The Coachman...

I want to eat here while we are in Salt Lake

Sadly we wont have time to go, but just know I wanted to eat here. Brian's grandpa introduced me to it last Christmas, and I have to say- I was impressed... sorry Di.

The Catchup Advisory Board

From Brian:

We were listening to a Prairie Home Companion on the way to church today, and Ashley wanted to post a clip from the Catchup Advisory Board on our blog. So I went and found one on Youtube. By the way, the appropriate spellings of the condiment are "Ketchup" and "Catsup," so they decided to compromise the spelling. Enjoy.

Discovering the "Unfriend" Option

I recently discovered the power of the “unfriend” button on facebook, and I am drunk with the power this little button brings. I should explain that I am not a big “facebooker”. There is a voyeuristic side of me wont let me get rid of the account, and encourages me to check for updates, but the rational side you all know and love hates facebook. I strongly dislike the people that post about their every action, the people that play those ridiculous games, post all over walls about the games, bunnies, pirates, zombies, and send me ridiculous “gifts”, hugs, and pokes. It is because of these people I recently discovered the “unfriend” button. The unfriend button is like a “frownsmile”, at first it seems cruel, but once you discover it you realize that you have unlocked something magical. Last night I unfriended 20+ people, don’t worry if you read this blog you aren’t one of them, but if you post like a crazy person you are in danger of joining that club. As I went through the list (and don’t worry there is more pruning to do) I was almost giddy with excitement as I kicked people off the list. Most people don’t need to know what I am up to, I have already looked at their pictures and am no longer interested in being their friends- there were the people from high school that I didn’t like when I was 15 and probably didn’t like now, the random 3^rd and 4^th cousins that I share genetic material with but have never actually met, and the people who I see often enough that I don’t want that interaction to also occur in the digital world. I feel liberated- free from facebook’s prison of irritation.

Just a note to all you facebookers out there- if for some reason you think you need to post about every aspect of your life- you are sadly mistaken, no one cares. Stop playing those dumb facebook games- if you are over 12 you are too old for “zombie wars”, “farm whatever” or something with vampires- give it up, grow up, find a grown up hobby. Stop making friends on facebook and meeting in real life or continuing a virtual friendship- people on facebook can lie about their real identity just like people on online dating websites- unless you actually know the person you have no way of verifying they aren’t a sketchy guy in a basement or attic somewhere- facebook friends do not equal real friends, start with real people then add them on facebook. If you are under 15 get off facebook, go play outside, ride your bike, do your homework, don’t worry the vitural world will continue without you.

For more information on “frownsmiles” please visit http://www.seriouslysoblessed.blogspot.com/

one more thing, if you attempt to add me as a facebook friend (because i am awesome) and never get a reply it is likely because i think you are going to fill my news feed with things i dont care about- dont worry in real life you are great but we just cannot be facebook friends.

Feel Good Stories for Wednesday

Sometimes I hear stories on NPR that confirm why I continue to sit through the jazz, endless rants about the war in the Afghanistan, and reviews of independent films I will never see. On Friday, as I was driving to work there was a piece on adoption (on NPR they are pieces, not monologues or segments), the piece was heartwarming, inspiring, and one that had to be shared. One of the regular hosts was interviewed about his experience adopting two girls from china, I have heard about the miracle of adoption, but have never heard such a poignant telling of the experience. The father described their experience this way:

“My wife and I, not having had children in the traditional, Abraham-and-Sarah-begat manner, have learned to make jokes about the way we've had our family. ("Pregnant! Why would you do that? Those clothes! And you can't drink for months!") Jokes are sometimes the only sensible answer to some of the astoundingly impertinent questions people can ask, right in your children's faces. "How much did they cost? Are they healthy? You know, you hear stories. So why did you go overseas? Not enough kids here?" But we cannot imagine anything more remarkable and marvelous than having a stranger put into your arms who becomes, in minutes, your flesh, your blood: your life. There are times when the adoption process is exhausting and painful and makes you want to scream. But, I am told, so does childbirth.”

This is why I turn off talk radio and sit through the independent film reviews.

For the full story visit http://www.npr.org/templates/transcript/transcript.php?storyId=129301982

On a related (ish) note while preparing my Young Women’s lesson this past weekend, I came across this video, that while sappy is worth the 3 minutes it takes to watch.

On another note: congratulations to the Hunters!

Delta Airlines + Labor Day Weekend= Holiday Weekend in Utah

Dear Readers,

We will be in Utah for Labor Day weekend. If you happen to want to see us (and why wouldnt you?) we will be there, if you'd rather not see us... well we will still be there.

Happy Monday.

Thank you for your service...

This evening as I was preparing my lesson for Young Women’s tomorrow I came across an enrichment activity that encouraged the teacher to have the class reflect on the three women that have had a positive influence on the direction their lives have taken because of their selfless service, to be honest I am not sure the 12 year olds in my class are going to have much to go on, I wouldn’t have had much to go on at that age, but I liked the question and it made me pause and reflect on the women that have touched my life over the years. I have been blessed to know so many strong, talented, and caring women over my life, knowing all of these women have had a positive influence on my life, but some stand out more than others- three in particular have had a major impact on the direction I have taken- here is my list:

My mom- My mom is awesome, most people say that about their moms but let me assure you, mine is actually awesome. She has put up with a lot from her kids, but despite our failings, misdeeds, and less than positive attitudes she has continued to put up with us. She is my model of patience, perseverance, and dare I say long suffering. You know those moms that bake cookies, have dinner ready at 5, help you make your prom dress, grocery shop until they drop, take you to soccer practice, and make sure that you say your prayers at night- that is my mom. She is a model of service, and while it took me longer than it should have to notice and appreciate her I do now (which is what counts, right?)

Dr. X- Dr. X has helped to shape my life more than she knows, she encouraged me to challenge myself, strive for excellence in everything, consult my Heavenly Father in my academic pursuits, and showed me that being assertive is an admirable quality in a woman. I fought her guidance every step of the way, sometimes it was painful, but in the end I am better for having known and worked with her. On a daily basis I think to myself what would Dr. X do? I know it is strange, but working with her has encouraged me to examine many aspects of my life and think to myself- is this something that would be acceptable to her? There are many days that I don’t measure up, but the simple thought has encouraged me to try harder, be more aware, and not accept mediocrity.

S- S was the best boss I ever had, my favorite professor, and the reason in the end that I chose to go to graduate school (one of the best decisions I have ever made). She encouraged me to follow my passions, was my cheerleader the whole way, wouldn’t let me give up, and taught me that embracing life- both the good and the bad- is important. She taught me that anything is possible as long as you are willing to work for it, encouraged me to examine the consequences of my decisions, and taught me that caring about what you do is vitally important to success.

There are so many other amazing women that have touched my life through their selfless service- there is the friend that introduced me to the west wing (seriously a service), told me it was okay to miss Brian while he was in texas and I was in utah, taught me that being uptight in okay, and told me I would make new friends even though I was (am) seriously missing my old ones. There is the friend that let me watch her care for her two little boys, showed me that being a wife and mother is one of the greatest things I will ever do, put up with my crazy husband, let us spend hours doing nothing at her home, made it okay that I missed (still miss) Utah, and supported my ATK obsessions (move to dallas), the sister in law that gave me a place to stay, incorporated me into her family, let me spend time with her wonderful kiddos, and showed me that parenting with guidance from Heavenly Father is the only way to go. There are too many to mention (if you weren’t mentioned you are still awesome!). I hope I can follow the example of these wonderful women and help and serve those around me as they have done. Thank you, thanks for everything you do, and thanks for making my lesson way more interactive tomorrow!

I am convinced that Nyquil is one of the greatest inventions of the 20th century. I have been sick since Friday- well to be fair I have been sick since last Thursday but I was pretending my sore throat was due to talking too much. Anyway on Friday I developed a fever, on saturday it was still there, and what a shock it lingered through sunday, monday, and tuesday. My company has a three sick day policy (that is how many you get per year) so let's just say the fever is gone, I am headed back to work tomorrow- no sick days, no being sick. Anyway that isnt the purpose of this post, so I caught whatever this happened to be- I am waiting for the strep culture to come back, right now the choices are: 1. strep, 2. mono, 3. some other viral infection. So let's just say this has been a pleasant week, I have slept more than the cat, havent moved in days, but on a very happy note I am getting better, why? Nyquil. I love Nyquil. I love that when you are sick and you take the magic blue pills that you feel better and you sleep, and when you are sick you need to sleep. The only problem with Nyquil is that is slows your reaction time, let me give you a for instances. The other day I took some Nyquil, took a nap, and got up (4 hours left in the dose), brian and I went to the grocery store (he drove), I went to get some eggs, or milk, something and then went to go find him to put whatever it was in the cart and I couldnt recognize him. I saw someone that looked familiar, but I couldnt place them, I decided to walk up to them to see if that helped- it didnt but it turned out to be Brian. See this is the downside of Nyquil- I didnt even recognize my own husband. Other downside, today I went to go work on something in the other room, I walked the 20 feet to the other room, got there and couldnt remember why I was there, I sat there for a good 15 minutes trying to figure it out- still no idea why i went in there. On the other side though- I have slept... a lot. If i hadnt taken Nyquil I am sure whatever I caught would have killed me off by this point. Oh Nyquil I will miss you tomorrow when I am back at work and still dying.

Christmas Countdown Panic

I am starting Christmas Countdown Panic mode. I am well aware that it is August 3rd and that Christmas is a ways away but still it is time to get ready. Let me tell you my theory- in my world the christmas countdown begins July 5th. July 4th is my favorite holiday, after that is over it is time to countdown to my second favorite holiday- Christmas. This christmas everyone is coming to our new house in Texas- this is the first christmas where I will be the hostess instead of the kid and it has to be special. This is also the last christmas where my younger sister will still be at home instead of away at school- so you see there is some added pressure. So readers this is where you come in, I need some fun christmas ideas- since this is the first year we are having christmas at our house we are able to incorporate new traditions into the mix, what are some of the traditions you have (I need to steal them), what are some fun pre christmas ideas, and some fun christmas new years transition ideas? I need food suggestions, games, activities, come on share your ideas...

Branching out and my 400th post

Several months ago (can you believe it has been months, with an S!) Brian's grandpa gave us a list of places to eat in dallas. We came home, put it on the fridge and made plans to visitthem... then we got busy, and the list got ignored, but then we decided to stick to the original plan- and let me tell you the places we have been so far have been worth the wait.

Our first visit was to a place known as "Norma's". It is basically your generic roadside cafe, complete with the 1950's decor, the promise of "fresh pie" on the windows, and the crowd that has been frequently the place since it's opening in the 1950s. I had chicken fried steak (which i was told was a house specialty) and Brian had the pot roast. Both were good, but not the best I have ever had. My main complaint with the chicken fried steak was the amount of gravy it came with- most would be happy, but I dont like gravy, sauce, or ketchup, so a small drop is too much. The place did have the best rolls ever. Seriously, the food was good, but the rolls were incredible. Totally recommend making a trip out there for that... and to see the waitresses, think stereotypical 50's diner waitresses, where the waitress's name is actually "marge", "betty", or "may".

Our second stop was the "twisted root cafe". A quick work of caution, twisted root is located in one of dallas's more interesting areas, meaning, do not visit at night if you are a small white girl. Anyway the place sells burgers and fries- two of my loves. We decided to visit yesterday, I should tell you that my visit was clouded by the massive amount of nyquil i had taken to help alleviate my cold/flu symptoms, swallowing was painful, and my appetite was gone. We walked in, placed our order and waited. I should mention the place was packed at 12pm on a saturday- the line was literally out the door. I ordered a bleu cheese bacon burger ( I love bleu cheese) and brian ordered a green chili guacamole burger. Two things you should know, 1. the burgers are giant, 2. these are the best burgers you will ever eat. Despite my "drug induced state", lack of appetite and difficult swallowing I ate half of my giant burger. It was delicious! They gave me a ton of bleu cheese (hate it when you order bleu cheese burgers and they dont actually give it to you), topped it with crispy bacon, and even toasted the bun- seriously 2 thumbs up- and thank goodness the place is near downtown or I would put on 50 lbs very quickly.

Stay tuned for more dallas food adventures, and sorry for the delay in posts!

PS pictures to come when the internet stops being ridiculous.