The Path Chosen

I keep hearing about the historic nature of yesterday's election and it feels momentous indeed. Regardless of who you voted for, the speech last night that the president-elect gave in Chicago's Grant Park was an emotional experience for many. It seemed to me that the speech was an outreach to every citizen of the United States as well as the world. Mr. Obama was more sober than I expected, less gleeful about his triumph and more thoughtful than I anticipated. He seemed imbued with a sense of great responsibility regarding the work he has ahead of him. He seemed to comprehend the weighty and momentous decisions that will be his as our newly elected leader.



I must admit that with his ringing voice, his charismatic style, and his good looks that I felt a bit of the sparkle of Camelot that I've heard so much about from the JFK years. I think its about time for some of the romance and enthusiasm to return to the political scene.


I also was surprisingly pleased by McCain's concession speech. He spoke with grace and humility regarding his loss of the presidential office and his support of the president-elect. It is the type of emotion that I rarely see in the public arena of politics and I so appreciated it. It showed pluck and courage and a measure of this man that I had not witnessed before. In the end, I was touched by his choice of words in characterizing himself as a servant-leader.

Today, I was a candidate for the highest office in the country I love so much. And tonight, I remain her servant. That is blessing enough for anyone, and I thank the people . . . for it.

That is such an inspiring way to think of each of our roles as citizens of this country--we are servants and helpers to each other regardless of our positions of power.

With all the disagreement and division that occurs throughout a political campaign the notes of grace, humility and responsibility were not the emotions I really expected to experience on Election Day. I suddenly felt reconnected and reminded that this political process can be a hopeful and even a beautiful one, if we treat each other with dignity and respect. As Mr. Obama encouraged last night,

In this country, we rise or fall as one nation, as one people. Let's resist the temptation to fall back on the same partisanship and pettiness and immaturity that has poisoned our politics for so long.

And while [we have] won a great victory tonight, we do so with a measure of humility and determination to heal the divides that have held back our progress.

That is what I would like to see as well. I do enjoy the discussion and debate that are an inherent part of our political system. What I dislike is when that discussion crosses the bounds of respect for one another and the willingness even to agree to disagree without rancor or derision towards each other.

If we take our cue from the leaders last night, I think we are headed on the right path.

Election Day

RECIPE: Super-Fast Smoothie

I've been making this super-fast smoothie for the past few months nearly every day. I was bemoaning the fact the other day that I didn't have a lot of great go-to foods and then I realized that this smoothie was actually a great go-to food and I can whip it up in less than three minutes. 

I have some food allergy issues with dairy, cane sugar and wheat, so I've been revamping my pantry and almond milk and agave nectar are my favorites. Here's the recipe:

1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries

1 cup fresh or frozen raspberries

1 1/2 to 2 cups almond milk 

1 to 2 tsp. of agave nectar (or a squirt or two is how I do it)

I know super-scientific, right? Let's just say that my measurements are all about eyeballing the amounts so this is my best approximation. Add more or less of anything to taste. 

Also, I will periodically get some flax seed and grind it up and add it to my smoothie as well. I love this recipe and it makes me feel like I'm visiting Jamba Juice every morning. 

It's healthy and delicious and a lot of times I pair my smoothie with an egg over easy topped with fresh salsa and avocado. I think the two go together beautifully. 

Now, if I could only find 937 other recipes that are as fast and easy and yummy as this one and I could really get the hang of this healthy living thing. Until then, I will continue wildly yo-yoing between my smoothie recipe and my chocolate obsession. I certainly enjoy them both! 

Just One

I never get over thinking: maybe next Christmas I will be married. Maybe the next baby will be mine. Maybe, the next life to really take off will be mine. Maybe. 

Those are the nights you wish you could make dinner for more than one. 

Okay, cue the violins. I'm thinking I need to take this pity party on the road. 

Halloween 2008

Halloween Retrospective 2006 and 2007

I hope this Halloween is a happy one for all of you. This is just a look back over the past two years with a surprise at the end. I love all the costumes and fun on this big day. To dress up as your favorite character and eat all the candy you can? A child's dreamland. Here are some of my favorite munchkins dressing up on this big day.

The Entire Crew in 2006 and 2007

All the n&ns (with a few friend thrown in), 2006

All of the n&ns and Cassie (except the 5 babies), 2007

The 6 nieces, 2007. The nephews are nearly double their numbers.

Nine of the 11 nephews, 2007. Missing are baby A who was tired and out of his costume at this point, and baby M who lived in St. George.

Ric & Tami's kids

Ric & Tami's kids, 2006

Ric & Tami & kids, 2007

Rus & Jenny's kids

You gotta love Elvis in this one. 2006

Look how much Maxwell has grown! 2007

Adam & Michelle & baby

This little flapper looks like her Mama, but she did get her Daddy's smile, 2007.

The flapper family, 2007. Although we aren't quite sure what happened to Daddy's costume.

Matt & Cissy & kids

Matt & Cissy, 2006 (notice Cissy is just showing with baby #4--it's important later)

Matt & Cissy, 2007. I think Matt is going as a golfer every year.

Meg & Spence's kids

Meg & Spence's kids, plus the little one is their cousin Connor, 2006

Meg with kids, 2007

Brock & Julie

Dressed up for a 2006 Halloween party. Guess who won best costumes?

In St. George with yummy baby M, 2007.

Prego la Prega and the Wee Ones

Halloween 2006, Meg, Tami, Michelle, Charlene. I got this photo under duress (Meg's). She would deliver two days later. Also, Cissy had just left before this photo, (remember how I told you to pay attention to her bump earlier?) but we had Meg's sister-in-law Charlene there who was also expecting.

The mommies and wee ones, 2007. Baby M and Mama Julie are also part of the group but live a few hours away.

Party Food in 2007

Adam with witches' brew (dry ice and rootbeer)

Spider in the food! Spider in the food!

Or more correctly, spider web in the food!

Eyeballs served chilled.

Great Costumes, 2007

Cissy and Michelle in 2007. Both of them totally rocking their outfits. I'd dress up each year too if I turned out this cute. And can you beat the chubby-cheeked ones they are each holding? A tiny pumpkin and a little flapper? Too cute.

The Adult Clan, 2007

Most of the adults, 2007 (missing Brock, Julie & Cassie)

Some of Those Same Adults Back in the Day

Halloween, circa 197?

Green pajamas just for fun!

Happy Halloween to all you revelers in 2008!

Grandmother

This is her birthday week. She would have been 85 years old. I miss her.

It's been two years since she has been gone. It seemed like after Granddad passed away that her health failed pretty quickly. But before that, she was energetic and full of fun especially around the holidays.
She loved telling the story about dressing up for Halloween not too many years ago and sitting out on the front porch like a mannequin. Then when families would come up to ring the doorbell she would let out a cackle and scare them. She loved to have fun and always made every holiday exciting. We would go trick or treating each Halloween and always end at Grandmother's house. She had punch and dessert for us as well as a plate--an entire little plate all wrapped up with a pretty bow--for each of the grandkids. We would save that pretty plate for later, but then we would sit on her floor and dump out our other Halloween candy and bargain and barter with each other over the best treats.

Here she is in 2002 with Granddad in the front room of 1510 Conant Avenue. I think this year has been especially hard for me because I keep expecting that I'm going to make a trip up to Burley to see them and she will have chili on the stove when I arrive and we will sit on the blue "divan" in the living room and catch up on the news. Then I will go to sleep in the pink bedroom upstairs and wake up in the morning to the smell of popping bacon and sit in the little breakfast room and eat Apple Jacks with half and half.

The Colonel and His Lady no longer reside here. But it is imprinted in my sight and sound and smell. I know the way the front door screen slammed when I walked in; I know the dark interior of the three-story laundry chute from childhood play; I loved the shocking daylight brightness of skylight at the landing up to the 2nd floor that is only there because of a fire in the sixties; I loved the wall of windows in the pink and blue rooms that made them seem like our own treetop hideaway; I remember the magic of a "secret closet" in the blue room, the hours of childhood dreams that were offered up in the dress-up corner in the basement, the neat preciseness of Granddad's tools at his workbench and the green fridge in the basement that was always fully stocked with Pepsi.

I miss her jokes, her constant giggle and her strong opinions. I miss seeing her in her apron at the stove. I miss washing and drying dishes at the beautiful, long, free-standing kitchen sink that she simply adored. I miss her pretty dining table at Thanksgiving and Christmas and the tempting smells that wafted continuously from the kitchen throughout the long, tortuous hours before we could sit down and enjoy the feast. I miss her crystal and her china and all her lovely things in the china hutch she brought back from Germany. I miss her bright outfits and her sparkly earrings and the boxes of clothes she had under her bed for when she went down a size or two.

And I miss reading her letters filled with her love of beauty and her poetic soul.

She is Grandmother. Irreplaceable, unforgettable and missed. I love you, Grandmother. Happiest of birthdays this year with your handsome Colonel. I have a feeling that the home you are making for us there will be just as full of your light, your love, and your laughter.

Playing Tag

I've been tagged by both Kelley and Lori, so I'm playing along today, folks. So, perk up, pay attention, and then respond with oohs and aaahs, 'cause I'd like to believe you are actually interested. And, while the tags are a bit different, I'm going with the shorter one. 

6 TV Shows I Watch
Biggest Loser, Desperate Housewives, Ugly Betty, Divine Design, Eli Stone, Jon and Kate plus 8

6 Restaurants I Like:
Bajio’s, Citrus Grill, Chef’s Table, Kneaders (love the chicken al mondo salad), Happy Sumo, PF Chang's

6 Things That Happened Yesterday

• Listened to an awesome devotional at BYU on election matters by Robert P. George, a law professor at Princeton University (you can listen to it here)
  
• Talked about the election with coworkers
  
• Had staff meeting
  
• Worked on setting up my new iMac at work
  
• Went visiting teaching with Holly and had a great conversation
  
• Made my favorite, easy smoothie for dinner
  

6 Things I'm Looking Forward to:

• Finishing organizing my study
  
• Recovering my couch
  
• Getting my iMac fully functional at work
  
• Doing a family assessment for class
  
• Finishing my Denmark posts
  
• Being my own biggest loser
  

6 Things on My Wish List:

• Get a new phone/iPhone or new phone and a iPod touch
  
• Go see Meg Hilty and Eden Espinoza in Wicked in LA before it closes in January
  
• Go see my friend Amy for a nice, long visit
  
• Get my degree in therapy
  
• Get a headboard & dresser for my bedroom
• Getting married and having babies

6 People I Will Tag:
Cissy, Megan, Julie, Rus, Kristin, Uncle Ward

Love to Order

I was driving home Saturday night from dinner with friends and I was listening to Showtune Saturday Night on a local radio station. I love show tunes because they make me bust out in song. That is why I listen to them best when I'm alone. No need to frighten small children or unsuspecting adults. I've always loved songs with stories and show tunes are the ultimate representation of a story-song. And I'm a sucker for a really great story so, I make sure to turn on the show tunes every Saturday night and sing my heart out. 

This night the number one song on Showtune Saturday Night was "Taylor, the Latte Boy" even though it isn't a true show tune. But it does have a built-in love story that is charming and easy to follow, especially when sung by the multi-talented, platinum-blonde, Broadway star Kristine Chenoweth. I haven't been able to get it out of my head all weekend and I've listened to it over and over again. My favorite line is  

I used to be the kind of girl
Who'd run when love rushed toward her.
Till finally a voice whispered, "Love can be yours,
If you step up to the counter and order.

I like this Youtube video with Miss Chenoweth singing but I actually like her voice a lot better on this recording. So, listen to both or one, but at least take a listen.

Wouldn't it be nice if it were that easy? My order would go something like this:  tall, dark and handsome; spiritual, but hold the fanatical; funny, but hold the flatulence jokes;  intelligent, but hold the ego; with a side order of will-take-me-to-any-show-ballet-or-theater-without-gritting-his-teeth. 

Yes, that would be nice. 

But when you are not a made-to-order kind of girl it is hard to find your own made-to-order kind of guy. Which makes Mr. Latte Boy start to look more and more attractive. He's easy to talk to, has some musical interest, and knows how to put together something that tastes delicious. Maybe what I'm missing in my life is not love, but caffeine. 

In fact, I'm beginning to wonder if my Pepsi-loving grandmother was really on to the secret of life with the sign in her kitchen that stated "put down the Pepsi and nobody gets hurt." Maybe caffeine is the elixir of love. And maybe I need to get me some of that kind of elixir. 

So, I'm thinking I could start with a cola and a lime. Oh, who am I kidding? I've got such an addictive nature that if I try it once, I will next be chugging soda by the gallon, not the ounce. So, Mr. Tall, Dark and Handsome? You and I are going to have to meet some other way. 

And know that while our love story may not be "so caffeinated," I'd certainly like it if we could both manage to "step up to the counter and order" before too much more time passes.

 

Laughing

Just a couple of things that have made me laugh the last few days. 

This is not the funny part, but I've been following the story of Stephanie and Christian Nielson mostly on her sister Courtney's blog. Courtney writes poignantly about many aspects of this trial, but she is also a character and doesn't take herself too seriously. 

Which is why I love this video (scroll down the post) on her blog of Courtney singing with Mindy Gledhill an LDS artist who is performing a benefit concert this weekend in Mesa for the Nielsons. Well, Miss Gledhill is visiting Courtney's family and she and Courtney make a video of them singing "Smile." All I can say is Courtney has verve and nerve that I shall never possess. And she certainly knows how to sell a song with her heart and soul. :) 

Also, I don't want you to miss this haircut story and its follow-up from a blogger named Christie that I just happened by a couple of weeks ago. Christie writes about her life, her kids, and even her embarrassing moments and she does it with great observational humor. 

Mostly, these bloggers reminded me to laugh out loud today. And I love those kind of reminders.