Happy Birthday Em

Well, in hunting for a picture of Emilyn, I have decided one thing. I need to take more pictures of Emy alone. I must have looked through a bazillion pictures and guess what? There is pretty much always a child in hand. Like this top picture. It's not even Emy's child. She's swinging Eden, Kaedell's baby. I guess you love children Emilyn. It is evident in how you care for them.

I don't know if it gets redundant or not me going on and on again and again, bragging about my children, but Emy is a person who deserves top bragging rights. She's kind, thoughtful, tender, gentle, giving, unselfish, loveing, a peace maker, a patient girl, soft spoken, easy to please, and a million other things.

I don't want to think about how old she'll be because it just makes me realize I'm not getting any yonger either. But I am a lucky mother to have such a wonderful daughter. Happy Birthday Em. You are a blessing and a delight! We all love you Sooooooo much! Happy Day

I'm Buying This!

Be sure to shut of the music down at the bottom and then pull up a chair for this beautiful piece. Emy sent it to me and I fell in love with it immediately!

I love Jon Schmidt. I got to see him in person at Fremont last year and he is truly an inspirational individual. I love music, and I love the cello, and now it looks like I love Viva La Vida (Coldplay) ---what a spectacular arrangement.

Music is an amazing moving force for me and this piece really grabbed me. Thanks Emy - kudos to your inspirational findings! Can't wait to buy it! Love IT!

Friday April 24th, 2009

This morning I was sitting in my burgundy stuffed computer chair working away when I swiveled around to have a look out the window. The picture below is what caught my eye.

I have a little snow crab that blossoms in the spring and the sight is soul seeping succulent! I just love contemplating my entire existence while I sit and look at every pure white blossom. The scene has a power about it and the other day when I turned around in my chair, I just couldn't get over how each new pure white bud had suddenly decided to make its debut.

Today I noticed it didn't take long for all the little honeybees to catch wind of the fragrant food. They were all buzzing everywhere gathering their tasty meal of blossom nectar. Nature sure knows how to put on a show.

I couldn't stand it, I grabbed my camera and threw open the window. I had such a good time trying to catch one of those little buzzing bee folk in my lens. At one point I was stretched so far beyond the window sill I nearly fell right out. Glad I caught myself.

I love spring. I love the rebirth of life after a long cold winter.

Wait until you see what other pictures I've been snapping. I can't wait to tell you about my tremendous discovery when I was out taking engagement pictures. Isn't life great? Somehow I seem to enjoy it more with a camera in my hand!

The Biggest Loser Update

There's a fourth item I'd like to add to the stress list; This stupid biggest loser contest. The person who wins is going to take home all of the money by loosing a pound or two. It's true, I'm not lying! Well, when it came to the decision between money or food --- I chose food! Food is my Prozac for the day! My Little Debbie Fancy Cakes were worth every dollar I am going to loose. One more week of this ridiculous contest and I can eat guilt free! I don't know . . . the round look is sort of growing on me! No pun intended.

Workin' hard or hardly workn'

Yes its me the Gooseman back on the blog. I know you have all been missing my awesome posts on this thing so i thought i would share with you how the Gooseman gets homework done. While sitting dazed in front of the computer trying to b.s. my way through my 10 page paper for my English class i thought i would use the internet to find some helpful info on my subject which is stem cell research. Although i find the research of stem cells fascinating, i found something that sparked my interest a little bit more than typing an English paper. So as i watched goo goo eyed at this guys amazing skills i took note of something. In his eyes the world is his own personal playground. The human mind has the power take the world around us and make it into what we want. So when life gives you lemons you better make some lemonade, or a smoothie or whatever tickles your fancy! True happiness does not depend on the circumstances given by chance. Happiness is a choice! so choose today what you'll be! I got to get back to my paper so enjoy this video and remember "don't worry be happy!"
GOOSE OUT!

Vote For Deserey

It's that time of year again. Des is running for Jr. Class Office. I was pretty impressed when I went downstairs and saw the basketball player she had drawn freehand. You're quite the artist Des. I think your art class is paying off. That's some real talent! So after reading the sign, I think it's pretty accurate. You are amazing Des. Good luck and hope you win. You're a winner with us either way. Now does anyone have any good ideas for a two min. skit?

Rooting For The Underdog

Today is normally the day I post regarding the biggest loser. Sorry I just didn't feel like it. Sometimes life throws you a curve ball. I had one slam me pretty hard the other day. Today though I'd like thank my real friends in life. The one's who really know and love me, the one's who came to my rescue, and picked me up out of the dirt. That's the funny thing about friends, it doesn't take long in life to know who they really are and weather or not they genuinely care about you.

The other day I had some pretty kind, caring, and compassionate people step up to the plate. I always know the people who excel in the genuine and compassionate department, it's evident in their actions. It's true "Actions always speak louder than words." So I just want to say, when all the pressures of life pile up and cause a catastrophic melt down, which I seem to be having with more frequency, I'm glad I have so many people in my life who honestly love me and are willing to run with the glue bottle and put me back together.

I've always been a person who likes to root for the underdog. But this clip really got to me after having the worst day ever. Don't ya just hate days like that? Thankfully today is a new day and I wanted to share this video so you can be uplifted as well.

After you watch the video, I want you to know that I agree emphatically with the judges that commented about how everyone in the audience clearly had it out for this lady, and it was obvious they were all waiting for a good laugh at her expense. Sometimes life is just like that and by in large we as humans can so often be mean and small. After watching it though I was grateful for the little wake up call. If this woman records this piece, I'll be first in line to buy it. It felt so good to see her triumph. And once again I am reminded, it's nice to be important, but it's more important to be nice!

PS, I listened to Elaine Paige sing, remember she is Susan Boyle's idle. Then I shook my head and had a good laugh. Elaine Paige has nothing on Susan Boyle, save maybe a hairdo, she certainly doesn't have her individuality! Well, I'm a fan. I'm declaring myself a fan in the Susan Boyle fan club! And wow, she really did rock the audience!

Susan Boyle - 47-letnia śpiewaczka z brytyjskiej wersji "Mam
by luloczek

So for everyone who emailed me and wanted the link to this video, I tried to post it but to no avail. When I try to post the link here it just re-posts the video. Duh, I should have known that. So I'll send it to everyone who ask me for it in an email. Thanks everyone too for your well wishes on my horrible bad no good day!

April's Reading

Need a good book to read. Check out, "The Last Lecture" by Randy Pausch. Professor Randy Pausch passed away early in the morning on July 25, 2008, at his home in Virginia. He is survived by his wife, Jai, and his 3 children, Logan, Dylan, and Chloe.
There is a section in this video clip that asks, "Are you a Tiger or an Eeyore?" When I was a junior at Weber High School the drama department decided to put on a play for all the elementary schools in the Weber and Ogden school district. It was to be a traveling show. Since I love acting and being on stage I decided to try out. I was cast in the role as Tiger, I still remember some of my lines.
When this question was asked to me again as I watched this clip, I was reminded what a great role it was and a compliment that someone identified those qualities in me enough to give me the part. I decided after reading this motivating book, I ought to keep promoting my role as Tiger! I was thankful to be reminded that it was truly a great part to play. And as Tigger would say, "T, I, double G, R - that spells Tigger.

5 Minute Chocolate Cake

Five Minute Single Serving Chocolate Mug Cake

5 MINUTE CHOCOLATE MUG CAKE 4 tablespoons flour 4 tablespoons sugar 2 tablespoons cocoa 1 egg 3 tablespoons milk 3 tablespoons oil 3 tablespoons chocolate chips (optional) A small splash of vanilla extract 1 large coffee mug (MicroSafe) Add dry ingredients to mug, and mix well. Add the egg and mix thoroughly. Pour in the milk and oil and mix well.. Add the chocolate chips (if using and nuts if you are me) and vanilla extract, and mix again. Put your mug in the microwave and cook for 3 minutes at 1000 watts. The cake will rise over the top of the mug, but don't be alarmed! Allow to cool a little, and tip out onto a plate if desired. EAT ! (this can serve 2 if you want to feel slightly more virtuous).

Rejoicing In The Meaning of Easter

Yesterday as I was driving home from town, I noticed several signs of life returning to the earth from a cold and frozen winter. Winter to me is a desolate time; it's cold, it's dark more than light, it's cold, it's colorless more than colorful, it's cold, and to me winter is uninviting more than welcoming. Even though winter does have it's beautiful moments, for the most part to me it is a long, cold, and dismal season.
This year winter seemed to me to take on the disposition of an Everyready battery; I felt like it just went on, and on, and on. I guess it seems long to me because there are so many things I miss as it lingers month after month. I miss the sun; the days are shorter, the nights are longer, and I miss the burning hot sun. I miss the penetrating light with its warmth against my skin. I miss it beaming through my windows and into my house. I'm a person who needs the sun. I need light in mass amounts. It's mood altering for me. Another thing I miss is mother earth dressed in all her fashionable colors, especially the color green. Oh don't get me wrong, she's beautiful in white, but in winter I feel like she adorns herself in the color gray far more often than she dresses pretty in white. And most of all in the winter I miss the state of feeling warm clear through. I get so tired of freezing. So I have to say, winter to me is a long drawn out lonely season.
That's why as I stopped at the red light just East of Hoagie's corner, the white blossoms on the apple trees grabbed my attention. Is it my age that makes me look in wonder and breath deeper as I take in such a beautiful sight? As I sat there basking in the moment, it felt soulfully good to see every little white petal dotting the branches and limbs. I wanted to sit down and paint the picture. To bad I don't paint, if only I could. Awe, it felt good to see life blossoming there in the grove of trees.
Driving further down the road I noticed the green on the tops of all the willow trees. The fresh lime color with it's sky blue backdrop made me want to pull out my cot, flop myself down underneath them. It made me want to do nothing but lie there on my back and gaze upward. As I pulled in my driveway I noticed the daffodils had popped from the earth. I was amazed. I know they were not there yesterday.
At night I've noticed the frogs singing down in the swollen mossy bogs below the road. They are so loud I have to stand at attention. I went out to gather the mail late the other night and the chorus was magnificent and splendorous to say the least. Did I mention I love spring? Well, I do. I love all of these signs of life waking up after a long hard winter.
I think spring is a hopeful season. Spring is renewing in it's ability to lift my sullen face. I am a person who can wear a smile while my heart is weeping. I am a person who can be around a million people and feel lonely and without a single friend to a debilitating degree. I am a person who is harder and more critical on myself than anyone else ever could be. So if you have ever thought to yourself that I'm one mean individual, then imagine what I must be saying to myself.
I was meandering on Facebook the other night when I spotted this video clip on a friends post. I pulled it up to have a look and was once again reminded Christ understands all of me.
I am so grateful for this Easter season. I know there is a symbolic reason it takes place in the spring. With everything that goes on inside my head (there are some fierce battles there), I often feel overwhelmed with what I must cross over. I love Easter with all it's reminders that I am not alone. I hold Easter with all it's resurrecting power tight in my heart. Oh, what it means to me personally, "There before the grace of God go I!"
There is a song that I sing to myself quite often. The tune is beautiful and the lyrics give way to a powerful message. "Surely it is God who saves me. Trust in Him I cannot fear, for the Lord defends and guides me and his saving grace is near. So rejoice when you draw water from salvation's living well, in the day of your deliverance thank the King of Israel."
So driving home today I was reminded once again that spring with all 's renewing process will come personally to me after my winter here on earth. Easter reminds me of the garden, The Garden of Gethsemane, where the ultimate renewal process began. Easter reminds me that because of the man who knelt there, spring will again, one day, bloom just for me.

Happy Easter

Apple - QuickTime - iPhone OS 3.0 Preview Presentation

Apple - QuickTime - iPhone OS 3.0 Preview Presentation

Finally the iPhone will be complete...coming in the new update will be so many great things watch this video if you're a true MAC man and enjoy!

Just for you Dad!

Okay, so I am the one who started this recipe blogging idea and have been slacking off major! Well, no one else ever posts a recipe but me and mom-oh, and let us not forget Seth's "so called" recipe that he posted. Ever since Seth criticized my Ham and cheese calzones, my confidence in posting a recipe has gone right down the pooper! I don't care what you say Seth my ham and cheese calzones taste NOTHING like a hot pocket!
Dad, these two recipe's are right up your alley. The first one is the
Costa Vida Sweet Pork Roast:
3-4lb Pork loin roast-Cover with dry rub consisting of:
2T Brown Sugar
1 tsp Cayenne Pepper
2 tsp Cumin
1 tsp Salt
1 can Coke
Place in crock pot and cook on low all night
The next morning add:
1 more can of Coke
1 cup Chicken Broth
2 Cloves minced Garlic
1 small Onion chopped.
Cook all day and then shred.
One hour before serving stir in:
1 cup Brown Sugar and more coke or chicken broth depending on how juicy you like it! Serve how you like-on sandwiches, over salad, etc.

I got this next recipe from Debbie Stanger(amazing cook) at one of our mini enrichment nights. I immediately thought of you dad when I found out what she was making.


Chicken Cutlets
Chicken THIGHS (you can buy boneless or the ones with the bone and take it out yourself. The ones with the bones are half the cost.)
Panko Breading (get this cheap ingredient only at Oriental Market in Roy)
Bisquick (Don't be cheap dad when it comes to this ingredient-Bisquick is better-it is time to make the switch from Krustez or whatever that gross pancake batter is that you buy. Get your Bisquick at Costco-it's cheaper there.)
Flour

Mix Bisquick with water to make a THIN batter. De-bone thighs (or buy boneless) and cut in half so you have two thin pieces. Dip chicken in Bisquick, then coat with flour, then coat with Panko Breading. Place in about 1-2 inches of vegetable oil-sorry don't try to be a little healthier and use olive oil because it will taste funny. Fry the chicken at 350 until it is a golden brown. It kind of looks like fried shrimp when it's done.
Sauce:
Ketsup, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce. There are no exact measurements on the ingred. for the sauce. Just mix enough of each to your own liking.

Okay, there you go dad, I expect to see you testing these recipes out soon. Enjoy!

We're Talkin Dirty Here

Sorry to disappoint you ladies but this post is about white shirts!
I was looking for a nice white shirt. . . and I found one.
George Clooney just happened to be wearing it.
Thought you all deserved an added blog perk! Hee Hee
And because I want your man to look equally as debonair,
(Ok, so I'm pushing limits here) I thought you'd like these tips.

Does anyone want to know how to get out yellow/brown spots on the tips of the collars of your hunk of burnin love's nice white dress shirts. Or how to remove that dirty gray neck grunge collars collect. Try the following techniques to get the stains out and in the future, know that the dryer is your greatest saboteur.

When you dry dress shirts (mens or womens) just throw the shirts in the dryer with the rest of the load for a few minutes to remove excess water, then line dry or dry flat: This prevents burning or browning of the tips.

Set your timer or you'll be pulling your dress shirts out at the end of the cycle along with everything else and you'll be saying bad words.

Here are some good stain removal methods:

The vinegar potion: Pour my old friend white vinegar directly on the stain. Then, rub with a paste made of vinegar and baking soda. If the stain is still there, add a couple tablespoons each of vinegar and laundry detergent to a bucket of hot water, and soak over night. Once stain is (prayerfully) gone, launder as usual.

The Oxyclean miracle worker- Put a few scoops of Oxyclean in a bucket with hot water - soak the shirts for a few hours and check on the stain. If it's still there - put it back in the bucket to soak some more. Over night is a good idea. Once stain is (cross your fingers) gone, launder as usual.

Lemon juice (smell so good) recipe - Squeeze a good amount of fresh lemon juice on the stains and put out in the sun to dry. Launder as usual.

Freeze me white again attack plan- This is a tried and true guarantee. If your white shirts (any washable) get that dingy grey look going, use the above methods and then launder as usual but instead of putting your shirt in the dryer, stick it in the freezer for a couple of days. When you pull it out, let it unthaw naturally as to not break the fibers, then follow the above directions for drying.

Yours Truly.

The White Tornaedoe's Blood Daughter

The word of the day for April 7th, is, nescience \NESH-uhn(t)s; NESH-ee-uhn(t)s\, noun: Meaning: Lack of knowledge or awareness; ignorance.
I discovered this at two in the morning when I couldn't sleep.
I think I'm probably the only person who looks at the "Word of the day" over on the right side of the blog. It's ok, I put it there for me. I love checking it at odd hours of the day --- like now.
I have a little notebook I keep by the side of my desk and when my life gets really boring I check out the word of the day. When a really good word pops up, I write it down in my book. How's that for exciting? What else is there to do at two in the morning? I can't vacuum.
Today's word is awesome and it took me at least ten minutes to figure out how to pronounce it. I think I figured out how to pronounce it. I hope I figured out how to pronounce it. So maybe I'm still wondering if I've figured out how to pronounce it. I think I may have some nescience relating to the pronunciation of this word.
You know what they say, "Ignorance is bliss."
I can't wait to use this one. Won't I sound intelligent and full of knowledge? Well, maybe for anyone who really doesn't know me.
Happy Tuesday!

Crow Auto Glass!

That is right my friends! Gage has started a new business! He now not only does Rock Chip Repair, but also Windshield Replacement! The best part of all is, he will come to you, you don't even have to go anywhere. If you would like any work done give him and call and he will come and fix your problems! Another great part, it is free through most insurances!

No Fear

So if you study the picture you can almost catch my enthusiasm for living life with greater depth and spirituality after listening to conference this past weekend.

Conference always hits me with a powerful blow - POW! When the last session ends, I just want to stand up out of my chair and jump! That's right, jump! I feel such a tremendous energy to jump firmly and boldly back into life! I wanna swim to higher ground. I don't want to slink, or quiver, or mull it over in my head. There is no doubt as to what I need to be doing better in my life when the last speaker sits down. And the great thing about it, is right when the tabernacle choir bursts into their final number I feel the strongest force pulling me towards everything that is good! And that's when the powerful feeling strikes me and I want to bolt out of my chair and leap with gusto right back into the deep blue depths of life with every current imaginable. I want to jump with heart, energy, passion, and grit. I want to jump with enthusiasm, right back into living and breathing with greater zeal and determination. There is no hesitation, just bring it on, I'm ready for what ever tide may swell. Just like this little duck ----- I want to fly off that place everyone else is afraid to move from and I want to paddle my way to a better place! Today I want to encourage you to fly off with me!

There are always dark forces that seek to pull us backwards. Why do we cower to these forces, dwell in them, and refuse to let go of them? I am always amazed at the times in my life when I sit idly in the muck and the mire of what life hands me, when within my gut lies the ability to pick myself up and move from the very place the threatens my happiness. Do we as humans like being miserable? Sometimes I think we do. I have always found it easier to play the victim than to rise to the status of the hero. But not after I listen to two days of spiritual enlightenment, not after conference grabs hold of me.

God designed me spiritually ---- this I know! His power is in my life. It is all I need in any given situation. Tapping into it, seeing it, grabbing hold of it, knowing it is a there for me anytime I take the initiative to reach for it is the most powerful tool I have available to me at any moment. So why do I fail to use it when I need it most?

Life always presents a choice. We might not like the wicked storms that blow into our lives, but we always have a choice as to how we choose to handle them. Act or react is always THE CHOICE!!!

I'm a funny person. When a less than perfect situation slams me in the head, I usually like to get out my little pity chair first and sit on it a bit, you know, whaller in the stench of my problem, and scream so the whole world knows how picked on I am. I was born stupid! It never works and I know this fact, so why do I always go there first?

It isn't until the final moment, ya know, right when I get a gut full of 'hey stupid, this doesn't work' that I decide to get off that wretched chair and take the bull by the horns and wrestle the ugly thing right down into the ground. It feels good to win when it comes to life's battles, grrrrrr. It feels good to rise up with power. IT FEELS GOOD TO BE STRONG and ALWAYS when I add my Father in Heaven's power and strength to any problem I face --- I always come out on top --- ALWAYS. Oh, I might get a little dirty, but God always leads me to victory! Yes, every time!

Great guns and roses, I love being the hero in my own life! I love staring in my own life. It is the greatest stage I preform on. So today I'm holding on to all those thoughts, all those spiritual words of wisdom my Father in Heaven delivered, and I am jumping! I'm getting off my little pity chair and I'm jumping right back into my life and I'm swimming as hard as I can for higher ground.

In closing, I thought about the story at the end of conference that was told of the woman who dug her children's graves with a spoon. If that story didn't give you motivation to jump from your dismal attitude, then you are a lost cause. And I wondered how many of us would rather sit in the stench of bitterness than dig our way out? God has given us so much more to dig with than a spoon.

So today I took a look at my own personal mud and I'm jumping. I'm grateful for the last two days of motivation. My mud and muck is small compared to most. But I am always reminded that life is not about giving up or giving in. Life is about rising. Life is about rising above it. That reminds me of my motto for this year --- Rise above it! It is when we choose to rise that we become what God designed us to become. And it is when we rise that we find our greatest victory! So rise up today and jump with me. No fear! Higher ground is in sight and we can swim the tide together.

Is it April in Utah?

This was the sight Seth and I ran into driving home from Bear Lake the other day. We came around the corner at the top of Logan canyon and barely made the stop.
I worried the whole time we sat there, which was two hours, that someone would not stop in time and plow into the back of us all.
Luckily Seth and I were first in line and we got a bird's eye view of the whole event.
It wasn't long before a second wrecker was needed to get this poor semi truck off the side of the mountain.
Finally after waiting there forever, watching my fingernails grow an inch, we were on our way again, at a snails pace that is. What a hellish drive. We hit every kind of weather known to man, wind, rain, snow, ice, hail that I thought would dent my car, we had it all on our lovely ride home from Bear Lake.
Is it April in Utah?
The trip was still worth it!

Staff Problems

Well this is a post just to let everyone know I am alive but plagued,
I'm on 3 antibiotics and a steroid to get me through this stupid
stuff. I figured since I could barely open my eye it was time for a
doctor visit and the fact that Caroline made me. Ha ha well hope I get
better soon.

Biggest Loser Update

Symbolic imagery of the generalized carnivorous emotions that rise up in me when someone messes with my dietary intake. That's me on the right if you can't tell. Glade said I look that way whether I"m eating or not.

So the low down this week is, Glade gained back the 12 pounds he some how miraculously starved of his body, plus one more. Kyle has risen in stature. Goose is back to his original weigh in poundage. I think Gage hid out while we were all crying on the scale. As for me, I lost 9 lbs and gained back 7 of them (I enjoyed every mouth watering, heart clogging morsel too.)

The really bad news is Seth, of all people, is in the lead. He refuses to exercise and is loosing muscle not fat - cheater! Good h#*@, when is this contest over?

Enter and Win

So I was drinking my Postum this morning (last bottle Em gave me - I love you Em) and I decided to blog stroll.
I love sitting at my computer when it's the butt crack of dawn, the house is quiet, lounging away in my moose jamies, my red 6 dollar Old Navy shirt clinging to my braless body, my worn out Isonoters warming my feet; I love being in my zone! It's my own little world here!
I made my way over to Kate's blog and my heart jumped twice! It's a contest and I could actually win these cute blocks. All I had to do was leave a cleaning tip - me the cleaning queen's daughter - leave a tip. I should win for just being born to Pearl Blanch, the "White Wondrous Tornado," Woman who can clean anything!
I left the best tip ever ---- can you guess which one? Ya baby it's how to get grease out of your clothing! Why do men always have to work on the dirtiest job in their finest attire? Those of you who know this trick are gleaming inside now aren't you? It's a satisfying moment when you can conquer grease in any form!
So today's the deadline. Hope you lose and I win!
Click here for the link to Kate's sisters blog where you can win the blocks!