In this moment: a baby is born into an awaiting family, a grandfather passes into the arms of those gone before. What we do in the middle of these two events determines who we are and who we will become.
Lately, Alyssa and I have been discussing facts vs. opinions. We'll watch a commercial and I'll ask her if is a fact or opinion. She sometimes has a hard time deciphering because of the wording, but is getting much better at it.
Don't count yourself out of the challenge just because you are out of town.
I will mail them to you.
(Vandee, you are already getting some for a previous challenge)
You'll all be doing this dance while you eat them!!!!
(I DO!)
Challenge:
The 2 people who submit the most interesting5 FACTs and 5 Opinions about me or my family, will win Chocolate Chip Cookies. Now, be careful about your wording. Our family will be selecting the winners on May 4th as part of our FHE lesson.
Now here's the thing so great about these cookies. I use real vanilla beans, and the best ingredients. The dough has to stay in the fridge to "cure" for 2 days before baking. They are firm but chewy.
Ugh, this is why I have a weight problem (well, one of the reasons).
My friend, Missy, listed some of her favorite things and asked what we loved.
I decided to answer her post by doing one of my own.
Its'a a little long, but so worth the ending.
Recipe Websites
I'm not just about AllRecipes.com,
I include cooksillustrated.com, epicurious.com and topsecretrecipes.com.
Soy Milk
This is my FAVORITE stuff.
Have you ever had their chocolate soymilk? So yummy.
(Not to mention the phyto-estrogens that are so good for you!)
Sewing Machine
This is not my machine, but it's really close to it.
I have a basic machine and that's all I really need!
I love the pride that comes with making and/or repairing our own clothes.
(Everytime that I pull it out, I am reminded of the sewing machine scene in Fiddler on the Roof.)
Clean & Shield
I have never been more grateful for this. After father and sons last weekend, Aaron took a bath (thankfully) and when he was finished... there was not a ring in the tub.
I love this because I no longer have to scrub the tub, I wipe this on twice a week and have a shiny tub all the time. It's fantastic!!
Our Piano
We live in a townhome, so it's not really a good idea to have an upright acoustic piano.
So, Curt and I bought this. It was his idea at first and I was a little mad about it until I got the calling of Primary Pianist. THEN, I started playing it all the time!
This is the exact piano that we have and I love all of the sounds that it makes. I can have it on concert grand and then switch it over to add strings to it! I love that it is touch sensitive and so I know how hard I am pushing. It's a great piano and I have learned to love it.
I love that it has headphones and speakers. If I am working on a piece for a musical number, I can flip on the speakers. I can use the headphones if the kids or Curt want to watch TV, the phone rings or we have friends over. We don't have to worry about it interrupting anyone!
(Not to mention when the kids start piano, I don't have to hear it if I don't want to.)
The BEST website
This is the secret that I will let you all in on. Curt and I love food... that is very well known.
What you don't know, is that we often use these gift certificates to eat at fancy places.
We just paid $8 for 2 - $25 Certificates to My Big Fat Greek Restaurant
(We have a date night planned with some friends)
Here's the deal. You have to spend $35.00 to use them.
Here's the math.
Dinner $35.00
Certificate price $4.00
Minus $25.00 certificate.
We had a full dinner for $14.00. plus tip 5.25.
Total for both meals is under $40.00.
Our budget for our monthly date night is $60.00. So, we still have $20.00 to see a movie if we want (but we usually jsut stay at the restaurant for a long time and talk with our friends then go home).
We get an appetizer each, whatever we want on the menu and dessert.
We just have to meet the $35.00 in whatever way without going too far over.
We each use a certificate, so we take home a lot of extra food for the kids.
I love going to other people's homes, especially in the evenings.
I have had some wonderful evenings with some wonderful people lately.
I really enjoyed Easter with my in-laws in Globe. My dear little niece, T, hurt her arm falling off a piano bench and was in such pain. My sis in law, Kez, and I were thinking that her little arm looked funny. Her guess was a fracture of some sort and mine was a dislocated elbow. UNfortunately, we were both right. She took it like a trooper and T was at church the next day. She is such a wonderful girl. She has this love for "silkies" (dri-silk Gs) and so she jumped up on my lap and started feeling my shoulder to see where mine were.
A couple of months ago, her mom was out of town and we were at a Baby Danny's blessing and T started feeling for my silkies then. I told her that someday, if she was a super good girl, she could go to the temple and get her own "silkies". I have never seen T's face light up so much. It was like I had given her the biggest gift!!! Oh, how I love this girl.
Easter dinner was so super good! and the next morning, the Easter Bunny came and gave the kids a bunch of candy. (Notice: kids). Well, he gave them the candies that I don't particularly love and can resist. What a good bunny. (wink, wink)
Tomorrow, I get to go the a family dinner on my Dad's side. It's for my 1st cousins. My dad is the only surviving child from his family. The best part, we are SO much younger than all of them. My little sister is the youngest out of the group with the oldest being 3 months younger than my dad. Age span sixty six (?) to 32. Most of them have kids my age. But I love them all and look forward to chatting with them!
Tonight while the boys are out of town, I went a friend's house and enjoyed good food and company. I feel so lucky to know these awesome ladies!
Now, for the finale to this great evening, I am going to bed... the whole bed... it's so nice.
(Just one little question: Do you think the little boy on the stairs got the black eye from the little girl, and if so, do you really think the Easter Bunny would bring her candy for it? After having 4 older siblings myself, I'm not quite sure!)
Alright, it's time for the final tally of people who want to go to Wicked!!!
I have to order by 3pm. You don't ahve to pay me until the 16th, but I need to know who is going so I can get the tickets. For those out of town, I can find babysitters for you, so let me know!
I will be making calls tomorrow to those who have previously let me know that they want tickets, I need to know where you want to sit.
