I got an email from blogger telling me if I didn't "upgrade" or move or something I was going to lose my blog. But when I follow the link, and try to login... it says "invalid account" or something. So... I'm not sure if my blog will disappear off the face of the earth or what....  I changed my password, but apparently I have forgotten my login name. I've tried several combinations of what I think it is....  none get accepted. So... I may have to start from scratch. What fun......

Edamame Rocks My world

Is there too much of a good thing?I eat one or two BAGS of these every day. I LOVE THEM.

They are healthy. Complete protein, has all the amino acids. They are a great source of fiber (believe me!), they are fun to eat, they are filling, they taste great. It's what I have for dinner every night.

I'm sure my fascination will eventually wan, and I will get sick of them and move on. But for now... they are inexpensive and I LIKE EM.

Health Challenges

So I found out today that a member of the Kramer family (Todd's sister Carolyn is the grandma of Keira the little girl), is facing a battle. Keira has Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia and is starting chemotherapy today. Because of her age and being female, her odds are good that she can be cured. So many thoughts and prayers going out to her and her family. Her mom, Megan, is around Karin's age. I'm sure this is just horrible to face.

And then the second thing I learned was that my friend Lisa suffered a stroke. And she did NOT tell me. I found out from her daughter. So that sort of ticks me off. Lisa used to tell me EVERYTHING and I can't believe she kept this quiet.

I knew she was having tests. Brain MRI, and other things because she was dizzy and confused. She never told me what the results were. And she seems to be ok. But yeah, I found out today. And she doesn't know that I know. I will keep quiet and see if she tells me. We are supposed to go to a movie while George is out of town.

My dad is talking a lot about dying. He is so lonely. He is so frustrated. I wish I could help him. I wish I lived closer. He needs somebody to clean and cook for him.

I now understand!

I never really understood the whole concept of a siesta. (Nap in spanish). I mean, yes I understand taking naps, but in some cultures and areas the work day STOPS and people take a siesta.

I always used to think "Geez, what is the deal with that?"

Now I know.

George is working in Phoenix, AZ this week and he gets up and goes to work at 4:30 in the morning. Why? Because it's COOL. By about 10 am it's already 80+ degrees and at noon to 3pm it's up in the 90's or 100's. Working outside is nearly impossible in that heat!

So for outdoor laborers..... they usually get up very early, go to work early to get as much done as they can. Then they take off a few hours during the hottest part of the day, and then they go back to work after 3pm and work till like 7pm because it is cooler.

I totally get it now!

He says he is getting so toasted (tan) that he looks like dark chocolate.

Yum.

I admire people who can work outside. I am such a wimp when it comes to heat that there is NO WAY I could last. I mean, I get cranky and sick when it's 75 degrees INSIDE the office building. I'm flipping the air conditioner on all the time and making everybody else freeze. I don't care. They can put on a sweater or a coat. But I cannot cool off unless the air is on!

So, now I understand the whole concept of a siesta and why work stops for some people as they go inside during the hottest part of the day. I wonder why I never figured that out before?

This is soooo coool

Carol at work made this cake pop display for Dixie's birthday. It is just AMAZING and I want to make one for somebody's birthday.

Tooo cool. The picture does not do it justice. It's about 3 feet tall.

Really neat.

War of Confusion and We Know Why......

I'm going to spout my own beliefs here and I do not claim to be 100 percent right in what I say.

But I think that there is a mighty

battle raging.


The war between good and evil is real. We are at a point in history where there is a "good" man running for president.
Is he perfect? no.

Is he going to be able to do everything he says? I doubt it. But not because he won't try, it will be because congress may not work with him.

However, I feel he is a GOOD man who has the ability to help this country turn around. I have seen what he did when Utah had egg on its face over the Olympics and Romney stepped in and pulled us out of it. He has done good things as governor of Mass.

He's Mormon. So what? I would like him no matter what his religion is.

Over the past few years the adversary has stirred up a LOT of controversy for the "Mormon" church. So much negative light is cast on it. Due in large part to the whole FLDS church which is NOT associated with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. But because of that scandal, people think we are one and the same.

Not so.

Then there is a blatently sacriligious play done about the Book of Mormon. Oh that is really going to help!

We get David Archuletta.... good kid. Gains fame. And thankfully does not get all holier than thou and go the way of the world... nope. He is humble and thankful and has decided to serve a mission. Drop out of fame, and serve the Lord for two years. Good for him!!!!!

People don't know the truth about the church. They only hear the bad. They think we are a bunch of weirdos. They think WE are the polygamy wives of the FLDS.

All this bad publicity has been stirred up the past years in preparation for THIS year.... when a member of the Church of JESUS CHRIST of Latter day Saints would run for president. Hello.... we believe in JESUS CHRIST. See, it's in BIG letters. We read the Bible. We pray to God the Father in the name of Jesus Christ.... hello. We are Christian.

We are not perfect.

As a church, we are not perfect. We are human. We are good people though for the most part.

My inner beliefs differ somewhat from what the church teaches in a few areas, but I figure we will all find out the truth eventually when we get to where we're going in the next life. Meanwhile... my philosophy is to do good here. Be a good person. Help others. Live, Love, Laugh. "By their fruits ye shall know them." Who bears good fruit? Many people.

So, I kind of hope Mitt wins the race and that he is able to show the world that while our culture is "different"... we are normal people. Good people. Christian people. And I hope he can get the country back on track. Because I believe he has heavenly help... and if he is meant to be President, he will be. And if he is not... then so be it.

My rant may not make sense.... but I don't care.

Keep in mind that I was all for Obama 4 years ago. But he disappointed me and its not all his fault. Congress has fought him on everything.

I just wish we could have peace on earth.... prosperity.... and more good news. Less bad news. No wars. No predjudice. Peace and harmony for ALL races, religions, sex, orientations, whatever.

But that, I know, is asking too much. So for now.... Hope for the best, Prepare for the worst, and Take what comes.

Be Prepared

Proverbs 6:6-8

⁶ Go to the ant, you sluggard;
consider its ways and be wise!
⁷ It has no commander,
no overseer or ruler,
⁸ yet it stores its provisions in summer
and gathers its food at harvest.

Boy scouts aren't the only ones with the motto of "Be Prepared". Nor are members of the LDS faith. Lots of people these days are feeling the urgency and need to "stock up", to "get out of debt", to "store for times of necessity".

It's just good common sense. I went to Costco the other day and lots of people were buying case after case of water. Kind of freaked me out. Some had huge piles of batteries too.

Turns out Costco was just having a REALLY good sale on water and batteries. But the people who took advantage of that sale are the wise ones. We bought a couple of cases of water last night and 25 pounds of beans. Some Paper towels.

We have talked about buying a freezer to put in the garage so we can store meat and veggies when they go on sale. My freezer in my refrigerator is TINY and hardly holds anything. I used to have a deep freeze years ago and it was great. I made lots of jams and had a year supply of strawberry freezer jam. Bought meat on sale so I always had a roast or two on hand for "emergency guests".

So this year will be a good year for us. We will have my car paid off by the end of the year. Woo hoo! We are doubling and tripling payments to accomplish that. It will be such a relief.

We'd love to plant a garden, but not sure if that is going to happen. Maybe next year. I need to look into how to do container gardens. If I can put some on my deck, that might work. I'd just like some fresh tomatoes and peppers. We buy a TON of those. We're starting our own avocado tree too. ha ha. It may never produce... but it's fun to watch.