Move Over, Mr. Darcy

Chillin' with my Bad Self at 2:30am

At the moment, I am trying to calm my frazzled nerves after watching "24" tonight. My theory is this: If I write about my normal, sedate, (non-special op's) & somewhat boring life, I will distract my brain from firing signals to my synapses at 250x the normal rate.

Saturday I mobilized the troops (slang for "lazy kids") and we scrambled around, spiffing up the house to show it once again. We left shortly after to watch the girls dance at the Poinsettia Festival. Mimi was soaking up the spotlight as usual, and Isabelle did a little hip hop number. She was so excited to perform her dance and practiced it frequently at home for a tiny audience of one, seated in a carseat on the floor. Later that night, I went to dinner & to see "Twilight" with the girls. Because I'd heard mixed reviews, I had low expectations and ended up really liking it. Contrary to most people I've talked to, Edward was just exactly as I'd pictured him. I couldn't get settled down after coming home--perhaps due to the fact that I'd consumed approximately 137 Diet Cokes--and held Food Storage Friday by my little ol' self at 2:30am.


I decided I needed something more specific than calendaring my meals, so I followed the how-to at "Safely Gathered In" and planned my 3 month supply. I feel much better about the organization. My first attempt at organizing pantry meals wasn't sitting well with me. I needed more structure. I followed the directions exactly and now feel like I've made a good start. The next step will be to do the math and write out a big master grocery list to work from and start collecting the ingredients. This process had always been very daunting to me, but I figure it is well past time to just start, and I have gained peace already just by making babysteps. It seems everyone I know has ALL their wheat and ALL their grains and ALL their water and honestly, I feel like a big doofus. Yes. I am just starting my measly 3 month supply.***

Anyway, my current plan is to accumulate all the ingredients for my meals on the above list and then work on gathering the long-term supply of food like bulk amounts of wheat, rice, etc. I have found safelygatheredin.blogspot.com to be invaluable! It's a very informative blog, and also very helpful in that they break the process down into just that....a process.

Today was church--without the two Littles. Baby and Mimi stayed home, because baby is sick and Mimi is just tired and grouchy. Little Jack napped from 11:30pm until 4:30pm! Poor little sick guy. I think his power nap was restorative, though, because he woke up playful and happy.

In Relief Society, we discussed Elder Uchdorf's talk, "Lift Where You Stand," which I've actually read a few times in the past week. We talked about how talents of body, spirit & personality are given to us from the Lord to be used in service, to give to others using our unique capabilities. It's a great talk.

Tomorrow I plan to knock out a plethora of errands, then come home and read books to the Littles and make cards for my card exchange. Life is good.


***And thanks, Mom, for my boxes & boxes of food storage you gave me! That's what got me started.

Making a List, Checking It Twice. And Then Checking It 158 More Times.

Today I am watching my friend Emily's two darling girls during the day. I've been looking forward to it all week because it will force me to stay home. The girls all play together amiably; the disappear into the playroom and I don't see them for hours, so I've known I could get a lot done. Earlier in the week, I started a list of little projects that have been on the back burner. My "back burner", incidentally, is no little camp stove...it's a full-blown industrial cooking range.

Your back burner

My back burner

I've been adding to the list all week and have been looking forward to checking off my little boxes. So far I've held a sick baby (best-ever use of my time) and broken up little-girl-brawls.


There's always this afternoon.

Artsy

Has anyone seen the Google logo today??? HILARIOUS!

Which reminds me: Dad. Where are my Daily Levities?
My little email inbox daily dose of joy?

(my dad sends my family funny New Yorker-style comics, which most of us don't understand. Most of us do pretend to understand them. At least I do. But I usually get the ones about art. Maybe I've been bumped from the list.)

A Sick Little Puddins

I have a folder on my computer desktop entitled, "To Blog." Inside are many delights...ideas I've been tucked away, collections of thematic photos I'm adding to, outings and trips I want to blog about but am hoping to give them the time they deserve...little posts waiting to happen.

None of it is going to be gotten to today.

Baby is sick. Today I held him for most of the day, loved him, squished him, smooched him and even made him laugh. He's a sweet little boy; the doctor even noticed. "He's got a sweet disposition for one so sick," she said.

He's finally asleep, behind me in the swing. Poor little ear-infected, fluid-lung boy.



A little side note: When I complimented Mimi for being so good while I took care of Baby she responded, in injured tones, "Well why can't you take care of me, too?" Brother. The girl can milk it.

The House Smells Like Lemon Pledge

I am exhausted.

I spent all evening yesterday & most of the day today cleaning my house in order to show it to a prospective buyer. I consider myself a somewhat tidy person, but there's nothing like seeing your rooms through someone else's eyes to make you SEE YOUR CLUTTER. I whipped through every single room, trying hard to make it devoid of anything that would draw the eye to a clutter spot. I wanted the rooms to seem open, airy, pleasant and, well, roomy.

Basically, I staged my own house.

And it was hard work!

Now, I just want it to stay this way. The entire house is clean at one time...when does that ever happen? We got a good start on it last weekend when I cracked the whip and I honestly thought it wouldn't take long to get it ready to show. Um, nope.

I'm going to try in the next week or so to be extra attentive to setting aside a time for my kids to pickup. We do after-school jobs and they usually have to pick up their bedroom floors before bed, but the "kid stuff" that is scattered here and there throughout the house starts to accumulate. I think maybe as part of our evening routine, everyone in the family will be in charge of a different room and be responsible for getting back into the state it is now. (Is it obvious that I am feeling tense? I worked fast & furious and I dread tomorrow's breakfast mess.) I did have Mike's help last night--he deep-cleaned while I picked up kid-litter. ("kiddy litter!" ha! a new colloquialism is born!) He also spiffed up the garage and then inside today from 4-6pm. And I think I broke the child labor laws today, ordering all three kids around. But still. I just really want it to stay perfectly clean. It feels so good! I don't know if that's real life, though.

Okay. Enough obsessing. Here is a peek into the master bedroom. I usually keep this door closed because there is laundry being folded or toys on the floor. It's nice not to have to worry about it being cycloned if the door is open & someone arrives unexpectedly.

I did a massive clearing of my desk.
Desk Before:
Desk After:

Somehow, I've got to keep it this way--even though the calendar and school papers will need to come back out of hiding. Also, I need to find a magnet board or something to display the pictures and notes the kids give me; it makes me happy to look at those kid scribblings.

If this house sells, we will move across the street to the new house. And hopefully we will be able to stay there after a disappointing financial year. I love my neighborhood and ward and feel very at home here.

spt: me today

Welcome, Christmas!

(For more Self Portrait Tuesdays, go here.)

Some people use medicinal marijuana.

I practice the usage of medicinal carbs. Lest you worry, I'm a user--not an abuser.

I got released from my calling today, a completely unforeseen event. I knew the YW President was going to be released soon, due to a move to Japan (Japan!), but I kinda thought I was going to stick around. I've been in turmoil about it all day because I really love working in the Young Women program. I had Big Plans for the next few months. What's wrong with me, that I got the ax after not even one year of being in the presidency?! I know this is silly, but I can't help the feelings that are bombarding me....inadequacy...maybe I wasn't a good example...I was disorganized...not good enough... unwanted...too silly & not adult enough.....

Or maybe it is because I'm funny looking. I'm not sure.

But really, all those feelings are unreasonable and I know it in my rational brain. My spirit can't help feeling dampened, though. I have become very attached to the girls and it's difficult to think of a new leader taking over my miamaids and having the privilege of helping to direct their spiritual growth. There will be an immediate detachment so they can can attach and bond with their new leader. And that is right and good. But it makes me sad to know that I'm not their leader anymore. Ah, well, such is the cycle of serving in the church. I will admit, too, to feeling directionless without a calling.

So I am drowning my sorrows in The Making of Bread.

I started up my Kitchenaid at 11pm tonight. Mike shuffled by, on his way to bed, and told me I was crazy. Well I'm not crazy--I've just been in a very bad mood for the last ten hours! (anyone know the quote?)

There are some users who
say they "didn't inhale."

But I won't pretend. I did inhale. I inhaled the entire plate.

Menu Plan Monday

Monday
Ali's Crockpot Burritos
Steamed broccoli (that Costco bag never ends)

Tuesday
Homemade Pizza...I'm thinking chicken alfredo
$1 to the person who can name the veggie...

Wednesday
Cheesy Spinach & Artichoke Braid

Thursday
Ali's Chicken Spaghetti
Garlic Breadsticks (homemade! Love this bread class!)
Steamed broccoli

Friday
Janie's Chicken & Rice Casserole
Green Beans
Rolls

Saturday
Leftover Buffet

Sunday
Mike makes crepes. Yay!

* find more menus at orgjunkie's Menu Plan Monday

Whooosh-TA!

Today I cracked the whip.

I made everyone a cleaning list and we worked hard for an hour and a half. The sad thing is, the lists mostly consisted of basic pickup. It seems all I can do to just stay on top of the clutter and the put-away. I suspect the days of cleaning baseboards are gone. Max & Sis each had to clean their rooms and one other room really well. Max did the book nook. Sis did the kids' bathroom. Mimi did small jobs in her room and cleaned mirrors and doors. I thoroughly decluttered my room.

Mike also had a long list consisting of the kitchen, office and living room; I ended up with clean gutters, a sprayed driveway, a fixed rain gutter, a yard cleared of tumbleweeds & Christmas lights strung up.

It seems all I have to do to get my outdoor chores done is give my husband indoor chores. Heh, heh. (smirk, cackle, rub hands together.)

Max helped with the tumbleweeds. Here is the huge pile that is almost as tall as he is. He also pushed the baby around in the stroller for close to two hours...up & down the street and all around the park.

As a reward for finishing their long lists with a good attitude, we went to a movie. (I usually don't have the kids do chores on Saturday; they do an after-school job on weekdays and I reserve Saturday for family fun.) Sis' little friend Lauren was working right alongside her, motivating her and keeping her from dawdling, and she came with us to the movie. We saw "Madagascar 2," which was HILARIOUS. How did I miss the first one? I was gut-laughing the entire time.
A little side-note: Look at Mimi's shoes. Atrocious. White high-heeled sandals--totally inappropriate for a 5-yr old--with socks. In winter. My friend Ali handed these down to her and since Mimi worships Ali's 12-yr old daughter...the white shoes go everywhere, are worn with any outfit and are considered the height of fashion. There is no convincing her otherwise.

And in other news, here is my weekly addition to my food storage. At $1/box, how could I pass it up? It's vitamin-fortified, right? Nutritious. (I also added some Shirley J seasoning, a case of tomato sauce, instant yeast & 6 cans of chicken.)
This week's Food Storage Friday occurred on Tuesday, due to Wendi's trip this weekend to New York City. We took a field trip to the Bosch store and priced wheat grinders; we were both a bit surprised at how expensive they are. I plan to tweak Wendi's nose a little and tell her she could have bought a wheat grinder AND a Bosch mixer for the money she spent going to NYC. (yet again...smirk, cackle, rub hands together.)

I think my plan for Food Storage Friday next week is to get serious about listing on a 3 month calendar rotation all the pantry meals my family likes to eat. My goal will be to gather the ingredients for those meals. These meals might include some fresh ingredients, such as lettuce in taco salad, but those ingredients can be left out in an emergency and the meal will still be tasty. Meals like haystacks, taco soup, spaghetti, black bean enchiladas, etc. I will also work on my water storage. Another goal is to print my 72-hour kit checklist and actually put everything together in one place for a grab-&-go kit. I have most everything I need for our 72-hour kits, but it is not compiled into one place. Can you imagine me in an evacuation situation?....running around, willy-nilly grabbing what we need?

* (please note: "evacuation situation" rhymes nicely. Should I compose a rap?)
* (also note: the phrase "willy-nilly" is vastly under-used. I will for sure include it in The Food Storage Rap.)

For anyone who is interested, it is now 3:08am. What the crap am I thinking, being up this late??? Goodnight.

Today was one of those days where I looked at the clock and suddenly it was 6pm. I'm trying to stuff too much into one day lately. I have a little baby who needs me. Often. Which means I get frequently interrupted & I am not very productive. I really should cut back on my commitments, because I just end up getting them done badly or late. I need to be at peace with taking it slow.

I am not a take-it-slow kind of person.

But I haven't liked how this week went down. I didn't spend enough time rocking the baby. I kept saying, "When I'm finished..." to Mimi. She spent a lot of time being bored this week, wandering the house when we usually are reading books or doing school or painting fingernails. I guess I just feel like I've spent too much time being "busy-busy-busy," and not nearly enough time enjoying the pleasure of the day with the Littles. Not enough mommy moments.

So I think this next week I will consciously try to under-plan.

I want to spend less time out of the house and more time just....chillin' with my mini-peeps.

In the Fetal Position, Rocking Back & Forth in a Corner

* Tonight I was in charge of the combined Youth activity.
* We did a photo scavenger hunt.
* I am exhausted.
* It was fun.
* It could have gone more smoothly.
* I wish I had more thoroughly thought through every nuance.
* I think the kids had fun.
* I think the adults were ready to go home.
* I am drained.
* I don't like it when my activities turn out chaotic--it makes me feel like a failure.
* I wanted to cry during the 2nd half of the night.
* It felt like the activity was driving ME, instead of me driving the activity.
* I expect near-perfection of myself. It's tiring.
* Dawnell brought fondue for refreshments. A big hit.
* We finished the night with no chocolate drizzles on the floor. Amazing.
* We had a huge group show up. That's good.
* It was difficult to get their attention. That's bad.
* I had to stop myself from going into full-on Mean Teacher Mode.
* I was voted Meanest Teacher when I taught 7th grade. Smirk.
* I wish I could have a do-over of this night.
* I would think through every little detail and plan better. Sigh.
* Next time I'm in charge, we'll just play dodge ball.

Dodge. Ball.

spt

night night, Baby.

(go to Lelly's place to get your spt fix)

Harrumph.

Anyone who knows me well knows that food storage gives me anxiety. As in "hee hee HOO" anxiety. My mind gets wrapped in knots, trying to figure out how to get organized for emergency preparedness.

I recently attended this fabulous bread class for the 3rd time, dragging Wendi with me; you learn how to use your wheat storage to make homemade bread and other various bread-based meals. Wendi and I decided to get down to business and really get organized...and do it together.

Hee hee HOO. Hee hee HOO.Everything's more fun with a friend, right?

(Well, except for running. Running is not fun with a friend.
I hate to run with others. It ruins my zen moment.)

We decided to embark on the journey together, supporting & encouraging each other. We'll get together every Friday (because I never do anything productive on Friday & am always looking for an excuse to socialize that day). Paying homage to Jill's Creative Friday, I'm calling it Food Storage Friday.

Yeah, I know. My Friday is not as fun.

I've been buying extra items here and there, doing what I'd call "stocking up." So I have a bunch extra of the items I use frequently. But I don't like the feeling of not having A Plan. I have a mis-mash of random products in my pantry. I have a feeling that in an emergency situation, like Hurricane Ike or some such stressful circumstance, I'd end up slamming together a weird concoction like " Lima Bean & Spaghettios Tetrazzine" or Cap'n Crunch garnished with green beans.

Hee hee HOO! Hee hee HOO!
So our plan is to make a list of the meals we frequently eat. Then we'll figure out which meals could be stored. For example, I like taco salad. To store this meal I made a list of the ingredients it takes to make this meal and then I will start to accumulate enough of each ingredient to make taco salad every other week for 3 months.


A while ago I started a list of meals that I could make from my pantry. (Remember THIS post about "Panty Only Meals?" heehee) They are just really simple things I could prepare from my pantry in a disaster situation. The problem--and this is where my mind starts to tangle in knots--is I don't really like to cook this way. So how do you build your food storage and rotate it? We basically decided to store meals that can be flexible in a situation where you don't have fresh ingredients--like lettuce for taco salad--or meals that you can substitute canned ingredients--like canned chicken in enchiladas.

Hee hee HOO.

I've been reading websites, accumulating information and trying to figure out a starting point for MONTHS. I've accumulated a lot of information. I just don't know how to narrow it down and start in a methodical way. Basically, I just make lists and then never do anything. I'm really good at gathering information and researching, but not so good at the logistics. I get all excited about it, get a plan, then it fizzles because I'm not organized about it. I get overwhelmed. Anyone want to send a few tips my way?

Frankly, the whole topic gives me an anxiety stomachache. I feel inadequate and I'm fairly sure that President Kimball is watching me, from the other side, shaking his head at what a dork I am.

Mimi had fun, though, during our time together. Here is my little girlie, doing a self portrait! She's been watching her blogging mommy. (Take note of her crazy hair--an aftermath of her nighttime twirlies.)
She flitted around, taking photos of this & that...her favorite shoes...
...her favorite mug...
...Jack, who tried to grab the camera...He doesn't care for the paparazzi...
(Look at the puppy footsies. Don't you just want to squeeze him?!)
So, I'm finishing this post at 1am, which is probably why I feel discouraged; everything seems insurmountable at 1am. I'm just not sure how to proceed. But here is a great quote from the FAQ page on the Provident Living website:

Get started! If you have already begun, faithfully continue your efforts. As President Hinckley taught: 'We can begin ever so modestly. We can begin with one week’s food supply and gradually build it to a month and then to three months. I am speaking now of food to cover basic needs. As all of you recognize, this counsel is not new. But I fear that so many feel that a long-term food supply is so far beyond their reach that they make no effort at all. Begin in a small way, my brethren, and gradually build toward a reasonable objective' (In Conference Report, Oct. 2002, 65; or Ensign, Nov. 2002, 58).

And here is another encouraging tidbit:
THREE-MONTH SUPPLY
"Build a small supply of food that is part of your normal, daily diet. One way to do this is to purchase a few extra items each week to build a one-week supply of food. Then you can gradually increase your supply until it is sufficient for three months. These items should be rotated regularly to avoid spoilage." ~ from "All Is Safely Gathered In," the LDS church's current Food Storage Pamphlet

And another quote from the FAQ page on the Provident Living website:
What’s the difference between the three-month and
“longer-term” supply items?
Three-month supply items are non-perishable foods that you normally eat, such as canned and commercially packaged foods that have a stable shelf life. “Longer-term” supply items are basic food items like grains and beans that have very low moisture content (about 10% or less), can be stored for long periods of time (20–30 years), and would sustain life if nothing else were available to eat. A portion of longer-term supply items may be rotated into the three-month supply.

I'm not sure why I'm worried about storing extra food, anyway, because clearly I can live off my extra fat storage. Kind of like a camel.
Here is a "Before" picture. Sigh. Look, I had cheekbones! (The sad thing is, I looked better the day the baby was born. I pack on my baby weight right AFTER the baby is born. Go figure.)

Before:

After:

Before:

After:

Before:

After:

And that, my friends, is why this post
is titled "harrumph."
Goodnight.

Menu Plan Monday & Turning Over a New Leaf

(No, I don't plan to eat the leaf.)

Monday
Crockpot roast w/ potatoes & carrots
Steamed broccoli--because I bought the ginormous bag at Costco
* I'll crock 2 roasts, shred one & save in the freezer to make Beef Barley Soup in December. Does this make me look organized? Don't fool yourself.

Tuesday
Oven baked french toast, sausage, scrambled eggs, OJ
(Thank you, Cathy, for this recipe. It ROCKS.)

Wednesday
Navajo tacos
scones for dessert

Thursday
Chicken Spaghetti
garlic bread
Steamed broccoli

Friday
Relief Society Retreat. Can't wait!

Saturday
Stuffed Chicken Breasts
Steamed broccoli
Fruit Salad
Rolls
Dessert Braid from this fabulous class. YUM.

Now. People. I'm not promising anything. Ever since somewhere in my 4th month of pregnancy when my personality leaves my body, I have not cooked to my normal standards. Little Jack is 4 months and I have yet to cook a dinner I would admit to. About, say, 4pm Monday afternoon I may scrap this whole menu and return to THIS and THIS.

A Little Bit of Mortified and A Lot Bit of Happy

Today was the Primary Program at church, which is one of my favorite days at church--and not just because all my children are up on the stand, leaving me to enjoy my pew in peace and quiet; listening to all those pure voices lifted up in song makes the room reverberate with the spirit of the Lord.

It was also fun to watch as Max's lips barely moved as he sang...Mimi on the verge (the entire program) of throttling the boy pestering her on the row behind...and Isabelle holding her breath with her friend until their faces turned beet red.

So proud.

But then they'd stand up to sing something like "If the Savior Stood Beside Me" and my Mommy heart would melt.

We were given this sheet as we walked in the door before sitting down.What a great idea!

Later, in Sunday School, the teacher read a quote which resonated with me:"We are all needed to finish the work that was begun by those pioneering Saints over 175 years ago and carried out through the subsequent decades by faithful Saints of every generation. We need to believe as they believed. We need to work as they worked. We need to serve as they served. And we need to overcome as they overcame.

Of course, our challenges are different today, but they are no less demanding. Instead of angry mobs, we face those who constantly try to defame. Instead of extreme exposure and hardship, we face alcohol and drug abuse, pornography, all kinds of filth, sleaze, greed, dishonesty, and spiritual apathy. Instead of families being uprooted and torn from their homes, we see the institution of the family, including the divine institution of marriage, under attack as groups and individuals seek to define away the prominent and divine role of the family in society.

This is not to suggest that our challenges today are more severe than the challenges faced by those who have gone before us. They are just different. The Lord isn’t asking us to load up a handcart; He’s asking us to fortify our faith. He isn’t asking us to walk across a continent; He’s asking us to walk across the street to visit our neighbor. He isn’t asking us to give all of our worldly possessions to build a temple; He’s asking us to give of our means and our time despite the pressures of modern living to continue to build temples and then to attend regularly the temples already built. He isn’t asking us to die a martyr’s death; He’s asking us to live a disciple’s life.

This is a great time to live, brothers and sisters, and it is up to us to carry on the rich tradition of devoted commitment that has been the hallmark of previous generations of Latter-day Saints. This is not a time for the spiritually faint of heart. We cannot afford to be superficially righteous. Our testimonies must run deep, with spiritual roots firmly embedded in the rock of revelation. And we must continue to move the work forward as a covenanted, consecrated people, with faith in every footstep." (Elder M. Russell Ballard, Oct. 2008 Conference)

I especially love the parts in bold. What empowering words!

It was a good day.

Ohhh, yeah. Chicka Chickahhhh.

(think Ferris Bueller...)

Thanks, Cecily & Kate,
for a night of THE MOST killer shrimp and many off-color jokes.

p.s. Cec, let's drag main in your ride! Sweet fin.

SPT: Me Today

Today the voting line was long.

So I began to entertain myself to pass the time.

I took a photo of the line (above) and then snapped one with some pals I ran into (below.)* It actually is important to differentiate who's who--above & below--because I was voting amongst a decidedly octogenarian crowd.

I flashed my "I Heart Sarah" shirt here & there.

I took a self portrait with Mimi in our matching Sarah shirts. Girl Power. This is the "Self Portrait" part of my SPT post. On a side note, I've decided I need botox. Sheesh.
I took approximately 19 pictures of my ballot because they all turned out fuzzy. The people in line behind me were getting restless. Canes were thumping.
After voting, I said to Mike, "I voted and you know what that makes me? A SUPERSTAR!" and did a Mary Catherine-style lunge. He made me re-do it and took a picture for me. Which did not turn out. So here is a clip of Mary Catherine doing it:



So, although my antics went thoroughly unappreciated by the octogenarian crowd, today it was an honor and a privilege to cast my ballot for a woman on the vice presidential ticket.

The results were not what I'd hoped. I've been drowning my sorrows in Diet Coke but it's not working. I've gotta go clean something.
Go to Lelly's blog for this month's SPT topics and join in!

* And Katie, I'm totally sorry for posting that silly photo of you with your eyes closed. But it's the only one I had. You can return the favor anytime.