Happy Anniversary Mom & Dad!!

Today is my Mom & Dad's 44th Wedding Anniversary!!!

YEA!! I am glad that I have the parents that I do.

They have been a wonderful blessing in my life.

They have raised 3 sons & 1 daughter.

They have 3 daughter-in-laws, 3 granddaughters, and 5 grandsons.

Their family is the most important thing in their life.

Happy Anniversary to you!!!

Happy Birthday Brylie!!!

Today my niece, Miss Brylie, turned 1!! I can not believe how fast time flies by--it already has been year. WOW!!! She is so much fun!!! Mom brought her into work today for everyone to wish her a Happy Birthday. She, definitely, brings a smile to my face when ever I see her. She is so much fun!!! I love her little looks and her giggle is so darling!!

This is one of my favorite pictures of her. I love the way that she is kneeling and holding the flower. Plus, I just love her little hat. She loves to wear it and never tries to take it off.

Happy Birthday Brylie!!!

German Pancakes--so deliciousness!!!

When it comes to the yard and the garden, my mom is 100% amazing. So, when it comes to my patio and planting flowers…I call Mom. For the past few days, we have been purchasing flowers, plants, planters and bark for my patio. Anyway, tonight, we pulled all those stupid weeds (yes, weeds are stupid), pulled out a bush and cut down a tree. It looks so much nicer!!! Yea!! I am excited about how it is coming along. We get to plant the flowers on Saturday...oh, I am so excited!!! I will indeed have to take pictures and share. Thanks Mom for all your help!!

So, for dinner, I decided to make a special treat for my Mom. German Pancakes. Okay, I have been craving these for quite sometime and since Mom has never had them, I decided to make them for her. Yes, German Pancakes for dinner—such deliciousness!

Here is my recipe for German Pancakes!!!

Ingredients
6 eggs
1 c. flour
1/4 tsp. salt
1 c. milk
4 tbsp. butter

Directions:
1. Butter a 13 x 9” pan
2. Pre-heat oven to 450 degrees.
3. Beat eggs, flour, salt and milk in blender.
4. Pour the batter into the skillet & drop the butter by teaspoonfuls into the batter, spreading evenly.
5. Bake at 450 degrees for 15 mins.
6. Reduce heat to 350 degrees and bake another 10 mins.
7. Remove from oven and sift powdered sugar over the top.
8. Serve with heated maple syrup!

...smile that frown away!!

I have been thinking a lot about things that I do not like to do. I decided that I would write them down on a list. Yes, I am one of those crazy list makers. Then, my next thought was to see if I could turn that list upside down--you know the song..."if by chance you meet a frown, don't just let his stay, quickly turn it upside down and smile the frown away". So, I was thinking...I wonder if I could work on those things that just drive me crazy and by chance, I might like doing them.

Well, I have thought and thought about it and guess what? I really do NOT think that it will work. My top 3 things that absolutely drive me crazy are:

1. Putting gas in my car. With the gas prices now...oh, my!!! Then, I think of the alternative--carrying groceries on my bike--I really don't think that would be a good thing!!


2. Going to the bathroom. I just think it is a waste of time. But, then, I think of the alternative...I guess, I will keep going to the bathroom.


3. Going to the bank. See...If I quit going to the bank, where would my money go.

Anyway, those are my top 3 things that I really do not like to do them and when I have to accomplish those CRAZY things...I go completely insane!! They really drive me crazy. So, I was thinking maybe every time that I have to fill my car up with fuel, every time, I have to go to the bathroom and every time I have to go to the bank, I am going to sing that song!!! Hopefully, this will change my attitude about these crazy things. But, then, what will people think when I am singing in the bathroom at work...or filling my car up with fuel...oh, and just think of the entertainment at the bank. Oh, I think this is going to be great!!!

So, I propose this question...What are your top 3 things that drive you simply crazy? AND how are you going to turn your 3 things upside down? I would love to hear!!!

it was a windfest--not a tulip festival

Today, I had to the opportunity of working a 3 hour shift at the Tulip Festival at Thanksgiving Point. I love the flowers and I love The Gardens at Thanksgiving Point. So, when I was asked to work a shift at the Tulip Festival, I was excited. I was thankful that Maleen had posted earlier in the week that the Tulips had not bloomed at Thanksgiving Point.


So, when I arrived, I was not disappointed that there were no tulips. I feel bad for all those that had traveled from all over to see this spectacular sight, but in reality--NOT to see this spectacular sight. I would have been so sad.

But, instead of a tulip festival we had a wind festival. I could not believe how windy it was. There was so much wind. It was too crazy. Along with the wind, there was so much dust. Everything was so dusty. It was completely entertaining.

As for the Tulips, I am sure that all those that were taking pictures, will have the similiar 2 spots of Tulips in their scrapbooks. I am grateful to Maleen for the heads up on where the Tulips were in bloom, this year. They were much easier to find when someone has already spotted them out for you. I do have to add that when all the gardens are in bloom--it is a spectacular site!!!

Pirates of Penzance

If you are in Provo or in the nearby vicinity, I recommend the Center Street Musical Theater. Right now, they are playing Pirates of Penzance. We opted for the dinner and the play. So, we arrived at 6:30 pm and found our reserved table. It was fabulous--we were right in front. After we took our seats, we were served a delicious meal of rotisserie chicken with garlic red potatoes, salad, a roll and dessert. It was quite delicious!!!

Then, the play began. Since our table was right in front, it felt like we were apart of the play. It was amazing. The talent of the cast was incredible and I was quite impressed. We, actually, know two people in the cast and it was all worth it to see them act. They are talented and their personalities really added to the play.

So, if you need a night out for dinner and a play...the Center Street Musical Theater is the place to go.

slow drivers...use the slow lane!!! (please)

I would probably say that I am a pretty patient person. While I am driving in the car, I love to listen the radio and sing along. If I have to wait in traffic--no big deal. If I am waiting in a line, I watch people. I love to watch their reactions to certain situations. I love to listen to people. BUT!!But, I absolutely have no patience nor tolerance when a person is driving in the fast lane at a pace of 60 miles per hour--especially in rush hour traffic. That is 5 under the designated Speed Limit!! Anyway, I encounterd a truck that was doing just that--driving SLOW!!!

I had class in Sandy that I had committed to attend. It started at 6:30 pm. So, I gave myself plenty of time to get there. No big deal...I left work, turned up the radio and entered the freeway. I had planned on there being a lot of traffic. So, I left earlier than normal--you know planning ahead. Usually, traffic does not bother me. In fact, I do have to admit, I LOVE to drive in L.A. traffic during rush hour. I think that it is an adventure--love it, love it, LOVE IT!! All those freeways connecting together...what a thrill!!

So, back to the story...I entered the freeway and immediately merged over to the the "fast lane". You know the lane that is next the HOV lane? I am driving at a good speed (5 over the speed limit) when I come up to a truck. YEP, A truck that is going 60 miles per hour in the fast lane. Personally, I think that he is in his own little world!!! I followed him forever. There was no getting around him. A semi was in the middle lane--driving not even a car length behind this dude in the truck. So, I slowed down, got behind the semi and then merged over to the right lane. Finally, the car that was not even a car length in front of the semi-exited off the freeway. I passed the semi and then merged into the middle lane. No matter what I tried, I could not get over in front of him....then, out of no where...here comes "white Audi dude"--he passes the truck dude and gets in front of him...slows down and YIPPEE!!! I am able to get in front of him and the truck dude was history. I just did not have patience today for Mr. Truck Dude to be driving UNDER the speed limit in the FAST lane!!! Why do people do that? It just baffles me!!! My opinion, if you are driving slow...there is a lane especially for that--USE IT!!!

I did not need the angry eyes after all.

April 15th showed up on the calendar today. It comes around every year. It is a day we wait for and some plan with excitement, others call it their "dreaded day". Yes, it is TAX DAY!! As for me, I am grateful when the clock strikes midnight. The sound of the midnight chime is a chime that I look forward to every April 15th. I HATE TAX DAY!!! When the clock chimes MIDNIGHT, it is a relief because for me there is no more entering numbers, and then re-entering numbers and no more worrying.

It is not that I procrastinate—I work on my taxes from the moment that the W2’s are mailed to that blessed day of April 15th. I have to have everything is in its proper place and on its proper form, but I keep going over everything over and over again. Maybe I can chalk it up to having a love for numbers…really, I don’t think that is it. Then, I could say that I want to keep my money until the very last minute—but, that really isn’t the case. So, I think it is the side of me that everything has be done in its proper time and its proper order.

Last year, my Mom and I dropped by the East Bay Post Office at 8:30 PM to mail my taxes. There were only a couple of people in line and my Mom and I only waited approximately 2 or 3 minutes. I was expecting a HUGE line and a HUGE party going on. But, that was not the case. I kind of felt sad...oh, well, my thought was "maybe next year".

As for tonight…I went through my taxes one more time, printed off the important and proper paperwork, wrote the checks needed, and addressed the envelopes. Then, I stuffed the envelopes with the proper paperwork and....my angry eyes! Yep, you never know when you might need those angry eyes. I love the quote in Toy Story 2 when Mrs. Potato Head says to Mr. Potato Head, "I'm packing your extra pair of shoes, and your angry eyes just in case." It is always a good thing to be prepared!!

I arrived at the Post Office at 10:00 PM. The parking lot was full--I was glad that I packed those angry eyes. I just knew that I was going to need them. I stepped inside the building and there was a long line. But, guess what? Once inside the lobby, the line was not too bad and the clerk was full of smiles and laughter. WOW!!! Then, I remembered that I had packed my angry eyes--Guess what? I did not need them. I think I will save them for another day. The whole process was painless and lasted about 10 minutes. HMM!! All in all, Tax day was not that bad this year!!

a precious little girl...

Today, I had the privilege of spending a lot of the day with my sweet little niece-Miss Brylie. She has been going through some yucky times this week. She had to have some tests done during the middle of week that led to some not so fun things that she had to go through today. But, through it all, she still gave her goofy monkey face and her little sweet smiles. She has to be cutest little one ever. I just love her to pieces.

She loves the never-ending game of "patty cake" which leads us all to be a tad bit goofy. Oh, and those goofy looks that she gives--they just make me giggle. One thing I love about her, is her silly monkey face that she pulls and makes the sound of a monkey.

Her laughter is so contagious. When she starts laughing, everyone in the room laughs, too. She has the most precious eyes--everyone just falls in love with her when they look at her. Anyway, tonight, I had the opportunity to hold her while she fell asleep. She is so precious. I just love to hold and cuddle with her. Thanks Jessica and Shad for sharing her with me.

the sunshine & happiness deliverer club

Have you ever had those days when you wake up in the morning and things are just not going how you planned them to go? Well, this was my day. I just wanted to crawl back in bed, go to sleep and wake up on a different day. But, that was not going to be the case. So, it was off to work that I went. When I arrived at my desk..this is what I found on my desk....

It was from my Secret Sister. I think that she was completely in tuned with her sweet gift today. I, definitely, think that she really knew that I needed something cheery today. Secret Sis, if you happen to pass by my blog, "THANK YOU FOR THE GIFT!"

What is a Secret Sister? Let me share...I have a couple of awesome friends that decided that it would be a lot of fun to have Secret Sisters for this entire year. Their goal was to bring a lot of sunshine amongst their friends, so they put in place "The Happiness & Sunshine Deliverers Club" . Okay, that is what I call it--not an official name or anything--in fact, it really is not a club--you don't' have to pay dues (just random acts of kindness) and there is not a restriction on who plays. They just have to be willing to deliver happiness & sunshine.

So, I was thinking...not too long ago, I watched the movie, "A Bed of Roses." Every time, I watch that movie, I think that it would be so awesome to deliver flowers to people and just watch the smiles that come upon their faces. So, I was thinking, if a flower delivery person can deliver happiness and smiles when he or she is delivering flowers--why can't a secret sister deliver happiness and sunshine to a wonderful friend? So, this is the post that I dedicate to my "happiness & sunshine deliverer"! You are amazing. Oh, and to the Secret Sister that I have...I think you are too cool!!! (Nope, I will not reveal who I have--shh!!! It is a secret!!)

Again, Secret Sister, thanks so much for bringing a bit of happiness & sunshine into my life today!! You are the coolest!!!

I am a 100% Cute Paper List Maker....

Today at work, I noticed something that just made me smile and laugh. After placing my purse, phone, planner, and lunch in their proper places, I sat down at my desk. When I sat down, I noticed a piece of paper that I had written last night before leaving work. On this piece of paper was a list of things that I wanted to accomplish while I was at work, today. You know those things at work that end up on your list everyday and they do not seem to go away. I guess, last night, I was determined to accomplish those things. I guess, I felt a sense of focus. I was determined to accomplish those things. I find it amazing that when I see something on my list, I want to accomplish it so that I can cross it off.

So, I will admit: Yes, I am a 100% list maker. I get this amazing energy when I can actually check something off my "to-do" list. It is amazing. It is like all these endorphins rush to the surface. You know those fabulous endorphins that make you want to make you smile and laugh. I do love that feeling. In fact, I crave it. Sometimes, when I see that I am not going to get to cross something off my list during the day, I write something that I have already completed at the bottom of the list. Then, I cross it off and here comes those amazing endorphins. See, there are ways of creating those wonderful and amazing endorphins. There is something in the power of completion. I am not sure what it is all about, but that power is strong and very positive. It is sometimes the focus of my drive.

Sometimes, it seems so much easier to accomplish an item if it appears on my list....and I get to cross it off. Going back to the start of this blog...my piece of paper was just not an ordinary paper...it had to be on cute paper and not on regular pieces of paper--they have to be cute--I think that is what makes me smile and laugh the most! What is it with me...I have to have cute paper to right my lists on. Okay, I am obsessed with having to have cute paper! I am obsessed with making lists. So, I guess my diagnosis is that I am more that a list maker.

I am a 100% Cute Paper List Maker!

So, my question to you is...do you make lists? What are your lists written on?