Best intentions go Awry

Every morning I wake with renewed determination. I will succeed! I always do my best with breakfast and then somehow it seems to go downhill from there. It is always worse when I am home, alone, just me and my temptations. Being bored is a very bad idea, I am most vulnerable then. I am talking about the food demons that are lurking in the fridge, freezer and pantry. Those tasty treats that call my name as I go about my business. Rather if I had business I probably wouldn't be having this "problem". I am a responsible adult, I make conscious decisions, good ones too, for the most part.

Yesterday, and today, I am off from work. Call it an induced holiday since my doctor is home recovering from unexpected heart surgery. I don't mind time off, it is just nice to get paid, being that I am the only income for this family right now. Anyway, home with nothing to do. It is a good thing I work, without kids to take care of there isn't much to do at home. Maybe you've noticed the influx of posts lately, don't get too used to it, I will resume employment come Monday morning.

Yesterday I started the day off right with a fruit smoothie. Quite tasty but it doesn't take you very far into the morning. Still I was strong, exercised, snacked on some amazing organic Bear Naked Trail Mix and showered. Phil leaves for shadowing, this is where it can get tricky! After a small lunch I am tempted by blasted Lemon Bars in the fridge. My sweet tooth is very persistent. I take them out and place them on the counter debating my wisdom and waging war with my internal dialouge.

INNER VOICE OF REASON

Didn't you just sweat through 47 mintues and 36 seconds of calorie burning cardio and strength resistance?

Me

Why, yes, yes I did.

INNER VOICE OF REASON

Then why would you eat a lemon bar? Hello! Fat and calories abound!

Me

Well, you're right, but it's just one lemon bar. They aren't that great anyway, (seeing as I didn't make them, they need more lemon and less bar) Just walk away Heather. Walk away.

INNER VOICE OF REASON

Good, glad that's settled.

Me

Me too. (Extracting lemon bar from bag and them placing said bar into my open mouth)

INNER VOICE OF REASON

You never listen to anything I say anyway. Carry on, loser.

Me

You're right, again! In that case I will need to have two!

I did eat two! Gasp! Shock! Horror! Then I threw the rest away. The day did not recover well. Oh well, there's always tomorrow, which is now today. So far I am good, one pineapple-mango smoothie and I will plan carefully the rest. I am strong! I am capable! I am...hungry.

Beautiful Babies

Who wouldn't want to spend their day with him? Tuesday afternoon I had the pleasure of hanging out with my sweet cousin Krystal and her three kids under 3. Super Mom! Watching her made me appreciate all the hard work that goes into Motherhood, she is amazing. Jake is 2 1/2 and her twins Austin and Avery are 6 months. Darling! Talk about making a girl baby hungry. And look at those baby blues! I got to hold them and love them, help feed them and of course play with Jake. Krystal and Byron make beautiful children, I can only hope to be so lucky. Thanks for the fun day Krys!

Rock On

Tuesday night was mutual and we headed out to the Red Mountain Multigenerational Center to the rock wall. 3 brave Laurels attended Sis. Dent and myself. Brave because I was the belayer, their safety. Since I was certified and hadn't gone back to practice, I needed a refresher course from the not so helpful worker (for lack of a better word). She quickly ran through the figure 8 knot, gri gri and caribiner. Right, I know exactly what I am doing. (internal surge of confidence, false bravado for the girls)





First up is Miss Kara, see her excitement. Myself in the background with afore mentioned "helpful" worker girl.
Gotta love the harness.

Intense concentration. I think I can, I think I can. Sheesh! Who let me be the responsible one??

Ashley & her ever capable belayer. I really did remember and after the first one (sorry Kara) I improved.

Brittany conquering her fear of heights. Go Brittany! Look how high she is.

Rebecca, our official photographer of the evening. I am sure I am breaking one of the cardinal rules in our friendship contract by posting a pic but...it's a small one & thanks for being a good sport! I think she is beautiful and am grateful she is more than my Laurel adviser, she is also my friend and a good one at that! Thanks Bec!

Belaying like a Pro!

Success! Safe and sound, sore fingers and arms but we sure had fun. You Laurels Rock!

Obsessed and Posessed

For the past 5 days I have been absorbed in reading the Stephenie Meyer's vampire love saga. I am way behind the times I know, but I think of how nice it was to devour all three books in succession. I didn'thave to wait to satisfy my appetite for more! But now I want more.

I loved, loved, loved the series and the final book has left me hanging. Probably be another year before the 4th comes out and by that time I will need to reread. Sigh, my infatuation has come to an end and I must resurface to reality. Poor Phil. Whenever I read I do so with all I've got. Everything is on hold, including my husband. Good thing I don't have any children to neglect, just household duties, YW duties, wifely duties...but no worries, I have returned. Phil has officially put me on a "no more books for you" sentence. At least for a month he says. Sorry Babe, I am back. (And really, I didn't shirk too many duties)

P.S.- For those of you obsessed like I am, I found a link that has a rough draft chapter of the first book from Edward's point of view. (Yes, I actually took time to google info looking for more, pathetic I know) http://stepheniemeyer.com/othernovels.html Click on Midnight Sun

Yes, I love technology

What a wonderful day in age we live in. We have every imaginable convenience at our fingertips; phones, computers, digital everything, cable, the ability to store food indefinitely, and then nuke said food in minutes and have a steaming hot "meal" ready in minutes.

Our microwave just went kaput. I placed my cold meal in for 3 minutes and sat around waiting for my tasty entree to be steamin' hot. Beep, beep beep "Ah, nice hot food, let's eat! What the... gosh, didn't I put this in for 3 minutes, should be blazing by now, hmm, let's go another round. (3 minutes later) Beep, beep beep (Food is still cold)

Dang Microwave! Everything else works just fine, the light goes on, turntable goes round and round, minor detail though. It doesn't heat! Phil came home just shortly after I and I told him the grim news. He tried again, maybe, just maybe it would work for him. (It didn't) We have friends that don't even use their microwave for it's sole purpose, it happened to come with the house and now they use it as another cupboard. I asked Phil how on earth they did it. How does one live without the ability to zap your food in mere seconds? I cook regularly and the only reason we use our microwave, like most of America, is to reheat our nightly creations for lunch the next day.

Our super duper convenience is only a whopping $400-$600 appliance thanks to it's space saving, over the range abilities. Guess I will be dirtying many a pot and pan to reheat the good ol' fashioned way until we can scrummage up the dough or find a steal on Craig's list.

In the words of Kip from Napoleon Dynamite,

" Yes I love technology

But not as much as you, you see

But I still love technology

Always & Forever
(sniff) Always & Forever"

Fare thee well dear beloved microwave, till we meet again, er I mean till we heat again

Phillip, Oh Phillip, Wherefore art thou Phillip?

Sunday, 3 pm. Church is over, lessons have been taught, spirits nourished and all is well. I linger in the hall near the YW room, my usual domain, waiting for Phil so we can hurry home to a nice meal. 10 after 3, no Phil. I start meandering around the halls, peeking into classrooms here and there. Fruitless results, still I persist and make another round. Check out by the car, maybe we missed each other. Nothing. The halls are emptying now as families scurry about herding Primary children and saying farewell. And yet, I am alone. No Phil.

I check again, questioning the few people left in the building, no one has seen him. It is now 3:35pm. Gosh, I am getting worried. Maybe he went somewhere with the missionaries, how could he have forgotten me? Doesn't he realize what time it is? By now I am getting a bit peeved. One more round in the church turns up empty. I hastily scrawl a note and leave it on the dash of the burning black car. "couldn't find you, looked everywhere, everyone left, started walking" Now don't judge me too harshly here; even as I write this I realize it was a rash, and if I may say, stupid decision.

Yes, I started walking the 3 mile trek home in my new silver ballet flats, with my 25 pound behemoth of a church bag over my shoulder. By the way, it was 114 degrees at 3:30pm. But this did not deter me. I truly did not know what had become of Phillip. At the time it was the best option (obviously not, but please indulge me). As I trudged along Crismon Road I would cast hopeful glances over my shoulder longing for Phil to speed up and save me. No one came. Well, maybe a straggling ward member who would recognize me and take pity. No one came.

By now the fiery orb was beating me down, sweat drenching my new Sunday attire. My feet were protesting every step I took, crying rebellion, "New shoes, you fool!" Certainly not walking attire. Completely suitable for the cushy, comfy 3 hour block in an air conditioned building where my primary mode of movement is not moving. Just sitting looking pretty as I attend to Young Womanly matters and other Church business.

I think I am making pretty good time actually. Only another mile to go! My throat is parched and even my own saliva is lacking the ability to thoroughly moisten my oral cavity. Dang! I did have the foresight to take along my camera, and when you are blogging for some reason even the worst situations turn into possible blogging opportunities.

Just around the bend, the looonng bend is my humble abode and salvation from the blasted heat. And water, I desperately need water. Heart and head pounding I finally make it to Baseline Road, my house is close. At this time my salvation cometh. Phil honking all the way pulls over to pick me up just a mere block from our house. How do I feel at this point? Am I mad or joyous at his arrival? Before I can figure it out myself Phil helps me locate my feelings. After his yelling and hollering at me for being stupid to leave when clearly the car is still at the church and that means he is. If only I had looked properly I would have found him, etc, etc, yaddah, yaddah, yaddah! Now reduced to tears I plead my case. Surely I wouldn't have left if I didn't think he wasn't there. I am overheated, exhausted and flabbergasted at his reaction. I do the only thing any levelheaded girl would do, and clearly from the above actions I have demonstrated that I am levelheaded...I cry.

Now don't leave comments telling me how stupid I was. I have heard it all and even have souvenirs to remind me of my folly. But really what would you have done? (I can take it)

By the way, he was in the cultural hall being a good member missionary where he got stuck in an freakin' hour long conversation. Hello! "Hey let me go let my wife know we are here..." or maybe "well, it's been great talking to you, I really need to get going" or how about "Wow, look at the time!"

P.S. We are still married.

The Ultimate Movie

Probably no weekend plans, nothing exciting anyway. YW lesson to plan, house to clean, laundry to do, groceries to shop. Phil is still out "working", watching some local Orthopedic Surgeon perform various surgeries. He has been shadowing docs around the valley to glean insight and experience in the medial field. So far he has been to a dermatologist, (crazy nasty cyst popping there), orthopedics, ENT next week, pediatric neurology.We technically already satisfied our date this week. Nothing like a last minute Wednesday movie. But it was the best movie we have seen this summer. For those of you who have not yet seen Bourne Ultimatum, GO! Hurry!

As I said to Rebecca, "it was a-mazing! You should go and revel in the awesomeness that is Jason Bourne." Where else can you see mano-a-mano combat while one is brandishing a razor blade and the other beats him with a hand towel. Who else has crazy cat-like reflexes and is super paranoid, (with good reason)? And finally, where else can you see non-stop action, car chases, combat, mystery, intrigue, suspense, corrupt systems, etc.? Really, you should go. Happy weekend!

Tagged...Again, but this time Different

4 jobs I have held
1. R & R Pizza-first a-mazing job ever
2. Mervyn's-fastest checker there, even now when I get things off the rack I must put them back properly. Also learned how to fold jeans.
3. Dr. Kindt, DDS-1st exposure to the dental world
4. Dr. Chad Whiting & Dr. Derrick Dickerson-currently

4 movies I can watch over and over
1. Count of Monte Cristo
2. The Incredibles
3. Singin' in the Rain
4. Disney movies

4 places I have lived
1. Mesa, AZ
2. St. David, AZ
3. Orem, Utah
4. Mesa, AZ

4 TV shows I enjoy
1. The Office
2. anything on Food Network
3. What not to Wear
4. Cash Cab

4 places I have vacationed
1. Ensenada Cruise
2. Berlin, Germany
3. Rome, Italy
4. needing a vacation now!

4 of my favorite dishes
1. Salads
2. Smoothies
3. Pasta anything
4. Any well prepared and tasty dish

4 websites I visit often
1. hotmail.com
2. Blogs
3. Amazon.com
4. various retailers

4 places I would rather be
1. In the shower washing of the nasties from work today
2. Somewhere green and cool
3. Shopping with carte blanc
4. Reading

Now to find out more about YOU! Kim, Andrea, Steph & Allison

A Day Off

About every other Wednesday I do not have to work. Yea! A small celebration and a chance for my hands and back to rest. I always have the best of intentions on these special days. I am going to work out, clean, do laundry, pay bills, cook, shop, etc. But how fun is that? Not! I am just clocking in at my second job, the one that is always waiting for me when I get home. But since I am the "Boss" I have a bit of flexibility.

Take today for instance. Last night as Rebecca was leaving after our almost nightly walk/jog when we feel like it, she mentioned that we should have a girl's day with Cailin at Bahama Bucks. Who wants a Bahama-rama-mama? I do! I do! I am always looking for a chance to get out of the house as I am sure Rebecca is.

I slept in this morning until 7ish, then had sourdough french toast with strawberry sauce for breakfast. Tasty! Lounging around in my G's I figured I needed to be productive (after much prodding from Phil, mind you). So off to the office and the cyberbank to pay bills and file the paper pile that was threatening to take over. By the way, I was sacked from my credit card paying duties since we were charged with a blasted late fee for not posting a payment in time (again). Dang! $39 really hurts.

Armed with packages and bills to mail I left the house. I had acquired FREE coupons to Chik-fil-a and Bahama-in case Rebecca called. Lunch was on the house and was a nice hot chicken sandwich. Still waiting in case Rebecca called I headed over to the dangerous establishments known as Target & Ross. I always find good deals at these money siphoning stores. I am lured into the clearance mentality--"Ooohh, look at this! And only $13.99?? Why then I'll take two!" And around the corner there are always more racks-it's a discount girl's shopping nirvana!

What's a girl to do with such great bargains at her fingertips? And I am such a sucker for the wrap dresses or any dress that is actually a real dress. You know, pull over your head or zip it up, not just separates. As I grab a few skirts (read 3 skirts-since I already have 3 wrap dresses, let's shake it up a bit) I console myself by telling inner doubt that these are wardrobe staples and one can never have too many of those! Don't I watch "What Not to Wear" and glean all my tips from Clinton & Stacey. Oh, if they could see my new metallic ballet flats they would be so proud!

There are more clothes folks, this is why I need to work and keep busy, preferrably far, far away from the spendy shops. Why is it that when I am home NOT making money, I spend money?

A couple of Egg Heads

Three friends brought together in extreme circumstances come together again to discuss life's happenings. Kristol & Janine were my carpool buddies and lifeboats in hygiene school. Super fun they are. We met today for lunch at the Egg & I, very good eats. I had the Lobsta Melt. Succulent pieces of prime lobster meat, fresh creamy avocado held together on grilled sourdough with melted white cheese. Divinely delicious! I inhaled it before I stopped to consider a photo op, sorry. Just use your imagination.

We sat together in a booth for an hour and a half catching up, swapping hygiene war stories, the related work induced aches and pains and sharing the current quandaries of life. One has recently remarried and together she and her new hubby have 10 kids. Her oldest is off the beaten path and has not found the paved road back again. The other friend has 3 kids-one 7 months old. Her husband is an Italian immigrant who recently found that he really does not have immigration status, was almost deported and most assuredly cannot obtain employment with his background and no SS#. Strapped for cash she is left to support the family when she would much rather take care of the kids at home.

My problems always pale in comparison. I live quite the rosy life. We all have complications and hiccups along the way but they only make us more determined and strong once we emerge from the storm. I am grateful that I have Phil by my side ever supportive through my storms. Sometimes the storm involves him but we always unite in the end. As long as you have loved ones to help you weather the storm then what else matters?

Belay on!

I got Belay Certified. Do I rock climb? Have I ever rock climbed? No and no. For mutual in a few weeks I am taking the Laurels to the Red Mountain Multi generational center to climb the wall. What fun! Phil came with me yesterday and together we went through the strenuous training of becoming belay certified. I, of course, brought the camera so I could take handy pictures of Phil as he climbed the 2-story wall (mighty fine view by the way!) but I forgot to also bring the much needed memory card. Sorry no pics of the view. So sad. I will be sure and post pics of the activity so you can see me in action.

We are now officially official. So if you ever get a hankering or just need to climb some walls, you know who to call! "Belay on...On Belay...Climbing...Climb On!"

Bruschetta

Phil & I lo-ove Bruschetta. Delicious, juicy chunks of red ripe tomatoes, a smidgen of onion doused in good olive oil and a drizzle of balsamic vinegar. Seasoned with coarse salt and pepper and fresh basil. Spoon over warm toasted ciabatta or focaccia bread with moist and tender fresh mozzarella. Wow, what a meal! We have added it to our summer fare and partake of this goodness quite often. Here is the easy & amazing recipe.



Bruschetta
3-4 large ripe tomatoes, diced
2 TBS finely diced onion
Salt & Pepper
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
1 TBS balsamic vinegar
Ciabatta or Foccacia bread, sliced & toasted
Fresh mozzarella, it has to be FRESH!
Fresh Basil, chopped

Combine all ingredients and let sit while you toast the bread. Dice the mozzarella into 1/4-inch chunks of yumminess. Spoon bruschetta over warm bread, sprinkle with mozzarella and basil. Eat to your heart's content.