A few years ago, I was asked to retain my position as secretary of the primary organization through another presidency--a position that I had been detesting for awhile. At the time, I was a little put off. I was cornered in the hall on my way to the chapel by the 2nd counselor in the bishopric who took my aside and basically said "We didn't realize we needed a new secretary when we changed the president. Please say yes. Then we can sustain you all today." Which really left little choice and left me wondering about "callings from God".
Which is a completely different blog post.
However, I made some great friends in that presidency and now realize that I was meant to be there. Even if the message got a little mixed in the translation.
Which leads me to today's spiritual thought.
Sometimes, our motives are questioned. I'm using the Mormon church as an example, but it can be widened to include a lot more. Sometimes we agree to do things because we feel that it's our duty, but we aren't exactly excited to be doing them. Like with some callings in the church.
Does anyone want to be bishop?
But we do them because we realize that our strengths are needed. So we put aside things in our lives, make sacrifices and go at it with faith because that's what we've been taught. And deep down inside we know it's the right thing to do.
Does anyone have the right to question this as long as we're doing it to the best of our abilities?
(Apparently, they think they have the right, but the answer is no.)
We are all going to be asked to do things in our lives that we don't want to do, whether it be to fight a disease, endure some tragedy, get a job below our worth to feed our family, or fulfill a church calling. And if we have the faith that it will work out in the end--whatever that end might be--than sometimes that's all we can hope for. Happiness is something that will come later.
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Friday, January 29, 2010
"What is THAT?" Pictures
I know that you all have been checking back daily to see if I've posted my lastest pictures from the half marathon I ran on Saturday.
And here they are. A record 13 of them were shot, but I won't post them all. I would imagine if you took six of them and flipped through them really fast, you'd get a visual of what I look like when I'm actually running (and at about that same speed too). However, there were some good ones this time. By which I mean to say ones that we can all laugh about.
And here they are. A record 13 of them were shot, but I won't post them all. I would imagine if you took six of them and flipped through them really fast, you'd get a visual of what I look like when I'm actually running (and at about that same speed too). However, there were some good ones this time. By which I mean to say ones that we can all laugh about.
First up, our standard fireplace shot. Just like in 2008, we posed by the exact same fireplace this go round too. I feel a little self conscious, being like a foot taller than both H. and C. But all three of us were really excited to get going. Which was a big change from 2008, where I was dreading the whole thing.
Next up is the best picture of 5 I have with the lady in gray. (Cue: Lady in gray is running with me. Cheek to cheek. There's nobody here, just you and me, it's where I want to be...) Unfortunately, I don't even remember running with the lady in gray, she was that unmemorable. But, if wanted, I could immortalize her with 5 pictures of us running together.
This was one that was taken towards the end. I was sucking on a peppermint that was handed out somewhere in the loop of hell (a loop around a ritzier neighborhood that (a) was a lot longer than I anticipated and (b) only served to remind me that I wasn't as rich as I wish I were) and accidently bit down on it right before I saw the camera man. Then in an effort to keep from spewing chunks of peppermint all over him, I pulled this face. Pretty, isn't it?
Catnap:
And finally, the homestrech Make no mistake. Not only do I look like I'm going to cry. I feel like I'm going to cry too. I may have even cried a little but I don't really recall. My legs were on FIRE.
Here was my Race Nemesis though (happily) the picture doesn't do her justice
Here is H., C., and me at the finish line. We look a little bit better than we feel.
Won't you all be sad when I retire my running shoes for good? Where else can you go to get such good laughs?
Seriously, how do these photographers make money?
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
What's For Dinner Wednesday--Wontons and Ham Fried Rice
We love Chinese Food here. But, we don't get it very often. However, I'm working on expanding my Chinese skills, so we can eat it more. I chose won tons this week, originally picturing pot stickers in my head. By the time I realized that we weren't going to be eating pot stickers, all the ingredients were bought. So pot stickers in the future.
I found this recipe in a handout in the won ton wrappers after I used the wrappers for a different recipe last week. The Ham Fried Rice I've been making for a while and I believe it's one of Wade's favorite dishes. I could be wrong. But don't get me started on that...
Won Tons
1 package won ton wrappers (found in the produce section of most grocery stores. They're refrigerated.)
4 oz Cream Cheese (I used Neufchatel Cheese. 1/3 less fat than regular cream cheese and I can't taste a difference.)
1 green onion, finely chopped
3/4 tsp grated ginger (I just used the stuff in the spice jar)
1/3 pound meat cut into tiny cubes (I used chicken and steak because I had that around.)
Chinese spiced teriyaki sauce
In medium-sized wok, add 1 tsp vegetable oil and meat. When meat is about 1/3 done add in the chinese spiced teriyaki sauce. (The recipe called for 2 cups, but I thought that was a little overkill, so I just poured in as much as I thought would give it some kick.) Cook meat until desired doneness. (My meat was already cooked, so I just heated it up.)
Mix cream cheese, green onion and ginger together. Stir in cooked meat. Use 1 tsp filling for each won ton. Place mixture in middle of won ton, moisten the edges of the wrapper with water and fold in a triangle.
Heat oil in pan (or fryer) to fry the won tons. Place 4-5 won tons in oil, turn once and cook for 1 minute until brown. Drain on paper towels.
Ham Fried Rice
Cold rice (I'll be honest, some days I don't get around to making the rice beforehand, so I'll make it, put it in the freezer while I'm making the main course and then use that. It seems to turn out alright.)
Cubed ham (Best ham to use are the ham steaks, but the already cubed ham from wal-mart is okay too.)
Ginger
Garlic powder
Chili powder
Soy Sauce
2 eggs
2 T vegetable oil
Scramble the eggs in the 2 T vegetable oil. Remove eggs from wok (or pan) and add the rice. Fry the rice for a minute. Add in the spices and ham. Add the soy sauce. Mix in the eggs. Adjust for taste.
I wish I had the exact amounts for the spices for you, but I just shake what I think I need in. Obviously, don't go overkill on the chili powder. And sometimes too much ginger will ruin the taste, so be mindful. Taste it after it's all put together and see if it needs some adjusting.
It use to be that I followed every recipe to a tee, but now I find myself just guesstimating. It could be because I'm either too lazy to care or I'm starting to feel more comfortable in the kitchen. I'll aim for number 2, but you can believe what you want. :)
I found this recipe in a handout in the won ton wrappers after I used the wrappers for a different recipe last week. The Ham Fried Rice I've been making for a while and I believe it's one of Wade's favorite dishes. I could be wrong. But don't get me started on that...
Won Tons
1 package won ton wrappers (found in the produce section of most grocery stores. They're refrigerated.)
4 oz Cream Cheese (I used Neufchatel Cheese. 1/3 less fat than regular cream cheese and I can't taste a difference.)
1 green onion, finely chopped
3/4 tsp grated ginger (I just used the stuff in the spice jar)
1/3 pound meat cut into tiny cubes (I used chicken and steak because I had that around.)
Chinese spiced teriyaki sauce
In medium-sized wok, add 1 tsp vegetable oil and meat. When meat is about 1/3 done add in the chinese spiced teriyaki sauce. (The recipe called for 2 cups, but I thought that was a little overkill, so I just poured in as much as I thought would give it some kick.) Cook meat until desired doneness. (My meat was already cooked, so I just heated it up.)
Mix cream cheese, green onion and ginger together. Stir in cooked meat. Use 1 tsp filling for each won ton. Place mixture in middle of won ton, moisten the edges of the wrapper with water and fold in a triangle.
Heat oil in pan (or fryer) to fry the won tons. Place 4-5 won tons in oil, turn once and cook for 1 minute until brown. Drain on paper towels.
Ham Fried Rice
Cold rice (I'll be honest, some days I don't get around to making the rice beforehand, so I'll make it, put it in the freezer while I'm making the main course and then use that. It seems to turn out alright.)
Cubed ham (Best ham to use are the ham steaks, but the already cubed ham from wal-mart is okay too.)
Ginger
Garlic powder
Chili powder
Soy Sauce
2 eggs
2 T vegetable oil
Scramble the eggs in the 2 T vegetable oil. Remove eggs from wok (or pan) and add the rice. Fry the rice for a minute. Add in the spices and ham. Add the soy sauce. Mix in the eggs. Adjust for taste.
I wish I had the exact amounts for the spices for you, but I just shake what I think I need in. Obviously, don't go overkill on the chili powder. And sometimes too much ginger will ruin the taste, so be mindful. Taste it after it's all put together and see if it needs some adjusting.
It use to be that I followed every recipe to a tee, but now I find myself just guesstimating. It could be because I'm either too lazy to care or I'm starting to feel more comfortable in the kitchen. I'll aim for number 2, but you can believe what you want. :)
Monday, January 25, 2010
Race Report
Saturday, I ran another half marathon with H. and C. Do you know what this means? Another round of "who's that dork running" pictures will be popping up sometime later this week. However, so as to not distract from what is sure to be a great post full of awesome pictures taken while I was running (I counted 5 photographers), I'll write my report now.
It was the same half marathon I fatefully did a week after our cruise in 2008. But this time I didn't gain 7 pounds in the week preceding the race and I was much more prepared. So much more in fact that I knocked 44 MINUTES off of my time from 2008. That's almost 5 miles. Which is pretty close to half the entire distance of the race.
Yeah, I was pretty impressed too.
And it was full of great moments. Like when some girl with an updo that looked a little like this:
came jogging by with her boyfriend/fiance/husband in hot pursuit. She was wearing white spandex and a white shirt and green shoes and MAKE-UP, and a little white ear warmer thing with a big crocheted flower flopping around on it and big hoop earrings and looked SO PERFECT that had I been closer to her, I would've tripped her. Instead I settled for death glares aimed at her retreating figure. Anybody else would've looked like cartons of cottage cheese, but not her. Little Miss Sweatless Perfect. I wish I would've had my camera with me.
Turns out she passed H. right at the finish line and H. had the same inner-vomit reaction I did. We're running 13.1 miles for Pete's sake. At least sweat a little so the rest of us don't feel so chumpy. I think it might have been her wedding day. Take a day off. Geez.
And then there was the girl who was firing snot rockets--a technique employed by some runners that involves holding one nostril closed and (grossly) firing snot out the other nostril while running--without even looking to see if she was going to hit some innocent person--namely me. I vowed to myself that if I got hit with any of her snot, I was going to punch her. Luckily, she missed. But still...ew. Who wants to follow that for 13 miles?
However, H. owns the best moment of the race. She was having a bad race anyways, but at about 5 miles, there was an aid station. On one side of the pathway there were cups of Gatorade and water. On the other side were some portapotties and someone handing out some jelly substance on tongue depressors. H. ran by, grabbed a tongue depressor and continued on her way, not thinking much about it. They had told us in our packets that there would be power gels at a few of the aid stations.
They never said anything about vaseline.
It was after H. took a big bite of the vaseline and overheard the guy behind her yell out "no one said anything about this being vaseline" that she belatedly realized her mistake. By then, she was way past the water station and just had to continue on until the next one.
She's a trooper though. She continued on, even when she really started to feel sick. And she finished a good 10 minutes ahead of me.
I came in at a respectable 2:06 and some change--a little shy of my sub-2:00 goal but apparently, I had blocked out most of the race from 2008, because that was a HARD course. With a lot of hills. And as I've mentioned before, I've been avoiding hills in my training.
Note to self: avoiding hills is a bad technique.
However, we had a great time, with lots of girl talk and I can't wait for the next one. Well, I can wait, because I'm still having a hard time going up and down stairs and stupidly signed up for a 5k THIS Saturday with my brothers. But after all that...I'm good to go. Next up: Ogden Half Marathon in May.
It was the same half marathon I fatefully did a week after our cruise in 2008. But this time I didn't gain 7 pounds in the week preceding the race and I was much more prepared. So much more in fact that I knocked 44 MINUTES off of my time from 2008. That's almost 5 miles. Which is pretty close to half the entire distance of the race.
Yeah, I was pretty impressed too.
And it was full of great moments. Like when some girl with an updo that looked a little like this:
Turns out she passed H. right at the finish line and H. had the same inner-vomit reaction I did. We're running 13.1 miles for Pete's sake. At least sweat a little so the rest of us don't feel so chumpy. I think it might have been her wedding day. Take a day off. Geez.
And then there was the girl who was firing snot rockets--a technique employed by some runners that involves holding one nostril closed and (grossly) firing snot out the other nostril while running--without even looking to see if she was going to hit some innocent person--namely me. I vowed to myself that if I got hit with any of her snot, I was going to punch her. Luckily, she missed. But still...ew. Who wants to follow that for 13 miles?
However, H. owns the best moment of the race. She was having a bad race anyways, but at about 5 miles, there was an aid station. On one side of the pathway there were cups of Gatorade and water. On the other side were some portapotties and someone handing out some jelly substance on tongue depressors. H. ran by, grabbed a tongue depressor and continued on her way, not thinking much about it. They had told us in our packets that there would be power gels at a few of the aid stations.
They never said anything about vaseline.
It was after H. took a big bite of the vaseline and overheard the guy behind her yell out "no one said anything about this being vaseline" that she belatedly realized her mistake. By then, she was way past the water station and just had to continue on until the next one.
She's a trooper though. She continued on, even when she really started to feel sick. And she finished a good 10 minutes ahead of me.
I came in at a respectable 2:06 and some change--a little shy of my sub-2:00 goal but apparently, I had blocked out most of the race from 2008, because that was a HARD course. With a lot of hills. And as I've mentioned before, I've been avoiding hills in my training.
Note to self: avoiding hills is a bad technique.
However, we had a great time, with lots of girl talk and I can't wait for the next one. Well, I can wait, because I'm still having a hard time going up and down stairs and stupidly signed up for a 5k THIS Saturday with my brothers. But after all that...I'm good to go. Next up: Ogden Half Marathon in May.
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Spiritual Thought Sunday--The Holocaust
When I despair, I remember that all through history the ways of truth and love have always won. There have been tyrants, and murderers, and for a time they can seem invincible, but in the end they always fall. Think of it--always.
Mahatma Gandhi
On our drive from St. George yesterday we were discussing the Holocaust a little bit. Like, how one man could be so evil and convince so many people to go along with them.
But the most impressing part was that a lot--not all, I'm sure--of the Jewish people stuck in concentration camps never gave up on their God or their religion. A lot of them realized that this wasn't God's doing and they didn't hate Him for not stopping it. I'm sure there were many who felt that they'd been abandoned, but the accounts I've read say that a lot of the concentration camp residents were still very religious DESPITE their current conditions. And I wonder if I could've been that strong.
So this quote really stood out to me, because in the end, Hitler failed. Stalin failed. The evil forces that reign in our world (literally and figuratively) will eventually fail. We just have to endure through to the truth.
Whatever that truth may be.
Mahatma Gandhi
On our drive from St. George yesterday we were discussing the Holocaust a little bit. Like, how one man could be so evil and convince so many people to go along with them.
But the most impressing part was that a lot--not all, I'm sure--of the Jewish people stuck in concentration camps never gave up on their God or their religion. A lot of them realized that this wasn't God's doing and they didn't hate Him for not stopping it. I'm sure there were many who felt that they'd been abandoned, but the accounts I've read say that a lot of the concentration camp residents were still very religious DESPITE their current conditions. And I wonder if I could've been that strong.
So this quote really stood out to me, because in the end, Hitler failed. Stalin failed. The evil forces that reign in our world (literally and figuratively) will eventually fail. We just have to endure through to the truth.
Whatever that truth may be.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
What's For Dinner Wednesday--Heart Smart Baked Chicken
Do you have cans and cans of oatmeal in your food storage that you're not entirely sure how to get rid it except for to make no-bake chocolate cookies. Well, this isn't going to get ride of it that fast, but at least it's a start. Another winner from the Amish Mennonite cookbook.
6-8 pieces fryer chicken, skinned (uh...frozen chicken breasts from Costco?)
1 cup uncooked oatmeal (I thought long and hard about quick or regular oats. And then I saw a recipe that called for pork "still warm from the butcher", remembered this was the Amish Mennonites we're talking about and brought out the regular oats.)
1/3 cup Parmesan cheese
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp paprika
1/8 tsp pepper
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/3 cup milk
1/4 cup margarine, melted.
Mix together oatmeal, parmesan cheese, and seasonings. In a separate dish, mix garlic and milk. Place chicken in oatmeal mixture, then into the milk mixture, and then back into the oatmeal mixture. Put in a shallow baking dish (sprayed with no-stick spray--missed that one) and drizzle the melted margarine over chicken. Bake at 375 for 1 hour.
Quick, easy, and fairly(?) healthy. You could probably lessen the margarine if you wanted it to be healthier.
6-8 pieces fryer chicken, skinned (uh...frozen chicken breasts from Costco?)
1 cup uncooked oatmeal (I thought long and hard about quick or regular oats. And then I saw a recipe that called for pork "still warm from the butcher", remembered this was the Amish Mennonites we're talking about and brought out the regular oats.)
1/3 cup Parmesan cheese
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp paprika
1/8 tsp pepper
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/3 cup milk
1/4 cup margarine, melted.
Mix together oatmeal, parmesan cheese, and seasonings. In a separate dish, mix garlic and milk. Place chicken in oatmeal mixture, then into the milk mixture, and then back into the oatmeal mixture. Put in a shallow baking dish (sprayed with no-stick spray--missed that one) and drizzle the melted margarine over chicken. Bake at 375 for 1 hour.
Quick, easy, and fairly(?) healthy. You could probably lessen the margarine if you wanted it to be healthier.
Financial Tips Installment #1--Financial Goals for 2010
Since our basement--the main cause of our budget failures--is done, it's time to tighten down the budget and get on track for a totally debt-free home in 5 years. Here are my financial goals for 2010.
Set up a budget
Pretty elementary, but to be honest, we've been basically winging it for a while. It's time to sit down and set up a budget that is (a) easy and (b) realistic.
Lower grocery bill
Our #1 expense overall is groceries. Every time I step into a store, I can expect to pay $50. If I have both kids with me, add close to $10. If Wade comes as well, it's even more. My goal is to lower the grocery bill by 25% this year. Right now, I'm concentrating on building up our food storage--a blog post for another day--so, it's a little high, but I'm anticipating by March, we're going to be cutting a lot of our grocery bill. The amount we spent last year on groceries is staggering. Dropping it 25% should be easy now that I'm more mindful of what we're spending.
Buy 0 new clothing items
Next to groceries, my biggest weakness is clothes. I LOVE new clothes. I've been in denial for a long time, but I own 25 pairs of pants. To be fair, none of them were bought at "full-price", and some don't fit. But 25 pairs for a stay at home mom that leaves the house maybe three times a week? Outrageous, much? So, in 2010, I'm vowing to not buy a single new item of clothing. If I "need" something, then I'll head to the DI. So far, so good. But it's been hard. I saw some really cute things on sale the other day, but I put them back. Yay for me!
Have both cars paid for at the end of 2010
This one is going to be tough, but I think we can do it. Both cars are 2005 models and I'm anticipating a lot of good years left. We've only had the Pilot for a year, so having it paid off in two is really good. There's really no excuse as to why we don't have the Camry paid off. They're good cars that I feel comfortable traveling in through that lonely stretch of I-80 that connects us to the rest of the world. When we first moved out here, we had one car that was running on a wing and a prayer. We replaced that one and ran our Subaru (oh, how I loved my Subaru) into the ground (215,000 miles!!!). When we were in the market for a new car, we could've gone the 10 year old model route, but with two small children, and the amount of time I spend driving back and forth to Salt Lake, I wanted something that I would feel comfortable in without worrying about it dying on the freeway. Also, I didn't want to have to replace it soon. I hate car shopping. However, I love my SUV and I'm glad we went that route instead of the minivan route (nothing against minvans for all you minivan drivers out there. It's personal preference that has a lot to do with how long my legs are. Apparently, they're insanely long), but gas is expensive. I just have to be cognitive of how much I'm driving and to where. So far, we've done really good. Pay them off already!
PLAN BETTER
This is our biggest budget buster. We have to buy wedding presents or shower gifts or new tires for the car and then we're back to square one. 2010, we're going to start building these little "surprises" into our budget so that we don't get sidetracked by them.
So there's my financial goals for the year. If you're looking to get on track financially, my first piece of advice is to establish where your money is going and how you can eliminate some of that overspending. Next, set up a budget (financial tips installment #2--coming soon) and lastly, think of some REALISTIC goals you can make that will keep you on track. Write them down and think of the steps you need to take to get you there.
I'm going to steal an idea from a friend, and update my financial goals quarterly.
Set up a budget
Pretty elementary, but to be honest, we've been basically winging it for a while. It's time to sit down and set up a budget that is (a) easy and (b) realistic.
Lower grocery bill
Our #1 expense overall is groceries. Every time I step into a store, I can expect to pay $50. If I have both kids with me, add close to $10. If Wade comes as well, it's even more. My goal is to lower the grocery bill by 25% this year. Right now, I'm concentrating on building up our food storage--a blog post for another day--so, it's a little high, but I'm anticipating by March, we're going to be cutting a lot of our grocery bill. The amount we spent last year on groceries is staggering. Dropping it 25% should be easy now that I'm more mindful of what we're spending.
Buy 0 new clothing items
Next to groceries, my biggest weakness is clothes. I LOVE new clothes. I've been in denial for a long time, but I own 25 pairs of pants. To be fair, none of them were bought at "full-price", and some don't fit. But 25 pairs for a stay at home mom that leaves the house maybe three times a week? Outrageous, much? So, in 2010, I'm vowing to not buy a single new item of clothing. If I "need" something, then I'll head to the DI. So far, so good. But it's been hard. I saw some really cute things on sale the other day, but I put them back. Yay for me!
Have both cars paid for at the end of 2010
This one is going to be tough, but I think we can do it. Both cars are 2005 models and I'm anticipating a lot of good years left. We've only had the Pilot for a year, so having it paid off in two is really good. There's really no excuse as to why we don't have the Camry paid off. They're good cars that I feel comfortable traveling in through that lonely stretch of I-80 that connects us to the rest of the world. When we first moved out here, we had one car that was running on a wing and a prayer. We replaced that one and ran our Subaru (oh, how I loved my Subaru) into the ground (215,000 miles!!!). When we were in the market for a new car, we could've gone the 10 year old model route, but with two small children, and the amount of time I spend driving back and forth to Salt Lake, I wanted something that I would feel comfortable in without worrying about it dying on the freeway. Also, I didn't want to have to replace it soon. I hate car shopping. However, I love my SUV and I'm glad we went that route instead of the minivan route (nothing against minvans for all you minivan drivers out there. It's personal preference that has a lot to do with how long my legs are. Apparently, they're insanely long), but gas is expensive. I just have to be cognitive of how much I'm driving and to where. So far, we've done really good. Pay them off already!
PLAN BETTER
This is our biggest budget buster. We have to buy wedding presents or shower gifts or new tires for the car and then we're back to square one. 2010, we're going to start building these little "surprises" into our budget so that we don't get sidetracked by them.
So there's my financial goals for the year. If you're looking to get on track financially, my first piece of advice is to establish where your money is going and how you can eliminate some of that overspending. Next, set up a budget (financial tips installment #2--coming soon) and lastly, think of some REALISTIC goals you can make that will keep you on track. Write them down and think of the steps you need to take to get you there.
I'm going to steal an idea from a friend, and update my financial goals quarterly.
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