Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Daily Photo Journal - January 13

I made this cake for Small Group tonight. It's a favorite of everybody's.

As I was searching for mini-chocolate chips, (which it turns out I don't have) this is what I found in the cupboard:
I think that it's eight bags of chocolate chips and a bag of white chocolate chips. Last week before Megan went back to school, she had a friend over and they baked some bars. Megan wrote "chocolate chips" on my grocery list and I assumed that meant that I was out. So when I was at the grocery store yesterday I bought four bags because they are on sale. As I rummaged through the cupboard looking for the mini-chocolate chips, I discovered all these bags. I had a good laugh with that one.


Random Dozen


1. When was the last time you craved a food--what was it, and did you cave?
I have craved the perfect Chinese Lemon Chicken for over eight years. There was a restaurant (Hua Zhu) in Singapore that we loved and made wonderful Lemon Chicken. Over Thanksgiving break we went to Big Bowl and I ordered their Lemon Chicken and it was as good as Hua Zhu's! I was so excited  and told the waitress it was the best I had eaten this side of the Pacific Ocean.

2. M & M's or Skittles? 
Oh please, I would choose something non-chocolate?  M&Ms of course!

3. Have you ever read the Bible completely through?
I've been working on that for a couple of years. I want to do it at least once in my life. I don't have a "read this much everyday" plan. Hmmm... Maybe that's why it's taken me a couple of years to get through it?

4. How long does it take you to really wake up in the morning?
No matter what time I wake up, it seems like my brain doesn't follow until about 10am. I am sooo not a morning person. When the kids were home, I would get up with them every morning to give them a ride to school, or give them a hug and a kiss if they walked. We didn't have a lot of conversation. I learned that I can be really grumpy in the morning, so it's best for me to just keep my mouth shut and everything looked better and not quite as big of a deal after 10am.

5. Have you ever been on a cruise? If not, would you like to?
Yep! Two years ago over Christmas we went on a cruise around the Hawaiian Islands. It was fun. I liked not having to drive and drive and pack and un-pack my suitcase all the time. And there were nice restaurants a five minute walk away from our room. And you could order room service any time! The kids and I had a great time ordering milk and cookies whenever we wanted to. I am a little unsure if I like the idea of going on a vacation with 4,000 other people. Despite that, my husband and I are talking about going on another cruise next summer. Just can't decide where.

6. Who is your favorite actress?
I honestly can't think of one. There are several that I think are quite beautiful, but have to realize what make-up and airbrushing can do. And I realize they are just people.

7. ______ is something that I will just never understand.
I don't think I will ever understand why God chose to bless me with my hubby. Peter loves me like I will never understand. He is committed Christian, an amazing man of integrity, and a wonderful father. How is it that I am blessed to share my life with him? Sometimes I look at him and shake my head in wonder. (I love you, sweetie!)

8. How much of a technology junkie are you?
Not much. I know enough to get me through the basics. And my "click until I get it" method works. :)

9. Do you enjoy selecting greeting cards for people, or is it more of a cultural "have to" for you?
I used to really like buying greeting cards for people and could stand looking at them for a long time, but lately it seems like such a chore. So I guess it's become more of a "have to" (when I remember to).

10. When was the last time you got a new style/haircut?
I tried to get a new hairstyle last September. Some days I think it looks the same as I've had. I saw a picture of myself recently and thought it looked kind of cute. I am frustrated with what to do with my hair. I need a haircut bad, but have to wait a little more than a week for my next appointment. Maybe I'll discover the perfect style before then. It seems like when I try to look in magazines, the styles are all so incredibly unrealistic. And where are the styles for us slightly older (middle-aged?) women?


11. What do you enjoy shopping for most?
I like to shop for things to decorate the house or things for the kitchen. I just go nuts at IKEA. When I told my son the other day that we were going shopping there he said that a person usually comes out of there with ridiculously more than we went in for. He speaks truth.

12. What's the last thing you think of before you leave the house?
I hope I'm not late and I hope I don't look like a dork in case I run into anyone I know. (Or: I know I look like a dork and hope I don't run into anyone I know...)


Click the button at the top to find some more people who have answered these fun questions.

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Daily Photo Journal - January 12

Another exciting day in my life... Well, I guess life sometimes is just, you know, daily.

I did some shopping today. When you can see mostly the shelves in the refrigerator, you know it's time to buy some groceries. I was going to take a picture of the food in the cart, but forgot, so you get a shot of the bags on the counter. Yes, I went to Target too.



I saw this snowman family when I was out driving around. Can you see the snow-dog?



Monday, January 11, 2010

Daily Photo Journal - January 11

I have been very tired today and spent a lot of time here. Not a very exciting day. Yes, I like my pillows. :)




Sunday, January 10, 2010

Daily Photo Journal - January 10

Today is my birthday. Only a couple of hours left. I thought I would post a picture of my favorite and most unique present.



Yesterday a friend asked me if I was missing a skeleton key. I said yes and started laughing. This key went missing about 10 months ago from a side table we have in our entryway.  It turns out that her 3 year old took it last winter when they were here for a potluck one night. They came across it the other day as they were sorting through their toys in their house. My friend asked her three year old where it came from and she remembered right away and said, "It's Judy's key!" (You know, it's just the right height for a three year old to look at and get curious about.)


 I was handed the key all wrapped this morning at church.

Saturday, January 9, 2010

Daily Photo Journal - January 9

We spent a good part of the morning working on some wedding planning. The picture is of the sight of the reception. I know it looks like basketball courts, but just wait until we get done with it! It will be awesome. It's nice to have so much space to work with.


Friday, January 8, 2010

Daily Photo Journal - January 8

About 2 1/2 years ago I had some issues with my heart. I was having very noticeable irregular heartbeats and some other hard to put into words sensations. I went through lots of testing at a great heart hospital in Minneapolis, saw a Cardiac Electrophysiologist, wore a couple of different monitors. It was kind of a scary time for me and for my husband. The short of it is I have a heart arrhythmia. I tried a few different kinds of medications, none seemed to make a big difference, so I don't take any of them now. I have the same symptoms, but the doctor didn't think it was anything life-threatening.

All that to show you my picture of the day:


My sweet hubby saw this awesome piece of exercise equipment somewhere and we investigated it. It is a Seated Elliptical. Since those heart issues I have had, I have been reluctant to exercise. And my lower back pain has gotten worse. (My back hurts after walking for about 10 minutes,)(Yes, I am getting old and the body is feeling it...) I have been working on building up my endurance on it. (Up to 15 minutes now!) The best part is My back doesn't hurt one bit.  We have it set up in the basement so I can watch TV.