier to get along with. Finally, it makes me want to do it all over again so I can always feel that way.
I hope that all of you try to start your day with a healthier option. It really does work!!
The first few times I saw this commercial I though, "Yeah right." Even if I had a Nutrigrain Bar for breakfast I would still choose the piece of brownie over the piece of apple that they were sampling at the grocery store any day of the week. I thought about it quite a bit and wondered if it was really true. I decided to conduct an experiment.
I made a goal three weeks ago that I would work out every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. So far, so good. On the days that I work out I tend to drink more water, eat more fruit, and eat a little healthier. I usually do spill over with my healthy living on days that I don't work out but still I have my days. Plus, I was working on my experiment. One morning there was 1/2 of an Almond Joy waiting for me to eat sitting on the kitchen counter. I ate it for breakfast. All day long I ate like crap. I didn't do it consciously either. It wasn't until later that day that I realized how bad I had eaten. On Monday, Wednesday, and Friday I usually open at work. This means that I'm eating breakfast there. If I eat eggs or a breakfast sandwich, a healthy one, I usually end the day well. But if I eat a sweet and high calorie bagel or a pastry I usually end the day feeling like crap because of all the crap I ate.
On top of that at the end of my good days I am more likely to cook dinner, have a different kind of energy (even though I'm still tired) and read my scriptures. I'm friendlier and easier to get along with. Finally, it makes me want to do it all over again so I can always feel that way.
I hope that all of you try to start your day with a healthier option. It really does work!!
Friday, September 10, 2010
Well that's disappointing.
You know those nights where you are tired after a long day? You worked on dinner as well as house work and you sit down just to realize that you want something sweet. You know the day, right?
The other night this happened to me. I could have gone to the grocery story that is right across the parking lot and got some chocolate chips or a candy bar but I didn't want to put that much energy into it. I decided to go online and get a recipe for cookies that need ingredients that I had lying around the house. I ended up finding this recipe that looked a little fishy because of the amount of ingredients but that was also the appeal. I decided to read the comments to get a better feel. The comments said things like:
"This is one of the best cookies I've ever had."
"I just wanted to make a cookie with the ingredients I had lying around my house. These cookies were just what I needed to fill my sugar need for the night."
"Super easy and the kids loved them."
You get the idea, right? I was so excited to make a cookie that was everything I was looking for. So, I spent the time to make the cookie (it really didn't take much time they really are easy). I was so excited for them to come out of the oven. I even poured myself a large glass of milk so I was ready.
I pulled them out of the oven and they smelled so good. I put three on my plate, grabbed my milk and sat down on the couch. I was so ready to get lost in a warm cookie and finish my day off right. I pulled up the biggest cookie to my mouth, smelled it, then put it in ready for the cookie to melt in my mouth and hit me in the spot that makes me happy that only cookies can reach.
WORSE COOKIE E.V.E.R!!
It was dry and had no flavor whatsoever. It crumbled and cracked. It was exactly the opposite of everything that I was expecting. Moral of the story; don't ever make a washboard cookie.
The next day I had work from 9-5:30. I woke up, worked out, and ate a good breakfast. I had a few minutes before leaving to work so I started the crockpot for some "Tex Mex Tacos." I was so excited about the thought of dinner being ready after a long day at work.
While I was at work I imagined Michael and I getting home about the same time. I would pull out tortillas, jalapenos, cheese, and sour cream. We would load up our tortillas and eat some of the best tacos ever made.
As soon as I got off work I rushed home to indulge in my tacos. I got out all the fixins I needed and opened the crock pot to find...dry meat. The tomatoes had dried to the bottom of the pot so the pork ended up drying out.
Hopefully next week will be a better food week for me. I'm thinking I need to buy some molasses and make myself some ginger snaps. MMmmmm...
The other night this happened to me. I could have gone to the grocery story that is right across the parking lot and got some chocolate chips or a candy bar but I didn't want to put that much energy into it. I decided to go online and get a recipe for cookies that need ingredients that I had lying around the house. I ended up finding this recipe that looked a little fishy because of the amount of ingredients but that was also the appeal. I decided to read the comments to get a better feel. The comments said things like:
"This is one of the best cookies I've ever had."
"I just wanted to make a cookie with the ingredients I had lying around my house. These cookies were just what I needed to fill my sugar need for the night."
"Super easy and the kids loved them."
You get the idea, right? I was so excited to make a cookie that was everything I was looking for. So, I spent the time to make the cookie (it really didn't take much time they really are easy). I was so excited for them to come out of the oven. I even poured myself a large glass of milk so I was ready.
I pulled them out of the oven and they smelled so good. I put three on my plate, grabbed my milk and sat down on the couch. I was so ready to get lost in a warm cookie and finish my day off right. I pulled up the biggest cookie to my mouth, smelled it, then put it in ready for the cookie to melt in my mouth and hit me in the spot that makes me happy that only cookies can reach.
WORSE COOKIE E.V.E.R!!
It was dry and had no flavor whatsoever. It crumbled and cracked. It was exactly the opposite of everything that I was expecting. Moral of the story; don't ever make a washboard cookie.
The next day I had work from 9-5:30. I woke up, worked out, and ate a good breakfast. I had a few minutes before leaving to work so I started the crockpot for some "Tex Mex Tacos." I was so excited about the thought of dinner being ready after a long day at work.
While I was at work I imagined Michael and I getting home about the same time. I would pull out tortillas, jalapenos, cheese, and sour cream. We would load up our tortillas and eat some of the best tacos ever made.
As soon as I got off work I rushed home to indulge in my tacos. I got out all the fixins I needed and opened the crock pot to find...dry meat. The tomatoes had dried to the bottom of the pot so the pork ended up drying out.
Hopefully next week will be a better food week for me. I'm thinking I need to buy some molasses and make myself some ginger snaps. MMmmmm...
Friday, August 20, 2010
Some good news
I have been working at least two jobs for almost three years now. At one point I was working two jobs and going to school all at the same time. I'm not complaining, just stating. I knew when we moved out here that I would have to work really hard so that Michael could go to school and get good grades. I felt it pay off as he went to school. I could see his work and see how much time and effort he put into it and knowing that he didn't have to juggle work on top of that made me feel really good. Also, when I've seen the several reels that he has put together (mhardydesign.com) I felt so good knowing that he could put all of his energy and effort into it without having to worry about a job. Then, when we went to his graduation and he had the opportunity to give a speech because he was salutatorian I felt good because I knew he earned it and he did it because he didn't have to worry about a job. Finally, he had the opportunity to go and spend time with his parents for just about a month. I knew all three of them needed that time and I felt good knowing that he could do it because he didn't have a job.
I have to be honest though...
I am exhausted. It is really hard to support a family with such a low income and two jobs. I'm constantly tired, I'm always working, and I don't get to spend the time with Michael that I want. Every time I do our budget my stress level rises knowing that we just aren't cutting it. Knowing that we are drowning in our bills and on top on that student loans are coming due is making me crazy. I've seen a million miracles and find it amazing that we have a place to live, food to eat, a car to drive, and gas to put into it. We have managed to eat out, see movies, and have fun. Even when it didn't make sense we have always made the most important bills on time and those not so important bills have not bothered us too much with the late/non payments and it's been a blessing. There was one point where we didn't have an electricity bill for six months for no reason whatsoever. I have tried to be patient with my hard struggles with money. I have tried to count my blessings outside of money and focus on the important things in life. I'm far from perfect, though, and even though money is not important in the eternal perspective it can be kind of/really important in this mortal life. So, I've cried, wished, and prayed for a break. I've always received a break even if it was temporary.
Point of my story...
The biggest break that I will ever receive was given to me today. Michael was offered a job. Yes, Michael is officially employed! He is a online course designer (sort of, I can't really explain because I don't completely understand) at UC Berkeley. He starts Sept. 1st. We will have a good salary, free vision, free dental, and medical benefits. I started to cry when I heard him say, "Ya, of course I'll take it." We have a lot of plans to help us pay off debt so that when we start a family and I'm not working anymore I'll be able to be a mom with out much debt holding us down. Also, in January, I'm going to go down to one job. ONE JOB!!! I won't have to worry about juggling two and working my little buns off.
If you are one of my friends who doesn't believe in God or if believing in miracles is hard for you then read closely. Michael and I were reluctant to go on the Pioneer Trek we went on a couple of months ago. Our bishop told us we should go. After we had decided to go we ended our meeting with a prayer. In the prayer the bishop prayed that going on this trek would help Michael find a job. On the trek we meet the guy that Michael will be working for. Michael has had the Berkeley job offer, got some free lance work, and was offered a job at our local channel 5 station, part time, that he might work for a little while to help with bills. Our state has the highest unemployment rate in the nation and Michael found a job. Michael has only been graduated for a few months in a field where 400 people were recently laid off and he found a job. All the jobs that he was offered(including free lance work), the people sought out him.
All of this is proof to me that the Lord truly knows us. He loves us and works miracles for those that work hard to do good. I will forever be in debt to the Lord for this miracle.
I have to be honest though...
I am exhausted. It is really hard to support a family with such a low income and two jobs. I'm constantly tired, I'm always working, and I don't get to spend the time with Michael that I want. Every time I do our budget my stress level rises knowing that we just aren't cutting it. Knowing that we are drowning in our bills and on top on that student loans are coming due is making me crazy. I've seen a million miracles and find it amazing that we have a place to live, food to eat, a car to drive, and gas to put into it. We have managed to eat out, see movies, and have fun. Even when it didn't make sense we have always made the most important bills on time and those not so important bills have not bothered us too much with the late/non payments and it's been a blessing. There was one point where we didn't have an electricity bill for six months for no reason whatsoever. I have tried to be patient with my hard struggles with money. I have tried to count my blessings outside of money and focus on the important things in life. I'm far from perfect, though, and even though money is not important in the eternal perspective it can be kind of/really important in this mortal life. So, I've cried, wished, and prayed for a break. I've always received a break even if it was temporary.
Point of my story...
The biggest break that I will ever receive was given to me today. Michael was offered a job. Yes, Michael is officially employed! He is a online course designer (sort of, I can't really explain because I don't completely understand) at UC Berkeley. He starts Sept. 1st. We will have a good salary, free vision, free dental, and medical benefits. I started to cry when I heard him say, "Ya, of course I'll take it." We have a lot of plans to help us pay off debt so that when we start a family and I'm not working anymore I'll be able to be a mom with out much debt holding us down. Also, in January, I'm going to go down to one job. ONE JOB!!! I won't have to worry about juggling two and working my little buns off.
If you are one of my friends who doesn't believe in God or if believing in miracles is hard for you then read closely. Michael and I were reluctant to go on the Pioneer Trek we went on a couple of months ago. Our bishop told us we should go. After we had decided to go we ended our meeting with a prayer. In the prayer the bishop prayed that going on this trek would help Michael find a job. On the trek we meet the guy that Michael will be working for. Michael has had the Berkeley job offer, got some free lance work, and was offered a job at our local channel 5 station, part time, that he might work for a little while to help with bills. Our state has the highest unemployment rate in the nation and Michael found a job. Michael has only been graduated for a few months in a field where 400 people were recently laid off and he found a job. All the jobs that he was offered(including free lance work), the people sought out him.
All of this is proof to me that the Lord truly knows us. He loves us and works miracles for those that work hard to do good. I will forever be in debt to the Lord for this miracle.
Thursday, August 5, 2010
High School
I was talking about high school today at work. I have mixed emotions about high school. I don't really know if I liked high school or not. I had some fun times, ok I had a lot...A LOT A LOT of fun times but there were some crappy times in there. Anyway, it's funny that I was talking about it because I then came home to find my friend's blog all about her high school boyfriends and I was mentioned because we were BEST FRIENDS in high school so I was involved in some of her stories. These stories made me smile and helped me remember some good times. Also, through her blog I felt inspired to write about some good times from high school.
For starters I hung out with quite a few of different groups in high school. My freshman year I hung out with a whole bunch of punkers. My two best friends were Kayla and Kristie. We spent the majority of our time listening to Blink 182, Green Day, Sum 41, Weezer, and others like that. We got really good at sluffing school, getting in snow ball fights, jumping puddles, eating fries and shakes at McDonalds, sneaking out, liking boys, and a million other things that I can't list because it would take all day and you would get bored. They can always Lean on Me.
My Sophomore year was the year I really got into band. I spent most of my time with Rosie and Rachel. We would sit and play our instruments. We would try to find ways to amuse ourselves with the no money we had. We hung out with boys with cars and money. I listened to Simple Plan, Blink 182, a lot of jazz, and whatever was popular on the radio. *Stacy's Mom has got it going on!* We went to Pasadena and marched in the Rose Bowl Parade AND the Christmas Parade at Disneyland. "You bet your bippy" we had a good time.
My junior year was the year that I would go back to over all others. That is if it was either going back to high school or something crappy because I don't really want to ever go back even if it was good times. *Please don't be offended if you are not mentioned.* My junior year I was friends with Toni and Chelsey. I was working at Dairy Queen and attempting to graduate early. I hung out with a lot of red necks with big trucks, sexy trucks, and listened to a lot of country music and for a short amount of time we got into Gloria Gaynor. Let's just say I will survive. I could write about a million sentences and I'm pretty sure I would make Chelsey and Toni laugh so hard that they would pee their pants. "Be a tree. There are no trees in Wendy's." "Find Toni, I need Toni. She is wear green pants and a red shirt." Possibly the other way around. We did a lot of extremely crazy things. Most of which I choose not to talk about. I want to make it clear that it's not because I am ashamed of my past or that I don't want to remember it. It's not because I don't want to "blow a cover" or act like I'm something I'm not. It's because I have simply moved on. Most of my good memories come from my junior year. I still smile when I hear most country songs and I'm taken back to some really good times.
My senior year was a blur. I lost myself in a whirlwind of awfulness. I don't really feel like publicly posting all the things that were drama in my life so let's just say I was going through some hard times. I hung out with Emily, Kristen, Ashley, and Kristie. (a different one from my freshman year) We were absolutely nuts. I really think that we actually thought we were invincible. But through my senior year I learned more about myself than I ever will.
Even though I would never go back to high school I'm glad I went through it. I'm glad I learned what I did and I'm glad it has made me me. I'm a pretty cool person.
For starters I hung out with quite a few of different groups in high school. My freshman year I hung out with a whole bunch of punkers. My two best friends were Kayla and Kristie. We spent the majority of our time listening to Blink 182, Green Day, Sum 41, Weezer, and others like that. We got really good at sluffing school, getting in snow ball fights, jumping puddles, eating fries and shakes at McDonalds, sneaking out, liking boys, and a million other things that I can't list because it would take all day and you would get bored. They can always Lean on Me.
My Sophomore year was the year I really got into band. I spent most of my time with Rosie and Rachel. We would sit and play our instruments. We would try to find ways to amuse ourselves with the no money we had. We hung out with boys with cars and money. I listened to Simple Plan, Blink 182, a lot of jazz, and whatever was popular on the radio. *Stacy's Mom has got it going on!* We went to Pasadena and marched in the Rose Bowl Parade AND the Christmas Parade at Disneyland. "You bet your bippy" we had a good time.
My junior year was the year that I would go back to over all others. That is if it was either going back to high school or something crappy because I don't really want to ever go back even if it was good times. *Please don't be offended if you are not mentioned.* My junior year I was friends with Toni and Chelsey. I was working at Dairy Queen and attempting to graduate early. I hung out with a lot of red necks with big trucks, sexy trucks, and listened to a lot of country music and for a short amount of time we got into Gloria Gaynor. Let's just say I will survive. I could write about a million sentences and I'm pretty sure I would make Chelsey and Toni laugh so hard that they would pee their pants. "Be a tree. There are no trees in Wendy's." "Find Toni, I need Toni. She is wear green pants and a red shirt." Possibly the other way around. We did a lot of extremely crazy things. Most of which I choose not to talk about. I want to make it clear that it's not because I am ashamed of my past or that I don't want to remember it. It's not because I don't want to "blow a cover" or act like I'm something I'm not. It's because I have simply moved on. Most of my good memories come from my junior year. I still smile when I hear most country songs and I'm taken back to some really good times.
My senior year was a blur. I lost myself in a whirlwind of awfulness. I don't really feel like publicly posting all the things that were drama in my life so let's just say I was going through some hard times. I hung out with Emily, Kristen, Ashley, and Kristie. (a different one from my freshman year) We were absolutely nuts. I really think that we actually thought we were invincible. But through my senior year I learned more about myself than I ever will.
Even though I would never go back to high school I'm glad I went through it. I'm glad I learned what I did and I'm glad it has made me me. I'm a pretty cool person.
Monday, July 26, 2010
I challenge you
I want your best slow cooker recipe! Whether it be soup, roast, chicken, or whatever you want!
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