Hi, I am Michelle and I am adorable!

Early this morning, I opened up refrigerator to find that I didn’t have any yogurt.  What?  No yogurt?  I have to have yogurt first in the morning to ease the digestion system that I have been so lucky to acquire. 

So…off to Fresh Market I drove to pick up a yogurt or two. I noticed that it was going to be a beautiful day, the sun was shining, my favorite song was playing on the radio and I was in a pleasant mood.  As I pulled into the parking lot, I noticed lots of construction workers working on the entrance of the store.  They are remodeling the front of the store and it is coming along nicely.  Casually, I walked into the store, purchased my items and was heading out of the store.  I went through the first set of sliding glass doors just fine. 

I approached the second set of sliding glass doors…

Oh, let me add a comment…there were construction workers standing close to the front entrance and a few people coming into the store.

Then….all of a sudden BAM!!  Right into the sliding (which did not slide open) glass doors I walked.  Now…what would you do?  Seriously, what would you do? 

I stopped because you can’t walk through a door that is not opened.  Finally, what seemed like an eternity, the doors slowly opened. 

Remember those construction workers and the people walking towards the entrance of the store…yes, they witnessed me walking straight into the glass door.

As the doors SLOWLY opened, I giggled and said loudly, “I am adorable!”  The guy walking towards me laughed.  I am so glad that I was able to brighten someone’s life this morning and probably many others as they witnessed my embarrassing act. 

Important note…make sure the sliding glass doors open before you TRY to walk through them. 

Yes, my name is Michelle and I am simply adorable!

Have a happy day!

~Michelle

It is Quick Quote Thursday....Just Keep Swimming!

This is one of my most favorite quotes when it comes to continuing on and enduring.  Dory says it perfectly...Just Keep Swimming.  Dory has been my inspiration this week.  Thank you Dory!

UGH!!  It has been a very stressful week at work.  The morale has hit an extreme low.  Words and actions of others have been less than appropriate.  Opinions have been shared and feelings have been hurt.  It has been one of those crazy weeks.  Each day, I have been so excited to go home…that doesn’t happen a lot.

But…as I look back on this week, I am grateful for my loving and supportive parents and friends as I take on the many adventures in my life.You guys rock my world!!!

I am grateful for a sweet note that was left on my windshield by an anonymous friend.  It was a pleasant surprise and it was exactly what I needed.  As I read the note, I was touched by the sweetness of this sweet and kind note-leaver.  Thank you so much!!

I am grateful for my sweet friend, Vieve, who helps create the most incredible dance party at any given moment to relieve the stress of events that take place during the day!  I love our dance parties especially…when they are to my most favorite song “Call Me Maybe”. 

I am glad that this week is almost over.  Hopefully, there will be plenty of sunshine tomorrow!

~Michelle

Happy Birthday to the most adorable little girl that I know!!

Happy Birthday Miss B!!! 

I love this girl more than anything in the world.  Her smiles, her giggles, her kisses, her big hugs, and her “I love you’s” melt my heart.  She brings the most amazing sunshine into my life.  I can’t believe that she turned 5 today.  I think about the amazing five years that she has been apart of my heart and all I can think is that I have been truly blessed.  She has so much love and compassion…more than anyone I know.  I have learned so much from this precious little girl.  I am so grateful that I get to be her aunt.  I love her so much!!!  Happy Birthday my little sweetheart!!!

~Michelle

Who makes you smile?

Take a moment and think about those people in  your life that you make you smile.

Why do they make you smile?

Do they encourage you to be best YOU?

Do they laugh with you?

Do they cry with you?

Well…I was able to spend time with one of these types of people today.

Meet my dear friend….Sidney!

Let me share a few things that I love about Sidney.  Sidney loves to be happy and live life to the fullest.  She easily makes friends and has a positive influence on anyone that she meets.  One thing that I absolutely love about her is that she has such a love for people.  She is kind and tender hearted.  One minute you are laughing and giggling with her, the next minute you have tears falling from your eyes as you listen to one of her powerful stories.

Well, today, Sidney spent most of the afternoon with me.  We laughed. We talked.  We made a delicious salad together. (Ok…she made the salad, I supervised).  We attended my little niece’s birthday barbecue.  It was a lot of fun to have her along.  At one point, we were approached by my sister-in-law’s dad.  He asked if Sidney was my daughter.  We both started laughing.  We had a great time!!

As I was thinking about the events that took place today, I started thinking about the comment that was made.  If I did have a daughter, I would love for her to be like Sidney.  She has so many positive characteristics and such a special spirit about her.  I am grateful that she is apart of my life.  I do cherish her sweet friendship.

~Michelle

Fabulous Things Friday....being remembered!

One of my most favorite things.....is being remembered. 

One of my most favorite things (and something that truly touches my heart) is when someone thinks of me.  Whether it is card or a letter sent through the US Postal Service or an email sent or a random text or even a simple phone call…my heart is truly touched each and every time.

I have had one of those crazy weeks.  You know those types of weeks that the days seem to drag on and everything keeps piling up…emotionally…mentally…and physically.  Then, you start wondering if Friday will ever come.  Yes, I had one of those weeks. 

As I walked into work today, I was thinking how grateful that it is FINALLY Friday.  I am sure that I have learned many worthwhile lessons throughout this week but I have been too exhausted to figure out what those lessons might entail.  Anyway, as I was pondering everything that has not been filed way in my so-called color-coded files inside my brain, I approached my desk.

This is what I saw…

This is what was inside…

My dear friend, Vieve, had thought of me.  She has been right there with me as I have experienced all my ups and downs this week.  She knew that I needed a pick-me-up. 

A Party in my Mouth cupcake from the Cocoa Bean!  Delicious!!! Thanks Vieve!!

Being remembered is definitely one of my most favorite things!

~Michelle

It is Quick Quote Thursday….love this quote!!

Every time I read this particular quote, tears flow down my cheeks.   It is powerful.  Then,  I feel the peace in my heart when I think of those people…I call “friend”. 

“We are all in this together. We need each other. Oh, how we need each other. Those of us who are old need you who are young, and hopefully, you who are young need some of us who are old...We need deep and satisfying and loyal friendships with each other. These friendships are a necessary source of sustenance. We need to renew our faith every day. We need to lock arms and help build the kingdom so that it will roll forth and fill the whole earth.” 

― Marjorie Pay Hinckley

1000 empty water bottles

  In 54 days, I will be attending a fun-filled, spiritual-feasting, sleepless but incredible week with the most beautiful young women that have truly touched my heart in ways that is completely indescribable.   We have been planning this eventful week for months and months.  A lot of time and energy has been sacrificed by so many wonderful people. 

A few weeks ago,I was approached by a group of these young women who by themselves came up with the most inspiring activity.  As I listened to them describe how they were going to accomplish such an event, my heat was leaping with joy.  They were so excited and it was radiating from them.  I asked them…what I can I do to help.  They responded, “We need 1000 water bottles!”

My assignment…1000 empty water bottles.

I will go to the ends of the earth to find 1000 empty water bottles for them.  I want them to have a successful event.  I want to do anything to help carry out their plan.  If I have to drink 1000 water bottles, I will do it. 

As of today…I have 147.  853 more to go.  I love numbers…so, let’s see…if I drink 15.7 water bottles a day…I can accomplish this amazing goal.  I can do hard things!!! I really can!

If you would like to join me with the task of collecting 1000 water bottles, I would love for your support and excitement. 

Happy drinking!!

~Michelle

Sweet & Sour Chicken and Lo Mein

I think that I have expressed the love of trying out new recipes. Late one night as I was browsing the many fun websites on Pini, I came across a recipe for Sweet and Sour Chicken. I knew that I needed to try this recipe. Oh my goodness…it was so delicious and so easy!!!

  Baked Sweet and Sour Chicken

The chicken coating:

3-4 boneless chicken breasts

salt + pepper

1 cup cornstarch

2 eggs, beaten

1/4 cup canola oil

The sweet and sour sauce:

3/4 cup sugar

4 tbs ketchup

1/2 cup vinegar

1 tbs soy sauce

1 tsp garlic salt

Start by preheating your oven to 325 degrees. Rinse your chicken breasts in water and then cut into cubes. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Dip chicken into the cornstarch to coat then dip into the eggs.  Heat your 1/4 cup oil in a large skillet and cook your chicken until browned but not cooked through. Place the chicken in a 9x13 greased baking dish. Mix all of your sweet and sour sauce ingredients in a bowl with a whisk and then pour evenly over the chicken. Bake for one hour and during the baking process you will need to turn the chicken every 15 minutes.

 

Then…I had received this recipe from Gabby and had to try it. Let me just say…IT WAS DELCIOUS!!!!

Lo Mein

Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients

1 tablespoon oil-sesame or peanut oil
1 lb boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into thin slices
1 clove garlic, minced
2 tablespoons soy sauce or teriyaki sauce
2 teaspoons freshly grated ginger or 1 teaspoon powder
1 3-ounce package chicken flavor ramen noodle soup
1 1-lb bag frozen mixed oriental vegetables
1/4 cup water

Directions

1. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until hot. Add chicken and cook, stirring frequently, until no longer pink.
2. Add vegetables and lid. Cook until vegetables are cooked through, about 5 minutes.
3. In the meantime, cook the noodles (without the flavoring packet) according to package directions. Drain.
4. Add soy sauce, garlic, ginger and seasoning packet to water. Mix well. Pour over chicken and vegetables, add noodles and toss to mix.

SO DELICIOUS!!!!

~Michelle

Jello....my new comfort food.

I have this amazing love for bananas.  The HUGE problem is that I am allergic to this delicious fruit.  I have to be careful not eat anything that contains that delicious fruit. I have to very careful.  Well…somehow…somewhere…I came in contact with a banana. I have no idea what I ate that contained bananas.  I know what I was eating when the tingling of the lips started….the rash appeared…the mouth started popping out painful little sores.  It wasn’t too drastic this time.  Aw…just a minor hiccup…a miserable to say the least.  Eating has been a painful adventure.  Drinking water has been a chore.  But…those sweet little sores are healing.  YAHOO!!! 

Today, I had just finished eating lunch and pondering on how painful it was when I was given this sweet little treat from my dear friend, Gabby.  It was perfect.  Sugarfree Strawberry Jello.  It was perfect…it slides perfectly down my throat.  No pain.  I know what I am purchasing from the store today.  My new comfort food…jello!!!  Thanks Gabby!!! 

~Michelle

It is Quick Quote Thursday...Stop it!!!

It is quick quote Thursday and I have a quote that I want to share. This past weekend, I had the opportunity of watching General Conference on TV.  There were so many inspiring words that truly touched my heart.  It was rewarding and worth all 8 hours of sitting in my pajamas, taking notes, and letting my heart be filled with so much goodness. 

A quote that truly touched my heart and brought a few tears was one that came from Pres. Dieter F. Ucthdorf.    He is so amazing and what he shared with us on Sunday morning was incredible. 
I love it. 

I found this cute printable.  I am excited to print it and have it as a constant reminder.  

But...then as I was reading blogs...I found one on my amazing friend's blog.  You must check it out!!!  Go ahead click here and take a look for yourself.  I love the NIKE swoosh and when I saw this quote....I knew that I had to have it!!  I need this one framed for a constant reminder!!! 

Have an amazing day!!
~Michelle