Some of what I learned about today in Sunday School was sin vs transgression. I have heard this explained in many ways and maybe it has clicked with me before but today it clicked (again) and seems clearer. Obviously, I feel I haven't understood the difference. I have a better grasp.
The teacher asked "What is the difference between sin and transgression?"
Our goto gal for doctrinal questions, veteran seminary teacher of nearly 15 years had an answer.
This is an example she used to explain.
Crossing the street is not a sin. But we instruct our little children not to cross the street because they don't have the experience or knowledge they need to cross the street safely.
For some reason - this totally helps me.
My follow up ideas - I guess I always get caught in the idea that God told Adam and Eve not to partake of the fruit. That sounds like a commandment to me. But it is not one of God's commandments to not partake of the fruit. He told Adam and Eve not to do it - like a father tells a child don't cross the street. Then you hope they don't until they're ready to do it safely. Of course, Heavenly Father has perfect knowledge - He doesn't need to hope. More of what we talked about today was that we don't know how long Adam and Eve were in the garden before Eve finally decided - I'm doin' it. They walked and talked with God - but the choice was always theirs.
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Saturday, January 30, 2010
teeth
I've been trying to think of what to offer today. It was growing later, and I wanted to go to bed. I edged Claire off of the computer and sat down with still no idea what to write. Claire began to offer some suggestions. I said no to a couple and then she said - "Write about losing teeth stories." She suggested that after I pooh poohed the idea to write about my own chipped tooth. But here I am about to write about my chipped tooth and some other more memorable experiences.
Greg and I spent the morning with all of our stake's bishops, their wives and the stake presidency and their wives. We actually started out with dinner with them last night then gathered this morning for some discussion on better serving those we have stewardship. OK - I totally digress, but at dinner, my first bites of my yummy steak and the fried onions that topped it left me with a chipped tooth. I have no idea how it happened. It was not the meat, it had to be the onions but how? Whatever - it is the bottom left second to the last molar. It isn't bothering me except that it is jagged and it is scraping up my tongue. We called our dentist this morning to make sure I wasn't doing any damage to myself or tooth by waiting to see him. He said it should be fine and offered to meet me to file my jagged edges but I declined. I didn't want him to have to go into the office and I didn't want to leave the good company I was with. This afternoon I thought to put a tiny piece of gum over the jagged edges - it has helped tremendously.
OK - another tooth story. Eric was very eager to lose teeth once he realized there was money in it for him. I think this story is about his second loose tooth. It had just *barely* started to wiggle. He stationed himself in front of a bathroom mirror and worked and worked and worked and worked on that tooth. I told him it was too soon. But he kept working and working. Quite awhile later a very tearful sad boy came to me saying that he'd gotten the tooth out but it immediately fell down the drain! I'm so awful. I laughed and laughed. Poor Eric - he was so mad at me! He pretty much screamed at me - not words but just this aggravated arrrrrrrgh kind of sound. Eric, will you forgive me for being so insensitive to your heartbreak? He still had a visit from the tooth fairy of course. We helped him write a note I think, explaining what had happened.
Claire and others from the family, one fabulous 4th of July, were swimming at the neighbors when Claire lost her tooth in the pool. Evan quickly went to work. With a mask on, he swam over every part of that pool bottom and he found the tooth! It was incredible. What a relief. Too bad Evan wasn't available to help Eric out in his hour of need.
Do you have any memorable tooth stories?
Greg and I spent the morning with all of our stake's bishops, their wives and the stake presidency and their wives. We actually started out with dinner with them last night then gathered this morning for some discussion on better serving those we have stewardship. OK - I totally digress, but at dinner, my first bites of my yummy steak and the fried onions that topped it left me with a chipped tooth. I have no idea how it happened. It was not the meat, it had to be the onions but how? Whatever - it is the bottom left second to the last molar. It isn't bothering me except that it is jagged and it is scraping up my tongue. We called our dentist this morning to make sure I wasn't doing any damage to myself or tooth by waiting to see him. He said it should be fine and offered to meet me to file my jagged edges but I declined. I didn't want him to have to go into the office and I didn't want to leave the good company I was with. This afternoon I thought to put a tiny piece of gum over the jagged edges - it has helped tremendously.
OK - another tooth story. Eric was very eager to lose teeth once he realized there was money in it for him. I think this story is about his second loose tooth. It had just *barely* started to wiggle. He stationed himself in front of a bathroom mirror and worked and worked and worked and worked on that tooth. I told him it was too soon. But he kept working and working. Quite awhile later a very tearful sad boy came to me saying that he'd gotten the tooth out but it immediately fell down the drain! I'm so awful. I laughed and laughed. Poor Eric - he was so mad at me! He pretty much screamed at me - not words but just this aggravated arrrrrrrgh kind of sound. Eric, will you forgive me for being so insensitive to your heartbreak? He still had a visit from the tooth fairy of course. We helped him write a note I think, explaining what had happened.
Claire and others from the family, one fabulous 4th of July, were swimming at the neighbors when Claire lost her tooth in the pool. Evan quickly went to work. With a mask on, he swam over every part of that pool bottom and he found the tooth! It was incredible. What a relief. Too bad Evan wasn't available to help Eric out in his hour of need.
Do you have any memorable tooth stories?
Friday, January 29, 2010
another memory
Thinking about the "Long Ago and Far Away" series led me to recall another fun series we watched - "Shelley Duvall's Faerie Tale Theatre". I feel like we taped these, thus watched them over and over - but from what station? It had to have been PBS. We really didn't have much more.
One of the stories, I don't remember what it was called, I'm nearly positive had Steve Guttenburg. And part of the story had to do with him getting a burlap sack that he would say "Wikity wack! Into my sack!" and thus could catch things for whatever was forced to get into the sack. Does this sound familiar to anyone?
I know we coached Eric at one time to use the phrase to get rid of "monsters" in his room. We didn't have that happen very often. But I remember a little Eric saying the magic words in the dark, at my prompting. I don't remember if it worked or not.
Anyone know the story? What is it?
One of the stories, I don't remember what it was called, I'm nearly positive had Steve Guttenburg. And part of the story had to do with him getting a burlap sack that he would say "Wikity wack! Into my sack!" and thus could catch things for whatever was forced to get into the sack. Does this sound familiar to anyone?
I know we coached Eric at one time to use the phrase to get rid of "monsters" in his room. We didn't have that happen very often. But I remember a little Eric saying the magic words in the dark, at my prompting. I don't remember if it worked or not.
Anyone know the story? What is it?
Thursday, January 28, 2010
a memory
I’ve been keeping up with a new year’s goal to use our treadmill. To be exact - to walk at least 30 minutes more than I have walked already, 5 days a week. I’m doing OK but this post is not about my exercise regimen, but about a book I see every time I get on the treadmill, The Man Who Planted Trees a story by Jean Giono.
Back in the early ‘90s, PBS broadcast the program “Long Ago and Far Away”. It is a series of animated stories – all different kinds of stories, animated by different artists. This is one of the best children series I have ever seen. James Earl Jones hosts the program. We taped the episodes and viewed them over and over again. As I said, the stories are varied - most I had never heard of before. But some of them became favorites. The Man Who Planted Trees is one such story. Well, it ended up one of my favorites, so I bought the book.
The story is of Elzeard Bouffier, a man who has lived through sorrow and world wars, but travels a barren treeless country side and plants trees. Over years of planting, the barren country side comes back to life.
I was pregnant when I first saw this story. I was so moved by the tale I contemplated naming our baby Linden. [pregnancy does strange things to us - lucky for Evan I came to my senses] . The story is so well told, I was convinced it true – but alas - it is fiction. I still want to believe it is true though…
It’s funny how things affect us.
Happy memories.
Another favorite I just found online -
Rarg - one of the scientists of Rarg discovers that he and his people are a dream thus they pursue a plan to keep the dreamer asleep watch it here
It is totally zany but so fun. We loved it.
“Flick the switch…flick the switch…”
Back in the early ‘90s, PBS broadcast the program “Long Ago and Far Away”. It is a series of animated stories – all different kinds of stories, animated by different artists. This is one of the best children series I have ever seen. James Earl Jones hosts the program. We taped the episodes and viewed them over and over again. As I said, the stories are varied - most I had never heard of before. But some of them became favorites. The Man Who Planted Trees is one such story. Well, it ended up one of my favorites, so I bought the book.
The story is of Elzeard Bouffier, a man who has lived through sorrow and world wars, but travels a barren treeless country side and plants trees. Over years of planting, the barren country side comes back to life.
I was pregnant when I first saw this story. I was so moved by the tale I contemplated naming our baby Linden. [pregnancy does strange things to us - lucky for Evan I came to my senses] . The story is so well told, I was convinced it true – but alas - it is fiction. I still want to believe it is true though…
It’s funny how things affect us.
Happy memories.
Another favorite I just found online -
Rarg - one of the scientists of Rarg discovers that he and his people are a dream thus they pursue a plan to keep the dreamer asleep watch it here
It is totally zany but so fun. We loved it.
“Flick the switch…flick the switch…”
The Man Who Planted Trees
I just did some searching for the video - it is online. It wasn't hard to find really, I just hadn't looked beyond Wikipedia. The links are youtube which shows it in 3 parts and the other is it in written form. It is a short story...
video
written story
video
written story
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Good News and Bad News
The good news is -
Claire has her driver's permit!
The bad news is -
Claire has her driver's permit!
There has nothing been scarier to me as driving with a brand new driver.
Claire has her driver's permit!
The bad news is -
Claire has her driver's permit!
There has nothing been scarier to me as driving with a brand new driver.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Resolutions
I was doing fairly well with my new commitments until last week - the kids had school off on Monday and Tuesday-Thursday they had half days for finals. When the family is around, I just don't do as well. I don't know why that is but that is how it is. I'm back on track though.
How are you doing? What slows you down? What keeps you on track? Any success stories to share?
How are you doing? What slows you down? What keeps you on track? Any success stories to share?
Monday, January 25, 2010
The Answers to Saturday's Questions
OK - OK - I can tell you're all stumped... ;-)
Who - It's Greg
What - talking on his cell phone
When - Friday afternoon while Claire, Evan and I were on Star Tours
Where - at Disneyland
Why is he in the corner? because he needed a "quiet" place to talk business
So yeah - we went to Disneyland on Friday.
We flew out from San Jose on Thursday evening. We were supposed to fly out to Orange County at 3:45 but ended up flying to Burbank at 7:30ish (Orange County airport had been closed because of bad weather). We didn't know we needed a flight change until we were standing in the check luggage line. But it all worked out with very little fuss. And I must say I was impressed with the other travelers. We all just waited our turns. Granted most people probably didn't know about the flight cancellations - we found out from a gal standing in line with us but we really couldn't do anything until we got to the counter. We did try to change our own tickets over the phone while standing in line (we were in line for a very long time) but ended up after Greg was put on hold the guy he'd talked to only booked 3 of us instead of 4 and I would have ended up standby - to fly to LAX. But ended up we didn't need to worry. The counter gal offered us Burbank which would be flying out nearly 2 hours before the LAX flight. We were perfectly happy with that. But due to delays we didn't fly out as soon as we thought we would but we were still an hour a head of that LAX flight. Anyway, it was fine and we had dinner in the airport and Greg got to do a lot of work he was still needing to do - and he booked a rental car for Burbank. It really was all good.
The stormy weather was a bit of a concern though. What kind of a day would we have in the park Friday? Obviously, we weren't too worried about it. We went anyway. I bought us rain ponchos from a CVS in San Jose. We brought umbrellas for each of us. We were set and anticipated no lines in the park. And that's pretty much what we got. It was GREAT!
Off to a good start weather wise - we could see some stars when we arrived in Anaheim Thursday evening.
Friday morning - Starting our day off right with a fabulous breakfast. (Was so funny, as we were leaving McCafe - I really think it is called that - I overheard this girl talking very seriously to her boyfriend/husband, holding his hand across the table, saying "I just wish you would take me someplace where the food is going to be good for me...")
Isn't this everyone's first picture in the park?
Singing in the rain...
Spent a little time with Pooh Bear.
It rained off and on most of the day - and only one time did we have a hard down pour like this (was hailing) - it lasted about 3 minutes. Was exciting.
Rain or shine - people are still interested in touching this water spun orb.
This is the Buzz Lightyear Ride. You can tell by the scores that Greg wasn't all that into it. In fact, what he's doing is putting his cell phone back in his pocket. If he'd gotten his picture taken a few seconds earlier it would have caught him texting while he was on the ride. But hey - Evan did great - made up for the both of them.
Proof that I was there - and I should mention that we did have ponchos for Claire and Evan but they refused and Claire even requested right off the bat that no one wear them. Sorry daughter.
A special sight for those who brave the rain while at Disneyland.
That rainbow pretty much signified the end of our rain.
We may need to rethink Claire getting her driver's license.
I think all of the funny toon houses in Toon Town have silly pianos in them.
Because of the bad weather, the park people had already decided earlier that the park would close early - 8 instead of 11. That was *a little* disappointing since for one, we'd paid for a full day... but also because the weather really was driest come after sunset. But it was also OK because we'd been on all the rides and visited as many stores as we had wanted to and of course the lines for the rides appeared now that the rain was gone. Amazing!
Toon Town was one of our last stops - it was nearly deserted - it was very close to 8. But Lucky us - Mickey was still in his house when we went through. I had no idea he'd be there. The rest of the family had noticed signs saying he's still there. But I was oblivious. We thought we were headed out of the house but came upon room after room (I guess there is often a line to visit Mickey) Then an usher popped his head out asking how many in our party. It was totally confusing because we were *the* only people in there. But he called us in, told us to have our cameras ready... and voila - there was Mickey standing there. I don't know why but this totally embarrassed us! And for some reason, made us feel sorry for Mickey. We are weird, I know.
Closing at 8 doesn't really mean they close at 8. I don't know the process but like I said, we visited Mickey at 8. On our way to the front gate we saw a line at Autopia so decided to give that a go and we got on! And then strolling down Main Street - no one told us "time to go folks..."
This picture was probably snapped around 9. It was the last thing we did.
It was a great day - it really was. When you're Disney deprived, I guess any day will do but for it being as wet as it was - we fared just fine.
Who - It's Greg
What - talking on his cell phone
When - Friday afternoon while Claire, Evan and I were on Star Tours
Where - at Disneyland
Why is he in the corner? because he needed a "quiet" place to talk business
So yeah - we went to Disneyland on Friday.
We flew out from San Jose on Thursday evening. We were supposed to fly out to Orange County at 3:45 but ended up flying to Burbank at 7:30ish (Orange County airport had been closed because of bad weather). We didn't know we needed a flight change until we were standing in the check luggage line. But it all worked out with very little fuss. And I must say I was impressed with the other travelers. We all just waited our turns. Granted most people probably didn't know about the flight cancellations - we found out from a gal standing in line with us but we really couldn't do anything until we got to the counter. We did try to change our own tickets over the phone while standing in line (we were in line for a very long time) but ended up after Greg was put on hold the guy he'd talked to only booked 3 of us instead of 4 and I would have ended up standby - to fly to LAX. But ended up we didn't need to worry. The counter gal offered us Burbank which would be flying out nearly 2 hours before the LAX flight. We were perfectly happy with that. But due to delays we didn't fly out as soon as we thought we would but we were still an hour a head of that LAX flight. Anyway, it was fine and we had dinner in the airport and Greg got to do a lot of work he was still needing to do - and he booked a rental car for Burbank. It really was all good.
The stormy weather was a bit of a concern though. What kind of a day would we have in the park Friday? Obviously, we weren't too worried about it. We went anyway. I bought us rain ponchos from a CVS in San Jose. We brought umbrellas for each of us. We were set and anticipated no lines in the park. And that's pretty much what we got. It was GREAT!
Off to a good start weather wise - we could see some stars when we arrived in Anaheim Thursday evening.
Friday morning - Starting our day off right with a fabulous breakfast. (Was so funny, as we were leaving McCafe - I really think it is called that - I overheard this girl talking very seriously to her boyfriend/husband, holding his hand across the table, saying "I just wish you would take me someplace where the food is going to be good for me...")
Isn't this everyone's first picture in the park?
Singing in the rain...
Spent a little time with Pooh Bear.
It rained off and on most of the day - and only one time did we have a hard down pour like this (was hailing) - it lasted about 3 minutes. Was exciting.
Rain or shine - people are still interested in touching this water spun orb.
This is the Buzz Lightyear Ride. You can tell by the scores that Greg wasn't all that into it. In fact, what he's doing is putting his cell phone back in his pocket. If he'd gotten his picture taken a few seconds earlier it would have caught him texting while he was on the ride. But hey - Evan did great - made up for the both of them.
Proof that I was there - and I should mention that we did have ponchos for Claire and Evan but they refused and Claire even requested right off the bat that no one wear them. Sorry daughter.
A special sight for those who brave the rain while at Disneyland.
That rainbow pretty much signified the end of our rain.
We may need to rethink Claire getting her driver's license.
I think all of the funny toon houses in Toon Town have silly pianos in them.
Because of the bad weather, the park people had already decided earlier that the park would close early - 8 instead of 11. That was *a little* disappointing since for one, we'd paid for a full day... but also because the weather really was driest come after sunset. But it was also OK because we'd been on all the rides and visited as many stores as we had wanted to and of course the lines for the rides appeared now that the rain was gone. Amazing!
Toon Town was one of our last stops - it was nearly deserted - it was very close to 8. But Lucky us - Mickey was still in his house when we went through. I had no idea he'd be there. The rest of the family had noticed signs saying he's still there. But I was oblivious. We thought we were headed out of the house but came upon room after room (I guess there is often a line to visit Mickey) Then an usher popped his head out asking how many in our party. It was totally confusing because we were *the* only people in there. But he called us in, told us to have our cameras ready... and voila - there was Mickey standing there. I don't know why but this totally embarrassed us! And for some reason, made us feel sorry for Mickey. We are weird, I know.
Closing at 8 doesn't really mean they close at 8. I don't know the process but like I said, we visited Mickey at 8. On our way to the front gate we saw a line at Autopia so decided to give that a go and we got on! And then strolling down Main Street - no one told us "time to go folks..."
This picture was probably snapped around 9. It was the last thing we did.
It was a great day - it really was. When you're Disney deprived, I guess any day will do but for it being as wet as it was - we fared just fine.
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Friday, January 22, 2010
The Wires that Bind
Anyone know what this is?
It's a close up of this -
Evan is the master of the wire mess. He won't let anyone touch it. Fortunately for me, the ball of wire can just be rolled up into that cabinet. But more times than not, it is exposed. And what there isn't a picture of is the web of wires that reach across the carpet - under the couches and chairs - that extend from one side of the room to the other. I think someone should write a horror story about people getting taken over by the wires in their homes. Don't you think it would make a good scary story?
It's a close up of this -
Evan is the master of the wire mess. He won't let anyone touch it. Fortunately for me, the ball of wire can just be rolled up into that cabinet. But more times than not, it is exposed. And what there isn't a picture of is the web of wires that reach across the carpet - under the couches and chairs - that extend from one side of the room to the other. I think someone should write a horror story about people getting taken over by the wires in their homes. Don't you think it would make a good scary story?
Thursday, January 21, 2010
LIFE
There was a stake youth activity last night - THE GAME OF LIFE. The gym was transformed into a giant game board of sorts. Groups of kids moved around in home made cars.
Claire had some friends over Monday to put a big family car together. It turned out cute.
Claire thought it was a fun night!
Claire had some friends over Monday to put a big family car together. It turned out cute.
Claire thought it was a fun night!
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
...a rather blustery day today...
We've had some weather here. I asked Evan to take a movie/picture and we ended up with the "real" video camera out and lots of footage. So - be warned - it is long so just zoom past. We just wanted to share a little bit of our excitement with you.
Some background information -
- Claire has rain boots she doesn't get to wear very often in the rain (that will explain a lot)
- Claire needed to take the garbage out
- Claire is not comfortable with lightning - her little "yelp" is about thunder
- Evan loves lightning and thunder
- Claire and the dance with the umbrella with thunder about doesn't make any sense when you know her background - "I'm afraid of lightning. Hmmmm, I think I'll go out in a thunderstorm and dance around with a metal tipped umbrella" go figure
- The gutter system was overwhelmed with the down pour
- Evan had ravioli for lunch
(Thursday morning addition - there's a lot of waiting for lightning here - it never happens - so I'll help you out for your viewing pleasure - from about 1:50 into the video to 3:10 is waiting for lightning and from 3:50-9:30 is also mostly waiting for lightning - but we never see lightning)
Some background information -
- Claire has rain boots she doesn't get to wear very often in the rain (that will explain a lot)
- Claire needed to take the garbage out
- Claire is not comfortable with lightning - her little "yelp" is about thunder
- Evan loves lightning and thunder
- Claire and the dance with the umbrella with thunder about doesn't make any sense when you know her background - "I'm afraid of lightning. Hmmmm, I think I'll go out in a thunderstorm and dance around with a metal tipped umbrella" go figure
- The gutter system was overwhelmed with the down pour
- Evan had ravioli for lunch
(Thursday morning addition - there's a lot of waiting for lightning here - it never happens - so I'll help you out for your viewing pleasure - from about 1:50 into the video to 3:10 is waiting for lightning and from 3:50-9:30 is also mostly waiting for lightning - but we never see lightning)
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Dinner at the Hardesters
Pre-dinner conversation -
Kathy - "hmmmm - looks like we're having blackened Bertolli pasta tonight."
Claire - "They look like pot-stickers."
Two weeks ago we had blackened pot-stickers - so that makes sense.
At the dinner table -
Greg had just arrived for his 5 minute dinner appointment.
He called on Claire to bless the food. She responded "I've said it the past three times..."
So he called on Evan and Evan said "I said it...."
So Greg just started into a prayer which made us all laugh, including Greg and then he even blessed the food that it would taste good.
We lost it.
OK - and this is what is going on as I write this. Evan is studying. And Claire is putting her feet in his face - and her socks look filthy. Evan is letting her do this, he says he's practicing patience. I saw her socks and worried about the carpet getting dirty.
Kathy - "hmmmm - looks like we're having blackened Bertolli pasta tonight."
Claire - "They look like pot-stickers."
Two weeks ago we had blackened pot-stickers - so that makes sense.
At the dinner table -
Greg had just arrived for his 5 minute dinner appointment.
He called on Claire to bless the food. She responded "I've said it the past three times..."
So he called on Evan and Evan said "I said it...."
So Greg just started into a prayer which made us all laugh, including Greg and then he even blessed the food that it would taste good.
We lost it.
OK - and this is what is going on as I write this. Evan is studying. And Claire is putting her feet in his face - and her socks look filthy. Evan is letting her do this, he says he's practicing patience. I saw her socks and worried about the carpet getting dirty.
Recipe Blog
OK - there are two people who have showed interest in a recipe blog - 3 including me. Let's do it. We'll just try it, see how it goes.
What should we call it?
Dinner Time
What's Cooking?
I hate to Cook
Any suggestions?
Or should we just make an effort to post recipes we like on our regular Blogs - like we've done all along? Or, I should say, like *you've* done all along.
If we do have a blog - can I request that the address not be made public - on google. Not that people would need special invitation to see the blog just so that the address doesn't fall prey to the commenting trouble like Julie mentioned. I suppose we could just eliminate the opportunity to comment - you can do that can't you? Set it up so no one can leave comments?
What do you think?
What should we call it?
Dinner Time
What's Cooking?
I hate to Cook
Any suggestions?
Or should we just make an effort to post recipes we like on our regular Blogs - like we've done all along? Or, I should say, like *you've* done all along.
If we do have a blog - can I request that the address not be made public - on google. Not that people would need special invitation to see the blog just so that the address doesn't fall prey to the commenting trouble like Julie mentioned. I suppose we could just eliminate the opportunity to comment - you can do that can't you? Set it up so no one can leave comments?
What do you think?
Monday, January 18, 2010
A look into Chemistry class
Evan came home from school the other day with a story.
He announced that he guesses he's one of the smart people in his Chemistry class.
Just like that, "Mom - I guess I'm one of the smart people in my Chemistry class."
The teacher had them play a game and she split the class into two teams and assigned the two top grade students to head up the teams. Evan was one of the two!! Isn't that awesome?! It is. But - he was sharing the story with an air of "gloom". To be one of the smart kids is not always a safe place to be. And he said he wondered if the other kids might take action against him because they used to throw stuff at Toby all the time. I know who Toby is - a very bright boy who skipped 8th grade. Come the end of class he couldn't find his back pack. The kids had taken action against him! He knew it. He looked all around - but couldn't find it. Finally, he laid his eyes upon some strange looking bag - it was *his* back pack turned inside out! I have to say, Evan did tell the story with a little spark in his eye but still that nervous gloom as well. He said "They weren't too mean about it - at least they put all my stuff back in."
Claire says she has connections in the class and will find out what happened. But her connections had already reported to her that Evan had been one of the chosen that day. But shared no word of the gutted backpack - so I'm not sure her connections are all that connected. At least not to the guilty party - which to me is not such a bad thing.
He announced that he guesses he's one of the smart people in his Chemistry class.
Just like that, "Mom - I guess I'm one of the smart people in my Chemistry class."
The teacher had them play a game and she split the class into two teams and assigned the two top grade students to head up the teams. Evan was one of the two!! Isn't that awesome?! It is. But - he was sharing the story with an air of "gloom". To be one of the smart kids is not always a safe place to be. And he said he wondered if the other kids might take action against him because they used to throw stuff at Toby all the time. I know who Toby is - a very bright boy who skipped 8th grade. Come the end of class he couldn't find his back pack. The kids had taken action against him! He knew it. He looked all around - but couldn't find it. Finally, he laid his eyes upon some strange looking bag - it was *his* back pack turned inside out! I have to say, Evan did tell the story with a little spark in his eye but still that nervous gloom as well. He said "They weren't too mean about it - at least they put all my stuff back in."
Claire says she has connections in the class and will find out what happened. But her connections had already reported to her that Evan had been one of the chosen that day. But shared no word of the gutted backpack - so I'm not sure her connections are all that connected. At least not to the guilty party - which to me is not such a bad thing.
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Codependence?
In light of the recent cooking post - here is one reason why cooking dinner doesn't take top priority with me - My husband is perfectly happy with grilled cheese - and he'll make it. Some might say he's an enabler - but I consider myself lucky to have a husband who goes with the flow.
The grilled cheese was yummy. This was lunch today after out Stake Conference. With it being a "different" Sunday for the Bishop we had him for most of the afternoon. Tri-tip was on the menu for dinner, and we did keep to that menu. But the Bishop wanted to make grilled cheese for lunch. I know that doesn't fit with the dinner theme - but he really will do this at dinner time.
The grilled cheese was yummy. This was lunch today after out Stake Conference. With it being a "different" Sunday for the Bishop we had him for most of the afternoon. Tri-tip was on the menu for dinner, and we did keep to that menu. But the Bishop wanted to make grilled cheese for lunch. I know that doesn't fit with the dinner theme - but he really will do this at dinner time.
Recipes
Should we have some sort of recipe blogspot link to share with each other? What do you think? Since Julie's post I've been thinking of some recipes that I think are worth sharing - I just don't make them very often - maybe not more than once. As one friend put it - my cooking woes may have a lot to do with my audiance. But that shouldn't keep a mom from feeding her brood. So - what do you think? I really only have a few "one hit wonders" (I'll call them that because they only got played once but they were a hit with one person - me)- the blog would die quickly if I was the only one contributing. I guess I can just post them here - especially since I've made that "one post a day" committment for Jan. :-P
Saturday, January 16, 2010
What's for breakfast?
The youth from our ward went to the temple this morning. They gathered here at 6:45. I didn't go with them. A little later I wandered into the kitchen. This is what greeted me.
What a happy sight! But what a dreadful sight!
I had just commented to Claire and a friend of hers, last night while watching Miss Congeniality, that it had been several months since I'd had a donut. And I was wanting a donut.
So there they were. Sitting, un attended. Two boxes each about half full. That's a lot of donuts calling my name.
I only had one.
The only thing keeping me from eating more is that I don't know who bought them. I don't think it was Bishop Hardester. I don't think he left the house before all the kids got here. So - because they're not really mine - I've only "taken" one. I feel this is OK - since they are in my kitchen. But also - there was such a mess of smooshed donuts on my floor I figured the person who cleans up the mess (me) should at least get some of the spoils - don't you agree?
What a happy sight! But what a dreadful sight!
I had just commented to Claire and a friend of hers, last night while watching Miss Congeniality, that it had been several months since I'd had a donut. And I was wanting a donut.
So there they were. Sitting, un attended. Two boxes each about half full. That's a lot of donuts calling my name.
I only had one.
The only thing keeping me from eating more is that I don't know who bought them. I don't think it was Bishop Hardester. I don't think he left the house before all the kids got here. So - because they're not really mine - I've only "taken" one. I feel this is OK - since they are in my kitchen. But also - there was such a mess of smooshed donuts on my floor I figured the person who cleans up the mess (me) should at least get some of the spoils - don't you agree?
Friday, January 15, 2010
What's for dinner?
I don't know...
I have been thinking about this all day - whether or not to pursue this topic or not. And since I can't stop thinking about it, I've decided to dive in. I have this hankering to dump my cooking woes.
I have a hate, hate relationship with cooking. When we had our kitchen remodeled I was very slow to move back in. After "cooking" in the laundry room for 3 months with just an electric fry pan and a toaster I was in no hurry to move back into the real kitchen. After the range was installed the contractor had to encourage me to try it out - to make sure it worked! He said he'd never had to do that before. Usually people were itching to use their new things. I should say I do love my kitchen - but not for cooking - just for looking at.
How did I get this way?
I don't know.
My mother, an excellent example in the making dinner arena, cooked square meal dinners every day. We sat down to eat at 6pm almost on the dot every weekday night. Probably on Saturdays too but Sundays usually were a big meal in the late afternoon. The square meal consisted of a green salad, an entree, and a vegetable. Usually, there was some sort of something sweet for dessert.
Did my mom enjoy cooking?
I don't know.
I don't remember her complaining about it. She just did it. And the menu was pretty standard. Nothing fancy. But it was good. We definitely had our favorites - my dad had his favorites. And we had to eat at least one helping of whatever was served. And this, I don't remember ever being too hard a thing to do with the exception of some of those "Dad's Favorites" - split pea soup (which I like now), liver and onions, salmon patties and navy bean soup.
I, however, complain about cooking all the time. And I often try to get my kids to take care of dinner. When they ask the question "What's for dinner?" I sometimes reply with "What are you going to make us?" Of course, they take the opportunity to beg a dinner out. And generally, we don't go out. At least not on week days.
Each of the kids has taken a turn at going through a cooking phase, but it always went towards baking goodies, not cooking dinner. I tried to cash in on these phases, encouraging more dinner type recipes but they never fell for it. Evan and his current fondue facination is the closest we've come to such a set up.
Claire's first attempt at a grilled cheese sandwich - Eric was a teenager and came home to a sort of smoky kitchen while she was learning by doing. I was in the family room. Eric came into the family room and wondered "Shouldn't you be in there helping her?" Yeah, probably but instead I invited him to help her out.
See, bad cooking juju.
In college - one time making macaroni and cheese - the water kept boiling up, threatening to spill over. I kept lifting the pot off the burner. One of my roommates suggested I turn the heat down. Ah - what a novel idea.
Turning the heat down is something I am not good at doing. I'm always in a hurry - I don't like standing around watching and stirring etc. I burned the noodles for mac and cheese - we had "barbecue" mac and cheese that night.
Wouldn't any conscientious mother toss the noodles and start again or at least serve something else? Not me. With every cooking misadventure, I have felt I'm preparing my children for the mission field. And for the boys, if they end up in a traditional marriage set up - their wives have it easy – there will be no competition when it comes to whose cooking is better.
Every cloud has a silver lining.
What my family thinks of all this? Will have to be topic for a different post.
I have been thinking about this all day - whether or not to pursue this topic or not. And since I can't stop thinking about it, I've decided to dive in. I have this hankering to dump my cooking woes.
I have a hate, hate relationship with cooking. When we had our kitchen remodeled I was very slow to move back in. After "cooking" in the laundry room for 3 months with just an electric fry pan and a toaster I was in no hurry to move back into the real kitchen. After the range was installed the contractor had to encourage me to try it out - to make sure it worked! He said he'd never had to do that before. Usually people were itching to use their new things. I should say I do love my kitchen - but not for cooking - just for looking at.
How did I get this way?
I don't know.
My mother, an excellent example in the making dinner arena, cooked square meal dinners every day. We sat down to eat at 6pm almost on the dot every weekday night. Probably on Saturdays too but Sundays usually were a big meal in the late afternoon. The square meal consisted of a green salad, an entree, and a vegetable. Usually, there was some sort of something sweet for dessert.
Did my mom enjoy cooking?
I don't know.
I don't remember her complaining about it. She just did it. And the menu was pretty standard. Nothing fancy. But it was good. We definitely had our favorites - my dad had his favorites. And we had to eat at least one helping of whatever was served. And this, I don't remember ever being too hard a thing to do with the exception of some of those "Dad's Favorites" - split pea soup (which I like now), liver and onions, salmon patties and navy bean soup.
I, however, complain about cooking all the time. And I often try to get my kids to take care of dinner. When they ask the question "What's for dinner?" I sometimes reply with "What are you going to make us?" Of course, they take the opportunity to beg a dinner out. And generally, we don't go out. At least not on week days.
Each of the kids has taken a turn at going through a cooking phase, but it always went towards baking goodies, not cooking dinner. I tried to cash in on these phases, encouraging more dinner type recipes but they never fell for it. Evan and his current fondue facination is the closest we've come to such a set up.
Claire's first attempt at a grilled cheese sandwich - Eric was a teenager and came home to a sort of smoky kitchen while she was learning by doing. I was in the family room. Eric came into the family room and wondered "Shouldn't you be in there helping her?" Yeah, probably but instead I invited him to help her out.
See, bad cooking juju.
In college - one time making macaroni and cheese - the water kept boiling up, threatening to spill over. I kept lifting the pot off the burner. One of my roommates suggested I turn the heat down. Ah - what a novel idea.
Turning the heat down is something I am not good at doing. I'm always in a hurry - I don't like standing around watching and stirring etc. I burned the noodles for mac and cheese - we had "barbecue" mac and cheese that night.
Wouldn't any conscientious mother toss the noodles and start again or at least serve something else? Not me. With every cooking misadventure, I have felt I'm preparing my children for the mission field. And for the boys, if they end up in a traditional marriage set up - their wives have it easy – there will be no competition when it comes to whose cooking is better.
Every cloud has a silver lining.
What my family thinks of all this? Will have to be topic for a different post.
Thursday, January 14, 2010
The Fun Theory
A friend just sent me this video - I wish I knew how to put the video right here for you to click on but I don't - so click on the highlited words and they'll take you to youtube.com
Watch it, I think you'll like it. It's key - make it fun!
I think Dr. Oz needs to figure out a way to fit "Fun" into his BEACH acronym. Any ideas? We'll make our own.
Watch it, I think you'll like it. It's key - make it fun!
I think Dr. Oz needs to figure out a way to fit "Fun" into his BEACH acronym. Any ideas? We'll make our own.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Beach Body
I just saw a segment on the Dr. Oz show. 3 house wives from Detroit want beach bodies in 100 days. So - Dr. Oz is going to help them.
Besides exercising - these ladies are going to remember this acronym - BEACH
B - breakfast
E - eliminate bad sugars
A - anti oxidants
C - chocolate
H - hydrate
I haven't really watched Dr. Oz before - a couple times here and there on Oprah, that's about it. I was surprised how little information he put out there to really help these women. But - it's better than nothing I suppose. They also get a membership to a gym and some super jock is going to pop in every once in awhile to see how they're doing.
I hope the show ends up giving more usable information than all of that. I think one of the best things they have going is that they're working on this together.
But eating Breakfast is a good way to go - more fiber the better
Eliminate that extra food - that's kind of a "duh"
Eat Chocolate? yeah - he said chocolate - good chocolate - which is dark chocolate very gemmicky but whatever - if you've got to have it you've got to have it
and then Hydrate another "duh" there's nothing like water -
I'm trying harder to do better at these things - I'm walking more and eating less altogether - while eating more fresh fruit and veges.
I've been doing this for two year though - somethings got to change. I don't think I'm being honest enough with myself in regards to all of these things - walking more? am I really?
yes, I really am walking more but maybe I need to walk "harder"
eating less? yeah - maybe in the morning, or during the week but going out to dinner? ruin everything all in one sitting - I can still do better there
and eating more fresh fruits and veges - I really am eating more, but compared to eating none - eating more is not hard to do - I see lots of room for improvement.
Beach body in 100 days? hmmmm, probably not but we'll see...
Besides exercising - these ladies are going to remember this acronym - BEACH
B - breakfast
E - eliminate bad sugars
A - anti oxidants
C - chocolate
H - hydrate
I haven't really watched Dr. Oz before - a couple times here and there on Oprah, that's about it. I was surprised how little information he put out there to really help these women. But - it's better than nothing I suppose. They also get a membership to a gym and some super jock is going to pop in every once in awhile to see how they're doing.
I hope the show ends up giving more usable information than all of that. I think one of the best things they have going is that they're working on this together.
But eating Breakfast is a good way to go - more fiber the better
Eliminate that extra food - that's kind of a "duh"
Eat Chocolate? yeah - he said chocolate - good chocolate - which is dark chocolate very gemmicky but whatever - if you've got to have it you've got to have it
and then Hydrate another "duh" there's nothing like water -
I'm trying harder to do better at these things - I'm walking more and eating less altogether - while eating more fresh fruit and veges.
I've been doing this for two year though - somethings got to change. I don't think I'm being honest enough with myself in regards to all of these things - walking more? am I really?
yes, I really am walking more but maybe I need to walk "harder"
eating less? yeah - maybe in the morning, or during the week but going out to dinner? ruin everything all in one sitting - I can still do better there
and eating more fresh fruits and veges - I really am eating more, but compared to eating none - eating more is not hard to do - I see lots of room for improvement.
Beach body in 100 days? hmmmm, probably not but we'll see...
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Fondue
I gave myself an electric fondue pot for Christmas. It has been so much fun! Evan is an enthusiast so he is the one who has been making the fondue for us. We've tried a yummy swiss and velveeta cheese fondue
and chocolates a few times.
Of course, we love chocolate the most.
I know you don't have to have a fondue pot to make fondue so I recommend fondue to everyone - special pot or not. It is very easy and very very fun.
The Velveeta recipe is from Nancy -
2/3 large velveeta brick
1 lb grated swiss
1 1/2 cups cream
2 tbsp flour (to coat grated swiss)
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
pepper, garlic powder to taste
We halved this recipe and there was plenty for four of us
Chocolate Fondue
2 tbsp butter
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
1 tsp vanilla
Do you have a favorite fondue recipe?
and chocolates a few times. 
Of course, we love chocolate the most.
I know you don't have to have a fondue pot to make fondue so I recommend fondue to everyone - special pot or not. It is very easy and very very fun.
The Velveeta recipe is from Nancy -
2/3 large velveeta brick
1 lb grated swiss
1 1/2 cups cream
2 tbsp flour (to coat grated swiss)
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
pepper, garlic powder to taste
We halved this recipe and there was plenty for four of us
Chocolate Fondue
2 tbsp butter
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
1 tsp vanilla
Do you have a favorite fondue recipe?
Monday, January 11, 2010
If Ye are Prepared...
Our Relief Society has decided to focus on preparedness this year. I always need reminders and helps with this. I'm not good at keeping up so I am happy for the extra help. We had our first meeting last Tuesday. Our teacher started the night off by showing us a cute, old, old cartoon. It's an Aesop's fable with a twist. Some good lessons for us all. Disney's Silly Symphonies The Grasshopper and the Ants.
First task - get communication cards, forms updated. We had a chance to do some of this that night - I wrote down phone numbers for emergency contacts, info for drs offices and insurance. We were challenged to get our family involved by discussing emergency contact plans. We will do this for family night tonight.
What are you doing to keep up with preparedness?
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Christmas '09 Revisted
What are the chances you'd ever see any of these guys in such a get up? 1 in 4. Who's the one? This was taken in Tremonton, just after Thanksgiving. Was it a sign of things to come in the new year? We'll have to wait and see.
It's funny to me that most of these pictures look very much like last years Christmas pictures except that Eric is sitting where Ryan was sitting last year. But, never the less, I still want to share the day.
The day always starts with looking through stockings.
Evan's favorite gift - a self winding skeleton watch - it goes perfect in his watch winder. He bought the winder earlier in the year for a skeleton watch that he didn't realize wouldn't wind in the winder - he had to wind it by hand. He'd put that watch in the winder anyway and it would spin around like it was on special display. So funny. Unfortunately, that watch sprung a spring - too much winding!
Who?
A package from Mexico.
Just proof the mom was there.
Hey! Nacho Libre!
Chivas soccer team jersey.
The Dancing Dogs of Colima. I've looked to find out what the deal is about the dancing dogs and I find reference to them but not what they're about - but now I know about Colima's Pot Belly Dogs and I really didn't need to know about them ;-/
A fancy knife with a giant arrowhead shaped thing for a blade.
Dominoes anyone?
Time for breakfast at the Jensen's.
You'll notice there are a few pictures with people on the phone - they're talking to Steven!
Back home catching up on Facebook and Claire coloring in her color book made especially for her by Evan - he gave her color markers as well. Evan won the markers at a Hardester family Christmas scavenger hunt earlier in the month and Claire wanted them so he said they would be her Christmas gift and she said only if she gets a coloring book too. So there you go.
We invited Della Rae Schader to have Christmas dinner with us. Greg and Evan are her home teachers. After dinner she presented us with this quilt she'd made in honor of Bishop Hardester and his sons who have been her home teachers. She is also my visiting teacher. The tree in the center is the tree of life.
Claire and Evan performed an impromptu piano recital for Della Rae. It is very rare for Evan to play the piano for anyone. They both played very well, and we loved their musical offerings.
Rock band Beatles was a favorite game over the holiday break. Sadly, we ended up with another kind of break...
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