Why I blog.

"The art of art, the glory of expression and the sunshine of the light of letters, is simplicity."
~Walt Whitman

Lately, I have had several conversations with people about why I blog.

1. I blog for the memories it allows me to relive.
2. I blog to discover a deeper understanding of myself.
3. I blog because I like to see pictures of the things I love.
4. I blog because I enjoy it.
5. I blog to keep in touch and share my life with others.
6. I blog to get feedback from others. I can't help it. I enjoy conversation. I just want to know what other people think.
7. I blog to keep thinking and reflecting about life, so I can become a better person.
8. I blog to be heard.
9. I blog to get to know others.
10. I blog to connect with the world.
11. I blog to procrastinate other important things on my To Do list.
12. I blog because I can.

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Discoveries of 2010.

"You learn something every day if you pay attention."
~Ray LeBlond

On the Caribbean Sea.
(Photo from my mom's cruise in January 2011)

Every year my friend Amber has a Girls Night party celebrating the things we have learned and discovered in the past year. (Yes, this is the same Amber who only a few short months ago was in the hospital in a coma. Miracles do happen.) The idea is to come up with a Top Ten list of things you have recently learned or discovered such as: new beauty products, new websites, recipes, stores, books, gadgets, cleaning supplies, etc. We put together lists and print out enough to give one to each guest. And what is a party without some food? No worries. We all make and bring our favorite recipe from the last year. It always ends up that we have the perfect amount of main courses, sides, desserts, bread, etc. The recipe is included on your list, so that everyone gets a copy of it.

This year was special year because we all have learned so much in the last year. Our thoughts shared were rather poignant because they all included major learning experiences from almost losing Amber. I'm so grateful she's still around and that she chose to come back. I haven't written much about the thoughts that have been swirling around in my mind since last October when Amber came home, about what I learned each and every day she was in the hospital and from the overall experience, but I will sometime soon. I've struggled with how to put it all into words. Suffice it to say, I've learned that life is a blessing, God is good, and we are deeply, deeply loved by Him. But more on that later.

For now, here is my list of discoveries from 2010. (And in case you want to look back, here are my previous lists: Discoveries of 2009 and Discoveries of 2008)

Emery’s Discoveries of 2010

1. Roasted Almonds w/Bragg™ Aminos from Whole Foods – I've always loved roasted almonds because it brings out the natural flavor of the nut, but these almonds are a special treat. They are infused with Bragg Liquid Aminos (soy proteins from soybeans, purified water)non hydranate canola oil.
2. Dried Blueberries – I've always enjoyed dried cranberries tossed into a salad, but Costco's Kirkland brand of dried blueberries was a new discovery this year. Tossing a few on a bowl of cheerios (my favorite) adds a healthy kick.
3. Rolo Pretzel Delights – Need an easy treat for any party or activity? These Rolo Pretzel Delights are the answer. Set Rolos on a cookie sheet covered in wax paper. Pop in the oven at 300°F for exactly two minutes. Pull them out and immediately begin pressing a small pretzel on top of each softened Rolo, until the chocolate begins to come through the holes of the pretzel. Let sit on the counter for an hour or speed up the hardening process by placing the cookie sheet in the fridge.
4. The Knife Matters – There is nothing like one of these great big Chinese choppers for chopping vegetables or meat. No kitchen should be without this tool. (Also, if you give this to your husband, he will happily help you in the kitchen. Haaaaa-yah! Just watch out for your fingers.)
5. Finger Puppets – Primary kids love finger puppets. You can also keep a couple in your purse and share them with tired kids at church or your own kids while you are waiting in line, in the car, or at the doctor. Instant theater.
6. Pinterest – Pinterest is a social catalog service. Think of it as a virtual pinboard — a place where you can post collections of things you love, and "follow" collections created by people with great taste. It's a great place to keep ideas for Christmas gifts, or birthday party themes, or wedding ideas organized. Or simply use it to archive all the pretty, fun things you find online. Find my pinboards at www.pinterest.com/eclaires
7. Groupon.com, LivingSocial.com, CityDeals.com – If you haven't checked out these sites and signed up for their daily deals, you are missing you. All deals are at least 50% of the regular price and definitely worth it!
8. Monopoly Deal – Definitely better than the board game, Monopoly Deal is a fast-paced, totally addictive card game that you can play in minutes! Deal and steal your way to success - just collect 3 property sets to win. Sounds easy... but beware the dreaded Debt Collectors and Deal Breakers, which can flip your fortunes in the play of a card! Fast-dealing, card-stealing fun for family and friends! fast-paced, too! Play with as few as two players.
9. “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing” – One of the greatest of our hymns, which was inexplicably deleted in the 1985 version of our Mormon hymn book, is "Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing."  Mack Wilberg's arrangement of this hymn as sung by the combined BYU choirs in 1994 will bring tears to your eyes, and fill your soul with the spirit.
10. Spray Bottles – I detest being hot. I simply cannot function when I am hot and feel overheated. Bring along a spray bottle on any hike, to a parade, to an outdoor picnic to keep cooled off. Such a simple idea that will make a world of difference.

One of my new favorite recipes this year comes from my mother’s cousin, Robin.

Robin’s Yankee Cranberry Cake

This cake is chock full of cranberries and reminds me of a really tasty blueberry muffin, with more fruit than cake. Even if you think you don’t like cranberries, try this. It’s simple and fabulous. The butter sauce really makes the cake.

1/2 teaspoon butter

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 cup milk

1 cup flour

1 ½ teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 ½ cups fresh cranberries (if you double the recipe, you can use a whole (small) bag of fresh cranberries.)

Mix ingredients together and fold in cranberries last. Bake in a 9x9" pan for 1/2 hour at 350 degrees. Cut in squares and serve warm with butter sauce spooned over each piece.

Butter Sauce:

1 cube of butter

1 cup sugar

1/2 cup cream

A dash of vanilla

Melt butter and sugar in a small sauce pan until sugar dissolves in the butter. Add cream and vanilla and heat through.

2010 sure was a great year. Here’s to a happy 2011 with lots of new discoveries!

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Discoveries of 2009.

Here's my list of discoveries or rediscoveries from 2009 from Amber's party. Remember last year?

Emery’s Discoveries of 2009

1. Skype – Skype is a communication tool, which includes features such as: instant messaging, video conferencing, and telephone calling. You can transfer files directly, as well as share your computer desktop, meaning you can essentially show the other person via video conferencing, everything that you see on your computer screen. Computer-to-computer calls are free. Yes, I said free. Instant messaging is free. Video is free. The video conferencing is the best. With a few hiccups here and there, based on your Internet speed, it really is a great way to keep in touch and truly feel like you're just sitting next to the person on the other end. So, have you started thinking about all the people you wish you could see more often? Do you live far away from family and you just want to see them or they want to see you... or see your babies? Just download the software at www.skype.com. It's easy to get started and quite user-friendly once you get going. Just make sure you have a webcam.
2. Nabisco 100 Calorie Packs – These snack packs hit the spot perfectly when your sweet tooth's got a craving. They don't have trans-fat or partially hydrogenated oils, so for pre-packaged snacks, they're pretty good!
3. Tylenol Cold and Sinus – In 2009, I endured six weeks of the worst combination of colds, bronchitis, sinus infection, and the flu that I've ever had in my life. I learned that Tylenol Cold and Sinus works wonders.
4. Ziploc – snack size bags – Trying to keep your portion sizes under control? Use Ziploc snack size bags, exclusively, for all snacks. All you need at any snack or meal, for that matter, can fit into a Ziploc snack size bag.
5. Long Gloves – No, I didn't just discover gloves this year, but I did discover that the key to a good pair of gloves is length. Try wearing gloves that keep you warm, well beyond your wrist.
6. Utah Book of Lists – Looking for a job? The Book of Lists is a fabulous resource for the biggest and best businesses in Utah.
7. Giving Blood – Did you know that every donation of blood could save up to three lives? The need is constant. The gratification is instant. Give blood.™ And it takes less than an hour. Find the Red Cross near you and donate today!
8. Safety Pins – I've learned that safety pins always come in handy! You should always have a stash in your purse, your car, and your drawer at work. Often, I come across a need that a safety pin will fix. The need may not be your own, and if it's someone else in need, they will thank you 100 times over and openly praise your resourcefulness. Be prepared.
9. See's Butterscotch Lollipops – Just taste one. Say no more.
10. Traveling Candles – Traveling is fun, we'd all agree, but staying in a stuffy hotel room is the pits. Bring a traveling candle in a tin and your room will smell like home in minutes.

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23 questions you probably never thought of asking.

1. First thing you wash in the shower? my hair
2. What color is your favorite hoodie? Turquoise
3. What's the closest thing to you that's red? An umbrella and a pitch pipe (the box is red.)
4. Did you meet anybody new today? Actually, yes.
5. What comes to mind when I say cabbage? beets
6. Do you bite into your ice cream or just lick it? I'm a licker.
7. What are you listening to right now? my fan on high
8. Would you go sky diving? No, I can't say that I would. I really have no desire to do it, and that probably makes me lame, but I'm completely OK with that.
9. Do you like cottage cheese? I love it, especially with peaches and almonds.
10. Have you ever met a celebrity? A few, yes. Mandy Patinkin (think: Inigo Montoya) -- he kissed me. Billy Dee Williams (think: Lando Calrissian in Star Wars) -- I got his autograph. I was probably five.
11. Is there anything sparkly in the room you're in? Just me.
12. Ever been on a train? Yup, just a month ago in fact, between DC and NYC. I've even been on a cross-country train trip. Oh and a bunch of train trips in Latvia and Lithuania.
13. Do you have a cell-phone? Yes.
14. Do you use chapstick? Nope. I use vaseline on my lips every night before I sleep. During the day it's just lip gloss.
15. Do you own a gun? No, thank you.
16. Can you use chop sticks? Of course. This is me you're asking... I was nearly raised on them.
17. Ever have cream puffs? Yes, last Monday. Shame on me.
18. Are you sarcastic? Generally not. But sometimes, yes. I tend to think of it as the lowest form of humor.
19. Ever walked into a wall? Yes. It usually happens when I get out of bed in the morning. The other day my friend Brian ran into a wall... I still laugh when I think about it.
20. Do you have good vision? Only when I'm wearing my contacts.
21. What are you wearing? Gosh... this question HAD to be here... just my underwear
22. Can you hula hoop? not if my life depended on it, unless it's an AcuHoop (a weighted hula hoop).
23. Have you ever crawled through a window? Yes. I crawled from the front seat out the backseat window after a car crash where we landed upside down. I was happy I fit!

Happy Thoughts.

When I was in high school, my mom and I shared the master bathroom. I'm not exactly sure why, except that neither of us wanted to share with someone who unloaded his electric razor in the sink and didn't fully rinse out the basin. Yuck. Oh, that and the fact that master bathroom was twice as big. :)

We had a little daily calendar that sat in the WC on a shelf along with some other books and magazines. (Come on, everyone has bathroom reading material. Don't deny it.) The daily calendar was called "10,000 Things to Be Happy About." It was originally a book (now called 14,000 Things...), but adapated into a daily calendar. I looked forward to reading it every morning.

With that in mind, here is my list for today:

1. fresh flowers
2. carrot cake (with a really good cream cheese frosting)
3. alliteration
4. rainy weekend mornings
5. beluga whales
6. spontaneous hugs and kisses
7. smiles from strangers
8. cheese
9. family
10. relaxing vacations
11. looking at the stamps in my passport and reminiscing
12. picnics
13. thunderstorms
14. a good book
15. the first whiff after it starts to rain
16. new babies
17. wood floors
18. spontaneous road trips
19. a clean house, including windows and baseboards
20. Jelly Bellys
21. farmers markets - oh the vegetables!
22. the last few minutes of an auction on eBay when your item quadruples in price
23. the smell of jasmine
24. San Francisco fog
25. beautiful stationery
26. English cucumbers
27. proper table settings
28. smells of spring
29. playing cribbage
30. the internet
31. cold, soft (read: ridiculously high thread count) sheets

Discoveries of 2008.

Friday night, I went to a party hosted by my friend Amber. It was a Girls Night with the theme of "What I Learned in 2008." We were asked to bring a favorite dish discovered in 2008 along with the recipe to share with everyone. Next we were to bring a top ten list of what we discovered in 2008 (with copies to hand out to everyone). Possible thoughts included: favorite new book, cool websites, additional recipes, make-up, great buys, favorite music, cooking secrets, trip ideas, diet plans, favorite toilet paper, parenting secrets, or any nugget of knowledge we felt worthy to pass along. The last thing we brought was a little gift basket to give away. The basket consisted of items listed on our top ten list.

I was so excited anticipating this party. What a fun idea! I loved sharing what I've learned and I learned lots of new things, some of which I've already checked out. Very fun, it was!

And I know you're all just dying to know what my top ten list looked like, so here you go:

eclaires's Discoveries of 2008

1. bareMinerals makeup by Bare Escentuals – With bareMinerals, your search for the perfect foundation is over; you’ll never go back to your old stuff again! Made from 100% pure bareMinerals it’s free of preservatives, oil, fragrance, talc and other skin irritants. I have fallen in love with the look of beautifully bare skin.

2. L'Oréal Telescopic® Clean Definition Mascara – I'll admit, I was very skeptical considering the No Clump Brush™ is so thin and long, with few bristles. But I found that the thin brush allows you to easily coat the lashes without weighing them down, resulting in a very natural look. The sparsely placed bristles allow for a combing effect, keeping lashes separated and clump free. And it perfectly lengthens my lashes (up to 60% they say). So I'm sold. Dare I say, I've found a new favorite? I know... hard to believe, but I think it's true.

3. www.Coupons.com – I have become a coupon clipper. Okay, I always have been, but this year I discovered online coupons. And they generally have stuff that I actually buy! Don’t go to the grocery store with checking here first.

4. Curves – The Women’s Only Health Club and Fitness Center with Aerobic and Strength Training Workout. This was actually a discovery of 2007, but worthy to share. No more worrying about people looking you up and down at the gym. Go to Curves and get a great workout in 30 minutes without the uncomfortable “meat market” feel of other co-ed gyms. And you’ll see results!

5. All things Google – I can’t live without my Google calendar, gmail, Blogger, and my iGoogle homepage brings those all together. My life has been made much easier and more fun!

6. www.Pandora.com – Internet Radio. Listen anywhere you have an internet connection and speakers. No commercials. Pick the genres and artists you like. Find out about new artists and songs you haven’t heard before.

7. Winter Squash – Butternut, Spaghetti, Acorn, etc. Delicious! Top puréed cooked winter squash with cinnamon and maple syrup. Steam cubes of winter squash and onion wedges in oven with a little bit of olive oil. Top "strings" of spaghetti squash with pasta sauce. Add cubes of winter squash to your favorite vegetable soup recipe. Slice strips of butternut squash and bake to make Squash Snacks. There are endless ideas for these nutrient-filled vegetables.

8. Salt Lake Choral Artists – I have found my niche once again. I love choral singing and discovered SLCA this summer. I auditioned and am now a member. Salt Lake Choral Artists is one of America’s premier community choirs, delighting audiences with outstanding choral performances for many years. The choir focuses on classical, contemporary, and culturally diverse music and emphasizes collaborations with other performing groups from the community. As Artistic Director and Conductor, Dr. Brady Allred has applied his wealth of choral conducting experience, remarkable range of musical talent, and exceptional leadership to bring the Salt Lake Choral Artists to a higher level of artistic excellence. His skills have generated new enthusiasm among choir members, serious interest from the media, and the attention of donors who recognize the importance of promoting top-quality performing arts in this community.

9. Calcium Chews – One a day increases your daily intake of Calcium, Vitamin D, and Vitamin K and satisfies your sweet tooth. Costco’s Kirkland Brand tastes the best and are sugar-free!

10. Smart Balance Natural Peanut Butter – Peanut butter with no hydrogenated oils, thus no trans fat, no added refined sugar, and 1000mg of Omega-3s per serving. You can’t pass that up! Plus it tastes great! Check out their butter spread products as well.

The Schultz Philosophy.

"Don't worry about the world coming to an end today.

It's already tomorrow in Australia."

~Charles Schultz

The following is the philosophy of not my friends the Schultzes, but of Charles Schultz, the creator of the Peanuts comic strip. You don't have to actually answer the questions. Just read straight through, and you'll get the point.

1. Name the five wealthiest people in the world.
2. Name the last five Heisman trophy winners.
3. Name the last five winners of Miss America.
4. Name ten people who have won the Nobel or Pulitzer Prize.
5. Name the last half dozen Academy Award winners for best actor and actress.
6. Name the last decade's worth of World Series winners.

How did you do? The point is, none of us remember the headliners of yesterday. These are no second-rate achievers. They are the best in their fields. But the applause dies. Awards tarnish. Achievements are forgotten. Accolades and certificates are buried with their owners.

Here's another quiz. See how you do on this one:

1. List a few teachers who aided your journey through school.
2. Name three friends who have helped you through a difficult time.
3. Name five people who have taught you something worthwhile.
4. Think of a few people who have made you feel appreciated and special.
5. Think of five people you enjoy spending time with.

Easier?

The lesson: The people who make a difference in your life are not the ones with the most credentials, the most money, or the most awards. They are the ones that care.

7 Random Things

So Brooke-let tagged me awhile back and I'm finally remembering to think of and post seven random things about myself. Here goes...

1. I smell everything. Beware. May you always smell divine.
2. I love all things WWII, especially first-hand Resistance stories. May we have such resilience of spirit.
3. I still rock out to Debbie Gibson. Sorry, I'll never be able to call her Deborah.
4. I first got glasses in the 4th grade. Seeing street signs and the chalkboard was so much more fun after that.
5. I've been known to cut my English Lit class, hiding in the stairwell to read. Ironic.
6. I don't believe in unpainted toenails. On women, at least. May yours always be painted. (Especially if you're wearing open toed shoes.)
7. I was in a car accident once when our car landed on the roof after fishtailing out of control at 80mph. I crawled out the back window unscathed. Thank you.

Jumping for joy is good exercise.

"Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be."
~Abraham Lincoln

About ten years ago, I found myself swimming in what I can only describe as the blues. I decided to conquer my depression by starting a Happy journal and search for the little things in life that made me happy and for which I was thankful. With Thanksgiving fast approaching, I feel I want to share some of those things that brighten my life:

1. Word games
2. The Internet
3. The guarantee of a 60-second massage every Tuesday at Salt Lake Choral Artists rehearsal
4. Clouds
5. Rodgers & Hammerstein
6. Josh Groban's ability to bring me sweet memories of winter in Lithuania
7. The ability to use chopsticks with ease
8. Receiving genuine compliments
9. Prayer
10. Friends who are on my side
11. Touch - playful, soothing, and healing (both giving and receiving)
12. Lotion (didn't know I would be so thankful for lotion until I moved to Utah)
13. Having a car that runs and doesn't have a monthly payment
14. Getting paid
15. Having a unique first name
16. Falling leaves
17. Being debt-free
18. Drive-thru ATMs
19. Torrential downpours
20. Cake with frosting
21. Flowers
22. Calculators
23. Spider Solitaire
24. Being a native San Franciscan
25. Dancing
26. The scriptures
27. Lithuania
28. Alias
29. Veronica Mars
30. Having faith and then having the courage to truly exercise it
31. Green stoplights all the way to my destination
32. Using coupons
33. Writing
34. Earrings
35. Pictures to provide good memories
36. Measuring tapes
37. Thermometers
38. The moon
39. Lone trees
40. Knowing what time it is
41. Laughter
42. A great pair of jeans
43. Holding hands
44. Snow-capped mountains
45. Cool maps
46. Google
47. Quiet time just spent remembering past experiences
48. Food storage
49. Kisses on the cheek
50. Any opportunity to share, listen, and be with people I care about

Wanderlust has taken hold and will never let go.

Wanderlust has taken hold of me and will never let go... So I like to travel. Doesn't everybody? My perfect day would involve a passport, a book, a hammock, a view of the ocean, and some sort of dairy product. I got that perfect day in January 2008 in San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua. That was, by far, the most relaxing trip I've been on. (Thanks Dad and Nancy!) I hope to have many more repeat perfect days all over the world for the rest of my life!

Lately, I've been lamenting my lack of travel the past six months or so. I realized the other day that I haven't been on an airplane in seven or eight months. That may sound funny to some, but it's very unusual for me. And as my plans are right now, I will not be traveling anywhere for the next couple of months. The beginning of 2008 went like this:

January - Los Angeles and on to Nicaragua
February - Orange County, California
March - Michigan
April - nowhere? (I don't believe that.)
May - nowhere? (I can't believe it.) I was going to go to Virginia and Pennsylvania, then had to cancel.
June - two trips: Las Vegas and Orange County, California (flew in and out of Long Beach)
July to November - nowhere. Not even any further north than Ogden, and no further south than Springville.

As you likely know, I'm a list person. So this post is more for me than for any of you and is not meant to be a bragging list or anything. I just like to keep track of my life on lists. So there you have it.

States I've been to (at least two feet on the ground):
1. California
2. Nevada
3. Utah
4. Arizona
5. Idaho
6. Washington
7. Montana
8. Colorado
9. Kansas
10. Texas (one night at a hotel in Dallas after a delayed flight)
11. Missouri
12. Iowa (drove through Keokuk with Grandpa, got out and did a little tap dance, so I could say I'd been there)
13. Illinois
14. Wisconsin
15. Michigan
16. Indiana (Indianapolis airport only, I believe)
17. Ohio
18. Pennsylvania
19. Virginia
20. Maryland
21. Delaware
22. New Jersey
23. New York
24. Massachusetts
25. Connecticut
26. Georgia (Atlanta airport only)

So you may notice that this West Coast native hasn't included Oregon on her list. Nor does she have Wyoming, a state with which she currently shares a border. Yeah, who knows how I skipped Oregon altogether. I'll get there. Hopefully on a trip up the coast. And Wyoming, well that's just a matter of planning a trip to AnnMarie's. :)

Countries I've been to:
1. United States
2. Mexico (Tijuana only, so I'm not really sure if that counts)
3. England (including British territory Gibraltar)
4. Lithuania
5. Latvia
6. Spain
7. Czech Republic
8. Poland
9. Sweden (Stockholm airport only, so no passport stamp)
10. El Salvador (San Salvador airport only, so no passport stamp)
11. Nicaragua

No, I haven't been to Canada. Surprisingly, Estonia isn't on there either. I just never made the long bus trip up there. And sadly, I haven't been to Russia or Morocco, though I've seen both. Just didn't cross the border. Someday...

Lessons from the Great Depression.

Since, I've gone back to school, most of you know that I'm only working part-time now. (Read: I've been earning half my salary since September.) This means, I've been extra money-concious and am always trying to find ways to cut expenses and save money. Why spend, when I could save, right? So I found this article listing the top ten lessons we can learn from the Great Depression and I thought I'd reprint it here.

10 Money Lessons From the Great Depression
By Jeffrey Strain

The U.S. may not technically be in a recession. After all, the U.S. Commerce Department says the economy grew at a 0.6% pace in the first quarter.

But most people look at things more like legendary investor Warren Buffett, who defined a recession as when "people are doing less well than they were three months, six months or eight months earlier."

For most economists it is no longer whether there is going to be a recession, but what type of recession it is going to be: short recessions like the one from 1990 to 1991 and the one from March to November 2001, or something like the Great Depression.

No matter which it ends up being, one of the best places to look for sound advice is from those people who have survived the worst of economic times - namely your grandparents.

Here are 10 ideas you may want to take from them:

1. Frugality Is Not a Bad Word
There was a time when a person who was frugal was looked upon with esteem rather than someone without the means to buy more. Many people seem to equate frugality with "cheapness," but that couldn't be further from the truth. Being frugal is simply getting the most out of what you have and purchase, and not purchasing things that you really don't need. While your grandparents learned frugality during the hard times, many of them continued to practice it even when times got better, which helped them build wealth. Learning to be frugal could help a lot of people who haven't learned to live within their means.

2. Use What You Have
In a consumer society, whatever problem you may have can always be solved by buying something else. If something breaks, go out and buy a new one. If something isn't exactly right, go buy something that is. In your grandparents' time, when something broke, they first took a look to see if it could be fixed. If it couldn't be fixed, before it ended up in the trash can, they would consider whether it could still be useful for something else. There is no reason to go out and spend money on something new if you can get the same thing accomplished with the things that you already have.

3. Doing It Yourself Is the Way to Go
When it comes to fixing things, the first people that your grandparents looked at were themselves. Instead of calling someone to fix something that broke, they fixed it on their own most of the time. In a society where we now hire people to do most basic repair and maintenance, it's important to remember that most repairs aren't nearly as difficult as they may appear and that you can do much of it on your own with a how-to book and patience.

4. Things Have More Than One Use
People tend to buy stuff with a specific purpose in mind and use it exclusively for that intended purpose. What your grandparents knew is that most things can have multiple uses throughout their useful life. That T-shirt can become a night shirt when the collar gets worn and can't be worn outside, and then a painting shirt when it starts to get holes and eventually rags when the holes get too big.

5. Debt Is to Be Avoided
In the age of credit cards, where spending what you don't have now is encouraged left and right, it's hard to believe there was a time when people actually believed that debt was to be avoided, but those are the words that your grandparents lived by. If they didn't have the money, then they would simply need to figure out a different plan on how to get what they needed. It might be borrowing it from a friend, saving up money or finding something that could be used instead. Going into debt to get it accomplished was not an option.

6. Save for Rainy Days
As many people are finding out, rainy days eventually come. Your grandparents were well aware of this and specifically put aside money for these rainy days. It's now what is commonly referred to as an emergency fund and something that comes in quite handy when your financial plans don't go exactly as you imagined they would.

7. Used Can Be Just as Good as New
This concept isn't completely foreign even to today's generation. The notion that buying a quality two- to three-year-old car has become basic mainstream financial advice when it comes to car ownership. Your grandparents knew that just because something happened to be pre-owned doesn't make it something to be dismissed as unworthy. They also know that this concept doesn't stop with cars and can be expanded to almost any other area where a second-hand market is available.

8. Functional Trumps Fashion:
When it comes to making purchases, your grandparents knew that it wasn't what the device looked like, but what it could do that mattered. It was much more important to buy something that did what needed to be done regardless of what it actually looked like. That Rolex may look great, but it doesn't tell time any better than a standard watch bought at the local discount store. Learning to buy for function rather than looks is a great way to save money.

9. Bargains Are to Be Sought-After
When it was time to purchase something, your grandparents didn't just go out an get it that day. They took the time to look for a bargain. That meant doing research and waiting until the price was right rather than pulling out a credit card and buying it even when they didn't have the money. Bargains take planning and time to find, but when they are found, you know you have gotten a great deal.

10. Homemade Cookies Are Delicious
In a society where everything is pre-made and sold for convenience, it may be hard to remember the last time you had a meal made from scratch. What your grandparents knew was that not only is it less expensive to cook this way, the resulting meal is also a lot more delicious. Think of it this way; would you ever consider trading in a plate of your grandmother's homemade cookies for any store bought brand?

While the way that your grandparents handled money may seem unsophisticated with all the financial tools that are available today, the basics of living below their means, saving for a rainy day, getting an education and investing in their future are values that a lot of people could financially benefit from today.


What ideas are you implementing in your homes?

Mental Flexibility Test Answers.

So have you all been waiting on the edge of your seats for the answers to this? :) Several of you did mention how much you liked things like this, so I hope you had some fun with it, and were able to figure at least some of them out on your own. :) Well, here you go.

1. 26 = L of the A 26 Letters of the Alphabet
2. 7 = D of the W 7 Days of the Week
3. 1001 = A N 1001 Arabian Nights
4. 12 = S of the Z 12 Signs of the Zodiac
5. 54 = C in a D (with J) 54 Cards in a Deck (with Jokers)
6. 9 = P in the S S 9 Planets in the Solar System (I know this isn't the case anymore... I did say this was old)
7. 88 = P K 88 Piano Keys
8. 13 = S on the A F 13 Stripes on the American Flag
9. 32 = D F at which W F 32 Degrees Fahrenheit at which Water Freezes
10. 18 = H on a G C 18 Holes on a Golf Course
11. 90 = D in a R A 90 Degrees in a Right Angle
12. 200 = D for P G in M 200 Dollars for Passing GO in Monopoly
13. 8 = S on a S S 8 Sides on a Stop Sign
14. 3 = B M (S H T R) 3 Blind Mice (See How They Run)
15. 4 = Q in a G 4 Quarts in a Gallon
16. 24 = H in a D 24 Hours in a Day
17. 1 = W in a U 1 Wheel in a Unicycle
18. 5 = D in a Z C 5 Digits in a Zip Code
19. 57 = H V 57 Heinz Variety
20. 11 = P on a F T 11 Players on a Football Team
21. 1000 = W that a P is W 1000 Words that a Picture is Worth
22. 29 = D in F in a L Y 29 Days in February in a Leap Year
23. 64 = S on a C B 64 Spaces on a Chess Board
24. 40 = D and N of the G F 40 Days and Nights of the Great Fast
25. 76 = T in the B P 76 Trombones in the Big Parade
26. 50 = W to L Y L 50 Ways to Lose Your Lover
27. 99 = B of B on the W 99 Bottles of Beer on the Wall
28. 60 = S in a M 60 Seconds in a Minute
29. 1 = H on a U 1 Horn on a Unicorn
30. 9 = J on the S C 9 Judges on the Supreme Court
31. 7 = B for S B 7 Brides for Seven Brothers
32. 21 = D on a D 21 Dots on a Die
33. 7 = W of the A W 7 Wonders of the Ancient World
34. 15 M on a D M C 15 Men on a Dead Man's Chest

Mental Flexibility Test.

I received this test a loooong time ago from a friend. It kept me busy for a bit, so I thought I'd pass it along. It's is a test to gauge your mental flexibility and creativity. In the years since it was developed, it has been said that few people could solve more than half in the first day. Many reported getting answers long after the test had been set aside, at unexpected moments when their minds were relaxed.

Example: 16 = O in a P
Answer: 16 Ounces in a Pound

1. 26 = L of the A
2. 7 = D of the W
3. 1001 = A N
4. 12 = S of the Z
5. 54 = C in a D (with J)
6. 9 = P in the S S
7. 88 = PK
8. 13 = S on the A F
9. 32 = D F at which W F
10. 18 = H on a G C
11. 90 = D in a R A
12. 200 = D for P G in M
13. 8 = S on a SS
14. 3 = B M (S H T R)
15. 4 = Q in a G
16. 24 = H in a D
17. 1 = W in a U
18. 5 = D in a Z C
19. 57 = HV
20. 11 = P on a F T
21. 1000 = W that a P is W
22. 29 = D in F in a L Y
23. 64 = S on a C B
24. 40 = D and N of the G F
25. 76 = T in the B P
26. 50 = W to L Y L
27. 99 = B of B on the W
28. 60 = S in a M
29. 1 = H on a U
30. 9 = J on the S C
31. 7 = B for S B
32. 21 = D on a D
33. 7 = W of the A W
34. 15 = M on a D M C

Tell me how you do! I'll put the answers up in a few days.

Things you may not know (or want to know) about me.

1. I fiddle with my thumb ring when I'm nervous.
2. I'm morbid. It's true. I speak freely of death. I even save messages from loved ones in case that's the last time I hear their voice. Also, I think it would be safe to say that I've spent hours thinking about what it would be like to be one of the people who was in the World Trade Center when the planes hit. Would I jump out of the building and face certain death or stay and be burned alive?
3. I hold water in my mouth for a few seconds before I actually swallow. If I don't, I tend to choke. I also frequently attempt to drink too much water from my glass causing it to dribble down my chin.
4. I make my bed every day and have since January 2003.
5. I'm known for turning nouns into verbs. For example: "We bonused at 10%!" or "We're sporting today." or "Let's calendar tonight." or "He friended me on Facebook!"
6. I frequently count light fixtures in a chapel or other large assembly hall.
7. I'm annoyed by drivers who do not signal when changing lanes.
8. I'm annoyed by drivers who do not know how to use the diamond (HOV) lane appropriately. They are a hazard on the road.
9. I can't say I'm never at fault, but the misuse of apostrophes causes me to lose hope in the world!
10. I absolutely love my birthday. I usually start celebrating weeks before and continue for a month afterward!
11. My favorite ice cream is Häagen-Dazs Vanilla.
12. I put regular old vaseline on my lips every night before bed.
13. I love word games.
14. My alarm clock is 25 minutes ahead all the time. When I try to switch it back, I get confused.
15. I have a freckle on the inside edge of my left middle finger.
16. I love lone trees.
17. I frequently cannot remember what month it is. And when I guess, I'm not just one month off... I'm usually in a totally different season!
18. I passionately dislike the word "crap".
19. I frequently cannot picture someone's face in my mind after I first meet them, even if I've spent hours talking to them.
20. I was burned when I was five when I ran into a lady carrying a tray full of freshly brewed coffee pots. Miraculously, I'm not blind and have no scars.
21. I get jealous. Mostly when someone is eating something that I'm not eating or someone has one more bite of something that I just finished. Also, I mimic people a lot, I think because I get jealous when they say something that sounded cool, so I have to try it too.
22. I have a group of freckles that form the letter "E" on my leg.
23. I have worn a toe ring for ten years.
24. I once rang in the New Year at 40,000 feet.
25. I collected business cards when I was younger.
26. I've spent four out of the last six 4ths of July out of the country.
27. I drive a stick-shift.
28. I've sung at the top of my lungs on a hotel balcony wearing only my bra and underwear.
29. I can sing the Shabbat prayer in Hebrew.
30. I have never watched The Princess Bride in its entirety.
31. My first freeway driving experience was on the 2 in Glendale, California.
32. I once made the trip from Las Vegas to Salt Lake City in four hours. (Mapquest's estimated trip time and distance: 6 hours 16 minutes; 428.98 miles.) I'll never make a trip like that again.
33. I've tap danced in Iowa.
34. I have held monkeys on the Rock of Gibraltar.
35. I like fresh mint tea.
36. I've been kissed by Mandy Patinkin aka Inigo Montoya. (And no, I still haven't watched The Princess Bride.)
37. I alphabetize everything.
38. I'm a list writer. When I don't have paper and a pen to write a list, I frequently commit the first letter of each item on the list to memory, so that I can recall the entire list.
39. I've met Marian and Vivian Brown, the San Francisco twins.
40. I smell everything.
41. I love clouds.
42. I don't shop at Wal-Mart because every single time I've been to Wal-Mart, I have witnessed a disturbing form of child abuse or neglect.
43. I love cheese.
44. Avocados cause my mouth to break out in welts, but I love them and eat them anyway.
45. I never had a cavity until I was 25. I was mortified when my cavity-free record was shattered; I cried.
46. I once left my month-long disposable contact lenses in for more than a year.
47. I've been swimming in the Vltava River, the Bay of Biscay, the Mediterranean Sea, the Baltic Sea, the Atlantic Ocean, and the Pacific Ocean.
48. I have sprained both ankles more times than I can count on both hands.
49. I never wear sandals or open-toed shoes of any kind unless my toenails are painted.
50. I used to coerce my little sister into being my synchronized swimming partner. We really should have made it to the Olympics with our talent! ;)

I've been to the Palm Springs airport, too!

Pull up a chair and let me tell you a little story. About ten years ago, I was sitting in the living room having a conversation with KDJ and KMB about all the airports we've flown in/out of in our lifetimes. We made long lists, reminisced about quirky characteristics of some of the airports we'd been in, and marveled at the number of airports in California. End of story... or so we all thought. Fast forward three days and we, again, were sitting in the comfort of our living room. Apparently, we weren't talking about airports anymore, though in my mind the conversation was fresh, as if we had just been talking about it. Evidently, I was just replaying it all in my mind and not out loud because when I then audibly announced, "I've been to the Palm Springs airport, too," I got the strangest looks. What I said was perfectly normal, I assure you... :) Alright, alright... it WAS three days later, so maybe it was slightly out of context. Anyhow, I thought I'd give you my list of airports now (as many as I can remember). And it does, indeed, include the Palm Springs airport.

1. San Francisco (SFO)
2. Oakland (OAK)
3. Burbank (BUR)
4. Ontario (ONT)
5. Los Angeles (LAX)
6. Orange County (SNA)
7. Long Beach (LGB)
8. San Diego (SAN)
9. Palm Springs (PSP)
10. San Jose (SJC)
11. Seattle/Tacoma (SEA)
12. Spokane (GEG)
13. Boise (BOI)
14. Salt Lake City (SLC)
15. Reno (RNO)
16. Las Vegas (LAS)
17. Phoenix (PHX)
18. Dallas/Ft. Worth (DFW)
19. Denver (DEN)
20. Detroit (DTW)
21. Milwaukee (MKE)
22. Chicago (ORD)
23. Chicago (MDW)
24. Indianapolis (IND)
25. Cleveland (CLE)
26. Columbus (CMH)
27. Atlanta (ATL)
28. New York City (JFK)
29. New York La Guardia (LGA)
30. Baltimore (BWI)
31. Philadelphia (PHL)
32. London Gatwick (LGW)
33. London Heathrow (LHR)
34. Stockholm, Sweden (ARN)
35. Riga, Latvia (RIX)
36. Vilnius, Lithuania (VNO)
37. Malaga, Spain (AGP)
38. Bilbao, Spain (BIO)
39. Barcelona, Spain (BCN)
40. Prague, Czech Republic (PRG)
41. San Salvador, El Salvador (SAL)
42. Managua, Nicaragua (MGA)

Whew! I think that's it. But I reserve the right to remember another one in three days. :)

200 Haves and Have-nots.

I saw this on Andrea and Mark's blog and thought it was fun. It's a list of Haves and Have-nots. All the bolded in RED items are things I have done. So here you go... more about me. :)

1. Touched an iceberg
2. Slept under the stars
3. Been a part of a hockey fight
4. Changed a baby's diaper
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Swam with wild dolphins
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a tarantula
10. Said "I love you" and meant it
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Stayed up all night long and watched the sun rise
15. Seen the Northern Lights
16. Gone to a huge sports game
17. Walked the stairs to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown and eaten your own vegetables
19. Looked up at the night sky through a telescope
20. Had an uncontrollable giggling fit at the worst possible moment
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Bet on a winning horse
23. Taken a sick day when you're not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Taken an ice cold bath
28. Had a meaningful conversation with a beggar
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Ridden a roller coaster
31. Hit a home run
32. Danced like a fool and not cared who was looking
33. Adopted an accent for fun
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Felt very happy about your life, even for just a moment
36. Loved your job 90% of the time
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Watched wild whales
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Gone on a midnight walk on the beach
41. Gone sky diving
42. Visited Ireland
43. Ever bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited India
45. Bench-pressed your own weight
46. Milked a cow
47. Alphabetized your personal files
48. Ever worn a superhero costume
49. Sung karaoke
50. Lounged around in bed all day
51. Gone scuba diving
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Done something you should regret, but don't
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Been in a movie
60. Gone without food for 3 days
61. Made cookies from scratch
62. Won first prize in a costume contest
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Been in a combat zone
65. Spoken more than one language fluently
66. Gotten into a fight while attempting to defend someone
67. Bounced a check
68. Read - and understood - your credit report
69. Recently bought and played with a favorite childhood toy
70. Found out something significant that your ancestors did
71. Called or written your Congress person
72. Picked up and moved to another city to just start over
73. Walked the Golden Gate Bridge
74. Helped an animal give birth
75. Been fired or laid off from a job
76. Won money
77. Broken a bone
78. Ridden a motorcycle
79. Driven any land vehicle at a speed of greater than 100 mph
80. Hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon
81. Slept through an entire flight: takeoff, flight, and landing
82. Taken a canoe trip that lasted more than 2 days
83. Eaten sushi
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read The Bible cover to cover (The New Testament)
86. Changed someone's mind about something you care deeply about
87. Gotten someone fired for their actions
88. Gone back to school
89. Changed your name
90. Caught a fly in the air with your bare hands
91. Eaten fried green tomatoes
92. Read The Iliad
93. Taught yourself an art from scratch
94. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
95. Apologized to someone years after inflicting the hurt
96. Communicated with someone without sharing a common spoken language
97. Been elected to public office
98. Thought to yourself that you're living your dream
99. Had to put someone you love into hospice care
100. Sold your own artwork to someone who didn't know you
101. Had a booth at a street fair
102. Dyed your hair
103. Been a DJ
104. Rocked a baby to sleep
105. Ever dropped a cat from a high place to see if it really lands on all four
106. Raked your carpet
107. Brought out the best in people
108. Brought out the worst in people
109. Worn a mood ring
110. Ridden a horse
111. Carved an animal from a piece of wood or bar of soap
112. Cooked a dish where four people asked for the recipe
113. Buried a child
114. Gone to a Broadway play
115. Been inside the pyramids
116. Shot a basketball into a basket
117. Danced at a disco
118. Played in a band
119. Shot a bird
120. Gone to an arboretum
121. Tutored someone
122. Ridden a train
123. Brought an old fad back into style
124. Eaten caviar
125. Let a salesman talk you into something you didn’t need
126. Ridden a giraffe or elephant
127. Published a book
128. Pieced a quilt
129. Lived in an historic place
130. Acted in a play or performed on a stage
131. Asked for a raise
132. Made a hole-in-one (if miniature golf counts)
133. Gone deep sea fishing
134. Gone roller skating
135. Run a marathon
136. Learned to surf
137. Invented something
138. Flown first class
139. Spent the night in a 5-star luxury suite
140. Flown in a helicopter
141. Visited Africa
142. Sang a solo
143. Gone spelunking
144. Learned how to take a compliment
145. Written a love-story
146. Seen Michelangelo’s David
147. Had your portrait painted
148. Written a fan letter
149. Spent the night in something haunted
150. Owned a St. Bernard or Great Dane
151. Ran away
152. Learned to juggle
153. Been a boss
154. Sat on a jury
155. Lied about your weight
156. Gone on a diet
157. Found an arrowhead or a gold nugget
158. Written a poem
159. Carried your lunch in a lunchbox
160. Gotten food poisoning
161. Gone on a service, humanitarian or religious mission
162. Hiked the Grand Canyon
163. Sat on a park bench and fed the ducks
164. Gone to the opera
165. Gotten a letter from someone famous
166. Worn knickers
167. Ridden in a limousine
168. Attended the Olympics
169. Can hula or waltz
170. Read a half dozen Nancy Drew or Hardy Boys books
171. Been stuck in an elevator
172. Had a revelatory dream
173. Thought you might crash in an airplane
174. Had a song dedicated to you on the radio or at a concert
175. Saved someone’s life
176. Eaten raw whale
177. Know how to tat, smock or do needlepoint
178. Laughed till your side hurt
179. Straddled the equator
180. Taken a photograph of something other than people that is worth framing
181. Gone to a Shakespeare Festival
182. Sent a message in a bottle
183. Spent the night in a hostel
184. Been a cashier
185. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
186. Joined a union
187. Donated blood or plasma
188. Built a camp fire
189. Kept a blog
190. Had hives
191. Worn custom made shoes or boots
192. Made a PowerPoint presentation
193. Taken a Hunter’s Safety Course
194. Served at a soup kitchen
195. Conquered the Rubik’s cube
196. Know CPR
197. Ridden in or owned a convertible
198. Found a long lost friend
199. Helped solve a crime
200. Responded to a NJP newsletter

Did any of these surprise you?

Vegetables in the City.

Last Sunday, I had the opportunity to teach the lesson in Relief Society. Given the chance to choose my own topic, I decided to plan a discussion on Self-Reliance. Why you might ask? Well, with the rising cost of fuel, the rising cost of grain, the increase in natural disasters both internationally and right here at home, I've been thinking a lot about whether or not I am prepared for "rainy days" that may be in store. And, “the Savior has commanded the Church and its members to be self-reliant and independent... As people become self-reliant, they are better prepared to endure adversities [and are] better able to care for others in need” (Church Handbook of Instructions, Book 2: Priesthood and Auxiliary Leaders [1998], 257).

"We teach self-reliance as a principle of life, that we ought to provide for ourselves and take care of our own needs. And so we encourage our people to have something, to plan ahead, keep a little food on hand, to establish a savings account, if possible, against a rainy day. Catastrophes come to people sometimes when least expected—unemployment, sickness, things of that kind. The individual, as we teach, ought to do for himself all that he can do for himself" (Gordon B. Hinckley, Teachings of Gordon B. Hinckley [1997], 586).

In my study, I learned that when we think about self-reliance, there are six distinct areas to focus on:

1. Education and Literacy
2. Physical health
3. Employment
4. Home storage
5. Resource management (finances, etc.)
6. Spiritual, emotional, and social strength

Interestingly, my new year's resolutions and goals both last year and this year, all fell under these six major headings. I guess I unknowningly was trying to be more self-reliant, so this lesson just helped to solidify and refocus some of my current life goals.

After mulling throughout this last week on ways I can become more self-reliant, I identifed several things I'm going to make a concentrated effort to focus on, one of them being to plant a vegetable garden. I love vegetables and have been rather frustrated with the high prices of produce available lately. Although my mom had a vegetable garden a few times when I was a child, I've never really planted and maintained one myself. I decided on Friday at about noon that I was going to plant one; after trips to Home Depot and local nursery, by Saturday at 5pm it was done!

Here's what it looked like when I started:

“To become self-reliant, a person must work. Work is physical, mental, or spiritual effort. It is a basic source of happiness, self-worth, and prosperity. Through work, people accomplish many good things in their lives" (Church Handbook of Instructions, Book 2: Priesthood and Auxiliary Leaders [1998], 257).

Hard at work:

As you can probably see, our vegetable garden is a container garden. Since we live in close quarters with our neighbors and don't have any "land" to speak of, I knew the container gardening was the way I'd have to go. What I didn't realize was that the containers would fit so perfectly on the window well grate! Whoever said you couldn't have a garden in the city. :) I guess that was I, but I was wrong. Doesn't it look great?!

Let me introduce you to our summer friends, from left to right:
Top Row: Patio Tomato, Early Girl Tomato, Zucchini, Yellow Crookneck Squash, Beets (seeds), Bell Pepper, Cucumber, Peas (seeds).
Middle Row: Lettuce (seeds), Basil (2), Oregano, Rosemary.
Bottom Row: Dill, Mint, Sage (2), Rosemary, Chives (seeds), Radishes (seeds).

So, now I've decided I want to become a horticulturist. :) After I was checking up on our friends twice after I planted them yesterday, Katie had to kindly remind me that, "a watched tomato never grows." :) Good thing I have a busy summer ahead, so I won't be watching them too much. I'll just be happy when I can reap the rewards at the end of the summer.

Why Geeks and Nerds Are Worth It...

So I can't remember how I happened upon this, but I have to admit (regrettedly) that I did not write it, but rather found it on craigslist. I found it funny and thought it was worthy of posting. So here you go:

Why Geeks and Nerds Are Worth It...

In the wide world of dating, there are many options. Do you go for the flashy guy with the smooth smile, or the dude in the corner typing away on his laptop? The following are reasons why I think my fellow females should pay more attention to the quiet geeks and nerds, and less attention to the flashy boys.

1.) While geeks and nerds may be awkward, they’re well-meaning 9 out of 10 times. That smooth dude with the sly grin and the spider hands? Wonder what HIS intentions are... plus, I’ve never had a geek guy not call me when he said he would. Score major points THERE.

2.) They’re useful. In this tech-savvy world, it’s great to have a b/f who can make your laptop, desktop, and just about anything else that plugs into a wall behave itself.

3.) They’re more romantic than they’re given credit for. Ok true, their idea of romance might be to make up a spiffy web-page with all the reasons why they love you, with links to pics of you and sonnets and such... but hey. It lasts longer than flowers, plus you can show your friends.

4.) Due to their neglected status, there are plenty to choose from. You like ‘em tall and slender? There are plenty of geeks/nerds who are. You like ‘em smaller with more meat on their bones? Got that too.

5.) They’ve got brains. Come on now, how can intelligence be a bad thing?

6.) Most are quite good at remembering dates. Like birthdates and such, especially if they know it’ll make you happy. Due again to their neglected status, they’re more attentive than guys who “have more options”. Plus, with all that down time without a steady girlfriend, they’ll likely have mental lists of all the things they’d love to do once they GOT a girlfriend.

7.) Sex. Yep. Sex. I’m not really familiar with this myself, but I’ve friends who’ve been intimate with geek guys and it’s raves all around. They say a virgin wrote the Kama Sutra... all that time thinking about sex, imagining sex, dreaming about sex, (they are male after all) coupled with a desire to make you happy? Use your imagination.

8.) They’re relatively low-maintenance. Most can be fueled on pizza, Twinkies and Mt Dew. No complicated dinners needed here, so if you’re not the best cook, eh. Can you order a pizza?

9.) Most of them frequent bars as often as slugs frequent salt mines. You won’t have to worry much about your geek guy getting his “groove” on with club hotties because, frankly, he’ll be too busy rooting around under his computer wondering where that spare cable went. You won’t have to worry about him flirting with other women because, 9 out of 10 times, he’ll zip right by them in a perfect b-line towards the nearest electronics store. I’ve seen this happen.
Me: “Eww. Victoria Secret Models... They’re so skinny. How is that feminine? You can see her ribs!”
Geek Guy: “ooooooo...”
Me: “Hey!” *notices he is staring lustfully towards the computer store*
Geek Guy: “What?”
Me: “Never mind...”

10.) Although he may not want to go to every outing with you, you can arrange swaps, as in, you’ll go to his Gamer Con dressed as an elf princess if he’ll take you to the ballet. Plus, if he doesn’t want to go someplace with you, you won’t have to worry much about what he’s up to. You’ll probably come home to find him asleep on his keyboard in a sea of Mt. Dew cans with code blinking from the screen. It’s ok. He’s used to this. Just toss a blanket over him and turn out the light.

11.) His friends aren’t jerks. I can’t stress this enough. You’ll more likely get “Omg! A GIRL!! Can I see?!” than “Hey hot stuff back that sweet a** up here and let me get some grub on...” They’re awkward geeks too and will, 9 times out of 10, treat you with the utmost respect and, more than likely, a note of awe. A cute girl picked one of their clan to date? It could happen to them! Hope! Drag some of your single girlfriends over, open up a pack of Mt. Dew, crack open the DnD set and get working. Nothing impresses geek guys more than a girl who can hack-n-slash (well ok maybe if she can code... a geek can dream).

12.) They’re rarely if ever possessive. They trust you, so you can be yourself around them. You like to walk around the house in a ratty t-shirt for comfort? He won’t care. He does too! They won’t get fussy if you don’t wear make-up or don’t want to bother primping your hair. If you gain a few pounds, they won’t try their best to make you feel terrible about it.

13.) They’re usually very well educated. Physics majors and the like. See #5. You won’t have to listen to him blathering on about his car (ok maybe a little); he’ll have loads of other interesting things to talk about. Politics, world events, how much the chicken burgers down at the local place rock, so long as you douse them in hot sauce...

14.) You’ll almost never have to hear, “Yaw dawg whazzap!!” plop out of their mouths. Unless it’s in jest. They spell properly, use correct punctuation, and are able to tell the difference between the toilet and the floor. They almost never get “wasted”, so you won’t have to worry about coming home to find him and his friends passed out on the floor amidst a pile of beer bottles. Mt. Dew cans, perhaps...

15.) And the final reason why geeks and nerds make great boyfriends: They actually give a damn about you. Not how you look (though that’s a plus), not how skinny you are, not how much make-up you primp yourself up with, but they like you for you. That kind of thing lasts longer than “DaMN baby you got a fine a**!!!” Believe me.

8 things.

A few days ago, (okay so it was over a week ago) Sharona tagged me (she seems to do that a lot) to complete my lists of 8. So here you are...

8 things I am passionate about:
1. The Gospel of Jesus Christ
2. Being loyal to the people I love
3. Doing things the right way
4. Understanding why people do the things they do
5. Traveling
6. Learning
7. Clean underwear
8. My rice sticking together

8 books I have read recently (umm, and enjoyed):
1. Musicophilia by Oliver Sacks
2. Night by Elie Wiesel
3. Not Without My Daughter by Betty Mahmoody
4. The Hiding Place by Corrie ten Boom
5. The Carrot Seed by Ruth Krauss
6. In Cold Blood by Truman Capote
7. The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd
8. Alicia by Alicia Appleman-Jurman

8 things I often say:
1. Perfect.
2. "I don't know nothin' 'bout birth and babies. (Think Mamie in Gone With the Wind)
3. That's funny.
4. "We know, don't we Mr. Merg? Indeed, we do." (Think Pollyanna)
5. Good-ness.
6. Let's play Facebook.
7. Are you driving or am I?
8. Terrible.

8 things I want to do before I die:
1. Travel more
2. Decorate my own home (that means I have to buy my own home, first)
3. Get married
4. Have babies and live to see them have their own babies
5. Go on another mission
6. Remain debt-free
7. Become fluent in a third language
8. Save the world

8 things I have learned this past year:
1. I've learned... that I am tougher than I thought.
2. I've learned... to enjoy working out.
3. I've learned... that eighteen hour bras come in handy when you're in for a long day.
4. I've learned... that men don't notice what we wear. (The entire women's group at Church wore something pink one Sunday in October in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness month, and I mean every last woman... and not one man noticed. Even when prompted, it took several minutes for the two most perceptive of the bunch to come up with the observation.)
5. I've learned... that sometimes my brain gets full and begins to short circuit.
6. I've learned... that Miraclesuits really are miraculous!
7. I've learned... that Blackjack is just about as fun as making out.
8. I've learned... to like pineapple.

8 people I want to do the 8 things:
1. Kim
2. Sherine
3. Jared
4. Amiee
5. Becky
6. Andrea (and Mark)
7. Suzy (she likes being tagged, even though she never wants to post it on her blog)
8. Mikol (and Gerrit)

In my 30 years, I've learned...

Today is my birthday! For those of you who know me well, I love my birthday. I openly admit that I am much like a seven year old with regard to the level of anticipation and excitement I feel about my birthday. I may not manifest that excitement the way a seven year old would, but I love my day nonetheless! My birthday always gives me the chance to look back at where I've been and look forward to what may lie ahead. This birthday, I've thought quite a bit about what I've learned and about significant experiences which have affected the course of my life. Here are a few quick thoughts.

1. I've learned... that life is better without television.
2. I've learned... that when you're in love, it shows.
3. I've learned... that just one person saying hi to me makes my day.
4. I've learned... that having a child fall asleep in my arms is one of the most peaceful feelings in the world.
5. I've learned... that being honest is always the best choice.
6. I've learned... that forgiveness (both giving and receiving) is a sweet feeling.
7. I've learned... that I can always pray for someone when I don't have the strength to help him in some other way.
8. I've learned... that no matter how serious life requires me to be, everyone needs a friend to act goofy with.
9. I've learned... that sometimes all a person needs is a hand to hold and a heart to understand.
10. I've learned... that simple walks with my mother when I was a child did wonders for me as an adult.
11. I've learned... that we should be glad God doesn't give us everything we ask for.
12. I've learned... that money doesn't buy class.
13. I've learned... that it's those small daily happenings that make life so spectacular.
14. I've learned... that under everyone's hard shell is someone who wants to be appreciated and loved.
15. I've learned... that we all express and recognize love differently and that I should strive to love others in ways they recognize as love.
16. I've learned... that to ignore the facts does not change the facts.
17. I've learned... that being debt-free is almost as liberating as skinny-dipping.
18. I've learned... that life isn't always about me. In fact when it's not, it's more enjoyable.
19. I've learned... that God really loves me.
20. I've learned... that everyone I meet deserves to be greeted with a smile.
21. I've learned... that no one is perfect until you fall in love with them.
22. I've learned... that life is tough, but I'm tougher.
23. I've learned... that opportunities are never lost; someone will take the ones I miss.
24. I've learned... that when I harbor bitterness, happiness will dock elsewhere.
25. I've learned... that some things are really better left unsaid.
26. I've learned... that one should truly treat others as he wishes to be treated.
27. I've learned... that a smile is an inexpensive way to improve your looks.
28. I've learned... that I can't choose how I feel, but I can choose what I do about it.
29. I've learned... that the hardest things in life are ultimately the most rewarding.
30. I've learned... that learning is a lifelong endeavor and I've only just begun.