I have learned a lot about callings recently.
First, we can only do the best we can. That includes me--I have a capacity and that is what I can do. But this also includes others. I can't expect more out of people than they can do. They are doing their best so, that is what they can do.
Secondly, callings help us to become better people. We can learn a lot from them
Thirdly, callings can come from a prompting but also it can be a calling out of convenience. Both are good and can help us learn and grow and help not only ourselves but others too.
So there we go...
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Sunday, January 1, 2012
I Hope That Something Better Comes Along
So I have some New Years Resolutions...I am trying to be realistic about them, but also accomplish them. So here goes...
Read John Adams and at least 1 book a month for fun and learning. How To: Read before bed...
Read at least 1 verse of Book of Mormon Daily--I admit I am not that great at it, and need to be better. How To:1 verse isn't that bad so I can do it. Also I found a scripture study 40 day program--get through all of the Book of Mormon-- that some RS president created and posted on Sugar Doodle. I gave it to our Relief Society and I am using it too.
Build better Relationships with friends and family. How To: Visit or talk to someone at least once a week. Doable no?
Be more healthy. How To: Exercise a more and eat better.
To go along with the one above I want to make myself a healthy dinner at least once a week.(I like to cook, just not for one person, so I sometimes don't eat as healthy as I should...I eat too many convenience foods.) How To: Plan meals before I go grocery shopping.
Write on my blog at least once a month. Ok so I don't write a journal, at least this is showing my thoughts and such... and I should contribute more to the Van Orden blog. How To: Think about what is going on in my life and just write it down.
Be a better teacher. How To: stay more up to date on planning and grading. I have it in me, but I get behind.
Go to someplace new. How To: I am going to Boston with JHAT--ya I am siked! But I am going to try somewhere else too--stay tuned.
Do something fun/go somewhere at least once a month. (museums, Seven Peaks etc.) How To: Plan ahead, and utilize my pass of all passes.
Organize my house and declutter. How To: Put things in their place and do some organizing my life a little each day.
In addition I need to make sure I reevalutate often...
So I have had this muppets song stuck in my head for days. I think it works here as my title of this post, but also for my life. I somehow have become obsessed with my lack of dating. Boo, right! I am fine and should be fine with being single. Why should I be sad about my brothers dating and me not. I am happy, but I should more kind about it. Well that's all I want to say about it...
Premise of the clip: Miss Piggy and Kermit are on a date, shorty after meeting eachother and Miss Piggy gets a phone call and then just disappeared. Kermit is sad, obviously. He goes to the pianist Rowlf and they sing this song.
Read John Adams and at least 1 book a month for fun and learning. How To: Read before bed...
Read at least 1 verse of Book of Mormon Daily--I admit I am not that great at it, and need to be better. How To:1 verse isn't that bad so I can do it. Also I found a scripture study 40 day program--get through all of the Book of Mormon-- that some RS president created and posted on Sugar Doodle. I gave it to our Relief Society and I am using it too.
Build better Relationships with friends and family. How To: Visit or talk to someone at least once a week. Doable no?
Be more healthy. How To: Exercise a more and eat better.
To go along with the one above I want to make myself a healthy dinner at least once a week.(I like to cook, just not for one person, so I sometimes don't eat as healthy as I should...I eat too many convenience foods.) How To: Plan meals before I go grocery shopping.
Write on my blog at least once a month. Ok so I don't write a journal, at least this is showing my thoughts and such... and I should contribute more to the Van Orden blog. How To: Think about what is going on in my life and just write it down.
Be a better teacher. How To: stay more up to date on planning and grading. I have it in me, but I get behind.
Go to someplace new. How To: I am going to Boston with JHAT--ya I am siked! But I am going to try somewhere else too--stay tuned.
Do something fun/go somewhere at least once a month. (museums, Seven Peaks etc.) How To: Plan ahead, and utilize my pass of all passes.
Organize my house and declutter. How To: Put things in their place and do some organizing my life a little each day.
In addition I need to make sure I reevalutate often...
So I have had this muppets song stuck in my head for days. I think it works here as my title of this post, but also for my life. I somehow have become obsessed with my lack of dating. Boo, right! I am fine and should be fine with being single. Why should I be sad about my brothers dating and me not. I am happy, but I should more kind about it. Well that's all I want to say about it...
Premise of the clip: Miss Piggy and Kermit are on a date, shorty after meeting eachother and Miss Piggy gets a phone call and then just disappeared. Kermit is sad, obviously. He goes to the pianist Rowlf and they sing this song.
Thursday, December 22, 2011
For the Love of John Adams and more...
Let love and vanity be extinguished and the great passions of ambition, patriotism, break out and burn." John Adams
Ok so I love, loVE, LOVE that quote! Granted John Adams said it before he met Abigail, but still its AWESOME! I have been reading John Adams and its very interesting...like how he was the 14th to graduate from Harvard in his class of 25 because their order was all about their rank in society. Funny how we know nothing about the rest of his graduating class, huh?
Life would be a lot easier if I didn't have to worry about finding love...because it doesn't seem to be something that will come my way. There is a lack of gentlemen callers, lack of crushes---so basically no options. No one seems to be scoring high on the "crush factor." Ya I threw that in there for any of you who read my blog from the 98th ward. True one doesn't really play the game anymore, but sometimes I catch myself still using the same familiar rubric--if only in my head. :) Wouldn't it be great if all we had to think about were passions of ambitions and patriotism?
Secondly I have other issues...like carrying multiple suitcases of baggage that prevent me from really allowing myself to go forward with anything. I become a saboteur of all kids of relationships. Ya truth is I don't like anyone, but that is mostly because I don't allow myself to. Good thing I have my TV and movie star boyfriends..
Ok so I love, loVE, LOVE that quote! Granted John Adams said it before he met Abigail, but still its AWESOME! I have been reading John Adams and its very interesting...like how he was the 14th to graduate from Harvard in his class of 25 because their order was all about their rank in society. Funny how we know nothing about the rest of his graduating class, huh?
Life would be a lot easier if I didn't have to worry about finding love...because it doesn't seem to be something that will come my way. There is a lack of gentlemen callers, lack of crushes---so basically no options. No one seems to be scoring high on the "crush factor." Ya I threw that in there for any of you who read my blog from the 98th ward. True one doesn't really play the game anymore, but sometimes I catch myself still using the same familiar rubric--if only in my head. :) Wouldn't it be great if all we had to think about were passions of ambitions and patriotism?
Secondly I have other issues...like carrying multiple suitcases of baggage that prevent me from really allowing myself to go forward with anything. I become a saboteur of all kids of relationships. Ya truth is I don't like anyone, but that is mostly because I don't allow myself to. Good thing I have my TV and movie star boyfriends..
Monday, December 5, 2011
December Craft Night
About a year ago, Teeno and I decided to start craft night...we have been off and on for a while and haven't done one for a long time actually. Well we finally did a craft. Added som new faces too. We made a Christmas Wreath. It was awesome. Emily, Jillyn, and Lisa came too. We made a huge mess with all the glitter and it is still permeating my life. Its all good. As always we had great food. I had a million ribbons and didn't use them all. Emily said I am a walking craft store...sometimes that is kinda true, not gonna lie. Anyway here are some pics:
Dorky pose
My wreath on Teeno's door
Lisa's Wreath
Teeno's Wreath
Yes I got blisters from burning myself with the hot glue gun
Glitter aftermath
Dorky pose
My wreath on Teeno's door
Lisa's Wreath
Teeno's Wreath
Yes I got blisters from burning myself with the hot glue gun
Glitter aftermath
Sunday, December 4, 2011
Thrill the World 2011
Ok back in October we--Denise, Lisa, Ashley, and I--did Thrill the World in Park City. I love that dance! Bonus points to anyone who can pick us out!
:)
:)
THANKSGIVING and mini recap
Ok followers, I know its been way to long but life gets busy. Here we go since June, ready set go:
June: JHAT--Loved the class, learned a lot about US history, did awesome on my quizzes--one of the best in the class recharged for the next school year.
July: Started cleaning out the classroom---ya I got moved to the portable, it was awesome to have to move everything and organize it all. Mostly got it, but not quite...Went to Zion National Park and Shakespearean Festival with Lisa. I do love his plays. Always fun. Saw Charlotte for the first time in years and went to the St. George Temple for the first time.
August:Went to California with Matthew. Visited the Long Beach Temple and Los Angeles Temple. Went to Disney, California Adventure and Universal Studios. Also went to San Juan Capistrano and the Beach. Great visit staying at Michael's place. Sad turn of events was that the guy at the wax musuem broke my camera--good thing ipods now come with a camera. Pictures will follow in the future. and of course started school.
September: Cousin Rick's funeral. I drove with aunt Lenora to Cali got stuck in the worst traffic of my life. The El Cajon pass was shut down and we were on i-15 forever. YUCK! It was a very uplifting funeral. It was great to see some cousins I don't see to often. Went to the Nixon Presidential Library--"what would Nixon do?". Started ESL endorsement.
October:Learned the Thriller Dance. And ya I am pretty much awesome now. We did a flash mob for the stake activity with the ward and then went to thrill the world activity in Park city. We dressed as Zombies and pretty much had a great Zombie Apocalypse. Who knew what a good zombie I could make?
November: Big items were Thanksgiving. Ate dinner with Mom, dad, Matthew and Stephen's family. Made some no added sugar pies for dad. The fruit pies could take the fake sugar...but dang the pumpkin pie's mom made were nasty. Kaye had Matthew and me go to Black Friday to get some stuff for Christmas. This year it was 10 pm open at Walmart. It was crazy but I had a job that wasn't nearly as bad.
So here are the pies:
Apple
Blackberry
And overall key words about this school year: Hard, busy, chatty, portable, stealing: Its been a hard school year thus far. Kids are good, but forget that they are good. We are working on it. Kids are getting a little less chatty. Have to remember to look at it day by day. It is great having Mar in class though. I do love that girl! She is pretty much the best5th grade niece ever. And to not leave anyone out I also have a great 4th great nephew, Kinder nephew and 7th grade niece. Ya they are the greatest and make me smile. :)
June: JHAT--Loved the class, learned a lot about US history, did awesome on my quizzes--one of the best in the class recharged for the next school year.
July: Started cleaning out the classroom---ya I got moved to the portable, it was awesome to have to move everything and organize it all. Mostly got it, but not quite...Went to Zion National Park and Shakespearean Festival with Lisa. I do love his plays. Always fun. Saw Charlotte for the first time in years and went to the St. George Temple for the first time.
August:Went to California with Matthew. Visited the Long Beach Temple and Los Angeles Temple. Went to Disney, California Adventure and Universal Studios. Also went to San Juan Capistrano and the Beach. Great visit staying at Michael's place. Sad turn of events was that the guy at the wax musuem broke my camera--good thing ipods now come with a camera. Pictures will follow in the future. and of course started school.
September: Cousin Rick's funeral. I drove with aunt Lenora to Cali got stuck in the worst traffic of my life. The El Cajon pass was shut down and we were on i-15 forever. YUCK! It was a very uplifting funeral. It was great to see some cousins I don't see to often. Went to the Nixon Presidential Library--"what would Nixon do?". Started ESL endorsement.
October:Learned the Thriller Dance. And ya I am pretty much awesome now. We did a flash mob for the stake activity with the ward and then went to thrill the world activity in Park city. We dressed as Zombies and pretty much had a great Zombie Apocalypse. Who knew what a good zombie I could make?
November: Big items were Thanksgiving. Ate dinner with Mom, dad, Matthew and Stephen's family. Made some no added sugar pies for dad. The fruit pies could take the fake sugar...but dang the pumpkin pie's mom made were nasty. Kaye had Matthew and me go to Black Friday to get some stuff for Christmas. This year it was 10 pm open at Walmart. It was crazy but I had a job that wasn't nearly as bad.
So here are the pies:
Apple
Blackberry
And overall key words about this school year: Hard, busy, chatty, portable, stealing: Its been a hard school year thus far. Kids are good, but forget that they are good. We are working on it. Kids are getting a little less chatty. Have to remember to look at it day by day. It is great having Mar in class though. I do love that girl! She is pretty much the best5th grade niece ever. And to not leave anyone out I also have a great 4th great nephew, Kinder nephew and 7th grade niece. Ya they are the greatest and make me smile. :)
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Calling, Shopping, and More
So the wait is over...I have been called to be the Relief Society President. It is a little overwhelming, as anyone could tell you, but also I think it will be good for me. It will teach me some much needed skills, ie taking control and being in charge. Yes I do have to do this for my job, but its different making decisions with a bunch of 11 year olds. I have found myself not sure what decisions to make regarding the different Relief Society committees, but ultimately I have to make a decision--so goodbye indecisiveness.
Shopping---I hate it! I went on a date yesterday with a new guy, another set up type. This guy was 40. Egads! I feel like that is a little too old for me. He is my older brothers age---I mean my oldest brother's age. You know the guy who helped change my diapers and stuff...With that said, he was ok, it wasn't the best date, but also wasn't the worst. (Much better than my last set up a few weeks ago where it was hard to carry a conversation.) He asked me if I liked shopping and the answer I told him was NO! He asked if I liked it in Jr. High and High School where girls go hang out in the mall and talk and have girl time, the answer is still no. I don't like shopping. I hate looking around for things and as for girl time, I would rather just hang out at someones house and chat, or do it on the phone or go to lunch or something. That being said, I do like new things, like every good consumer does. I like new clothes, I like new options of food to make and eat, I like new electronics. I just don't like going to the store to get it. I hate trying on clothes, I hate looking at all the options, I just hate it. Often clothes don't fit the way you want, or they don't have the product you want or any of that. It actually is worse if it is in a "Tupperwear party" format. Those are so much worse. I hate the scrap booking, pampered chef, Mary Kay, jewelry parties. ALL OF THEM! You get invited, you feel like you have to attend, and then you feel pressured to buy something. I am not saying these products are bad, I just hate the format. It is the same for me in shopping for a husband. I hate dating! Loathe it actually. I am not saying I will hate the end product, I just hate the process. So shopping for a husband, I hate trying on different guys for size. They often don't fit. I hate looking and the product or guy I want is out of stock. Even when you think you find something, it doesn't always pan out.
More...Well the more in this case is the cake fiasco of 2011. I was making my birthday cake and as we have already established in this blog, I like making cakes. I decided to be just a little different this year and make an "adult" cake. Not like my giraffe cake from a few years ago, or the pirate cake for my 28th, but a real adult round two layer cake with some flowers. Nothing too big, but something adultesque. I was going to even go for a new taste. So I made my chocolate cake. I baked it into two round pans and waited for it to cool. While this was happening, I made some marshmallow fondant to cover the cake with. I also made some new frosting--ie the new taste. I made strawberry buttercream, using real berries. When the time came to take the cake out, the bottom stuck a little. I did grease the pan and put flour on it, but alas it wasn't enough. I finally go it out with little problems. I started frosting the cake with the buttercream(FYI all fondant covered cakes need buttercream first before you cover it with fondant). Now here is where the monumental cake disaster happened. The top layer started falling off the bottom layer and broke in half. It was unrepairable. I put all of the cake into a bowl and had little options. I couldn't just serve a bowl full of crumbs, right? So I called my mom and she suggested a trifle. So I went to Bed Bath and Beyond and bought a trifle bowl and more strawberries and cream and whipped up something, that turned out looking ok, and tasted ok, but was still a little disappointing. Good thing fondant keeps for a little while.
So all in all my birthday was ok--good even--I just happened to be a little emotional starting with the cake. I had some good friends at dinner who ordered for me when I had a mini breakdown and couldn't decide what to get.
Strawberry Buttercream
Falling Cake
Crumbly Mess
Trifle From Top
Trifle From Side
Shopping---I hate it! I went on a date yesterday with a new guy, another set up type. This guy was 40. Egads! I feel like that is a little too old for me. He is my older brothers age---I mean my oldest brother's age. You know the guy who helped change my diapers and stuff...With that said, he was ok, it wasn't the best date, but also wasn't the worst. (Much better than my last set up a few weeks ago where it was hard to carry a conversation.) He asked me if I liked shopping and the answer I told him was NO! He asked if I liked it in Jr. High and High School where girls go hang out in the mall and talk and have girl time, the answer is still no. I don't like shopping. I hate looking around for things and as for girl time, I would rather just hang out at someones house and chat, or do it on the phone or go to lunch or something. That being said, I do like new things, like every good consumer does. I like new clothes, I like new options of food to make and eat, I like new electronics. I just don't like going to the store to get it. I hate trying on clothes, I hate looking at all the options, I just hate it. Often clothes don't fit the way you want, or they don't have the product you want or any of that. It actually is worse if it is in a "Tupperwear party" format. Those are so much worse. I hate the scrap booking, pampered chef, Mary Kay, jewelry parties. ALL OF THEM! You get invited, you feel like you have to attend, and then you feel pressured to buy something. I am not saying these products are bad, I just hate the format. It is the same for me in shopping for a husband. I hate dating! Loathe it actually. I am not saying I will hate the end product, I just hate the process. So shopping for a husband, I hate trying on different guys for size. They often don't fit. I hate looking and the product or guy I want is out of stock. Even when you think you find something, it doesn't always pan out.
More...Well the more in this case is the cake fiasco of 2011. I was making my birthday cake and as we have already established in this blog, I like making cakes. I decided to be just a little different this year and make an "adult" cake. Not like my giraffe cake from a few years ago, or the pirate cake for my 28th, but a real adult round two layer cake with some flowers. Nothing too big, but something adultesque. I was going to even go for a new taste. So I made my chocolate cake. I baked it into two round pans and waited for it to cool. While this was happening, I made some marshmallow fondant to cover the cake with. I also made some new frosting--ie the new taste. I made strawberry buttercream, using real berries. When the time came to take the cake out, the bottom stuck a little. I did grease the pan and put flour on it, but alas it wasn't enough. I finally go it out with little problems. I started frosting the cake with the buttercream(FYI all fondant covered cakes need buttercream first before you cover it with fondant). Now here is where the monumental cake disaster happened. The top layer started falling off the bottom layer and broke in half. It was unrepairable. I put all of the cake into a bowl and had little options. I couldn't just serve a bowl full of crumbs, right? So I called my mom and she suggested a trifle. So I went to Bed Bath and Beyond and bought a trifle bowl and more strawberries and cream and whipped up something, that turned out looking ok, and tasted ok, but was still a little disappointing. Good thing fondant keeps for a little while.
So all in all my birthday was ok--good even--I just happened to be a little emotional starting with the cake. I had some good friends at dinner who ordered for me when I had a mini breakdown and couldn't decide what to get.
Strawberry Buttercream
Falling Cake
Crumbly Mess
Trifle From Top
Trifle From Side
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