I Learned Today

that butter and peanut butter and jelly do not belong together on a piece of toast. It's gotta either be butter and jelly or peanut butter and jelly.

that its going to take a bit of learning to make Jon's omelets without the yolk. At least an omelet can still taste good without looking like an omelet.

that I need to get up before 11 if I want to accomplish many things in my day.

I relearned that my husband looks like a little kid when he has no beard. And that I have a true talent in failing to recognize when a guy has finally shaved the beard that he sported for months. First was my ex boyfriend. That can be forgiven. Second was my husbands. Can that be forgiven? I am a woman. Not a man. How do I always fail in this.

Everyday Is The Weekend For Me

I just bought a coupon from groupon to get 150$ worth of hair services for 45$. So happy. You should check to see if groupon services your city because they often have random great deals for entertainment, food, spas, and gyms.

I went shopping with my sister today so she could get some spring clothes from Forever 21. I had more luck than she did but didn't end up buying anything I found. The piece of clothing I wanted the most was this but in a darker gray color :

It fit super well, was comfortable, and the neck part could be worn in two different fashions, but my sister talked me out of it because she claimed it was cool but not cool enough for its price. And she stated that we are hitting the warmer weather so why spend my money on buying a piece of winter clothing that wasn't even on sale. So I bought her argument and put it back. But if it was 10 dollars cheaper I think I would have really regreted leaving it behind. The two other pieces of clothing were my weakness pieces, otherwise known as excercise pants and t-shirts. After deciding not to get the jacket though, they were easy to leave behind. I've just gotta keep telling myself that I need to save my money for skirts, dresses, and sandles.

My other big accomplishment for today: making salmon. When I mentioned it to some friends they were quick to tell me how hard it was to cook, which I trust is true, but I went for it any ways and succeed. My fear of the horrible fishy smell taking over our apartment didn't even happen.

I AM SOOO EXCITED FOR SPRING AND SUMMER.

Just had to get that out. Our window is open and it feels and smells wonderful.

Coupon Fascination

Last night I got my weekly email from Harrit Teeters and got super excited. Why? Because they are trippling coupouns this week. And though I am about out of grocery money and didn't plan on shopping much this month, I decided I could spare a few more dollars for this event. So I started searching for coupons that would be valuable for me, coupons for items that we normally use. And I found some great ones but needless to say I should have done that today and not last night as it was already about 1 a.m. Anyways, it hits about 2:30 a.m. and I finally finish finding coupons and head to bed. But I couldn't sleep. My mind couldn't stop thinking about dinner and coupons. Then a bit before 4 I started dreaming about coupons and how my husband had to do the shopping and I was scared he would mess up with the coupons and not get the great prices.

But because my hubby finally came to bed about that time (poor guy is working way too much lately) I started to wake up as I do whenever he makes noice in the room. As I was very slowly waking up I was thinking "it will all be fine. I just need to tell him exactly what do to with the coupons." Then he proceeded to finish waking me up because I was taking up half the bed and I said "what. I fell asleep facing the other way." It wierded me out because I tend to think I don't roll too much in my sleep yet within an hour I had rolled to my other side (I can't fall asleep unless I am on my left side facing the wall) and was taking up half the bed. I am not sure if it's really significant but it did shock me at 4 in the morning for some strange reason. Then I couldn't sleep so I moved to the couch, then I fell asleep, then I woke up and had to move to my bed again. So needless to say it was an interesting night.

The moral of this whole story for me is that once it hits midnight, even if my mind is racing with things to do, and even if im excited about coupons, I should just put a stop to it and relax instead. That way when it's time to sleep I am not still trying to think of ways to save money on groceries.

Oh the joys of grown up life.

Quotes For You From Me

My new favorite quotes (sorry for poor photo quality. They were quite high on the wall at the Library of Congress):

Lately I have felt the need to learn and that need only increased after reading Dan Brown's book (you might understand why after you read it). I believe continued education throughout life is important to each and every person, no matter the means. I believe it helps expand your mind and keep you alert and young. It helps in raising kids and never hurts when trying to make conversation with people. Plus, it is probably the one thing in life besides family and religion that will be of value forever to you.

If anybody has a book that changed their life, taught them something important, or was a great classic, please let me know so I can add it to my list of books to read.

1st D.C. Trip of the Season

Jon and I decided we wanted to take a lot of day trips and weekend trips this spring/summer because we are getting stir crazy and because last summer was filled with wedding planning.

Our first day trip of the season was into D.C. for protesting then sight seeing. We will probably be in D.C. a lot this summer.

At the U.S. Botanic Gardens.

At the Library of Congress.

Isn't the architecture so beautiful?

And me at the protest.

Logan I Dedicate This To You

Right before we had the major ant issue my husband went out and checked the mail. He came in and stated that I had a package. My mind went racing trying to remember what I had bought online and forgotten about. But it was from Logan and I was completely taken off guard. After all the kitchen trouble I was able relax and open it. My little package included all the following goodies:

A mixed cd, bathtub dice, a necklace, blowpops, gum, rice krispie treats, Skittles and a fun little card. Based on this package, I would say Logan knows me very very well.

Thank you Logan. You are the best!

Me with one of the blow pops in D.C.

In D.C. again. I went to a protest so what better thing to wear then the patriotic necklace Logan gave me sometime last year.

Luckily she is coming to visit in a few months so she can physically go with me on my day trips which is way better than her just being there in spirit.

At Least There Are No Ants In My Pants

I have decided today that it is unfortunate for me that ants don't have a larger brain and have no sense of survival of the fittest or of danger.

I cooked chili today for dinner and because it was a slow cooked meal I started it around 1 p.m. That's when I noticed that there was one too many ants crawling around and called Jon over so he could figure out what was going on. That's when we had the joy of realizing that the ants were crawling all over the wall,. counter, and window. EWW!!

We killed them all and deep cleaned that side of the counter (it had been covered in bags of bread and snacks). But typical of ants, their family/relatives/friends/tribe kept following them into our kitchen just to be met with death. Why don't they have some mechanism that they can make a noise with to warn their family/relatives/friends/tribe? Well, needless to say, the situation has greatly improved but every once in a while we have to go over and kill the handful more that have ventured in.

So our grand Friday night activity was to go to Walmart to buy Raid. Raid meant especially to keep those little black pests away from our kitchen so I can cook in peace.

You know that strange feeling you get that bugs are crawling on you? I have most definitely been experiencing that today.

I

always burn myself in the kitchen.

I got the eggs home today after a long treck and then dropped them on the floor of my house breaking many of them. Then as I proceeded to save the rest I ended up breaking a few more.

I had a dream last night about killer transformers (and I don't even like the Transformer movies that much). As I was kissing the guy who saved me he turned into my cousin and I decided it was wrong to kiss my cousin. But just barely. I dream strange things.

I love sharing food with people, even stuff I don't make myself. But if I made it and they don't tell me it's good I sometimes get sad.

Speaking of which, if I destroy a dish I often get upset for the rest of the night. Part of it is because it annoys me. The other part of it is that I hate wasting things.

Last but not least, I have something against people that waste napkins. Just ask my friend Elizabeth and my husband. They have both heard the no wasting napkins lecture from me.

Lost Symbol

At the moment, I am reading Dan Brown's book The Lost Symbol. As I read it, I often wonder if some of the things he talks about are true and usually come to the conclusion that he makes much of it up to make the story more interesting. I am not talking about the general plot but the places, statues, pictures, etc., that are referenced within the story. So tonight I spend a few minutes looking up a couple of the things I could remember off the top of my head that I had disregarded.

Welll....according to Wikipedia, Dan Brown is telling the truth about much of it, including this statue and this painting. Maybe I'm just ignorant but in my defense, I was suppose to visit the Capital this past Thanksgiving but we couldn't go in because of a bomb scare and did not have time to wait until it was over as we had a private tour set up at another historical site. And the story that is evolving around said items is pretty darn crazy and would make anyone question the reality of anything talked about in the book. But now I am interested more than ever to visit the Capital.

I can't say for sure whether the book is amazing or not as I am not that far into it, but I can say I do recommend it, if only for the random bits of historical knowledge that are spattered throughout the book.

The Letter I Wish I Could Send

Dear _____,

I have gained and lost many friends throughout the year. It's a part of life I guess. But your friendship is one I can not stop thinking about nor do I take the loss easily. Our loss of friendship is probably one of the few I really regret.

Not a day goes by where I don't think about you. Recall a memory that involves you. Or check to see what you are up to by stalking your facebook. Too bad your not addicted to updating your facebook. Stalking is hard but I continue because I can't stop wondering what you are up to. What cool thing you are doing without me. What fun you are having with your husband. What your job is like. Because I am not longer in the position to hear about your life, to know your gossip, to hear your fears, and to bear your burdens with you.

I should have worked harder to save our friendship. But first it was anger that got in the way. Then the inability to forgive. Then the inability to forget. Then there were the bad friendships I formed that semester. For distancing yourself from me at that point, I do no hold against you.

I was not me, or perhaps I was me and I am just a better person now. I cared about you a lot but I never knew how to show it. I should have fought hard for our friendship but I didn't know how to and just blamed you instead. I guess I really didn't deserve it then nor do I really deserve a second chance.

I've pondered it. I've cried over it. I've talked with my best friend about it. You are missed. Our friendship is missed. But I don't know what to do about it. I don't know if I have the ability, willpower, or strength to take the first step. Nor do I know if I could handle being shot down.

I hope that one day God will give me the strength that I need to call you up. To help me humble myself enough to take a chance. But I hope he never gives me the strength to forget and let go.


Sincerely,

Elizabeth

Good News Moment

Good new for the Federal & State Government: I can file my taxes because I finally got my w-2.Pretty much everyone made some little mistake that caused everybody else to think I already had it or something like that. Including me. I sent an email to the wrong person without realizing it. Woops!

Good news for my family: My dad is now bishop and is finally getting a much needed full time job. This is very good news but its a bit of a long story so I think I will tell it a bit later. But this also means that between his county job, his new job, and his calling (unpaid church position) he will never ever be home with my mom. But we are still happy about all the changes.

Good news for my brain: I have finished at least 6 books already this year.

Good news for Jon: I am beginning to enjoy children. Though nursery sometimes goes by so slow and though I get annoyed often (especially at the parents. Don't even get me started...), I still enjoy it. I also love my nephew. He is sooooo cute. So maybe I will want kids sooner than I thought. Maybe....

Good news for Harris Teeters: I used to hate this grocery store with a passion and said that even though it was the closet grocery store I would never go there. But now they get a lot of my money. Though I still dislike a few things about it, nothing can beat their buy one get one free deals I often find on items I need. For example, Jon likes juice. I hate buying it because it can be expensive if you are going through a thing or two of it a week. But this week the brand I like, and that hasn't been on sale anywhere in a while, was on a buy one get one free sale so I most certainly stocked up. I also got chips, something I prefer more than Jon, on the same sale. And that is why I like Harris Teeters, not to mention that they have a great coupon policy that often saves me lots of money.

Do I Just Not Pay My Taxes???

I have always wanted to turn my blog into a story about my old job but never felt it was appropriate and if any potential employer found it, I probably would never be hired. But let me tell you one situation I am dealing with right now that will illustrate just what craziness I had and apparently still have to deal with.

I knew I needed to get my w-2 but knew that if it was mailed to my company and the ex boss was out of town (as he often was for months on end) it would never get forwarded to me. Despite this, I took a chance and emailed my ex boss. But just as a precaution I called the payroll company and left a message about my w-2. I didn't hear back on either end so I sent the payroll company an email a day or two later.

Later that day I received a phone call from the head of the payroll company who I had talked to several times while I worked at my old job. He said that he had gotten my messages and that he would be willing to give me my w-2 but that he had to get permission from my now ex boss to give it to me (LAME RULE). He also said that even if my ex boss was out of town, he is unsure of why he has not forwarded me my w-2 as it is in electronic form, which means it was sent to his email. My ex boss always checks his emails even while he is out of the country and yet he still can't forward me my w-2?

It has been multiple days since that phone call and no word from my boss yet. He is getting emails from two different parties and yet can't seem to respond.

In my bitter state I see three potential outcomes of this situation:

1. The ex boss reappears and responds the night before the taxes are due with some lame excuse of why it took him so long.
2. I hunt him down and ruin his life until he hands over my w-2.
3. I call the IRS and tell on him and they hunt him down and ruin his life for me.

And even though ruining his life almost seems appealing at the moment, I really just want him to forward me my w-2 so I can pay my taxes in peace.

Other theories:

-He closed down the company and shut down his email to hide from disgruntle customers.
-He is on the run and doesn't want to leave the trail.
-He is dead, perhaps a death related to suspecious activity.
-He is hiding from the IRS cause he doesn't want to pay his taxes.

Do you have any theories for me??

Time Management and the Gospel

I recently went to a Relief Society activity at my church. I thought it was going to be a waste of time for me but I ended up learning a lot. I took two classes, one of which I will speak about today. It was about time management. I went to this class only because my mom wanted to, not because I thought I had anything I needed to learn on the subject. But the teacher took an approach that I had never thought of before. She intertwined the gospel and time management together in such a way that time management was given a much more meaningful approach.

She said that you should begin every morning with a prayer and sometime during the day you should do your scripture study. Mind you, prayer and scripture study also go hand in hand so the best time to read your scriptures may be after your morning prayers. You should do these things for two reasons. If allows you to feel the spirit and opens up communication with the Lord in which he can give you promptings about what you should be doing that day. If you follow this method and only get 3 things done from you 20 item list, don't feel bad as those are obviously the things the Lord felt you needed to do. If you feel a prompting to go do service for someone, forget about your to do list and go and do it as that is where you are needed.

She said her mom used to make a long and detailed list of all the things she wanted to get done during the year. One year she was called as a Relief Society president and often received many calls during the day in addition to the meetings and other activites that needed to be attended. She began to feel bitter towards her calling and the fact that it was taking up so much time that could have been used to get her to do list done. Finally, she realized that she needed to stop being selfish so she threw her to do list away and began to focus on her calling. She began to notice that though the burden of the calling never lightened she was able to find more time throughout the day to do those things that were on her now nonexistant to do list.

If you feel a heavy time burden in your life, feel that you are not getting done the things you should, and/or can not seem to find any time for yourself to do necessary "me" things, focus on the Lord. Tell him your problem and let him help you carry the burden. Perhaps you will begin to notice ways in which you can find more time throughtout your day.

Which brings me to the last thing. A good step in time managment is going to bed early and waking up early. It helps you from sleeping in during valuable hours of your morning in which you can get a lot done. And not too many people do their best thinking at night.

Oh and don't forget to take a few moments of quite time each day away from all the distractions of the world.

Swagbucks!

I have made a change to my blog by adding the swagbucks swidget again. Swagbucks is basically a search engine that you can use to get points. Those points can be redeemed for prizes. Both my sister and I have both gotten amazon gifts cards for free by doing it and I am working my way up to getting 5 more gift cards. I am slow but there are many people out there that get tons of free stuff by utilizing everything on swagbucks. For example, you can get lots of points just by signing up for a free 2 week trial of netflix, which I wish I had known about because we recently signed up for netflix (amazing!!!! Love netflix). Anyways I highly recommend it. You can go to the swidget at the right of my screen to start searching or to go to the website to learn more about it.

Sorry the widget is a bit blurry. I don't want to make it much bigger as the width of my blog is only so big.

Good To Know

Ever wonder how long a product is good for after its "use by" date? For a short article on this subject click here. Now I can rest assured that some of those eggs I have allowed my husband to eat were not in any way spoiled yet.