My saucy new bike!

It's a MongoosePro, Rockadile! It came with nice little reflectors and slightly used helmet.

AND IT'S RED!  It's the neatest thing.  My sweet husband searched all over Craig's List and totally scored with this bike!  It was a great deal.

I keep trying to find time when I can go take it for a ride.  I still get a little 'Bike Bum' when I'm out riding around too long, but it's worth it in order to see NYC in a different way.

Our first bike ride started in our neighborhood (Dyckman-200th St), we then biked all the way down to Battery Park City.  Basically the whole length of the island.  The path we took went along the Hudson.  It was such a gorgeous ride being on the water.  It was fun discovering some new sites.  

These sites are actually pretty close to where we live! I want to do a picnic/photo shoot in the little column walk way thing.

I have more pictures, but my computer is taking  years to upload anything!

Don't worry, I'm planning many more bike rides and I'll post more pics!

Quickie Post

About a month ago my best friends came out from Atlanta for a visit:

We went to the manicured gardens in Central Park.

Julia and I went to 3 VERY different auditions.

We made and ate several delicious dinners.

Watched So You Think You Can Dance.

Went shopping.

Took Joe Lanteri's awesome lyrical class.

Did a cool treasure hunt.

Baked delicious whole-wheat chocolate chip cookies.

I love these guys and miss them terribly.

I'm just glad that email and cell phones

help keep us in contact. If only there was transporter

from here to Atlanta.  Or if we could just Apparate.

Since gas prices and airlines are cutting us any slack.

Gratitude

I just got out of church about half hour ago and I am feeling very grateful. 

I am grateful for:

-the joy and lightness I feel after being inspired at church

-the wise and faithful leaders of the church.  For their diligence in their callings, and the examples they are to me.

-lessons in church that always seem to apply to me, at that particular moment in my life

-missionaries and their examples of obedience and courage

-for my simple, but heartfelt testimony of the gospel

-being able to read the ensign and be inspired by the life of Prophet Thomas S. Monson

-the simplicity of the gospel

-Book of Mormon stories

Going to church is so simple. But it is such a great blessing.  I wasn't expecting coming home from church, feeling so light and happy.  Whoohoo!

You Are Ariel!

Headstrong and fiesty. You have a mind of your own that's full of romantic dreams about the world around you. Exploring exotic places is your ultimate dream, and although you can be a little naive you'll realize that there is something to be gained from your family's wisdom.

Which Disney Princess Are You?

Do have those moments where you think life is totally sucky and wonder, "How is it going to get better from here?"  Well, I have the solution.

Step 1 - Gather up all those bad thoughts that brought you to this icky state

Step 2 - Find a quiet place where you will not be disturbed

Step 3 - (you might be catching on, already...) Kneel down

Step 4 - Begin praying to your Heavenly Father about whatever is on your mind

A few minutes ago, I began to fill up with all those yucky, discouraging thoughts.  I was getting grouchy and I wanted to solve my grouchiness with a bowl of ice cream!  

But, I found praying was much healthier for me.  And I came out of it feeling, strangely GRATEFUL!  Who'd a thought! Grateful.

Well, that was my experiment. But, I can't convince you.  You'll just have to try it out yourself.

1-0-5

Today's Heat Index in NYC was 105 degrees.  

A day like this makes me miss Arizona.  

I want to go swimming.

one word

Answer the following with only one word.
1. Where is your cell phone? ....................table
2. Your significant other?.......................performing
3. Your hair?....................................sweaty
4. Your mother? .................................INCREDIBLE
5. Your father?..................................healthier
6. Your favorite thing?..........................chocolates
7. Your dream last night?........................dance?
8. Your favorite drink...........................seltzer
9. Your dream/goal?..............................company
10. The room you're in?..........................livingroom
11. Your children?...............................heaven
12. Your fear?...................................failure
13. Where do you want to be in 6 years..........Improved
14. Where were you last night?..................SoHo
15. What you're not?............................confident
16. Muffins......................................scones
17. One of your wish list items?.................airfare
18. Where you grew up?...........................Arizona
19. What you read last...........................Scriptures
20. What are you wearing?........................skirt
21. Your TV?.....................................Harry Potter
22. Your pets?...................................none
23. Your computer? ..............................rose
24. Your life?...................................confused
25. Your mood?...................................guilty
26. Missing someone?.............................husband
27. Your car?....................................subway
28. Something you're not wearing?................makeup

29. Favorite Store?..............................Pathmark
30. Your summer?.................................travel
31. Like someone?................................husband
32. Your favorite color?.........................white
33. Last time you laughed........................today?
34. Last time you cried?.........................today

Happy Mudder's Day...

to all you amazing, talented, multi-tasking, beautiful 

Moms!  

I hope to be as awesome as you one day!

Performance

Hey if you're free or need ideas for a date night--

I'm performing at LaGaurdia High School on Friday

May 16th @ 5:30pm and 7pm (that's right 2 

opportunities to see the show!).

It's a formal showing of choreographer Adam Barruch's

work.  It's an excellent performance with beautiful dancers.

And it's not a huge commitment, the showcase is about 40 minutes.

Did I mention....IT'S FREE!  Just email or call me if you plan to come.

sorry there wasn't a cool picture. I tried to post the flier, but it wouldn't work.

New Stuff

I got two new gadgets this week!

Nathan and I have been wanting to eat healthier lately, ya know, more fruits and vegetables, whole grains, very little meat. Word of Wisdom style. But I told Nate that the best or easiest way for us to do that is if we eat more leafy green salads. This is fine and all, except that pre-washed salads are usually expensive or, in the recent past, despite the label of being "pre-washed", I've come across a bite of dirt from my bag of greens. Yuck! That's definitely one way to promote "freshness". Stick some dirt in there to make it taste like you're eating it straight out of the ground!

Anyway, I felt strongly about this salad idea and thought rather than going the packaged salad route, we should purchase a Salad Spinner!

2 weeks later, I found a something in our fridge.... It is the coolest! I love pulling the zip cord and watch my lettuce spin out of control, whisking away all the water.


Item 2:

We've also been wanting to purchase a sewing machine. For the same reason why we wanted the salad spinner-to improve our lifestyle and hopefully making us more provident. Well my inspired mother went online to Costco.com and found a machine similar to her's for about $130 . Which is a pretty cool price for a new LCD 70+ stitch sewing machine. Despite it's awesomeness, we hummed and hawed about the $130 machine..."do we really need one?" "maybe we can wait", etc. But my wise mother urged us and so now, we are happy to say that we are owners of a brand new Brother ES-2000 sewing machine. Check it out!

Mind you, I haven't touched the thing. Although, I really wanted a sewing machine...i don't really know how to sew. BUT, I had a lesson when I was 12yrs old and plan on familiarizing myself with this lovely instrument. I'll start small with hemming pants and curtains, then move onto Simplicity and McCall's patterns (i hear their easy).

I know that if I truly were provident I would manage to dry my salads with a towel, or become really skilled at hand-sewing, but I can't say that I have any regrets about purchasing either item.

Hi Everybody!

"Hi Dr. Nick!"

(simpson's quote)

Here's the 411, the ammo, the hash, lowdown, hot poop, what's what, the inside story...about my jaw

Let's start at the beginning:

Well, to be totally honest, the surgery was a bit traumatic for me.  The prep wasn't too bad.  I tried to make everything light-hearted by cracking lame jokes to the doctors and nurses. 

They had me hooked up to an EKG monitor, put a tube in my nose that hooked me up to an oxygen tank and finally an IV for the moment when they'd put me under.

I sat there in the cold, sterile room for a good 45 minutes before it all began, which wasn't too bad, because I sat there playing with my EKG monitor.  You know to see how I could change the little waves on the screen, ie. flexing muscles, breathing slowly, etc. 

 

During this time, I contemplated whether I wanted to try to remain aware during surgery.  I knew they would give me an anesthetic that would render me unconscious for the entire procedure, but I also knew that if I really wanted to, I could remain alert, for the most part. 

The idea of being totally knocked out and not in control of my body, made me scared.  

So although, I dreamed of pink fluffy clouds and fuchsia stilt walkers, I remained alert of most conversation and all of the yanking and pulling they had to do.   

I am beginning to forget details, but a week after the surgery, I could recount a lot of what happened during that traumatic experience in the clinic.  

In the end, I was so grateful for what the oral surgeons had done (i say surgeonS because there were 3 of them altogether.  One operating, one assisting, one stabilizing my jaw, aka holding it)

that I woke up at 5am the night after my surgery and wrote thank you letters to both Doctors.

I think I embarrassed them when I gave it to them...Oh well.

-------

One month later

-------

I am doing very well!  I am not in pain.  Occasionally I feel some aching in my jaw, but I'm guessing that's just due to the healing process.  

To keep the holes in my jaw nice and clean, I have to irrigate my hole AND my tube after every meal.  Kind of gross/cool to see what comes out!

My next appointment is set for April 15th.  They'll probably do some xrays then to see how my jawbone is doing.

Every now and then I get a little anxious for really chewy/crunchy foods, but I am reminded by family members that I ought to be careful.  They're smart to tell me so.

Thank you again for praying for me and encouraging me when I've been sad about this whole situation.   I express gratitude to my Heavenly Father for you and pray for you also.

Photos will be shared of THE TUBE, but that will be posted later and with GREAT WARNING, for anyone who is REALLY squeemish.

I hate it when...

people neglect their blog. It annoys me when I'm not updated every week. However, that would make me a hypocrite! So, I updated my blog. I'm alive, healthy and sleepy. There you go. The end.

Tomorrow's the Big Day!

I go into surgery tomorrow afternoon (March 4th, 1pm EST) to have my Odontogenic Keratocyst removed and replaced by a tube which will drain the cyst, allowing bone to grow back! Yipee!
So thank you to everyone who kept me in their prayers. It's because of your prayers and your faith that 1 out of the 3 cysts started to deflate, so my jaw is already trying to grow bone.

So I love you all and pictures of my swollen face will be posted soon!

Quote of the Day!

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”

Marianne Williamson from the book, A Return to Love: Reflections on the Principles of A Course in Miracles

"You watch your phrase-ology!"

I've always been fascinated by some of the phrases I've heard in my young to adult life. Such phrases have come from my mom, grandma, some East-Coasters, and of course I did some of my own research on the internet.
I can appreciate how idioms offer such distinct and creative imagery, like giving instruction on how to suck chicken eggs, or not touching something with a ten foot pole. A ten foot pole? Why bother?

Share, if you'd like, some of your own cooky phrases. Please, enlighten me, as well as the blogging community.

"More than you can shake a stick at"
a very large number of something.
*I find this imagery hilarious...my mom does a good impression
of this.

"Don't try to teach your Grandma to suck eggs"
Don't offer advice to someone who has more experience than oneself.
*did your Grandma ever suck eggs?

"Put your nose out of joint"
Hurt your feelings or upset your plans
*that would hurt

"Dead cat bounce"
A small and temporary recovery in a financial market following a large fall.
*cat lovers WOULD NOT like this one.

"As easy as pie"
very easy.
*now this doesn't make ANY sense. Have you ever made pie?
It's NOT easy! I guess it's the irony that makes this idiom so
useful. Or that one would be so accomplished and efficient at everything else
that making pie would be a piece of cake...er I mean, simple. Now if we were talking easy as EATING a pie, that would definitely apply to me!

I don't know if I am strong enough to remain optimistic through all of this anymore. Fear is so potent sometimes that I can't grasp hope. I sound so fatalistic don't I? I guess I can't help but be a little dramatic, it's in my nature to be bit of a performer.
But it honestly has been a little bit like a rollercoaster...
I know I have plenty to be grateful for and that there are many who are praying for my benefit, and I thank you. I have felt your prayers and they have sustained me. So I guess, instead of falling into the depths of despair, I should give thanks for my friends, family, and to my Heavenly Father.

Tag - aroni

1) What I was doing 10 years ago: I was 14 years old, just coming back from being home-schooled and trying to fit into public school again. Met my best friends Andra and Ryan in Drama class and Jacob in English class. Started noticing a particular boy, actually enjoyed my math class (Ms. Hickey), and was definitely feeling self-conscious about my body. Ahh…the awkward adolescent years!

2) 5 Things on my To Do list today:
1)Wake up
2)Read Scriptures
3)Pray
4)Go to work
5)Hang out with my best friend!

(keeping it simple today)

3) I enjoy: Socializing with my friends, holding/playing with cute kids, talking about the gospel, dancing, hiking, being active, being among nature, hanging out with my hubby, traveling, shopping, eating, eating chocolate, dressing up, playing board games, etc, etc, etc.

4) If I were suddenly made a billionaire: Pay off all student loans/debts, get health insurance, a day at the Spa, travel to Europe, Asia, South America, and Africa. Give some away, invest it…And by then I’d have spent all but a million dollars—so then naturally, I’d buy a green dress (but not a real green dress, that’s cruel)

5) 6 Jobs I have had: Babysitter, food service worker in my high school, Dance teacher, Resident Assistant, Professional dancer, GSR for a Soho spa.

6) 5 Things people don't know about me:
1) I want to become a certified Yoga instructor
2) I want to create a business with my mom designing/making clothes
3) I want to try cutting my hair short, but am too chicken to go through with it.
4) I hate making mistakes.
5) I would love to try out some more acting, even be in an indie movie!

Actually, most people will know ALL those things about me. I’m not one to keep things to myself

Baby Hungry?

....She started it!.....

Well...

Despite my the blah day I had on Friday, the rest of the weekend turned out to be pretty good.
In fact, my 'blah' Friday got better! I ended up going to a wedding reception for our next door neighbor and fellow ward member. Now this in not some gringo, "traditional" wait-in-receiving-line-for-hours sort of reception. This was a 4 hour event. There was dancing and TONS of food, and even though I don't know hardly ANY spanish I had a great time with other ward members and cute little kids. I actually wasn't able to stay the entire time, but it was fun while it lasted.

Then on Saturday I had my pizza party with my Primary class. Which was also a lot of fun.
I hadn't planned on everyone coming, but ALL of my kids came!--plus about 6 other people (I also invited parents to stay). I had a total of 15 people in my 550sq ft apartment at one point. It was madness! But, honestly, even though I was exhausted in the end and had a new soda stain on my sofa, I still had fun! The chaos, actually, made me feel at home. Funny.

Now when Sunday arrived, I was tired and still feeling icky from my cold. However, the day did not disappoint. Testimony meeting was glorious and my Primary kids did a great job in our presentation in Sharing time. I got a lot of my ideas from Leslie (my SIL) and from the website sugardoodle.net. Afterwards, during our regular class time, we memorized and familiarized ourselves with the Articles of Faith.

I guess the moral of the story is: Shut up and do your work. Whining doesn't help.

Although, things DID get better...

But I don't think I can say that my whining got me there. Probably, prayers.
Lots and Lots of prayers.


This is the Primary singing for our Ward Christmas Party.

Blah

I was not expecting today to be such a 'blah' day. I thought I'd be energetic, productive and anxious to get things done! It's almost 2pm now, do you want to know what I've been up to? Whether you do/do NOT, too bad! I'm going to tell you anyway...

I woke up late (because I was up late, coughing up a lung!) then sat in bed worrying about how I'm going to organize the drop off and pick up of all my Primary kids on Saturday for a pizza party which I'm hosting at my apartment (sometimes I miss suburbia). Then I made breakfast for me and my husband-then baked a cake and cupcakes for said party. Messed up the frosting, so that it was all runny, used it anyway. Sat and tried to prepare for the Sharing Time lesson for Sunday, got frustrated. And why? I don't know. Can't seem to stay focused. Sat down and drank some lavender tea and popped another antibiotic for my sinus infection. Got online to read some more Primary ideas, 10 minutes later I was looking at food dehydrators. And now it's rainy and overcast. Ah poo.
Well, hopefully now that I've griped to the blogging world I will now get off my large butt, suck it up and get to work!

Whine whine whine. I think I whine more as an adult than I did as a kid.

Happy Friday!

Sorry 'bout that

For anybody who was trying to see my blog these last 3 days, I must apologize because I was in the midst of deciding whether I should make my blog more secure. I don't know if I like the idea, since I am, myself, a BlogStalker. That's how I've recovered friends I lost touch with.
But, I am back on the air to share with you openly about my adventures. If I do decide to be more "exclusive" I promise to send you an email to invite you to read it.

So please forgive me if I have hurt your feelings...

Sleep Talking

Just so you know...

The Biopsy results are in! It's Benign. Thanks to everyone for all your prayers. They really helped me. Now, I am either going in for a minor surgery where the docs place tube in my jaw to drain the 3 cysts, which then will hopefully encourage my bone to grow back. OR in the event of my jaw breaking, then I'll need reconstructive surgery. Which means opening me up and replacing my jaw with a titanium plate then later recovering bone with bone grafting (the bone would come from my hip and my rib). Happy Happy Joy Joy!

Blah blah blah. Boring stuff...let's see what we did while my mom came out to visit me while I was recovering from the biopsy.

Figure1 My sore face
Figure 2 My mom regularly mashed ALL my food for me. Nothing like smoothies and chicken puree
Figure 3 Watching The Office, Sense & Sensibility, or Simpsons

Aw, MAN!

For a few weeks now I've been making frequent trips to Columbia Dental School to take care of some issues that my previous dentist felt was necessary. On the list of things to do, were two implants, two extractions and an overall check up of my teeth.
The first round wasn't so bad, the dentist said I needed a root canal on one tooth and should start using fluoride rinse to prevent any cavities for my cavity prone teeth. Good advice Doc!

Now, I've been to the dentist MANY times in my life already. All this business about root canals and extractions weren't new to me. The implant was the scariest looking thing of them all, and implants are pretty common.

You may think I have a history of bad dental hygiene, but if you were to talk to anyone, they would tell you that I floss twice/three times a day and can't even close one eye at bed time, without brushing my teeth! But it's just my genes. (I should stop wearing those genes. HA)

But I digress...where was I....Oh yes!

So, with the New Year here, I thought it was time for me to pay a visit to the oral surgeon to set up my appointment for the dreaded surgery. If I don't do it now, it'll never get done!
Just as it is with the regular dentist, I have to have another oral examination, which requires an xray of my entire mouth (teeth and jaw bone). What came next, was a whirlwind of information.

3 oral surgeons were now in the exam room and one began to tell me about an abnormality they found in my xrays. He pointed out to me that I have possible 2 cysts on my jawbone. He sent me to get a I-Scan (which is a lower grade CAT scan) in their clinic to determine the mass of these cysts. 5 minutes later, I'm looking at 3 large cysts on my jawbone and TMJ. The doctor said he was amazed I hadn't broken my jaw, because the cysts have taken up space where all the bone is suppose to be. He suggested I come back on Thursday for an immediate biopsy and to bring family members with me.

On Thursday, my mom and husband gather around me in the dentist chair as we listen to him explain both the mild and extreme situation, depending on what kind of cyst it is.
Mild: They will drainthe cystic fluid to allow the bone to be replace and then they will scrape out the cyst itself. Extreme: (If the cyst is malginant) Removing the jawbone and TMJ on the left side and replace it with temporary metal jaw. Then later remove prosthetic jaw to graft bone in.

The biopsy was a little terrifying and so is the idea of cancer. But I have already received a blessing and I feel that I will be protected from the worst.

Thank you for your prayers, phone calls, and out pouring love. I am grateful to you all.

Stay tuned...

--Before and After pictures of my biopsy
--How to Puree Pizza into a Soup!

God rest ye Jerry Mendelman....

Here is a recap of my visit to Arizona:

1. Picked up at the airport by Mom, Christian, Britt, Greg and Jen.
2. Went shopping at (because NYC is too darn expensive!) Saver's, Deseret Industries and Joann's Fabric Store.
3. Hung out at Christian's house playing Guitar Hero and Wii.
4. Got together with my Ghetto Friends and ate Gekko Grill.
5. Went up to Prescott to visit Nathan's first trumpet teacher, Mike Vax.
6. Invited friends over to eat some Lemon Meringue Pie (yum!) for my birthday and then watched 2nd season of The Office.
7. Finally watched the Finale of SYTYCD with Cecily.
8. Soaked in Mom and Dad's jacuzzi.
9. Ate too much at Christian's awesome annual New Year's Party and gift exchange (we got a Chinese peeing boy and a book called "The Gas We Pass"--GEMS!)!!
10. Played with cute nieces and nephews.
11. Watched 3rd season with my brother Joel and then went out for some Salsalitas burritos.
12. Took a family photo of all us. I mean ALL 24 of us in one room. Believe me it was madness.
13. Probably gained a few pounds.
14. Played P-O-I-S-O-N in Cecily's huge backyard. And I kicked butt!
15. Ate at my favorite dessert place...MESA FROZEN YOGURT!
16. Made Gingerbread houses with Arinda, Saylem and Treyjan.
17. Played Webkins. If you don't know what that is, ask Trey.
18. Debated whether white shoes with dark tights is a fashion Faux Pas.
19. Missed our plane (which my wonderful mother worked her magic to get a flight out for only $125 for the two of us). I've never done that before! How embarrassing!
20. Had the best time!

Now I was great at taking pictures in the beginning, but as we got busy, I got lazy
with documenting everything.

Scattergories - Anna

Scattergories - Anna

1. What is your name? Anna
2. 4 letter word: Anna
3. Vehicle: All-terrain vehicle
4. City: Anoka, Atlantis, Austin, Atlanta, Alberquerque
5. Boy Name: Alan
6. Girl Name: Arinda
7. Alcoholic drink: Alter wine
8. Occupation: Acrobat, Anesthesiologist, Area Seventy
9. Something you wear: Ankle bracelet, Ape suit, Apple-Bottom jeans
10. Celebrity: Al Roker, Ava Witherspoon (reese's daughter)
11. Food: Apple, Anise
12. Something found in a bathroom: Armpit Deodorant
13. Reason for Being Late: Ate too much, Accident
14. Cartoon Character: Arthur the Aardvark
15. Something you shout: Aye aye Captain!
16. Animal: Ape
17. Body part: Aorta
18. Word to describe you: Adorable

Mmmm.....Breakfast

What is the worst thing you've had for breakfast?  I'll get the ball rolling....

Skittles!  I ate a half a bag of Skittles.  True, we didn't have any breakfast food, but I live right across the street from "Selecto Supermarket"! I  could've ran over to pick up something slightly more healthy.

 Oye vey!  I am going to pay for this later.  

It amazes me sometimes how much I abuse my body, but it is so forgiving. It still let's me breath, walk, dance with ease (although today it might be a brisker "sugar-high" walk!).

This cycle reminds me of forgiveness.  

We have agency to choose. 

We then sometimes choose poorly, which then makes us or those around us miserable.  

We feel remorse.

We ask for forgiveness 

It is freely given.

And even after all that, we STILL have our agency.  I don't know, if I gave somebody a gift and then they misused and came running to me for help to fix it, I'd be pretty upset and apt to never give them that same gift ever again, because they'd screw it up!

Thank goodness I'm not in charge of the universe.  Obviously Heavenly Father wants me to learn something.  I suppose he knows something I do not.   Glad it's in his hands.

So......

Skittles = 1          Anna=0

I've learned my lesson.  Skittles are not "Part of a complete breakfast"!

Tis the season to ignore your blogging

Sorry for my lack of blogging. I will return, honest! Stay tuned...

Just Thinking...

of all the memories from Christmases (sp? is that word?) past and my thoughts are turned to my wonderful family (naturally).  So just as a warning I'm going to trail off about things we baked for Christmas, presents we gave/received, service we rendered, etc.

I remember...

All the family dressing up in purple clothing.  Joel and Dad "picked up" a purple frosted Christmas tree from that empty lot by our house and then talking about purple things at dinner time.  I remember doing this whole charade for my oldest brother, Christian.

I remember...

Walks around the Arizona Temple to see the Christmas lights.  And then watching Luke II in the visitors center.

I remember...

My brother Joel, working very long and hard to make me my very first Barbie Doll house. It was blue with a brown roof and brown carpet samples on the floor of the house.

 I remember loving it!

I remember...

My mom letting me "buy" (she paid for it, but my name was on the label) a pink-flowered afghan for my sister as a Christmas present.  

I remember...

The Christmas that Joel wore his baby blue long underwear on Christmas morning.  Sprockets!

"Touch my monkey!"

I remember...

Eating pancakes with peanut butter and syrup and french toast with powdered sugar for Christmas breakfast.

I remember...

My dad dressing up as Santa Clause for the Episcopal church and going with him to their little church party.  I also remember feeling jealous that all those kids were sitting on MY dad's lap.

I remember...

The night that Joel, Cecily and I all got up at the same time to go to the bathroom the eve of Christmas.  I remember us giggling with excitement as we passed each other in the hallway.

I remember...

My mom scolding me for whining about presents and reminding me why we celebrate Christmas.

I remember...

When we were making Divinity for our neighbors, mom accidently pulled the hand-mixer out of the bowl while it was still spinning.  I remember her having white specks on her hair and and glasses.  Her first response--laughing her head off!

I remember...

Doing service projects to people outside our family, but I can't remember what we did in particular as a family...sad, I know.

I remember...

Warmth, thoughtfulness, kindness, gratitude, love, tenderness and the spirit of the season!

Botching, yet another, Christmas Song

My hubby's brother found this hilarious rendition of "The First Noel" by the beloved Animaniacs!
So I will give you the lyrics and you just place it with the melody and you get a very delightfully clever song.

To spell Santa's name is easy to do
You write S A N T and another A, too
But no L, no L, Santa's name has no L
And he won't be too pleased if you don't learn to spell

Jack and Jill went up a hill to fetch water from a well
But when neither one could find it, Jill started to yell
No well, no well, can't believe there's no well
We walked all the way here and I'm mad, can't you tell?

Captain Ahab took his crew, his harpoon and set sail
And he called out to ships, 'Have you seen the white whale?'
No whale, no whale, we ain't seen no whale
Saw a couple of dolphins, and a big yellow tail

If you've listened to this tune, then you probably can tell
That you've heard it before, it's a song you know well
Know well, know well, it's a song you know well
And we've ruined it completely, so we all say 'Oh well'

Oh well, oh well, We'll just say 'Fare thee well'
And Merry Christmas to you, and a Joyous Noel


Since I'm being irreverent, I thought this was kind of funny...poor santa

Getting to know my Christmas Style

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? I love wrapping presents! I feel so cheated when I can't rummage through an old pile of torn boxes, only to find that the top of the box is missing. And then find out that I didn't cut the right size of wrapping paper so then I have to cut strips to go into the exposed areas where the larger wrapping piece didn't cover, and to try to perfectly fold the sides of the paper to make it look clean and discover that I left the tape in the other room...I just don't like the simplicity of gift bags.

2. Real tree or artificial? Well if I could afford a real tree that would be my first pick, but our adorable 2 foot artificial tree is doing a great job holding up our ornaments and lights. And the Christmas tree scented candle I bought does the job.

3. When do you put up the tree? This year is was 2 days after Thanksgiving

4. When do you take the tree down? Usually around New Year's

5. Do you like eggnog? I'll taste a little each Christmas, but I'm a big Hot Chocolate drinker

6. Favorite gift received as a child? I have two: The Barbie Doll house that my brother built and the homemade dress ups my sister made

7. Do you have a nativity scene? Yup: 1 mini size, one orb-looking one, and one Veggietales nativity

8. Hardest person to buy for? My brothers

9. Easiest person to buy for? My nieces

10. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? Luckily, I missed out on any bad gifts.

11. Mail or email Christmas cards? This year I'm trying to make all my Christmas cards and then send them in the mail.

12. Favorite Christmas Movie? I love ELF! And a Christmas story is a classic! But Charlie Brown Christmas is good too. Hmm....

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? December

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? I'm sure I have

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Holy Smokes! What don't I eat. Popcorn, candy canes, peppermint bark, divinity, cookies...I have no shame.

16. Clear lights or colored on the tree? colored

17. Favorite Christmas song? I Heard the Bells on Chrismtas Day

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Now that I'm married an both our families live on the other side other of the US, we travel.

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer? Of course I can! Who doesn't! There's Sleepy, Sleazy, Cupid, DonJaun, Dopey, Blitzen, Flashy, Snazzy, and John Wayne.

20. Angel on the tree top or a star? I grew up with a beautiful ceramic angel on our tree. Now I have a giant red star on our tiny tree. I like both.

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? On Christmas Morning!

22. Most annoying thing about this time of year? In NYC, it's the congestion on the Subway that is a bummer. Not only are there MORE people crammed into a subway car, they all have huge bags of Christmas presents.

23. What I love most about Christmas? Christmas songs, Service projects, traditions, decorations, Christmas lights at the temple, the birth of my Savior.

Pain in the Butt! (or tooth, head, foot, back, etc)

Ok. I'm just curious and want to take a poll of what kind of pain is the worse pain.
As of late, I've been dealing with chronic back, hip and shoulder pain and now my teeth are starting to give me hard time, due to a wisdom tooth growing in wonky (it's a real word!) and a possible cavity. Then I found a zit on my forehead that is big and swollen. Ga!

Woe is Me! I do want you to know that I AM grateful for my generally well-functioning body, and am also grateful that I can move, think, and speak with ease. It's just that now that I've been hurting for about week and half, I'm getting a little grouchy. And besides, it's MY blog, I'll cry it I want to!

Anyway, I'm still curious as to what people think is the worst kind of pain. (And maybe some really interesting stories will come out of this too)

1. Toothache (ranging from a cavity to an absess)

2. Migraine Headache

3. A Blind Pimple

4. A Boil on your posterior

5. Menstral Cramps

6. A blister on your foot or hand

7. Pink eye

8. A sliver in your pinky

9. Gas pain/stomach ache

10. Lower back and hip pain

Let me know if I forgot something...
(I intentionally left out "Giving Birth", because I would imagine that that is going to be unanimous among the mothers who read this blog. Although I've heard that giving birth is quite a bit like pulling your bottom lip up and over your head.)

Christmas Time is here!

We did it! We put up our Christmas decorations! I was so excited that I started taking pictures of the decor. And then, I was delighted to see that Leslie had posted pictures of her Christmas decorating, so...Here we are, ENJOY:

L-R: Got the Snowman at a $1 store. Notice our cute 2 ft
tree and stockings.

A little nostalgic photo of the tree.
And a close up of one of our ornaments.

Close up of our 2 inch tall Nativity and our Orb Nativity.
Oh and pine cones!

A perspective picture of the Decor and then some close ups.

"Happiness and Cheer!"

Todays Top 20

This list isn't in any particular order. I just wanted to express my gratitude for only a few things . Because I know I have much more to be thankful for...

Things I am grateful for:

1-Memories of past Thankgivings
2-Grandma Evan's delicious pumpkin pie recipe
3-Food that is both delicious and healthy
4-My body
5-Knowledge
6-Random and friendly conversations with strangers
7-Cool Fall days
8-Walks through the park
9-Cell phones/email
10-The convenience of hot running water and indoor toilets
11-The comfort of knowing that I am loved
12-The "Botts Family Gratitude" jar my sister-in-law shared with me, which
also prompted me to write this list
13-The knowledge that I have a support group that knows me so well that I
hardly have to finish sentences and that they are as weird as me!
(AKA : MY FAMILY!)
14-The wisdom and honesty of little nieces and nephews
15-Underwear
16-My husband
17-Foot Rubs
18-The reading and writing of Blogs
19-The Gospel
20-Laughing until it hurts or loss of bladder control

De-Lish Dish!

I found this soup on epicurious.com. It's a delightful fall-appropriate soup. Be sure to get the Parmisian cheese. It's the perfect topper (I didn't stir it into the soup, as the recipe suggests)! And instead of Sage I used Thyme (dried).

Butternut Squash and White Bean Soup

1 large garlic clove, minced
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 small butternut squash (1 lb), peeled, seeded, and cut into 1/2-inch pieces (2 cups)
13/4 cups chicken broth (14 fl oz)
2 cups water
1 (16- to 19-oz) can white beans (preferably cannellini), rinsed and drained
2 canned whole tomatoes, coarsely chopped
1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh sage
1 oz finely grated Parmigiano-Reggiano (1/2 cup) plus additional for serving
1/4 cup hulled green pumpkin seeds (not roasted; optional)


Cook garlic in 1 tablespoon oil in a 3-quart heavy saucepan over moderate heat, stirring frequently, until golden, about 1 minute. Add squash, broth, water, beans, tomatoes, and sage and simmer, covered, stirring occasionally, until squash is tender, about 20 minutes. Mash some of squash against side of saucepan to thicken soup. Remove from heat and stir in 1/2 cup cheese and salt to taste.

While soup is simmering, cook pumpkin seeds in remaining tablespoon oil in a small skillet over moderately low heat, stirring, until seeds are plump and lightly toasted, 2 to 4 minutes. Season with salt.

Serve soup sprinkled with pumpkin seeds and additional cheese.

Hope you like it!

KEY-UTE!

Tressa Jane duPont

I can't help it. I'm a proud aunt. Not that I don't have other cute nieces and nephews, but I have yet to see this one in person. And come on, these pictures are CUTE!

I Heart Costco

Today, mom and I ventured out to Costco to fill up my 1 square foot X 2 feet deep "old lady cart" (that link connects you to a pic I found when I typed "old lady cart" in google. I guess that's really the official name).

It's moments like these that I wish I lived in Suburbia and had a car that I could load and unload stuff.

Taking a trip out to Costco, goes something like this:

Start:
Take the A train downtown from Dyckman-200th St to 57th St. (a total of 143 Streets)
Walk up the stairs out of the subway station and begin walking East on 57th, to 7th Ave
At 7th Ave, walk downstairs into the NQRW station and catch the N or W train
Get out of N/W train at Broadway (now in Queens) and walk down a long stairwell (about 3 flights) to street
Begin walking West on Broadway (or take the Q104 bus) to Vernon Boulevard, 5 blocks away

After 150+ streets and 8 avenues, and a 50 minute train ride, you have arrived at Costco. Hooray! You may now begin your Costco experience. Go eat a hot dog. Or maybe a frozen yogurt, because you'll need the extra energy for the trip back, when you're carrying 60lbs worth of groceries up and down stairs, in and out of crowed subways and on and off buses.

But, alas. I love Costco and it's large quantities.

Just for Fun!

Ya know, it's amazing what you'll come up with when you are bored and have a camera in your hand. Well the first 3 pictures I took my self, but then mom came in and snapped the rest! My neck was sore and I had a small headache, but I think it was worth it.

It's fun when mom comes for a visit!

Ah poo

I did it again! Grrrr....I wrote a super long post and pushed Save as Draft, thinking it meant Save now. So does anyone now how I retrieve those drafts? Or is it a lost cause? Sheesh!!